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Check here for the best rates at Florida Hotels. Book with us & get the Fly Free, Stay Cheap! On-line Version as a FREE "thank you" gift. Recently, I received a beautiful magazine about vacationing in Florida. It was written for Floridians. Since I have lived here almost all of my life, except for two years in the Philippines and seven years in Hawaii, I guess I qualify. I was awestruck by all the places in Florida that I haven't visited. So many islands unknown to me. I guess that's what happens when you concentrate on traveling to destinations all over the world. You miss getting to know much about your own backyard. The reason I am telling you this is that it made me think how I could share all this valuable information with you. Florida just happens to be a great place to vacation. Especially if its the right time of year. It just makes sense to vacation here, no matter where you live in the US or even if you're coming from another country. For many year the British have known that Florida is a great vacation destination. They are connoisseurs of sunny environs and many of their charter flights go directly to Orlando. This page is not, however about Orlando, being that it is the number one US destination, with Las Vegas hot on its heels, this is not about well known destinations. I am writing it to give you access to many of the virtually unknown and unspoiled areas in this state that are filled with so much beauty and value. I must confess that for many years my appreciation for Florida had been diminished due to my love for the incomparable beauty of the mountains by the ocean in Hawaii . I can't deny that Hawaii has spoiled me forever, when it comes to mountain views. It truly is one of the most beautiful places on earth. But, mountains are not everything and if you are looking for a great place to visit, a place that can give you good value for money and a place where you can pile everything in the car and drive to, then Florida is the place. I have had a change of heart, I want to recommend Florida as a tropical paradise, and a place which offers many extraordinary vacation opportunities. If you just want to wing it and drive here, as soon as you cross the State line you will find FREE fresh orange juice and loads of coupon books to save you money where ever you go. At every Airport you will also find Welcome books filled with Maps, events schedules, suggested tours and entertainment, as well as more money saving coupons. This should give you an idea of Florida's Tourist Friendly atmosphere. We can also be exotic and romantic, while still being affordable. Florida is almost an Island, with water on three sides and there are tons of Islands off our shore where you can feel like you have escaped to the South Seas, without the hassle of an overseas trip. Many of our beach areas have parks and you can book small cabins or bring a tent. We even camped at Disney World many years ago, but it took a year to get a reservation. There are always ways to stay cheap! Rent an RV and drive down. This past Spring I was in the South of France where I visited Cannes and Nice. I ended up in Cannes the last day of the famous Film Festival with all its "glitz and glamour". Spent 8 Euros (just under $8, at the time ) just to sit on a seaside terrace and sip a chocolate shake. I was able to have that experience at a pretty high cost, if you count what I had to spend to get there. The flight to France of course was FREE but there was a cost in time and fares. The Rail and Drive Pass was several hundred dollars and of course the cost in jet lag, just to sit on a street by the Ocean that didn't look that dissimilar from South Ocean Drive on Miami Beach, a 20 minute drive from my home. (The main difference between Miami Beach and Cannes is that Miami Beach has real sand instead of rocks.) It was remarkable to me that I had come that far just to find myself in a place that was so familiar. That experience taught me a lesson, that I should appreciate what I already have. It is a shame that sometimes things have to be far away for us to really value them. What about the mosquitoes and heat? Both are not as bad as they might seem. Yes, they are real enough, but neither is as bad as they are made out to be. It is true that South Florida was made from a drained swamp and barrier islands, and if Henry Flagler hadn't built a railroad down here and promoted tourism, it might still be a swamp. But, now a days, after fogging to kill mosquitoes for 50 years and building beautiful buildings and taking advantage of our lovely rich soil, we have gardens that rival those in Hawaii. I wish I could invite you all to visit my backyard garden. Right now the orchids are blooming. I also have 30 different varieties of Bromeliads and most of them are blooming, as well. Last Summer I finished my butterfly garden with lots of native shrubs and flowering trees. I have turned it into a wildlife sanctuary, complete with birds, frogs, fish and lizards. And its warm here. In the 70's and low 80's even in February. As far as the mosquitoes go, when I lived in Hawaii, there were times that I was almost confined to my house due to the amount and ferocious nature of those beasts. I have never found anything like that in Florida. Also, onseveral trips during the Summer to both coasts of Northern Canada I have experienced mosquitoes 10 times the size of the ones that we have here. And the heat problem, guess what?... on days when the rest of the nation has sweltered in over 100 degree weather in July, we have only been in the high 80's and low 90' with good breezes. Every car and every house and hotel has air-conditioning and we are ready for heat, unlike some other places. It is actually quite pleasant here most days, especially if you are staying close to the ocean or the Gulf. It also rains many afternoons and cools things down . In the spirit of sharing some of the most interesting vacation spots in Florida, (not necessarily the most well traveled or well known) I have made this page for you to access many of the super cool things there are to do right here in Florida. After you have virtually visited some of these magnificent destinations, see if you don't agree that Florida has a wonderful array of vacation experiences waiting for every taste. If you have a favorite Florida Vacation destination and would like to add its URL please e-mail us. We would also like to hear from you if you have visited one of these spots and would like to add your thoughts. Photos of Florida Vacations can be e-mailed to the same e-mail address. If we use your photo, you will receive a special Travel "Thank you" gift. We always welcome your questions and comments. Happy Florida Vacationing! |
Kids Love Monkey Jungle in Miami Monkeys roam free as you walk through the jungle, see many different types of monkeys, iguanas, two toed sloths, Orangutans and "King" the Gorilla. Good value for money. Big Savings on Florida Vacations.Florida Has it All, Quaint Inns, Unspoiled Beauty and Beaches, Fun and Lots of Value for Money!Great Vacation Spot for Families: Watersports, Wildlife, American History and Natural History, too! Beat the Cold, come join our "Endless Summer" lifestyle here in Florida.Many of these Web sites are giving away Free Guides or running special promotions.Super Links Page - No where else on the Web will you find so many useful Travel Links all in one place.If you know of any Web sites that you think would be an asset to this page, please send us the URL and we will look at it for inclusion. Contact Us All FloridaORBITZ SAYS: "Going to Florida? A one stop site for all your Florida needs is here! "CLICK HERE FOR THE CHEAPEST FLIGHTS TO FLORIDA Drive to Florida
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Southernmost Hotel on the Beach Oceanfront Hideaway with FREE use of Motorboats, Kayaks, Sailboats and Canoes, Bait and Tackle shop Little Palm Island - You'll think you were in the South Pacific on a Tahitian Island Sunset Key Cottages - Hilton, arrive on a private ferry |
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