Florida is one of the most popular states for people to visit year round. With its gorgeous warm weather, people can enjoy the white sandy beaches, theme parks and so much more. In this article we will highlight a few of the top areas to visit.

Orlando is one of the top cities for Florida vacationers because it has something for everyone. It has many large theme parks such as Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World. There is a large assortment of hotels here catering the thrifty vacationers to those who want to indulge and getaway from it all. You will also find many retail and outlet stores, dinner shows and entertainment as well as the Orlando Magic Basketball team. Another popular attraction is the Cirque de Soleil show. Located at Downtown Disney, this theatrical show will thrill and mesmerize audiences.

Tampa, FL has also become a popular destination due to its growing city and attractions. Busch Gardens and Adventure Island are two large Anheiser Busch theme parks that thrill visitors of all ages. The Lowry Park Zoo and the Florida Aquarium both have a focus on animals, but also offer fun family activities so you can play while you are learning about your natural surroundings. Tampa is also surrounded by great water such as the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. Both are great for watersports, sight seeing
adventures and fishing. Charter a boat and collect snook, grouper and many other great fish in these waters. Or you can just relax on one of the beautiful beaches. There are many hotels to choose from with two of the most historic being The Vinoy Resort and Don Cesar on St. Petersburg Beach. Both are world renown and have tantalizing restaurants and all inclusive spa services.

Miami Beach has taken an extremely popular turn in the last few years. This city has grown in popularity with updated renovations that make it more attractive. Celebrities vacation here and enjoy sunning on the white sandy beaches and partying the night away at some of the hottest clubs in South Beach Florida. Salsa music is popular here and you will definitely feel the island vibe while relaxing near this shore.

When some people think of Florida their first thoughts are of the Florida Keys. The water is crystal blue and the fish and lobster are abundant here. Fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving are some of the most popular past times. You can charter a boat or hop on a sight seeing adventure and see some of the most gorgeous fish and coral in all of Florida. For land lovers, the shops, restaurants and night life are enough to keep anyone busy. Each has an island feel and offers great seafood choices that are both fresh and tasty.

There are so many great locations to visit in Florida. As well as enjoying the attractions, beaches and gorgeous weather, many people come here to hunt, fish or just enjoy the great outdoors. No matter which city you choose, you’re sure to find wonderful ways to enjoy the gorgeous Florida sunshine!

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Bob Lipply and his team of full time, full service Florida, work hard to find the perfect home for their customers. View available properties at Florida Real Estate, or you can also call toll free at 1-888-423-5775.

When you make the decision to go to Marlin Lodge Benguerra Island, Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique, be careful who you tell, because most people still think it is unsafe, and those folk who know anything at all about Mozambique will probably never speak to you again.

You fly into Vilanculos, which is about two hours from Johannesburg with Pelican Air, and it is possible to coincide flight times coming in from Europe on an international flight.

The boat to Marlin Lodge arrives off the beach so it’s a wade to get on board, but the journey is a delight as you are taken to Benguerra Island that could truly be described as being in the middle of nowhere.

The short journey is at speed, but not so quick you couldn’t take in the colors, turquoise, aquamarine, sapphire, contrasting with the stunning white sandbanks.

The first thing that struck me on arrival was how warm the water was as I waded ashore, and arrival we had become used to in Zanzibar on a previous trip – no jetty here either!!

We had a luxury chalet which was gorgeous, and it had its own private walkway to the beach.
To see photographs go to http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/articles/16/1/Marlin-Lodge-Benguerra-Island-Mozambique/Page1.html

All toiletries are provided in big bottles and so you don’t need to take your own

The staff were terrific, and in an unobtrusive way, giving us excellent service.

In so far as activities are concerned, some people went scuba diving, others went fishing, some like us did virtually nothing but unwind with a bit of snorkelling thrown in, and exploring too.

Whilst it is more a place for honeymooners than families, there is water skiing, and banana boat rides too

All in all it was everything we had hoped for, and I’d certainly recommend it.

It was quite superb – the food, especially if you like seafood, although if you wanted something else that didn’t seem to be a problem, the location, the service and people were all terrific
I can’t recommend it enough!

It was a perfect place to relax and unwind.

I would highly recommend Marlin Lodge.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Ian Smith contributes to www.worldwidevacationspots.com quite frequently

Perched on the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal stands out among its neighbors as one of the oldest and yet most traditional and conservative European civilizations. Visitors can view 22,000 year-old Paleolithic art on the rock faces of Vale do Côa, and human occupation of this region dates 500,000 years back in time! The Celts settled here around 750 B.C. and were followed by Romans, Visigoths, and Greeks among others. The Moors enjoyed their infamous occupation from the 8th to the 13th Century and left their culture and ornate, whitewashed architecture as an eclectic signature on the Iberian Peninsula.

Today, Portugal’s homogenous culture and dedication to tradition is largely due to Salazar’s oppressive rule during the mid-1900s. As a result, visitors can enjoy a more culturally authentic stay in Portugal than any other European nation.

The north-south axis of mainland Portugal creates regions of dynamic terrain and unique specialties. The popular Douro Valley stretches 125 miles along a winding river and is famous for the string of port wineries at its edges. Cruises are now offered along the entire length of the Valley, beginning in Porto. The resort town of Lagos in the southern Algarve region attracts sun-seekers and history buffs alike. Prepare to be swept away by this hidden gem encircled by 15th Century walls.

Travel Portugal in the Atlantic

Two groups of islands off the Atlantic Coastline belong to Portugal and are a perfect and serene escape from the mainland, offering centuries of Portuguese history all their own and a look into the region’s natural beauty. The Azores Islands archipelago lies 907 miles from the coast and is a haven of turquoise lakes, rolling green hills and sandy beaches. Monasteries, cathedrals, forts and ruins dating back to the 15th Century, when Portuguese navigators encountered the outcropping, are sprinkled about the islands. To the South, the enticing subtropical climate of Madeira Island and the surrounding volcanic archipelago is a bastion for adventure-seekers, resort luxuries, Madeira wine and untouched 15th Century architecture standing dramatically on seaside cliffs. Both of these secluded retreats are easily accessible from major airports on mainland Portugal.

Tips to the Savvy Traveler

Nearly all of Portugal works on Siesta time and 97% of the country is Catholic, therefore also affecting commercial hours and holidays. Most shops, banks and pharmacies are closed between 1pm and 3pm (yes, even in major cities). Make special note that museums also close in the middle of the day between 12:30pm and 2pm. Almost everything except museums closes by 1pm on Saturdays, and plan on simply eating and resting on Sundays when nothing is open. To plan your trip wisely, check the hours of operation of attractions you’d like to see before planning your trip or booking your room!

Lastly, be aware when traveling by taxi. Fare is metered within urban limits, but once you leave these boundaries, you will be charged by the kilometer in addition to the price of the driver’s return trip to the starting point. When taking a taxi after midnight, negotiate the price with the driver before getting in the car, especially if you’ve been indulging in Port!

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Get cheap airfare from cFares.

Don’t let the name conjure up images of deadly, man-eating predators in your mind and prevent you visiting the amazing part of Western Australia that is Shark Bay. This World Heritage listed region is in fact a haven for marine life of all kinds, and a favourite haunt of scuba divers and snorkellors who come to get up close and personal with the dolphins, dugongs and whale sharks that call the protected waters of Shark Bay home. The coastline of the bay is over 1500 kilometres long, and ranges from rugged rocky cliffs to soft, sandy beaches and everything inbetween. The bird and wildlife on the shore complements the diversity and population of the marine life under the surface, providing plenty of opportunities to acquaint yourself with uniquely-Australian nature. With numerous campsites and good roads throughout, you and your campervan are set to have the holiday of a lifetime exploring Shark Bay!

Denham, the most westerly Australian town, is the largest centre on the shores of Shark Bay and a popular place for people to base themselves whilst visiting the area. Located on the Peron Peninsula, it is 830 kilometres north of the state capital Perth, so if you are travelling from there in your campervan allow at least a day or two to reach Denham. The small and friendly town caters towards campervans with a number of campgrounds, and of course there are other accommodation options available if needs be. In Denham you will find the recently-opened Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery Centre, which is a must see on the itinerary of any visitor to the region. Exhibits in the centre use electronic media, specimens, models, artefacts and all the rest to introduce and educate guests as to the unique wonders, the history and the culture of Shark Bay. Its a great place to kick start your holiday!

One of the chief tourist attractions of Shark Bay lies thirty minutes north of Denham. Monkey Mia is a resort where a very special and unexplained occurrence takes place. Every day a particular pod of dolphins makes its way right into the shallow waters and close to the shore, where they frolic and play with the tourists waiting for them there before leaving again for the deeper waters. Seven dolphins do this daily, but a total of twenty others join them at various times. It’s been going on since the 1960′s now, and three generations of dolphin have been involved in the daily pilgrimage to the shores of Monkey Mia. No visit to Shark Bay is complete without checking them out!

Shark Bay seems to be a haven for some of the more bizarre aspects of the natural world, and its not just the dolphins. Just south of Monkey Mia lies Hamelin Pool, where an immense collection of the worlds oldest living organism can be found- stromatelites. The name sounds pretty extra-terrestrial, and the mushroom-shaped, fifty centimetre high domes look like they could be from another planet. Formed by the activities of micro organisms, these rock hard domes are the earliest known form of life on earth. There is a boardwalk via which you can access them without damaging the stromatelites. Another amazing attraction just forty five kilometres south of Denham is Shell Beach. This startlingly white beach stretches for 100 kilometres, and is unique because it consists entirely of tiny white coquina shells, sometimes as deep as twenty five feet. Along its length there are numerous camping grounds, picnic areas and other such designated relaxation spots that you can take advantage off whilst on your campervan tour.

Another famous feature of Shark Bay is the Wooramel Seagrass Banks, which cover almost 1000 square kilometres. The limestone sands forming these banks are made up from calcium carbonate precipitation, and they form the perfect habitat for the gentle giants known as the dugongs. Also known as ‘sea cows’, dugongs thrive in the calm waters of Shark Bay with almost ten per cent of the world population making this region their home. You are likely to bump into them on your travels around the bay, but there are guided tours that take you closer to the dugongs.

The underwater delights don’t end with dugongs. Another gentle giant that calls these waters home is the whale shark, the largest species of shark and a favourite amongst divers who are able to swim amongst these ponderous creatures. Large turtles and manta rays also glide ceremoniously through the blue Shark Bay waters, ensuring any underwater adventure you take will be an exciting one. An immense variety of tropical fish and large coral populations provide the colour in this sub surface wonderland, and will enchant adults and kids alike.

So with all this awaiting you, its time to start planning that holiday to the magnificent Shark Bay. Its perfectly suited to a campervan holiday, and with 1500 kilometres of coastline to explore you can’t go wrong! A campervan from Discovery is an ideal means to traverse the bay’s shoreline, and there are numerous camping grounds throughout where you can base yourself and check out the local attractions. Don’t forget your snorkelling gear!

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Gavin Wyatt is a journalist with a passion for travel. originally from Zambia he has traveled around the world to end up on the sunny shores of Australia. For more of his articles visit Discovery Campervans

When you imagine Italy, it is really Florence Italy that you are seeing. That is because Florence is at the heart of Italy. It is a place filled with passions and indulgences that awaken all the senses. Visual masterpieces are there to behold and one almost begins to salivate at the thought of the Florentine cuisine. To make the most of your visit to Florence, you can learn a little here about where to stay, what to do, and what you can expect from the locals.

A Warm Welcome

The first thing you expect from your visit to Florence is a warm and hearty welcome. The local people are lovers of people and are not afraid to show it. It is not uncommon to be greeted at your villa by a someone’s “Nona” (grandmother) with a big hug and a hot plate of food – no matter what the time is when you arrive.

Next your accommodation at any price level will be clean and pristine. The linens and furnishing may not be the most luxurious in the lower costing rentals, but they will be freshly washed and painstakingly starched. It’s just the Italian way to keep their homes extremely clean and they offer no less to their guests.

Some Choices on Where to Stay

There are some popular favourites within the city limits of Florence. The Savoy hotel, Florence, Italy is one of those. Here you will find five star accommodations within walking distance of two of Florence’s most popular attractions – the Uffizi Gallery and the Ponte Vecchio.

Another Florence hotel popular among tourists is the Westin Excelsior. It is also located close to the most visited and historic attractions and offers rooms and services American’s are most comfortable with. In addition to these highest rated hotels, visitors will be comfortable at such centrally located lodgings as the Hotel Rivoli or Palazzo Galletti.

For extended stays in Florence you may want to look into apartment or villa rentals. Apartments can be found within the city limits, while most villas are about 20-30 km outside the city. For travel to wine country and then back to the city, Florence car rental offices can accommodate your needs.

Apartments in Florence Italy are generally small, but efficient. You will find a small kitchen is the norm, but they provide enough space to cook simple meals. For a short term rental, they are more than adequate and provide a good home base for exploring the entire Tuscany region.

Downtown Florence Italy is one of the most historically significant cities in Italy. Here tourists come to take in the Uffizi Gallery, the Ponte Vecchio Bridge crossing the River Arno, and the St. Croce Chuch. In addition, there is the Duomo, the city’s Exhibition and Congress Centre. No visit to Florence Italy would be complete without feeding the pigeons at Boboli gardens or walking down the garden’s avenue lined with cypress trees dating back to the 1600s.

Florence is a city that needs more than a weekend to see it all. Plan on visiting during the most pleasant season between April and June and make sure you give yourself at least a week to enjoy the city and surrounding countryside.

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Concentrating on latest news in Florence hotel, Peter J. Mason pens largely for www.florence-italy-guide.com . His comments on Florence italy are found on his site .