In the 1920s storms divided Captiva Island and separated what is now known as North Captiva Island. North Captiva Island is a four-mile crescent of the coast of southwest Florida. The island has a private, exclusive feel. Vacationers came with a week’s worth of groceries and disappear into their North Captiva Island beach house rentals. [...] [...more]
In the 1920s storms divided Captiva Island and separated what is now known as North Captiva Island. North Captiva Island is a four-mile crescent of the coast of southwest Florida. The island has a private, exclusive feel. Vacationers came with a week’s worth of groceries and disappear into their North Captiva Island beach house rentals. The public beach has families and honeymooners but in Cayo Costa State Park, the beach is all yours. You will see gopher tortoises burrowing into the sand and dolphins playing close to the shore. One of the unique beauties of North Captiva Island is that there are no hotels. Rent North Captiva Island beach house rentals or North Captiva Island Florida vacation rentals.
Futuro House at 1304 Panferio Drive in Pensacola Beach resembles what was once considered futuristic architecture. Locals know the house as the “UFO house.” The house resembles a regular structure with a UFO-looking craft that landed on the roof. Finnish pop architect Matti Suuronen designed this private residence in the late 1960s using plastic and [...] [...more]
Futuro House at 1304 Panferio Drive in Pensacola Beach resembles what was once considered futuristic architecture. Locals know the house as the “UFO house.” The house resembles a regular structure with a UFO-looking craft that landed on the roof. Finnish pop architect Matti Suuronen designed this private residence in the late 1960s using plastic and fiberglass. Reports on the number of these that were built, range from 20 to 100. The UFO house even has an airplane-hatch entrance. It is plenty sturdy, too. Since its construction in the late 1960s, the UFO house has toughed-out several storms and hurricanes.
Many people travel to Florida for beach vacations or theme-park resort visits. If you are planning to visit Florida vacation rentals and are in search of something different or somewhat untraditional, below are a few suggestions. 1. Tour dry Caves Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna in Northwest Florida is one of the few U.S. parks and the [...] [...more]
Many people travel to Florida for beach vacations or theme-park resort visits. If you are planning to visit Florida vacation rentals and are in search of something different or somewhat untraditional, below are a few suggestions.
1. Tour dry Caves
Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna in Northwest Florida is one of the few U.S. parks and the only Florida park to offer tours of an air-filled cave. Native Americans used the cave for shelter for thousands of years.
2. Sleep Under the Sea
You can spend the night in Jules Underwater Lodge, an authentic underwater research habitat in Key Largo. The lodge offers three-day scuba diver certification classes during your stay. The accommodation is located in a mangrove lagoon.
3. Swim with Manatees
The only place is the U.S. where it is legal to swim with manatees is in Florida’s very own Crystal River. If you would rather watch, observe the manatees from Homosassa Springs. They say that the best time to swim with the manatees is in the winter when the come in search of warm waters.
4. Canoe Search for Shark Teeth
For 12 years in a row, the Peace River in Arcadia, Florida has been voted Florida’s best river/lake to canoe. The abundance of shark teeth in the river has initiated a common challenge to find as many shark teeth as possible on a canoe ride.
5. Art and Nature As One
The Cummer Museum of Art & Garden in Jacksonville, one of today’s largest collections of fine arts in Northeast Florida, originated as a collection of 60 fine art pieces in 1961. The 2.5-acre historic gardens of a 1903 residence flourish along the St. Johns River.
6. Bioluminescent Kayaking
Natural bioluminescent organisms in the lagoon of the Merrit Island National Wildfire Refuge make the waves take on a blue-green glowing light that resembles an undersea fire. This activity in Titusville is definitely something different. All things underwater from fish to your own hand will glow. Kayak tours are offered between summer and early fall.
7. Visit a Reconstructed Mission Site
Mission San Luis in Tallahassee is the only reconstructed mission site in the state. While you are there, visit the Spanish fort and the Franciscan Mission Church.
8. Reptile World
Reptile World in Serpentarium, St. Cloud is a working snake farm where poisonous snakes are milked for venom used for the purpose of medicine and herpetological research.
Florida travel is known for its wide variety of attractions, entertainment and panorama. The consistently warm and sunny weather is great for outdoor Florida travel activities. While Florida may not have mountainous Florida hiking trails, it does offer an array of different types of Florida hiking trails. You can catch a glimpse of some gorgeous [...] [...more]
Florida travel is known for its wide variety of attractions, entertainment and panorama. The consistently warm and sunny weather is great for outdoor Florida travel activities. While Florida may not have mountainous Florida hiking trails, it does offer an array of different types of Florida hiking trails. You can catch a glimpse of some gorgeous vistas and experience a number of different ecosystems from pine forests to prairies. There are Florida hiking trails of all lengths and intensity levels. Take a 5 minute walk or hikes that last a whole day.
Some of the Florida hiking trails may require permits. The FNST, a trail under construction from Big Cypress Preserver to the Panhandle, is a 1,300 mile trail special for longer trips. For more information on that Florida hiking trail, contact the Florida Trail Association at 1-800-343-1662 or www.florida-trail.org.
Find accommodations and Florida vacation rentals near any of the best Florida hiking trails. Ask your travel agency or Florida vacation rental agency where are the best places to go hiking in Florida.
Important necessities for Florida hiking trails:
• Sun block
• Bug spray (particularly in the summer months)
• Drinking water
• Proper gear
• Information and conditions on the trail
Following are some of the top Florida hiking trails. Take a look at the Florida Guide for additional trails:
1. Ocala National Forest, Ocala, FL
2. Withlacoochee State Forest, Brooksville, FL
3. Kissimmee River National Scenic Trail, Lake Wales, FL
Some of the most remote hiking in Florida. 23 miles.
4. Blackwater River State Forest, Milton, FL
The largest of the Florida state forests. Hilly terrain and red soil.
5. Florida Trail - Ocala National Forest: Clearwater Lake to Juniper Springs, Umatilla, FL
24.7 miles.
6. Florida Trail - Ocala National Forest: Juniper Springs to Salt Springs Island, Ocala, FL
18.4 miles. Crosses the rugged Juniper Prairie Wilderness. Minimal maintenance.
7. Florida Trail - Ocala National Forest: Salt Springs Island to Rodman Dam, Ocala, FL
17.6 miles. Crosses over three “islands”: Kerr Island, Salt Springs Island and Riverside Island. These islands are surrounded soil, not water.
8. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Palm Beach, FL
14 miles. See red-cockaded woodpeckers, bald eagles, deer and wild hogs.
10. Turkey Lake Park Nature Trail, Orlando, FL
7 miles. A 300-acre park in a rural setting with picnic tables, barbecue grills, playgrounds, bike paths, swimming and an authentic farm with animals.
11. Along the Park Road - Everglades National Park, Miami, FL
Walk or drive the paved roads.
12. Apalachicola National Forest, Tallahassee, FL
Walk through the forest, you’ll pass through the habitat of about 10,000 deer, 2,000 turkeys and 175 black bear.
13. Myakka River State Park, Sarasota, FL
A 28,875-acre state park known for wildlife such as bald eagles, sandhill cranes, deer, turkey, ospreys, bobcats, otters, wild hogs, alligators and waterfowl.
14. The Flamingo Area - Everglades National Park, Flamingo, FL
Previously a fishing village only reachable by boat.
15. Econ Loop Trail, Geneva, FL
4.6 miles. Short for the Econlockhatchee River.
16. Disney Wilderness Preserve Loop and Interpretive Trails, Kissimmee, FL
3 miles. This 12,000-acre region (not-related to Disney World) is being returned to wetland conditions.
17. St. George Island, Apalachicola, FL
9 miles. Famous for white sand beaches and a fishery known for their oysters.
18. Dead River Trail, Temple Terrace, FL
2.5 miles. Runs along the Dead River.
19. Alderman’s Ford Park Loop, Lithia, FL
1.9 miles. One of Hillsborough County’s ELAPP sites. One portion is developed as a park but the majority of the area is still in its original condition.
20. Split Oak Forest Trails, Orlando, FL
A 1,700-acre forest adjacent to Moss Park and two picturesque lakes: Hart and Mary Jane and also to a very popular county park, Moss Park.
St Petersburg and Clearwater are located on a superb peninsula of the west coast of Florida where the white-sand beaches are pristine and clear. Every year, beaches in Florida receive awards and ranked as the nicest beaches in America. This part of Florida offers some of the nicest beaches in America. The Caladesi Beach in [...] [...more]
St Petersburg and Clearwater are located on a superb peninsula of the west coast of Florida where the white-sand beaches are pristine and clear. Every year, beaches in Florida receive awards and ranked as the nicest beaches in America. This part of Florida offers some of the nicest beaches in America. The Caladesi Beach in the Tampa Bay area was voted # 1 Beach in America by TripAdvisor in 2008 and The Fort de Soto Park, also in the Tampa Bay area, was voted the #1 Beach by TripAdvisor in America in 2005. This area has 35 miles of white, sandy, clear-water beaches and incredible sunsets. Visitors in Florida searching the guide of Florida for a beach vacation should definitely include St Petersburg and Clearwater in their itinerary.
According to the Travel Channel and our guide of Florida, the top ten beaches in Florida are as follows:
1. South Beach, Miami
2. Siesta Key Beach
3. Palm Beach
4. Lovers Key Beach
5. Clearwater Beach
6. Smathers Beach, Key West
7. Sanspur Beach, Bahia Honda State Park
8. Panama City Beach
9. Sanibel Island
10. Daytona Beach
Some portions of Florida highways have tolls which on average, cost about $1. Sometimes, you will get backed-up in traffic at these tolls. Florida travel guide suggests skipping the traffic and ordering a Florida Sunpass online at www.sunpass.com or at Publix Supermarkets and CVS pharmacies. Check the Miami City Guide for the stores closest to your [...] [...more]
Some portions of Florida highways have tolls which on average, cost about $1. Sometimes, you will get backed-up in traffic at these tolls. Florida travel guide suggests skipping the traffic and ordering a Florida Sunpass online at www.sunpass.com or at Publix Supermarkets and CVS pharmacies.
Check the Miami City Guide for the stores closest to your Florida vacation rental. The Florida Sunpass is a prepaid device that transmits a radio signal to sensors mounted in the toll lanes as you drive through. The toll amount (less 25%) is then automatically deducted from your prepaid account. A long beep will let you know that the transponder was recognized and the toll cost was successfully paid. A different signal can mean that your credit is about to expire and needs to be replenished, is defective or low on battery. If you pass the toll with a faulty or unreplenished Florida Sunpass, you can be charged a $100 violation fee.
If you are visiting Florida, you may notice a sign with a diamond symbol on several highways. These symbols represent HOV lanes. Florida HOV lanes are reserved for vehicles with more than one passenger. The purpose of Florida HOV lanes is to minimize negative effects from traffic on the environment as well as reduce traffic [...] [...more]
If you are visiting Florida, you may notice a sign with a diamond symbol on several highways. These symbols represent HOV lanes. Florida HOV lanes are reserved for vehicles with more than one passenger. The purpose of Florida HOV lanes is to minimize negative effects from traffic on the environment as well as reduce traffic on Florida highways.
In 2008, Miami-Dade replaced their Florida HOV lanes with 2 lanes restricted to registered car poolers driving in Florida or those driving in Florida that are willing to pay a toll. A Florida Sunpass (www.sunpass.com) is required by anyone who opts to take the toll.
The toll amount (less 25%) is automatically debited from your prepaid account every time you drive through the lane. Toll prices vary according to highway congestion. The more congested the highway, the higher the toll price. High Occupancy Tolls, also called HOT, are meant to ease traffic. The toll cost changes according to real time traffic conditions to keep traffic flowing and driving in Florida less stressful.
Sunpasses can be ordered online or can be purchased at Publix supermarkets or CVS pharmacies. It is a prepaid toll that you can get for $5. Violations of the HOT lanes will cost you a fine of $100.
Florida is a large state and vacationers enjoying travel in Florida may choose from several alternatives of travel between cities. They may rent a car, take a plane, train or use the bus services in Florida. The easiest way to travel in Florida is probably by car. The extensive road system is easy to navigate [...] [...more]
Florida is a large state and vacationers enjoying travel in Florida may choose from several alternatives of travel between cities. They may rent a car, take a plane, train or use the bus services in Florida. The easiest way to travel in Florida is probably by car. The extensive road system is easy to navigate and renting a car in Florida is affordable.
Flying is also an easy option to travel in Florida with the large network of Florida airports. Bus services in Florida are probably the cheapest way to travel in Florida. Greyhound bus lines (www.greyhound.com) maintain the most extensive network of lines within the US and Florida. Greyhound bus services in Florida allow vacationers to see all the routes and rates offered. The main Miami bus services in Florida terminal is located at 411 Northwest 27th Street Miami, FL. For more information on bus services in Florida, call Greyhound at 305-871-18 10.
Some Florida cities are introducing a new Florida radar system. The city of Surfside, just north of Miami Beach and south of Bal Harbour is one of the cities that has started implementing this new Florida radar system used to track speeders. As a tourist in Florida, it is impossible for you to be familiar [...] [...more]
Some Florida cities are introducing a new Florida radar system. The city of Surfside, just north of Miami Beach and south of Bal Harbour is one of the cities that has started implementing this new Florida radar system used to track speeders. As a tourist in Florida, it is impossible for you to be familiar with these spots so check with the Florida vacations guide to keep you up to speed. At this particular location, police vehicles are hidden in a parking lot located between 91st and 90th street on Harding Ave.
Their new Florida radar system is made up of a thin pole with a small radar on top. Unsuspecting drivers will likely not notice the new Florida radar system. Do not speed in areas where they have this new Florida radar system or you may be charged a fine or get penalized for a traffic violation. Police in Surfside have a small area to cover and are therefore readily present and quite aggressive. The same is said for cities like Bal Harbour and Bay Harbor. Read a Miami city guide thoroughly. If you speed, you are likely to get caught.
Drivers can avoid getting caught doing anything wrong by detecting police through the use of radar detectors in Florida. These devices are totally acceptable and legal for Florida drivers. In Europe, radar detectors are illegal and drivers caught with them risk the possibility of a heavy fine. The use of radar detectors in [...] [...more]
Drivers can avoid getting caught doing anything wrong by detecting police through the use of radar detectors in Florida. These devices are totally acceptable and legal for Florida drivers. In Europe, radar detectors are illegal and drivers caught with them risk the possibility of a heavy fine. The use of radar detectors in Florida helps detect nearby radars and laser guns. If you plan to rent a car in Florida and like to drive fast, you can make use of radar detectors in Florida for around $200. Find stores that sell electronics in the area by checking the Florida travel guide.
One of the best radar brands is http://www.escortradar.com/. These are portable radars that are so simple to set up that even a child could install them. When the use of radar detectors in Florida is near a radar or a laser gun, it will beep to caution you. At times, the use of radar detectors in Florida will pick up false signals but overall, radars are very useful devices. Find more information like this in the Miami city guide.
