Thursday 18 June 2015

Holidays in Naples

Culture, fine-dining, antique shops— these are things of you will find on your Naples, Florida holidays.

Located on the southwestern gulf-side of Florida, Naples is a refined city. It is also the point of access to the Everglades and outer islands. Beaches and shopping complete the picture of this city jewel.

Art lovers will enjoy Random Acts of Art, HW gallery and von Liebig Art Gallery. Stroll through, buy a few items that fit your fancy, and just enjoy the works of quirky, creative minds. See the Naples Theater or watch a production by the Naples Players. This is the place where art in all forms comes alive.

For shopping, everyone knows you go to Fifth Avenue. Fifth Avenue South, that is. Naples version of Rodeo Drive, this long stretch of shops hosts designer names, ice cream shops, limos and shady sitting benches. Spend the day (and lots of money) here along the stretch. Grab lunch with the girls or people-watch.

If you and your family prefer quiet, Florida wildlife, enjoy one of the sanctuaries. Wind along wooden paths through Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. See cypress trees, air plants and alligators all in their natural setting. Or, take a tranquil stroll into Naples Botanical Gardens. Waterfalls, garden ponds and dinosaurs (yes, you read that right) all come together in this peaceful retreat.

Of course, Naples has that most important of Florida vacation elements…the beach. Enjoy kayaking, cruising, or jetpacks in the emerald waters. Lowdermilk beach has sparkling white sand, outdoor showers, and places to eat, along with the gorgeous waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Sailing, fishing, and riding the jet skis will also keep the family happy for days on end.

For those who want to stay dry, The Naples Zoo, LaPlaya Golf Course and Naples Bicycle Tours will have you out in the sun, but not in the water. Explore the city on a bike and see places like the Celebration Community Beach Church. Here, the beach is the church. There is no building. Bring your lawn chair and your flip flops for some Florida-style religion.

Have you and your family worked up an appetite? Try the Rumba Cuban CafĂ© for some steak and onions and fried plantains, or some fried yucca with garlic sauce- yum! The family will love the laid-back atmosphere and indoor/outdoor seating. For some quiet couples-only time, try dining at Alberto’s on Fifth Fine Italian Restaurant. Have an Iceberg Martini and some bruschetta for starters. Main courses like roasted sea scallops, freshly made pasta and delicious desserts like homemade gelato will have your taste buds singing.

After a busy day, relax in a suite, cottage or room at Naples Bay Resort Florida. With plenty of activities for the kids, nice pools and a lazy river, this is a great spot to end your day. Of course, there are hundreds of places to stay. Let the agents at Charter Travel help you find the perfect accommodations. They can also help to make dinner reservations, get tickets to attractions and more.

Wednesday 17 June 2015

The beauty of staying in a Universal on site hotel at Universal Orlando

Staying at an on-site hotel at Universal Orlando has its own charm. Staying on-site makes everything about your Florida holidays experience effortless. Universal Orlando now offers four unique hotels inside its amazing universe in which three of them are deluxe property, which means you get luxurious accommodations along with top notch dining options plus many free perks and benefits.

Benefits of staying at an on-site hotel at Universal Orlando

Early park admission
This is among one of the most valuable perk available to guest staying at Universal on site hotel at Universal Orlando. This is also sometimes referred to as early entry and provides entry to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter 1 hour before the general public, and the unlimited Universal Express passes for deluxe guests.

Complimentary shuttle buses
Each of the hotels is within the walking distance or a short shuttle ride to Universal’s Island of Adventure, Universal CityWalk or Universal Studios Florida. Shuttle ride is free for all the guest staying at on site hotel at Universal Orlando. Deluxe hotels also have a provision for really cool and relaxing water taxis that transport you to CityWalk and the theme parks.

Resort-wide charging privileges
You can use your hotel room key card at Universal Orlando locations where credit cards are accepted to buy food and merchandise.

Complimentary delivery of merchandise
Buy items anywhere throughout Universal Orlando and get it sent directly to your on-site hotel room.

Complimentary scheduled transportation
Deluxe hotel guests have the privilege to take the convenient water taxis along picturesque waterways or ride the shuttle bus directly to both theme parks and CityWalk.

These benefits are available to you the moment you arrive until midnight on the day you check out. The benefits are still applicable even if your rooms are not ready until that afternoon. You have the right to register at your hotel as early in the morning as you arrive. This means you can leave your bags and retrieve your Express passes in time for the Early Park Admission hour. Interestingly you can still linger at the resort even after your check-out time and enjoy full advantage of your pool privilege until late in the evening – how cool is that?

Tuesday 16 June 2015

Combine the adrenaline of Orlando with the relaxation of Naples

It is very well said that Florida is the America’s sunshine state. On one hand it offers fantastic destination to those seeking sun and relaxation, great shopping, fine dining and on the other hand the opportunity to go crazy in the world of amusement parks and entertainment. In short Florida is dedicated to family time with tons of options to have fun, relax and unwind. The place has enough option to help you create perfect Florida holidays with memories you and your loved ones will treasure for years to come.

Adrenaline of Orlando

Orlando is the theme park capitol of the world, drawing over 50 million visitors per year and has got enough to keep your family entertained for weeks. The most visible and talked about attraction in Orlando this summer is not about one of those mega theme parks, instead it’s about I-Drive 360, an entertainment complex that’s pretty good for all ages and is complete with Madame Tussauds wax museum featuring figures of Juan Ponce de Leo, 400-foot-tall the Orlando Eye and the Sea Life Aquarium with plenty of sharks to spy. Most of the people get more tired after the trip than before they started, making it a great trip but not really a true vacation. But with little planning like combining your trip to Orlando with a back-to-back trip to Naples, you not only ensure great action packed fun time with your family, but also a relaxing one. So when you get back from your vacation, you are truly relaxed and in your best form to get back to your busy life with fresh energy and enthusiasm.

Relaxation of Naples

Naples is the jewel glistening on the south west coast that combines elegance and sophistication with beautiful natural surroundings. It makes for a perfect destination to relax on the white glittering sand and unwind after an action packed, eventful time at Orlando. One way trip from Orlando to Naples is about 220 miles and takes around four hours if driven direct. The interior route takes you through Lake Wales and past Lake Wales Ridge State Forest. Should you want you can also take a detour to Lake Kissimmee State Park to have a short break. Here you will get to see the lesser known parts of Florida which is more about cattle and oranges than beaches and shopping. Arrive in Naples and you step back into that other Florida which is about high-end shopping and cultural pursuits vie with the desire to simply lie back and soak up the sun.
Whether you come as family or just couples, Naples is a great value destination filled with relaxing days on the beach, activities the entire family can enjoy or gourmet dining. The city boasts over 35 golf courses, 100s of art galleries and two shopping districts. Naples is best known for its 17 miles of white sandy beaches which is great for kids and families. Besides beaches, Naples is also hugely popular with nature lovers. It offers a perfect option for getting out into the countryside including Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. What could be the better way to spend time hiking, kayaking and learning about the flora & fauna and about the local area ecosystem while preparing to get back to usual life after an action packed vacation time at mega theme parks in Orlando this summer?

Friday 12 June 2015

The Orlando Eye the I drive's newest attraction

Located in the heart of Orlando’s popular International Drive, I-Drive 360 is the Orlando’s new $200 million dollar entertainment city and home to The Orlando Eye. I-Drive 360 offers a fantastic opportunity to soar above Central Florida on The Orlando Eye or go under the sea at SEA LIFE Orlando or maybe just give a pose with a Star at Madame Tussaud's!

Considered as the tallest observational wheel on the North American East Coast and visible from most of central Florida, the Orlando Eye is the newest and the largest observation wheel on the east coast. It offers an excellent opportunity while on your holidays to Florida to catch a chance to see the magic of the city on an entertaining ride. The mesmerizing view from the top includes almost all of the downtown Orlando, captivating landscape and major theme parks and more. The Orlando eye stands 400 feet high, which is nearly 100 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty. On a clear day you can easily see all the way to Cape Canaveral. The Orlando Eye takes about 20 minutes to complete one full rotation. The ride doesn’t give a feel of swinging around or moving. It is not meant to be scary, rather provide an observation experience. Each of the 30 fully enclosed, air-conditioned glass capsules is complete with Apple tablet that gives the visitors fun and an interactive way to explore the views as they go around the wheel.

The Orlando Eye visitors get to choose their own unique experience like champagne flights and private capsules. The attraction also includes a 4D cinematic experience showcasing a 3D aerial journey of Central Florida that adds effects such as wind, water, and lighting. I-Drive 360 highlights also includes Madame Tussauds, world’s most famous celebrity wax attraction which showcases detailed and lifelike wax figures that offers a perfect tribute to the most influential celebrity and historical figures of our time like Jimmy Fallon, pop princesses Taylor Swift, actor Jim Parsons, international icon Ricky Martin and many more. You put your arms around them and get those photos that money can’t buy you.

Another I-drive 360 attraction is Sea Life Orlando, you can enjoy underwater adventure that displays colorful fish, sea horses, sea turtles, rays, sharks, jellies and more. A combination of winding tunnels, bubble aquarium, cold water rock pools and floor-to-ceiling presents a unique experience for guests of all ages. Sea Life Orlando features more than 5,000 sea animals from habitats representing Indian, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

I-Drive 360 also has an equally unique line-up of restaurants featuring variety of flavorful experiences and offering dining options from full service to fast casual and quick serve. You can expect to find some popular brand restaurants such as Carrabbas’ Italian Grill, Buffalo Wild Wings, Yard House, Outback Steakhouse and Shake Shack. You will also find some unique establishments such as Naru, Sugar Factory, Tapa Toro and Paramount Fine Foods. I-Drive 360 provides a massive seven stories covered parking structure for visitors, from here you can wonder nearby to an open air courtyard featuring a water show set to music and color-changing lights while enjoying your favorite refreshment.

Thursday 4 June 2015

Holidays on the Gulf Coast

Get ready for fun in the sun on a holiday to Florida’s Gulf Coast. Charter Travel has been helping travelers plan their trips to the Gulf Coast for years, and we would love to assist you. From finding the most affordable and convenient flight options to choosing a comfortable place to stay to arranging a car hire, our travel specialists can do it all.

Holidays to the Gulf Coast of Florida provide you with many exciting options. There are plenty of beaches to choose from, including Clearwater, Pensacola, Perdido Key, Tampa Bay, and St. Petersburg, just to name a few. You’ll find the best blend of city life and relaxing respites from all of the hustle and bustle. You’re also just a few hours’ drive from Orlando, where you can visit some of the best theme parks and attractions in the world, including Universal Orlando and Disney World. We can help you with arranging a car hire so that you can travel easily during your trip.

Relaxing Beaches, Exciting Watersports, and More

Beaches along the Gulf of Mexico offer calm, clear waters, soft white sand, and the perfect environment for a relaxing escape. It’s ideal for families, since kids and adults can swim in the calm waters without worrying about big waves. It’s almost like swimming in a pool, just with plenty of exotic marine life to share the water with.

If you love watersports, fishing, or even just romantic walks along the shore, this is an ideal place to be. From kayaking to snorkeling to fishing, options abound. There are activities and events suitable for families, couples, and travelers of all ages. Practice your golf swing on world class courses, cast a line off of a chartered fishing boat, or settle in to a poolside lounger with a good book. Trips to the Gulf Coast can be as laid back or as action packed as your heart desires.

Cultural sites include museums of all types, from art galleries to historical centers to botanical gardens. Tour fantastic mansions once owned by the wealthy and famous, and get a glimpse of exotic wildlife in zoos and on wildlife and nature tours. Charter Travel can help you create the itinerary that matches your interests.

There are numerous parks, some of which allow for camping, canoeing, and other outdoor activities. You can enjoy bird watching, picnicking with the children, or just watching the sun set over the water. Shopping and dining options are in abundance, from quaint shops to upscale boutiques to shopping malls. The travel specialists at Charter Travel are able to provide you with plenty of recommendations for restaurants, cafes, bars, and exciting nightlife hotspots. check out our many things to do along the Gulf Coast of Florida

Holidays on the Gulf Coast will have you feeling refreshed, relaxed and revitalized. If you have wanted to spend time in the sunshine in a tropical destination with all of the comforts of home, Charter Travel is pleased to help you organize the perfect trip. Pack up the family for a memorable beach holiday on the Gulf Coast that everyone is sure to enjoy.