Are you ready for the latest and greatest in Orlando guidebooks? Do you still mourn the demise of that old faithful the Brit Guide to Orlando? Well, do we have news for you! It just so happens that these two questions have pretty much the same answer, and we’re ready to provide chapter and verse on what this means for all Orlando-goers.

We’re pretty sure that many of our guests are familiar with the Brit Guide from years past, a book that was regularly proclaimed as “the Bible” for all Orlando visitors from 1996 to 2024. It was certainly a hit with us, to the extent that we often made sure there was the latest edition in all of our Debbie’s Villas holiday homes.

Sadly, the publisher went into decline in 2024 and the authors, Simon and Susan Veness, were subsequently in the market for a new publisher. This we know as we have become firm friends with the Venesses in recent years and it was genuinely sad to hear their tale of woe at the end of a 29-year publishing phenomenon.

Enter, the Best Orlando Villa Holiday Guide!

Well, as of this month, Simon and Susan are back, with a whole new guidebook, but much of the same, essential content that made the Brit Guide a best-seller. The new book even has a firm nod towards the Villa holiday business, which we’re delighted to see. It’s called the Best Orlando Villa Holiday Guide (see what we mean?!), and it features several chapters dedicated to our favourite subject, set among a colourful and lively design.

The good news is that this looks like an all-new guidebook (which it effectively is), while maintaining its links back to the former publication. Fans of the Brit Guide will definitely recognise the style and content, while the general layout and trademark travel tips for various aspects of the Orlando experience will also still be notable.

In fact, we’d go as far as to say this is very much an improvement on the original, a kind of ‘What the Brit Guide did next’ thing, evolving and expanding to provide the very latest info on this amazing holiday playground while also providing that sense of first-hand knowledge and friendliness that was the previous book’s hallmark.

So, what’s in it?

Good question. This is very much the evolution of an original, one that comes with an impressive track record and continues to provide all the essential information on the UK’s favourite long-haul destination. The early parts of the book amount to a general introduction, including those holiday essentials of flights, travel insurance, theme park tickets, getting around (including the consideration of using Uber and Lyft as opposed to a hire car), ESTA and Visa information, pre-holiday guidance and working out your spending money.

Also here are vital guidelines for sourcing the perfect Orlando villa and everything that goes with this excellent type of accommodation (well, we would say that, wouldn’t we!). The book details all the main villa locations and the pros and cons of the best places to stay, as well as detailed info on what’s included with a typical villa, how to get the most out of your stay and a look at the whole subject of grocery shopping, which is an integral part of the villa experience.

That is followed by what is the biggest chunk of the book – quite rightly – for the theme parks and other principal attractions, which include the Kennedy Space Center, LEGOLAND Florida, Gatorland and the huge fun of the water parks. Brit Guide readers will notice a major difference here, though, with all of this central content being wrapped up in one main chapter (albeit one that takes up almost half of the book!). There is also, of course, the full rundown on Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe park, which opened in a blaze of publicity last year.

There is also a chapter devoted to Days Out in and around the Orlando area, including places like ICON Park, Mount Dora, Wekiva Island and Wild Florida, and introducing an array of thrilling experiences such as hang-gliding, kayaking, airboat rides, balloon rides and swimming with manatees.

Finally, the book wraps up with chapters on Sport in Orlando, including soccer, basketball and American football, Golf, Shopping, Dining, a look at Florida nature, medical assistance and that other Floridian staple, the Beaches, with insight into how to enjoy a day at the seaside on either coast at places like Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Clearwater, St Pete Beach, Siesta Key and delightful New Smyrna Beach.

A Bonus for March Bookings!

Just to underline our belief in value for money and for providing the best service in the villa holiday market, all current bookings will receive a FREE copy of this new guidebook *. We want you to have the best Orlando holiday possible, and we think the book will go a long way to helping you plan your trip and have a great time while you’re there.

(* 1 book per villa booking, subject to availability. UK customers only)