Archive for November, 2010
Kissimmee: Ten Attractions that ARENT Disney World
Florida is one of the most popular states to vacation in due to the fact that Florida has the most popular vacation attractions. Disney World, Universal Orlando and Sea World are the most popular and sought after vacation spots, but Floridas attractions go far beyond these. Kissimmee, Florida has multiple attractions in itself that are not related to Disney World.
Kissimmee has its own popular and family oriented attractions that entice thousands of tourists into returning each year. When planning your next visit to Florida, check out a few of these top rated attractions in Kissimmee that has had visitors boasting and eager to return.
1. SkyScapes Balloon Tours specialize in private hot air balloon rides for couples and groups. Advance reservations are required because they only schedule one flight per day. Flight amenities include a Champagne Toast, when you will learn about ballooning and how it all got started. The After Flight Celebration will include a light snack of fruit and cheese and a First Flight Certificate to commemorate your first flight. Weekends fill up fast so its best to reserve at least two weeks in advance.
2. Flying Tigers Restoration Warbird Museum has a fabulous collection of restored WWII planes. There are many aircrafts on display and available for flight. Some of the aircrafts include: B-52, B-25 Mitchells, P-51 Stearmans, C-47 Dakota, a Vampire and many more. This would be a wonderful and educational experience for everyone.
3. Reptile World Serpentarium invites you into a world of creepy crawlies. Featuring a large collection of snakes from around the world and kept in their own natural environment. You can attend a venom harvest demonstration, where you can learn about the process of harvesting venom that benefits international medical research.
4. Gatorland is fun for the entire family and is located near the border of Kissimmee and Orlando. Come visit Alligator Island and observe the alligators as they live and nest in a natural environment on this 110 acre theme park and wildlife preserve. Gatorland is also home to several crocodiles, flamingos and a variety of other animals as well. Come enjoy the train ride, petting zoo, nature walk, shows and so much more!
5. Old Town is home of the largest weekly car cruises with over 300 classic cars. Old Town is a great place to visit for shopping at 75 specialty stores, taking on 18 thrilling ride and dining at 8 delicious restaurants. Old Town has had visitors raving about their phenomenal experiences and eager to come back.
6. Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament where you can experience life as it was in the 11th Century. Enjoy feasting on a hearty dinner that is served to you by a wench, as you watch a Princess profess her love for her Knight and a betrayal is unveiled as the King addresses his audience. During intermission you will see an outstanding performance of horse tricks and falcon show.
7. Arabian Nights, the most honored dinner attraction in the world. You are invited to a wedding of a Prince and a Princess. Come into the Palace of Horses and meet your humble servant that will cater to your every desire. Enjoy a bountiful meal as you watch the story unfold as the wedding is threatened by an uninvited guess. The show is filled with many surprises and full of majestic costumed horses and riders.
8. Fun N Wheels Fun Park provides the best value for go-cart racing and arcade fans of all ages. There is a snack bar loaded with food and beverages. Best of all the admission is always free.
9. Water Mania is a water park full of fun for the whole family. Attractions include swimming, rafting and golf. This water park is great for the younger children in your family.
10. Green Meadows Petting Farm is a fantastic place to take the kids for a two hour guided tour through the farm of over 300 animals. Milk a cow, ride a pony or go on a hay ride. Expect plenty of fun and education for all ages.
All these attractions are suitable for families and are deemed very affordable. You can always make the most out of a vacation in Florida without going to Disney World. Kissimmee is truly a wonderful place to be all year round.
Holiday Rental in France: Blending Culture, History, and Modern Attractions
Holiday Rental in France: Blending Culture, History, and Modern Attractions
One area of France that offers a blend of culture, history, and modern attractions is the Provence region, which is located in south France along the Mediterranean Sea. The departments of Provence are Vaucluse, Var, Bouches-du-Rhone, and some areas of Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
Provence offers a splendid area for a holiday rental in France due to its connection to the Alps, the Mediterranean Sea, the Rhone River, and the country of Italy. Certain cities in Provence are situated by the French Riviera, making it a great place for a day France trip or an extended south France holiday.
Tourist Activities in Provence
Tourists can find plenty to do in almost any city of Provence. There’s Nice, where one can tour museums such as the Musee d’Art d’Histoire Palais Massena, the Mark Chagall Museum, the Prehistoric Museum of Terra Amata, or the Matisse Museum. Visitors can also enjoy a stroll in Nice along the Promenade des Anglais while viewing the Mediterranean Sea, decorative hotels, and apartment buildings. In Marseille, there’s the Vieux Port Marseille, which is an area of sidewalks that pass by fishing crafts, bars, restaurants, and more. Marseille also offers several museums including the Musee de la Faience and the Musee des Beaux-Arts.
Visitors can taste the wines of the city of Orange at Mas du Clos de l’Escarrat. The city of Cannes offers casinos, museums, and relaxing parks such as the Park Residences Champfleuri and the Villa Rothschild and Gardens. In Vence, there are the Vence Townscape, the Villeneuve Castle, and the Chapelle du Rosaire. The Old Town in Vence has an ancient former cathedral dating back to the 10th through 15th centuries, the Renaissance Gate, the Chapelle des Penitents-Blancs from the 15th century, and the Place du Peyra with a lovely fountain.
Travelers can easily find things to do in other Provence cities as well, such as Aix-en-Provence, Biot, Grasse, Vallauris, Frejus, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Saint-Tropez, and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Some enjoy taking a south France journey to many different towns in Provence all during one vacation.
Golf Holiday in France
South France holiday rental opportunities are available all over the region for golfers. There are many varieties of golf holiday packages for those who want to spend a week or two in the area or for those who only want to take a south France weekend holiday. Golfers also find French Riviera rentals helpful so they can take a golf cruise or drive to various courses in the area.
South France offers some of the most popular golf courses, many of which host well-known golf tournaments. Some of Provence’s golf courses include Golf Club Barbaroux in Brignoles, Terre Blanche at Four Seasons in Tourettes, Biot in Vence, Golf Country Club de Nice, Claux Amic Golf Course in Grasse, Golf Club de Cannes-Mandelieu in Cannes, and many others.
If you’re thinking of a visit, you can find great holiday rental package offers for Provence accommodations online. Whether it’s to shop, golf, cruise the French Riviera, or just browse through area museums, the cities of Provence in south France offer activities for all!
Great San Diego Attractions
Picture yourself relaxing on a sandy beach while your kids run and jump in the waves. Maybe you’ll decide to scoot over to Mexico for lunch, visit with the Panda bears, or spend the afternoon riding a scenic trolley. Can’t decide which of these vacation activities sound most appealing? Experience it all with a San Diego vacation.
There are so many San Diego attractions to enjoy and explore, it seems like many vacation destinations rolled into one. Plan ahead and your family will have an unforgettable holiday. Here are eight “must experience” places to visit and activities to try on your trip to beautiful San Diego:
1. Hit the Beach
San Diego beaches are spectacular year-round. Whether you visit in summer or over the winter holidays, the local beaches personify the complete San Diego lifestyle. Visit gorgeous Mission Beach. Ride the Belmont Park roller coaster. From bodysurfing to soaking up the rays, San Diego beaches are definitely where the action is.
2. Shuffle off to Mexico
The city of Tijuana is just across the Mexican border from San Diego. Taking a side trip to Tijuana or Baja is easy and quite safe; just bring your passport and be mindful of the Mexican laws. There is an international paradise ready to be explored, so say “Si” to a day in Mexico.
3. Catch a Fish Taco
Not exactly a famous San Diego attraction, rather a must-try taste of the city, fish tacos are pieces of battered and deep-fried fish encased in a corn tortilla. Try one, and you’ll want to come back to San Diego just for another taste of this local treat. Visitors to San Diego say that fish tacos are among the city’s best foods.
4. Take a Trolley Ride
San Francisco isn’t the only California city with a famous trolley. The San Diego trolley serves as the city’s public transit system. You can buy an all-day pass and see more San Diego attractions than you ever could by car. The San Diego highways can be quite intimidating, making the trolley your best bet for stress-free sightseeing.
5. Visit the Pandas
The famous San Diego Zoo at Balboa Park is a popular tourist destination, but the pandas are the real attractions. Baby Su Lin and the other pandas are most active in the morning, so plan to see them first on your trip to San Diego zoo. Sea World and Legoland are also great choices for entertaining your “little animals”.
6. Balboa Park
The undisputed shining jewel of San Diego is Balboa Park. It’s the nation’s largest urban cultural park, housing fifteen museums, renowned performing arts venues, beautiful gardens and the San Diego Zoo. The atmosphere is breathtaking no matter when you stop by, but if you visit on Tuesdays you’ll find that most museums offer free admission. After you work up an appetite exploring Balboa, stop at Prado or any of the fine restaurants within the park for a fantastic meal in a beautiful setting.
7. Nightlife
The historic Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego is the place to be for eating, dancing and people watching. Shop, snack and take in the stunning architecture during the day. At night, there are more than 90 restaurants plus live theatre and countless nightclubs to choose from. Gaslamp is the place to let loose in San Diego.
8. Old Town
History buffs can find bits of Old San Diego incorporated with new developments throughout the city. Visit Old Town State Historic Park for a blast of San Diego’s past. Make sure you visit the Old Town Mexican Cafe, as it serves the best Mexican food San Diego has to offer.
If your family is torn between exciting excursions, historic America, exotic adventure or a tropical paradise, visit San Diego. The variety of San Diego attractions offers the best of all worlds in one vacation destination.
Grand Cayman Diving And Other Attractions
Located 480 miles from the south of Miami, the Cayman islands is well-known for its world-class dive sites and operators as well as their pristine beach front resorts. These islands are composed of Cayman Brac, Little Cayman and Grand Cayman.
Being the birthplace of recreational diving in the Caribbean, Grand Cayman diving is the best experience one can have in this island. With around 40 dive operators and 200 dive sites, many divers head to this area to find new adventures and experiences. With calm and clear waters that have a visibility of 100 feet, the Grand Cayman diving sites will definitely wow divers of all ages and experiences.
A Good Place to Start
For people who are a afraid of going underwater, snorkeling in Grand Cayman is the best way to start. Because of Cayman’s calm and nearly current-free waters, they would be able to view the marine life below without the fear of being carried away by the current. The beautiful view below can also inspire them to find their courage and face their fears. After snorkeling for some time, they would definitely want to have a closer view of the different specimens of marine life found in Grand Cayman diving sites. Their desire to see more fantastic sites will push them to take a scuba diving course and get certified.
Grand Cayman Diving Delights
Grand Cayman diving sites can offer a lot of new experiences to divers. Here, they can have a closer view of the Caribbean spiny lobster. Unlike the lobsters that are usually served in restaurants, this lobster looks more like a spider than a lobster. With it’s delicate appearance and small pincers, this lobster is actually smaller than a diving mask.
Divers may also run into a huge fish that is as big as their torso. These huge creatures have a mean look that can make them look frightening. Fortunately, it is a gentle creature that may just be looking for a bite to eat.
Another underwater attraction is the Flamingo Tongue. This extraordinary marine creature is shaped like a flamingo’s tongue and is covered by leopard-like spots. Don’t scare it! This creature is quite sensitive and will withdraw its colorful mantle when disturbed.
Yellow Submarine
In Grand Cayman, one can also view the beautiful places underneath without having to get wet. By climbing into a yellow submarine, one can make some priceless and memorable moments with their loved ones. This wonderful experience will definitely be a good story to tell in parties. Not a lot of people have ever tried going underwater in a submarine.
Romantic Dinners
Most resorts serve some traditional Caymanian cuisine on the beach. Take a bite and savor the strong Jamaican flavors of their dishes which consist of coconut, plantain, breatfruit, cassava and yams.
With great food and exciting activities, Grand Cayman is a place that both divers and non-divers can enjoy. The best thing about this place is that most resorts offer packages that would make one’s stay more affordable.