Florida at Christmas - Telegraph Valerie Dearing, Newton Abbot, Devon, writes Could you give us some advice on organising a family holiday in Florida (self-catering) over Christmas (2012) and New Year for my husband, our 11-year-old son and me? Are there any good packages or is there a tour operator that could put together a bespoke trip for us? We want to see all the usual sights, including Disney World, the Kennedy Space Center and the Everglades. Would we have to fly from a London airport or could we fly from Bristol? If you choose to visit at Christmas and New Year, it will be very expensive - more than £1,000 return with British Airways or Virgin - and while Disney World is jolly over Christmas and New Year, it's hellishly crowded. Moreover, the weather can be nippy, especially in the evenings. I'd seriously consider going over May half-term instead. Then it will be warmer, less busy, should work out cheaper and the Bristol flight is an option - Thomson Airways (thomson.co.uk) operates direct charter flights on this route, but only during some summer months. That said, whenever you visit you may prefer to fly from London, as it will give you much greater flexibility. With BA or Virgin, you can fly to Orlando (from Gatwick) and back from Miami (though to Heathrow, not Gatwick), which is close to the Everglades. Thanks to the frequency of flights, you can take a trip of any duration. About Fred Mawer Fred Mawer is our Florida and Caribbean expert. He has been writing about the two regions for the Daily Telegraph and other publications for more than for 15 years.