Orlando is home to more than a dozen theme parks and is one of the premier destinations for tourism in the world. With a population of 2.3 million, Orlando is the 4^th largest city in Florida and is known as the “Theme Park Capital of the World.”

Orlando is comprised of various theme parks (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Discovery Cove, Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Disney World, Universal Studios Florida, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Sea World Orlando, Epcot, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, Fun Spot America, and Aquatica Orlando).  Multiple options ensure that you have entertainment for everyone in your party ensuring that you have one of the most unforgettable vacations ever.

Orlando Attractions

Orlando offers splashing thrill rides in the multiple water parks, as well as wildlife adventures at Gatorland and Sea Life Aquarium. For adrenaline lovers, there is indoor skydiving at iFly.  Indoor skydiving is the simulation of true free fall conditions in a vertical wind tunnel.  Or, bring your childhood to life by visiting Legoland, the perfect vacation foundation.

The American Art Museum

Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art houses the largest collection of Tiffany glass and is conveniently located in Winter Park. Through the years the Morse Museum has cumulated some of the most outstanding leaded-glass windows, lamps, jewelry, art glass, and pottery by Louis Comfort Tiffany, as well as some priceless art and architectural objects.

Weddings and Honeymoons

Orlando is among one of the world’s most popular cities for weddings and/or honeymoons. Orlando is a dream-wedding destination because of a number of venues it offers from gorgeous ballrooms to themed events, everyone’s wish can come true. It’s a perfect place for couples to create long lasting memories.

Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds is known for their life-sized and realistic wax figures. Visitors can take pictures with famous personalities from around the world, including; Jimmy Fallon, Michael Jackson, Kung Fu Panda, Princess Diana, the royal family, Shrek, and many more.

Orlando Restaurants and Bars

Orlando has an abundance of delicious cuisine options to satisfy every food lover’s taste buds. You can experience any cuisine from around the world in a variety of settings. From theme park dining to dinner shows to romantic ambiance, there’s a cuisine and atmosphere for any occasion.

Along with all the restaurant options, there is a plethora of bar options in the Orlando area. No matter what you are looking for, there’s a bar for that.

You may search for online links to check the discounts and online bookings for tours to Orlando, Florida with your family and friends to experience the beauty of nature.

South Beach (or SoBe) is located within Miami Beach and has been called the Art Deco playground and the American Riviera. Here you’ll find world-class shopping, culinary delights, and clear blue water with white sand beaches.

SoBe offers both casual and upscale experiences, but is generally for the well-dressed set. So, even if you’re hitting the beach, be sure to don a stylish hat and sunglasses before you walk out the door of your vacation rental home.

White Powder Sand and Turquoise Waters of South Beach

South Beach is a free public beach. There’s plenty of parking and the municipal parking garages offer the best deals. Locals suggest getting there early as garages and open beach space fill up fast. Rental shops offer chairs and umbrellas. For less than $40 you can have both. Lifeguards are on duty during the day. There’s no shortage of food and drink options available along the beach.

Lincoln Road

This miles-long outdoor mall has an open plan and is designed for pedestrians only. The promenade has top-notch fashion, art, architecture, and people-watching. Walk from Washington Avenue to Alton Road to discover a pop-up market where handcrafted jewelry, origami, and a variety of other handmade wares displayed casually on card tables or rugs laid on the ground. Lincoln Road also offers a boon of name brand stores and local shops and galleries.

Lunch with a Beach View

You can find an amazing lunch restaurant anywhere, but these offer spectacular views to remind you that you’re in dazzling South Beach. These beach views are coveted so make reservations ahead of time. Juvia is an upscale chic fusion restaurant blending Asian and Peruvian cuisines with a classic French flair. Celebrity-owned Larios on the Beach is made famous by its owners Gloria and Emilio Estefan and its spectacular views of South Beach and Ocean Drive. Their upscale Cuban food and mojitos make it perfect. Monty’s Sunset is located poolside and waterfront on the docks of Miami Beach Marina. Here casual dining means local fresh-caught seafood, a raw bar, and entertainment.

Art Deco District

Miami’s South Beach is home to the largest concentration of 1920s and 1930s architecture in the world. It’s known as the Art Deco District. It’s recognized by the National Register of Historic Places and boasts 800 historical structures. The district draws visitors from around the globe.

Official Historic Tours of the Art Deco District

The Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL) offers the only official tours. Their Official Art Deco Walking Tour is a 90-minute tour that literally walks you through an introduction to the Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival, and Miami Modern (also known as MiMo) styles. Tours depart from the Art Deco Welcome Center at 10:30am Mondays through Sundays with an additional 6:30pm tour on Thursdays. Tours are $25 or $20 for seniors, veterans, and students. You can make advanced reservations, but they’re not required.

Happy Hour

Whether it’s from 5pm to 7pm during the week or 10pm to Midnight, there are always fun places you can drink and nosh on a dime. Streaming with light and perfectly chic, Byblos offers happy hour starting at 6pm with $8 cocktails and small bites for $12 and under. The comfortable Social Club is in the heart of Miami Beach and offers a late night happy hour with a flair for breakfast. It also offers $5 draft and 50% off wines by the glass. South Pointe Tavern’s happy hour offers 50% off beer, house wine, and cocktails.

If you’re thinking of heading to Florida in the winter, you’ll want to explore Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coastline. From the “Emerald Coast” in the Upper Peninsula to the southern Florida Keys, you’ll hear the crash of waves, find friendly bars on the beach, and smell the warm, aromatic sea-salt air. Sounds like the perfect winter vacation, doesn’t it?

Here are the top 10 tourist activities along Florida’s sunny Gulf of Mexico side.

#1 Shell and Shark Teeth Hunting on Sanibel Island

While Sanibel Island is known for its superior shelling, you’ll also be able to find beautiful shells along any shoreline due to the Gulf of Mexico’s calm tides. Hunting for shark’s teeth is a nice change of pace if you’re looking for a challenge while combing the beach.

#2 Picturesque Beaches

All the Gulf Coast beaches are beautiful, but Bean Point Beach’s secluded, crystal blue water and white sand is just begging you to stop and lounge.

#3 Adventures Under the Gulf

Gulf Island National Seashore, St. Andrews State Park, and Destin-Fort Walton are all known as “designated snorkeling areas”, so go for a swim and explore what’s under the water.

#4 Arts and Culture

Florida’s Gulf side has a fantastic arts and theater scene. For example, Sarasota has several local live theatres and St. Petersburg’s Morean Arts Center has a spectacular permanent collection by sculptural glass artist Dale Chihuly.

#5 Self-Guided Kayak Expeditions on the Gulf

If you’re into kayaking, this is the spot for you. Offering calmer tides and warmer waters than the Atlantic side means a safer and more fun on the water. Plus, no waiting in line on a boat dock. Just find a safe spot to get in the water and you’re on your adventure.

#6 Farmer’s Markets 

For the foodie vacationing along Florida’s Gulf Coast, you can’t beat the areas Farmers Markets. Seasonal fare is practically year long and extremely abundant. This a great way to fully experience the local foods and take advantage of your vacation rental home’s kitchen.

#7 Catch Your Own Fish

Mahi Mahi, grouper, shrimp, and more. The seafood available from Florida’s Gulf is undeniably fresh. Feeling especially lucky? Try to make the catch of the day yourself with a chartered fishing excursion.

#8 Local Breweries

If sampling delicious brewskis is your idea of a good time, be sure to check out the area brewers like Jdub’s, Point Ybel, or Rip Tide. Please, always enjoy responsibly.

#9 Theme Parks and Amusements

Just a short jaunt from the Gulf side finds a variety of world-famous theme parks choices. Disney World, Universal Studios Florida, and LEGOLAND are all are designed to entertain the young and the young at heart.

#10 The amazing weather

High temps generally range from the mid 60′s to the 80′s between November and March, depending on the area. Sounds better than below freezing, right?

Florida’s Gulf of Mexico shoreline is special because of these 10 things and more. The area’s variety of activities and attractions make it your best bet to beat the winter blues. Whether you’re touring the traditional shops on a boardwalk or observing the natural beauty of the beaches, you can be sure you made the right choice in vacation destination.

Instead of shoveling snow this winter, how about shoveling sand to make castles under that warm Florida sun.

You see the deep and intense color of the Painted Bunting long after you close your eyes for the night, while the beautiful song of the Wood Thrush lingers in your ear. Birding, for you, is a total engagement of the senses, from the sights to the songs to the documentation through photography or pen to paper. It’s both a visual and an auditory experience. It’s scientific yet joyful, technical but relaxing. There’s something so freeing about watching these stunning creatures fly through blue skies. And now it’s wintertime, so they’re calling you to Florida.

Florida is For the Birds

Cloaked between the Gulf of Mexico and the deep blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Florida boasts of famed destinations, lush gardens, gorgeous waters, and almost a backyard view of the exotic Bahamas. Yet, these are often the only stories we hear. The truth, though, is that Florida holds the key to unlocking a vibrant new world out in the wild. While it might seem as though birdwatching is Florida’s best-kept secret, Florida is becoming quite well known among birders – those who delight in and appreciate the art of birding. The best part is that the Florida climate is warm and inviting, even in the middle of winter. Ready to go?

How to Choose Your Next Florida Birding Adventure

The entire state of Florida offers birding adventures galore, and your destination simply depends on your goals. Which birds do you love and cherish most? What kind of habitat do you prefer? Consider whether you’d like to enjoy some beach time, or if the glades of the swamp are more your style. Do you yearn to be one with nature, or do you love to share in the joy with other birding enthusiasts? Perhaps you even dare to embark on a journey to see as many sites as possible – Florida offers hundreds – with an intent to eventually visit them all. It’s doable with a little preparation.

According to Visit Florida, the top birding sites in the state include Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, and “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. These locales, like the hundreds of other birding sites, span the state, so you’ll have no trouble finding several near your vacation rental home.

Birding Adventure of a Lifetime

The state of Florida, spanning more than 65,000 square miles, is a wonder of nature. On the first day, you might feel like you’re in the jungle. On the next, you’re admiring the ocean. If you like a dose of action on your adventure, you and your binoculars can rent a kayak and enjoy the birds from the river or lake. Florida offers a dozen habitats for its bird species, including swamp lands, prairies, dunes, and tropical brush, and you can experience all of them.

There are plenty of resources available, but one of the best is The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail organization. Create a plan for your adventure with the trip planner, a cool tool for casual research or final arrangements. Florida Birding Trail also hosts events throughout the year, so you can get together with fellow watchers to share stories and tips.

For the junior birder or experienced enthusiast, the search for the next great winter escapade is over. Destination: Florida. Welcome to the Sunshine State.

Whether you’re visiting in the spring, summer, winter or fall, the abundant state parks of Florida are ready for you. There’s lots of detailed information, so to free up some precious reading time, we’ve created this mini guide to get you the bare bones of the rules, regulations, and handy tidbits. Let’s delve into all you need to know to make your next Florida state park excursion a hassle free one.

Rentals and Fees

Fees to enter a state park range from $2 for an individual cyclist or hiker, to $10 for a car of up to 8 people.

Hours

General business hours for Florida State parks is from 8 in the morning to sunset. Check with your park’s website for specific times.

Accessibility

Handicapped accessible boat tours and all-terrain wheel chairs are available for use at some sites. Sign language interpreters are also available if needed. Please schedule this in advance on this website to be sure you will be accommodated.

Camping

Primitive sites are available as well as pads suitable for RVs from 10 to 104 feet and have available electricity and water hook ups. Please check with the park you are visiting for RV size limits and accessible utilities.

Hunting and Fishing

Fishing in park is varied from site to site, so it’s best to verify from the park’s website or employee if it is allowed. Check the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website to determine if you need a fishing license. The state parks are managed as a natural ecosystem, so hunting is limited to specific places. Rock Springs Run State Reserve, Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve and the Marshall Swamp area of Cross Florida Greenway is open for limited hunting with special permit and, to provide the best hunting experience on your trip, please contact the reserve before your hunt.

Pets

Service animals are permitted in all public areas of Florida’s state parks. Pets are not permitted at any lodges, cabins, or cottages, but they are permitted on designated campgrounds. Please check with the campsite for more information.

Manatee Sightings

You may view the manatees in their natural habitat in Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, but swimming with them is strictly prohibited.

After all the exploring and outdoor fun is done, make a vacation home rental your place to unwind and relax. Full-sized kitchen, peace and quiet surrounding you, and pricing that is lower than most hotels are just a few of the benefits. With ample room for any kayak, tent, or just for your entire family to spread out in their own space, renting a Florida vacation home is the very best bet for your sanity and wallet.

The City by the Sea

Get to Know Atlantic Beach

Atlantic Beach is a small, historic community home to two miles of white sandy beach, museums, food, and culture. An historically significant area, Atlantic Beach was discovered to be one of the oldest permanent native American settlements in North America. Primarily a tourist area until the early 1900s, the completion of a railroad station that connected Atlantic Beach with the rest of Florida allowed tourism to flourish.

The Continental Hotel, which housed close to 300 guest rooms, was built close to the beach and created numerous jobs and revenue for the town. Painted bright yellow with green blinds, the hotel was designed with a luxurious flair inside for guest enjoyment. On the grounds, guests could enjoy activities such as a 9-hole golf course, dance pavilion, fishing, tennis, and horseback riding.

With the onset of World War I the town experienced a lapse in revenue as tourists were afraid to visit the coast, but once the war was over land began to sell again and the town once again continued to prosper.

Small businesses began to settle rather than visit seasonally and eventually the area incorporated as a Town in 1926. For a closer look inside the history of Atlantic Beach, you can now visit the Beaches Museum & History Park which frequently hosts art festivals and concerts.

Activities for All

With 65 acres dedicated to parks such as the Dutton Island Preserve, Atlantic Beach is the ideal location to rent a vacation villa. Within these parks can be found a trove of activities including skateboarding, camping, fishing, hiking, tennis, and a number of many others for every age and area of interest.

Artwalks take place on the third Thursday of every month from 5-9pm where Atlantic Blvd and the ocean intersect. This monthly event is free to the public, hosting over 55 local artists, who travel from all over to participate. Here you can view and purchase hand-made jewelry, art, and other wares to take back as a souvenir of your time on the Florida coast.

Foodies will delight at the Wednesday Market. This weekly farmer’s market allows you to sample local offerings such as fresh produce, breads, and sweets. Each week a different type of bread is featured and made fresh with organic ingredients on the day of the market. Cindy’s Bakery, Alvarez Farms, and Southern Roots Herbal Apothecary are only a few of the vendors that frequent this great gathering. Music is also provided by local artists to create a fun and carefree ambiance while you smell, taste, and shop. For a relaxing experience that is truly unique, try the One Ocean Spa, which offers a signature Seashell Massage, which pays homage to the Atlantic Ocean while easing away stress.

Good Eats

There’s something to please any palate at Culhane’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, where you can bring your four legged friends to dine on the patio. Sip from your choice of 26 draft beers and 42 whiskeys while you feast on authentic Irish cuisine. Items as Reuben Egg Rolls and Scotch Eggs aim to please. Their recipe for the Guinness Beef Stew is so delicious, it is featured in television personality Guy Fieri’s cookbook!

Sunset Pier Park

For a perfect way to end a day of fun in the sun, eating, and shopping, visit Sunset Pier Park to watch the sun drift below the horizon. Receiving a perfect score on Trip Advisor, this site truly lives up to its name.

Hustle and bustle is the norm for everyday life, so why should it be on your vacation?

Picturesque sunsets, fresh sea air, and the general low-key feel is what Florida is truly all about.

Come visit the beauty that is the Gulf Coast and pretend you’re a native Floridian by staying in a rental home. Make your coffee just as you like, let the kids make noise, take a stroll in the welcoming neighborhoods, or simply cook up a late night snack, all at your leisure. Comfort is the key when you aren’t restricted in room or neighboring guests. When you see how easy it is to stay in a private rental home, you’ll dread having to rent a hotel room again.

A Guide to Florida’s Sleeper Beaches

Anna Maria Beach- With white sands and no sand volleyball nets to obstruct the view, your personal beach awaits. What a winning combo if your ideal bliss is walking along the shoreline admiring all the beauty of the ocean without gobs of people in your way.

If you’re looking for a relaxing massage or facial, look no further than Acqua Salon and Spa. Using only quality Aveda products, they will tailor a delightful day of pampering to your desire. Best of all, they offer a “Stay Spa” incentive that comes to your vacation rental so you don’t even need to leave the house to enjoy a day at the salon.

Santa Rosa Beach- Beautiful emerald, Caribbean-like waters and cool, white quartz sand combine to make this beach unforgettable. Lounging around the beach is relaxing, but if you are a fan of cigars, sports, icy libations, and want to converse about all three of them, check out Shore Thing Cigars. Opened by country music star Luke Bryan and a close friend, Paul Copeland, this is an intimate shop that serves as the local man’s cave for the residents of Santa Rosa.

Treasure Island- A wide beach that accommodates any crowd and ample areas to walk to dine are just two of the island’s many features. Check out Middle Grounds if you would like a fine seafood dining experience from a wonderful local restaurant. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the food is renowned locally as a top five place to go for a five-star meal.

Sanibel Island- Shelling at its finest, this may be the busiest of the listed beaches. Young and old alike will enjoy discovering the variety of shells the Island has to offer. There is even an entire museum dedicated to shells that’s an interesting area attraction. Not digging the shells? Grab some locally grown produce at the Sanibel Farmer’s Market. Open October through May, a blissful array of fresh fruit and veggies just waiting for you to make a killer meal back at the rental house.

Marco Island- Nestled in Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands, it’s a prime place to visit if your life is boating and fishing. Take a charted fishing tour or enjoy casting away at the connecting bridge from the mainland. After your day of basking in the sun and tackling the fish is complete, visit with the locals and sample some tasty food at Snook Inn and Chickee Bar. Overlooking the Gulf under a thatched roof bar while sipping a tropical something is the nightcaps to end all nightcaps.

Florida is infamous for its beaches, fresh sea air, and nightlife, but an unlikely attraction is the Florida Everglades. It is easy to overlook this natural beauty with all the things to do while on your Florida vacation, but its lush landscape and interesting wildlife will be a unique experience you won’t want to miss.

Explore the Everglades on foot, in an air boat, or even helicopter. Finding somewhere to rest and relax after your excursion is easy if you choose a vacation rental home. All the amenities, like plenty of room and a full kitchen, will be appreciated after a long day of discovery.

A Rich History of the Everglades

In 1934 the Florida Everglades was recognized as a national park. After Death Valley and Yosemite, it’s the third largest in all of the lower 48 United States.  Everglades National Park is recognized as a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance. It’s only the third place in all the world to net these accolades.

Celebrating 100 Years of National Parks

All of the nation’s national parks turn a century old this year. Everglades National Park has some fun activities to help commemorate the occasion. They will be offering 16 free admission days in 2016, beginning with Martin Luther King Jr. Day and ending with Veteran’s Day. There are other discounted ticket opportunities for select groups of all ages.

Importance of the Everglades

Don’t think of the Everglades as a swampy marsh. In fact, the area is actually a slow moving river and it supplies nearly 8 million Florida residents with their fresh drinking water. The Native American deemed it ‘pahajokee’ or grassy waters. It was nearly drained in the 1900’s for the planting of sugar cane to boost Florida’s economy.

Explore the Lands

Within its 1.5 million acres, there are three access points to Everglades National Park by foot, and many other entrances via the intercostal waterways. The busiest visitor seasons is December through March, due to the drier climate, lower temperatures, and minimal mosquitos. Feel free to camp, as they have various sites in the park from basic to running water and electric hookups, but make sure you have your vacation home booked.

What You’ll Find Inside

With nearly 73 endangered species, 500-year-old cypress trees, and flowers unique to the northern boundaries named Ghost Orchids, Florida would miss all those natural wonders, and probably more, if sugar farming overtook the area. Unfortunately, southern Florida lost nearly 50 percent of its original wetlands. What remains is essential to the ecosystem.

When you decide to leave the wondrous canopy of cypress trees and subtropical landscape of Everglades National Park, there’s no better feeling than a long shower, a hot meal, and a soft bed after a nice stent of roughing it or sightseeing. Enjoying all that Florida has to offer will be all that more pleasant with a home-away-from-home that you can only find in a vacation rental home.

For a look at a cornucopia of options, browse Paddle Florida for any and all options for those that want to gain a deeper connection to nature and its wildlife in the Central Florida region. Depending on your ideal excursion, you can cater your Florida vacation to your group and its needs. Whether it is watery creatures, historic forests, or a glimpse back in time, Florida offers a multitude of places to visit when not enjoying a relaxing time at your vacation villa.

Meet the Manatees

The Blue Spring is the largest spring that feeds the St. John’s River, offering beautiful scenery for kayaking throughout. Adjacent to the Blue Spring State Park, this river offers fishing, paddling, and boating, so use caution when motors are nearby. After a short paddle, find yourself amongst manatees that glide through the water gracefully. From there, the Blue Spring State Park provides a number of family activities, including camping, picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and river boat tours after a day of paddling.

Take the Scenic Route

The Dora Canal provides one of the most picturesque paddling experiences in Central Florida. Linking Lakes Eustis and Dora, this short journey is flanked by striking cypress trees, perfect for aspiring photographers and nature lovers alike. Multitudes of water birds, alligators, and otters live in the area adding to the pristine landscape that only nature has touched. Mount Dora, a nearby town, is most desired for its Victorian airs, restaurants, and antique shops. Spend the night at the Lakeside Inn, built in 1883, for a taste of vintage charm.

Disney’s Hidden Gem

Located along the border of Disney property in Kissimmee, Shingle Creek lies within Shingle Creek Regional Park. Flanking its borders are beautiful cypress trees and a myriad of wildlife, including alligators, water birds, and turtles. Voyaging on this seven-mile journey, the peaceful area gives a sense of relief and tranquility in nature, before mankind made its mark on the world.

Danger – Gators!

Before any adventurous excursion, it’s essential to know the best ways to remain safe from predators. To avoid unwanted contact with alligators, consider contacting the local Fish and Game department for the latest information regarding mating season and times of day with increased predator activity. This is usually around dawn and dusk, but can vary slightly from region to region. When encountering an alligator, it’s recommended to stay 100 feet away at all times for safety. If the reptile runs into the water suddenly and appears to be charging, it’s most likely getting into the water to feel safe as quickly as possible. Continue to maintain as much distance as you can and remain calm. If you see a smaller alligator with yellow stripes, it’s a juvenile and it’s almost certain that its mother will be nearby. Although these may be tempting to approach, a territorial mother with rows of teeth is not the ideal opponent to tangle with, especially while on vacation!

Follow these simple tips and you and the whole family will enjoy your Florida adventure happily and safely.