Enjoy Orlando Attractions That Are Free of Charge
Enjoy Orlando Attractions That Are Free of Charge
The theme parks of Orlando are out of this world, but they are not cheap. There are however low priced and even free attractions in the greater Orlando area that are well worth your time. Previously I have written about the nearby state parks that provide excellent recreation and sight seeing for very low prices, now it’s time to look at some attractions in the Orlando area that are great, but also completely free of charge.
The first attraction on my list is the World of Orchids. They have a huge 22, 500 square foot conservatory filled with orchids and exotic plants from around the world. Enjoy the flowers of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Australia, and Central and South America on a leisurely stroll through the exhibit. In addition to the conservatory, they also have a gift shop. The World of Orchids is located at 2501 Old Lake Wilson Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34747.
While we are thinking about plants, you can also take a walk at Big Tree Park. This park is home to Florida’s oldest “resident” who happens to be a 3500 year old cypress tree which towers 118 feet. You can walk along the boardwalks here and sit down at the many park tables and enjoy a picnic lunch. This is an 11 acre park that is open from 8:00 a.m. to sunset seven days a week 363 days a year. The park is located at 761 General Hutchison Pkwy, Longwood 32750-3732.
Do you like fireworks? If so you can enjoy a free display of fireworks any night of the summer. The fireworks are displayed at Disney World, but you don’t need to be inside the park to get a good view. One tip is simply to got to the main parking lot and then take a free tram to the Ticket Center where you will be close to the nightly show.
There are other free attractions at Disney World, in addition to the fireworks. For example you can enjoy the free outdoor performances by musicians and magicians and walk along the boardwalk at Disney’s 45 acre waterfront area. If you want to spend a little bit of money you can of course go into the night clubs and restaurants but if you just want an enjoyable outdoor evening you can soak up the atmosphere here free of charge.
Another colorful area where you can enjoy free entertainment is Old Town, an amusement park and shopping center located south of the Orlando International airport. On Thursday evenings hundreds of motorcyclists rally through the streets, and every Saturday night you can watch a vintage car parade featuring more than 200 cars. The park offers live entertainment every night at 7:30 PM with a special Saturday night show featuring rock ‘n’ roll music of the 1950s and 1960s. If you want to go on the amusement park rides, you have to pay, but the admission to the park and its concerts, motorcycle rallies and car shows is free of charge. These are just some of the free attractions in Orlando. Believe it or not, there are even more than what I have discussed here. So, enjoy yourself on both the paid and free attractions of Orlando.…
The Benefits of Staying and Owning Your Own Bali Property
The Benefits of Staying and Owning Your Own Bali Property
Owning your own villa can be a wise investment for the future. You may live there permanently or just maintain it for family visits and rent it out for when you won’t be using it. There are benefits to owning your own Bali property as you will read here.
A villa will cost you less than the actual cost of staying at a nice hotel. As Bali provides luxury villa’s with air conditioning, bathrooms, bedrooms and large living areas, roomy terraces, a beautiful garden, you own swimming pool, a butler to care care of things all the time. There is also a lot of space to sunbathe without being exposed because you have your own pool.
The villas you rent, will have modern necessities but it will also symbolize the lifestyle of Bali throughout the interior design. You will like the informality and comfort that you will experience in you own home.
You family will enjoy the real Balinese experience by staying at a villa than staying at a hotel as a hotel will not offer you much. You will experience more space, privacy, a relaxed atmosphere and personal service better than what a hotel can provide you with.
By having your own cook, you will be able to have mouthwatering meals or any diet that you require. You can be served when and where you like at your villa.
There is extra privacy than the standard hotel. You can go whenever you please, without any worries of disturbing the other residence. You do not need to keep to any rules and you can go out at any time of the day and as you do not have any customs to break and enjoy a midnight swim if you want to and stay up and watch the sun rise.
You will be able to experience the Islands culture and way of life as you are part of their neighborhood. By staying at a villa, you will be away from the tourist vibe of the hotels, and you can enjoy the peace and will be able to wake up to the sound of nature rather than tourists. Having a villa will ensure that you will spend time with your loved ones and recharge and relax.
There is also the bonus of having security at your own villa, and the villages will also have its own security protection required by the neighborhood watch. People who are not recognized by the local community are usually recognizable and watched closely. This gives the community and yourself a peace of mind that you will be safe throughout your time there. Being a guest will make you automatically accepted by the Balinese environment.
The important part of all is that you will experience Bali within in your own Bali property. Staying at a hotel, with make you isolated from the people because of the environment the hotel gives. You will be able to participate in the Balinese world, surrounded by their nature, and relaxed setting. Your villa will also have staff that is well trained and take care of your everyday needs.…
4 Ways to Capture Great Memories in Your Disney Vacation
4 Ways to Capture Great Memories in Your Disney Vacation
You are taking the whole family to a vacation to Disney World and your kids cannot wait to see Mickey Mouse in real life. A trip to Disney World would be an important milestone in your kids’ lives. When they look back to their childhood, they will be delighted to remember the time when you went as a family to this world famous theme park. One essential thing that you have to do during your vacation to Disney World is to document the trip properly. Below, you will find great ways to capture all the wonderful memories during your vacation.
Take Candid Photos
Take lots of candid photos. While it is nice to have the kids smiling together with Mickey Mouse and the gang, do not forget to take lots of stolen shots to capture raw emotions of your children. Take a photo of your little boy laughing his head off when Goofy makes funny antics. Capture a shot of your sweet princess staring in awe at the fireworks above the Disney Castle. All these stolen shots would be the best way to reminisce the memories you have made during the trip.
Shoot Video
While stills are great because you can put them in albums and scrapbooks for everyone to see, shooting video is also important because you would want to capture things that cannot be captured by photographs, like that moment where your kids run to the entrance of the theme park with excitement or that time where your kid belts out a song while watching a Disney concert.
Don’t Forget Spare Batteries and Chargers
Make sure that you pack sufficient batteries for the camera and the correct charger for the video camera. This is to ensure that you do not miss out on any wonderful memory that your kids are going to make during the trip. It would be a big disappointment if while your baby is smiling widely upon seeing the majestic castle of Mickey Mouse, you cannot get your camera to take her picture because it is already low-bat. Charge the batteries sufficiently before leaving the hotel. Transfer any pictures stored in the camera and insert a blank memory card in the video camera so you have enough room for new photos and videos.
Create a Journal
Bring a notebook and pen with you during the trip to Disney World. During downtime, jot down everything that has transpired so far while they are still fresh in your memory. You can include memorabilia items like ticket stubs and so on to make the journal more meaningful. It is not wise to wait until you are already at home before you recount everything that happened during the trip.
Kids would surely enjoy a trip to Disney World. You can stay at the Disney Condos, at an Orlando hotel or even at Kissimmee Vacation Homes. It does not matter where you stay, the important thing is that you all have a grand time and that you capture all the memorable times made during the trip.…
World Heritage Sites – Explore Africa’s World Heritage Sites
World Heritage Sites – Explore Africa’s World Heritage Sites
When considering all the exciting places to visit when you think of international travel, it is helpful if you can access information regarding the best places to visit. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has made it much easier for travelers by designating the most interesting and historic sites as World Heritage Sites. Those on the list of these sites hold some type of significance related to humanity, culture or nature. To travel to many of these sites, you must have a passport and it is very easy to get a US passport expedited so time does not need to be a factor in your trip plans.
No matter what your need, online passport sites can assist you with all your passport services. If you are getting your first passport, applications are available online. If you need US passport extra pages or need to renew an expired passport, your assistance is just a click away.
In defining World Heritage Sites, two categories were established. One category relates to cultural significance and the other to natural significance. In the continent of Africa, one hundred and nineteen World Heritage Sites have been identified. We would like to inform you about some of these sites but first let’s visit one of the sites in Egypt.
One of the oldest civilizations on earth has its ancient ruins located in Thebes which is located in Egypt. The abundance of ancient Egyptian monuments, temples and relics make this a site that is both significant and interesting. One of the most interesting sites located in Thebes is the Necropolis. This is a burial ground for ancient Egyptian leaders including Hatshepsut, a female pharaoh regarded as one of the most influential and loved pharaohs in history. The famous Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens is also found here and attracts many visitors.
Moving on to Africa, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is rich with biodiversity. A visitor can find over 120 species of mammals, 202 species of butterflies, 27 species of frogs and 346 species of birds at this location enjoying the beautiful terrain. Other sites that draw visitors include the mountain gorilla known as the Bwindi gorilla as well as numerous species of monkeys. The thick forest coupled with the altitude has encouraged a vast number of animal species to grow and thrive. Many other African forests and jungles have been labeled World Heritage Sites. It would not be difficult to enjoy an African safari in any one of these sites.
South Africa is home of the Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai and Environs. Known as the cradle of humankind, these locations are home to many interesting and revealing fossils related to our earliest ancestors, some dating back as far as 3.5 million years. Investigating this area has lead many scientists to discover the answer to many of the mysteries concerning our early history.…
Vacation Rentals Are Stress Free Rentals
Vacation Rentals Are Stress Free Rentals
The prime purpose of going on a vacation is to escape the strain and stresses of daily life and to enjoy a period of rest and relaxation with your loved ones. The one assured way of enjoying a fulfilled vacation is to opt for vacation rentals.
Vacation rental means you will have a furnished accommodation with a host of amenities and you will feel like being in a home away from home. Most vacation homes came with multiple bedrooms, commodious living room, full-fledged kitchen, refrigerator, television etc.
You will have the opportunity to cook your own food in the private kitchen and enjoy the meals in the dining room and you can also occasionally opt to eat out. The kids will be excited as they have large spaces to move around and play. This apart, the kitchen provides an opportunity for huge savings as eating out on a daily basis can be an expensive proposition.
They are stress-free because there is a greater degree of undisturbed privacy and you and your family is saved the din and bustle of a hotel atmosphere. There is also an increase security for your children as they may not run into suspicious strangers.
The lower cost of a vacation rental is a matter for mental peace as the rates work out to be far cheaper per person – particularly if your family or group is large. You are also not required to pay extra tips for services rendered. Most holidaymakers are obsessed with the expenses while on a vacation and less expense means less financial strain leading to a greater degree of mental ease.
Vacation Rentals are of many types and you can book a fully furnished single-family home, apartment, independent cottage, beach house, condominium or cabin. Most families that have availed vacation rentals have had carefree and fun-filled vacation – if the remarks they make in the guest book is any indication. Most of them are situated in ideal locations and within walking distance to shopping areas, restaurants and key tourist spots and you need not bother about transportation.
If you are lucky, you can avail a vacation rental where the owner or manager will organize vacation activities making the whole trip thoroughly pleasurable and hassle free. They will provide you all the necessary information about local attractions, restaurants, beaches, markets and shopping centers and how to plan your sightseeing trips.
While you plan your vacation, it is critically important that you spare time to consider the many great benefits that you will derive when you hire a vacation rental rather than a hotel room. After all, you go on a vacation only once in a year and it is therefore essential that you really spend quality time with your family free from all concerns.
They can be found in most of the world’s best tourist destinations. And you can check out the various vacation rentals on the internet. There are numerous listings showing the interior and exterior pictures for you to browse and decide. Nowadays there are many online portals where you can bid for on vacation homes and vacation rental auctions will save you avoidable expenses.…
Making Last Minute Deals for Cottage Rental
Making Last Minute Deals for Cottage Rental
Having a cottage holiday trip is something that most of us would anticipate, especially now that it’s break time for most of us because of the Christmas and New Year seasons.
When it comes to vacations, it always pays to be prepared. When you go to travel blogs and travel tip websites or ask an experienced travel guide, the primary thing that they will point out to you is to plan everything ahead of time. Yes, time is of the essence, as the saying goes, but there are instances, however, when you find yourself in a situation where you have to make last minute decisions when it comes to having holiday vacations.
You are planning to get a cottage rental and enjoy the feel of the holiday atmosphere in a quaint wooden lodge but – you do not have the luxury of time. Of course you can still avail of a place to rent for the holiday season given the limited amount of period to plan out everything. Just do not panic. This is one of the main reasons why we basically need to prepare ahead of time. People tend to panic when the deadline is near, but in this case, you have to possess a clear mind.
One of the fastest ways to obtain a cottage rental is browsing the world wide web for one. You can look at cottages and even scan their interiors by just sitting there and looking at the photographed portions of the lodging. Another good idea is to enter a cottage rental renting site and browse upon the selection of cottage owners putting up their properties for sale.
Choose at least three alternatives from the list that you have narrowed down and then call each one of them. Do not be afraid to ask some questions like how much would the rental cost and what amenities are available. To know if the place is self-catered or not will also make a difference, especially if you are thinking of saving as much as possible with the limited time that you have in your hands.
To minimize the stress of having to organize everything alone, get others involved in this affair. If you are doing the cottage holiday plan together as a couple, let your partner help out with the transactions or packing up. A load will be so much lighter if everyone contributes in carrying the whole weight. Likewise, planning for a vacation even with a limited time frame will be much easier if it is shared.
One major problem that you would have to encounter though is the high cost of last minute cottage offers. Of course, if you will be lucky enough, you can stumble upon a particular lodging which is a lot cheaper, but the chances are slim. This is one of the downside that you have to deal with when making last minute reservations on cottages or even any other rental lodging especially during the peak holiday season
As we often say, if there is a will there is a way. Making last minute preparations such as arranging cottage rental for vacation can sometimes be a nuisance, but it can be done.…
How to Select and Use Sunscreen and Not Ruin Your Beach Vacation
How to Select and Use Sunscreen and Not Ruin Your Beach Vacation
Sunshine is good for us – we wouldn’t be alive were it not for the sun and its energy. People who live in parts of the world, such as the Arctic Circle, where there are extended periods of time without much sunlight, tend to be prone to depression and other ailments. They have to work hard to compensate for this lack of sunshine.
On the flip side, too much sunshine can make you sick in the short term (painful sunburns, heat stroke, to name a couple of ways) and also promote long term problems such as skin cancer.
I have lived in Myrtle Beach for 20 years and I’ve watched a lot of visitors to the beach literally ruin their whole vacation by not taking proper precaution when it comes to being out in the sun. Using sunscreen or not can mean a good vacation, or one you’ll never forget for all the wrong reasons.
Here is my best advice on how to select and use sunscreen:
Choose the right sunscreen. Get familiar with SPF – Sun Protection Factor. Many people think the SPF number has to do with the strength of the protection, but that’s not true. The SPF number, such as 30, or 50, for example, has to do with how long it should keep you protected. In theory, the formula for figuring this out is to figure how long it would take you to burn with no protection, then multiply that number times the SPF number. This should give you the number of minutes you can stay in the sun using that SPF number of sunscreen, without burning. I’ll tell you right here, that there are many other variables and this is not so accurate. But, it might be a good starting place for you.
Use your sunscreen properly. One of the variables is how well you applied the sunscreen. Did you start ahead of time and apply it in layers to get a deep skin penetration? Did you know it takes about 20 minutes after applying it for sunscreen to become effective? Start applying long before you hit the beach.
Choose a water-resistant sunscreen. It’s more expensive, but well worth the extra investment for the protection it offers.
Be very thorough when applying sunscreen. By thorough, I mean don’t forget about those places like under the straps of your flip-flops or the back of your knees. Other places to think about are the tips and tops of your ears, your nose, and your forehead. You might need to enlist the help of a friend to help you with those hard-to-reach places.
Make sure you’re using fresh sunscreen. Some people purchase sunscreen in large discount-priced bottles. Then, they have a lot leftover at the end of the summer. Resist the temptation to keep it for the next year. The effectiveness of sunscreen diminishes quickly and cannot be trusted from season to season. Oils will tend to last better than lotions. Check the expiration dates, and then err on the side of caution.
If you plan to visit Myrtle Beach, my hometown, please click here for help with the perfect accommodations, at the right price. …