My son is still too young (under a year) to go to Disney World in Orlando but I’m sure it will be on the list of places to go once he is old enough.  I have only been once and that was in high school on a spring break trip to the Orlando - Daytona area.  Walt Disney has always seemed to shine very bright through generations past and onward into the future.

One must check out the Blue Man Group and attend a show to experience the vivid colors and wild imagination of the three blue guys that put together an awesome performance.  These guys have a GRAMMY nomination they are so talented.  They go all over the world to perform their wild and lavish acts.  The show is recommended for kids age 3 and up so the whole family can enjoy a night out seeing the Blue Man Group.

The Magic Kingdom at Disney World was my favorite amusement park to visit some 20 years ago.  The Mad Tea Party and Space Mountain are some of the older rides at Magic Kingdom whereas now, kids have Pirates of the Caribbean and Monsters Inc. rides and attractions.  One can find lodging inside and outside the park so there are plenty of options.  If one prefers renting a vacation home over staying in a hotel room that can easily be arranged.  Lodging packages are available all throughout the year since Orlando is year-round destination.  

Seaworld is a must see also while in Orlando.  I have personally been to the one out in San Diego and had a great time so I can imagine the venue in Orlando is pretty awesome just because of all of the surrounding attractions.  Nearby Orlando is Daytona Beach which is home to the famous Daytona 500 NASCAR race and is a very popular vacation destination.  Where else can one drive their car on the beach and enjoy 23 miles of sandy beach to play on.

One attraction that seems to be worth checking out is called “Medieval Times” which is a dinner attraction and tournament.  There are nine castles that have been made to show 11th Century performances with knights jousting on horseback while the audience sits down to a 4 course dinner.  The castles are spread throughout the entire U.S. and Canada.  The castle near Orlando is the Kissimmee Castle that even has a medieval village with 8 cottages.  So, if you want to see some knights jousting on horses and not have to go back in time then this is the place!

Orlando is much more than Disney World as one can see and all of the attractions are specifically designed to attract all ages so nobody is left out.  So, after your kids are done with Disney there is much more to do and experience in Orlando.  Plan a trip anytime!

Blue Man Group Tour – Splashing Drums by Anirudh Koul

Magic Kingdom Fireworks by d4rr3ll

SeaWorld – Shamu Show by hyku

Medieval Times by cliff1066

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Growing up in Georgia the closest beach for our family was Destin, Florida by choice.  We could have gone to Panama City or even St. Simon on the Georgia coast but my mom and dad took us to Destin first and we went back again and again.  Now that I’m older and love to fish I would jump at the chance to get back down to the Gulf and enjoy a fishing vacation.

Destin has a annual fishing rodeo that is held every October and lasts all month and anyone can participate.  The Gulf waters off of Destin produce some of the best fishing around.  From Marlin and Sailfish to Snapper and Grouper to Hammerhead Shark, the Gulf is alive with sport fish.  There are many charter boats that you can find to go fish for the 1/2 day, full day, and even night.

Where there is great fishing there is great eating!  They go hand in hand in most cases and Destin sure has it covered.  When there is a plethora of seafood to be harvested and eaten you can find great local restaurants that incorporate seafood in just about every thing that you can sink your mouth into.  Tuna, crab, calamari, shrimp, oysters, mahi-mahi, grouper and amberjack all can be served to you fresh daily.  Fine dining can also be experienced during your stay in Destin.  Other restauranteurs have blended other styles like Louisiana Cajun into their seafood delectable dishes.

Destin has definitely grown since the late 70’s and 80’s since I have been there.  The lodging options are immense and range all over the board for what you expect for your Desitn vacation.  You can choose to rent a luxury vacation home for privacy and space or opt for one of the many hotels that spread up and down the beach.  From condos and townhomes to homes you can find a vacation rental on the beach or just steps away. 

Vacationing to Florida includes a lot of happening cities and attractions like Miami and Disney World so do not forget about the other side of the panhandle where Destin resides and beautiful beaches and great fishing abound.

Destin Beach photo courtesy of FlyGuy92586

Fishing in Destin photo courtesy of babasteve

Stone Crab Claws photo courtesy of cayobo

As I personally grew up in the south (Georgia) my family went to Destin, Florida just about every summer for a week on the beach. With white beaches and clear blue water, Destin is a major destination (no pun intended…) for southerners as well as tourists from all over the world. The Emerald Coast as it’s known as offers the vacationing visitor all of the activities that one can expect when going to the beach.

During the whole month of October is the Destin Fishing Rodeo where anyone can sign-up, go out on a registered boat (private or charter), fish and get their catch weighed for free at a local seafood establishment. There are over 30,000 anglers who compete for over $100,000 in cash and prizes. Just about every kind of gamefish can be caught in the waters off of Destin, Florida. From Mackerel to the mighty Marlin, all fish are recognized for the tournament. There are many choices when it comes to lodging in Destin. One can stay in a luxury vacation rental, hotel, all-inclusive resort, motel and even “rough it” by going camping. Whether you are right on the beach or close by, everything is convenient to the strip of Destin.If you are looking for some fun on the water, like parasailing, check out the many options Destin has to offer. Destin is the place for family activities as well. Kids can enjoy riding in go-karts, bumper boats, playing mini-golf, and playing video games in the arcade.

Destin has their own “Seaworld”, you might say, called “Gulfarium” which is a marine show aquarium where one can have a “meet and greet” with dolphins as well as participate in educational camps to learn about marine life.

Whether you are looking to just hang out on the beach or get out there on the ocean, Destin has everything to offer its’ visitors. Come and see for yourselves why they call Destin the “Emerald Coast” of Florida.

Fishing in Destin by genetew

Destin Beach by joojanta

Parasailing in Destin by gobucks2

Are you tired of the crowds and high rise developments along the beach? Do you long for a quiet stretch of white sand where you can relax in solitude? Then, travel to The Forgotten Coast of Florida for the beach vacation of your dreams.

The Forgotten Coast is the area in the crook of the Florida panhandle (also know as the Big Bend) that spans the pristine coastline from St Marks Lighthouse on the east to Mexico Beach on the west. Along the way are Port St Joe, Cape San Blas, Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Eastpoint, St George Island, Lanark Village and other obscure small towns and barrier islands.

This region is famous (but not too famous!) for its fresh seafood. The Annual Florida Seafood Festival is held in Apalachicola at the beginning of each November. Other yearly feasts include the Apalachicola Downtown Oyster Roast, the Oyster Spat Festival on St George Island, a Low Country Shrimp Boil near Simmons Bayou, the Stone Crab Festival in St Marks and the Mighty Mullet Maritime Festival in Panacea. In addition, nearly every local festival offers plenty of fresh seafood options to attendees.

These downhome celebrations are absolutely the best way to enjoy the local harvest from the sea. Along with regional favorites, you’ll get to try recipes rarely found in restaurants and talk to the people who catch and prepare fish and shellfish as part of their daily routine.

Flounder, grouper, mackerel and snapper and many other delicious species are abundant in the brackish estuaries, the protected waters of Apalachicola Bay and the expansive Gulf of Mexico. Booking a day on a local charter fishing boat makes it easy to catch your own “mess of fish” for dinner.

So, if just plain relaxing and dining on prime seafood top your list of things to do on a Florida beach vacation, take off your shoes, put on your bib and go directly to the Forgotten Coast.

I’m not a huge golfer, I haven’t ever understood the lure of chasing that little white ball around the lawn - but there are those in my family that are addicts.  Every time we talk vacation we have to talk golf courses.  I don’t really whine much about it because I know that’s prime beach and shopping time for me. 

We were researching a vacation to Florida last year - and I wrote some on shelling in the Marco Island areaand ran across the information on golf on the Paradise Coast.  For those of you who dont know, the Paradise coast encompasses Naples, Marco Island and part of the Everglades along the southwestern coast.

The golf information wasnt hard to find.  I found a good site called “Marco Island Golf” that outlined all of the courses on Marco Island and in nearby Naples, FL.  This little stretch of coast is home to no less than SEVENTEEN public and private courses:

•  Hideaway Beach Golf Course (Marco Island)
•  Island Country Club (Marco Island)
•  Cedar Hammock Golf &Country Club (Naples)
•  Eagle Creek Golf Club (Naples)
•  Eagle Lakes Golf Club (Naples)
•  Flamingo Island Golf Course ( Naples)
•  Forest Glen (Naples)
•  Hibiscus Golf Club (Naples)
•  High Point Country Club (Naples)
•  Lely Resort, Mustang Course ( Naples)
•  Links of Naples (Naples)
•  Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club (Naples)
•  Quality Inn & Golf Resort (Naples)
•  Riviera Golf Club Naples (Naples)
•  Royal Woods (Naples)
•  The Rookery Golf Club, (Naples)
•  Valencia Golf and Country Club (Naples)

That’s a phenomenal amount of golf - which translates into a ton of shopping and beach-combing for me! Some of these courses are private, or semi-private - so visit the links provided to find out more about your options.

egret photo courtesy dobak
golf photo courtesy shayan