Taking off Travel blog

Theme Parks - Florida's Got 'Em!

Florida is one of my favorite places. Here, Adriano Comegna shares the reasons he thinks the Sunshine State is worth a visit.

1. Florida enjoys 3,200 hours of sunshine a year. Orange juice is the Official State Beverage and over two million alligators patrol the state’s waterways. It is a playground for the super-rich and a hideaway for eccentrics. From the beginning of June to the end of November it’s hurricane season. And, of course, it is the theme park capital of the world.

2. Standards of service are universally excellent. In Florida, as in the rest of the US, servers are paid half the minimum wage, the balance being made up by tips. 15%-20% is customary to the extent that it can be taken as an insult if a tip is not forthcoming. Obviously if service is bad, complain. Service matters here – people are proud of what they do and, if you accept this cultural difference and budget accordingly, you will be guaranteed a smashing time.

3. A local delicacy well worth seeking out is the stone crab. The only part that’s eaten is the claw, which with a blindfold and mayo, is as close as you’ll get to lobster without actually eating lobster. Stone crab fishermen remove the biggest claw from stone crabs before dropping them back in the sea. The crab can still defend itself and within 18 months has grown a new claw.

4. Florida is known as the sunshine state. Those 3,200 hours a year help produce mangoes, papaya, guava, passion fruit and citrus of every description. Breakfast can seem like the best meal of the day. If options allow, choose the buffet.

5. Sited as far south as feasible, in order to benefit from the ‘slingshot’ effect of the spinning earth, the Kennedy Space Center saw the last shuttle roll to a halt on July 21st 2011. It remains a monument to the first space age. Attractions include the Saturn V rocket, the launch simulation room at the Apollo Centre, the Rocket Garden and tours of the launch pads.

6. The Florida Keys are closer to Cuba than the US and have a charm and laid-back intensity all of their own. The writer Ernest Hemingway loved it here and, on wilder nights, would referee boxing matches in a local restaurant.

7. The Art Deco architecture of South Miami is famous worldwide and is a magnet for photographers. Sign up for one of the gossipy walking tours and discover niches and corners usually undiscovered by tourists.

8.Founded by conquistador Leon in 1509, St Augustine is the oldest settlement on the US mainland. Cobbled streets, Spanish renaissance architecture and a sprinkling of galleries and antique shops make for a quaint break from the bustle and shine of 21st century Florida.

9. No visit to Florida would be complete without a visit to a theme park. The choice is staggering, the theme park business having been almost invented here. Disney of course is king, with all things mouse and Pixar celebrated here. Usually the ride is constructed after a hit movie. Not so with ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ at Disneyland. Expect a soaking. [Ed: check out Orlando Airport Parking if you're planning a visit to a Florida theme park.]

10. The Everglades are a primeval landscape of mangroves and alligators. Take an airboat tour to glimpse wildlife and enjoy a landscape that hasn’t changed since the last ice age. Complete your journey in Miami with a spicy Cuban style dinner. The food here seldom disappoints. Enjoy.

Adriano Comegna writes on behalf of Thomson holidays, a leading travel operator specialising in Florida holidays.

Waiting area - Babcock Wilderness Adventure, Florida

One of the best tours we did on my recent trip to Florida also proved to be one of the hardest to get to. Remember I told you about the one time we didn’t use Ovi Maps? It was on that trip. We were trying to get to Babcock Wilderness Adventures to do an eco-tour, but although the directions said we should turn off onto State Road 31, that road was nowhere to be seen from the Interstate. We eventually caved in and phoned again, going the long way round. We also missed our lunchtime slot, putting our subsequent planned trip in jeopardy. That’s travel for you!

So when we finally got there, we were feeling tired and frustrated after all the driving. However, the atmosphere soon put us at ease. There were trees everywhere, with little huts we could explore. As we had time to kill before the next tour, we had a look round the shop and checked out the exhibits. One of the most striking of these was Lulu the three horned cow, who had caused quite a sensation in her day, but now exists as a mounted head. Spooky!

Impressive Horns - Babcock Wilderness Eco-Tour, Florida

Exhibits seen, we sat in the shade and waited for our bus to arrive. Titled the tour buggy, it was an old school bus repainted in camouflage colors, and with very little in the way of suspension, if the bouncing around was anything to judge by. Our tour guide was a Floridian who originally hailed from the South and whose singsongy voice talked us through the 90 minute tour.

I really enjoyed riding through the cypress forests,  spotting birds and wildlife, seeing long horned cows that looked like something out of a Western and trying to spot the gators. There was even a panther (safely behind bars) and the chance to stretch our legs on a short walk through the forest.

Baby gator - Babcock Eco-Tour, FL

Since the gators were a little bit shy, our tour guide gave us the chance to stroke a baby alligator on our return. It was hard to tell whether the other members of the tour were enthralled or appalled, but some of us had a go. The gator’s skin was surprisingly smooth and cool to the touch.

Overall, I would say the Babcock Wilderness Eco-Tour is well worth doing. The guides know what they’re talking about (ours was a riot) and the location is beautiful. Highly recommended.

By Mike Hill

St. Augustine is the ideal destination for tourists who love to learn about early American history as well as enjoy beautiful beaches on this choice strip of northeast Florida coast. From its quaint restaurants to its historical sites, St. Augustine has something interesting for the entire family, and is an ideal vacation destination.

St. Augustine History and Points of Interest

Founded in 1565 by the Spaniard Pedro Menendez de Aviles, St. Augustine is the oldest European-established city and port in the continental United States. Through the centuries, it was also controlled by the French and English, who left a rich historical legacy. Modern-day St. Augustine still reflects its heritage in many well-preserved Spanish colonial buildings from the 19th century.

For history lovers, a visit to St. Augustine must begin with a trip to the Castillo de San Marcos. The original construction of this fort began in 1672 by the Spanish, and one refurbished section of the city wall remains. The fort also gives visitors the chance to see arms and armaments from the 16th century, such as cannons. The fort is available for tours every day of the year except Christmas, and has a minimal entrance fee.

Numerous other historical attractions are to be found in St. Augustine, from the Fountain of Youth to Fort Mose and the famous Lighthouse. There are many historical attractions for children as well, such as the Black Raven Pirate Ship and the Old Jail. This region of Florida is a history buff’s dream, and all of the sites are located in or around the city, so that the whole family can enjoy sightseeing, shopping, and fine dining during their trip.

Beaches and Accommodations

St. Augustine has many beaches renowned for their beauty and family-friendly convenience. Crescent Beach on Anastasia Island is in a wildlife refuge, utterly unspoiled and pristine. South Ponte Vedra is known for golf, while North (Usina) Beach is more remote. Vilano Beach is a wonderful destination for the whole family, boasting a fishing pier, watercraft rentals, and parks. And St. Augustine Beach on Anastasia Island offers a pavilion, a fishing pier, and more.

St. Augustine’s beaches attract many visitors year-round, and so it is easy to rent a vacation rentals home in St Augustine Beach. Beachfront, ocean view, and beach neighborhood locations are all available, with condos and houses of all sizes. Whatever your travel itinerary, budget, or sightseeing plans, you can find the ideal beach rental for your perfect St. Augustine vacation!

(Photo: AnneDalles)

It’s summer vacation time for millions of people – and one of those people is me!  I’ll soon be on my travels. Now, I wouldn’t want you to have to do without your daily fix of PRF goodness, so I’ve lined up some great guest posts for the time that I’m away.  Here are just a few of the awesome posts that are coming your way:

• Improving the Ergonomics of Your Seat
• Best Cars for Road Trips
• Unmissable Historical Sites
• A polemic on travel insurance (more interesting than it sounds)
• and much more.

I’ll be checking in from time to time to see what’s happening here and on Twitter and Facebook, of course, and I’ll be back with you full time in early August, when you can look forward to updates on the places I’ve visited. I’m going to be checking out some new Florida attractions and seeing a few sights in New York and New Jersey.  See you soon!

Happy Memorial Day! For many people, especially in the warmer states, this weekend is a great opportunity to hit the beach and enjoy the outdoors, especially if you’re in a region where the weather’s looking good. If you’re planning a beach trip, you’re in luck, because Dr Beach (Dr Stephen P Leatherman) has released his annual update on the country’s best beaches. This is the 21st year that Dr Beach has chosen the beaches, based on a long list of criteria. Last year’s best beach was Cooper’s Beach in Long Island, but for 2011 that accolade has gone to Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida. Here are some of the features that make this America’s best beach for 2011:

the powdery sand is nearly pure quartz crystal.  The beautiful blue-colored water is clean and clear, making it so inviting to bathers and swimmers.  The beach is hundreds of yards wide …

And here are the other beaches on the list:

2.  Coronado Beach in San Diego, California
3.  Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii
4.  Main Beach in East Hampton, New York
5.  Cape Hatteras in the Outer Banks of North Carolina
6.  St. George Island State Park, Florida panhandle
7.  Beachwalker Park Kiawah Island, South Carolina
8.  Coast Guard Beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts
9.  Waimanalo Bay Beach Park on Oahu, Hawaii
10. Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne, Florida

(Photo: Betty B)