Florida got ready for the biggest winter tourist rush in its history. Miami hotels are booked solid to mid-March, and incoming airline traffic is running 20% ahead of the 1956 peak. Altogether, 8,500,000 to 9,000,000 outstaters are planning to flock to Florida in the next twelve months—about 1,000,000 more than in the past year. To house the horde, the sun-blessed state is basking in her greatest building boom. In Miami alone, $75 million is going into new tourist facilities, including four new luxury hotels, nine Cadillac-class motels and 59 apartment buildings.
Kitchen TV. Builders this week put the fimsaing graces on the 301-room DuPont-Tarlton in downtown Miami. To the north, at Bal Harbour, the 162-room Beau Rivage was about ready to open. Nearing December openings along the seven-mile Miami Beach strip were two 14-story towers—the 538-room Deauville and the 620-room Carillon. In the Deauville, guests can tune in the kitchen from their rooms by means of a closed-circuit TV, see what the cook is whipping up for dinner. The Carillon has a different electronic attraction: four bells in its tower.
Throughout the state, the tourist surge is building much more . than ' hotels. Straight new highways are springing up to accommodate the tourists, 80% of whom come in by auto. The southern one-third of the abuilding 390-mile, $242 million Miami-Orlando-Jacksonville Parkway is already open for business.
Yet, spectacular as it is, the tourist boom is just a part—the smaller part—of the statewide business buildup. This year Florida manufacturing will outshine Florida tourism as the No. 1 dollar earner by an estimated $1.5 billion to $1.3 billion. Between the two, Florida's investment in new construction will top $1 billion, the sixth straight yearly record. In the past two years, more than 1,000 manufacturers have built new plants or made major expansions, boosting Florida's manufacturing payroll by 8% v. the national gain of 2%.
Fringe Benefits. Manufacturing is growing fastest in the Gold Coast tourist spas, where any company can attract employee talent with the free fringe benefits of sun and surf. Dade County (Miami) leads the state with 96 new plants in the first half of 1957; Broward County (Fort Lauderdale) is second with 51 plants. Pinellas County (St. Petersburg) is being transformed from a senior citizens' haven to a humming technical center. Since 1956, General Electric's X-Ray division has established a $7,000,000 plant, and Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Co. has opened a $4,500,000 missile-parts plant. Sperry Rand and Electronic Communications, Inc. (aeronautical instruments) have also recently finished multimillion-dollar plants.
Other areas are expanding almost as rapidly. Toward the center of the state, outside Orlando, the Martin Co. is putting up a $27 million missile plant (Lacrosses and Bullpups) that will employ 7,000. Near West Palm Beach, Pratt & Whitney is building a $42 million research and testing plant, has already started to work in part of it to develop new jet engines. And in the missile-laden Cape Canaveral area (see NATIONAL AFFAIRS), the roster of industrial newcomers reads like the Who's Who of American Industry: Boeing, Chrysler, Convair, Douglas, Fairchild, North American, Northrup, Westinghouse.
From all over the country, industries are swarming to Florida's balmy business climate, with the added incentive of no state income tax. Furthermore, Florida's resortlike climate is sure bait for hard-to-get engineers and topflight executives. When starting its West Palm Beach plant, Pratt & Whitney advertised for engineers in Northern newspapers, offered them a choice of jobs in the Midwest, New England, Florida, California. Florida led the other areas combined by 25 to one.
Americans will spend almost twice as much on domestic traveling as on new cars this year. The Department of Commerce reported last week that tourism has become a $15 billion to $20 billion yearly business in the U.S., and just 24 tourists a day bring as much to a town as a plant with a $100,000-a-year payroll.
Source : http://www.time.com/
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Travels in Florida
My early memories of Florida rise from the haze of time. I remember road trips in my father’s ‘55 Ford “tan car,” a stop to use a two-holer outhouse at a filling station on a country road, another gas station (in Baldwin, I believe), where the pumps perpetually proclaimed 21 cents a gallon. Like most northeasterners, my parents found Florida fascinating. Dad lived in West Palm Beach for a while between high school and meeting Mom, and every year from the time I was five we did a road trip down US 301 to seek out summer in the wintertime. I remember the sugar cane rising from black dirt along canals straight as lines outside Belle Glade, and the jellyfish washed up on the shore at the beach in front of a Howard Johnsons. How the giant grouper at the Key West Aquarium was the biggest fish I’d ever seen, and how clouds of pink birds rose from the mangroves around West Lake. After years of road trips to Silver Springs, Rainbow Springs, Cypress Gardens, Masterpiece Gardens, and more, we picked up and moved to Ocala.
These days, I roam the state looking through the lens of my 1960s road trips, appreciating where the sense of place remains the same and trying to understand where it does not. Researching my books on Florida has had me poking around every corner of the state, on foot and in the car. Here are some of my stories.
Source : http://www.sandrafriend.com/
These days, I roam the state looking through the lens of my 1960s road trips, appreciating where the sense of place remains the same and trying to understand where it does not. Researching my books on Florida has had me poking around every corner of the state, on foot and in the car. Here are some of my stories.
Source : http://www.sandrafriend.com/
Great Florida Travel - Golfing Getaway
destination place to take the family next summer, a place where the wife and kids can have a good time, but where dad can experience some high quality golfing?
How about taking a Florida vacation to Northern Florida? More specifically, the northwest section of the state, where beautiful little cities with sandy beaches on the Gulf of Mexico create a relaxing, invigorating, environment.
Located near Panama City Beach, the WaterColor region is where the movie "The Truman Show" was shot. And much like the film, you'll find yourself wondering if it's real or all just a movie set.
It's perfection, as is the golf.
The Camp Creek Golf Club is a world-class course, designed by the legendary Tom Fazio.
This course was ranked eight last year out of the seven hundred public-access courses.
The course was recently selected as one of the Top Golf Courses in the United States by the Zagat Guides for 2007-08.
The 7,151-yard course is vastly governed by water, which should come as no surprise given its proximity to the Gulf.
The northwest Florida area is a great golfing destination.
Source : http://floridatravel365.com/
How about taking a Florida vacation to Northern Florida? More specifically, the northwest section of the state, where beautiful little cities with sandy beaches on the Gulf of Mexico create a relaxing, invigorating, environment.
Located near Panama City Beach, the WaterColor region is where the movie "The Truman Show" was shot. And much like the film, you'll find yourself wondering if it's real or all just a movie set.
It's perfection, as is the golf.
The Camp Creek Golf Club is a world-class course, designed by the legendary Tom Fazio.
This course was ranked eight last year out of the seven hundred public-access courses.
The course was recently selected as one of the Top Golf Courses in the United States by the Zagat Guides for 2007-08.
The 7,151-yard course is vastly governed by water, which should come as no surprise given its proximity to the Gulf.
The northwest Florida area is a great golfing destination.
Source : http://floridatravel365.com/
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Best Florida Beaches
Why choose a beach vacation in Florida? One good reason is because wherever you go in Florida, you're never more than 60 miles from the beach!
Florida is also easy to get to, the temperature is pleasurable year round, it offers good value for your money and that’s just for starters. So whether you are looking for a family vacation, a romantic vacation, a relaxing vacation or getting in some golf time, there is a Florida beach vacation area for you.
Best Florida Beach Areas for Families
Siesta Public Beach Siesta Public Beach in Sarasota makes a great family beach because of its gradual slopes, shallow waters, lifeguards on duty, fine white sand and tranquil waters. It has won awards for best beach based on sand, water quality and facilities. The beach facilities include picnic areas, rest rooms, concession stands, playground, trails, and tennis and volleyball courts. If you enjoy collecting shells, try Turtle Beach, at the south end of the island.
Tampa Bay Area - St. Petes/Clearwater Located on the West Coast of Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico, the Tampa Bay area is a waterfront heaven! Miles and miles of white sandy beaches along the Gulf Coast offer unlimited options for a fun and relaxing vacation. When you need a break from the surf and sand, there are plenty of nearby activities to keep the kids amused including the Florida Aquarium, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Lowry Park Zoo.
Daytona With twenty-three miles of sparkling white sandy beaches and beautiful blue-green waters there is no shortage of beach fun for whole family. The beach is up to 500 feet wide at low tide and is perfect for castle building, cycling, jogging, fishing or just relaxing in the sun. The Atlantic Ocean is great for swimming, especially during the spring and summer when water temperatures range from 74 to 80 degrees. And you are only an hour’s drive from Orlando if you are so inclined.
Best Florida Beach Areas for Romance
Miami Beach A Miami romantic vacation has everything from relaxing on the beach by day and dancing by night. There are lots of art deco and interesting hotels on South Beach. A short drive west will bring you to the Everglades, where you can take a Scenic Boat Tour and see plenty of wildlife, including alligators. You can shop at the ritzy Bal Harbor shops, and at night choose from plenty of dance clubs or mellow jazz bars and restaurants.
Marco Island Marco Island is located at the southern tip of Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast at the western entrance to Everglades National Park. The island is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico on one side and natural wilderness on the other. There are miles of white-sand beaches, lavish real estate, shopping, dining, nightlife, attractions and lots of outdoor activities. Your recreation choices include swimming, sunbathing fishing, golf, tennis, and more. Enjoy the subtropical ambience that exists in Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast.
Cocoa Beach Cocoa Beach has beautiful sandy beaches and a great pier that is available for fishing, dining & dancing. There is a large promenade leading to the beach with an observation deck overlooking the ocean, perfect for romantic walks. While you're on the Space Coast you can visit the Kennedy Space Center, go deep-sea fishing, surf, windsurf, rent a jet ski, golf our take a take a river tour. At night there is lots of nightlife and great dining for you to enjoy.
Best Florida Beach Areas for Relaxing
New Smyrna Beach New Smyrna Beach is a laid-back beach town without the crowds, noise or pollution, which gives visitors a relaxing beach experience. Although the northern beach is accessible to cars, the majority is traffic free, allowing for peaceful sunbathing and strolls along the beach. New Smyrna has a small town feel in its architecture and atmosphere. There are no high-rises along the beach, only low-rise buildings and these accommodations range from bed and breakfast inns, family-size condominiums or oceanfront motels.
Sanibel Island Sanibel Island is one of the unique barrier islands of the world, having an east-west orientation when most islands are north south. This gives the island great sandy beaches with plenty of shells. Check out Bowman's Beach for peach and quiet, you won't find any hotels here. You can park and walk over a bridge to secluded white beach. There are barbecue grills in the area so it is a great spot to have a picnic and enjoy the beach.
Punta Gorda Punta Gorda is located about 30 miles north of Fort Myers. There is plenty of waterfront in this town, and a very nice riverfront beach area. Here you can enjoy swimming, fishing, canoeing, hiking and walking in the woods, it is a great place to get away from the crowds. The town of Punta Gorda has street art, water views and interesting murals that enrich the historic downtown district that also has cobblestone streets and gaslights, and many fine shops and restaurants.
Best Florida Beach Areas for Golf
Sarasota Sarasota is a sophisticated resort town near the Gulf of Mexico. For beach lovers there is Sarasota’s 35 miles of fine, pure, sparkling white sand beach to enjoy. As far as golf is concerned there are 32 golf courses in the Sarasota area and almost 20 more if you include the surrounding cities of Bradenton and Venice. You will find one for every level of ability available for your golfing pleasure.
Jacksonville Jacksonville has twenty miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches and lots of nearby state parks to explore. You will find lots of things to do and lots of beaches to explore in Jacksonville. For golfers there are over 25 golf courses in the area. Several championship golf courses are located nearby; many of which are ranked among the top in the country offering challenges for players of every skill level, ranging from top ocean side resorts to popular public courses.
Naples Naples, located on a stretch of southwest Florida that is not bordered by barrier islands, has seven miles of silky, white sand beach that overlooks the tranquil waters of the Gulf of Mexico. There is plenty of shopping and dining in the area once the sun goes down beachfront. There are also dozens of excellent golf courses in the area. From May through October, the golf courses are not as crowded and you can pick your tee time and be assured of a leisurely round. Also, many private courses are open to the public during these months.
Source : http://www.alltravelingkidsfamilyvacations.com/
Florida is also easy to get to, the temperature is pleasurable year round, it offers good value for your money and that’s just for starters. So whether you are looking for a family vacation, a romantic vacation, a relaxing vacation or getting in some golf time, there is a Florida beach vacation area for you.
Best Florida Beach Areas for Families
Siesta Public Beach Siesta Public Beach in Sarasota makes a great family beach because of its gradual slopes, shallow waters, lifeguards on duty, fine white sand and tranquil waters. It has won awards for best beach based on sand, water quality and facilities. The beach facilities include picnic areas, rest rooms, concession stands, playground, trails, and tennis and volleyball courts. If you enjoy collecting shells, try Turtle Beach, at the south end of the island.
Tampa Bay Area - St. Petes/Clearwater Located on the West Coast of Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico, the Tampa Bay area is a waterfront heaven! Miles and miles of white sandy beaches along the Gulf Coast offer unlimited options for a fun and relaxing vacation. When you need a break from the surf and sand, there are plenty of nearby activities to keep the kids amused including the Florida Aquarium, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Lowry Park Zoo.
Daytona With twenty-three miles of sparkling white sandy beaches and beautiful blue-green waters there is no shortage of beach fun for whole family. The beach is up to 500 feet wide at low tide and is perfect for castle building, cycling, jogging, fishing or just relaxing in the sun. The Atlantic Ocean is great for swimming, especially during the spring and summer when water temperatures range from 74 to 80 degrees. And you are only an hour’s drive from Orlando if you are so inclined.
Best Florida Beach Areas for Romance
Miami Beach A Miami romantic vacation has everything from relaxing on the beach by day and dancing by night. There are lots of art deco and interesting hotels on South Beach. A short drive west will bring you to the Everglades, where you can take a Scenic Boat Tour and see plenty of wildlife, including alligators. You can shop at the ritzy Bal Harbor shops, and at night choose from plenty of dance clubs or mellow jazz bars and restaurants.
Marco Island Marco Island is located at the southern tip of Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast at the western entrance to Everglades National Park. The island is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico on one side and natural wilderness on the other. There are miles of white-sand beaches, lavish real estate, shopping, dining, nightlife, attractions and lots of outdoor activities. Your recreation choices include swimming, sunbathing fishing, golf, tennis, and more. Enjoy the subtropical ambience that exists in Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast.
Cocoa Beach Cocoa Beach has beautiful sandy beaches and a great pier that is available for fishing, dining & dancing. There is a large promenade leading to the beach with an observation deck overlooking the ocean, perfect for romantic walks. While you're on the Space Coast you can visit the Kennedy Space Center, go deep-sea fishing, surf, windsurf, rent a jet ski, golf our take a take a river tour. At night there is lots of nightlife and great dining for you to enjoy.
Best Florida Beach Areas for Relaxing
New Smyrna Beach New Smyrna Beach is a laid-back beach town without the crowds, noise or pollution, which gives visitors a relaxing beach experience. Although the northern beach is accessible to cars, the majority is traffic free, allowing for peaceful sunbathing and strolls along the beach. New Smyrna has a small town feel in its architecture and atmosphere. There are no high-rises along the beach, only low-rise buildings and these accommodations range from bed and breakfast inns, family-size condominiums or oceanfront motels.
Sanibel Island Sanibel Island is one of the unique barrier islands of the world, having an east-west orientation when most islands are north south. This gives the island great sandy beaches with plenty of shells. Check out Bowman's Beach for peach and quiet, you won't find any hotels here. You can park and walk over a bridge to secluded white beach. There are barbecue grills in the area so it is a great spot to have a picnic and enjoy the beach.
Punta Gorda Punta Gorda is located about 30 miles north of Fort Myers. There is plenty of waterfront in this town, and a very nice riverfront beach area. Here you can enjoy swimming, fishing, canoeing, hiking and walking in the woods, it is a great place to get away from the crowds. The town of Punta Gorda has street art, water views and interesting murals that enrich the historic downtown district that also has cobblestone streets and gaslights, and many fine shops and restaurants.
Best Florida Beach Areas for Golf
Sarasota Sarasota is a sophisticated resort town near the Gulf of Mexico. For beach lovers there is Sarasota’s 35 miles of fine, pure, sparkling white sand beach to enjoy. As far as golf is concerned there are 32 golf courses in the Sarasota area and almost 20 more if you include the surrounding cities of Bradenton and Venice. You will find one for every level of ability available for your golfing pleasure.
Jacksonville Jacksonville has twenty miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches and lots of nearby state parks to explore. You will find lots of things to do and lots of beaches to explore in Jacksonville. For golfers there are over 25 golf courses in the area. Several championship golf courses are located nearby; many of which are ranked among the top in the country offering challenges for players of every skill level, ranging from top ocean side resorts to popular public courses.
Naples Naples, located on a stretch of southwest Florida that is not bordered by barrier islands, has seven miles of silky, white sand beach that overlooks the tranquil waters of the Gulf of Mexico. There is plenty of shopping and dining in the area once the sun goes down beachfront. There are also dozens of excellent golf courses in the area. From May through October, the golf courses are not as crowded and you can pick your tee time and be assured of a leisurely round. Also, many private courses are open to the public during these months.
Source : http://www.alltravelingkidsfamilyvacations.com/
Finding a House for Your Disney Florida Trip
One of the most famous attractions in the state of Florida for any family vacation is undoubtedly Disneyland. Offering 4 theme parks that operate from dawn past dusk, a visit to Disneyland falls into the lists of most people for Places To Visit Before I Die. With a land mass that rivals some small towns (and a few larger ones too!), Disneyland isn't a place you can cover easily in a day or even a week.
To that end, most vacation goers plan their Disney family trips to last for weeks and even months at a time. Given this, it becomes hell on the budget to stay at a hotel for that long a period. For extended stays, it is both more economical and far more comfortable to rent a summer home. Enterprising citizens and tourism companies down in Florida offer thousands of vacation homes for rent all year round, and you should take advantage of these for your stay down in Disneyland. Here are a few tips to take when looking for a good vacation rental home.
Where to Look? - checking the Internet and classified ads is a quick and easy way to at least canvas places which you can take as options for your rental home. Travel booking agencies are also a good way to look, albeit pricier since the agencies will probably be getting their own percentage off the deal. Look for ones located in Orlando, Florida, and keep in mind that the closer it is to Disney land, the more expensive it usually gets. Grab a map of Florida to look for places that will pass through easy thoroughfares so in case you can't afford a place that's within spitting distance of the park, you'll at least be able to find a reasonable one that will allow you to get there with a quick drive.
Price and Terms - look at the going rate for the places you'll be canvassing, and know how long you'll be staying. More often than not, rental homes charge less per day if you're staying a longer duration overall. These added discounts can help a lot. Plus, also check and see if you have to shoulder any additional costs for the house like electricity and water, of if they are included in the rental fee already. What might seem to be a cheaper offer can actually rack up more expenses if you have to cover your own day to day expenditures on the house.
Additional Features - the point of going on a vacation is to relax and unwind. Disneyland itself night be a fun place to visit, but admittedly tromping around all day can get tiring, especially when you're steering your little herd of kids. So, you might want to consider a rental house that's a bit pricier but has added stuff like a jaccuzzi, pool, sauna, game room, and A/V entertainment room. These little touches can help you unwind after a long day of keeping your kids from kicking Donald Duck in the butt.
Transportation - make sure that the place has got a garage. Whether you're bringing your own car or renting one out when you get there, keep in mind that your kids KNOW that the family's on vacation, and may demand things like sudden trips to the pizza parlor or a sudden run for ice cream. Having a car handy at all times lessens the migraine.
Other Destinations - keep other destinations in mind. Florida is a big place, and aside from Disneyland, there are beaches for surfing, animal parks, coral reefs for scuba divers, and rivers with manatees. You may want to check these other places out when you're on vacation, so factor them in when planning the location of the house that you'll be renting.
Security and Comfort - lastly but definitely not least, look at the basic features of the house you'll be renting. Make sure that it runs well with a fully furnished kitchen, bath, bed, and dining rooms. Also look into the neighborhood that the house is located in and make sure that it's got good security. Lastly, call the local town management office in the area to check for any funny ordinances that may trip you up, like prohibitions on alcohol, loud music, etc.
Source : http://ezinearticles.com/
To that end, most vacation goers plan their Disney family trips to last for weeks and even months at a time. Given this, it becomes hell on the budget to stay at a hotel for that long a period. For extended stays, it is both more economical and far more comfortable to rent a summer home. Enterprising citizens and tourism companies down in Florida offer thousands of vacation homes for rent all year round, and you should take advantage of these for your stay down in Disneyland. Here are a few tips to take when looking for a good vacation rental home.
Where to Look? - checking the Internet and classified ads is a quick and easy way to at least canvas places which you can take as options for your rental home. Travel booking agencies are also a good way to look, albeit pricier since the agencies will probably be getting their own percentage off the deal. Look for ones located in Orlando, Florida, and keep in mind that the closer it is to Disney land, the more expensive it usually gets. Grab a map of Florida to look for places that will pass through easy thoroughfares so in case you can't afford a place that's within spitting distance of the park, you'll at least be able to find a reasonable one that will allow you to get there with a quick drive.
Price and Terms - look at the going rate for the places you'll be canvassing, and know how long you'll be staying. More often than not, rental homes charge less per day if you're staying a longer duration overall. These added discounts can help a lot. Plus, also check and see if you have to shoulder any additional costs for the house like electricity and water, of if they are included in the rental fee already. What might seem to be a cheaper offer can actually rack up more expenses if you have to cover your own day to day expenditures on the house.
Additional Features - the point of going on a vacation is to relax and unwind. Disneyland itself night be a fun place to visit, but admittedly tromping around all day can get tiring, especially when you're steering your little herd of kids. So, you might want to consider a rental house that's a bit pricier but has added stuff like a jaccuzzi, pool, sauna, game room, and A/V entertainment room. These little touches can help you unwind after a long day of keeping your kids from kicking Donald Duck in the butt.
Transportation - make sure that the place has got a garage. Whether you're bringing your own car or renting one out when you get there, keep in mind that your kids KNOW that the family's on vacation, and may demand things like sudden trips to the pizza parlor or a sudden run for ice cream. Having a car handy at all times lessens the migraine.
Other Destinations - keep other destinations in mind. Florida is a big place, and aside from Disneyland, there are beaches for surfing, animal parks, coral reefs for scuba divers, and rivers with manatees. You may want to check these other places out when you're on vacation, so factor them in when planning the location of the house that you'll be renting.
Security and Comfort - lastly but definitely not least, look at the basic features of the house you'll be renting. Make sure that it runs well with a fully furnished kitchen, bath, bed, and dining rooms. Also look into the neighborhood that the house is located in and make sure that it's got good security. Lastly, call the local town management office in the area to check for any funny ordinances that may trip you up, like prohibitions on alcohol, loud music, etc.
Source : http://ezinearticles.com/
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Making the trip enjoyable
Millions of people are hitting the road this week for Thanksgiving, and as any parent knows, one of the most frustrating parts of traveling long distances is trying to keep the kids occupied!
CBS 21's Jaime Meyers has a look at portable tech-toys and classic games to make the drive more bearable.
Ipods, MP3 players, and game systems like Nintendo DS and PSP are the top picks for most kids.
8-year-old Tyler Brighton:
“We have 2 game systems, a DS and a Game Boy”
DVD's are great too, but if you don't have one hooked up in your car and can't afford a portable one, there are plenty of other ways to keep young minds off that awful question: "Are we there yet?"
If the batteries run out on a long drive, you can't go wrong with the classics.
Third grader Lindsey McKinney:
“Find something and whatever color it is, you say I spy something that color and then they have to guess what it is.”
Lindsey's talking about "I-Spy" of course. There's always the alphabet game - get your kids to find their ABC's in order using signs, billboards and license plates. License plates themselves are another game. Have your kids keep a list of all the different states they can find.
Debra McDonald, Principal and mom:
“We did games like the alphabet game but I think it's the electronics that are occupying them now.”
Debra, the West Creek Hills Principal and mother of 3, has a trick from the long trips to Florida her family used to make.
“Always get them something and get it out halfway through the trip and they would play with it for awhile.”
Copyright 2007 Clear Channel Broadcasting. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)