Florida Vacation and Travel Information

Savannah gets new airline

2010-09-21T18:13:00.000-04:00

For the first time in nine years, the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport on Tuesday was able to announce a new carrier servicing the area.

Allegiant Air, a low-cost airline and subsidiary of Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Co., will offer flights between Savannah and Fort Lauderdale beginning Nov. 18.

The carrier will operate a full-size, 150-seat MD-80 jet aircraft two days a week. Flights will depart Savannah at 11:05 a.m. arriving in Fort Lauderdale at 12:30 p.m., and flights will depart Fort Lauderdale at 9 a.m. arriving in Savannah at 10:25 a.m.

Bring it on home: Florida

2010-09-21T18:12:00.000-04:00

Who and where • From left, Tom Kimminau, Corey Kuchem, Patrick Kimminau and Kirk Kuchem of Washington, Mo., stand behind an homage to the Cardinals that they made in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

The trip • The families drove to Florida from Missouri and spent several days on the beach, including a day spent building a baseball cap out of sand and spelling out "Go Cards" in sea grass.

Travel tip • Be sure to call ahead to make sure a vacation is still viable, Lori Kimminau suggests. The group almost called off the trip because of news reports about tar balls from the oil spill in the Gulf washing up on Florida's beaches. But a call to the resort confirmed that Fort Walton Beach had not been affected, she says...

Comparison of Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World Florida

2010-09-21T18:11:00.000-04:00

Comparing Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World Florida is something many families will do before they book their family vacation. This is particularly true of European families, especially the British who have easy access to Paris but can also travel to Florida.

Walt Disney World in Florida opened in 1971 and has gradually expanded over the years and now consists of four Theme Parks, Two water parks, 24 Disney hotels and a campsite, a sports complex and a shopping and entertainment centre. Disneyland Paris opened far more recently in 1992 and was known originally as Eurodisney. This resort consists of only two theme parks, a shopping complex and 7 on site Disney Hotels.

Sunny Isles Beach Invites Florida Residents to take a 'Staycation' in ...

2010-05-25T13:59:00.001-04:00

Sunny Isles Beach, FL –

The Sunny Isles Beach ‘Staycation’ offers Florida residents special Sunny Isles Beach Tourism and Marketing Council member packages for hotel stays, shopping, and attractions at a variety of costs to fit any budget. The numerous ‘staycation’ packages allow Floridians to get away and explore their own state without having to spend a lot of money

for a vacation to remember...

Oil slick make you sick at thought of ruined beach trip?

2010-05-25T13:55:00.001-04:00

With Memorial Day coming up and schools soon letting out for summer, many Atlantans already have their eyes on a beach vacation prize. Those whose plans included a few days of sun, sand and surf on the Gulf Coast, however, may be focusing more on whether millions of gallons of oil will wash ashore on their favorite beach and gunk up their chances for a summer holiday.

Three weeks after a massive rig explosion sent oil spilling into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, officials are still working to contain the spread of the black gold. Already globules of oil and tar have washed ashore in Alabama. Vacationers and the tourism industry along the sugar-white shores of Mississippi, Alabama and western Florida are holding their collective breath to see exactly where that oil is going to end up.

St. Augustine Named a Top 10 Destination by American Express

2009-02-21T14:09:00.001-05:00

St. Augustine, FL, February 18, 2009 --(PR.com)-- St. Augustine has been named by American Express as one of the ten “surprising, exciting, and cutting-edge places” in the world where Americans can enjoy one of their favorite travel pastimes.A survey of American Express cardholders revealed that 87 percent selected vacation destinations based on their personal interests.

The top ten interests named were culinary, family events, music, fitness and exercise, education/learning, history, the arts, wine/champagnes, fashion/shopping and sporting events. American Express then selected ten “unexpected’ destinations worldwide where these interests could be enjoyed. Their history recommendation was St. Augustine, Florida.

Orlando Timeshare Rentals Offer Options for Everyone in the Family ...

2009-02-21T13:48:00.002-05:00

If you like to fish or golf Orlando is the right place for you to go on vacation. The state of Florida has one of the highest numbers of lakes, rivers, and ponds out of all 50 states. This means that Florida is not only good for swimming and water sports but it is home to more than 2,000 different types of fish.

So whether you like salt water fishing, fresh water fishing, or you are a beginner and are indifferent there is somewhere of you to go. Also, through a lot of Orlando timeshare rentals you may be able to figure out a fishing package for yourself and anyone else who is interested in fishing while you are staying at your timeshare.

Disney discounts for Florida residents

2009-02-21T13:45:00.002-05:00

Walt Disney World is making a fresh push for in-state customers with a pair of one-day park passes for $99. The discount tickets, which must be purchased between now and May 20 and used no later than May 21, are 33 percent cheaper than the $75 one-day ticket. The discount tickets must be used within two weeks of purchase and a good at any of Disney’s four Central Florida parks.

The tickets can’t be used between April 4-18, the Easter vacation period when the parks usually have strong attendance.

Warm up to Florida deals

2009-02-21T13:43:00.000-05:00

Canadians love Florida. According to VisitFlorida statistics, 2,832,300 of us visited the Sunshine State last year --up from 2.5 million in 2007. Still, a little research before heading south is well worth the effort. Learning about new attractions, events and deals can enhance your vacation and save money.

Tough economic times have created some excellent deals this year. Here's a sample:

PARADISE FOUND
If you're travelling to Naples, Marco Island or the Everglades, the new Paradise Priced Perfectly promotion is filled with winter warm-up offers to lure travellers to Southwest Florida's Paradise Coast region.

Have a Truly Relaxing Vacation in Cozy Florida's Vacation Rentals

2009-02-16T12:21:00.002-05:00

Florida is an ideal place for those who need to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The beautiful Sunshine State lures tourists with its great beach destinations, countless water sports and comfortable beachside accommodations. Most of all, Florida offers fantastic thrills. In such destinations as Cocoa Beach, Sanibel or Clearwater Beach travelers can spend time water skiing, kayaking or scuba diving or simply relaxing and soaking up the sun.

Florida is well known for its variety of different lodgings to choose from. Regardless of one's budget and other requirements, there are gorgeous beach side villas and spacious condos for families. Great place to find accommodations online is Rentalo.com. This lodging marketplace has tons of affordable vacation rentals in all the parts of Florida.

Disney Vacation Club Plans to Open 'Doorway' to New Preview Center ...

2009-02-13T12:58:00.001-05:00

Scheduled to open later this summer, Disney’s Doorway to Dreams will offer Roosevelt Field visitors and Long Island, N.Y.-area residents a convenient and exciting way to learn firsthand about Disney Vacation Club, an innovative vacation-ownership program that helps families enjoy flexibility and savings on decades of future vacations.

Disney’s Doorway to Dreams will showcase the accommodations at Disney Vacation Club resort hotels, which are spacious and offer numerous home-like amenities. These vacation villas provide families with a place to relax and spend quality time together either at Disney destinations worldwide or at more than 500 other popular vacation locations around the world. This convenient mall location will give them a glimpse of the choices they have, from a magical stay at the Walt Disney World Resort or a relaxing cruise aboard a Disney Cruise Line ship to a family-friendly, interactive Adventures by Disney trip or an exotic jaunt to South America.

Orlando Vacation Affordable Even in Economically Hard Times

2009-02-13T12:49:00.001-05:00

The nation going through a time of economic cutbacks and hardship, but that doesn't mean that you can't enjoy a good vacation. If you know how to get bargain accommodations and makes a sensible choice of attractions and amusements, then it is possible for you to enjoy a vacation in Orlando, Florida even in this period of economic downturn.

I would like to show you how to do it. The first place to start your preparation is in the area of accommodations. Hotel living coupled with continuous restaurant eating can be expensive.

Disney retools time-share points

2009-02-13T12:45:00.000-05:00

The Walt Disney Co.'s time-share arm is trying to steer more of its customers into spending weekend nights in its resorts. Disney Vacation Club, which sells real-estate interests expressed as "points" that guests redeem for nights in its time-share resorts, last month overhauled its point structure to lower the cost of weekend nights and raise the price of weekday nights.

Disney said it is trying to spread the demand more evenly throughout the week. The company had previously required close to twice as many points for Friday and Saturday nights as it had for Sunday through Thursday nights, which had prompted particularly heavy weeknight reservations.

Days Inn in Tampa, Florida Now Under New Management

2009-02-13T12:44:00.001-05:00

The Days Inn Airport/Stadium in Tampa, Fl. is pleased to announce that it is under new ownership and management as of October 15, 2008. Presently owned by Jay and Tejas Patel and managed by Tejas Patel, Days Inn Airport/Stadium continues its goal of providing affordable and comfortable accommodations for both vacation and business travelers. In less than 90 days under new management the hotel is undergoing many exciting changes to better serve guests.

We are in the process of renovating all the rooms, installing new carpets, fixtures, and furniture. We have hired new 24-hour maintenance staff. The housekeeping staff has been bolstered so that each room will get more attention.

Keep your kids safe at Central Florida Theme Parks

2009-02-04T09:44:00.000-05:00

Long lines, anxious parents with impatient kids and large crowds can all lead to shorten tempers and forgotten manners. As most of us have experienced, it is impossible to go to a park as large at the Magic Kingdom, and not be bumped into by someone, have had someone cut in front of us in line, have our toes stepped on or our seat stolen when we only got up to get some ketchup. It happens. However, it is how we deal with it that truly matters. Some simply say excuse me and go on with their day like nothing happened. Others, however, take that bump a little too seriously.

For example, on Sunday a guest called the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to the Magic Kingdom Park, because they wanted to report a battery. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the guest claims that one guest elbowed another because they thought he was cutting in line on the It’s a Small World ride in Fantasyland. When deputies arrived the guest decided not to press charges.

Soak in a Florida getaway from just $229

2009-01-27T15:14:00.000-05:00

There’s nothing like a vacation in the sunshine state to ward off the winter blues. From world-class golfing to trendy bars, historic architecture to sun-kissed beaches, Florida offers a multitude of affordable travel opportunities for winter fun. Check out the following deals for top-of-the-line hotels and vacation packages in sunny Miami and Palm Beach this winter.

2-nights at Jupter Beach Resort and Spa Located on a pristine stretch of coastline in Palm Beach County, the Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa sits on a thousand feet of beach, with lighted tennis courts, a restaurant, lounge, fitness center and beachfront poolside dining.

Find more Florida information at http://www.thefloridazone.com

Tri-State offers special Florida rates for February

2009-01-24T09:00:00.002-05:00

For little more than the cost of a tank of gas, one can fly to Orlando from Huntington's Tri-State Airport. Allegiant Air will offer one-way direct flights to the Florida vacation mecca for $29 in February.

Allegiant has sporadically offered $29 fares to Florida destinations in the past.
But the Las Vegas-based airline is stepping up its low-cost offerings next month.
Of 15 flights departing for Orlando in February, 12 are priced at $29. The other three cost $59.
Return flights typically cost significantly more.

For example, one could fly to Orlando today for $59 and return Sunday for $109.
Still, in today's air travel climate, that's not bad.

Find more Florida information at http://www.thefloridazone.com

Florida Travel Tips & Deals -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

2009-01-06T08:33:00.001-05:00

For sweethearts -- Bok Tower Gardens offers Valentine's Day Concerts at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Feb. 14. Romance is in the air as the gardens' carillon features some traditional romantic favorites. The concerts are free with admission to the gardens ($10 adults, $3 children). Also the gardens' Pinewood Estate offers a Be My Valentine Romantic Evening with dinner and strolling musicians on Feb. 14. Cost is $150 per couple.

Visit www.boksanctuary.com. Resort discount -- The Steinhatchee Landing Resort, on the Steinhatchee River, three miles from the Gulf of Mexico in Florida's Big Bend, is offering budget-minded visitors 50 percent off any midweek (Sunday through Wednesday) two-night stay at any of their 50, one-to-four-bedroom cottage accommodations. Resort amenities include a pool, children's playground, fitness center, and more than 20 boat slips available to guests at a nominal charge. The offer is subject to availability, good for one time only, and not combinable with other discounts. Two-night minimum required and other restrictions may apply. Call 800-584-1709 or visit www.SteinhatcheeLanding.com.

Find more Florida information at http://www.thefloridazone.com

Academy Award Nominated Actress Angela Bassett Joins Walt Disney World Moms Panel...

2009-01-06T08:30:00.001-05:00

Celebrating an exceptionalopening year, Disney Parks has launched its second consecutive Walt DisneyWorld Moms Panel, www.disneyworldmoms.com. Academy Award nominated actressAngela Bassett, star of television's "ER" and the movie "What's Love Got to Dowith It" welcomes vacation planners to the two-year-old site and shares herown vacation planning tips. A mother of toddler-aged twins, Ms. Bassett joins16 other travel savvy parents, The Walt Disney World Moms Panel, in givingfree, tried and true advice for planning an unforgettable Walt Disney World Vacation.

This interactive online forum consists of 15 moms and one dad, who have proventheir Disney knowledge and ability to field vacation-planning questions fromall park-goers. Truly an eclectic group of parents -- from the suburbs of NewHampshire and Louisiana to our neighbors abroad in Ottawa and England -- thesepanelists are equipped and eager to share insights to make trips to Disneymagical for every family.

Find more Florida information at http://www.thefloridazone.com

Travel Scene: Bob Retzlaff - Mickey Mouse wants you

2009-01-04T09:13:00.002-05:00

Walt Disney World, with its four theme parks Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, Disney Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom is the most popular attraction in the world, drawing an estimated 40 million or so visitors a year.

While most of the visitors are first-timers, Disney World, as well as the other major attractions clustered around Orlando in Central Florida, depends a lot on repeat visitors. We're one of the repeaters having visited Disney probably 15 times since attending Magic Kingdom's opening in 1971 and the main reason is because there is almost always something new to see.

Find more Florida information at http://www.thefloridazone.com/

Florida Travel Tips & Deals

2008-12-31T20:43:00.000-05:00

Check this list often as new tips, events and deals around Florida come in:For sweethearts -- Bok Tower Gardens offers Valentine's Day Concerts at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Feb. 14. Romance is in the air as the gardens' carillon features some traditional romantic favorites. The concerts are free with admission to the gardens ($10 adults, $3 children). Also the gardens' Pinewood Estate offers a Be My Valentine Romantic Evening with dinner and strolling musicians on Feb. 14. Cost is $150 per couple. Visit www.boksanctuary.com.

Resort discount -- The Steinhatchee Landing Resort, on the Steinhatchee River, three miles from the Gulf of Mexico in Florida's Big Bend, is offering budget-minded visitors 50 percent off any midweek (Sunday through Wednesday) two-night stay at any of their 50, one-to-four-bedroom cottage accommodations. Resort amenities include a pool, children's playground, fitness center, and more than 20 boat slips available to guests at a nominal charge. The offer is subject to availability, good for one time only, and not combinable with other discounts. Two-night minimum required and other restrictions may apply. Call 800-584-1709 or visit www.SteinhatcheeLanding.com.

Find more Florida information at http://www.thefloridazone.com

Booking Your Florida Vacation Online Just Got Simpler

2008-12-30T14:29:00.001-05:00

If you were thinking of discovering for yourself the best kept open secret in US vacation destinations, booking a self-catering holiday to Anna Maria Island just got a whole lot easier, thanks to a brand new website launched by Anna Maria Vacations.

Now there really is only one place to go for the best in vacation homes on the beautiful west-coast Florida island, famed for its relaxed atmosphere, miles of soft sugar sand and glorious sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.

Unlike many other vacation rentals sites, http://www.annamaria.com offers users the opportunity to check availability and even book online, once they have watched a beautiful slideshow of the company’s portfolio of exclusive villas, condominiums and beachside bungalows. Internet users also get a special online discount and there are some big automatic savings to be made for those wishing to visit outside the high season of late-January to April.

Find more Florida information at http://www.thefloridazone.com

Walt Disney World: A Year in Review

2008-12-30T14:26:00.001-05:00

This year has been an active one for the Walt Disney World Resort. Many anniversaries were celebrated, along with the addition of new events and a farewell to a popular weekend. With all of the excitement from 2008 Walt Disney World has plans to make 2009 just as memorable and magical.

Before heading into 2009, let us take a look back on 2008 in this Year in Review of the Walt Disney World Resort. Sports and recreation added some new events this year at Walt Disney World, including the Expedition Everest Challenge. This challenge debuted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on September 27. The lake of Downtown Disney was host to the Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival, which was held in October.

Find more Florida information at http://www.thefloridazone.com

Cruising from Jacksonville, Fla.: Easy access to fun times at sea

2008-12-29T19:13:00.001-05:00

By Christine Tibbetts
I went to sea for five fun days in early December, and spent fifty cents. Who says cruising is pricey? Even that expense was a mistake; I could have held it to a dime had I properly ordered one page, not five, printed in the ship’s Internet cafe.

Certainly lots of temptations to purchase additional fun crop up all over a cruise ship but I set a goal to see how full a five-day vacation could be with my wallet locked up in the stateroom safe.

Find more Florida information at http://www.thefloridazone.com

Mouse Ear Vacations provides a Disney Cruise that Now Makes Vacationing Child's Play for the Whole Family

2008-12-27T15:29:00.001-05:00

MouseEarVacations (www.MouseEarVacations.com) announced today its Walt Disney Company Magical package for travel in early 2009. Highlighted at Disney’s recent annual Earmarked conference for top Disney travel agencies, MouseEarVacations earned top accolades as a premier trip advisor to families seeking Disney cruises and Adventures by Disney tours to Italy, France, Ireland, Germany, China, Africa, Australia, the United States and other destinations around the world.

MouseEarVacations staff, long experienced in the intricacies of travel by both magic pumpkin and cruise liners, advises their customers with personal helpful insights and travel tips to maximize the Disney cruise experience. Premium tours and cruises require premium service – and the world of travel companies that can offer top-notch service for Disney Cruise Line customers is limited to an elite few capable of handling a myriad of things down to the smallest detail. Worldwide adventures require not only particular understanding of Disney travelers’ needs and desires, but also worldly mastery of the mechanics of what goes into a stunning vacation.

Find more Florida information at http://www.thefloridazone.com

Florida Flights at the right price

2008-12-27T13:13:00.002-05:00

Florida is a popular vacation destination; therefore you can find inexpensive Florida flights from almost anywhere. You can fly to Florida from most UK airports including London, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

You will find a vast array of flights that may also come as part of a package. Florida has many attractions, Disney World, Epcot, Miami, the Everglades, and miles of sandy beaches. You can find flights to any part of the state that may include other vacation attraction like accommodation and fun or relaxing activities.

Despite the recent cuts in airline flights and services. Flights to Florida from around the world are going strong as it is still a preferred vacation destination. Though the least expensive price may not be as low as it once was with little add-ons for baggage etc. you can still find a very affordable ticket with a little searching.

Find more Florida information at http://www.thefloridazone.com

Family Holidays Are Just A Mouse Click Away.

2008-12-26T12:18:00.003-05:00

Once thought of as a vacation for romance, cruises are fast becoming a favorite for family holidays। Contemporary cruise lines know that if they can plan entertainment for the teens, their Mom and Dad will have fun, too। The first point to begin your search should be to go directly to the cruise lines themselves। A fast search on your favorite search engine, like Yahoo will reveal all the top cruise lines in no time। Many of the cruise lines offer last minute specials that can be the perfect family travel and save you a hassle। While on these websites, check for package deals for family vacations. Many cruise lines like to partner with the airlines to provide “one stop shopping” for their customers.

These may not always be the best choice but in a few clicks , your family travel can be booked. One of my family’s favorite family holidays spots is sunny Florida. The big theme parks like to put write a good press release package deals to make planning your family vacation easier। Most of these package offers will include everything from airfare, tickets to the park, rental cars and even free parking at the park. Because Florida is such a big hit with families, hotels often offer “kids eat for free” deals. This can be essential savings for a family of four. The hotels that offer these discounts are mostly the ones that are children-friendly and offer entertainment to keep the children busy when not at the parks.

Find more Florida information at http://www.thefloridazone.com/

Florida Real Estate Deals of the Decade: Lighthouse Point Water Front Estate Listed $1M Lower Than Its Last Asking Price

2008-12-26T12:12:00.000-05:00

This Lighthouse Point, FL water front estate was introduced to the market on December 24, 2008 with an asking price of $2,195,000। This property was last listed on MLS and Realtor।com in 2006 with an asking price of $3,200,000. Today, it is on the market $1,000,000 less than its 2006 price. At these prices, this and many other South Florida properties are starting to get sold below bank owned foreclosure values. The economic downturn is creating a tremendous opportunity for luxury home buyers in South Florida.

Find more Florida information at http://www.thefloridazone.com