Many holidaymakers who venture over to Orlando commonly take in the routine attractions and sights during their stay such as Disneyworld, Universal Studios and Sea World. There is of course nothing at all wrong with doing this as these places are truly magical, especially when travelling with children, however, there is so much more of beautiful Florida to be explored from your Orlando base. By driving around Orlando you are able to able to unlock some of the true treasures and sights that are only a few hours’ drive from the city itself. If you are flying into the city car hire Orlando Airport is probably the best place to pick up a car and get around.
Firstly, Florida is as famous for Disneyworld as it is its sumptuous beaches. 100 miles west will land you at what is arguably the state’s most beautiful beaches at Clearwater and St. Petersburg. The total serenity of the faultless white sand and crystal clear waters of the gulf are something truly to behold. En-route you can take in the city of Tampa which is packed with activities for both adults and children alike such as the nearby Busch Gardens theme park in Tampa Bay, the Museum of Science and Industry, The Florida Aquarium and Adventure Island.
From Clearwater, let Interstate 275 take you across the bridge over Tampa Bay to another popular destination on the Gulf Coast – Sarasota. The drive down to Sarasota in the warm Florida sunshine will quickly indicate you to the sheer magnificence of western Florida. Sarasota itself is perfect for the culture vultures out there thanks to the number of museums, superb restaurants, shops, nightspots, theatres and more. The beaches here are also to be marvelled at, likewise the opportunities open for the outdoor types, with golf, tennis and water sports always popular.
The adventure continues from here with a two-hour drive on Interstate 75 to Naples. Again, the possibilities are endless. As well as the truly stunning beaches there is also an excellent zoo and boat tours to Marco Island to busy yourself with. Naples also boasts many pretty parkland areas simply to relax in. 
Stopping at Naples perfectly breaks up the journey as you head for the unforgettable Everglades National Park. This internationally-famous World Heritage Site is the home to crocodiles, manatees, 350 species of birds, 300 species of fish and has the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere!
After this adventure, get yourself back to civilisation by visiting the unmistakeable city of Miami. Go to South Beach, visit the art deco buildings, laze by the beach, enjoy cooking from around the world or go on a shopping spree; Miami is a true one-off.
As the journey heads north back towards Orlando there is still much to discover and enjoy. Fort Lauderdale for example is famous for its canals and waterways, plus the Florida Riviera is always on hand should you be ready to get yourself back on the beach! In fact there is almost 190 miles worth of golden sand to spoil yourself with (including sumptuous Palm Beach) until reaching Kennedy Space Centre, where you will be bowled over at the incredible feats achieved by America’s space program and be able to see shuttles from past missions, artefacts and also the devastatingly huge hangar where the next shuttle for launch is being prepared.
This leaves you just 44 miles from Orlando, or if you’re still not tired of the beach; Daytona is just 80 miles north!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Orlando Driving Holiday
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii
The Waikoloa Beach Resort is the best spot to vacation on the Big Island of Hawaii. From swimming with the dolphins to romantic dinners, it has something for everyone. The Kings and Queens Shops offer an array of boutique shops, restaurants, and casual dining. Don't miss out on having dinner at the award winning restaurant, Roy's. If you are not the shopping type, enjoy two world class golf courses. The Kings Course, offers a challenge along a tough terrain and the Beach Course offers amazing views along the coastline.
Enjoy everything Hawaii has to offer at the Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Plan a fun-filled Vacation in Toronto
Canada's largest city may not be located on an ocean beach, or in a tropical climate, but Toronto has a lot to offer for tourists looking to plan a fun vacation full of events and attractions. The city features many museums, over 5000 restaurants, and is home to multiple major-league sports teams.
It would be ridiculous to assume you could experience all of Toronto in a single visit, or even in an entire lifetime, but there are a few places that are very popular, and would be considered must-see attractions. Here are a few places that you should plan on visiting:
The CN Tower – this is Toronto's tallest structure – one of the tallest in the world - and one of the most popular tourist attractions. Standing at over 550 metres, the tower attracts more than 2 million visitors every year and has become a symbol of Canada. It features a glass floor and observation deck, where you can see the city from a whole new perspective, 342 metres above. Also on the main deck level is a revolving restaurant, which completes a full rotation every 72 minutes.
A sports game – it wouldn't quite be a true Toronto experience without attending a professional sports game. Toronto is home to teams from nearly every major league sport including basketball, hockey, and baseball, as well as lacrosse, football, and soccer.
The Royal Ontario Museum – the ROM is the largest museum of natural history and world culture in Canada, and the fifth largest museum in all of North America. Over 1 million people visit the museum's over 6 million items, and because of its popularity, it has seen 3 expansions, the most recent completed in 2007.
The Toronto Zoo – the zoo hosts over 5000 animals and is open year-round to over 1 million visitors per year. Over 10 kilometres of trails and 287 hectares of land allow visitors to tour through all continents of the world, offering amazing experiences for adults as well as children.
Entertainment District – these 8 city blocks of Toronto have nearly every type of entertainment you could want. With dining choices from bars to bistros, steaks to international delicacies, and dance clubs, music venues, the CN Tower and Rogers Centre, and many hotels and shops; this district has something for everyone.
These are just a few of many, many places you can visit in Toronto. Among other popular destinations is the nearby theme park, Canada's Wonderland, a boat tour around nearby islands, Toronto Island Park, Roy Thompson Hall, and the Eaton Centre. Toronto's highly multi-cultural population offers something for everyone.
Toronto is a very easy city to travel to and around. It is the connection point of 3 major highways, has an international airport, and is accessible by train as well. The city itself is also very accessible by public transit systems like buses and streetcars, but taxis are available if and when you need them. When you get to the downtown area, though, most everything is accessible by foot, featuring an underground walkway system called PATH for those that enjoy an underground experience, or in case the weather is not favourable.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Finding Fun in a Cabo Vacation
Cabo is located on the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico. Cabo spas and resorts attract tourists from all over the world to visit its golden beaches and warm waters. Having a Cabo vacation is a great way to unwind and getting there is as easy as a short flight to Los Cabos International airport, which is which is located 30 to 45 minutes outside Cabo San Lucas.
For the Mexican government, Cabo is a very important source of revenue. The city’s rapid development is due to the government’s initiative to establish high end infrastructure to support the increasing traffic.
Cabo resorts and spas are growing across the city to accommodate the surge in traveler-traffic. Cabo San Lucas bustles with a variety of activities for all types of travelers. Some of them are discussed below.
Relaxation
For travelers in Cabo who seek refuge from their daily hectic lives, the city offers:
* Stretches of golden beaches where you can soak in the grandeur of stunning coastal views spanning the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez.
* Spectacular beauty of landscapes as most coastline areas remain untouched by commercial tourism.
* Go snorkeling
* Lounge about in any of the Cabo spas or resorts.
Spa Treatments and Fitness
Cabo spas and resorts offer great luxury, from pampering spa treatments to fitness centers and beachside yoga. Travelers are also keen to opt for other unique indulgences as part of their Cabo vacation, such as hot rock treatments and deep tissue massages.
Nature and Wildlife:
A Cabo vacation would be incomplete without whale watching: Thousands of Humpback whales migrate to the Sea of Cortez between November and March. In Cabo, whale watching is a must-do activity for nature and wildlife lovers.
Adventure:
Popular adventure options are:
* Explore the numerous shark fishing charters in the Baja peninsula, which offers you a kind of spine-chilling thrill. This is where you can come face-to-face with some truly dangerous shark species such as the hammer head shark.
* Go kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving and skim boarding.
* Bungee jumping or joining up for ATV tours and dirt biking is a great way to explore the rough terrains of Cabo, even for beginners.
* Try parasailing and absorb the beautiful views at Cabo San Lucas and the popular El Arco also known as Land’s end, which is located at the extreme end of the Baja Peninsula.
Other major attractions are mostly famous events like the annual Cabo Jazz Festival, the Marlin Tournament and Baja 1000 road racing event that covers over a thousand miles.
From single travelers to families and to even spring breakers, a vacation in Cabo will offer memories that will remain truly special for an entire lifetime.
