Posts Tagged ‘Florida’

« Older Entries

10 Things To Do While Vacationing On Lido Key

Saturday, July 10th, 2010

Are you thinking about taking a trip to Sarasota or Lido Key, Florida? Lido Key is a small, quaint barrier island off the coast of Sarasota. People from all over the world vacation here to escape the rat race of a large metropolis and spend time in the sun enjoying the relaxing beauty of the area. Whether you are trying to escape work, cold weather or boredom then Lido Key might be the perfect place for you.

There is plenty to do in Sarasota, Florida. You won’t get bored unless you really desire to be bored. Vacationing on Lido Key gives you quick convenient access to everything Sarasota has to offer. However, you really don’t need to leave the island to find activities. Here are ten fun things to do on Lido Key.

1) The first and most obvious one is to play at the pretty beach. Lido Key beach is long enough for a good walk or run along the beach. You can also do nothing if you wish. Grab a good beach chair, book and refreshments and just chill for awhile. What a great place to forget about the stresses of your daily life.

2) Go for a swim in the Gulf of Mexico or in the swimming pool. What a delightful way to do on your vacation. No phone calls, no emails, nothing else to nag you. Just you and nature.

3) Looking for some thrills? Do some parasailing. Strap into a harness attached to a parachute and then get pulled by a rope attached to a boat. I have yet to do this. Friends of mine who have done it say it is a blast. Capture great views of the beach, water, Sarasota and barrier islands.

4) Take a bike ride around St. Armands Circle and Lido Key. Take a ride from south Lido Key Park, check out the nature preserve, the beach front condos and make your way north to St. Armands Circle and then to Lido Shores. There are some great views and real estate to check out.

5) Take a tour around Mote Marine Laboratory. If you have kids they will love to see the sharks, dolphins, manatees and other marine wildlife. There are over 100 species of marine life here.

6) If you want to see more nature rent a kayak and take a trip around Lido Key. There is a nature preserve on the south end of the island that is perfect for cruising around. You can get up close and personal with nature.

7) Splurge a little bit on your vacation and go grab an ice cream on St. Armands Circle. Visit Ben and Jerry’s, Kilwins, Big Olafs or Scoop Daddy’s for a delicious ice cream while you walk around “The Circle”.
8) Do you enjoy people watching? Run over to Starbucks on St. Armands Circle and enjoy a tasty beverage while you sit outside and observe all of the people walking by.

9) Rent a motor boat for the day. If you go over to Marine Max on City Island you can rent a boat for the day. It is a blast to cruise around the waters of the Sarasota bay and Gulf of Mexico. If you want you can anchor up in the lagoon between Lido Key and Longboat Key and jump in for a swim.

10) Enjoy a meal or drink on St. Armands Circle. There are so many wonderful places to enjoy a great meal. Some of these restaurants include - Crab and Fin, Columbia, Cha Cha Coconuts, Tommy Bahamas, 15 South and Hemingways.

Lido Key is a wonderful vacation destination. It is also a great place to live or own a second home. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money there are some very affordable condos on the island. You can now find some under $300,000. Not bad for a luxurious, relaxing island destination.

Marc Rasmussen sells Lido Key condos

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

Six Great Places To Go In Florida

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Are you planning a vacation to the sunshine state? There are some great places to see and and enjoy. It does not matter if you are searching for relaxation, fun, thrills or romance you can find it in Florida. It also does not matter what time of year you plan on visiting Florida. There is always something for you to do. Here are few places for you to enjoy.

Disney World

If you have never been to Disney World then you definitely need to set aside some time or an entire vacation for this memorable theme park. It sits on 25,000 acres in Orlando, Florida and offers four theme parks, two water parks, twenty four themed hotels, two health spas and five golf courses. Once you reach Disney property you never have to live for anything. There are countless restaurants on property and an abundance of shopping to do at Downtown Disney. Yearning for some thrills? You can get your adrenaline pumping on several roller coasters within the theme parks. Need to relax? Just sit poolside in one of the resort hotels and enjoy your favorite beverage.

Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens is an African themed park located in Tampa, Florida. Over 2,700 animals are featured here, making it one of America’s largest zoological institutions. There are plenty of heart-pumping roller coasters too, with names like Montu, Kumba, Scorpion, Gwazi and Sheikra. These coasters twist, turn, flip and drop riders through the thrills of the “dark continent.” Visitors who don’t mind getting a little wet can dare to experience the Congo River Rapids, Tanganyika and Stanley Falls water rides. A visit to Busch Gardens will most certainly leave you invigorated.

Universal Studios Orlando

If you make it to Orlando you should definitely hit the Universal Studios theme parks. Roller coaster lovers will get their heart pumping in the Islands of Adventure. Some of the thrill rides include the Hulk, Spider Man, Dr. Doom and Dueling Dragons. The other theme park is Universal Studios Florida which is home to rides like Shrek, Men in Black, Jaws, Twister and the Mummy. Citywalk is located in the center of the park and offers shopping, restaurants, live music and nightclubs. There are three luxurious on property hotels - Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Loews Portofino Bay Resort.

Play on Siesta Key Beach

If you need a break from the theme parks or if the beach is more your cup of tea then visit Siesta Key. This is a gorgeous 8 mile long barrier island off the coast of Sarasota and on the west coast of Florida. Siesta Key beach and Crescent beach are considered by many to be two of the prettiest beaches in the country. They continually rank by various people and magazine as one of the best. The sand is made up of white quartz which provides a refreshing cool feeling. There is much or as little to do on Siesta Key as you want. You can lounge on the beach, swim in the Gulf of Mexico, take a romantic walk along the water. You can also visit Siesta Key Village an enjoy a meal and/or drinks in one of the many restaurants. Siesta Key has a very laid back attitude that will help you unwind your knots.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park

You many need to cool off from all of the theme park activities. If so, take a drive north to the Ichetucknee Springs State Park. This is a 6 mile long river where the water is clear and a refreshing 72 degrees. It is fun and relaxing to jump in the river in a tube and float under the hammock trees. On a hot summer day it is very refreshing to float down the river and enjoy the scenery and wildlife.

Everglades National Park

Do you want to be one with nature? Take a trip to south Florida and check out the Everglades National Park. This is a 1.5 million acre park that makes up the largest subtropical wilderness in the country. It is home to 50 species of reptiles, 350 species of bird and 40 species of mammals. If you enjoy watching wildlife then you may love visiting the Everglades. You can enjoy it on foot, by car, bike, kayak, canoe or airboat. If it is a hot day I suggest a motorized mode of transportation. The up-close experience here is any nature enthusiast’s dream.

Marc Rasmussen sells Casarina condos on Siesta Key

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

Siesta Key Homes For Sale

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

Are you on the prowl for a vacation property? Siesta Key just might the perfect place for you. If your list of needs includes gorgeous beaches, nice people, relaxing environment and a fun town then come check out this lovely place.

Siesta Key beach is considered to be one of the pretties beaches in the country. It consistently ranks by various travel magazines and other sources as one of the best. The powdery sand is made up of 99% quartz so it feels refreshing even on the hottest of days.

Siesta Key Homes For Sale

Real estate is diverse on the island. You can find anything from a dumpy little shack within walking distance to the beach all of the way to a beach front mansion. Here are some great Siesta Key neighborhoods:

Sanderling Club - Do you want a large home on the beach? You can find it here. Sanderling Club is home to some of the most amazing houses on the beach. The great thing about it is the convenience. Many of the area homes are far south down on Casey Key. That is too far for some people. You can be in Sarasota within minutes of the Sanderling Club.

Bay Island - Need view? Some of the best views are from the homes in the Bay Island community. The waterfront homes here overlooking Bird Key, Sarasota bay and downtown Sarasota skyline. The homes are magnificent but not cheap.

Roberts Point - On the north end of Siesta Key you will find the Roberts Point community tucked away. This is an eclectic mix of old but cute homes and magnificent waterfront mansions. It is also very easy to get into Sarasota making this community very convenient. Even if you are still working this is an easy drive into town.

Point of Rocks - This secluded non-pretentious waterfront neighborhood on Siesta Key is located just south of Crescent beach and is named for the smooth, limestone rocks on the beach. If you enjoy snorkeling this is a great place to do it.

The above communities are just a few places to live on Siesta Key. This island is very laid back, fun, pretty and a great place to live, own a second home or vacation. If you need to get away from the rat race of the big city come to Siesta Key and unwind.

Marc Rasmussen sells Siesta Key homes for sale

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

10 Fun Things To Do In Sarasota, Florida

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

Are you taking a vacation to Sarasota, Florida? This is a fabulous place to bring your family for a little rest and relaxation. Here are ten fun things to do in Sarasota:

1) Stroll around St. Armand’s Circle - What a fun destination to grab a meal, have a drink with friends, spend a day at the spa or grab an ice cream and go window shopping.

2) Walk on the beach - It sounds so cliche but it really is fun. Go to one of the area beaches - Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key, or Nokomis beach and enjoy a stroll along the beach. The views are breathtaking.

3) Parasail - Do you like heights? I don’t and that is why I have not done this yet. Strap yourself in and get pulled by a boat. You will go a hundred or so feet in the air and get pulled around the Gulf of Mexico.

4) Boating - Go rent a boat for a day and cruise around the Gulf of Mexico or Sarasota bay. Stop at O’Leary’s near downtown Sarasota for a great bite to eat. What a fun day.

5) Hook a fish - There is some great fishing in the Sarasota bay and Gulf of Mexico. In the summertime you can hook into a tarpon. Grab a charter boat and go for a day of fishing.

6) Enjoy a meal - There are countless number of great restaurants in Sarasota. You can find anything from a cheap but tasty restaurant all of the way to very expensive fine dining. Some great restaurants include Cafe L’ Europe, Cha Cha Coconuts, Columbia, Dry Dock, Euphemia Haye, Daquiri Deck, Marina Jacks, Pacific Rim and Gecko’s.

7) Van Wezel - Go to a show at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center. Entertainers from all over come to Sarasota to put on a show.
8) Walk the bridge - Need a little exercise after all of the fine dining in Sarasota? Take a walk over the Ringling bridge. What a great place to work up a sweat and see some amazing scenery.

9) Go for a bike ride - There are plenty of places to go for a bike ride. If you want a little exercise go rent a bike and cruise around town. Some of the good spots include Longboat Key, Lakewood Ranch, Casey Key and Siesta Key.

10) Admire real estate - Jump in your rental car and look at some amazing real estate. Drive over to Lido Key, Bird Key, Casey Key, Longboat Key and Siesta Key. Take a spine by some of the finest waterfront mansions in the area.

Sarasota, Florida is a great place to take the family on a vacation. There are many more fun things to do than what I have written above. You may like Sarasota so much that you may ultimately decide to make it your permanent home. As a vacationed you can find as much or as little as you want to do.

Marc Rasmussen sells Sarasota FL Homes For Sale

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

Palm Bay Club Condos On Siesta Key

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Need a vacation on the beach? Take a trip to paradise in southwest Florida where you will find some of the prettiest beaches, nicest people and a wonderful town where you can find excitement and relaxation. Siesta Key is a gorgeous 8 mile long barrier island off the coast of Sarasota, Florida.

Siesta Key beach is simply gorgeous. It ranks by several sources as one of the prettiest beaches in the world. Recently, Dr. Beach ranked it number two on his annual list of America’s top ten beaches. The sand is made up of 99% quartz where it feels cool and refreshing on the skin.

10 Enjoyable Things to do on Siesta Key, Florida

If you visit Siesta Key you can do as much as you want or as little as you want. Some people prefer to lounge around in a beach chair all day. Others want to do exciting things every day. Sarasota is located just over the bridge from Siesta Key and it offers vacationers a multitude of activities. Here are 10 enjoyable things to do on Siesta Key.

1) Walk along Siesta Key beach with you significant other

2) Enjoy a delicious meal with your friends and loved ones in the Siesta Key village

3) Go fishing on a charter boat

4) Snorkel around Point of Rocks

5) Go to downtown Sarasota and do some shopping or eat a great meal

6) Enjoy some golf at the Tournament Players Cup (TPC) at Prestancia

7) Go para-sailing and catch some killer views
8) Rent a boat and drive the family to O’ Learys in Sarasota for lunch

9) Catch a nap on the beach

10) Play some volleyball

Palm Bay Club Condos on Siesta Key, Florida

Are you looking for a great place to stay on the beach? There are not really any resorts to speak of on Siesta Key. Most of the overnight accommodations are privately owned condos on the beach. Palm Bay Club is one of the nicest places to stay.

This complex runs from the gulf to the bay. There are many repeat visitors because the community is clean , well maintained and managed. Palm Bay Club consists of an 11 story tower on the beach and several three story mid-rises. All of the units are within walking distance to the gorgeous white sands of Siesta Key beach.

Palm Bay Club makes for a great vacation property or winter getaway. The on-site rental office manages the rentals for the owners. It is a great way for owners to get rid of the rental headaches. These condos rent well and can produce a nice yearly income. If you are looking to purchase an income producing vacation property put Palm Bay Club on your list. Prices start in the $300,000’s and go up to over $1 million.

Marc Rasmussen sells Palm Bay Club on Siesta Key

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

Enjoy Siesta-Key Florida At Night!

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

If you’re looking for an exciting and rich night out, Siesta Key will surely deliver that for you. The Key offers numerous options for the perfect night out with your family or a few friends. For many, it’s the ideal spot to just sit back and relax after a long day in the sun. Everyone can enjoy a variety of live music and events that most hot spots offer throughout the year, letting you enjoy your vacation without reserve.

It’s not surprising to hear live music playing as you walk through The Village or any other part of Siesta-Key. Sometimes you might even stumble across a bikini contest; that may just require some luck though. Almost every restaurant or bar you go to will be themed accordingly, so that you don’t forget for a single moment that you are on your vacation. Everything is located nearby most of the hotels in Siesta Key, Florida.

Most people will tell you that Siesta-Key Village is the most popular place to spend a night out. Many Sarasota residents actually love to have a fun night out in Siesta-Key enjoying all it has to offer. If you ask someone about their most favorite spot, they’ll probably tell you that it’s the Daiquiri Deck, which offers an endless assortment of Daiquiris.

Throughout the summer time and sometimes other popular times of the year, the Daiquiri Deck is host to many parties and also quite a few bikini contests. Other popular events include volleyball tournaments, and some block parties that bring everyone together and let them have a great time. Another attractive feature of the daiquiri deck is that they are open extended hours so you can party for as long as you feel the need.

One thing that most people say about Siesta-Key’s night life is how relaxed it is. It makes it enjoyable for everyone, mostly because it’s not too intense. It may certainly be a “quieter” party, but it’s sure to make anyone feel great and enjoy all the island has to offer.

If for some reason you do require a “loud” party, all you have to do is hop into Sarasota across the Stickney Point Bridge and you’ll find plenty more bars in the Gulf Gate area. Most of these spots will have the traditional bar feel and will be just as much fun, and there’s also Downtown Sarasota just in case.

Want to visit Siesta-Key Florida? Check out all the available hotels on siesta key and find out how much money you can save by booking your stay at http://BestSiestaKeyHotels.com

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Hotel Accomodations | No Comments »

Siesta Key, Florida - Great Destination For A Summer Vacation

Saturday, May 22nd, 2010

In need of a summer vacation with the family? Now is the time to start planning a vacation with your loved ones. If the idea of swimming in the ocean, relaxing on a gorgeous beach catching some rays with your family sounds great then you should consider Siesta Key, Florida.

It is easy to get to this island paradise. If you live in the state of Florida you are probably only a few hours away. Siesta Key is only about an hour away from Tampa, 2 hours from Orlando, 3.5 hours from Miami and and 4.5 hours from Jacksonville. If you live out of the state you can catch a flight into either Sarasota International Airport or Tampa International Airport. Flying into Sarasota is more convenient but there are not as many flights as Tampa.

Siesta Key is a wonderful eight mile long barrier island off the coast of Sarasota, Florida. It is surrounded by the clear and tranquil waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota bay. People from all over the country visit this island for fun, sunshine and relaxation. There is plenty to do here or if you choose you can just lounge around on the beach all day long.

People from all over the world visit Siesta Key and many of them do so because of the pretty beaches. Siesta beach is ranked every year as one of the prettiest beaches in the country. This and Crescent beach are made up of 99% quartz so the sand is very refreshing and cool even on the hottest of summer days. If you appreciate a beautiful beach you will love the ones on Siesta Key.

There are plenty of places to stay for a week or two or even for months. Many people come down from the north to escape the harsh winters. You will notice that these “snowbirds” fill up the restaurants, roads and beaches in the winter time. If you are looking to spend a week or two there are several short term rental condos on the island. Many of them are sitting directly on the beach. There are no luxurious resorts on the island as most tourists stay in these privately owned condos.

It would not be uncommon for you to have a fabulous vacation on Siesta Key and then want to own a vacation condo or home on the island. Siesta Key real estate is plentiful where you can find a lavish multimillion dollar penthouse all of the way to a small, affordable studio within walking distance to the beach.

Siesta Key is a wonderful place to bring your family for a summer vacation. You may love this island so much that you end up moving here or purchasing a vacation here.

Marc Rasmussen sells Sarasota FL real estate

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

Florida Summer Vacation Destinations

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

Thinking about catching some rays this summer in Florida? Florida is a popular destination in the winter and summer time because of the gorgeous beaches, fun boating, fishing, amusement parks, golf and other fun things to do. Where you visit in Florida just depends on what you enjoy. Here are five places to consider going in Florida.

1) Daytona Beach - Got beach? You do here with over 23 miles of it. This is a party town so you may not want to visit here if you want to some peace and quiet. Daytona is located on the east coast of Florida and only about 60 minutes from Orlando. You can be walking around Walt Disney one day and surfing in the Atlantic Ocean the next.

2) Orlando - Located smack dab in the middle of the state, Orlando provides families with laughs, good times and plenty of amusement parks. Some of the theme parks include Epcot, Walt Disney World, MGM Studios, Universal, Sea World and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Beaches on the east coast are roughly 45-60 minutes away. This is a great place for the family.

3) Miami - So cool Will Smith wrote a song about it. Miami is a large city with plenty to do. You will not run out of fun things to do as it offers great beaches, fun nightlife, boating, arts, culture, shopping, golf and many other enjoyable things to do on your vacation.

4) Sarasota - On the west coast of Florida is the relaxing beach town of Sarasota, Florida. Although a bit quieter than some of the other destinations in Florida it is definitely no less desirable. Siesta Key, one of the barrier islands off Sarasota, is consistently ranked as one of the pretties beaches in the country. The atmosphere is very family oriented with plenty of fun things to do.

All of these destinations in Florida are fun for the family. Where you decide on just depends on what you enjoy. They are all very nice so you cannot go wrong with any of them.

Slade Tanner is an avid beach goers and writes in a blog about beach tents

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

Bradenton Florida Is Fantastic Fun For The Whole Family

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

If you are looking for a place to vacation which will keep the entire family happy then Bradenton Florida could be the destination to go. Most of us have had vacations that just seemed to start bad and only gets worse. The way to prevent this is to plan a trip that everyone can enjoy.

When vacationing with a family there are going to be some people that enjoy one thing while others like to do another. If you plan your vacation to Bradenton, be sure to schedule activities that everyone will enjoy. There is so much to do that you should be able to come across something that the family likes. You can spend the day at the beach soaking up the sun, have a nice swim, or surf the waves.

If the family gets tired of the beach you might try playing a few holes of golf. Legacy Golf Club was the recipient of the prestigious four-star rating from Golf Digest Magazine. If your not into golfing, A boat tour is actually a great way to spend time as a family and have lots of fun doing it. The shopping and nightlife in Bradenton is amazing. You can spend hours in the shops here and never grow tired of them.

You will also discover amazing food in Bradenton Florida. There are a number of bar and grills as well as kid friendly establishments. There are also lots of activities that can be done as a family with the children. You will find parks and botanical gardens you can visit totally free.

There’s also museums and aquariums. The weather is so nice that you should not have any problems planning outdoor activities. If you plan your vacation just right you just might have enough time to squeeze in all the fun you could possibly imagine. Bradenton Florida is a stunning area with tons to do. The hotels, condos, and vacation homes are beautiful as well as affordable.

For more information about Great Prices in Bradenton visit ABetterStay.com for Low Prices on Vacation Rentals in nearbySarasota Florida

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

Orlando Has No Shortage ofImpressive Destination Spots

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

Once you hear about Orlando, chances are that you picture the Disney Epcot Center’s infamous ball and also the various other tourist attractions out there. An excellent vacation destination for families and singles alike, Orlando has some thing for just about every person. For those seeking for something to have into er than the classic Orlando Disney expertise, look at some of these fantastic locales.

The Rain Forest Cafe: The Rain Forest Cafe is the great dining location for kids and adults alike. Appreciate any of a wide range of diverse dishes although surrounded by a realistic representation with the wildlife community, as well as giraffes, gorillas, and even an elephant! Stop in at the gift shop to pick up some special souvenirs for friends back residence.

The T-Rex Adventure: Similar on the Rain Forest Cafe, the T-Rex adventure may be the excellent area for the dinosaur enthusiast. Sit and get pleasure from your meal in any with the a variety of rooms, as well as a room exactly where there’s a “meteor shower” each fifteen minutes. Guests can also be seated in the jungle region, the ice-age location, and under gigantic jellyfish suspended from the ceiling. The little ones can dig for fossils while in the T-Rex sandpit even though you wait for your meals.

Fun Area: The Fun Location can be a great date spot and the ideal location for a family adventure. Total with multi-level go carts, a water ride, and an impressive Ferris wheel the Excitement Area brings the amusement park knowledge down to a much more manageable and inexpensive size. If the unpredictable Florida weather is not the greatest, delight in the arcade games located indoors at the Excitement Area.

Gatorland: What Florida experience is comprehensive without a gator encounter? The Gatorland adventure park could be the great way to complete so, and do it safely. Guests can arrive into contact with a wide wide range of wildlife, which include live gators. Guests can even wrestle a gator if they are feeling brave. If not, take the chance to feed them a few sausages!

As 1 on the top tourist destinations within the world, Orlando has no shortage of incredible adventures for travelers to get into, and these are just a few. Wherever will your Central Florida adventure consider you?

Lucas Octoman has been happily helping to create columns for many. You could visit his relevant vacations related internet site to do with hotels in the hamptons that has articles about hotels in the outer banks.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Destinations | No Comments »

« Older Entries