Fort Lauderdale Airport is blessed with great transport links, so wherever your ultimate destination is, you can get there with relative ease.

First things first – don’t forget to drive on the right-hand side of the road, that’s the major difference from driving in the UK. Another is that you can make right turns at intersections on red lights, as long as the way through is clear and there’s no sign saying you can’t.

For Fort Lauderdale itself, you can get straight on to US Route 1 at the airport – drive around five miles north and you’re there. If your plans are going to take you elsewhere in Florida, you’re right next to a couple of convenient interstates.

I-95, the Florida Turnpike, takes you both north and south – north to Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and to Jacksonville and beyond. Head south on it and you’ll soon be in Miami – just bear in mind that it’s a toll road.

Alternatively, if you’re heading inland, take the I-595 west, then join the I-75. It passes through some lovely wildlife and nature reserves on its way to the Gulf Coast.

Two of the most spectacular drives are close to the airport too. Route 1 runs along the coast in both directions – stay on it heading south and it’ll lead you to the gorgeous Florida Keys. Route A1A is even closer to the sea and passes across many stretches of water and barrier islands.

Speed limits vary by road type and area, so follow the signs – the top speed in the state is 70mph on rural stretches of interstate.

The Atlantic coast of Florida is a sandy playground of sun-kissed beaches, water sports and pretty towns packed with plenty to see and do. Use your Fort Lauderdale hire car to see the very best of the town itself or make for Miami with its 24-hour nightlife and vibrant art scene.

There are resorts wherever you drive, while the natural beauty of Florida’s southern interior begs to be discovered.

A fine time in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is one of the most sophisticated yet friendly resorts on the coast, with miles and miles of beaches for all, a lovely boardwalk and a sprinkling of culture downtown.

Lined with gently swaying palm trees, the beach is the focal point of the area. Mega-yachts and cruise ships depart from here daily, so wave them off or take to a boat yourself for deep-sea fishing or a white-water cruise.

Downtown Fort Lauderdale is welcoming too, especially around Las Olas and the Riverfront area. Museums, restaurants, souvenir stores and more line the streets, while the waterways will give you a clue as to why some people call this the Venice of Florida.

Make for Miami

It’s only a 30 mile drive or so from Fort Lauderdale Airport to the heart of Miami, meaning you can be in Florida’s most vibrant city in no time at all. There are more beaches here, of course, both Miami and South Beach have soft white sand and plenty going on, but the city boasts far more than just that.

Coast through the city to admire the peerless art deco architecture that survives here – some of the best building are hotels you can stay in to soak up the splendour – and take a tour of the art galleries. Wynwood Walls is the place for street art and lavish graffiti, while key pieces of public sculpture include Buckminster Fuller’s Eye Dome, Rondinone’s Miami Mountain and Noguchi’s playful Slide Mountain.

In other words, you can get a fix of art without having to step out of that golden sunshine. The food in Miami is amazing too – the large Cuban population makes its influence felt in the mouth-watering local cuisine.

Taylor’s turtles

You can get up close with native Floridian wildlife all across the state, whether in animal parks and aquariums, or wild in the Everglades and Keys.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale covers 180 acres and is noted for its loggerhead sea turtle nesting. The areas where the nesting happens are marked, and you’ll also need to be careful of other species which have their sensitive habitat here. Cyclists and in-link skaters love the park, while you can hike, picnic, hire a paddleboat or bird watch.

Car hire from Fort Lauderdale Airport is the best way to experience all that this stunning and sunny part of Florida offers. Beaches and waterways, wildlife and effervescent nightlife are all in easy reach and waiting to be discovered.