The Canyons

Hello Everyone!

I was actually very anxious and excited to share with you this place that I have discovered recently. I was traveling not too long ago and I stopped at one of those rest areas and I grabbed a few of those brochures that they have displayed with information about things to do in the area, but I didn’t pay much attention to it. It wasn’t until last week, that I was cleaning my drawer and I found one of those brochures that was actually promoting one activity that I have been dying to do it but never had the opportunity to do it, which is Zip lining. Honestly, I have no idea that we had this in Florida and I am so happy to know that we do!

This location is not at a Florida State Park, but I thought that it was worth it to share with those who like adventure. The Canyons, Zip line and canopy tours, is a great place to spend a day in the nature and having lots of fun. About an hour and half away from Orlando, more precisely located in the city of Ocala, The Canyons are considered to be the Highest, Fastest, and Longest zips in the state of Florida. They have certified guides that will be with you at all times ensuring the safety of all the guests.

You will be able to enjoy about 2 ½ hours of zip lining, 2 rope bridges, a Rappel and walks through remote location. Be prepared to spend a day exercising and enjoying nature. Also, for those who like horses, once you arrive at the location, you will be able to explore the entire property riding on a horse admiring the view. Depending on the activity that you choose, they have different pricing.

Now, the one I can’t wait to go to is the Super Zip. It seems like you are flying like a super hero, you don’t even have to hold on to anything, you can just “fly” hands free. And to make even more pleasant, you can enjoy the view with a friend side by side.

Although most people would love to go zip lining, they actually have some requirements in order to participate in the activity. A person must weigh between 70 and 270lbs, kids have to be older than 10, children must be supervised by an adult at all times, and everybody must sign the “participation agreement form”. Also, due to the adrenaline that you will experience in this activity, in order to ensure the safety of all participants, all participants must be in good health, and they reserve the right to exclude those people that they feel won’t be able to participate in the activity.

 

Overall this is an amazing opportunity for those who like adventure and those who enjoy nature. If you are in the Orlando area, it is worth it to plan a day to spend at the Canyons. As far as places to stay, there are a few hotels in the area where you can get discounts for visiting the canyons. Honestly, I cannot wait to go there. I am actually planning to go there in September, because I believe it won’t be too hot there. You can reserve your spot online, and it is very easy to do it. I have already reserved mine.

Hope to see you there! 

P.S. For tips and information on cool places to visit (outside of Florida), visit my good friend JP’s travel blog at http://jpstravelblog.blogspot.com. You will be surprised at how many beautiful places and great travel tips are available to help you plan your next vacation.

Visit MacArthur Beach State Park!

Hi everyone!

It is time to share another enchanted place to visit in Florida.  

I found this adorable park in the Palm Beach County area, and I wanted to share with you the beauty of the John D. MacArthur Beach State Park.

This awesome park is open every day from 8AM to sunset and with only $5 per vehicle, you can spend an amazing day with your family and friends there. For directions, click here. Also, there are a variety of hotels in the area, so you can just pick the date and go.

 What I liked the most about the park was the fact that it offers many activities for its visitors to enjoy, and most of them are free of charge. For example, the park offers to its visitor’s free lessons such as Intro to Snorkeling, Intro to Kayak Fishing, Intro to Surfing, and Butterfly Talk and Walk program.  How can you say no to that?

They also have many events going on at the park, especially during summer time, for adults and children. There is always something fun to do there! There is one activity there that I really want to go to is the Sea Turtle talk and Walk. There is a $10 fee and the tickets can be purchased online. There are a few restrictions to participate in this walk, but those are necessary for the protection of the visitors and the turtles. For those who like turtles, you will have a unique opportunity to see a nesting loggerhead sea turtle.  It is so worth it and I can’t wait to go there.

Take a day off and enjoy Florida!

Next Stop: Bahia Honda State Park

Hello everyone!!!

The location that I chose to share with you today is the Bahia Honda State Park. Although I haven’t had a chance to go there yet, I drove by it once when I was on my way to Key West and I fell in love with the view. Also, I have heard only good things from friends that have been there already and all of them say the same thing: OMG, you have to go!

Bahia Honda is located in the Florida Keys, more precisely in the Overseas Highway (MM 37) and is very easy to get there. There is only one route, so it is very simple. Take Florida Turnpike South and go all the way till the end, then you will continue to drive South on US1 and will keep driving until you see the signs for Bahia Honda State Park. However, if you prefer getting more precise directions just click here.  The nearest airport will be Key West International Airport; however, due to its size and capacity most flights are routed to the Miami International Airport.

Bahia Honda is famous for having the Old Bahia Honda bridge where people from all over the world stop by to take a picture of it. The view is amazing and the beaches are beautiful.  

There are many activities for the whole family to enjoy. You can go snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, sightseeing and more. For those interested in a place to camp, they have a camping area for RV’s as well as tents. Also they offer cabin rentals for those who want to stay more comfortable overnight at the park. To reserve a cabin or a camping spot, click here.  

Cabins available for rent at Bahia Honda

If you are looking for a quick weekend getaway or a regular week vacation, going to the Florida Keys is a safe bet. You will not be disappointed if you take a day of your vacation to spend at the “enchanted” Bahia Honda State Park. This place is awesome and I can’t wait to go there this summer! 

Best Vacation Ever- Fort De Soto Park

Hello everyone!

I wanted to share with you today the place where I had the best time of my life, and I truly recommend it for those who want to have a romantic or a family weekend getaway. 

I went with my husband on our honeymoon to Clearwater, a city located at the west coast of Florida, and we had an incredible time there. There were so many things to see and to do there that I wish we have more time to explore it. One day we woke up early and decided to drive around to get to know the area, so we took Gulf Blvd South (for us in South Florida looks like A1A) and drove down the road for about an hour, enjoying the amazing view, and we ended up by accident at the Fort De Soto Park. I am so glad we did it, because this place is incredible and I truly recommend it!

With remarkable white sand beaches and great areas for picnics and barbecue, Fort De Soto is an amazing place for you to spend an unforgettable weekend and also enjoy fun activities such as kayaking, fishing, and bicycling. Moreover, for those who like history, the walk around the fort is a great experience. The fort is well preserved and it is definitely a learning experience for the whole family. For those who like camping, there is a nice camping area that accommodates travelers using tents as well as RV’s. This is a great experience for families to have fun and enjoy a nice stay without getting bored. If you are not a natural camper, like me, there are many hotels in the area that can accommodate you and your family for a reasonable price.

Besides everything I have listed, the view is amazing and the sunset is indescribable. It is definitely an enchanted place, I can assure you. When we were swimming in the ocean, we saw dolphins swimming about 6 feet away from us. We were speechless by it and it was certainly a breathtaking moment.

The Park is easily accessible and to obtain precise directions of how to get there just click here.  If you prefer to travel by plane, the closest airport is the St Petersburg-Clearwater international Airport. Don’t even have to think twice, just book your ticket and go! Once you arrive at the airport, I advise you to rent a car, so you can better enjoy your vacation.

After a long day spent at the park, there are still more things to see and to do around there. The city of Saint Petersburg promotes many activities, such as street festivals, as a way to maintain the community involved and to ensure their visitors have a good time. One event you cannot miss is the First Friday St. Pete. The first Friday of every month there is a street festival in Saint Petersburg, right between 2^nd and 3^rd street, where they have live bands performing and an extensive variety of food and drinks. And the best of all, admission is Free! The party starts around 5:30 p.m. and goes until 10:00 p.m., and the whole family is welcome!

 Although the weather is nice all year round, the best time to visit the St Pete-Clearwater area is from Mid-June till September. So don’t wait any longer, start planning your next vacation and enjoy this breathtaking opportunity this summer! You won’t regret it!

Fort De Soto 

 

Camping Area

Fort De Soto Island