Orbitz Blog

Articles for ‘Florida Vacation’ Category

Get 15% off Super Bowl tickets

Friday, January 29th, 2010
football

Get 15% off Super Bowl tickets on tickets.orbitz.com. Catch all the gridiron action in Miami, as the New Orleans Saints take on the Indianapolis Colts on February 7, 2010.

Use promotion code SUPERBOWL15 by February 7, 2010. That’s right, the day of the big game.

Plus, don’t forget to check out our deals on Miami vacation packages and hotels.

Terms & Conditions
The promotion code can be entered at time of check out on tickets.orbitz.com only. The 15% discount applies only to the subtotal. The 15% discount does not apply to any shipping charges or fees. The promotion code is valid through February 7, 2010. Promotion codes can only be used once with each purchase. Discounts are not redeemable for cash for any reason. While supplies last.

Manatees, alligators make for wild Florida vacation

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

By Mark McCullough

Family vacation

Manatee (Photo: Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park)

Our family vacation involves a trek to Grandma’s place in Florida each year, and we make a point to search out the “real Florida,” which means bypassing the theme parks. On our most recent Florida vacation, we visited the manatees at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park on the Gulf coast.

Florida is blessed with many unique natural areas, and the state park system is excellent. During the winter, manatees congregate around the many warm-water springs that dot the northern and central parts of Florida. These mammals rely on the springs to maintain their body temperatures during the cold snaps that chill the Gulf of Mexico. (more…)

Florida vacation: diving, dolphins and more

Monday, January 25th, 2010

Florida vacation

Sunset in Key Largo (Photo: Bob Krist/Florida Keys News Bureau)

By Melissa Martinez

My adventurous cousin who loves scuba diving, is an advanced open water diver and has a really great divemaster for a friend, convinced me to become certified in first level open water diving on my recent Florida vacation.  Destination: Key Largo.

Key Largo is the northernmost island of the Florida Keys island chain and is referred to by many as the diving capital of the world. The Florida Keys have the only living coral reef in North America, and it’s the third largest reef in the world. We scheduled our Florida vacation for May, with a flight into Miami; then a short two-hour drive south to sunny Key Largo. (more…)

Kid-friendly perks make this Orlando hotel a hit

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

Regal Sun Resort

Regal Sun Resort

By Mary Flynn

My husband and I took our 9-year-old twins and our 2 1/2-year-old grandson to the Regal Sun Resort in Orlando for a fun weekend getaway. I chose this Orlando hotel because it’s located in the Disney World area, has complimentary transportation to the parks and has great activities for our kids. We wanted a nice resort for us but also wanted our kids to enjoy the family vacation as well. (more…)

Florida vacation: top 5 cities for holiday travel

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Florida vacation

ICE! at Gaylord Palms

By Mary Flynn

The weather outside may not be frightful, but a Florida vacation over the holidays can be so delightful …

Orlando

Orlando is a popular Florida vacation destination year ’round, and the holidays are no exception. You can visit ICE! at the Gaylord Palms Hotel (voted one of Orbitz’ top 10 best decked-out hotels). This holiday attraction, hand-carved from nearly two million pounds of ice, creates a winter experience like no other in Florida. The enormous structure used to house ICE! — dubbed “The Florida Fridge” — is cooled to a chilly nine degrees, so the resort provides winter coats for visitors to wear. The popular family experience gives guests a chance to visit a whimsical winter wonderland of interactive environments and larger-than-life, three-dimensional ice monuments and sculptures. There is even an ice skating rink on the premises! It’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience for the whole family. (more…)

Top 10 hotels decked out for holiday travelers

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

The Drake Hotel Chicago

The Drake Hotel Chicago

From New York to Maui, hotels around the country are decking their halls to help travelers feel the spirit during this holiday travel season. This year, Orbitz has selected the best decked-out hotels in its ten most popular holiday destinations.

Hotels spend countless hours planning their holiday activities and decorations. Whether it’s a glass Christmas tree, 23-foot-tall gingerbread house or live carolers during afternoon tea, Orbitz’ picks for the best decked-out hotels for holiday travel offer seasonal excitement through decorations, celebratory activities or easy access to nearby holiday festivities. (more…)

Florida holidays: Island beaches and Everglades

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

Florida hotels

Fort Myers Beach (Courtesy: Visit Florida)

By Joanna Citarella

The holiday season typically conjures up images of wintry scenes, log fires and family gatherings, and is generally far less synonymous with white sandy beaches than it is with snowfall. Yet every year thousands of people plan Florida vacations to enjoy the holidays, and if you are seeking a change of pace and some holiday sunshine this year, you won’t be disappointed. I’ve lived in Southwest Florida for the past 10 years, and I feel that it’s a great place to spend the holidays. So if you’re planning a Florida vacation, here are just a few of my suggestions for things to do. (more…)

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…)

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…)

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, FL 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, Florida 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…)