International Drive

WonderWorks

WonderWorks is an amusement park for the mind with 35, 000 square feet of “edu-tainment”. The attraction combines education and entertainment with more than 100 hands on exhibits that challenge the mind and spark the imagination. Wo...

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Treasure Island Beach

Treasure Island is one of the many beaches along the Gulf Coast which has beautiful white sand that stretches for miles. All the beaches along the coast are amazing and so worth a visit, even for a day.

Located not far from St Petersburg, Tampa you could take a trip along to Bush Gar...

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Tarpon Springs

We discovered Tarpon Springs last year after some friends recommended it, We wanted to discover new places in Florida so we gave it a go and have to say we were not disappointed at all.

The main town you would think you were in Greece with all the Greek restaurants and shops was a lo...

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St Cloud

If you want a bit of a change from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks, and tourist areas, head for St Cloud, Kissimmee’s quiet, traditional next door neighbour. It is well worth a visit for a half day or so, to enjoy its lakeside charm and facilities.

Head east along 192 (Irlo ...

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Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards

If you are looking for an interesting half day (or more) out, think about visiting the Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards. Situated at 19239 US27 North (Clermont FL34715), it is about a 20 min drive from where US192 meets the US27.

The pretty Spanish Revival buildings sit amid 127 acres ...

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MIami

There are some amazing places to visit in Florida. Most people head for the hustle and bustle of Disney and Orlando area, but around 4 hours drive from Orlando is Miami and its amazing art deco area and World famous beaches.

If flying from the UK Miami is a good option in the peak se...

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Highlights of our Florida holidays.

A Florida holiday is always wonderful. Every minute filled with joy and pleasure. However, some moments stand out for us and for you also. I am sure. Of course, the first time is always dusted with a little extra magic; we were awe struck with the rides and the shows. And believe me, they were prett...

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Winter Park

For a wonderful day out in a quaint America town, why not head to Winter Park. It is located north of Orlando (about 35 minute drive from Disney area (east on I95)).

Winter Park with its shops, restaurants, parks, lake and museum is now an art and culture place, varied in contrast with i...

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Old Town - Kissimmee

Old Town Kissimmee is a rather an unusual place. It used to be a celebration of all that was good about the USA in the past. It now is just a place for people to browse, eat and shop. It is laid out as a couple of cobbled streets but is not accessible to traffic, apart from on Fridays and Saturdays ...

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Tours of Gasparilla Inn, Boca Grande.

While staying on the Gulf Coast you may like to visit the old historic Gasparilla Inn, Boca Grande (‘The Inn’ as it is known by locals) which celebrates 100 years in 2013. It is only a short drive from Rotonda West and midway between Fort Myers and Sarasota. In 1885, The American Agriculture and Che...

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Polk's Nature Discovery Centre

Polk’s Nature Discovery Centre


I could not believe that I had only just discovered this place when I went in January 2012 for the first time. It was only when I read the literature that I realised how recently it was developed and my fervent hope is that when everyone finds this abs...

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The New Dali Museum

The New Dali Museum

The new Dali museum in St Petersburg opened at the beginning of 2011 so when we visited during the Christmas holidays that same year we should have expected exactly what we encountered…. lines longer than those for Soarin’.

The journey was really easy. You ca...

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The Aquatic Preserves of Charlotte Harbour

In 1975 Florida decided to protect the coastal and inland waters for all future generations to enjoy and also to preserve a unique biological and scientific area. The Aquatic Preserves Act of 1975 came into being and this ensured submerged lands which were state owned were forever protected. ?

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Deerfield Beach on the Atlantic Coast, Florida

We were in Florida in January 2012 staying at our villa and decided we would have a break from the usual homeowners holiday – lots of maintenance and replacing items – and get away from it all for a few days and take a ‘proper’ vacation.

About 8 years ago we flew into Miami and spent a few...

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Chalet Suzanne - Lake Wales

Driving south along the U. S. Highway 27 in the Lake Wales area, I noticed a sign at the side of the road advertising Chalet Suzanne. Having nothing better to do and out of curiosity, we decided to investigate.

Leaving Hwy 27, we drove down Chalet Susanne Drive for a mile till we reached t...

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K'nex display in Fort Lauderdale

Are you in Florida before the 6th of may 2012? you are? that is great, I have a wonderful temporary display to tell you about.

This is a K' nex exhibition (you know what they are, those pesky bits of building pieces that you pull out of the hoover) held in The Museum of Discovery and Sci...

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The Museum of Discovery and Science.

Fort Lauderdale is about 3 hours away from your vacation villa and is well worth a visit.

If you have children, then you should definitely make time to visit is The Museum of Discovery and Science.

This museum is divided into several distinct areas and I am going to whet your...

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Gizmo City to Florida Ecoscape.

And so on to the second part of an on depth look at The Museum of Discovery and Science.

Today we are going to look at Gizmo City, The Great Gravity Clock, Living in the Everglades and Florida Ecoscapes.

Gizmo Gity is devoted to finding out how things work. The exhibit that s...

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The Gulf Coast

Sunshine state rentals are exactly that, renting a villa in the Sunshine State, the colloquial name for Florida. Villa rentals are available in Orlando for ease of visiting the Walt Disney parks, a trip to Kennedy or even the beaches on the east coast of this sunshine state of Florida.

T...

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Celebration – a good afternoon out

The town of Celebration (on Highway 192 near the Disney turn off) was built originally as Walt Disney’s ideal of a modern suburb. It is supposed to be kept as litter free and clean as it is possible to get and all the homeowners have strict rules to which they must adhere, like keeping their lawns i...

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Market Place Downtown Disney - Part 1

When you wake up on your first morning in Orlando, a good way to immerse yourself gently into the spirit of Disney is with a visit to Market Place in Downtown Disney. Here you will get the feel of what you are about to experience when you do your first ever full day at Walt Disney World.

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Market Place Downtown Disney - Part 2

When you have exhausted the shopping, it may be time for lunch. There are many novelty restaurants in Market Place. One I mentioned in Part 1 of this article is the Earl of Sandwich. As the name suggests they sell sandwiches (and salads) but these are served hot in an enormous bagette almost the siz...

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Market Place Downtown Disney - Part 3

Having told you about the wonderful, shopping and dining in Market Place Downtown Disney, I will now tell you about the attractions there.

There is the cutest little miniature train for the tiny people up to the age of about 8 called, Rio Grande Old Timer and a small carousel for the you...

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Marie Selby Gardens Sarasota - a great place to visit!

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Sarasota

If you are looking for a day out with a difference then try the Marie Selby Gardens in Sarasota. Their mission is:- “to further the understanding and appreciation of plant life, with emphasis on epiphytes (plants that grow on other plants), an...

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Snook Haven, Venice

For visitors to the Gulf Coast, something really unique is a visit to Snook Haven which really is a trip back into ‘old’ Florida. Although the official address is Venice, it is only a few minutes from junction 191 on the I-75 and only 20 minutes drive from Rotonda West. From McCall Road take Winches...

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Florida the ultimate getaway.

Why is vacationing in Florida considered the ultimate getaway? There truly is something for everyone to enjoy. If you are a history buff, then traveling to St. Augustine, Florida would be a great place to start. As the oldest City in the continental United States founded in 1565, it has numerous cul...

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The Barn Antiques Lake Alfred

The Barn Antiques Lake Alfred

We discovered Barn Antiques one day, quite by chance, when we were actually looking for Fantasy of Flight. We had taken the 27 to get to Fantasy of Flight instead of using the I4. - In my opinion if you have time to avoid the I4 it is always more of a voyage ...

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Christmas at Christmas

Christmas at Christmas

Some of the family were at the villa in Florida; Christmas was looming and we wanted to contact friends and family back home . We decided that we would visit the small township of Christmas in order to secure its unique postmark on our cards to the UK. We had read t...

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Yalaha Bakery

Yalaha Bakery

A long way to go for bread but it’s worth it.

Over the years we have come to accept the fact that despite the many great meals and food which we enjoy in Florida, we have never found a local bakery to rival the one which we use here in the UK.
Publix brea...

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Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota.

If you are planning a trip to Sarasota, there is far more than shops and beaches for you to see. You need to make time and include a trip to the beautiful Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a respected world centre for tropical plant research, conservation an...

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A morning at Lake Eola!

Every time I visit Lake Eola, I think how nice it is. TOP TIP, time your visit for a sunday when they have a craft market and often some entertainment.

Well, where is it? Lake Eola is in Downtown Orlando and is accessed from Rosalind Avenue, East Central Boulevard, North Eola Drive and E...

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Explore Venice

If you are ever on the Gulf Coast it is well worth spending a day in Venice. Despite traveling along the Gulf Coast for many years last year was the first time when we were traveling from Orlando down to Naples we decided to break our journey there.

For those in the party that like to re...

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Sanibel/Captiva Beaches

If you want a really relaxing time on the beach and a few days away form Orlando head to Sanibel and Captive Islands. Here you can enjoy 5 miles of unspoiled beaches, 22 miles of bike paths, good fishing, many types of birds and of course its famous sea shells. You may have heard of the Sanibel Stoo...

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All about Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is a popular tourist destination on the Atlantic coast, 23 miles north of Miami. Originally it got its name after a series of forts built by the United States during the Seminole War. Nowadays it is sometimes referred to the “Venice of America” because of its expansive and intricate ...

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Big Pine and Lower Keys

If you are traveling to Key West and you have time try to explore Big Pine and the Lower Keys you will be amazed how good it is to get away from a busy and crowded world and completely relax.

If you want to dive you can board a dive boat and enjoy a day of diving and snorkeling on the fa...

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Vero Beach

The first year we went to Florida we stayed for one week at Palm Beach. Whilst there we went to the Vero Beach area for the day as it was not too far away. My parents were quite tired this day so they decided just to stay on the beach whilst we explored. Apparently they had an afternoon stroll and w...

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Enjoying Key West

You can travel to Key West by Road, Sea or Air and when you get there you will find it a city of fascinating contrasts. In fact after a few days there you may find yourself wanting to stay far away from the hassles of everyday life forever!

With its beautiful blue skies, the island is, a...

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Day Trip to Key West

My parents stayed with friends in Miami last year and decided that rather than doing the long drive to Key West in their car they would take a day trip along with their friends.

They booked their trip on the internet and had to give at least seventy two hours notice. Although the trip pi...

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Places to visit near Miami

We sometimes stay for a day or two in Miami either because we have flown in there or are on our way to the Florida Keys. We like to explore whilst we are there so I thought I would try to list a few places near Miami that you might like to visit.

Firstly there is the Cape Florida Lightho...

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West Coast Beaches

While all the fun of the theme parks is what most of you go to Orlando for, do remember to take breaks in between the days or you will be exhausted. At the height of the season you could arrive at a park when it opens at 7am and not leave until it closes at midnight, I do not think you could do that...

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A day out in Daytona Beach.

Daytona Beach is about an hour and a half from your holiday villa and so makes a good choice for a day at the seaside.

Apart from lolling around the beach (doesn' t float my boat for long) what else can you do? Well, I have put together a few ideas for you; gotta be something here you wo...

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Key Largo

Key Largo is the island at the top of the Florida Keys and visitors often stop off here on their way to or from Key West. When we first visited there about twenty years ago there had been a lot of devastation in the surrounding area due to hurricanes and this took time to rebuild.

To get...

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Christmas in Celebration

Large numbers of tourists travel to Florida for the Christmas vacation, or simply “The Holidays” as it is affectionately known by our US neighbours, and whilst they are unlikely to be expecting the traditional Christmas, one or two may exhibit a few withdrawal symptoms! !
Fear not. . . . . . C...

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Enjoy Anna Marie Island

There really is something very magical when you arrive at Anna Marie Island and you see the white sand you know you are in for few days of complete relaxation. There is not any need to plan your journeys for quite times to avoid the crowds because crowds and traffic jams do not exist on Anna Marie! ...

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Visit St Armands Circle Sarasota

We have on several occasions when we visited the Gulf Coast had a couple of nights stay in a small motel at Siesta Key in Sarasota. This really is a relaxing part of Sarasota away from the bustle of the town itself.

Whist we are there we usually visit St Armand' s Circle for our shopping...

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The Pinellas Trail

If you have ever been in the Gulf Coast area surrounding Treasure Island, Clearwater or St Petersburg you will have seen signs highlighting the Pinellas Trail. We often spend a few days at the Gulf Coast and I became so intrigued by always seeing the Trail when we were around Seminole I researched i...

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Enjoy Naples

Naples is located in Florida' s near-tropical southwest corner and is one of the more glamorous of Florida’s beach areas. It has beautiful white beaches, ample water access, and many upscale restaurants and shops. In the twenty years since we first started visiting Naples it has grown considerably i...

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Things to do at Clearwater (3)

If you visit Clearwater on the Gulf Coast you will be amazed at the amount of things to do. Clearwater is about an hour and a half drive from Orlando along the I4. When we initially go to new places we always call in first at the Visitor Information Center. The one in Clearwater is at 333 C, South G...

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The Villages Golf Carts

We were looking for somewhere new to spend the late afternoon on what had been, and still was, a glorious Florida spring day. We didn’t want to drive too far from our base on US27 near Clermont but as we had already been to Bok Gardens, Mount Dora and Winter Garden on a previous visit our options we...

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The Villages – Market Square and beyond

The Villages provide a fascinating insight into what can be achieved for good quality 21st century living set in a lovely environment.

Basically a number of individually named village communities for age groups of 55 and over have been set around a hub which has become the focal point fo...

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The Villages Florida

Having visited the town of Celebration on our holidays to Orlando and always enjoyed the laid back feel of the place we were looking for somewhere similar when we happened to hear about The Villages Florida. So on our very next holiday we made plans to travel to The Villages so we could see how it c...

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Lake County Festivals

If you have been a frequent visitor to Florida you probably look around for something new to do when you go. May I suggest you think about the Festivals that take place all over. I know that other counties have their own but I am just going to cover the ones that take place in Lake County. I won’t a...

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Celebration at Christmas

Celebration is one of our favourite places to visit at any time of the year but it has a special magic at Christmas. You will find Central Celebration either from the 192 turning left just before the junction with the I4, or from the I4 taking the junction labelled Celebration. You will then need to...

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ICE and SNOW at Gaylords 2010/2011

Every year Gaylord Palms Convention Centre puts on a magnificent Christmeas display of ICE. The top ice sculptors from China come across and design 5 rooms of massive display.

This year the theme is “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and each room represents a verse of the famous poem. ...

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The Miami Bus Tour

Whenever wherever we are on holiday our favourite way of initially exploring any city is to do the bus tour to see what the city has to offer. We then either hop on hop off the bus tour to visit some of the places on the initial tour or plan the remainder of our stay in the city by deciding the plac...

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A visit to St Cloud

After visiting the theme parks and shopping malls it is nice to take a trip away from the Disney area to the town of St Cloud, and a visit to a man made beach against Lake Toho.

The round trip from the centre of Kissimmee is approximately 20 miles. The directions are to take the HWY 192 east...

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The Marine Discovery Centre.

The Marine Discovery Centre is located at New Smyrna Beach and is dedicated to the presevation and restoration of The Indian River Lagoon Estuary. This would take you something over an hour from your resorts area villa and makes a welcome contrast to the hustle and bustle of the parks. .

You...

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Beaches at Fort de Soto

We recently spent a fantastic day at the amazing beaches of Fort de Soto. Situated on Florida’s stunning west coast this island is close to Tampa and Clearwater and only takes about 90 minutes to drive to from the Disney area.

Fort de Sota is open all year round and is approached via the Pin...

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The Town of Celebration

The quaint and pretty town of Celebration is an oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the theme parks.

Created by Disney in 1994 and launched to celebrate the life and times of a typical American town, Celebration is a pleasant mixture of both visitors and residents. Think The Truman Show. T...

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Coquina Beach – Anna Maria Island

We had just spent the most idyllic couple of hours strolling along the beach at the northern tip of Anna Maria Island.

There were fine views across Tampa Bay to the Gulf resorts of Clearwater and Saint Petersburg, and over to our right the expanse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge glistened in t...

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Historic Bok Sanctuary – Pine Ridge Nature Preserve

Formerly known as the Mountain Lake Sanctuary and Singing Tower, Historic Bok Sanctuary is about an hour’s drive from downtown Orlando and is well signposted from the US27 near Lakes Wales.

The Sanctuary offer the visitor a surprising amount of diversity with the Omsted Gardens and Carillon ...

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East Coast Beaches of Florida

Cocoa Beach

In between those wonderful, full days at the theme parks, although fabulous as they are, and they are, you might be tempted to take a day off and have a great day and just chill. A great way to do this is to escape to Cocoa Beach. It is the closest beach to Orlando and takes just ...

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Cruising – Jamaica, Part 1 Martha Brae River Rafting

Jamaica is one of our favourite islands in the Caribbean, perhaps because it was one of the islands we visited on our very first cruise with the children, so it has a certain magic about it. Although we love Florida, and Orlando in particular, we enjoy visiting the many islands of the Caribbean afte...

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St Augustine Lighthouse and Museum

We went to the Lighthouse and Museum on the recommendation of some other guests at our hotel when we visited St Augustine. They told us to allow at least an hour to tour the site and climb the tower, as the latter was one hundred and sixty feet high and we had my Father with us it took us nearer to ...

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An Introduction to Bradenton

We were waiting for the Illuminations firework display to begin in Epcot when we engaged in conversation with an middle aged American couple who had driven up for the day from their home in Bradenton, Florida.

We had skirted close to their hometown on a previous trip around Tampa Bay but wit...

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Anastasia State Park and Fort Mose Historic State Park

While the State of Florida has three National Parks, the best known being The Everglades National Park, plus the Biscayne National Park and the Dry Tortugas National Park it has no less than 160 State Parks which spread over 700, 000 acres of land.

In the my first article I concentrated on t...

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The Ormond Art Gallery and Gardens.

The Ormond Art Museum and gardens have the double benefit of an interesting gallery to look at and a beautiful garden to view.

For 64 years this museum has been dedicated to the work of artists connected to the two World Wars.

It all started in 1946 when the well known artist Malcolm...

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The Museum of Science and Industry

The Museum of Science and Industry is located in East Fowler Avenue in North Tampa. Tampa is on Florida' s Gulf Coast.

As well as being the largest science center in America you can also enjoy a planetarium a butterfly garden a 3. D. theatre and the Dome theatre that shows feature length fil...

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Beaches of Florida

Cocoa Beach

In between those wonderful, full days at the theme parks, although fabulous as they are, and they are, you might be tempted to take a day off and have a great day and just chill. A great way to do this is to escape to Cocoa Beach. It is the closest beach to Orlando and takes just ...

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5 Days in the Florida Keys

On our most recent visit to the villa we decided to take a trip down to the Keys. We wanted to share with you some of the interesting things we did and the best places we ate in. You may wish to take a visit too. . . . . .

We drove down on the US 27 which took about 6 hours to reach ...

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Menello Museum

The Mennello Museum of Modern Art is situated in Orlando in a truly stunning location on a lake in Lock Haven Park.

THe cornerstone of this museum is works by Earl Cunningham. Earl was born in 1893 in Booth Bay Harbour. At the pitifully age of 13 Earl left home and lived his life for a while...

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The Selby Memorial Gardens

The Selby Memorial Gardens are situated in Sarasota on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

The story of these stunning gardens starts with the marriage of Bill and Marie Selby. Bill had long ago fallen in love with Sarasota and fortunately his bride soon came under its spell as well.

They dul...

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The Salvadore Dali Museum.

The Salvadore Dali museum is located on third street in St Petersburg. Quite soon, the location will close but more of that later.

Dali was born in 1904 in the Spanish town of Figueres. He was born into a well to do family who had a second home in Cadaques.

It was in Cadaques that he...

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Ice at Gaylord Palms

Every Christmas time for the last few years there has been a spectacular event held at Gaylord Palms, called Ice.

This features spectacular ice sculptures and lasts around 7 weeks; this year (2010) it runs from november to after Christmas.

Gaylord Palms select Chinese artisans to cre...

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Gatorland in Florida

Gatorland, on South Orange Blossom Trail, is ideal for a half day outing, although you can take longer and stay all day. It makes a great break from the busy, big theme parks. The huge, gaping gator jaws with big white teeth make an unmistakable entrance and set the scene for a visit to this 110 acr...

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A wonderful city by the Sea called St Augustine

Somewhere very different in Florida when you’re staying in Orlando and just over 1. 5 hours drive is a place called St Augustine. I can fully recommend visiting St Augustine. This city is the The Nation' s Oldest City was founded in 1565. St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European se...

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ICE 2010

Each year Gaylord Palms Hotel and Convention Centre hosts “ICE” as part of their Christmas programme and it is really worth seeing. This is the second time that we have been and most of the display was completely new to us so it was well worth it.

First the tips for your visit.

• It ...

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Showcase of Citrus

On US-27, four and a half miles North of 192, is Showcase of Citrus. This is a family owned citrus grove and so much more. With over 2, 500 acres of working citrus groves and cattle ranch, it is an amazing place to explore and so much more from what it appears as you drive past.

When you pul...

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Sloppy Joes - Treasue Island

One cloudy day we decided to go to Treasure Island to see the “Bands on the Sands” festival they were having followed by a meal at Sloppy Joes which is on the beach.

There a path along the beach that we strolled along stopping first at the Tiki Bar at the Thunderbird Motel for a drink. It wa...

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Mallory Square - Key West

Several years ago we decided to go down the Florida Keys and stay at Key West for a couple of nights. There is a fabulous laid back atmosphere here and fun to be had in Mallory Square day or night, spring, summer, autumn or winter you will find there is always something to enjoy.

Mallory Squ...

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Interesting places to visit in South Florida with kids-part 3

On Day 3 we decided to travel about 55 miles south to Islamorada, a group of islands close to the continent’s only corral barrier reef. It is the second major island region of the super scenic Florida Keys.

Renowned for its sportfishing and diving, Islamorada has plenty to offer children. On...

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Interesting places to visit in South Florida with kids-part 2

On our second day in Miami we elected to visit the Miami Seaquarium. It shows off the area’s most family friendly assets; sunshine and aquatic life. The Main Reef Aquarium is a 750, 000 gallon saltwater tank filled with plenty of varieties of colourful fish, which gives an in depth look at reef life...

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The Shuttles Retire

On the 24th October 2003 between 4. 01p. m. and 4. 05p. m. three Concorde flights landed to great fanfare at Heathrow Airport in London. These were the final flights of this fantastic aircraft, two being round-trips for VIPs and the third, a scheduled flight from New York. Everybody with an ounce of...

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San Sebastion Winery - St Augustine

We first saw San Sebastian Winery on a trolley bus tour on our first trip to StAugustine. From the outside it does not look very inspiring but friends of ours who had visited it the previous year urged us to try a visit to it.

Unlike much of St Augustine it was only founded in1996. It is loc...

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The Lightner Museum

No visit to St Augustine is complete without going to the Lightner Museum which is located in the historic downtown. It is 20 minutes from I-95, one hour from Jacksonville and Daytona Beach, and two hours from Disney World, Epcot Center and Cape Canaveral.

Opening hours are as follows:

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Key West Narrated Trolley Bus Tour

For our visit to Key West a few years ago my Father did a lot of the planning. We stayed at Fort Lauderdale for a night before going on our journey down the Keys. Because it appeared to be a long drive we decided to stay overnight half way down the Keys. In hindsight as we had two drivers in the car...

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The Old Jail and St Augustine History Museum

If you get time to visit St Augustine, and I strongly recommend that you do, it is possible to go for a day with a very early start and a late return to Orlando. However to see everything and explore this beautiful city it is good if you can stay at least overnight if not for two nights.

On ...

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Walking Tour of St. Augustine Part 2

Continuing on your walking tour go to see the Colonial workers at the reconstructed Colonial Spanish Quarter (the entrance is via the Triay House at 29 St. George St) go about their work as if it’s just another day in the mid 18th century. Clad in period dress, gardeners tend to their vegetables; wo...

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Kennedy Space Center IMAX

No trip to Florida should end without a visit to the Kennedy Space Center. When you are so close it would be criminal not to visit the most historic place in America – from where all the space missions leave. It is situated about 60 minutes drive from Orlando.

This may not appeal to everyone...

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Places to Visit - Anna Maria Island

Many of you who do decide to venture away from the theme parks probably head the beaches of Daytona or Clearwater

Let me let you into our little secret - its called Anna Maria Island, Its about 3 hours south of Kissimmee heading towards Tampa.

Its probably Florida' s best keep secret ...

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Celebration - A Brief Guide

One of our favourite places to visit, apart from the numerous theme parks in and around Orlando, is called Celebration. Celebration is a little town just south of the US 192 adjacent to Interstate 4. One of the best ways of finding it, if you have never visited Celebration before, is to follow the d...

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Christmas at St Augustine

Next time you visit Orlando at Christmas why not take a trip across to St Augustine, the oldest city in Florida, which is steeped in history? However, at Christmas St Augustine is even more attractive as it sparkles with over two million bulbs. Each year, between Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in Nov...

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The Bishop Planetarium

We had taken up a suggestion from an American couple we had met a week or so earlier to visit their hometown of Bradenton which is situated on the Gulf of Mexico just south of the city of Tampa.

Out intention had been to head for the beaches and the sugar white sands of Anna Maria Island but...

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The new Town Center at Cagan's Crossing

When we visit our villa in Orlando we always enjoy a trip to Town Center at Cagan’s Crossing, which is two minutes away, just opposite the fantastic SuperWarlmart on Highway 27, north of the junction with the 192. This pretty development is continuing to grow, and is a mixture of residential apartme...

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Annual Events at Celebration

If you have never been to Celebration it really is a Must Do on any Disney holiday even if it is just to stroll around the shops or sit and relax in a rocking chair around the lake. It is situated on the 192 about 4 miles before you reach the 27.

In the early 1990s, the Disney Development Co...

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Bock the Manatee

Manatees are wonderful, gentle creatures, often called sea cows, which inhabit the waters around Florida. If you are fortunate enough to visit Orlando in the winter season you can visit these lovely animals at Blue Springs, where they over-winter in the warm waters of the St John’s River.

A ...

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Lakeridge Winery Tour

If you enjoy wine and are interested in local wines then a trip to Lakeridge Winery is a very pleasant and informative half day excursion.

You will find it by travelling up the SR27 north of Clermont and it is on the left hand side of the road just past the correctional institution. Once you...

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Bok Tower Gardens

If you drive from Davenport to Miami on US highway 27, look to the left as you approach the town of Lake Wales. On the distant ridge – the highest hill in the peninsula of Florida - you will see a prominent tower, known as Bok Tower. Surrounding the tower are the Bok Tower Gardens.

The garde...

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Key West - The Trolley Tour

Whenever we visit a town or city for the first time as tourist we usually take the bus tour to get to know the local area. Our visit to Key West was no exception - we took the Key West Hop on Hop off Trolley Tour. This tour is as its name suggests, a tour which you can leave at any point to see some...

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Waccasaasa Bay

Waccasaasa Bay Preserve State Park is situated in Cedar Key beween Yankee Town and Cedar Key on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

You can trace the history of this park back to the Native American and there are artefacts found here that prove that the Indian communities once lived here. Next came t...

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Kissimmee Old town - family entertainment

A visit to Kissimmee Old Town is a must. The entertainment and rides are ideal for the whole family especially for the kids. For the very brave the human slingshot that catapults you up to 365 feet into the sky is probably the most scary ride to go on, it will certainly get the palms of your hands s...

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Orlando’s Lesser Known Attractions – Part III

Nobody can deny that it is the lure of the big name theme parks, Universal Studios, Magic Kingdom, Sea World and the like, that attracts the vast majority of visitors to the Orlando area. However, the region could not survive on just these few, albeit ‘big’, businesses alone. Fortunately the region ...

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Daytona Beach -supercharged speed

Daytona Beach is the home to wonderful stretches of sand, backed in parts by 50’s pop culture attractions. However, it is probably associated in most people’s minds with supercharged speed.

Daytona’s is still host to one of the last Atlantic coast Spring Breaks, albeit much more restrained n...

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Things to do in Florida

Staying in a villa near to Disney World Orlando and surrounding areas is less expensive than most people think. These days it’s not considered to be a once in a life time holiday, more and more families go there on a regular basis because there is so much more to do than the Theme Parks even though ...

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Venice in Sarasota County

Venice in Sarasota County

Venice, a city of 21, 000 population, is often a forgotten gem on the Gulf Coast, south of Sarasota and long before you reach the mighty Palm City of Fort Myers.

In many ways Venice is more reminiscent of a British town than most American small towns. There i...

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Top 10 things to do in Orlando for free!…….Part I

Everybody knows that you generally “get what you pay for” but this is not always the case, especially in Orlando. If you are like me, then you will love a bargain and if the bargain is not going to cost you a single dime………. well that’s even better! Below is a list of places we have visited, over se...

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Naples – Florida

Naples sits on the Gulf Coast of Florida, is roughly due west of Fort Lauderdale and is the most southerly town of any size on the Gulf Coast mainland. It is considered by many to be the Gulf Coast’s answer to Palm Beach, but not as ‘snobby’! If you take the time to visit and stroll around its chic,...

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Orlando Science Center – Exhibition Halls

Centrally placed at 777 East Princeton Street just north of downtown Orlando, the Science Center’s vast exhibition halls provide a dazzling selection of interactive and hands-on experiences for all ages.

At the time of our visit TechWorks provided an insight into the planet’s physical scienc...

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Dr Phillips Cinedome - Orlando Science Center

Florida boasts a wonderful sunny climate and a host of outdoor activities from golf to the theme parks and everything in between.

However, it has to be said that there is the odd occasion when the weather may be a little inclement and a game of dodge the thunderstorms might be the order of t...

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Orlando’s Lesser Known Attractions – Part I

Anybody contemplating a holiday in Central Florida, or more specifically – Orlando, will be more than familiar with the big name attractions that draw millions of visitors to the area every year. Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Sea World are all as familiar as Coca-Col...

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Kanapaha Botanic Gardens – East Side

In a previous article we spent some time exploring the trails to the west of the picnic area. However, time permitting, there is still much more to see and do.

Picking up the trail to the east of the picnic area takes the visitor to the Cycad collection. These are often mistaken for palm tre...

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Kanapaha Botanic Gardens – West Side

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is situated just to the west of Gainesville a few miles from the intersection of the I75 and US24. After travelling west on SW Archer Road for two miles take a right into SW58th Drive to reach the gardens parking lot.

Kanapaha Botanic Gardens are relatively new and...

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Orlando’s Lesser Known Attractions - Part II

While the big names, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Sea World, are the main crowd pullers to the Orlando Metropolitan area, there are also a great many smaller attractions that are well worth a visit if you are holidaying in the area and feel that you need something j...

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The Wine Room at Park Avenue

There are a number of excellent wineries dotted around Central Florida most notably San Sebastian in St Augustine and Lakeridge in the rolling hills just outside Clermont near Orlando.

However, in Winter Garden there is something very different to get excited about at the Wine Room on Park A...

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Winter Park - Culture Capital

Winter Park is generally regarded as Central Florida’s culture capital with its quaint brick streets and European like town center, luscious gardens, sparkling lakes and wonderful estates. However it’s the museums, cultural events, shops and restaurants that keep most visitors returning time after t...

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Vera Bradley

Vera who? is the response I expect most Brits to come out with-unless of course you are an afficionado like I am in which case I am preaching to the converted.

However for those of you non-americans who have yet to sample the delights of a 'Vera' -let me tell you more.

Vera Bradley w...

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Orlando Museum of Art

If you’re looking for a change of pace from the usual Florida attractions, the Orlando Museum of Art will offer you a culturally stimulating experience! The museum is made up of 7 galleries with temporary exhibits as well as permanent collections.

There are three collections on permanent exh...

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Gatorland

If you love animals and you want somewhere to go for just a half a day, give Gatorland ago located on US 441, South Orange Blossom Trail, near the Orland/Kissimmee border, the entire family found it an amazing place.

We arrived at the park around just before it opened and found only one othe...

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Historic Bok Sanctuary

Historic Bok Sanctuary is described in their leaflet as “A Remarkable Experience that Will Elevate Your Mind and Spirit” and I think that this sums it up perfectly. Situated in Lake Wales, easily reached from the theme parks and attractions of Orlando, it sits atop Florida’s highest point.

W...

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Visit Celebration

One of our most favourite places to visit whilst in Florida and always at the top of our list is the magical small dreamy town of Celebration. Conceived as an ideal small town by Walt Disney and completed in 1996 it is a real fairytale come true kind of place.

Beautiful homes complete with ...

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General Van Fleet Trail

This trail is on the bed of an old railway line, which was closed in the 1980s. It is 29. 2 miles long and is paved, which makes it suitable for bicycling as well as walking. It runs from Mabel in the north to Polk City in the south. There is car parking at four places on the route.

To get t...

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Places to go and things to do

We have spent the last 8 weeks here in Orlando and have discovered many things do do that most people miss. One of our favourites is Boardwalk its a pleasant place for an evening stroll and we have found that its an ideal place to park up and and stroll of to Epcot and watch the fireworks. You can a...

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Winter Park (10)

For a totally different experience of Orlando which takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist attractions, head north and visit the utterly delightful town of Winter Park.

It is an easy drive along the I4 and only takes approximately 30 minutes to get there. There is ampl...

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Natural Dolphin Swim

If there is something that you should do before life passes you by, it has to be a swim with Dolphins.

To get into the water with these fabulous marine animals has to be an experience of a lifetime. There friendly nature and that never changing smile they seem to have just makes a swim with D...

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The Villages

If you would like to go somewhere different from the theme parks why not spend some time at the villages. You go north on the us 27 through Leesburg about 4 miles north of Leesburg you will see a bridge with The Villages written across it. Turn left and that will take you into The Villages The area ...

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Old Town Kissimmee

This is a great place to visit if you want a bit of a rest from the busy theme parks.

Located on Highway 192 the small town is surrounded by many restaurants it is very easy to find and very close to many villa communities. Just follow the lights to the Sky coaster, you won’t miss them.

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Life’s a Beach – Melbourne / Cocoa

Most people love the beach, even though Orlando and Kissimmee don’t have a beach it doesn’t mean you can’t find one. Probably the easiest and quickest beaches to get to are the ones on the east coast. The Atlantic Ocean is to the east of Orlando and Kissimmee and is loved by families and surfers ali...

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Melbourne Beach

As much as we love our little corner of Kissimmee and the mass of attractions the area has to offer, the kids always enjoy a day at the beach. In the past we have always been to Clearwater or Daytona. This year we thought we would try Melbourne Beach, which was a 70 minute drive East on the 192. The...

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Horse World Riding Stables

If you have children or even adults that enjoy horse riding do try and spend some time at Horse World Riding Stables. These can be found just south of the Disney World Resort area situated at 3705 Poinciana Blvd, Kissimmee that is 12 miles south of the 192. Telephone 407 847 4343. It is usually bett...

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"Cassadaga " somewhere different

A Brief History

As a young man from New York, George Colby was told during a séance that he would someday be instrumental in founding a Spiritualist community in the South. This prophecy was fulfilled in 1875, when Colby was led through the wilderness of Central Florida by his spirit ...

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Catamaran Trip - Ft. Lauderdale

The Atlantic coastline is one of the most attractive in Florida, with long stretches of sandy beaches, with silvery sand, and blue seas that can be ideal for surfing, superb for sunbathing, or great for just paddling.

However, if you want to experience all that the coast has to offer then wh...

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A trip worth doing if you have a few days to spare

If you can drag yourself and the family away from lazing by the pool and visiting the theme parks, shops and activities that Orlando has to offer then taking a few days to travel north of Orlando is well worth the effort.

Start by heading north towards Mt Dora and spend a few hours in this qu...

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Blue Springs State Park in Florida

Blue Springs State Park is yet another great State Park, which is often overlooked by the normal holiday maker. It is located on the St John River and is indeed the largest spring on this river The Park covers 2664 acres packed with wonderful things to do.

Originally settled on by nativ...

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Butterfly World, Coconut Creek, Fort Lauderdale

BUTTERFLY WORLD, COCONUT CREEK

If, like me, you are fascinated by beautiful butterflies, then you won’t want to miss a trip to Butterfly World, just 10 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, and north of Miami, on the East coast.

Whilst having taken parties of school children in the UK to vis...

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MIAMI METROZOO

If you happen to be spending some time in Miami, and want something different to do, then a trip to a zoo is always an interesting day out, and Miami’s ‘Metrozoo’ is no exception. It was ranked top in the ‘Top 10 Zoos in the Country’, according to ‘Travel and Leisure Magazine', as well as being call...

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MONKEY JUNGLE, MIAMI

If you like monkeys then you will love Monkey Jungle! Advertised as the place where ‘Humans are Caged and Monkeys Run Wild’ it is certainly one not to miss if you are in the Miami area. It is located just off US Highway 1, south of Miami at 14805 Southwest 216th Street, in South Dade. Here, nearly 4...

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Daytona International Speedway

The Daytona International Speedway is a must see attraction for all motor-sports fans out there. The complete set-up is absolutely breathtaking!

Looking down the Front Straight taking in the huge Grandstand that runs the full length almost of the straight just shows why this is one of the ...

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Things To Do In Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay is approximately a one hour drive from Orlando. There are many things to do on a day trip or indeed a weekend visit. Here are just some of the more interesting attractions to keep you occupied.

Busch Gardens:

Probably what Tampa is most well known for. This is a fam...

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Blue Springs State Park

Since our first trip to Florida in ’94, when we kept seeing references to ‘Save the Manatee’ on license plates, we had wanted to see this unusual creature in the wild. So, I started digging around on the Internet during the planning stages of our November trip. There’s so much more to Orlando tha...

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Longboat Key

SARASOTA IN THE SUMMER - THE RED TIDE

After spending a hectic week at Disney we looked forward to a week of relaxation in Sarasota on the Gulf coast. We stayed at the Hilton, Longboat Key, a pleasant if somewhat small hotel but it was on the beach so we had the best of both worlds b...

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Visiting St. Augustine

If you are looking for something different, something of the real Florida a two hour drive north will bring you to the wonderful town of St Augustine.

Take a scenic drive north on the coastal route of A1A or the inland route along I4 AND 195 and two hours later you will arrive at St August...

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Gatorland, A Half Day Out

GATORLAND is an ideal attraction to visit see when you just have a half day, it has a nice and relaxed atmosphere with no rushing around or queues (a la Disney style to contend with. Let me tell and show you what it is all about, for me this was a most relaxing half day visit attraction. Gatorlan...

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Anna Maria Island, Florida

Whether you want to go for a day trip or to relax for a few days and and re-charge your batteries after the Theme Parks Anna Maria Island which is 20 miles southwest of Tampa is an ideal place to do this.

Anna Maria is a narrow scrape of land which nestles on the Gulf of Mexico just below ...

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Vero Beach - A Great Day Out

In Vero Beach, among the elegant subdivisions and hotels that have arisen over the years you can still find traces of the old Florida.

Most obvious of these are the two beachfront buildings erected by Vero Beach resident Waldo Sexton. When he built the Driftwood Resort and Ocean Grill in...

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The City of Winter Park, Florida

If you are looking for something different to do on your days away from the theme parks and outlet malls why not fit a trip to Winter Park into your holiday plans?

Winter Park is a sophisticated suburb of Orlando approximately 20 minutes drive north of downtown but a lifetime away from the...

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Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, Florida

If you are looking for somewhere different to visit on your next trip to the Orlando area why not take a trip to Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards.

If you thought that California was the only state in the U.S to produce wine think again. Lakeridge is situated near Clermont on highway 27, thir...

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Silver Springs, Ocala

p>Silver Springs is best described as nature’s own theme park, and is certainly recommended as a great alternative day out for all the family.

Whether you choose to sail along Spring River in their famous glass bottom boats to marvel at the vast array of fishes and marine life vi...

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Crandon Park

Visit to Crandon Park, Key Biscayne

Crandon Park is located on Key Biscayne to the East of Miami and is connected to the mainland via the Rickenbacker Causeway which passes through Virginia Key.  The road onto the islands has a $1 toll which can be negated by stating that you a...

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Siesta Key Beach on the Gulf of Mexico

Looking for that picture perfect beach. White sand, aqua blue waters and tropical palapas scattered across the beach side? Well, you are only two hours away from sitting in the "postcard picture" that brought you to Florida in the first place. Pack your cooler...

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Celebration, Florida