Miami Beach Florida Film And Entertainment A Complete Review

Miami Beach, Florida Film And Entertainment - A Complete Review
By Tavis J Cooper

For the many attractive reasons visiting Miami Beach, Florida, are, for sure, the excuse now known as the must-attend Spring Break, or perhaps the roller-blading beach beauties, or maybe the perfect weather conditions. But more exciting reasons, transcending the travelers penchant for balmy bay winds and such, is in the reputation a place like Miami Beach, Florida has for featuring popular TV programs and series and hosting films which have a Miami Beach, Florida setting.

Remember the first long-standing show of the past - the Don Johnson and Phillip Michael Thomas original Miami Vice version, which highlighted the Miami Beach, Florida scenes, ocean- and landscapes, and even southern fashions of the seventies and eightiesthe open necked t-shirt and sports coat and shoes without socks look that spread throughout the region as quick as Disco gold chains and polyester did. However in the same genre, three decades later, the even more influential Miami Beach, Florida show is CSI: MIAMI. The hang-dog heroic, the neo-Clint Eastwood with an intellect of David Carusos character leads the team into the Miami Beach, Florida luxury homes, onto the speedboats and yachts, and through the hippest of clubs of the famous party town. The details are captivating; the scenes are mesmeric.

Hence maybe the crime statistics implied by these shows are too off-putting for one to think of actually taking vacation at Miami Beach, Florida..then sure the cinematic way to go is by old films and newer non-detective/mystery/crime story themes. That is, maybe one can understand the local offerings, the schools, the libraries, the networking possibilities, the real estate, by watching Police Academy or Bad Santa or Wild Things. Maybe one can get a sense of the aesthetics, the social climate, and the politics of Miami Beach, Florida in a movie such as the new Miami Vice or the older, more non-fictionalized A Sculpture of Love and Anguish: The Miami Beach Holocaust Memorial. Or, maybe one can be pleased about the straight up beaches and wind in the palms atmosphere in films like Always Something Better; Black Sunday; or The Godfather or The Crew.

Sure, it may be an odd, unusual way to go about looking for real estate in Miami Beach Florida or deciding on the ideal vacation hotel or venue. On the other hand, it might be a more realistic impression to closely watch a show than to read a pamphlet or twoand besides, how do you think 3-D advertising got its head start!

Tavis J. Cooper provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for travel, leisure as well as other related information.

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Panama City Florida Beach Vacations

Panama City Florida Beach Vacations
By Kevin Stith

In the north-east area we have the Panama City Beach, which has conventionally been a vacation destination for millions but was not able to patronize the more classy vacation destinations in other parts of Florida. It is known for old-fashioned family vacations, with colorful amusement parks and arcades, miniature golf links, souvenir shops and a beautiful beach. Although the endless strips of bars, amusement parks and traditional motels still remain; this exciting and active destination now offers luxury resorts and condominium lodging, hotels and a variety of inns and vacation rentals along its sand beach. Great beaches, fishing, boating, wreck diving and golf has made Panama City Beach an all the more popular vacation destination for families from all over the globe.

This town is a seasonal resort with many restaurants and attractions closing between October and March when the annual spring break festivities set in motion and hordes of students begin to arrive. Getting there is not very difficult; you can go by Delta, US Airways that fly into Bay Country International Airport located near the Panama City. A trolley service also runs five times a day servicing the beach area. Some of its tourist attractions include Gulf World Marine Park, popular for its dolphin show and Sea Dragon.

The uninhabited nature preserve of Shell Island, which is a narrow island accessible only by a boat, is a popular spot for visitors to enjoy the beach. There is fishing in abundance, ranging from charter boats to shared party boats. The waters off Panama City have more than 50 artificial reefs and shipwrecks that are a famous spot for diving and snorkeling. As with all the famous destinations in Florida, there is no shortage of golf courses. The warm Gulf waters in its sheltered harbor offer an ideal playground for various water activities including jet skiing, boating, snorkeling, windsurfing, swimming, parasailing, fishing and canoeing.

Scores of natural and artificial reefs provide some of the best diving spots in the country. There are ample activities for land lovers as well: participate in some beach volleyball or tennis on one of the various courts, go shopping, visit a museum or zoo, have fun at one of the amusement parks or enjoy one of the annual events in town. One of the biggest nightclubs in the world is located here. Later relax yourself with a stroll along the beach or on one of the many piers that protrudes out into the gorgeous sea. It would not be wrong to say that there is something for everybody in this year-round vacation destination spot.

Florida Vacations provides detailed information on Florida Vacations, Florida Vacation Rentals, Florida Vacation Homes, Florida Vacation Destinations and more. Florida Vacations is affiliated with Florida Keys Vacation Rentals.

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Orlando Florida Hotels

Orlando Florida Hotels
By Ken Marlborough

Orlando is regarded as the worlds largest entertainment destination for all ages. This includes children and senior citizens. It is all about fun and thrills adventures. Apart from Disney World, it also houses one of the largest film studios in the world Universal Studios. This tourist destination requires one to spend at least a week to enjoy it fully, and the Orlando hotels are known for their hospitality and generosity.

lodging hotels. For temporary stays there are rental condos, too. But then while on vacation one generally prefers to stay at a hotel that serves, rather get into the need of self-service.

Visiting Orlando can be confusing. Going through the enticing brochures adds to the tourists confusion. However, Orlando hotels deal with such situations by offering tourist packages, depending on the stay and budget. They have bus services, as well as private transport facilities to and from tourist destinations. There are tourist guides to enable one to experience the maximum during their vacation and waste the least amount of time.

When visiting a holiday destination the usual problem one faces is that of food. People might get tired of burgers and sandwiches. However, most hotels generally house a couple of restaurants, and apart from that they also have an exhaustive list of restaurants offering a variety of cuisine.

You need not worry about missing a show at the amusement and adventure parks, as the Orlando hotels organize tour trips to the best in the city. Some of the hotels also make bulk bookings, to offer their guests discount coupons at varied destinations. The service and hospitality offered by each one of the hotels leaves the visitor completely at ease.

Florida Hotels provides detailed information on Florida Hotels, Orlando Florida Hotels, Jacksonville Florida Hotels, Destin Florida Hotels and more. Florida Hotels is affiliated with South Beach Condo Hotels.

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How To Save Money In Florida

How To Save Money In Florida
By Philip Howard

Most people arrive in Florida with one thing on mind, Disney and all the other attractions and only when they are hungry do they realise the cost of eating in the theme parks.

OK I know it is a holiday of a lifetime and eating in the theme parks can be a novelty, but none of them are cheap. Why should discount food be available when the theme parks have a captive audience? There is no need.

Take a few tips on how to cut food costs and still enjoy your holiday.

First place to visit is Wal-Mart superstore and look for the little coupon books that offer discounts (found at the entrance) for restaurants and take aways, these are used by everyone so don't feel embarrassed to use them. Check through each booklet for any of the many places you may want to eat before you take a visit. Some restaurants offer free meals for kids, 10-20% discount, free drinks etc, they all do vary. You can arrange to call at the restaurant of your choice, show the voucher and enjoy a meal on the way back from the park.

Need to eat during the day? Buy a cooler box, they are only $20 or less and this will give you the opportunity to pack a fresh picnic and keep it cool all day. There are ice making machines in most freezers in villas so no need to buy any. Pack the box with ice, add your drinks and food and leave it in the boot/trunk of your car. You will not be allowed to take this in the park but you can get a pass-out during the day, sit in the car and enjoy your freshly prepared food and drink at your leisure and save a fortune.

Now this isn't about having a picnic every time you go out but having a picnic once in a while will save you 100's of dollars over a two week trip. Also trips to the beach area's ST. Petersburg, Clearwater etc why not take fresh steaks, corn-on-the-cob, salad etc and have a BBQ? There are purpose built BBQ/picnic areas at most beach resorts but to be safe take a portable BBQ with you. Most villa owners have them for your personal use so check with the villa owner first and if not, again they are pretty inexpensive to buy from Walmart.

Finally, choose a villa near to the theme parks (within 10 miles) so if you are spending all day there you can arrive early morning, spend 4-5 hours having fun, get a pass-out and nip back to the villa for some lunch, a well needed dip in the pool and head back for a second visit.

I trust you will enjoy your visit to Florida and not have a massive credit card bill to pay on your return.

Phil Howard has been renting his beautiful holiday villa in Florida for over 12 years and he wants you to have the holiday of a lifetime. See why his florida holiday villa is occupied for over 40 weeks every year

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Florida Keys Hotel

Florida Keys Hotel
By Thomas Morva

The Florida Keys beaches and party atmosphere attract a large number of tourists throughout the year. Many hotels dot the area all along the beaches of Florida Keys and cater to all kinds of tourists.

A variety of hotels are available in the Florida Keys region. They vary from top of the line, five star hotels to economic, bed & breakfast. Most hotels in the Keys offer accommodations that are as glorious as their surroundings, and they are reasonably priced.

Room rates in the Keys vary from hotel to hotel. They depend upon the standard and class of the hotel, and the type of room a guest would like to stay in. Most hotels offer a choice of rooms such as single, double, deluxe, suites or penthouses. Room rates are also seasonal and vary from month to month. They are higher between Christmas and Easter and for special events and three-day holidays. Typically, the highest rates apply during special annual events such as the Fantasy Fest and the lobster mini-season. There are good hotel deals in the fall, while early December is the best period to travel to the Keys, when temperatures are moderate and humidity is low. When planning a trip, it is essential to remember that local, state and tourist taxes are levied on all accommodations.

Almost all the hotels in the Florida Key provide excellent in-house services. Even economy hotels offer rooms with air conditioners; color TV, phones and a small refrigerator. There are many all-suite hotels that offer accommodation units with a kitchenette, living room and one or two bedrooms. Most hotels offer a complimentary breakfast including fresh-squeezed juices or fruits.

Some of the hotels offer private water front and private islands to its customers. Quiet a few of the hotels in the Keys have wheelchair accessible units. Some have private docks and ramps. Many hotels offer their residents boat services, dolphin shows and other attractions. Some hotels allow pets. and it is advisable to check the pet policy before making a reservation.

Florida Keys provides detailed information on Florida Keys, Key West Florida, Key Largo Florida, Florida Keys Vacations and more. Florida Keys is affiliated with Key West Real Estate.

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Read What Florida Travel Expert & Author Has To Say About Her Favorite Florida Getaways

Read What Florida Travel Expert & Author Has To Say About Her Favorite Florida Getaways
By Norm Goldman

Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel & Bookpleasures is pleased to have as our guest, travel writer and author, Chelle Koster Walton.

Chelle is an expert on Florida, particularly the West Coast of Florida, and she has contributed articles to the Miami Herald, National Geographic Traveler, Caribbean Travel & Life, FamilyFun, Fodors Healthy Escapes, Fodors Gold Guides: Florida and Bahamas. She is also the Travel Editor for Times of the Islands and Food Reviewer for Naples Illustrated

Chelle has also authored:

Great Destinations, Sarasota, Sanibel Island & Naples Book (Countryman Press):

Adventure Guide to Tampa Bay & Floridas West Coast (Hunter Publishing):

Fun With the Family in Florida (Globe-Pequot):

Compass American Guide Florida

Good day Chelle and thank you for agreeing to participate in our interview.

Norm:

When did your passion for travel writing begin? What has kept you going?

Chelle:

I did my first travel writing in about fourth grade. My family were avid road-trippers and my mother encouraged me to keep a journal something to keep me quiet and from fighting with my three siblings in the back seat of the Ford.

As a career, I began about 20 years ago to support my travel habit. Now its in my blood. I cant take a family vacation without jotting notes and picking up brochures. I love the way travel writing gets me to know/discover the guts of a destination, the soul of its people.

Norm:

Why did you choose Florida as your area of expertise?

Chelle:

I actually began writing about the Caribbean. Florida was a natural, because thats where I moved 25 years ago and theres a great demand for copy. Once I did my first guidebook, I became an expert and now the assignment offers pretty much flow in unsolicited.

Norm:

If you had to name 5 of the most unique romantic and/or wedding destinations in Florida, which ones would you choose and why?

Chelle:

Im an island junkie, so Im prejudiced that way.

* Sanibel Island is still my favourite island/destination and exceedingly romantic with its natural, lightly developed beaches and relative non-commercialism. Sunsets, sea, sand, all that.

* Palm Island, up the coast in Charlotte County, is still a secret and secluded because its accessible only by boat. Its a resort that occupies a long island with a state park at the other end. Very Robinson Crusoe.

*Little Palm Island in the Keys is another accessible only by boat and its custom-made for romance with these great Bali-style huts, outdoor showers, mosquito-netted four-posters, and tiny key deer that roam the grounds.

* Amelia Island near Jacksonville, almost to Georgia, has long stretches of beach, isolated resorts, and charming B&Bs in its Victorian seaport town Fernandina Beach. Great restaurants, a historic fort, kayaking, lots to do.

* I adore the Panhandle, and the Seaside area with its carefully developed new-urban style resort communities is gorgeous great white dunes and emerald seas.

Norm:

In the last year or so have you seen any changes in the way publishers publish and/or distribute books and publish articles? Are there any emerging trends developing?

Chelle:

Im bad that way. I write my book, hand it to my publisher, and stay out of it. I dont like the sales end of things so I stick my head in a hole where thats concerned. One emerging trend that has benefited me is the use of actual first-hand, by-lined travel writing by specialty publishes, i.e., publishers who do magazines, guides, and Web sites for tourism organizations. Instead of fluff brochurese, they want actual experiential, critical, arm-chair travel pieces. Refreshing.

Norm:

Who are your favorite authors, and why do they inspire you?

Chelle:

Anne Morrow Lindbergh: Her Gift From the Sea (written, I found out years after Id first read it and when I moved here, on Captiva Island just to my north) makes me stretch my travel writing to a new level.

Barbara Kingsolver: Again, when Im reading her, my narrative naturally improves.

Carl Hiassen: I love his sense of humour and righteousness. Id read him even if he werent a Florida writer.

John Steinbeck: Travels with Charley is the ultimate travel book.

Norm:

As there does not seem to be any authoritative standards that exist for guidebook authors or publishers, how do you know that a guidebook is up to par? How do you check out the authorial competence?

Chelle:

As co-founder of GuideBookWriters.Com and a member of SATW, I know most of the best guidebook authors out there. Our Web site was designed so that only competent and up-to-date authors are listed. We carefully vetted applicants who are truly experts in their field. I rarely use a Fodors or Frommers whose author I dont know, for instance, because I know what they pay. Low pay doesnt always mean shoddy reporting (after all, I do write for Fodors), but it fosters such. Certain titles such as Lonely Planet and Moon typically equate to quality, but even they are succumbing to economic pressures.

Norm:

Do you recommend other travel writers find a niche or specialty? What have been the rewards for you?

Chelle:

You have to find a niche. It not only focuses you, it defines you to publishers. The niche can be geographic, as mine is, or topic. I know one writer who specializes, for instance, in volcano travel and eclipse trips. My niche in Florida and the Caribbean allows me a wide latitude in topics from family travel, food, and culture (my favourites) to adventure, romance, environmental, historic, etc. Picking a subject niche, like the volcano guy, lets you travel more roundly, but since I have a son, for now I enjoy traveling close to home and with my family when possible.

Norm:

What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while writing your guidebooks? How did you overcome these challenges?

Chelle:

The biggest challenge is the mere tedium of detail work fact checking. I often hire an assistant to help with that.

Norm:

How have you used the Internet to boost your writing career?

Chelle:

Its an irreplaceable research tool, dont know how I did without it in the early years. I have a small, modest Web site, mostly so when editors or trip providers want clips and background, I can send them there.

Norm:

Is there anything else you care to add to our interview?

Chelle

Yeah, buy my books! :>)

Thanks once again Chelle and good luck with all of your future endeavours.

Norm Goldman is the editor of the travel site, http://www.sketchandtravel.com and the book reviewing site, http://www.bookpleasures.com

Norm is also a travel writer and he and his artist wife, Lily, meld words with art focusing on romantic and wedding destinations.

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Palm Coast Florida Hotels

Palm Coast Florida Hotels
By Ken Marlborough

If you are one of those people who are looking for a rural retreat, while not moving too far away from the city then Palm Coast is the place for you. A number of those who frequent this holiday destination feel that it is just the right place to build your vacation home. The place becomes even more idyllic because of the warmth of the golden sand of the beaches.

The resorts here offer you the luxury of a private club with the conveniences of a spa and a golf club while at the same time not keeping you to far away from the pristine beauty of the sun soaked beaches. All hotels are at close proximity to the shopping arcades and restaurants.

Fabulous discount options are also available in most of the Palm Coast hotels. If you are lucky enough, you can get a raw deal even in the most luxurious hotels in Palm Coast. The cost of a room on a nightly rental basis can dip from $500 to as low as $200 if it is on discount. While making a hotel reservation online, you must stay on the lookout for such discount options.

A number of hotels will also offer you car rental services so that you can explore the beauty of Palm Coast at your own pace. You can also rent vacation homes for complete privacy and enjoy your vacation with your loved ones without any unwanted interference of the hotel staff.

However, you must be careful while making the reservations online as even the best hotels that guarantee you excellent facilities at low prices might dupe you. A number of customers often complain that the rooms offered even by the most reputed in the industry are at times dirty, with services that are far from satisfactory. So your reservation should not just be cost efficient but also informed. Taking a look at the reviews written by people who have already visited the place can prove to be extremely helpful.

Florida Hotels provides detailed information on Florida Hotels, Orlando Florida Hotels, Jacksonville Florida Hotels, Destin Florida Hotels and more. Florida Hotels is affiliated with South Beach Condo Hotels.

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Florida Camping: Walk on the Wild Side

Florida Camping: Walk on the Wild Side
By Gail Nettles

Florida is known for its sunshine, beautiful beaches and ever-present theme parks. What many people don't realize is that Florida has some of the most awesome camping spots you can find in the United States. Swimming, boating, hiking, biking and more define our Florida camping locations. Let's take a look at just a few that offer a place to pitch your tent or park your RV.

• Anastasia State Recreation Facility is located on Anastasia Island in northeastern Florida. You can walk or drive to the nearby four and one-half miles of beaches, for your sunning, swimming and fishing pleasure. Hike the Ancient Sand Dunes Nature Trail and see what Florida was like before the Spaniards arrived. Just a hop, skip and jump away is the tourist city of St. Augustine, where you can visit many attractions like Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum or the Alligator Farm Zoological Park.
• St. Andrews State Recreation Area is located in the Florida Panhandle. Sugar-white sands cover the beaches and meet the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Swimming, boating, fishing and biking are popular here. Take a hike on one (or both) of the trails -- Heron Pond Pine and Gator Lake. Shell Island is nearby and in the warmer months, you can take a glass-bottom ferry to the island. Not too far away is Panama City Beach, where you can walk the boardwalk and see the sights.
• Oscar Scherer State Park is located in the south-central part of the state. Some of Florida's most beautiful Gulf Coast beaches are a short drive away. For you hikers and bikers, there are more than 15 miles of trails to explore. Why not rent a canoe and see the park by water? If you are hankering to catch some dinner, both freshwater and saltwater fishing are great. Relax and stay awhile.
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is a mecca for all those who like to get wet. Located in the Florida Keys, Pennekamp is known world-wide for its fantabulous snorkeling and diving. Not exactly looking to get wet? Try the glass-bottom boat tours out to the coral reef -- the only living one in the continental United States. Hiking and biking are also popular. Fishing, canoeing and kayaking are other ways to while away the hours.

There are over 160 State Parks, and numerous National Parks in Florida. Over 60 offer some sort of camping -- sometimes full-service, sometimes primitive (and sometimes both). Oh, and there are several parks that even offer cabins, complete with linens and a view (and sometimes even air conditioning)! There are also about a gazillion private parks, although none offer the beauty of the great Florida outdoors or variety of services as do the Florida State Parks.

Why not walk on the wild side and do some camping on your next Florida vacation? Visit http://www.great-florida-vacations.com/florida-camping.html for more information about Florida camping and campgrounds.

Gail Nettles is a Florida native who enjoys introducing the Sunshine State to visitors. She also publishes the websites http://www.great-florida-vacations.com and http://www.your-florida-keys-vacation.com which feature some of Florida's parks and campgrounds.

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How to Travel to Florida With Cheap Airfare

How to Travel to Florida With Cheap Airfare
By George Wood

There are many things you can do to get cheap airfare to Florida. You can go to the low cost carriers. You can get cheap airfare here. The flights may not be excellent but nevertheless you get cheap airfare.

But in case you cannot afford to compromise on your comfort then you should contact the all the famous airlines websites. These airlines offer cheap airfare but only for a limited time period. The airlines put these tickets for sale, a fortnight before the flight is scheduled. So in case you are lucky, you will get the cheapest airfare from here.

You will need to log on to these sites regularly if you want cheap airfare. These tickets disappear as soon as they are put up for sale. So you must visit these sites 2 to 3 times in a day to make sure that you don't miss these tickets.

You should not forget to visit the big travel sites. These sites work in collaboration with travel agents and give commission to the travelers. The airfares offered by the airlines are also compared and thus you can see as to which one is the best. Some sites keep a check on all the available airfare on the net. So you can subscribe to these sites and get a regular update on the latest airfares. You can also contact some travel sites and check about the fares.

Some sites ask you to quote your price. Then the sites go through all the available airfare on the net and also get in touch with the airlines to see if they can get the rickets on the price that you have quoted. But the hitch with these tickets is that you cannot refund them. So even if you are not fine with the flight, you still have to go with it.

You can also go to some smaller airports if you want cheap airfare to Florida. You can go to an airport other than the main airport to save money. Of course you will need to pay for the transport for getting there but it will be still cheaper than what you will pay for your tickets at the main airport. So say you want to go to Montreal, in this case you should go to New York. Flying to New York will take longer but it will be worth it. The reason is that New York is major international airport and thus you are likely to get discounted rates here because there are a number of flights.

So there are a number of options and you can choose the one which suits you best.

George has published a variety of fascinating articles about discount airfares & travel on a shoestring budget. Check out his airfare website that the airlines DON'T want you to see. Stop the big airline companies from fleecing you of your hard earned money, and discover cheap airfares to wherever your imagination takes you!

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Family Travel Idea: Florida Vacation

Family Travel Idea: Florida Vacation
By Crystal Chan

Most families with children visit Florida during the summer months, when school is out - and the Sunshine State bakes in heat and humidity. So before starting off on a day of touring or a visit to the beach, parentsshould keep some things in mind.If you are uncertain, try offering a few suggestions to the rest of the family and have everyone vote. This way everyone gets a chance to voice their opinion and cast their vote about where the familywill spend their vacation.There are a few popular family vacation destinationsbut with a little creativity you may be able to find the perfect travel destinationfor you and your family.

Camping trips are one example of a great family vacation. Whether you opt to camp at a nearby location or travel cross country to a national park of your choice you may find that choosing just one of the many beautiful locations available to be your most difficult decision. With so many gorgeous national parks as well as breathtaking smaller wooded areas to choose from, finding the right place for your camping trip can be difficult. Many popular destinations limit the number of campers per season and it can be very competitive to obtain one of these permits. In some places, permits sell out within hours of when they go on sale. Many potential campers are aware of the date that permits begin being sold and anxiously await this time to snatch up prime camping spots in their preferred location.

Tours of famous museums are also excellent ideas for family vacations. Even young children can appreciate distinguished works of are on their own level. They may not be capable of understanding the intended meaning of the art or of interpreting the symbolism behind the piece but they can certainly form their own opinions about what they like and what they don't like. If you visit an art museum during your vacation take the opportunity to ask young children what they think about certain pieces of artwork. This will encourage them to think for themselves and learn to formulate their own opinions.

Beach vacations are also family friendly ideas. Building sand castles, participating in beach games, snorkeling, boogie boarding and swimming are just a few of the activities that families can enjoy together on their beach vacation. The ocean can be a dangerous place for young children if parents are not careful about supervising them. Although the beach is a fun destination it is important to remember that you should remain vigilant to ensure that young children do not enter the water alone where they could be at risk of drowning. Exercising proper precautions can help to make your beach vacation enjoyable.

Memories that last a lifetime are often created on family vacations. There are so many options available for families who wish to travel. Camping trips, museums and beaches are just a small sample of the popular family vacation locations available.

1st Family Vacation is to provide information and guidance to family vacations travel, family vacations: family travel deals, resorts, ideas, and more family vacation findings ....

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Sailing the Florida Keys

Sailing the Florida Keys
By Anne Lang

At the south point of Florida, there is a chain of islands 170 miles long that is embedded in turquoise water. This is the Keys, bordered by the unique living coral reef in the United States. The subtropical climate and the extraordinary beauty of the Atlantic have made this ecological wonder one of the most prized destinations for sailors.

Sailboat Chartering With or Without a Captain

You can choose from four types of sailboat vacation:

Leasing the sailboat without a captain or Bareboat Chartering - The sea has no secrets for you or your crew and you are capable of bringing the sailboat back to port even if a hitch happens during your trip.

Chartering a sailboat with a captain - You prefer to have a captain on board to help you with the bowline knot.

Sailboat training - You want to learn to navigate or you wish to enhance your knowledge. Charter companies offer courses at every level, for groups, couples, for a weekend or for the whole week.

Cruising with a captain and cook - You watch them raise the sails and manipulate the sauce pans, while you take it easy.

Choosing a Sailboat

The marinas cannot always accommodate boats that are too big. Also the draft of your boat should not exceed 4.5 to 5 feet and the beam 13.5 feet to 14 feet. We prefer mono hulls from 40 to 43 feet long. They combine space and comfort and generally find a spot in the small marinas of the Keys. These boats are also better equipped than the smaller sailboats. Catamarans rarely find a dock large enough and must anchor outside.

The boats are rented for a day, a weekend or for a week.

Best Time for Sailing the Keys

The Keys benefit from a subtropical climate. You can sail all year long but, like everywhere else, there is this fantastic time of the year and less favorable periods.

The best periods are: March, April, May, end of November and beginning of December.

The periods of tourism affluence are Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year

Possible cold front periods: End of December, January and February.

Hurricane, humidity and mosquitoes' months are June to November, with a peak in August September, and October.

Books

Cruising Guide to the Florida Keys, by Captain Frank Papy. Good basic information about places to visit, marinas, underwater activity, etc. Excellent maps describing the entrances to ports and marinas, usually difficult in access because of shallow waters.

Diving and Snorkeling guide to The Florida Keys, by Halas and Kincaid. Excellent guide for skin diving and snorkeling. Description of coral reefs, exotic fish and sunken Spanish Galleons. Indication of depth and the level of difficulty of the different sites.

Anne Lang writes for Travel Magazine USA.

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Fantastic Fishing and Boating Awaits You in Pinellas County Florida

Fantastic Fishing and Boating Awaits You in Pinellas County Florida
By Robert Lipply

One of the perks of living in Pinellas County is the convenient access to the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico, Lake Tarpon, Tampa Bay and Lake Seminole. If you are a boat lover or enjoy a day of fishing on the water, you are in the right place. There are many boat ramps, parks, and private residences to launch a boat from.

To access Lake Tarpon, many people use facilities such as John Chestnut Sr. Park, and Anderson Park. With some of the best freshwater bass fishing in the area, you can also jet ski and even see an occasional sea plane from the water.

There are many places to access the Gulf of Mexico. If you live in Clearwater or North Pinellas you may try the Seminole Boat Ramp, or Dunedin near Edgewater Park. Boaters enjoy fishing near Anclote Island, and the bridges of Clearwater Beach and Sand Key for snook, red fish, and trout. You can also pick up a fishing charter at the Clearwater Beach Marina. And dont forget offshore fishing in the gulf. It is one of the best places to catch grouper and king fish.

If you live in the southern portion of Pinellas County such as St. Petersburg, Treasure Island or Madeira Beach, you may want to launch your boat and fish near Johns Pass, or in the Intercoastal Waterways. Johns Pass is also a great place to pick up a charter fishing adventure with an experienced guide. Let these captains show you the best places to fish, learn some new techniques, and get the necessary gear to have with you to maximize your fishing excursions.

And dont forget about Tampa Bay. Phillipe Park in Safety Harbor has a small boat ramp, and there is a larger ramp off the Courtney Campbell Bridge. Closer to St. Petersburg, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge has a separate fishing pier for those wishing to fish from the shore. Tampa Bay is a great place to boat, water ski, and fish for the day. When you fish near the bridges or in the open water in Tampa Bay, youre sure to reel in a few great catches!

Bob Lipply is a top Real Estate Broker Associate in the Tampa Bay Real Estate area. He and his team have been helping families relocate to Florida and on the selling end get top dollar for their homes with great success. Visit the website where you can search the MLS for up to date available homes for sale.

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Florida Vacation Rental Brokers

Florida Vacation Rental Brokers
By Damian Sofsian

Florida vacation rentals are generally handled by brokers who are members of the local Association of Realtors. Vacation rental brokers take up this membership for various reasons. First and foremost it adds some amount of credibility to their profiles. Secondly they are assured of continuous enquiries though the association. Tourists who book vacation rentals beforehand prefer to contact legitimate associations rather than individual brokers.

These associations make their presence felt in key areas by advertising themselves. Such costs are shared by all the members and the ensuing business is also shared out equally.

Florida vacation rental brokers enter into agreements with property owners regarding rental rates and commissions when occupants are sourced through them. While contacting tourists these brokers often have photographs of different properties to show. The photographs and information about rates and other details helps them decide about the kind of accommodation to opt for. Once satisfied they make bookings much ahead of the actual vacation time. This is because Florida is a very popular tourist destination and all vacation rentals get taken up very fast.

Once bookings are confirmed, vacation rental brokers provide tourists with guide maps and instructions about how to reach the property.

Some vacation rental brokers assure tourists of last minute low priced lodgings. Such catchy phrases often bring them a sufficient stream of business. However, it should be remembered that nothing worth the price ever comes cheap. So if rentals are available at lesser than market rates, it is worth knowing the reason. The only acceptable reasons should be group bookings and off season. One should also look for hidden costs when low rates are quoted.

It is important to ensure that the broker or brokerage firm that you are dealing with is licensed. Licensed brokerage firms usually have a large database of homes, condos, townhouses, apartments and villas for tourists to choose from. Both furnished and unfurnished vacation rentals can be availed at Florida. Tastes, preferences and budget dictates play a major part in the choice of a suitable vacation rental. Efficient Florida vacation rental brokers should be able to provide a wide range of choice for tourists to choose from.

Florida Vacation Rentals provides detailed information on Florida Vacation Rentals, Florida Vacation Home Rentals, Florida Keys Vacation Rentals, Florida Beach Vacation Rentals and more. Florida Vacation Rentals is affiliated with Florida Vacation Homes.

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Sanibel Island Florida Timeshares

Sanibel Island Florida Timeshares
By Seth Miller

Sanibel Island in Florida boasts of a 5,000-acre tidal wetland. The city boasts of lush green pastures and dense foliage. Apart from this there are various tourists landmarks. This includes museums, nature parks and famous restaurants. Sanibel island is a popular tourist destination and is well equipped to cater to the continuous inflow of tourists. There is no dearth of hotels and other accommodation options. A number of these resorts are part of the Sanibel Island timeshare system.

Timeshare is a unique holiday concept that offers international and domestic holidays to members. It is a novel concept that is offered to people in exchange of a membership fee. Members are given a type of ownership of a vacation unit for a particular time period for every year of their membership. It is obvious that people who become timeshare members by taking ownership of Sanibel Island vacation properties are permitted to visit other locations.

Over the years people may choose to visit various Sanibel Island timeshare properties, if they choose to revisit the island. Members may choose from various Sanibel Island timeshare properties when signing up. This includes studio apartment units or two or three bedroom apartments. Depending upon the size of the Sanibel Island timeshare property membership costs will vary. When selecting, members need to decide upon their ownership period. This includes high, intermediate and low season options. The price of these weeks varies depending upon their exchange power. Members who have ownership of resorts elsewhere, need to request the management regarding their preference of vacationing at Sanibel Island well in advance. Their available weeks are deposited in a space bank and its utility is weighed against other weeks. Depending upon its exchange power and availability, time-share members are provided with reservations at Sanibel Island. Ordinary tourists may also opt to make reservations at a Sanibel Island timeshare resort but are likely to pay higher rates as compared to members.

Florida Time Shares provides detailed information on Florida Time Shares, Florida Time Share Resales, Florida Time Share Promotions, Florida Keys Time Shares and more. Florida Time Shares is affiliated with Florida Real Estate Listings.

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Orange County Regional History Center: A Great Introduction to Central Florida's History and Culture

Orange County Regional History Center: A Great Introduction to Central Florida's History and Culture
By Susanne Pacher

Exploring Orlando Off the Beaten Path has been the theme for our trip and I intend to explore the Central areas of the Sunshine State, and flush out all those unexpected and unconventional destinations in and around Orlando. In my discoveries of Orlando, I have been working closely with the Orlando Visitor and Convention Bureau, to get the input of local experts and work out an itinerary for our two weeks in Florida, without setting foot once into a theme park.

One of the first places they suggested was the Orange County Regional History Center, home to the varied and extensive collections of the Historical Society of Central Florida. Located in the heart of downtown Orlando in the beautifully restored five-story Orange County Courthouse, The History Center is continuously distinguished as the area's Best Museum. When the History Center was built as a courthouse in 1927, the jail was on the top floor, with quarters for the jailer and his wife, an infirmary, and separate cellblocks for white women, white men, black women and black men.

With an exciting roster of ever-changing exhibits on display and travelling exhibits on loan to other facilities, The History Center is one of Central Florida's premier attractions. Members, educators and visitors alike find a wealth of fascinating information, delivered in dynamic fashion. From guided tours and hands-on history events to fun-packed summer camps and interactive children's programs, learning is fun for all ages. History Center members can take advantage of a number of special value-added benefits, including discounts and exclusive event opportunities. The stately facility is also available for event rentals, ranging from unparalleled conferences to unforgettable weddings.

The First People exhibit takes visitors back in time to see how Paleo-Indians lived in the days before European Contact. First Contact helps visitors imagine Native American's reaction and the changes in their lifestyles due to the arrival of the Spanish. A recreated early 19th century Seminole Settlement provides a look at artifacts of Florida's most famous tribe and a replica Florida Pioneer cabin lets curious guests test a Spanish moss-filled mattress and discover the much-discussed origin of the term Florida Cracker.

Other permanent exhibits include Cattle and Citrus, Central Florida's first major industries, Tourism, Transportation, Real Estate, Aviation, the impact of Walt Disney, and Central Florida's African American community. From a replica World War II B-17 bomber and a two-story dome featuring over 150 unique Central Florida icons to the restored 1927 Courtroom B, and the outdoor Heritage Square courtyard, a wealth of fascinating sights and experiences awaits visitors to the History Center.

Our first stop in the museum was the Orientation Theatre. Set as a Florida back porch, you can relax in a rocker while being surrounded by the sights and sounds of Central Florida. Right after our introduction to Central Florida's history we had a chance to meet Shanon Larimer, spokesperson for the Museum, who gave us a great overview of this facility.

The exhibits feature many interactive displays and Shanon, our museum expert, indicated that new exhibits offering even more interactive features will be coming on stream shortly. We particularly enjoyed Courtroom B, an authentic courtroom that is part of this former Orange County Courthouse, with furnishings and decorations dating back to 1927. One of the benches in the front has an inscription Ted Bundy, indicating this infamous criminal may indeed have been sitting here on this very wooden bench in the past. Bundy was in fact tried in the former Annex to the 1927 Orange County Courthouse, but historians still debate the authenticity of the signature. The seat backs of the prisoners' benches are all scuffed up with markings of the handcuffs that tied their hands behind their backs.

Shanon also showed us a very famous friendship doll that was given to the United States by the Japanese. Every year hundreds of visitors come from Japan and visit the History Center, with the specific intention of seeing this friendship doll.

The Historium gift store sells memorabilia, books and souvenirs while the Educational Program's office offers a wide range of programs and activities for children of all ages as well as tours, workshops and lectures for adults. Ongoing special events include a Third Thursday themed evening event and a Saturday morning Farmer's Market staged in the lush Heritage Square courtyard in front of the building.

Fortunately for visitors not just hungry for historical insights, there are ample dining opportunities right outside the Museum. Wall Street Plaza, which abuts the History Center, features eight bars and restaurants lining a brick-paved pedestrian sidewalk. Restaurants include the Wall Street Cantina serving Mexican fare, The Globe, a relaxed European-style caf featuring both indoor and al fresco dining, and the new Waitiki Retro Tiki Lounge, offering the best in upscale island seafood.

From Too Jay's and Kress Chop House on Church Street, to cutting edge cuisine at The Bohme and sushi bar Ichiban on Orange Avenue, and from Sam Sneads and HUE on Central Boulevard to the Lake Eola Yacht Club, Lee's Lakeside and GondEola featuring candlelit dinners aboard a gondola on Lake Eola, History Center visitors are sure to find just the right meal to top off their museum experience.

Inspired by our discovery of the History Center we continued our learning experiences at the Well's Built Museum of African American History and Culture, followed up by a relaxing walk around Lake Eola, to take in a beautiful sunset. We capped off an intense day with a tasty Mexican Dinner on downtown Heritage Square. In one afternoon we managed to satisfy our desire for learning and our cravings for spicy Mexican food. Conveniently located at 65 East Boulevard in the heart of downtown Orlando, the History Center is open Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from 12 to 5 pm. General admission is $7, students with a valid student ID and seniors (60+) pay $6.50 and children ages 3 to 12 $3.50. Visitors receive two hours of FREE covered parking at the Orlando Public Library with paid admission (not valid for special events). Guided tours are offered on Saturdays at 11 am and included in the price of general admission. For more information visit www.thehistorycenter.org or call (407) 836-8500.

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions (http://www.travelandtransitions.com). Travel and Transitions deals with unconventional travel and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences, interviews with travellers and travel experts, insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and many other features. You will also find stories about life and the transitions that we face as we go through our own personal life-long journeys.Submit your own travel stories in our first travel story contest (http://www.travelandtransitions.com/contests.htm) and have a chance to win an amazing adventure cruise on the Amazon River.Life is a Journey Explore New Horizons.The story with photos is published at Stories and Photos (http://www.travelandtransitions.com/storiesphotos/orlandoregionalhistorycenter.htm).

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Rules In A Florida Vacation Villa

Rules In A Florida Vacation Villa
By Chris Neilson

The answer is yes and no ! There are very few, (in fact, Ive condensed it down to just four) but ultimately it all boils down to common sense and respect for the owners of the vacation property.

Sounds pretty good huh ? And it is so here are the few simple rules that the villa owner will expect you to obey during your occupancy.

Check In & Check Out Times :

Please adhere to the times stated on your booking forms. These are stated for a reason and are part of the contract that you make with the owner when you agree to book their accommodation. Early check ins cause terrible problems for the cleaning staff, who work like Trojans in order to ensure your first impression is a great impression. Look at it this way if it normally takes the cleaners 4-5 hours to clean the villa, and you arrive early, it is not going to make them clean any faster ! You will not be allowed entry to the villa until the job is complete, so if you do arrive early, take the opportunity to do a little shopping and stock up on those daily essentials.

Likewise, late check outs cause problems as this has a knock on effect throughout the day, as the cleaners struggle to make up the time caused by a late check out. Imagine you were the guests arriving on a day that the previous guests had checked out late. And imagine how annoyed you would be if the villa wasnt ready, just because of someone elses selfishness.

So the general rule of thumb, is to please check in and check out on time. Remember that if you overstay your welcome, as with hotels, you will be charged an additional fee.

Notices :

The villa owner and their management company will have gone to great lengths to ensure that the appropriate signage is displayed inside and outside the villa. Some people say that these signs are insulting to their intelligence, but the bottom line is that they are the law, and an owner can be fined if they are not displayed. Besides which, they are there for your health and safety, so take note of them and follow the instructions they give.

General Behaviour :

Always remember that you are staying in a privately owned home ~ not something owned by a faceless corporation. Villa owners spend thousands of dollars a year maintaining and upgrading their homes to ensure that you, as guests, get the best value for money vacation experience that you can.

Please dont disrespect the owners property, and the trust they have placed in you by turning your accommodation into dump or a party house. Would you like your home and your possessions damaged ? Of course not ! So please dont think that an owner will feel any differently.

Report any accidents immediately to the management company. Dont try to hide the evidence in the hope that you will get away with it. Trust me you wont ! Also bear in mind that if the manager is not given time to repair damage or replace damaged items, the next guests will have to suffer the consequences of your actions. Put yourself in their position, and do the right thing !

Pool Rules:

One of the greatest things about renting a private villa is the fact that get your own private swimming pool too. However, care must be take at all times in and around the pool, especially if you have children in your party.

The villa owner will give specific details of pool safety in their Welcome Folder, and you will also see signs at poolside, which are required by Florida State Law. Please read these carefully and follow them to the letter.

A legal requirement in a short term rental villa is the provision of a pool alert alarm which should be fitted to any internal door which leads out to the pool area. This alarm will sound whenever a door is opened, and is designed to alert parents to small children who may have entered the pool area unnoticed. It is an excellent safety feature. An override button on the alarm, which can be activated by adults will ensure that the siren does not become annoying.

Many guests however simply disarm this alarm, showing total disregard for the safety of their children. Not only is this stupid beyond belief, but also an arrestable offence in the State of Florida, with fines of $5,000.00 being levied against offenders.

Again, be smart, think health and safety, and do the right thing.

And that my friends is pretty much it ! Nothing too scary or overwhelming. Just simple common sense and courtesy. Follow these rules and you will not only enjoy a fantastic vacation, but you will always be welcomed back to the villa again, year after year after year.

Chris Neilson is a professional writer and private Villa Owner who has an extensive knowledge of the Florida Travel Industry. He is also the senior copywriter for the well known Florida Vacation Rentals web site Orlando Villas http://www.orlandovillas.com

Copyright Chris Neilson 2005 All Rights Reserved

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Florida Vacation Rental Online

Florida Vacation Rental Online
By Damian Sofsian

Florida vacation rentals are a comfortable and practical way of experiencing Florida. Vacation rentals allow for comfortable and easy traveling especially for big groups. For families on vacation, these vacation rentals provide all the comforts of home. Traveling with children and senior family members becomes easy if one opts for vacation rentals that are booked well in advance.

The easiest way of booking Florida vacation rentals in advance is to do it online. Several licensed brokerage firms have an online presence. They offer you a large number of choices. Bewitching photographs of properties available for rent, await the visitors to the websites of such brokerage firms. Well organized websites have all kinds of relevant information regarding details about the property like number of rooms, baths, conveniences and the like. Rates are also clearly mentioned.

Most websites also have a facility using which you can check if the property is available on certain dates. If not immediately, then a query left with the website is answered promptly and any information requested for is provided.

Using online Florida vacation rental facilities, tourists can plan whole itineraries for the duration of their stay. If they plan to move all over Florida, this kind of planning can be done for multiple destinations. More than one vacation rental can be booked. The websites offer a lot of information about the local sightseeing destinations and facilities. Arrangements for transportation and any other bookings can also be done online.

If your dream vacation is relaxing by a pool, you can use online facilities to locate a suitable vacation rental, one that will take you closest to your dream vacation. A villa with a private swimming pool and a Jacuzzi is just a mouse click away. Or you might want to laze around catching up on your reading sitting next to a cozy warm fire crackling in a fireplace. Online vacation rental facilities can find you accommodation equipped with a fireplace.

Florida Vacation Rentals provides detailed information on Florida Vacation Rentals, Florida Vacation Home Rentals, Florida Keys Vacation Rentals, Florida Beach Vacation Rentals and more. Florida Vacation Rentals is affiliated with Florida Vacation Homes.

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Southern Florida Authorities Looking for Tourism Bounce with Release of Miami Vice Film

Southern Florida Authorities Looking for Tourism Bounce with Release of Miami Vice Film
By Andrew Regan

Okay so its all about crime, bad guys, bad cops, guns, drugs and prostitution. But Miami and Southern Florida tourist authorities are hoping for a positive impact upon the release of the film, which is set to be one of the highest grossing releases of the year.

The Michael Mann film, which follows the eventful escapades of two Miami police officers, showcases Miami with a lavishly shot production featuring the city in what the tourism authorities are hoping will prove to be a 115 minute promo video for Miami.

Miami, and Southern Florida generally, are long established tourist hotspots with Miami itself regarded as one of the most fashionable and exciting cities in the USA. The film plays on this, featuring well known locations in the city to a point where the city itself becomes a central character in the film. Downtown Miami, Coconut Grove and Miami Beach are all heavily featured in the film and it is no wonder that the Miami city fathers believe that the film itself could be a lucrative money spinner for the economy.

But the anticipated tourism bounce is hoped to reach beyond Miami city limits. Southern Florida boast a number of top drawer tourist attractions including the keys and the Florida Everglades. Tourist chiefs are hoping that the Miami Vice factor will encourage higher numbers of tourists to venture further south, away from the lures of Orlando. In particular, tourism boards are promoting Southern Florida as an ideal fly drive location featuring a city break in Miami, adventure with the Everglades and relaxation, sun, sand and sea with the Florida keys. Indeed, they may have a point, flights to Miami from Europe and internally from the States are frequent and car hire in Miami is abundant, with most of the major car rental firms having a presence in the city.

A fly drive holiday to Miami and Southern Florida would have lots to offer. With a strong Cuban population, Miami is steeped in Latin American influence and this is reflected in the culture of the city, from the architecture right through to the food and music. The Everglades offer the opportunity for adventure with airboat tours traversing the waterways and the infamous Florida alligators in full view. The Keys offer sun-kissed beaches and teaming nightlife offering as much or as little excitement as you like. Just be sure to look out for the white suits, red Ferrari and Phil Collins soundtrack!

Andrew Regan is an online journalist who enjoys socialising at his local Edinburgh rugby club.

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Experience a Florida Golf Vacation

Experience a Florida Golf Vacation
By Caroline Brame

While Floridas tourism industry stemmed from its breathtaking beaches and world-renowned theme parks, it has established itself as a first-class golf destination. Although there are top golf courses to be found throughout the state, the areas of Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Miami are making the largest impact on the states golf industry.

Tampa Bay Area

The Tampa Bay Area is the fastest growing golf region in the state although it has not quite established itself among the greats yet. The area is gaining notoriety with first-class resorts, upscale daily fee courses, and a number of public access facilities for any level or price range. If you are looking for a course with an old time Florida feel, spend a day on the Copperhead Course at Westin Innisbrook. It has been labeled one of the top golf resorts in the country due to its full character and challenging features. The course is lush and green with plenty of risk and reward opportunities. The Copperhead Course is open only to resort guests, members, and friends of members with greens fees of $160 for guests.

A new arrival to the Tampa Golf scene can be found just a short drive north of the city. World Woods Golf Club was recently developed with two courses, a nine-hole short course, and a state of the art practice center. The Pine Barrens and Rolling Oaks courses provide two different golf experiences. Pine Barrens is uniquely challenging, making for an enjoyable round while Rolling Oaks is full of relaxing dips and peaceful climbs through Florida farmland. Both courses are worth a visit to this new golf club and with 700 hotel rooms within a 20-minute drive, you can make a vacation of it.

Orlando Area

Although, historically, Walt Disney World and other theme park attractions have overshadowed the Orlando golf scene, the area is full of top-rated courses and first-rate golf resorts. There are between 100 and 150 courses in the area and Orlando is host to two PGA tour events. In an article about Orlando golf, one cannot overlook the Bay Hill Club and Lodge. One of the most prestigious semi-private clubs in the country, it has been a part of the PGA tour since 1979. The club has three nine-hole courses, the Challenger, the Champion, and the Charger. Bay Hill makes an effort to provide top of the line service by enhancing the smallest details. For example, each foursome at the club gets a forecaddie with no extra charge to haul clubs, rake sand traps, and provide tips on difficult shots. You must be a guest or resort member to play these courses with greens fees of $175 per round during peak season.

The North-South course at Grand Cypress Villas, designed by Jack Nicklaus, is one of the most well groomed courses in Florida. This combined with man-made rolling fairways and turtleback greens makes for very enjoyable play. The course has been labeled as roomy but challenging and is a must visit for any golfer in the Orlando Area. Greens fees run from $115 to $180, well worth a day away from The Mouse.

Jacksonville Area

Jacksonville, one of the best-kept secrets on the East Coast, has a great waterfront setting and is a well-established golfing destination. The city and its surrounding areas are home to 68 courses, the PGA and Senior PGA tour headquarters, and the World Golf Village, just a few minutes down I-95. The courses in Jacksonville require accuracy but are known to provide plenty of variety. The world famous TPC at Sawgrass was built in 1981 and is the annual host of the Tournament Players Championship. The two courses, the Stadium and Valley, are maintained to remarkably high standards but are two very different golfing experiences. The Stadium Course, home to the infamous 17th island green, the most photographed hole in golf, is known for fast greens and tight fairways. This course can fool any level of golfer into a feeling of false security with hidden bunkers and tricky water hazards. The younger sibling, the Valley Course, is more technically extreme but is often overlooked. The larger greens and fairways make for a more lighthearted golfing experience. To play, one must be a guest at the Marriot at Sawgrass or a member. Greens fees range from $140 to $305 for the Stadium Course and $110 to $170 for the Valley Course.

The World Golf Village is home to two courses, both with two distinct nines, one open and one wooded. The King & The Bear, designed by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, has recently joined the Slammer & The Squire to offer great courses all designed by the best in the business. The Slammer & The Squire course has plenty of lakes with rolling fairways while the newer course focuses more on aesthetics without compromising the quality of play. Players with great short game execution will enjoy The Slammer & The Squire while The King & The Bear requires accuracy with distance and placement. These fine courses coupled with the World Golf Hall of Fame and all the attractions that accompany it are a great way to enhance your Jacksonville golf experience. Greens fees are $99 to $179 for the older course and $125 to $200 for The King and The Bear.

Miami Area

It is easy to add golf to any luxurious Miami vacation. With world-class resorts, infamous South Beach, and a host of semi-private courses in its back yard, Miami has become a top golf vacation destination. PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens offers golfers five tournament caliber courses all ranked by Zagat for Americas Top Courses. There is a course for every kind of player at PGA National whether you are a seasoned pro or someone just getting into the game. The Haig, The General, The Champ, The Squire, and The Estate are unique and offer something a little different. The Haig, the first course developed was intended to and does offer quality golf for all players. Qualities such as having no crossing water hazards evens the playing field regardless of skill. The newest course is The General, modeled after Scottish courses. Players will see these roots in its rising and falling fairways and common greens. The most renowned of the five is The Champ, offering the finest playing surface available anywhere in the world. For information regarding tee times and golf packages, visit the PGA National website.

Perhaps the most revered of South Florida golf resorts is the Doral Golf Resort and Spa. The Doral is home to 5 courses, nine pro shops, and a top-rated spa. The Blue Monster, The Great White, The Red, The Silver, and The Gold are world-renowned for fantastic golf and with water on over 60 of the 90 holes, they are also known for their challenge. The Great White, designed by Greg Norman, and The Blue Monster, one of the most recognizable courses in the country, are the top two courses at Doral. The Great White, framed by palm trees and white sand, is difficult to play and favors those who play position golf. The Blue Monster is known for huge water hazards, unforgiving rough, and an 18th hole that is one of the toughest finishes on the PGA Tour. The Greens Fees range from $100 to $225 depending on the course and season.

A Florida golf vacation can be enjoyed regardless of what destination you choose. From Jacksonville to Miami and Tampa to Orlando there are countless top rated golf resorts, clubs, and courses for you to choose from. These destinations, coupled with fantastic vacation rental homes make the Sunshine State a great place to stay and play.

Caroline Brame writes travel articles for various travel websites. For more information on Florida travel, as well as, other vacation destinations, visit http://www.RentalsExpress.com

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St. Petersburg Florida Come Enjoy the Fun

St. Petersburg Florida Come Enjoy the Fun
By Robert Lipply

St. Petersburg is a city filled with old charm and renovated sophistication. You can still find brick paved streets that are shaded by enormous oak trees, and older, charming homes that have been updated with modern conveniences. It has a style that attracts residents and visitors to it. This city has homes to fit every lifestyle. From large estate style homes to small waterfront condominiums, St. Petersburg has it all!

Some of the most well known areas are the beautiful St. Petersburg Beaches. These white sandy beaches stretch for miles and provide a great getaway from it all. The beach is also home to the Don Cesar Pink Castle Resort. This landmark building has been providing guests a gorgeous place to stay while vacationing on this gorgeous beach. Ft. Desoto Park has been named one of the top 10 beaches in the United States. Visitors can use the campground, picnic pavilions, boat ramp and tour the gorgeous nature trails that lead to the historic fort that is located on this 900 acre park. Egmont Park is a state park that can only be accessed by water. This facility has a magnificent view of the Sunshine Sky Way that can be viewed from the large lighthouse on this island.

You will not want to miss the waterfront Renaissance Vinoy Resort. This historic hotel is the only resort on Floridas West Coast that features a marina, 18 hole golf course, two heated pools, and a 12 court tennis complex. Located near the St. Petersburg Pier, it is minutes from sensational dining, shopping, and Bay Walk. This complex has storefronts, dining and entertainment. Whether you come for the day, or stay all night, Bay Walk is a fun hot spot.

If you enjoy the outdoors there are many great city parks with playgrounds, skate parks, dog parks, and fun for all ages. Sunken Gardens is a paradise for those who love flowers and natural beauty. This museum is 100 years old and has some of the oldest plants in the region. For those with young children, St. Petersburg is also home to the Ultimate Party and Play Zone. This large facility is a childs dream come true with toys, inflatable objects and a host of other activities to get their imaginations going.

St. Petersburg is a city that prides itself on its assortment of art museums, annual city events, friendly neighbors, and preserved beauty. You wont be disappointed!

Bob Lipply is a top Real Estate Broker Associate in the Tampa Bay Real Estate area. He and his team have been helping families relocate to Florida and on the selling end get top dollar for their homes with great success. Lipply Real Estate also specializes in St. Petersburg Real Estate visit his website where you can search the MLS for up to date available homes for sale.

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Oktoberfests in Florida

Oktoberfests in Florida
By Nicholas Jurkowski

Oakland Park is a small town in Broward County that used to be called Floranada a combination of Florida and Canada. The denizens wisely changed the name of their town once they realized that such a combination was not only bizarre, but also not particularly desirable (also, the town went bankrupt after it was hit by a hurricane).

Oakland Park is undergoing quite a bit of change right now the city council is putting new zoning regulations into effect in an attempt to turn the downtown area into a quaint pedestrian district. The fact that Oakland Park is so near Wilton Manors (which is experiencing a huge housing boom right now) means that property prices are going up, which has spurred interest in their downtown redevelopment. All this translates into more to do and see in Oakland Park. Though there isnt that much to do in Oakland Park as of this moment, they do have a fantastic Oktoberfest.

There arent that many authentic Bavarian Oktoberfests in Florida, especially not on the scale of Oakland Parks. Here, you will find parades, musicians, traditional food, and pagan dancers. Oh, also beer. TONS of beer. For those who dont like beer, there is wine. TONS of wine (nothing says Oktoberfest like barrels and barrels of Gewrztraminer). Even for those who dont like to imbibe, there is plenty to do. There are Dachshund races, oompah bands, strudel eating contests, and Polka lessons (with a Polka Contest at the end). In short, its a great time, though we all know that most people come for the beer (and theres plenty of it).

What better way is there to ring in October than in classic Munich style? This year's festival was only the second in Oakland Park, so subsequent Oktoberfests are bound to be even better. Since you probably dont want to worry about driving home, consider taking a limousine from Mirage Limo to the festivities. The limos are comfortable, stylish, and, if you get a Chrysler, at least half German! Oakland Park has what your October is lacking come and check it out.

Nick Jurkowski is a senior editor for http://www.milleniumlimo.comThe essays above can be found on his night life blog, The Urban Adventure Blog, which is updated daily.

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Naples and Southwest Florida Real Estate Is Hot!

Naples and Southwest Florida Real Estate Is Hot!
By Scott Berry

There has never been a better time to Invest in Naples and Southwest Florida Real Estate!

Collier County is ranked number one, and Lee County ranked number two in the entire State of Florida in Existing home (re-sales) sales ending February 2004. Collier County saw a 28% gain and Lee County had an 18% gain in sales of existing homes from February 2003 to February 2004.

New home sales put Lee County number one in the United States for the 4th quarter in a row and Collier County number five. These figures are based on the number of new home permits issued per thousand people.

We are seeing incredible appreciation figures, and rental rates are at an all time high. If you purchase a home in Southwest Florida, you should realize an unparalleled appreciation, and the figures indicate that, if you choose to rent your property out when you are not here, you should easily find a tenant.

The Median sales price for the same period saw Collier County with a 42% increase ($273,100 to $389,000) and Lee County with a 31% gain ($130,500 to $170,000). Once again, these value increases show that real estate in Southwest Florida out paced most other forms of investment.

For Updated Sales, Investment, or Equity Growth figures, please contact The Berry Realty Group or visit our website at http://www.napleselite.com

About The Author

Scott Berry is a Seasoned Real Estate Professional In Southwest Florida, and President of The Berry Realty Group with office in Bonita Springs and Naples Florida. 800-450-0198

scott@napleselite.com

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Florida Golf Vacations

Florida Golf Vacations
By Kevin Stith

Many vacationers come to experience the unrivaled Florida golf vacations on the manicured greens of some of Florida's leading courses. There is a blend of over 1100 public and private membership golf courses throughout Florida. Given the massive recognition of golf throughout the state, it comes as no surprise to find that golf vacation packages are available to suit all tastes and budgets. Tee Times USA is the world head in custom golf vacations and advanced tee time reservations in Florida. You can choose from more than 300 Florida golf courses and from hundreds of resorts, condominiums and hotels.

Florida golf vacations are particularly popular in winter when guests from the East Coast escape south to enjoy warm weather. The Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island features a course that incorporates the natural backdrop of the island, including sand dunes, palm trees and oaks. Great scenery and great weather is just a couple of reasons why visitors worldwide prefer Florida Golf Vacations for their weekend getaways. This extend of the Atlantic coast is lined with championship Florida Golf greens that are open to the public. Florida golf vacations initiate at the northern border of Florida and go on to the end of the Florida Keys.

Golf vacations and holidays in this state will offer exceptional challenges, including live alligators and other beasts of the unknown. Everyone knows Orlando has the world's best theme parks, from the magic of Walt Disney World Resort and the thrills of Universal Studios, to the pleasure of Sea World. But Orlando is also home to some of North America's best golf courses. Palm Beach is home to a number of top-notch golf courses mostly for the rich and famous. Panama City is also an excellent place to play golf on some of the most beautiful courses. With an average temperature of around 78 degrees, weather rarely interferes with year-round play. As the temperature decreases so do the prices of golf and lodging making Panama City a wonderful vacation bargain. No matter what the season, Panama City is one of the best places in Florida to play golf. Golf packages cost about $74 at Disney's Lake Buena Vista to about $130 at Disney's Mongnolia and Palm Course. There is single day as well as multi day package available. Such places offer complete entertainment during the golf vacation.

Florida Vacations provides detailed information on Florida Vacations, Florida Vacation Rentals, Florida Vacation Homes, Florida Vacation Destinations and more. Florida Vacations is affiliated with Florida Keys Vacation Rentals.

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Romance in Florida

Romance in Florida
By Sue Dempster

Holidaymakers and honeymoon couples planning a vacation in Florida will often not look beyond Walt Disney World and other attractions such as Universal Studios and Kennedy Space Center for amusement.

But for those seeking something slightly more romantic, its necessary to wander off the beaten track and use your imagination.

Heres the run-down on five fantastic romantic adventures.

Rivership Romance

All aboard! Check out the three-and-a-half hour moonlight cruise along the historic St. John's River in Sanford. For around $50, guests can enjoy a four-course meal while taking in the beautiful scenery before dancing their way back to port. The welcome is typically friendly and the atmosphere intensely romantic.

Picnic on the beach

Conjure up the idyllic vision of waves lapping on white sand and youve pretty much described New Smyrna Beach on the central east coast of Florida. Free of crowds, pollution and noise, New Smyrna boasts 13 miles of white sand and, as the second oldest settled city in Florida, history, museums and art galleries as well. Take a luxury hamper, a bottle of wine and watch the sun set. True romance!

Fondue for two

Chocolate is the key to many womens hearts. Even if it isnt, theres plenty of sloppy seductiveness to be enjoyed at The Melting Pot Fondue Restaurant. Succulent meat, tasty cheese and, of course, velvety chocolate eat it all fondue style!

Balloon trip

If the early morning air sets your pulse racing, Orange Blossom Balloons is for you. Specialising in Champagne Balloon flights in the Disney World area, the one hour ride concludes with a Champagne toast an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet

Spa experience

Luxury spa treatments are always a delight whether youre male or female. In Florida, go top of the range with a trip to Disneys Grand Floridian Spa & Health Club. In the Couples Room, guests can enjoy specialized spa treatments with their one true love.

Sue and Chris are the owners of a brand new 5 bed villa on the Tuscan hills gated community in Orlando, Florida

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The Best Vacation Florida Everglades Airboat Ride

The Best Vacation - Florida Everglades Airboat Ride
By Cynthia Hardin

My husband retired last year, and I have always been a stay at home mom raising the kids. However, our wonderful children have since grown and are living their own lives, so my husband George and I can do what we want to now. Not that we couldnt when our kids were growing up, but you know what I mean we can start having adventures again.

Im always amazed at the fun things George has up his sleeve after all these years. I mean, were in our late 60s and people often mistake us for newlyweds! Can you imagine? George always gives me little hints about our trips and all he would say is that we were going to a Florida attraction Id never guess. He sure was right! George surprised me just last week on our 45th wedding anniversary with a brochure on Cypress Airboats. Never in my life did I imagine Id be riding on any kind of open air boat in the midst of snakes, lizards, alligators, and lord knows what else.

I would have thought George might take me to one of the better-known Florida Attractions like Disney World or Busch Gardens. I am so glad he chose an airboat tour instead! It was so thrilling! George selected an early morning airboat tour, and we had breakfast just before we started. When I stepped onto the airboat, I was really nervous, but George just tucked my arm under his and guided me along like he has all these years. We were able to see alligators, and the only place I ever thought Id want to see alligator skin was on a purse! It was just so exciting. I felt like I could reach out and touch the alligators, but of course, I didnt!

The best part of the airboat trip, aside from having a special tour of the Florida Everglades with my wonderful husband, was when we saw a blue heron. One of our first dates way back when was at a jazz club called the Blue Heron. There is no way George could have anticipated we would see a blue heron on our trip with Cypress Airboats, but it made our tour even more perfect.

If you are considering a trip to Florida, I would definitely recommend Cypress Airboats private tours over any other Florida Attraction. Sure, you could go ride roller coasters and see how movies are made, but those are common events in a persons life and will be logged with all the other memories you often forget. I cant think of any attraction in Florida that is more memorable that the Florida Everglades with their thick vegetation and fantastic wildlife. George and I had such a great time were thinking of going again for our 50th wedding anniversary and taking an even longer airboat tour!

Cynthia Hardin has become a frequent visitor to Cypress Airboat Rides. We are open year round, and offer both private and group tours. Airboat Rides

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Englewood FloridaOur Little Piece of Paradise

Englewood Florida-Our Little Piece of Paradise
By P White

Have you dreamed of a vacation in paradise?

Or, are you dreaming of that perfect retirement destination?

My wife and I have spent many years planning our retirement destination. Although we have traveled to many interesting places over the years, we always come back to the same community when we consider the best place to vacation and ultimately to retire.

Our perfect place is Englewood Florida!

Nestled on Floridas beautiful gulf coast, Englewood has four great beaches and is close to several other sun, sand and surf spots. You can spend a few hours reading a book, with the music of the waves washing ashore, while the sunshine brightens your day and the gulf breezes keep you comfortable.

If a more active time at the beach is to your liking, these great beaches offer excellent swimming, sailing and surfing fun. We often go to a beach just to walk along the shore enjoying the warm sand under our feet and feeling the gulf breeze on our faces.

Because Englewood is located on the coast, there are plenty of beachfront accommodations to own or to rent. Many people rent a beachfront condo for a few years and then as retirement approaches, they purchase their own beachfront accommodations. Actually, there are many vacation accommodation venues to choose from in the Englewood Florida area. After all, you are never very far from the waters edge, no matter where you choose to live in this great Florida vacation community!

There is a medley of shopping facilities in Englewood. But, if you are looking for a wider variety of shopping venues, the close proximity of larger centers like Sarasota and Fort Myers makes shopping excursions a fun and easy event.

Although it is not a large city, Englewood has good medical facilities to meet your needs. But, if more specialized treatment is necessary, once again the larger cities are an easy commute.

I am a golfer, not a good one, but a golfer. Florida is famous for its vast number of golf courses. It is not just the large numbers that are significant, but also the diversity of the Florida golf courses that make this region a golfers paradise. And, the Englewood region is no exception when it comes to golfing venues. I like the challenge of playing different golf courses. Because of the large number of golf courses in the Englewood area, I am never at a loss to find a different golfing venue.

My wife is a nature lover. She loves to work in her garden and backyard bird feeding is her particular passion. But, she also loves to go for long walks taking in the rich tapestry that nature has painted on the Florida landscape.

She loves to visit the beaches during the nesting times for the sea turtles that visit the area. And, of course, the many nature trails with the rich vegetation and unique wildlife are constantly beckoning.

Not all of the activities in the Englewood area are oriented to the out-of-doors. The area offers many great historical and cultural entertainment venues. As well, many cultural and community centers offer recreational courses on topics as broad as the rainbow.

Florida offers an assortment of vacation opportunities for people of all walks of life. But, for us, there is nowhere like Englewood Florida.

Simply, stated, We Enjoy Englewood Florida!

For more information about this first rate vacation destination please visit my website, http://www.enjoy-englewood-florida.com, and enjoy Englewood Florida.

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The Falls Shopping Center Mall in Kendall Florida

The Falls Shopping Center Mall in Kendall, Florida
By Nicholas Jurkowski

If you enjoy unincorporated suburbs of Miami, youll love Kendall, Florida. Named for an executive of the British Land Company that surveyed and mapped many areas of Florida, Kendall is bordered by the Everglades, and actually has quite a bit going on, as well as some interesting pop-culture trivia. For example, O.J. Simpson settled in Kendall after he was acquitted of the murder of Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman. It is from this vantage point, with the help of a global network of informants, that he continually searches for the real killers. Along these lines, former Attorney General Janet Reno has a permanent residence in Florida, which was built by her parents. It is hewn from the very living essence of the Everglades, its phantasmal aura occasionally luring unwary travelers to their doom.

Beyond these interesting facts, Kendall has some fun destinations and activities. As is always the case in Florida, there are some nice shops and restaurants. Kendall is also home to the Miami Chamber Symphony, though at the moment their future is in doubt. In spite of its waning cultural status, Kendall is still a consumer capitol, boasting one of the most unique malls in the United States.

The Falls Shopping Center Mall is like many other outdoor malls, in that it features large stores, movie theaters, and restaurants. Unlike other theaters, however, it also features covered wooden walkways and is landscaped with tropical foliage around lagoon-type ponds. Even if you dont want to buy anything, its quite a nice place to walk around and window-shop. Every Thursday, you will find great live acts performing on the malls central stage, and the many restaurants provide great dining opportunities. All in all, the Falls Shopping Center Mall is one of my favorite malls in Florida, and a great place to go if you find yourself in Kendall.

Naturally, I dont have to tell you that to truly enjoy the experience, you should consider renting a limousine from Millenium Limo whenever you go to any mall (or indeed, anywhere else). The comfort and luxury of the limousine mingle perfectly with the relaxing time youll have shopping, eating, and watching movies. Enjoy the Falls in Kendall.

Nick Jurkowski is a senior editor for http://www.MilleniumLimo.com: the essays above can be found on his night life blog, updated daily and available via RSS, at The Urban Adventure Blog.

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Do I Need A Car In Florida?

Do I Need A Car In Florida?
By Chris Neilson

And that answer is both yes and no. maybe !

Undoubtedly, not everyone wants to drive on vacation, and for those that fall into this category, there are of course taxi cabs available, as well as limited bus services to get you around. However, although it can be done, the bus / taxi combo is not in any way the most cost effective or convenient way to travel.

Of course, if you are just visiting Florida to soak up the sunshine from the pool deck of your rented luxury villa, then you may be content to forgo the car and just utilise taxi cabs for the odd time that you do venture away from your vacation home. However, there is such a vast world of excitement out there, that to do so would surely be selling yourself short.

And whilst Disney does provide free park to park transport once you are on Disney property, getting there initially can be a time consuming and often expensive experience.

So, to my mind, if you want the convenience of being able to go where you want, when you want, there is no better way to achieve this than by renting a car for the duration of your vacation. Amazingly, with the incredible all inclusive and fully insured rates that a select few on line car hire companies provide, I feel sure that you will be pleasantly surprised how economical it is to have the freedom and luxury that you really deserve.

However, a word of warning is advisable at this point, as not all car rental deals are as clear cut as they first appear. Many travel agents or charter airline companies, will offer you a free rental car as an incentive to get you to book with them. In reality, these fly drive deals as they are commonly known, can often work out many times more expensive than if you had booked the car hire and flights separately, as they often involve many hidden extras and required insurances to be paid when you pick up your car at your arrival airport.

Of course by that stage, you are thousands of miles away from home, and literally stuck between a rock and a hard place. As a result, you have no option but to pay the hefty extra fees, and very quickly, the free car rental doesnt seem such a good deal anymore.

I would therefore always advise that you do a little research and check on line which car rental companies offer a guarantee of fully inclusive, fully insured prices, and also allow you the opportunity to select the size and class of vehicle that is best suited to your travelling party. You will be amazed at how much money you can save by cutting out the middle man and making a simple on line reservation.

So, in conclusion, I would reiterate that whilst it is possible to do Florida without a car, the benefits of renting one far outweigh the other options available. After all, for most folks, a trip to Florida is a long anticipated vacation of a lifetime, and once you discover how much there is to experience and enjoy, youll be glad that you took my advice.

Chris Neilson is a professional writer and private Villa Owner who has an extensive knowledge of the Florida Travel Industry. He is also the senior copywriter for the well known Florida Car Hire web site US Car Hire http://www.uscarhire.co.uk

Copyright Chris Neilson 2005 All Rights Reserved

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The Goomday Festival in Coconut Grove Florida

The Goomday Festival in Coconut Grove, Florida
By Nicholas Jurkowski

Coconut Grove is one of Miamis most unique districts, beginning as an independent city called Cocoanut Grove, and being subsequently swallowed up by Miami in a bloodless annexation. Bahamian culture plays a large role in the identity of the community, thanks to a substantial settling of Bahamians back in the 1880s. It is now known as Miamis Food-court for reasons that are obvious to even the densest individual. Countless restaurants and open-air cafes dominate the landscape, making Coconut Grove a perfect place to have a night out. One of my favorites is Tuscany, but there are plenty of other fantastic places as well. There are numerous shopping opportunities here (as with almost all of Miami), and since the demarcation for the southern border of Coconut Grove is Biscayne Bay, there are numerous boating and sailing opportunities. All in all, there is enough to keep you busy in Coconut Grove for quite a long time. And I havent even gotten to the festivals.

In addition to being a gastronomic and consumer powerhouse, The Grove (as it is sometimes called) is also known for its varied and fantastic festivals and gatherings. Its world renowned art festival and famous King Mango Strut (a hilarious, tongue-in-cheek takeoff of the Orange Bowl parade) are favorites to many. My personal choice for festivals, however, is the Goombay Festival. For a few days in June, the Goombay Festival transforms mild-mannered Coconut Grove into celebration of Bahamian culture in the form of a Caribbean carnival. Junkanoo groups (Junkanoo is the traditional Bahamian street parade, usually featuring large groups wearing brightly colored clothes and yes, tons of cowbell) abound, and it can be difficult to tell if you are in Miami or Nassau. Between the junkanoo groups dancing and carousing, the rake-and-scrape music coming from dozens of different sources, the sizzling Caribbean food, the vendors trying to hawk their wares, and the spectators caught up in the spectacle, the excitement is always palpable, and there is always more conch salad than you can eat.

Next June, do yourself a favor and make your way down (or up, as your geographical location might dictate) and partake of the Goombay Festival in Coconut Grove. Depending on how much fun you are planning on having (and how much you feel like dealing with parking in the middle of a street festival), you might consider chartering some transportation, like a cab or (better yet) a limousine from Millenium Limo. Being able to relax and not worry about transportation always helps you have the best possible time. Bring your washboard and your cowbell.

Nick Jurkowski is a senior editor for MilleniumLimo.com: the essays above can be found on his night life blog, updated daily and available via RSS, at The Urban Adventure Blog.

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The Pirate Festivals of Florida

The Pirate Festivals of Florida
By Nicholas Jurkowski

Tampa is one of Floridas vacation hotspots, and anyone who is planning a trip to Florida should seriously consider visiting, even though it is a fair ways from the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. The activities in the Tampa area are quite varied, ranging from outdoorsy hiking and fishing opportunities to the nightlife, bars, and restaurants of Ybor City (Tampas nightlife hotspot). You will also find Busch Gardens and the Florida aquarium in the Tampa area, and these attractions draw thousands of tourists each year. With all of these fantastic opportunities for people of all budgets, ages, and tastes, you may wonder why I will highlight something totally different. The answer essentially boils down to this: Im a sucker for pirates.

The Gasparilla Pirate Festival is an annual event that Tampa hosts every January. The festival is named after famed pirate Jos Gaspar, who operated out of the Tampa area back in the Golden Age of piracy. The festival begins when Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla sail into town on a 165 pirate ship, making landfall near downtown Tampa and having a huge parade through the middle of town. Its a crazy time, and certainly my favorite annual festival in Florida (I try to make it over to Tampa each January to catch it).

The Gasparilla Pirate Festival is sandwiched by two other Tampa festivals. A week before, there is a family oriented childrens parade, as well as a Piratechnic Extravaganza of fireworks launched over Tampa. This is a good festival to bring the whole family to, and is far less crowded than the main invasion and pirate parade a week later. A week or two after the parade, you will see the more adult-oriented SantYago Knight Parade, which marches from Ybor City and as such, predictably can get a little blue.

All pirates know that the best way to take in a pirate festival is from a comfortable limousine. Mirage Limo services Tampa and the surrounding area, so it is a natural choice for any reveler who seeks the comfort and luxury that only a limousine can provide so when you head to Tampa next year for the Pirate Festival, keep that in mind or walk the plank (ye scurvy dogs!).

Nick Jurkowski is a senior editor for MilleniumLimo.com: the essays above can be found on his night life blog, updated daily and available via RSS, at The Urban Adventure Blog.

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