Rent a Gulf Coast villa and take a walk through the Cypress trees

Nature lovers booking Florida villa holidays on the Gulf Coast are heading to the right place to spot interesting wildlife.

Their experience could be enhanced with a trip to the Big Cypress National Preserve where they could get up close to some fascinating creatures.

Located in south-west Florida halfway between Naples and Miami, the 720,000-acre park is home to a mixture of tropical and temperate plants that support a unique ecosystem.

Numerous mammals, birds, reptiles and insects inhabit the area, including the great white heron and the elusive Florida panther.

Visitors can take guided tours of the preserve with expert park rangers and take part in a variety of organised outdoor activities.

They can also head to the visitor centre to see exhibits relating to the natural and cultural history of the area and watch films on wildlife and the environment.

Those who would rather travel by car through the preserve than explore on foot could enjoy one of two popular scenic driving routes, which take in pine forests, open prairies and wading bird feeding areas.

Families renting Gulf Coast villas in Naples will be able to travel to the Big Cypress National Preserve easily, as it is around 50 miles east of the city.

Naples is also ideally located for a trip to the world-famous Everglades, where Florida holiday makers can enjoy an airboat ride through the swamps.

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Views and opinions in this article are solely of the author and do not necessarily represent those of James Villa Holidays(JVH). JVH provides no assurances regarding the accuracy of the information and cannot accept liability for complaints, loss or damage resulting from the article. It does not form part of the contract made when a holiday is booked with JVH and the information provided is not intended to be a rider or replacement to the booking conditions. Reference to the service or product of a third party, is not an endorsement or recommendation and JVH accepts no liability as a result of complaints, loss or damage arising from their use.