Orlando And Miami Twin Centre Holidays 2014/2015

Finding a holiday destination that suits everyone in your family or travelling party can be a trying task. This is especially the case with children but it can be difficult for people of all ages. We all like our own things and this may mean that a holiday that is perfect for one person will be unsuitable for other people. There is often the need to compromise when booking a holiday but when booking a twin centre holiday, everyone can get the break that they need and deserve.

One of the most popular twin centre holidays in the world combines the beauty and majesty of Orlando and Miami. Florida has plenty of great attractions but it is inevitable that attention is drawn to theWalt Disney World resort. This makes Florida the ideal destination for families with young children and those who are young at heart. Of course, if there is so much focus on family fun and entertainment that is suitable for children, an Orlando trip can seem a little one paced or aimed at a certain market.

This is where taking a US holiday with a stop-off in Miami can allow everyone to experience the wider range of options afforded by Florida. Miami is an extremely cosmopolitan city, and a trip to this part of the world will live with you for a very long time. If you like to see how the other half live, the luxury and opulence of Miami is going to make this a place that you need to visit. With million dollar homes and the most vibrant nightlife you are likely to find in America, Miami is the place to be if you are looking to have non-stop action.



Miami is the city of celebrity

When it comes to Miami accommodation, there are few more famous resorts than the Fontainebleau Hotel. One of the most famous hotels in the world, this venue has played host to some of the biggest names in the world. Lovers of Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jnr and the rest of the Rat Pack will adore being in the same venue where the lads developed and honed their reputation. If you take an opposite view on celebrity culture, the hotel was also the inspiration for Neil Young, being the title of one of his songs where he mused on the negative influence that celebrity culture had on the American population in the 1970s. No matter what your outlook on life is, this hotel has been at the heart of Miami life for over half a century and it is a fascinating place to stay.

The hotel itself offers a top quality service but knowing that there is so much history steeped within the walls makes this the natural choice for anyone looking to experience the very best that Miami has to offer. The Fontainebleau is situated directly on Miami Beach but it also offers four pools for all of the family. Miami has a lot to offer but with restaurants and spas, if you ever felt like a lazy day, this resort can provide everything you need.



If you want to explore Miami but wish to retain the freedom to travel where you like if the mood takes you, a Go Car is likely to be the most attractive tourist option. These cars provide a narrative as you tour around the city and the GPS ensures you always know where you are. So does the Go Car, so you get all the benefits of a tour guide in the comfort of your car! You can travel at your own pace and even take breaks when you want and your tour guide will remain present and ready to provide you with information about your local area.

If you find meeting the needs of everyone in your family or travelling party is difficult, booking a twin centre holiday that combines Orlando and Miami may be the perfect break.

Gulf Coast Florida Holidays 2014/2015

One of the great things about taking a Florida break is that no matter when you come, the climate is going to be warm and welcoming. This has impacted on many of the people that travel to the area and how they make the most of their time in this part of the United States.
As you can imagine, January, February and March are very popular months of the year with respect to taking a break in Florida. Consumer research indicates that Florida is hugely popular in these months with holidaymakers travelling down from Canada. When you consider the climate in Canada in the opening three months of the year, it is very easy to see why permanent sunshine is going to appeal. If a new year starts off in a miserable fashion where you are, taking a trip to Florida to enjoy the beaches of the Gulf Coast could be the perfect antidote to the bad weather blues.
As the year carries on and the rest of the world starts to brighten up, Florida continues to get hotter and warmer. April, May and June provide the perfect chance to enjoy the clear blue skies and warm waters of Florida beaches. With the exception of some of April, these months are out with the traditional school holidays, so Florida is not quite the tourist trap that it becomes when the schools are out for summer. There is no denying that Walt Disney World Resort is a fantastic reason to visit Florida, but it is far from being the only reason. Heading to the Gulf Coast region can provide you with stunning views, a fantastic climate and enough memories to keep you smiling during the rest of the year.

Take a break from the tourist trap

Of course, even when Florida becomes packed with families in July and August 2015, the Gulf Coast will provide you with respite from the popularity of the main tourist spots. Many travellers are combining an Orlando villa break with a week on the Gulf Coast, offering them the perfect combination of entertainment, fun and relaxation on their trip. It can be difficult to meet the needs of everyone in your family but an Orlando villa break twinned with a Gulf Coast break can help everyone to feel as though they’ve had the holiday they were dreaming of. When it comes to finding affordable and stylish accommodation in the Gulf Coast in Florida in 2015, you will not be short of options. There are villa rentals and hotel rentals for a variety of budgets in Anna Maria Island. You will also find a number of high quality apartment options in Cape Coral, Bradenton, Fort Mayers and Sanibel.

There is accommodation to suit your budget, needs and ideas of a perfect holiday

If you think that a hotel would suit your pace of trip, there are plenty of options that stand out. The Inn on Fifth is highly recommended, while Tiki on the Beach or any of the Hampton Inn & Suites in the region will more than look after you and your travelling party. Given the agreeable climate and what is on offer in the Gulf Coast, it is likely that you won’t be spending a lot of time in your hotel apartment. However, it is nice to have a quality pool and a room where you can relax. There are hotel options for every budget and depending on when you travel, there is some exceptional to be found.
Taking a trip to the Gulf Coast can provide you with a different Orlando break than most people are looking for. If your idea of a perfect Summer 2014 Florida holiday involved great weather and plenty of relaxation, this is likely to be a destination that is tailor made for you. No matter the time of year, the Gulf Coast provides the perfect opportunity to receive a warm welcome when you take a break.

Summer 2014 Florida holiday packages with Virgin Atlantic or British Airways

Summer 2014 Florida holiday deals are now available with extra availability being added to both our Virgin Atlantic and British Airways package priced holidays.

Summer 2014 is  very popular with unprecedented travellers to Florida perhaps due to the hope of a chance to visit the brand new Harry Potter and Universal Studios - Diagon Alley. Even though it is still under construction , there are rumours they are pulling out all the stops to get this expansion that will change the entire look and feel of the theme park, ready for summer 2014.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley is a new area that will bring to life some of the experiences and places found in and around London in the Harry Potter books and films. The whole complex will be accessible using the Hogwarts Express.

Summer 2014 is already a very popular time for UK travellers, and with the possibility of being some of the first to experience this new and exciting world of Diagon Alley, tailormadeflorida can help put together all your holiday arrangements for this trip.. Staying in a Universal Resort Hotel will help to enhance the Universal Experience taking advantage of the 1 hour early entrance into the theme parks, coupled with the new Universal resort Cabana Bay, it’s exciting times at Universal.

We have managed to secure some exclusive Summer Florida holidays in 2014 for lots of the peak dates in both July and August 2014. For those lucky enough to be able to return back to the UK on the 4th or 5th of September we have some really good choices flying on Virgin Atlantic.

We have packaged some of these July 2014 Florida holidays based on the last few days of July starting from the 20th with either a 3 star hotel or a 3 bedroom villa an intermediate 4 door car with Virgin flights to Orlando based on 2 adults and 2 children.

Why not consider 1 week to 10 days in the Orlando area followed by a trip across to the Gulf Coast staying in a Cape Coral Villa – perfect for the whole family, treating the children to all the attractions that Orlando has to offer and then followed by a more relaxed week on the Gulf Coast, if there is still a need for those adrenaline rushes then Busch Gardens in Tampa is well worth a day’s visit.

If you wish to travel as far down as the The Keys then Hawks Cay is a fabulous family resort and a real treat for those that love the sea life. With onsite docks that put you within reach of a reef, Atlantic bottlenose Dolphins both dockside and in their saltwater lagoon, Diving and a large array of water sports. The Hawks Cay hotel room styles are all located just steps from the Atlantic Ocean, gourmet dining, swimming pools, water activities and more.

Florida holidays 2015 book now and save

Looking to start planning holidays to Florida in 2015? They are going to be very popular! So book early and save. With 2015 being over 16 months away it’s a perfect way to book now and pay by instalment. Try to come up with a fixed budget including spending money and attraction tickets so you know exactly how much to save each month. Here at Tailormadeflorida we have fantastic package prices for each month of the year. To get you in the mood let’s have a look at what’s new in Florida at 2 of the old favourites.

Seaworld  -  Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin®.. Be transported to the South Pole and see things through the eyes of a penguin. Well four key members anyway – Adelies , Gentoos , Kings and Rockhoppers all looking ready to entertain you,.  Plus in the shop you can make your own personalized cup which is great for the kids as it allows them to use their imagination by choosing more than 40 accessories.

Wet and Wild –  Blastaway Beach Kids' Park is an acre-sized, family water play area featuring a 60-foot sandcastle, plus has 2 levels that feature 15 slides  a lower pool area and more than 160 soakers, water jets and cannons. Over the last couple of years wet and wild have been adding new and exciting rides more for teenagers where as this new resort area is for all the family.

Join our facebook or twitter pages at tailormadeflorida to find out more of the latest offers on all our 2015 Florida holidays

Universal Studio Halloween Horror Nights

Right ... So Halloween Horror Nights fans who have been eagerly awaiting the announcement of Universal Studios to reveal "ALL" during its HHN Reveal Week but instead find themselves quivering for one more 
Haunted house announcement that is guaranteed to be a shocker! 

During the process of a few weeks Universal decided to share a few details about four houses making the Halloween Horror Nights to a total seven astonishing detailed mazes for "HHN 2013". 

 So you think the scare is over? You're Wrong... Universal keep surprising everyone in which just one of their posts online explained...

 "Seven houses and one terrifying street experience have been revealed… but it’s not over yet.  Which house are you most excited about? We're excited to tell you about the 8th house."

The magical horror journey will continue to surprise ALL so keep a wide look about for the reveal of the" 8th house" here at Charter Travels Facebook.

So let`s roughly go through the seven houses identified so far, bearing in mind they will excite you 10x more in real life but you will be pleased to know that Four of the buildings are from licensed properties, such as previous horror films. So you can settle for exquisite attention to detail and the aesthetics will be unbelievably realistic!

I see from Twitter and various other social feeds that three buildings are original to Universal Orlando so expect...the unexpected and book your holiday today with Charter Travel - Florida holiday Experts.

• Afterlife - Well here Death's Vengeance 3D features a serial killer, the electric chair and the hereafter. Universal says "You will go on Bobby's journey from 2,000 volts to where his victims have patiently waited." 

• An American Werewolf in London - Based on the 1981 film, this will have a facade/entrance based on the Slaughtered Lamb pub seen early in the film. John Landis even brings us some truly original themes throughout so expect numerous sightings of the werewolf in the crazy house of thrills and scares. "Its many appearances in the maze are completely articulated puppets!"  

• The Cabin in the Woods - Based on a recent film that ripped the horror genre inside out this night is packed up like sardines with interesting and various creatures that we expect to see in "real life", yet only in our wildest dreams.

• Evil Dead - Well expect pure tingles down your spine in this fascinating classic movie remake. "Our scenic and decor teams are absolutely top notch ...This maze IS the movie in every way!" 

• Havoc - Derailed is an original yet sequel house. In the past: An experimental super soldier program known as the Dogs of War went horribly wrong. Today: The soldiers are being transported by train and something goes horribly wrong. "The battle will begin in the claustrophobic confines of train cars ... then derailment into an all-out war amongst the twisted wreckage."

• Urban Legends - La Llorona -- "This maze will involve water effects, video projection and aesthetically it's just gorgeous to look at." Looking forward: We chose not to subtitle the maze but instead give it the header of 'Urban Legends', I am sure this is because Universal is hoping in coming years to use it more?

• The Walking Dead - Based on the AMC television show, returns for a second year at HHN. The house itself is larger with new content and the "Walking Dead" also overflows into the streets in a big way, taking control over the entire zone so remember to watch your back at every turn... 

Halloween Horror Nights runs for 27 select nights between Sept. 20 and Nov. 2. For more information, go to HalloweenHorrorNights.com/Orlando - Terms and Conditions Apply

Book Today With -

Last chance Disney Free Dine 2014

The fantastic FREE 2014 Disney Dining Plan for Orlando Florida is booking now for travel during 2014, this offer allows you to stay in selected onsite Walt Disney World Hotels and allows you to take advantage of the savings to be made when booking the hotel and 14 day Ultimate passes.

Now if that is not enough to dazzle your socks off then why not check out some of Disney's other fantastic deals from accommodation to travelling...

• Book a selected Walt Disney World Hotel and Ticket Package for five nights or more and everyone dines for FREE
• Disney Dining Plans to choose from with over 100 dining locations
• Enjoy all the Disney attractions with the 14 day Ultimate Passes
• Lots of Magical extras
• FREE in resort credit in the form of a Disney Gift Card
• Magical Express return Airport to hotel transfers

   

Request A Quote

Prices vary according to travel dates, offer applicable only if booking a package of 7 nights or more, booked with Disney Tickets for the whole party and staying at the Walt Disney World Moderate Resort Hotels or the Walt Disney Deluxe Resort hotels, or selected Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts.

Please click below for Charter Travels Disney Deals 

                                               

                       

Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort is pure luxury nestled on Cancun’s south shore. The resort literally offers something for everyone and you can see from some of the photos that the location is hard to describe in words...   But of course you can try!

One of the things I am most impressed with about Cancun is that they ask you to use biodegradable sunblock, How astonishing is that? Their caring for the environment shows because the water is so clean and crystal.

The resort is set surrounded by lush foliage and also is home to a 27 hole Jack Nicklaus golf course.The gorgeous Resort and Spa is perfect for couples and families alike “Tried and tested there's no better recommendation” is just a few of the bold statements coming back from visitors here at Charter Travel  .

You can take your children to join in with the luxury and ages range from 2 - 14 years, Mini Golf to Dolphin swimming, Flow rider to tennis courts, Kiddies clubs age (4-12) to teenage lounge areas, buffet restaurants to gourmet dining.  Seems there is a little bit of everything here, but maybe too “Posh” or “Expensive”...

Well think again, because here at Charter Travel 14 nights ALL Inclusive 5* Moon Palace Cancun holiday Includes:

• Flights from UK to Cancun

• All current airport taxes and surcharges.

• 14 nights ALL Inclusive 5* Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort

• Up to $2500 FREE in resort room credit to spend locally

• Return airport transfers in Mexico

Prices from £1195 per person. 

Prices are based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 2-11 years) for selected departures during June 2014. 

" Where Do I Go? "

Well it is always hard to start when travelling to Cancun because of the many attractions and surrounding jungle but with many hotel packages including tours; you don't really have to go far to visit some of the most famous attractions whilst on holiday.

 I mean even Moon Palace resort offer you a wide range of “Special Features” like:

Honeymoon Package : Honeymooners staying at any Palace Resort (Playacar Palace & Moon Palace)  will receive a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine, fruit basket, a romantic candlelight dinner, 2 t-shirts, honeymooners weekly cocktail, honeymooners desk and late checkout till 6:00 P.m.

 (Upon request and subject to availability). 

We at Charter Travel will leave the rest to you, so go out there and experience for yourself…

The A-Z Holiday States Guide: Arizona (The Grand Canyon State)

Today for our A-Z Holiday States Guide we are going to talk about the fantastic state of Arizona for your USA holiday. We have decided to gather some information for you on what to do in the State of Arizona so you don’t miss a trick.

First of all a great place to visit is of course… The Grand Canyon! One of the world’s most amazing and famous natural wonders, so why miss it out? Did you know? The Grand Canyon is over a mile deep, 227 miles long and 18 miles wide!

Arizona has more to offer than just the Grand Canyon don’t forget. The sunsets are simply amazing and shouldn’t be missed, a perfect picture moment. Try some world class golf while enjoying the beautiful settings around you. As they say Arizona is the birthplace of desert golf. There are endless places to which you can visit for fishing, sailing, swimming or even that little paddle on a warm summers evening… Arizona is the perfect destination to get away from the crowds of people for that relaxing holiday you’ve always wanted. 

We at Charter Travel hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the great holidays you can take in the State of Arizona. For more information get in touch today and one of our helpful consultants will be more than happy to guide you for your USA holiday – we also have some fantastic holiday ideas for combining trips to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas amongst many other twin-centre holidays combining Arizona.

Be sure to check back for the next A-Z Holiday States Guide entry!

2014 Easter school holidays in Florida

   

Thinking Florida for Easter 2014 - the weather in Florida at Easter is known to be blue sunny skies and warm temperatures just what we all need on our well-deserved holiday, with Easter being so popular its essential to book early. Thinking of Florida for Easter 2014 now's the time to book before the flights are busy and the choices become limited, booking early means you can book your Florida holiday taking advantage of those early booking offers and book on a deposit basis so you can save, plan, and look forward to your family holiday. With the schools breaking up for Easter 2013 just around the corner many will be packing their suitcases, and counting down the sleeps left before the magical awaited trip, excitement mounting every day, and discussions of which parks and attractions to visit first, airports will be gearing up for one of the busiest times of the year. Florida offers so much variety for the whole family with so many attractions to visit during your Florida holiday and with Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando Florida generally falling over the Easter time this is a carnival you won't want to miss out on, singing, dancing and beads,beads,beads just soak up the atmosphere and magic. Book now for Easter 2014.

British Airways Launch the Airbus A380 Between London and Los Angeles.

Exciting news from British Airways …
Tickets went on sale this week for the first British Airways Airbus A380 flying from Los Angeles to Heathrow. Los Angeles has been chosen as the inaugural destination for the first A380 to be operated by British Airways. The superjumbo double decker is due for delivery in July with flights operating from October 15^th 2013. The second A380 route will be Hong Kong with travel from 15^th November 2013. The A380 has also driven the changes made to the British Airways Heathrow base to support the world's largest commercial aircraft with 12 on order and due for delivery by 2016. We await the news as to the routes that will see these superjumbo's.

Disney Cruise Lines for 2014 Now on Sale!

Cruising is a unique experience and a time to blend family time with visiting many destinations. A Disney Cruise brings the world class hospitality that Disney offers, to the oceans, and there is something for everyone on a Disney Cruise. Disney Cruise lines have been named the no.1 cruise experience for families and has been recognised as the best cruise experience in the mega-ship category, once on board you will see why.

Disney are delighted to offer once again the Mediterranean Disney Magic cruises from Venice and Barcelona. The season begins From May 2014 and runs through until August 2014 offering many European wonders along the way taking in some of the Greek Islands and Sicily for the very first time. For the first time Disney Cruise lines will homeport in San Juan during 2014, with the Disney Magic embarking on four cruises to the Southern Caribbean. Setting sail from Miami on four night Bahamian and five night Western Caribbean cruises. Port Canaveral to the Caribbean and the Bahamas sees a selection of itineraries and each one will make a stop at Disney’s private island Castaway Cay. The Disney ships offer a floating world of luxury and grandeur along with the traditional Disney Magic (excuse the pun). From staterooms and pools, to days filled with entertainment, youth clubs and nightclubs to unwind and let your hair down, to relaxing adult only areas and lounges to sip those cocktails. The whole family will be overwhelmed with the impressive Disney Cruise ships and you will be left with magical memories to last a lifetime and start planning the next Disney holiday.

Easter 2013 at Disney World, Orlando

If you have booked your holiday to Florida for Easter 2013 then you are in for a treat because Walt Disney World have great plans for the Easter period. What’s going on at Disney World for Easter 2013?
So Easter is a peak season at Disney World for obvious reasons, it’s a very busy time to visit so make sure you plan ahead and get to places early! We’ve listed a selection of activities available for you:

• Meet Mr and Mrs Easter Bunny at Magic Kingdom.
• Go Easter egg hunting and join in with the other Easter activities on Easter Sunday at Epcot.
• Decorate Easter Eggs at a selection of the Disney Hotels.
• Treat yourself to a special Easter lunch at certain Walt Disney Restaurants.

Have fun!

International Driving Permit Update

Charter Travel have been advised by ABTA that the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles have suspended the state’s recently enacted International Driving Permit requirement and is pending further study. International visitors who plan to drive in Florida will now only need a valid driver’s license issued from their own country (both parts - if applicable) and a major credit card.

Do I need an International Driving Permit?

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive a hire car in Florida? In short, YES, you do!

This has been the topic of conversion across forums and social media sites in the last week and has been a question that we have been swamped with. In fact we are quite surprised at the lack of communication there has been to inform anyone of this … we weren’t informed and even the car hire companies did not appear to be aware of this??
However, after some extensive research it has come to light that if you have a UK driving license and you are planning on driving in Florida then you will need an International Driving Permit. This came into action on the 1st January 2013 and can be purchased from your local post office - currently priced at £5.50.
As it stands we are aware that this is just a law that has been implemented in the state of Florida, however there may be a possibility that it will be adopted in other states so be sure to check with your local post office if you plan on driving in the USA. You will find more information on this at your local Post Office and The AA.

Party time in Orlando Florida

The New Orleans based celebration “Mardi Gras” is just about to kick off at Universal Studios Orlando, this parade brings you jazz, blues glitz and beads, beads, and more beads. Fun for all the family whilst on your holiday to Florida, all within one of our favourite theme parks - Universal Studios Orlando, Florida. The Mardi Gras starts this Saturday and will run on selected nights through until April 20th 2013. The parade moves through the streets of Universal Studios starting at 7.45pm (subject to change). If you have purchased entry tickets to Universal then parade admission is included so a fabulous event to enjoy and take part at no extra costs, and an event not to be missed during your holiday in Florida.

Welcome to the new Charter Travel Blog!

Let us introduce ourselves…

Charter Travel is a UK based tour operator who specialise in holidays all around the World. Organising fantastic holidays since 1988, Charter Travel started out as a specialist travel agency for holidays in Florida and have grown ever since to offer fabulous holidays all around the world.

Whether you are looking for a self-drive tour around Australia, a honeymoon in Hawaii, or a theme park pact holiday to Florida we have it all covered for you. Our expert travel consultants are here to help and give you advice on the very best places to visit, stay, dine and relax on holiday. All of our consultants have first-hand experience in many holiday locations around the world so we are proud to offer fantastic advice on what’s out there too.

For great information and news on what’s hot in the holiday world be sure to check back here soon!