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Posts Tagged ‘Florida’

Jekkyl Island, the Perfect Vacation Hideaway

April 6th, 2009 No comments

I would travel to Jekkyl Island with my family during the Easter break sometimes, when it was not hot enough for swimming in the ocean yet. This is one location to travel to during the summer, or at least in May or for turtle watching.

Jekkyl Island was originally an island for wealthy patrons. The residue of their lifestyle is still seen on the island, with Victorian mansions and homes (they call them summer homes and cottages). The Jekkyl Club Hotel is an example of an 1886 bygone era – the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts and Morgans era. The rates are comparable to others, and as far as I’m concerned, better than a lot when you realize this hotel is one of the top 500 resorts in the world.

Jekkyl Island might have been named Sea Turtle Island, due to the female sea turtles arriving from the sea each May to crawl up on shore and lay eggs in nests they dig. This protected species is monitored by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and guided walks to observe this yearly ritual are available. This is a good time to keep younger or hyper children away from the turtles, as they cannot be disturbed during their period of egg laying.

For speed lovers who need another diversion, check out the Golden Isle speedway, 25 minutes away from Jekkyl Island, in the town of Waynesville. They have a website for race dates and prices.

Driftwood Beach has an incredible reputation for shelling, better than the shelling spots in Florida. The dolphins can be seen cajoling in the waters. The Villa By the Sea is located here, with comparable rates. You can’t swim at high tide but there is a playground at the resort, plus a pool. At Driftwood Beach there is also horseback riding provided by Victoria’s Carriages.

Summer Waves Waterpark can be an excellent diversion for families when wanting to leave the beach for a while. The rates are very good and the Pirates Passage ride is an experience very popular for children and adults. Enjoy the wave pool here, and other activities that can be seen on their website.

For bike enthusiasts, try the Mini Bike and Golf Rentals, as there are 20 miles of trail to ride along winding passages. Rates are approximately 11.00 per day.

If you like big meals, try the Low Country Boil Buffet, spread out by SeaJay’s Waterfront Cafe serving up an enormous meal. Adults will pay about 15.00 and children age 10 and under will pay about 7.50.

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Caledesi Island State Park, Voted Best Beach of 2008

April 2nd, 2009 No comments

Think island and state park together, think protected and beautiful, with the only man-made additions being a snack shop, ranger station, playground, picnic areas, gift store, and marina. Caledesi Island beach has been voted the #1 beach in the U.S. in 2008.

You can travel by ferry, private boat, or you can walk for about an hour from Clearwater to Caledesi Island, which is about an hour from Pier 60. Check out the rules for ferry passengers, as the four-hour stay on the island may have been extended. You can dock your own boat at marina #108 and register with the ranger. The ferry runs from 10 am to sundown.

There is electrical and water hookups for boats. Pets are not allowed on the ferry, have to be on a leash, and can only be in designated areas. Plan it as a day trip as youll be leaving at the end of the day due to no camping. Or you can sleep in your boat I suppose.

This lovely gulf beach if 3 miles long with shallow calm water. Enjoy shelling, though no live shells including sand dollars can be taken. There is fishing, sunbathing, picnic areas, playground, kayak rentals at the beach or through the Cafe Caledesi. Ask about fishing licenses.

You are recommended to bring a sweater and good walking shoes, but at the end of March as I write this, it is a beautiful 78 degrees farenheit at 11 am, so a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen would be just as useful. Washroom and shower facilities are available, as are beach chair and umbrella rentals. You can rent a wheelchair from the ranger. The lifeguard is available from the end of May until the beginning of September, though the signs do not indicate this. Enjoy the beauty of this natural beach setting as nature intended.

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Ten Questions Before You Book That Orlando Vacation Rental Home

March 30th, 2009 No comments

An Orlando vacation is the dream getaway for most families. Every year about fifty million people make the journey to Florida to enjoy the pleasures that Disney, Sea World and Universal provide. It’s a truly magical place for the whole family.

Even though tourists spend most of their time at the theme parks, accommodation is obviously a very important issue for them to decide on. Hotels and motels are the obvious choice and there are many of them to pick from. But a new industry has developed during the past few years that is becoming increasingly popular.

There are now literally thousands of single-family homes and condos in the Disney World and Orlando areas that are rented out by their owners on a short-term basis, just like hotel or motel rooms. So families and groups who want to enjoy more space and the comforts of home have a definite alternative.

Most of the properties are situated within just a few minutes’ drive of the Disney theme parks. There is an enormous variety of property styles and sizes, ranging from two bedroom condos to six bedroom single family homes or even larger. Some communities include additional facilities such as a movie theater, a club house and a gym for those moments when Mickey isn’t capturing your attention.

The vacation rental industry has grown in popularity so much that few families want to return to the restrictions of a hotel once they’ve sampled the extra freedom and flexibility. But like any purchase, there are hidden aspects to think about.

Helped by the communication tools of the Internet, a lot of owners and almost all of the vacation rental companies have built clever and convincing web sites with photos and summaries of why you should book with them. But they are in business to make money and you should be very clear about all the terms and conditions before you buy. For example, you should ask:

* How many nights is the minimum I can book?

* How much deposit do I have to pay to secure a booking?

* When is the total rental payment due to be paid?

* What is your refund policy if I cancel?

* Can you confirm the total amount including tax and other charges that you will require?

* Will we actually be staying in the home that you’ve shown me pictures of or do you allocate homes only on arrival?

* What is check in time on the day of arrival?

* What is check-out time on the day I leave?

* Can I pay by credit card?

* Do you require any security deposit to be held until after departure?

So the overall message is: just like making any substantial purchase, get the answers you need before you commit to a booking.

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Do Something Different On Your Lake Buena Vista Vacation

March 27th, 2009 No comments

So you’ve decided to come back for another Lake Buena Vista vacation and although perhaps you will spend a couple of days going to the Disney or Universal theme parks you would like some alternative places to visit. Perhaps you would like a different sort of theme park for say half a day so you can spend the rest of the day chilling out by the pool. Well here are a few ideas.

Gatorland is the place to see some of Florida’s oldest inhabitants – alligators. Dating back to prehistoric times, these fascinating creatures live wild all over the State and at Gatorland’s Jumparoo you will get the closest of close ups that anyone could want, plus lots of facts to educate you and an introduction to other animals..

For more excitement you can watch in awe as the trainers wrestle with these huge animals. Remember to take a change of clothes for when you want to cool off in the splash park. You will find Gatorland at 14501 South Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Florida 32837 about 1 mile north of Osceola Parkway.

Slightly farther away but also worth adding to your list of highlights is Jungle Adventures. This is a nature park and a zoo and will allow you to get very close to baby alligators, snakes and other wildlife. There are about 200 alligators altogether and some of them like to wrestle! Jungle Adventures is on Highway 50 to the east of Orlando.

The park takes longer to get to than Gatorland but it does have a wider range of animals including raccoons and even a Florida Panther (an endangered species in Florida). Another attraction is the tour of a replica Native American village that includes examples of tools produced by today’s Native Americans.

If you prefer a more gentle and relaxing experience then a visit to Historic Bok Sanctuary in Lake Wales would certainly fit the bill. You can wander through the magnificent gardens with their meandering paths enjoying the perfume of the flowers and looking out for the many different birds and butterflies that are attracted to the Sanctuary.

All around the gardens are benches and grassy areas for you to relax and experience the tranquility. You can take a picnic and settle down on the grass and enjoy reading a book while enjoying the peace or sample a more substantial repast in Carillon Cafe.

Every hour from the superb marble and coquina bell tower you can hear beautiful carillon music. There is also an opportunity to step back in time with a tour of the Pinewood Estate which was built as a winter retreat for Charles Austin Buck and still contains most of the original furnishings and decorations.

Another peaceful place to visit is Lake Louisa State Park which is located at 7305 US Hwy 27 Clermont, Florida 34714. There are many activities to enjoy especially if you are the outdoor type. Take your binoculars with you and wander down the nature trails to see birds, butterflies, deer, opossum, wild turkeys and many other mammals. Don’t forget to wear suitable shoes if you are going hiking, sunscreen so you don’t get burnt and maybe some insect repellent.

Lake Louisa is loved by anglers because they can use four of the six lakes as long as they have a license. The Lake does offer the opportunity to swim, which can be very welcome after a hot few minutes or hours on the hiking trails, but pay attention to the restrictions highlighting the water areas to avoid. Also, be sure to take your own food and drink as none is available to buy inside the park.

So there you are – these are just a few of the many alternatives to Disney and Universal that can make your Lake Buena Vista vacation just that little bit more special.

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The Best City For a Golf Resort

March 25th, 2009 No comments

Each year during the summer months, there are more and more people traveling out of the city for their summer trips. Not only do the trips involve a vacation with the family, a trip with your friends, or a get away with the one you love, but also time for yourself! No matter what you choose, you’re sure to have a good time if you make your selection carefully, with your and your family’s interests in mind. If golfing is something that interests you, you may want to consider a golfing vacation.

If you are a golfer, there are many different resorts around the world. If you are looking for a specific golf resort in the United States, there are many great places to choose from. In the United States, most resorts are only open during the spring and summer months; many in Arizona, Florida, California, and Texas.

Although your main focus is on golf, there are also many other activities as well! For your family members, the activities may be important; however, if they do not like golf you will want to make sure there are other activities close by! In that case, you will want to read up on all the local amusement parks or beaches. Many times you can get a great deal for the entire family to any kind of parks! If they are occupied with fun activities, chances are they won’t mind how much time you spend on the golf course!

If you are interested in golf resorts that are near a beach without having to take a flight to Murcia, there are many different ones available. In fact, Myrtlewood Golf Resort and Villas are located near Myrtle Beach; which is good for the entire family. Also, you will be able to find many other golf resorts that are close by along the coast. Since everyone loves the beach, there should be something for everyone to do for fun.

Whether you are alone or with your family, you can find all the excitement that you need right here in the United States! In fact, whatever you want to do, the US offers it! If you are on a budget while traveling, there are many ways to save money. In fact, you can look online for any available coupons or look for a special pricing on golf packages.

You may also go to your local travel agency for help, as well! It’s all a matter of looking around. Don’t grab the first vacation package you see. Travel agencies are always trying to compete with each other to get your business. Know what you want and don’t let the agencies talk you into something else.

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