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Articles for ‘Beach Vacation’ Category

Holiday travel in Ft. Lauderdale

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
up-north-033

Fort Lauderdale Beach off of Las Olas Boulevard

By John George

I’ve always had relatives in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and my family lived there in the early aughts. We are returning for a week around Christmas, and will definitely utilize the following tips to help make our trip go smoothly.

Find Appropriate Accommodations
We’re lucky enough to be staying with relatives this trip, but have spent enough time visiting to know some of the better hotel options that suit our needs. Our current favorites in town are the Marriott Harbor Beach and the Riverside Hotel—we used to love staying at Ireland’s Inn Beach Resort, but it closed two years ago for renovations and no new information is currently available. We have also used the Embassy Suites on the 17th Street Causeway; although this hotel is about two miles from the beach, the suite layout is very family friendly.

Pack for the Weather
December weather in southern Florida is definitely unpredictable. We’ve enjoyed marvelous beach time and also some chilly days in late December—and even early January (we, of course, console ourselves by remembering the weather back home up north. If you are planning on visiting before about mid-January, be sure to monitor weather conditions before packing for your trip. One year, we had some of our cousin’s visit for New Year and during their stay, the weather turned cool—shorts and tank tops gave way to jackets and sweaters. Good thing we were there to lend some clothes! (more…)

Posted in Beach Vacation, Family Travel, Florida Vacation, Holidays & Events, Orbitz Parent Panel | No Comments »

Top domestic beach vacations: Hilton Head and Amelia Island

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

By Lena Katz

With summer in the rearview mirror and Thanksgiving around the next curve, the landscape may look a little dreary to you these days. Maybe it’s time for a quick change of scenery. Quickie beach vacations, golf getaways or spa weekends are an easy way to perk up a blah autumn. Last installment was all about the Florida Keys—considered by many to be the ultimate Florida beach vacation spot. This time, we focus other domestic destinations: Hilton Head and Amelia Island on the western Florida coast.

Hilton Head

Hilton Head

Hilton Head

While Hilton Head Island has a storied history dating from Colonial times, it wasn’t until the 1950s when builders developed Sea Pines Resort that really transformed the island into a tourist destination. From the start, the intention was to maintain the simplicity and serenity of island life, while bringing in a range of high-end experiences and accommodations that could satisfy wealthy clientele. Today, the island has 24 golf courses, including Harbour Town Golf Links which hosts an annual PGA tournament. Apart from this it remains fairly pristine: Bike trails wind around groves of 100-year-old trees, while inlets and slow-moving creeks offer kayak fishing. People walk out to meet the incoming fishing boats in the harbor daily, selecting fresh catch to bring home and grill up, or eating at one of the waterfront restaurants.

Located in the Low Country coastal area, this is part of the Sea Islands system. It’s a quick drive from Savannah/Hilton Head airport, though it’s actually across the state line in South Carolina. At four hours’ driving distance from Charlotte and Atlanta, it’s a popular weekend getaway for residents of those cities as well as people flying in from the Midwest. Many of the big hotel chains have a presence here. Marriott Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa recently completed a revamp and opened a new spa with 15 treatment rooms. The Westin is a frontrunner as far as spa goes: the chain’s Heavenly Spa program, which draws upon indigenous ingredients from whichever region the spas are located, has a variety of inspirations to work with on this Low Country island. Signatures are the indigo massage and sweet grass wrap and—for people coming in with stiff shoulders after a day on the greens—a heated golf ball massage. For anyone who prefers to experience all the island’s dining and shopping, the Holiday Inn is right across from Coligny Plaza, which boasts more than 60 shops and restaurants. (more…)

Posted in Beach Vacation, Family Travel, Florida Vacation, Spa Vacation, Sports Travel | No Comments »

Clearwater, FL home to the 2009 Foster Grant Ironman

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

By Joanna Citarella

On November 14 more than 1,800 athletes (plus myself and countless other spectators) will converge on Clearwater Beach for the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship triathlon.

The start of the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship

The start of the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship

This race is the real deal, the holy grail of triathlons and the stakes are high with a purse of $100,000 split between the top 10 athletes. Participants will travel from all over the world and must complete a 1.2-mile swim in the Gulf of Mexico, a 56-mile bike ride through Pinellas County and 13.1-mile run through downtown Clearwater and the neighboring beach communities—all within 8 hours.

Admittedly this does sound like hard work, and not for everyone, but as I pondered my own upcoming Clearwater vacation (and by the way, the fall is a great time to visit Clearwater with average temperatures in the high 70- to low 80-degree range—perfect for enjoying the great outdoors) I thought it might be useful to share a few suggestions that will hopefully inspire you should you decide to reconnect with your inner athlete on your next vacation (yes, there is one hidden inside each of us!).

Swimming, skimming and sailing
The award-winning beaches of Clearwater and St. Petersburg, lend themselves to a little more than just sunbathing and paddling. Year round, the Gulf of Mexico enjoys warm and generally calm waters—excellent for a family vacation. The translucent waters of Caladesi Island State Park are great for swimming, and at Fort Desoto Park, there are two well-marked swimming beaches. While the gentle swells of the Gulf of Mexico aren’t entirely conducive with traditional surfing, there is plenty on offer for the water sports enthusiast. Children spend endless hours skimming on boards along the shallows, and for the more daring, kite surfing is extremely popular. If you want to venture a little further offshore, try your hand at sailing, with several schools in the area offering everything from basic skills training to advanced certification. (more…)

Posted in Beach Vacation, Family Travel, Florida Vacation, Sports Travel | No Comments »

The inside scoop on Florida Keys vacations

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

By Lena Katz

It’s sunset in Key West, and as usual, at least three people in Mallory Square are playing with fire. One’s juggling it, one’s dancing with it, and the third seems to be ready to eat it. A few yards away, a man in a straitjacket and chains hangs upside down above an excited crowd.

Mallory Square, Sunset Celebration. Photo by Gary Sibley

Mallory Square, Sunset Celebration. Photo by Gary Sibley

Oblivious to the street theater, German tourists push forward to the seawall, straining to snap photos of the sunset over the ocean. A cruise ship looms large on the horizon, with a few sailboats floating serenely in the mist. Even though autumn’s officially started, this town is eternally on a beach holiday—as are all of the Florida Keys. It’s one of several island clusters that offer Midwest and East Coast residents an easy golf getaway, fishing trip, spa weekend…not quite a full vacation, but enough to tide you over till the holidays.

The Florida Keys are just a half-hour jaunt from Miami, but many of its return guests are from Indianapolis and Ohio, Chicago and Boston…chilly cities that excel at business, but have forgotten how to relax. With mile after mile of peaceful, barely trafficked islands connected by narrow bridges and populated mostly by birds, the Keys literally offers a journey into to serenity.

The uppermost island, Key Largo, is the busiest except for Key West. Dozens of fishing expeditions and dive boats go in and out daily, the fishing boats in search of tarpon and bonefish (catch-and-release only), and the dive boats cruising to the offshore coral reef.  It’s hard to choose between the many boat operators, but locals recommend Florida Keys Outfitters for fishing. Atlantis Dive Center is a hugely popular snorkel/dive boat operator—founder Spencer Slate’s shtick involves feeding moray eels chunks of fish from his mouth (he used to do barracuda till one of the fish chomped his mask off). (more…)

Posted in Beach Vacation, Florida Vacation, Holidays & Events, Miami Vacation, Spa Vacation, Travel Tips | No Comments »

Orbitz blogger to appear at West Hollywood Book Fair

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

Gonna be in Los Angeles this weekend?

Orbitz travel blogger Lena Katz

Orbitz travel blogger Lena Katz

Orbitz weekly blogger Lena Katz is  signing copies of “Travel Temptations SIP, SUN, SNOW” at West Hollywood Book Fair this Sunday, October 4th. Find her  in the West Hollywood Writes tent OR at the Barnes & Noble booth from noon to 3:00 p.m.

Or if you want to find out how you can snag a travel writing gig of your very own, stop by Lena’s free writing workshop from 3:30-5:oo p.m. in the Writing Room. Entitled “A Sense of Place,” it covers everything from pitching to interviewing to, you guessed it, blogging.

Get more info at:
http://www.westhollywoodbookfair.org/schedule/writing-workshops-schedule/

If you can’t make it, check out Lena’s books at:

Posted in Beach Vacation, Books, California Vacation, Food & Wine, Freebies & Discounts | No Comments »

Hawaii hotel highlights: What’s new on the islands

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

Hawaii vacations

A hula performance during Aloha Festivals.

By Lena Katz

When the rest of the world decides it’s time to go back to work, Hawaii throws a month-long party. Truth. The annual Aloha Festivals brings live performances, arts and crafts, traditional costumes and cultural pride to the islands. Not to mention, the biggest block party of the year (Saturday, September 19 at 7 p.m. on Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki). The theme of Aloha Festivals 2009 is “Hula, Let the Story be Told.” And in keeping, the theme of this blog is “Hotels, Let the Story Be Told,” in honor of Hawaii’s hotel brands — their Aloha spirit, their hardworking staff, and the hospitality they show millions of visitors on Hawaii vacations each year.

(more…)

Posted in Beach Vacation, Family Travel, Hawaii Vacation, Romance | No Comments »

Puerto Rico blends exotic and familiar for vacation fun

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

Flamenco Beach (Photo: Lena Katz)

Flamenco Beach (Photo: Lena Katz)

By Lena Katz

You don’t exactly swim in the limpid blue-green sea off the shore of Puerto Rico’s famous Flamenco Beach; you bob like a cork. The warm, calm water and soft sand make this one of the most swimmable beaches in the Western Hemisphere — and hardly trafficked compared with others of its stature. This is only one of many surprises that make Puerto Rico one of America’s favorite Caribbean vacation destinations.

(more…)

Posted in Beach Vacation, Caribbean Vacation, Food & Wine, Gambling Vacation, Nightlife | No Comments »

Advantages of off-peak travel

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

By Mark Verone

“Back to school” is music to the ears of many parents dreaming of getting back into a normal schedule. For us, “back to school” means family vacations with fewer crowds, shorter lines, less people and great travel deals. As parents of a non-school-age toddler, we find that travel is more enjoyable during off-peak periods.

Over the past two years, we have planned several family vacations during off-peak periods, and we’ve had the luxury of having pools, beaches and resorts all to ourselves. We know that in a few years we will be fighting the crowds during school break periods with so many other families, which is why we are taking advantage of our situation now and traveling as much as we can before our son starts going to school.

Traveling off peak has many advantages.

(more…)

Posted in Beach Vacation, Caribbean Vacation, Disney Vacation, Family Travel, Orbitz Parent Panel, Travel Tips | No Comments »

New boutique hotels spice up California vacation scene

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Los Angeles hotels

Hotel Erwin

By Lena Katz

When choosing a place to hang my traveler’s hat for the night, I’ve always been a fan of the boutique and the unique. Which is yet another reason I love California: So many California hotels are designed to bring a sense of place: the sunny-chic Los Angeles hotels on the beach, the cool blue Tahoe mountain resort, the little city-slicker hideaway in the heart of San Francisco. Encouragingly, California continues to see its independent hotels and small hotel chains expand, with many new openings and revamps to announce this summer.

Joie de Vivre Hotels has always been a favorite in its home city of San Francisco. But recently, the medium-sized chain known for mid-priced boutique hotels has gone luxe and moved into So Cal in a major way. The Hotel Erwin raises the bar for Venice lodgings, but with a wink to Muscle Beach’s tattooed-and-funky urban edge. The guest rooms feature pop-art furniture and rock star photos.
(more…)

Posted in Beach Vacation, California Vacation, Romance, Travel News | No Comments »

Top 10 Labor Day weekend vacation destinations

Monday, August 24th, 2009

Las Vegas hotelsIf you want to ditch the backyard bbq and have a travel adventure this Labor Day weekend, we have good news. Average hotel rates are lower than last year, so pack your bags and take advantage of the top 10 Labor Day travel deals.

Labor Day in Las Vegas
If you’d rather spend money on the slots than on a place to rest your head, rejoice in knowing that Las Vegas hotels are number one on the 2009 Orbitz Insider Index. The average Las Vegas hotel rate this Labor Day is $108, down $28 from last year.

Labor Day is just another excuse to party in Las Vegas. For the best in the club scene, check out PURE, LAX and Christian Audigier. Labor Day weekend is also jam packed with performances. Check out Zumanity, the “sensual side of Cirque du Soleil,” or Lance Burton, a Las Vegas master of magic.

Labor Day in New York City
With New York hotels an average of $54 cheaper than last year, New York City is a great place to spend Labor Day weekend. The first Labor Day Parade was held in New York City on September 5, 1882, and the parade tradition continues today. This year the parade will held on September 12, 2009, and will feature trade union members, high school bands, politicians, police and fire departments, and more.

Looking for other Labor Day weekend vacation ideas? The Orbitz Insider Index highlights the busiest destinations based on hotel bookings on Orbitz for September 4-7.

Destination Avg. Daily Rate 2009
1. Las Vegas, NV $108
2. New York, NY $191
3. Cancun, Mexico $151
4. Honolulu, HI $111
5. Chicago, IL $127
6. Atlanta, GA $121
7. San Francisco, CA $142
8. Seattle, WA $118
9. San Diego, CA $195
10. Paris, France $164

Related Orbitz resources:

Posted in Beach Vacation, California Vacation, Chicago Vacation, Europe Vacation, Family Travel, Hawaii Vacation, Holidays & Events, Las Vegas Vacation, Mexico Vacation, New York Vacation, Top 10 Lists | No Comments »

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