Living in the rainy Pacific Northwest, I would love it if there were some sort of no-rain guarantee that would give me money back if it rained during my vacation. Since I get more than enough of the wet stuff right here at home, when I go on vacation I’m usually seeking the sunshine and a much needed escape from the grey. Well, it turns out I’m now in luck if I book a vacation through Cheap Caribbean they are now offering their SPF 100 Protection Plan that guarantees I get ... [read more]

Among the many reasons why you shouldn’t move to Florida: alligators, mosquitos, sink holes, hurricanes, people who drive with their left turn signal constantly on, the preponderance of blue hair, OJ Simpson lives there, Don Johnson, the 2000 presidential election and drive-in liquor stores.

The argument in favor of moving to Florida: sunshine.

If you are someone who can live with the unpleasant other things, but can’t live without sunshine then Florida has your name written all over it. Perhaps you aren’t thinking about moving there, but a visit is what you have in ... [read more]

In our never-ending search to find unusual cruise itineraries we’ve come across this one. It is a 16-day voyage aboard Costa Cruise Lines‘ Costa Magica. Unlike those other boring old cruises that simply go from Florida to the Bahamas, this one is not content to just end there. No, this is a cruise for the adventurer. It is a cruise for people who like to spend time at sea. It is a cruise for the ocean-tested souls amongst us. It is a cruise to Copenhagen, Denmark ... [read more]

For as long as I have been in the business of finding cheap cruise deals — seemingly an eternity — this one might be the one that offers the most value for the dollar. It is a 13-day cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norweigan Crown. The voyage goes from Valparaiso, Chile to Miami, Florida via the Panama Canal. The cost for an inside cabin? A mere $600. That is how much you might pay for a quick cruise through the Panama Canal, not one of this length ... [read more]

Did you know that Miami is a Spring Break hot spot this year? Neither did I until I received no less than four emails from various travel companies proclaiming it as the place to be during those crazy weeks of beer funnels, bikinis, and debauchery. Sounds thrilling, right?

Even if the college party scene isn’t your cup of tea, Miami is still a killer place to visit. It has easy access to some wonderful beaches, it is the epicenter of Latin culture in the United States, the Cuban restaurants are simply ... [read more]

If you ever want to feel like an old curmudgeon, head to an amusement park. Between the $6 soft drinks, $30 stuffed animals and gazillion dollar admission prices amusement parks are a far cry from the affordable family fun that they used to be in the “good old days.”

The parks these days, however, can still be fun, you just need to learn how to play the system so that you only getting mildly fleeced instead of fully robbed. For example, if you spend a week in Orlando and you pay full ... [read more]

On the surface you would be hard pressed to find similarities between Miami, Florida and London, England. One is modern sleek, the other is old Europe sheik. One is filled with sunny day after sunny day, the other sees more than enough of its gloomy gray days. One is located on the ocean, the other is located on a river. One is a city of cars, the other is a city of double deck buses and the tube.

On the surface Miami and London might not share a ... [read more]

We’re all going to be hearing quite a bit about Miami, Florida this week as the inevitable hype that surrounds the Super Bowl reaches epic proportions. Sporting event or no sporting event, Miami is a fascinating city that blends a wide variety of cultures to create its own look and its own feel.

Miami also happens to be a fairly popular port of call for cruise ships and it is especially useful when sailing the eastern Caribbean. Carnival Cruise Lines has a winner of a deal on a 7-night cruise aboard ... [read more]

If you want to earn brownie points for life from your children, tell them you are taking them to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. After the screaming subsides and the hugs come to an end, you’ll want to start looking around for ways that the whole family can enjoy a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth.

One popular option for both kids and adults alike is to combine a trip to the Mouse Trap with a cruise. Orlando is about an hour away from Cape Canaveral, a popular departing port for ... [read more]

One minute you will be walking down Fifth Avenue the next you will be walking on the beach. Norwegian Cruise Line makes it possible through a fabulous 6-night cruise on the Norwegian Spirit. You’ll leave Manhattan in a New York minute and after a day at sea to enjoy all of the great amenities aboard the Spirit you will finds yourself in Port Canaveral, Florida.

Spend the day walking on the beach or take some time to explore NASA’s headquarters. If you are really lucky, you’ll be there when there is ... [read more]

• Clearwater
• Cocoa Beach
• Daytona Beach
• Fort Lauderdale
• Fort Myers
• Hollywood
• Key West
• Marco Island
• Miami
• Orlando
• Palm Beach
• Sanibel Island
• Sarasota
• St. Petersburg
• Tampa

Clearwater Beach is a vacationer’s paradise. Wiggle sugary sand between your toes … let a breeze propel you through the water on a sailboard or catamaran or reel in the catch of a lifetime. In addition to some of the most beautiful, broad beaches on Florida’s Gulf Coast, you’ll find all the water-oriented recreation you can imagine and lots of outdoor activities in the Clearwater area. Besides jet skis, water bikes and parasails, at the Clearwater Beach Marina you can rent boats for everything from a relaxing sail to a deep sea fishing ... [read more]

Approximately 50 miles from the Orlando airport, Cocoa Beach is one of the more affordable vacation havens, where the choices are endless. Relax on the soft sands of Cocoa Beach, go deep-sea fishing in the Atlantic or explore ancient cypress forests by airboat. Spend a peaceful evening watching the sun set on the Indian or Banana Rivers, and then head out to the exciting nightlife scene. Excellent restaurants and accommodations range from elegant to sand-in-your-shoes casual. Nearby, in Cocoa, shop in the charming boutiques of Historic Cocoa Village or one of the expansive ... [read more]

Enjoy everything from surf and sun to exciting attractions in Daytona Beach, one of Florida’s most versatile vacation spots. If you dream of riding the waves, Daytona Beach is the right place. The smooth sand and Atlantic surf combine to make this one of the premier surfing spots on the East Coast. In addition to surfing, you’ll find a host of water activities including jet skiing, windsurfing, boating, and parasailing. For a more tranquil outing, take one of the leisurely boat rides available in the area.

This gateway to Central Florida draws in ... [read more]

Greater Fort Lauderdale is a place of contrasts, where modest beach hotels vie with elegant seaside resorts.

What to do with your carefree days in this sun-drenched paradise? You might watch open-mouthed as a Seminole Indian wrestles an alligator into submission at the in-city Seminole Reservation. Or immerse yourself in the enormous Swimming Hall of Fame Olympic swimming complex frequented by local young Olympians-to-be. Or charter a deep-sea fishing boat. Or maybe just hop a water taxi and see where you end up.

If you’re lucky enough to visit during the winter holidays, check ... [read more]

Fort Myers enjoys a reputation as Florida’s fun center. With activities including golf, tennis, scuba diving, snorkeling and more, it’s easy to see why. Visitors to Fort Myers can also visit Edison’s winter home, which is shaded by Florida’s largest banyan tree; and the winter home of Edison’s former next door neighbor, Henry Ford.

If you want to relax, search out nearby spas with amenteties such as massages, whilpools, saunas, facials, wraps, scrubs, yoga, personal trainers and more. Of course, there’s always the white sandy beach, vibrant sun and cool, clear water as well.

For ... [read more]

Not to be confused with the big-city, glitzy tinseltown of the same name, Hollywood, Florida is located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. It boasts five miles of protected beach along the translucent waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Hollywood is a recreational magnet and residential haven. The world-famous Boardwalk provides beach-goers with a place to stroll, bicycle or skate and take in the beautiful setting of its most precious natural resource…the beach. It’s the perfect location for the nearby Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum. If you want a crack at a ... [read more]

A necklace of islands that begin just south of Miami, the Florida Keys are connected by the Overseas Highway’s 42 bridges one seven miles long over the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The area is divided into five regions: Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key and Key West. Most dive and snorkeling vacations center around Key Largo, Big Pine Key and Key West. The area offers a number of animal-based attractions including Wild Bird Sanctuary, Dolphin Research Center and sunset snorkeling cruises.

Key West, the nation’s southernmost ... [read more]

Just a stone’s throw away from the elegant city of Naples, Marco Island offers serene, tropical pleasures. It is located in the vibrant blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida and is the largest of the state’s ten thousand islands. Nature is showcased at its finest here, sharing the beachfront with luxurious resorts. Shadows of bald eagles and ospreys glide over sugary white beaches as these stunning creatures search for unsuspecting fish. These and scores of other bird species are protected on Marco Island as well. Relax on the sun-kissed shores ... [read more]

Miami’s enchantment lies along its palm-fringed boulevards and in pastel buildings that reverberate with Latin rhythms. Miami Beach offers ten miles of spectacular white sand, dynamic South Beach, the Art Deco District and lively Ocean Drive, where strollers, bicyclists and skaters converge for good times. Other reasons to celebrate Miami include delicious dining from seafood to Cuban cuisine, endless shopping venues and legendary nightlife that lasts until dawn, especially in South Beach. Other attractions include water sports, jai alai, museums, the Miami Sea aquarium, the Metro zoo and even an ancient Spanish monastery. ... [read more]

Central Florida is the world’s top tourist destination and is set to stay that way. Its success is a result of a number of factors including year-round sunshine, world-class attractions, relaxed atmosphere, superb beaches, great service, good food, fascinating wildlife and spectacular value. The popularity of Central Florida is best illustrated by the millions of people who go back year after year. There is always something new or different to see, and you would have to spend a lifetime of holidays there to fully experience everything it has to offer.

Orlando ... [read more]

Named after the abundant palm trees that lean and wave across the blue sky, Palm Beach is a barrier island of great beauty and elegance. Located on Florida’s Gold Coast, the treasures of Palm Beach are easily apparent. And, much to the delight of visitors, the area’s riches keep on growing. The county currently has more than 160 golf courses, making it the Florida’s Golf Capital, with a wide variety of classes, lessons and courses available for every golfer. If you prefer to swing a racket instead, book a lesson at the ... [read more]

Experience Florida “the way it used to be” with unspoiled beaches, crystal blue waters and a quiet, unhurried pace. The shores of Sanibel Island are lined with exotic seashells, making this one of the most renowned areas in the world for shelling. Walk along the waterfront as lush foliage and coconut palms sway behind you. Squint into the setting sun and observe pelicans, sandpipers and herons in search of supper. The lighthouse, Point Ybel Light, at Lighthouse Beach has stood since 1884, when the entire island was a nature preserve. There is still ... [read more]

Sarasota, Florida is known as “The Cultural Coast of Florida” for good reason. Aside from having the most beautiful beach in the world, Sarasota boasts over 100 art galleries, world class ballet, opera, music, films, and museums. This playground has ample shopping, sunbathing, dining and swimming opportunities. Sarasota is also the site of the nation’s first golf course, built in 1885. The Crowley Museum and Nature Center documents this and other pioneering efforts in the area. Check out the Historic Spanish Point to view gardens, archaeological exhibits and a well-preserved homestead. ... [read more]

The St. Petersburg/Clearwater area is sometimes called Florida’s sunshine capital because it boasts an amazing 361 sunny days a year. In fact, it was once written up in the Guinness World Book of Records for having the most consecutive days of sunshine. Clearwater Beach is upbeat and tropical and offers a huge, white sand beach along with a nightly sunset celebration on Pier 60 with entertainers and food vendors. Minutes inland, the city of St. Petersburg is home to many art galleries, antique shops and museums, including the Florida International Museum, now home to ... [read more]

The warm waters, golden sands and year round sunshine of the Central Gulf Coast make the Tampa area an ideal holiday location. It is an area steeped in rich history and tales of the pirates and buried treasure abound. It is an area that caters to all tastes. The beaches, sea and attractions make it ideal for families. The wealth of open-air activities have earned it the title ‘World Capital of Sport’ and at night there is wining, dining and dancing and a host of other entertainments to attract you, ... [read more]