For many visitors outside of the United States, the ultimate relaxation spot for them is Florida. Of course this is justified because of a variety of reasons. Florida plays host to some of the most beautiful beaches throughout USA, cities such as Miami and Tampa are attractive tourist destinations and then you have Key West which is the stereotypical end of USA due to it’s proximity to Cuba.
Beyond all of these great locations there is one more spot which likely supersedes all of these when it comes to the first destination that you think about when you hear Florida – the city of Orlando. It’s pretty obvious the main reason why this is so popular given that it is home to the Walt Disney World Resort. But Orlando is not just about Disney World as there are many other attractions that make this such a lucrative location for visitors from around the world. Here are some of the top reasons for visiting Orlando.
Walt Disney World
Image courtesy of Jrobertiko (Denis Adriana Macias) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia CommonsDo you have kids and want to find the ultimate spot that will leave them in awe at the amazing attractions and adventures that take place in Walt Disney World? Even if the answer to this question is no, Walt Disney World offers so much more than many people fail to realize. It is NOT just for kids but one thing that it will do is take you back to your childhood memories and provide you with a moment of joy as you walk around the various parks on offer here.
I have read a variety of reviews from people that have visited the different parks, ranging from probably the most famous Magic Kingdom Park to Epcot. If you are an aspiring world traveler, you will likely be very interested in experiencing the World Showcase at Epcot which shares with guests the cultures and cuisines of eleven countries around the world.
Gatorland
Image courtesy of Bobak at en.wikipedia [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], from Wikimedia CommonsIf you haven’t already had enough fun after experiencing Walt Disney World, head on over to the world famous Gatorland which houses thousands of crocodiles and alligators. Here you can see some of the world’s largest gators but if you are too feared by these predators, you can still have a great time by checking out an aviary, petting zoo and a selection of panthers local to the Florida region.
Bok Tower Gardens
Image courtesy of Ebyabe (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsOne of Florida’s best kept secrets but most beautiful attractions, Bok Tower Gardens is a hub of natural beauty. Filled with acres of gorgeous landscapes and floral beauty, these gardens are frequently voted as Florida’s finest. If you have any interest in art-deco architecture, the bell tower that stands proudly at the heart of Bok Tower Gardens rings every half hours providing a relaxing ambiance to the thousands of daily visitors that arrive here for pure relaxation.
International Drive
Image courtesy of IDriveDistrict (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsOrlando’s destination for some of the world’s greatest theme parks, finest dining options, myriad of shopping outlets and much more, International Drive is a great spot to enjoy some of Orlando’s finest attractions. Commonly known as I-Drive, this Orlando strip serves a similar purpose to ‘The Strip’ in Las Vegas as a core attraction for tourism.
The local authorities are constantly making improvements to I-Drive and if you can wait until 2015, there is a brand new entertainment complex being constructed containing ‘The Orlando Eye’, a Madame Tussauds waxwork museum and SeaLife Aquarium.
Lake Eola Park
Image courtesy of David Akers [Public domain], via Wikimedia CommonsContinuing with the natural beauty within the Orlando region, Lake Eola Park is located at the heart of the city’s central business district and provides a relaxing spot for locals and tourists to have lunch or take a few minutes before heading back to the hectic city lifestyle. A gorgeous fountain and graceful swan boats are key features of Lake Eola ensuring that anyone visiting this park have a memorable experience.
After a series of very diverse locations around the world that have their very own characteristics to warrant being classified as a Dream Destination, I have finally arrived at my ultimate dream location that I simply cannot wait to visit and explore further – the gorgeous islands of New Zealand. Situated in the heart of Oceania in relative close proximity to Australia, New Zealand is an attractive destination for many reasons, none more so than the beautiful scenery and landscapes that the natural terrain offers.
We are hoping to visit New Zealand at the end of 2014 so hopefully we will be in a better position to truly confirm that this is the ultimate in Dream Destinations. Here are some of the key attractions and locations we are really excited about visiting, hopefully in the not too distant future!
Milford Sound
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Located towards the southernmost point of New Zealand’s South Island, Milford Sound is a spectacular fjord emphasizing the true natural beauty throughout this country. For many visitors, it is difficult to understand and visualize that this fjord was actually carved out by the path of a glacier but it is a must see for anyone visiting New Zealand.
Described by Rudyard Kipling as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’, Milford Sound provides an iconic symbol for New Zealand and with waterfalls cascading down the sides of the fjord, it is a gorgeous sight in all weather.
Tongariro National Park
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Continuing the spectacular natural landscapes in New Zealand, Tongariro National Park offers visitors with gorgeous scenery and a perfect opportunity to get out and start exploring the heart of the Kiwi land. This national park was established in the late 19th century and is one of the world’s oldest. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its Maori cultural and spiritual associations along with the fascinating volcanic formations that are present here.
Tongariro National Park is located in the center of the North Island so visitors opting to see both here and Milford Sound will have a spectacular trek between the two beautiful attractions.
Waiheke Island
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One of the most amazing experiences in New Zealand is to go on a wine tasting tour of Waiheke Island which is located just a short forty minute ferry ride from Auckland. Waiheke is home to a gorgeous array of vineyards that produce high quality wines and sampling some of New Zealand’s finest would be a real treat for anyone interested in wine-tasting.
Not only can you sample this amazing wine but you can do so with fascinating beach and other scenic views of the surrounding regions. What could be better than sipping a glass of New Zealand’s finest red wine and watching the sunset fading in the gorgeous backdrop!
Auckland
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After spending some time on Waiheke Island, why not head back to Auckland and experience some of the attractions in one of New Zealand’s leading cities. Key attractions include the Sky Tower, Auckland War Memorial Museum and Auckland Harbour Bridge and each one are uniquely catered to reflect the Kiwi image in one way or another.
The Viaduct Harbour plays host to some of New Zealand’s finest restaurants and shopping experiences so this is a spot worth exploring if you want to find something local to New Zealand both in terms of fine cuisine and a memorable local souvenir.
Bay of Islands
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If you really want to experience New Zealand, take a trip north to the gorgeous Bay of Islands where you can really enjoy beach and water activities. It is a subtropical region known for its stunning beauty & history, and is an ultimate spot for relaxation after spending so much time exploring the rest of the North and South Islands.
After visiting Australia at the end of 2012 and having an amazing experience there, we really want to go back and explore further. Our experience was restricted to the Eastern coast (Brisbane, Gold Coast and a day trip to Sydney) and the first place I would love to see when we return next time is the gorgeous city of Melbourne.
Despite being such a large country, much of Australia’s population is located around the coastal regions. Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria and is the second most populous city throughout the Land of Oz. With that being said, there are obviously plenty of amazing attractions here that folks from all corners of the globe flock to visit. Here are some of the top reasons for visiting this beautiful location.
Melbourne Cricket Ground
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I am going to start out with one of the most famous stadiums in the world of cricket, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Even if you have no interest or have no clue about cricket, the MCG is an iconic landmark in Melbourne and certainly worth exploring. Tours of the stadium are available and provide visitors with the opportunity to relive their great sporting memories through a comprehensive tour of this beautiful stadium.
Of course, the ultimate dream for a cricket fan would be to see an Ashes contest between Australia and England but given that this only takes place every few years at the MCG, you would need to time your visit around the Ashes schedule.
The Australian Open
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Another of my dreams is to visit all four Grand Slam tennis tournaments and having already experienced Wimbledon, I think a visit to the Australian Open in Melbourne would be amazing. Held at the Melbourne Park tennis center, watching some of the world’s tennis legends participating in the opening Grand Slam of the year would be really cool.
I know that the temperatures get a little toasty in January (heart of Australian summer!) but I am sure it would be worthwhile to see the likes of Nadal, Federer and Djokovic in action.
Eureka Tower
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When you love visiting skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, you are attracted to finding these when exploring a new city. Melbourne plays host to Eureka Tower, commonly known as Eureka Skydeck 88 which provides awe inspiring views of Melbourne city center and surrounding areas.
Standing at just under 1000 ft, it is not one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers but what it does offer are memorable views and experiences both on the glass deck ‘Edge’ and ‘Outside Terrace’.
Great Ocean Road
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A trip to Melbourne wouldn’t be the same without taking some time to experience the Great Ocean Road which is often acclaimed as one of the world’s most gorgeous drives, and clearly with reason. Stretching over 240km, this stretch of road takes in beautiful Australian coastline with the iconic Twelve Apostles one of the key highlights along this route.
The Great Ocean Road is undoubtedly one of the most photographed areas in Australia, primarily because of the gorgeous marine and rock formations along the route but also because it is so ‘visitor friendly’ with plenty of spots to take a memorable shot.
Phillip Island
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Another great day trip or short break within close proximity is Phillip Island which plays host to thousands of penguins which are an immediate tourist attraction. Of course there are plenty of other things to do on the island including exploring a Koala Conservation Centre and various hiking trails around the island that provide breathtaking scenery of the shoreline and beyond.
To celebrate our recent achievement of 1000 Facebook LIKES, we are delighted to announce our first official giveaway opportunity to all our followers around the world. The rules are pretty simple if you would like a chance to win a great prize which will be very beneficial for both traveling and everyday life.
The Rules
1. Eligibility – Giveaways are open to readers with valid shipping addresses only, unless otherwise stated.
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There are 4 ways you can gain entries into this giveaway:
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3. Entry Deadline – The deadline for this contest is 12:00AM (Eastern Time US & Canada) on Wednesday, April 30, 2014.All entries for giveaways through this site must be received on or before the given “Entry Deadline Date” to be eligible to win a prize.
4. Winner Selection and Notification – A winner will be randomly generated from all the entries. The winner will be notified within three (3) days of the giveaway deadline date. The winner MUST respond within three (3) days after that confirming their acceptance of the prize and providing a mailing address.
The Prize
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