Visiting Orlando-Melbourne, FL, just got easier for Canadians. Porter Airlines is providing more flight options with new non-stop seasonal flights to Melbourne from Ottawa, and Windsor. The seasonal weekly flights will operate from Dec, 16th to March 31st for Ottawa and Windsor, and from Dec, 16th until April, 7th for Toronto.

I had the opportunity to fly to Melbourne with Porter Airlines, departing from Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport earlier in the week and I loved the convenience of flying from a smaller airport. It was one of the fastest and easiest entries into the United States that I have experienced in my travels. If you dislike busy airports with long stressful security lines, flying Porter may be right for you. Porter also provide free wine and beer in flight, and you’ll experience the friendliest customer service.

I have been to Orlando in the past but didn’t have a chance to drive to Melbourne. Melbourne is located just 45 minutes east of Orlando. During my visit to Melbourne, I explored the area and its many attractions, and I highly recommend adding the city to your next vacation plans.

Visiting Melbourne, Florida - Must-See Destinations

If you are a Disney lover and a return Orlando visitor, flying Porter into Melbourne with your family and staying at a beachside hotel for part of the vacation has a big appeal. I stayed at the Radisson Resort at the Port, and I can picture my family enjoying the beach, building sand castles and relaxing at the beach during a family vacation. Driving to Walt Disney World from Cocoa Beach takes about an hour, and you can have a few days of Disney combined with a few days of beachside relaxation.

For Canadians vacationing on cruises from Port Canaveral, flying into Melbourne makes a lot of more sense than flying into Orlando and driving to Port Canaveral. Melbourne has a smaller airport so it is less crowded and getting checked in and thru security is a lot faster. The Exploration Tower is also located at Port Canaveral, and it offers the best views of the surrounding areas, including the NASA building! A must do if you have the time.

If you are adventurous, you can also take surfing lessons from the world-famous Ron Jon Surf Shop pros, or book a kayaking eco-tour at the Sebastian Inlet State Park. I went on an eco-tour, and it was lots of fun, the scenery was gorgeous, and I got to see manatees and dolphins swimming right by where we were. An excellent arm work-out as well!

If you are staying in Melbourne, visiting the Kennedy Space Center is a must. The most internationally-recognized area on Florida’s space coast. An interactive place where you can get shots of rockets in flight and take a closer look at space shuttles. And if you want to see a rocket launch, you can look at the Canaveral Air Force Station’s launching schedule to book your trip around that time. www.spacecoastlaunches.com.

I had a fantastic time in Melbourne, and I would love to return with my family. A beachside vacation with a side of Disney doesn’t sound bad at all! Have you been to the Melbourne area before? Check out a video of my two-day trip below.

Disclosure: I was invited on a press-trip and provided with complimentary flights, accommodation, and access to experiences while in Melbourne, this is however not a paid post and all opinions and views on this post are 100% my own.