If you are planning your first Florida vacation, Central Florida is your likely destination. After all, Disney, Universal and SeaWorld are big draws, and worth visiting. But what about after you have finished with the big three attractions? Instead of visiting yet another theme park, venture into natural Florida - the real Undiscovered Country.
Where Dinosaurs Roam: One place you can visit is our own 'lost world' - Everglades National Park. Located in South Florida, the Everglades are almost primeval. Dinosaurs (in the form of alligators and crocodiles) sun themselves on banks. Giant blue herons and wood storks fly overhead, looking like pterodactyls. Tiny ghost orchids are elusive, seeming to live up to their name.
Atlantis Revisited: How about a park that is almost entirely underwater? John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in the Florida Keys is a watery delight. Snorkeling and diving are both terrific, among the best in Florida. Not into getting wet? Take a glass-bottom boat ride and gasp at the wonders below the waves.
Cool Water, Bright Sky: Tube down a spring-fed river at Ichetucknee Springs State Park in North Florida. Bring your own float or rent one from one of the many roadside vendors. The water is crystal clear and rather cool - it stays around 70 degrees all year long. The water is refreshing, though, for the days can be quite hot. And the float is decidedly beautiful.
Orlando Florida is the Best Place for Fishing and Theme Parks!
Lets face it, not everyone in the family always wants to do the same things. Not to mention the fact that even though they are your family and you love them dearly, a week of togetherness is a long time. Let me tell you about a great vacation plan for your family.
Start together. Orlando has so many theme parks you could almost spend the entire week just doing that. But let me warn you, the lines get long as do the days and after about 2 or 3 days you just cant take anymore theme park fun.
So break up the trip and let everyone experience some of their own fun. Dad and son, you have to ..
Journey to the Center of the Earth: See Florida from a new perspective - underground! You may not exactly journey to the earth's core, but Florida can be pretty amazing below ground in Florida Caverns State Park in the Florida Panhandle. Stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones await you and your camera. Aboveground, take a stroll on one of the many gorgeous trails that meander through the park.
From the Sea to the Sky: Canaveral National Seashore in Central Florida is worlds away from its near neighbor, Kenney Space Center. At Canaveral, expect a beautiful beach, serene and sun-bright. You can also enjoy boating, hiking, swimming and fishing. Bird-watching is also a popular pastime, as is kayaking in the park's back country.
Florida Loving: Do you want to get away from the crowds? For years, Lover's Key State Park in Southwest Florida was only accessible by boat. Not to worry if you are boat-less because now there is a bridge you can cross into this slice of paradise. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, the beaches are sandy and the water calm. Shelling is popular, as are canoeing, kayaking and fishing.
These are only a few of the wonderful places that await you in natural Florida. After you've seen the bright lights and big cities, come relax with us in our parks and beaches. Discover a whole new reason to come back and see us again. And when you are planning that next Florida trip, come visit
Florida Sun n Fun
The vacation rental villas in the Kissimmee and Orlando area experience an upturn in renters around this time every year, with those magnificent men in their flying machines turning up in the sunshine state to enjoy a whole week, wallowing in their hobby.
This week in Florida,12th -18 April, the annual Sun n Fun event takes place in Lakeland.
Hundreds of private pilots and anybody with an interest in aviation generally will be attending the event at Linder Regional airport at junction 22 of the I4.
Many will not even attempt to visit the major theme parks of Disney and Universal, instea ..
http://www.great-florida-vacations.com for more ideas of places to visit.
About the Author
Gail Nettles is a Florida native who enjoys showing the Sunshine State to visitors. She is also the publisher of
http://www.great-florida-vacations.com Gail NettlesFlorida: Visit the Undiscovered Country
