10 Coolest Water Parks in the World

Grand Wailea Activity Pool, Maui, Hawaii The pool complex at the upscale Grand Wailea Activity Pool is a decidedly adult take on the water park (although children meeting the height requirements are also welcome), with a swim-up bar inside a secluded grotto. There are nine pools in all, connected by a slow-moving "river," not to mention a whitewater rapids slide, a Tarzan pool with rope swing, six waterfalls and three hot tubs. The hotel’s newest attraction is the Fishpipe, a rotating barrel where you slide the equivalent of a mile in just 90 seconds. Disney’s Blizzard Beach, Orlando, Fla. The larger of Disney’s two Orlando water parks, Blizzard Beach gives visitors chills just by suggestion. It’s intended to look like a freak snowstorm hit a ski resort; there’s even a chairlift to whisk you to the top of Mount Gushmore. From there, daredevils can descend the Summit Plummet, in which you freefall 120 feet at speeds approaching 60 mph. A tamer option is the 90-foot Slush Gusher water slide. The 8-lane Toboggan race lends the feeling of racing down a sledding hill against all your friends, and you can leave your mittens at home. Raging Waters, San Dimas, Calif. The biggest of the three Raging Waters parks in California (other locations are in Sacramento and San Jose) features 36 rides and attractions sprawling across 50 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. A number of the most popular rides, including Dark Hole and Dragon’s Den, let you slide with a partner. Parents who prefer to relax while their kids splash around can rent shaded cabanas with lounge chairs for the day. There’s even a sandy "beach," although the park is some 40 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. Wild Wadi Water Park, Dubai Residents of the United Arab Emirates are no strangers to dealing with broiling heat. They figured out how to build an indoor ski slope in the desert, so a water park in the shadow of the Burj-al-Arab Hotel was a piece of cake. Wild Wadi Water Park's 30 rides range from the kid-friendly lazy river of Juha’s Journey (named for a character in Arabian folklore) to the adrenaline-pumping Wipeout Flowrider surf simulator. Islamic swimwear is available for Muslim women who prefer to dress more modestly than Western traditions dictate. Splashin’ Safari, Santa Claus, Ind. Yep, the town is really named after St. Nick himself, and you’ll love it whether you’re naughty or nice. The four-person Wildebeest at Splashin' Safari used to be the longest water coaster in the world, at more than 1,700 feet. That is until 2012, when the park topped itself with the even longer, six-person ride known as Mammoth. Both use conveyor belts to haul you up to the pinnacle — no stair-climbing required. Splashin’ Safari is adjacent to the land-based Holiday World amusement park, so there’s no end of carnival fun, no matter the weather The Wisconsin Dells, Wisc. An hour north of Madison, the town that that invented the indoor water park rightly claims the title "Waterpark Capital of the World." Since the creation of the Water Factory at the Polynesian Resort in 1989, another 18 indoor parks and water playgrounds have splashed into town, along with three outdoor parks. Noah’s Ark, America’s largest water park, is constantly seeking superlatives to add to a roster that already includes the country’s longest water coaster (Black Anaconda) the largest bowl ride (Time Warp), and Scorpion’s Tale, the first-ever near-vertical looping ride. Beach Park, Fortaleza, Brazil Want to know what it’s like to jump off the top of a 14-story building? Try the Insano, which is as crazy as it sounds. The world’s tallest free-standing water slide plunges its riders at more than 65 mph into the rushing waters below. Although this thrill ride gets most of the attention, the majority of Beach Park’s attractions are geared towards families, especially those with young kids. And if you tire of the man-made rides and games, there’s always the natural serendipity of the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, just across the street. Calypso Park, Ottawa, Canada Canada’s biggest water park has only been open for three years, but it has already attracted more than a million visitors. The highest free-standing tower in North America is the launching point for heart-pumping descents like Blue Rocket, inverting expeditions like Aqualoops and family-friendly twisters like Mellow Yellow. The massive wave pool can accommodate up to 2,000 people at a time. Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels, Texas German for "Slippery Road," Schlitterbahn is the gold standard of water parks; its 65 acres are routinely ranked as the favorite of frequent splashers. Schlitterbahn’s newest ride, the Falls, is also its longest. This 3,600-foot loop parallels the Comal River, linking the park’s two biggest neighborhoods, Surfenburg and Blastenhoff. The ride careens through whitewater rapids, cascades and big waves before carrying riders back up to the summit. Schlitterbahn is also one of the few parks that allow you to bring your own food and picnic. Family-friendly admission prices include a souvenir bottle and free fountain drinks. Tropical Islands, Krausnick, Germany It’s another world entirely under the 16-acre dome at Tropical Islands, less than an hour from Berlin. It’s home not only to Germany’s tallest water slide, but also to a Balinese lagoon, an indoor rainforest, and a tropical "sea" where the glass dome allows the sun to shine through. You can spend the night in this climate-controlled environment in a rainforest tent, a jungle lodge or a regular hotel room. And, this being Germany, you’re never far from a hot tub, steam bath or sauna.

Thinking Ahead....

“The 4th of July audience does not require much,” notes Fireworks by Grucci CEO Philip Butler, whose Long Island–based family-owned company has spanned five generations. “You can put fireworks of any kind in the sky and they’re happy.” But that hasn’t stopped cities and towns across the nation from pulling out all the stops—and all the cash—when it comes to orchestrating their annual July 4th pyrotechnics displays. The latest in fireworks technology, choreography to live music, spectacular settings, and lengthy shows (20 to 30 minutes of explosions) carrying hefty budgets ($100,000 and up) all contributed to this year’s top Independence Day players, which include New York, Boston and Washington, D.C. But shows in some smaller towns are also forces to be reckoned with. Kaboom Town! in the Dallas suburb of Addison, Texas, for example, is a well-known spectacular offering a 30-minute display, choreographed to pop music and following an air show; it has a price tag of $220,000 this year. It’s an annual favorite of the American Pyrotechnics Association, says Julie Heckman, especially because, she explains, “I don’t think people would necessarily think of it as being among the top shows.” Though Addison has a population of only 15,000, its spectacle draws half a million spectators from the Dallas region. To form this year’s list of top fireworks displays in the nation, we weighed the recommendations of the American Pyrotechnics Association, as well as the most elaborate events by some of the country’s biggest fireworks providers (as they noted) including Grucci, Pyro Spectaculars by Souza and Pyro Shows. Getting the list down to 10 was no easy feat, and many cities not on it—including Philadelphia and Atlantic City—deserve major honorable mentions. “As with most events, it’s not just one component that puts something over the top,” notes Lansden Hill, Jr., CEO of Pyro Shows, based in LaFollette, Tennessee. “It’s the spirit of the holiday, and the venue, or backdrop. The budget of the show certainly has a big bearing, as do the type of fireworks, and how they’re being presented. You can put $100,000 of fireworks into the hands of a lot of people, and all will do something different with them.” Pyro Shows is behind the display in Washington, D.C.—where, he says, the attraction is “the fact that it’s being shot on the National Mall.” “The making of a great show is the ambiance,” concurs Jim Souza, CEO of Pyro Spectaculars by Souza, the Rialto-California–based company producing the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks, “Ignite the Night,” in New York City. This year’s show, the 36th annual, will use more than 40,000 shells and pyrotechnic effects shot from a total of four barges in the Hudson River and choreographed to a score of pop favorites—plus live performances by Katy Perry and Kenny Chesney. “Macy’s is the grandaddy of them all,” says Heckman. Also at play this year are a slew of brand-new fireworks shells, discovered by pyrotechnics companies who scour the globe from Europe to China seeking out the best new explosives. “The Macy’s show takes a year in preparation,” says Jim Souza of Pyro Spectaculars, who travels the world for new products, then has them fired in a California testing facility. Among this year’s finds: the Transformer, which has half shells opening in one color followed by another and another and another for a brightly hued, 8-second wow factor. Yet another bursts into the shape of a wagon wheel. A Pyro Shows favorite, meanwhile, is the Big Kamuro, which is a massive exploding gold willow with a long duration, says Lansden. Grucci has its signature Gold Split Comet, which leaves a vividly sparkling trail. Of course, some cities have cut or drastically reduced their July 4th fireworks displays because of financial constraints—Chicago and Detroit among them. But those that have lowered their budgets are still hoping for big thrills—which, says Heckman, is certainly possible. “Every show is unique,” she says. “Even the smallest community show can be spectacular.” (courtesy of http://www.forbes.com/sites/bethgreenfield/2012/06/27/top-10-best-july-4th-fireworks-displays/)

REMEMBER YOUR KEYS !!

The Florida Keys are an archipelago of about 1700 islands in the southeast United States. They start at the southeastern tip of the Florida peninsula, about 15 miles south of Miami, and extend in a slow curve south-southwest and then westward towards Key West, the westernmost of the inhabited islands, and then to the uninhabited Dry Tortugas. The tropical lislands lie along the Florida Straits, dividing the Atlantic Ocean to the east side from the Gulf of Mexico to the west side, and delineate one edge of Florida Bay. At the nearest place, the southernmost tip of Key West is only 94 miles from the shores of Cuba. The Florida Keys are between about 23 and a half and 25 and a half degrees North latitude, in the subtropics! The climate of the Florida Keys is however defined as tropical according to Köppen climate classification. More than 95 percent of the land mass area lies in Monroe County, but only a small portion extends northeast into Miami-Dade County, located primarily in the city of Islandia, Florida. The total land mass is 355.6 km² (137.3 sq mi). As of the 2000 census the total population of The Floarida Keys was 79,535, with an average density of 223.66/km² (579.27/sq mi), although much of the population is concentrated in a few areas of much higher density, such as the city of Key West, which has 32 percent of the total population of the Florida Keys. The world famous city of Key West is the county seat for Monroe County, which makes up a section on the Florida mainland and is almost totally in Everglades National Park, and the Keys islands from Key Largo to the Dry Tortugas. The islands of the Florida Keys are the exposedsections of an ancient coral reef. The northernmost tropical island arising from the ancient reef formation is Elliott Key and is located in Biscayne National Park. North of Elliott Key are several small keys, made up of sand formed up around small areas of the exposed ancient reef. Further north, Key Biscayne and other places north areconsidered barrier islands, made up of sand. The Florida Keys have taken on their current form as the result of the huge changes in ocean sea level associated with recent glaciations or ice ages. Beginning some 130,000 years ago the Sangamon interglacial elevated sea levels to approximately 25 feet (7.5 m.) above the current level. All of southern Florida was covered by a shallow ocean. Several parallel lines of coral reef formed along the edge of the submerged Florida plateau, extending south and then west from the current Miami area to what is now called the Dry Tortugas. This reef formed the famous Key Largo limestone deposit that is exposed on the surface from Soldier Key (midway between Key Biscayne and Elliott Key) toward the southeast portion of Eco-friendly Big Pine Key and the Newfound Harbor Keys. The types of coral that created Key Largo limestone has been identified on the exposed surface of these keys. As early as about 100,000 years ago the Wisconsin glaciation started lowering sea levels, exposing the coral reef and nearby marine sediments. By 15,000 years ago the ocean level had dropped to 300 to 350 feet below today's level. The exposed reefs and sediments were severely eroded. Acid water, which can result from decaying vegetation, dissolves the limestone. Some of the dissolved limestone redeposited as a more dense cap rock, which can be seen as outcrops overlying the Key Largo and Miami limestones and throughout the Keys. The soft limestone that eroded from the coral reef formed oolites in the shallow ocean behind the reef, and together with the skeletal remains of bryozoans, formed the Miami limestone that is the current surface bedrock of the lower Florida peninsula and the lower keys from Big Pine Key to Key West. To the west of Key West the ancient reef is covered by recent calcareous sand. The Famous Seven Mile Bridge One of the longest bridges when it was constructed, the Seven Mile Bridge connects Knight's Key (where the city of Marathon is located in the Middle Keys) to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys. True to its title, the piling-supported concrete bridge is 35,862 ft or 6.79 miles (10.93 km) long. The current bridge bypasses Pigeon Key, a small island that housed roadway workers building Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway during the 1900s, that the original Seven Mile Bridge crossed. An old 2.2-mile section of the bridge is used for access to the island, and was closed to vehicular traffic on March 4, 2008. The aging structure has been determined unsafe by the Florida Department of Transporation. Costly repairs, estimated to be as much as $34 million, are slated to begin in July 2008. After the destruction of the Keys overseas railway by the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, the railroad bridges, including the Seven Mile Bridge, were all converted into automobile roadways. U.S. Route 1 runs the length of the Florida Keys and up the Continental U.S. East Coast to Maine; the Florida Keys portion is also called the Overseas Highway. You can learn even more at our visitor center on KeysTV.com http://www.flaglerkeys100.com/

Favorite Florida Parks

Urbanites seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle are finding creative public spaces that provide a breath of fresh air — part of a statewide plan to create urban spaces for people to gather in. Here's a few of our favorites: 1. At the 10-acre Arts Park in downtown Hollywood’s historic Young Circle, a sleek water-fountain sculpture houses lighted water jets that shoot upward to create fleeting designs in the air. There’s a rest stop too, with fixed seats and game boards embedded in the tabletops. Top it off with a definitive 21st-century twist — a new amphitheater pavilion hosts outdoor disco dances. 2. On Palm Beach’s Worth Avenue, amid a posh lineup of designer stores, Saks Fifth Avenue’s west wall is home to a garden flipped on-edge — nearly 11,000 plants mingle, interweaving different textures and shades of green in a stunning 24-foot- by-35-foot mural of living art. 3. Naples’ Fifth Avenue South has mini parks. Public art, including a smiling bronze gator, shares space with sidewalk benches. These teeny niches double as performance venues where musicians often set up to serenade passersby. (courtesty of http://www.floridatravellife.com/

BREAKING NEWS - STARBUCKS COMING TO DISNEY WORLD

More than a year after the Walt Disney Co. announced a deal with Starbucks Coffee Co. to bring the coffee retailer to its theme parks, signs of the collaboration have appeared in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

A gold Starbucks' logo is now featured on the window of the Main Street Bakery, and a second Starbucks sign has appeared above its doorway. Meanwhile, a notice on the door — with the logo of the "Main Street Restoration Society" — alerts guests that the bakery is being "refreshed" and suggests they visit the Tomorrowland Terrace for breakfast in the meantime.

Disney and Starbucks announced in April 2012 that the coffee retailer would open locations in each of the Disney Co.'s six U.S. theme parks. While these were to be the first Starbucks shops in Disney's domestic parks, the two companies have worked together elsewhere, including inDisneyland Paris' Disney Village.

TRAVEL CHANNEL'S JUNE TRAVEL PICKS

Where to Travel in June

School’s out and it’s officially summer! Whether you’d like to take Dad on an unforgettable trip or the kids on a great American road trip, check out our June travel picks. Plus, stay cool on the longest day of the year at an extreme waterpark.

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Fly-Fishing in Idaho

Father’s Day Travel Ideas

Skip the tie and treat dad to a rustic vacation along Snake River at Idaho’s Natural Retreats South Fork Lodge or a rock climbing adventure in Moab, UT. Or if he spends every Saturday hitting golf balls, treat him to a round at one of ourFather’s Day-approved golf courses.

White Water West

Noah’s Ark in Wisconsin Dells

Splash Into Summer at a Waterpark

Noah’s Ark is the granddaddy of all extreme waterparks with slides like the Scorpion’s Tail, which stands 10 stories tall. Check out our top US waterparks to find the best place to get soaked near you.

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Machu Picchu, Peru

Explore Incredible Inca Ruins

Often called the “Lost City of the Incas,” marvel at the remarkable ruins such as the Temple of the Condor and Sun Gate, the endpoint of the Inca Trail. Visiting Machu Picchu in June takes advantage of the dry season and avoids the heaviest crowds that arrive in July and August.

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Gloucestershire, England

Annual Cheese Rolling

How much do you love cheese? This 200-year-old traditionhas attracted people from all over the world who chase a round of Double Gloucester cheese down Cooper’s Hill. The first person to reach the finish line at the bottom of the hill wins the cheese.

The Great Smokey Mountains

America’s Most Popular National Park

Nine million annual visitors road trip through Tennessee or North Carolina to see the swirly blue morning haze which gives the mountains their name. If possible, explore the park in the beginning of the month and start your days early (before 10am) to miss the hordes of summer tourists.

Stockholm, Sweden

Summer in Northern Europe

Weather-wise, June is the ideal time to visit Stockholm to take advantage of most of its cafes, attractions and open-air museums. Thousands of tourists also flock to northern Sweden to see the midnight sun, a natural phenomenon where the sun is visible until midnight -- and for a full 24 hours around the solstice (June 21).

Cruise the Mediterranean

Luxury at Sea

Before the summer’s scorching heat arrives in July, enjoy the Mediterranean’s long sunny days, warm waters and gentle breezes. Aboard a cruise ship you can stop in Italian, Turkish and Greece ports while enjoying the exceptional food and service a luxury cruise line, like the Regent of the Seas, provides.

(courtsey of www.travelchannel.com  http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/travel-tips/articles/where-to-travel-in-june )

Fun Times at Disney Animal Kingdom

An up close look at Animal Kingdom coming soon !!

Cancun Selected as Number One Destination for 2013 by Orbitz

    

All signs point to a glorious summer season as Cancun is named the top international destination for summer travel by Orbitz. Orbitz Summer Travel Insider Index analyzed air and hotel booking data from Orbitz.com and picked the 10 most popular summer destinations.

Cancun was ranked number three behind Orlando and Las Vegas and was the only international destination named. Smith Travel Research (STR,) an American based company that tracks supply and demand data for the global hotel industry, also reported increased hotel occupancy in the destination.

Orbitz Summer Travel Insider Index’s top ten destinations were ranked based on all air bookings made on Orbitz.com for travel between June 1 and August 31, 2013. Orbitz.com is a leading online travel company that enables travelers to search for and book an array of travel products and services, including flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages.

According to STR, Cancun’s hotel occupancy in the first three months of the year has been stronger than any January – March period going back to 2007, the destinations most successful year. STR reported that 79% of Cancun hotel rooms were occupied during the first quarter of this year, a busy time that encompasses winter and New Year’s travel, spring and Easter holiday and the increasingly popular Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival.

With connections added just in time for the summer, including new flights from Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans and an added Spirit Airlines’ connection from Dallas Ft. Worth to Cancun, it is now easier than ever to visit America’s #1 International Destination.

Summer is one of the most exciting times to visit Cancun, as hundreds of Whale Sharks flock to Cancun’s turquoise waters from mid-May to mid-September to feed on the abundant supply of plankton. Sea Turtle nesting season will bring hundreds of turtles to Cancun’s beaches to lay the next generation.

As a top entertainment destination, Cancun also offers visitors the opportunity to rock out at Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort with the musical spectacle, Cirque Dreams Rocks from June 28 – August 11, and sing along with the Beach Boys, winner of the Grammy “Lifetime Achievement Award” on August 6. Oasis Resorts recently showcased the Village People on May 3 as part of their Flower Power Fest that had guests grooving the night away with hits from the ‘60s and ‘70s.

In just 43 years of existence, Cancun has grown from a sleepy fishing village into a world-class city, famous for its beaches, entertainment, Mayan culture and renowned hospitality. An incredible summer for Cancun is in the cards, and the destination hopes to surpass guest’s expectations with its incredible hotels, culinary prowess and adventure offerings that will have visitors falling in love with Cancun all over again or for the very first time.

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About Cancun

Cancun is located in the northern part of the southeastern Mexican state of Quintana Roo. It is Mexico’s number one tourist destination and is known all over the world for its spectacular beaches, unique beauty and breathtaking turquoise waters.

Cancun’s shoreline recently underwent a $71 Million Dollar makeover, that featured 1.3 billion gallons of sand to renovating the Hotel Zone’s seashore. The most popular tourism destination in Mexico and Latin America has also added to its sun, beach, and nightlife, by creating a unique five-day route that will offer visitors a chance to experience adventure and interaction with nature. Cancun and the Treasures of the Caribbean invite travelers to discover the vast natural, cultural and gastronomical cultures of Puerto Morelos, and the four islands of the Mexican Caribbean: Holbox, Isla Mujeres, Contoy and Cozumel. Cancun is a multifaceted destination that combines nature, historical Mayan Culture, glamour, luxury and world class tourism with the seduction for adventure, the passion for paradisiacal nature and the enchantment of gastronomical magic.

For more information, visit the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau website at: www.cancun.travel

American Idol Winner in Orlando

Scotty McCreery

Scotty McCreery concert tickets for the show at House of Blues Orlando Friday 05/24/2013 Doors: 07:30 PM Show: 08:30 PM Prices: $29.00 - G.A. Standing Advance $32.00 - DOS G.A. Standing Ages: all House of Blues Orlando 1490 E. Buena Vista Dr. Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 (407) 934-BLUE (2583)  Driving Directions Headlining Artist: Scotty McCreery Other Artists at this Event: Greg Warren Band Event Info: The music hall is general admission standing. All acts are subject to change. Pass the line IS available for this show. No refunds or backpacks. Additional Info: • tickets subject to all applicable facility fees and service charges • applicable fees and charges apply to all ticket sales

Disney Parks After Dark

CURRENT AIR CANADA FLIGHT SPECIAL TO ORLANDO as low as $107.00 (can)

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Florida Fun easy as A-B-C

Florida summer fun is as easy as A-B-C! From popular attractions to zany getaways, here are 26 suggestions for summer fun.

Astronaut Encounters! Are you a space fan? Now you can come face-to-face with a real astronaut at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex – you can even dine with an astronaut!

Beach lovers love sand! There are miles of great sand along Florida's coast, but we have the scoop on simply sand-sational beaches.

Canoe Getaways! Florida has so many great places to paddle. No other state can match its variety of water. These paddle perfect canoe getaways are the perfect way to relax and enjoy Florida's matchless beauty.

Dinosaur World isn't just another theme park... it's an adventure! You'll take a step back in time as you explore this outside museum that offers hands-on children's activities including a fossil dig. Dinosaur World is educational and fun! >Take a photo tour of Dinosaur World.

Edison-Ford Winter Estates are open year round for tours of the tropical gardens and stylish homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. See Edison's laboratory where he spent so many hours and an artifact museum.

Fort Myers & Sanibel Island is a favorite vacation destination for About's former Information Technology Guide (and my brother), DC Stultz. Tag along as he combines sun, sand, and shopping for some picture perfect R&R in Fort Myers and neighboring Sanibel Island.

Great places to pull over! Pull over and stop at these little-known attractions... now that you know where they are.

Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park is far from the glitzy world of theme parks... it is a different world where you can explore the "real Florida." I like to call it Nature's Theme Park – you'll call it a great discovery!

Islamorada is known today as the "Sportfishing Capital of the World." Home to three state parks, Islamorada offers a variety of eco-tours, historic trails, and beach-front camping. Diving, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins and even feeding tarpon off of the docks are just some of the adventures awaiting visitors.

John's Pass Village in Madeira Beach offers shopping, dining, entertainment and a wide array of water activities, all in a turn-of-the-century looking fishing village. Spend just a few hours or the entire day at John's Pass Village strolling through shops and enjoying a variety of dining experiences.

King-size fun is just a splash away at any of these Florida water parks!

Look no further than Lake Placid for an interesting day. The Town of Murals (with more than 40) is also the Caladium Capital of the World with a celebration in of the colorful plant held each year in August.

Mickey Mouse where are you? It's great fun to play super-sleuth while you're at Disney World Resort. What started as an inside joke has evolved into a cult-like obsession to many guests as they try to find the many Hidden Mickey's.

Nature's Theme Parks provide a glimpse into the "real" Florida. Discover another world away from the whirl of theme parks... discover "nature's theme parks."

Optional... clothing that is! Florida can no longer cover up the naked truth... nude and clothing-optional resorts are taking off.

Pier perfection is what you'll call five stories of fun, food, shopping and more! All this right on the waterfront at The Pier in downtown St. Petersburg.

Quick! Not enough money for a weekend getaway? These day trips are not too far away from the major attractions and often you can make them on just one tank of gas. Want to know exactly how far they are? Check this distance guide for the official mileage between most Florida cities.

Renniger's Twin Markets is consistently named one of the Top 10 Flea Markets in America and it is one of the most popular day-tripper destinations in Florida. Here is where you'll find one-of-a-kinds to high quality antiques for less!

Shells can be found on just about any beach, but southwest Florida's Lee Island Coast on the Gulf of Mexico boasts some of the best shelling in the United States. Find out what makes these islands so special. Once you collect your shells, find out how to clean them and what to do with them next in my All About Shells guide.

Tarpon Springs is internationally recognized as the "Sponge Capital of the World." Visitors can shop, dine, cruise down the Anclote River to the Gulf of Mexico, and go deep-sea fishing... all in one day!

Ultimate vacations begin at Disney World with a three- or four-night stay in a Disney hotel followed by a three- or four-night Caribbean cruise! Can you imagine? It doesn't have to be just a dream... it can come true!

Vacation ownership may provide years of summer fun. Is it right for you? You decide. Learn the ins and outs of timeshares and vacation clubs with this mini-course Vacation Ownership 101.

World Golf Hall of Fame educates and entertains while paying homage to the game's greatest players and contributors through a combination of both traditional and interactive exhibit areas. World Golf Hall of Fame is a golf mecca and it's worth the visit if you love golf! Take a photo tour of the World Golf Hall of Fame

Xtremely impressive is this sports destination! Disney's Wide World of Sports complex is the ultimate destination for competitors and fans alike.

Ybor City is rich in the smoky history of Cuban cigars. This National Historic Landmark District has evolved into a lively Latin quarter with its own unique history, distinctive architecture and atmosphere. Boutiques, coffeehouses, and nightclubs all reflect its great cultural heritage. Now you can travel back in time via electric streetcars that connect Ybor City and Tampa!

Zip up your saddlebags and trot on over to Ocala where horses, farms, springs, and forests are the mane attraction!

Cuba Trips

Happy World Travel Agency is a Cuba travel agency in Orlando that offers a range of services related to travel to Cuba and Cuban consular services for living in Orlando and offers the following services:

• Flights to Cuba
• Send Money to Cuba
• Packages sent to Cuba
• Procedures with the Interests of Cuba in Washington: Cuban passport, passport renewal Cuban invitation letter, passport and other extension.

Happy World Travel Top Ten Florida Vacation Spots

Florida is a prime vacation spot and, if you are looking for a Florida family vacation, then check out your options. There are so many fun and exciting spots in Florida, so whether you want to stay on the beach, explore nature, or hit the theme parks, you will find a variety of Florida family vacations that will meet all your vacation desires. Take a look at the top 10 Florida family vacations.

Orlando

Orlando is probably the first place you think of when you hear the words "Florida family vacations," and for good reason. Disney World and Universal Studios are both located by Orlando vacation homes. Kids will love to visit their favorite Disney characters, and they will love exploring the other parks at Disney World, like the Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios.

Fort Walton Beach Area

The Fort Walton Beach area is a great place to take your family. Located on what has been dubbed “The Emerald Coast,” the beaches at Fort Walton are absolutely stunning. Children will enjoy visiting the Gulfarium, where they can watch live animal shows, the Focus Science center, or the Indian Temple Mount Museum.

Everglades City

If you want to see the deep wilderness in Florida, then come explore the Everglades City area. Explore the everglades by riverboat, and you may catch a glimpse of bears, manatees, and the Florida panther. Visit the Museum of the Everglades, the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, or the Old Indian Trading Post.

Amelia Island

Amelia Island is located in the northeastern part of the state. The only town on the island is Fernandina Beach, an old nineteenth century town, still complete with restored buildings. The historical district is full of bookstores, toy stores, cafés and antique shops. Kids will enjoy visiting the lighthouse, riding horses along the beach, or visiting the Marine Science Education Center and Museum.

Tampa, Florida

Tampa is close to several great beaches and offers sophisticated city attractions, as well as entertainment that the younger members of the family will enjoy. The Tampa Aquarium, Adventure Island, and Busch Gardens will delight the whole family.

Fort Myers, Florida

Fort Myers was once home to those like Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone. Stroll down the Avenue of Palms, one of the most famous streets in Florida. The beaches are beautiful and children will enjoy the Imaginarium Hands-on Museum and Aquarium, Calusa Nature Centre and Planetarium, or Fossil Expeditions.

St. Augustine

For your next Florida family vacation, consider St. Augustine. It is rich in history and culture and is the nation’s oldest continuously occupied European settlement. Visitors can tour the oldest house in the U.S., visit the old seaside fort, or climb to the top of St. Augustine’s lighthouse. Kids might enjoy Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum and the Ghostly Walking Tour.

Clearwater

Clearwater Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Florida. Enjoy the beautiful sunshine, sugar white beaches, and the exciting nightlife on Pier 60 in this friendly beach town. This would make a wonderful Florida family vacation.

Miami

Often seen as the business city of Florida, Miami is a cultural hotspot and a playground for many foreigners. The family will enjoy the Latin flavor of Miami and the many family-friendly attractions located in the city, including the Parrot Jungle and the Miami Zoo.

Florida Keys

The Florida Keys can provide beautiful private beaches and countless water activities including fishing, boating, jet skiing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Everyone will enjoy the Island flavor of the Keys.

Stay in a Vacation Home

The great thing about these family vacation spots is the availability of vacation homes. Instead of trying to fit your whole family in a stuffy and crowded hotel, rent out an entire house for a reasonable price. Make your vacation as perfect as possible by checking out vacation homes in the area.

Happy World Travel Top June Destinations

Since June is an extremely popular month for vacations in the US and Canada, it can make for some interesting situations since nearly all Europeans wait until July and August for a long summer retreat. This means that many places have excellent weather and yet are not nearly as crowded as they’ll be the following month.

This also means that hotel prices are often lower, and planes are cheaper and less crowded, so a June trip can be the best of all worlds if you’ve got the time off. We’ve listed 22 cities from all over the world, so hopefully one or more are within your reach.

With each city you’ll notice a Backpacker Index price, which is calculated for typical backpacker expenses in over 110 cities around the world. You’ll probably end up spending more each day, but it’s still a quick way to compare which cities are much cheaper than others.

The Americas

In North America June is obviously the start of summer, but most of the north isn’t really cheap enough to make this list. In South America it’s winter in most places, so only the Tropical cities are worth a look for a good-weather bargain at this time of year.

The Caribbean

If you are looking mainly to relax in the sun rather than explore a city then the Caribbean is ideal in the month of June. The weather is pretty much perfect even as hotels drop rates to low season prices. Mexico around Cancun is particularly cheap but Jamaica and the Dominican Republic also offer amazing prices. For those who want maximum value and especially people who like to drink by the pool or on the beach, the all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean have astonishingly low prices in June.

If you prefer to mix culture with good weather and reasonable prices then consider the rest of the list below.

Cartagena, Colombia

• June avg high: 87F/31C
• June avg low: 79F/26C
• June avg precip: 4.2″/10.5cm

It’s true that it can be a bit rainy in Cartagena in June, but it’s the tropical type of rain that comes and goes quickly, so it’s unlikely to become a problem for most people. Hotels in this beach town are still in their off-season prices as well, as the summer demand doesn’t really pick up until July. The winter is probably the best time to visit, but it’s really quite nice all year round, and still very cheap as well.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$38.67

Mexico City, Mexico

• June avg high: 76F/24C
• June avg low: 54F/12C
• June avg precip: 5.3″/13.3cm

Here’s another one that does get a bit of rain during June, but its altitude keeps temperatures in Mexico City much lower than most people would guess for this time of year. People who might not be able to afford a trip to Europe should consider this as an interesting alternative. Flights from the US and Canada tend to be cheap, the city center area is very nice in many places, and prices are very low compared to almost anywhere else.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$28.92

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

• June avg high: 81F/27C
• June avg low: 64F/18C
• June avg precip: 2.0″/5.0cm

Rio de Janeiro is just barely inside the Tropics, so it’s pretty much the South American equivalent of Miami. This means that its summer (December through February) can be steamy and a bit wet, but it’s nearly perfect during the rest of the year. An overvalued currency has made the city a bit more expensive recently, but it’s still quite a bargain compared to most other resort areas, and it’s a stunningly beautiful setting as well.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$52.38

Europe

When June rolls in it’s still quite cold in the north of Europe, and incredibly expensive as well. The bargains with good weather are therefore toward the south this month. June is actually a perfect month to get some sun because peak season doesn’t start until July and yet the weather is perfect already. Check our list of Europe’s least expensive beach destinations for some options.

Sofia, Bulgaria

• June avg high: 74F/23C
• June avg low: 54F/12C
• June avg precip: 3.0″/7.5cm

Travelers looking for places to relax for a while and keep their expenses low on a European trip can’t do much better than Sofia in June. The weather is pleasant day and night, and rain isn’t much of a problem. As a tourist destination this city still has some work to do to convince most people that it’s worth the trek, but the low, low prices are a good start so people are starting to take notice.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$24.76

Krakow, Poland

• June avg high: 72F/22C
• June avg low: 57F/14C
• June avg precip: 3.3″/8.3cm

It’s hard to emphasize enough what a bargain Krakow is compared to most of the rest of Europe. June has very nice weather, though you’ll still need a jacket for the evenings. The draw here is the lovely town center with its historic cathedrals and castles, plus a huge array of hostels and budget hotels that make shopping around very easy. This is the new hot destination for British stag and hen parties, and one look at the beer prices makes it easy to see why.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$24.66

Budapest, Hungary

• June avg high: 76F/24C
• June avg low: 57F/14C
• June avg precip: 2.7″/6.8cm

Many parts of Europe become stifling in July and August, and some of them have little air conditioning to help deal with it. This makes a place like Budapest ideal during June, when daytime temperatures are still warm but not steamy. Prices here are easing up in recent years, but still this is a classic and beautiful European city that remains a fantastic bargain for most people.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$31.31

Istanbul, Turkey

• June avg high: 79F/26C
• June avg low: 61F/16C
• June avg precip: 1.0″/2.5cm

June is still going to be extremely crowded in Istanbul, but it’ll be far more tolerable than July or August, so this is a good time to come. Prices have been heading up here lately, especially for hotels and hostels, so finding bargains is much more challenging than it was just a few years back. Still, this is a fascinating and photogenic city with plenty to offer the budget traveler, so it might be wise to schedule a trip soon, before prices rise much more. The rest of Turkey is generally quite a bit cheaper, thankfully.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$40.56

Prague, Czech Republic

• June avg high: 72F/22C
• June avg low: 54F/12C
• June avg precip: 2.9″/7.3cm

Speaking of prices going up, Prague has been raising things and having its currency head north at the same time, so this is nowhere near the bargain that it famously was a decade or so ago. June is an ideal time to come, weather-wise, since many cheaper places have no air-con. Crowds seem to be perpetually crazy here so the key is to try to take side streets and minimize your time in the main squares. It does get worse in July and August, so June is a good compromise with nice weather.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$40.85

Antalya, Turkey

• June avg high: 89F/32C
• June avg low: 66F/19C
• June avg precip: 0.4″/1.0cm

Due to a limited number of actual hostels in Antalya, the city came up as a bit more expensive than Istanbul in the Backpacker Index. In reality, you can get a private room at a nice 2-star hotel in the historic center for sometimes less than a dorm bed. This city is a fantastic bargain, and the weather in June is wonderful, at least until the end when the July heat starts kicking in a bit early. The entire Mediterranean coast of Turkey is the place to be this time of year, just before it fills up during its two hottest months. It’s not technically in Europe, but it very much feels like it is.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$34.72

Lisbon, Portugal

• June avg high: 77F/25C
• June avg low: 61F/16C
• June avg precip: 0.7″/1.8cm

The temperatures in Lisbon during June are pretty much perfect for climbing up and down its seven hills without making a mess of yourself. It’s hard to make a case for flying a long way to visit Portugal alone, although there’s actually plenty to see and do, plus the wonderful Algarve region in the south, so this is usually an add-on to some trips of Spain. If you are on the fence, definitely take the leap and you won’t regret it.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$58.27

Athens, Greece

• June avg high: 88F/31C
• June avg low: 65F/18C
• June avg precip: 0.4″/1cm

The end of June can begin to get sweltering, and you probably don’t even want to think about coming during July or August, so this would be a good one about now, especially as a 3-day stop on the way to a Greek Island for the balance of a trip. This isn’t exactly a cheap city, but it’s very much worth seeing at least once in your life, with some of the world’s finest sights. It’s also much less untidy than it was before the Olympics, so its former reputation no longer really fits.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$63.33

Dubrovnik, Croatia

• June avg high: 77F/25C
• June avg low: 66F/19C
• June avg precip: 1.9″/4.8cm

It’s true that Dubrovnik isn’t really considered cheap, especially compared to most other cities on this page, but it really is good value compared to most other beach resorts in the Mediterranean area. Accommodations within the City Walls can be extremely expensive, but there are plenty of options just a bit outside and those are still convenient enough for most people. The weather during June is just about perfect, night and day, as well.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$69.89

Madrid, Spain

• June avg high: 80F/27C
• June avg low: 59F/15C
• June avg precip: 1.0″/2.5cm

As the prices rise the further down this list we go in Europe, Madrid is another that’s not terribly cheap by most standards, but compared to most of the rest of Europe it’s very good value, and June is pretty much the perfect time to visit. Days get warm this month, but still rarely that insane type of oppressive heat that can feel even worse in this mostly-concrete city. With no sea breeze to help out you may feel a bit uncomfortable during the middle of the day, but since everything is closed it’s a good time to take a nap back in your room anyway.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$64.27

Barcelona, Spain

• June avg high: 76F/24C
• June avg low: 60F/16C
• June avg precip: 1.7″/4.3cm

The daytime temperatures in June for Barcelona are still very reasonable, and the ocean breezes can actually make it feel cool in the mornings and evenings. As a beach city this place does stay very busy all summer long, so June is a nice compromise before things get too crazy. It’s another that may not be super cheap, but it’s very reasonable compared to the rest of Western Europe, and definitely worth a visit at least once in your life for the unusual architecture alone.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$68.67

Africa

June is obviously winter in South Africa, and it’s blazing hot in most of the middle of the continent and over in Egypt, so you don’t have many great choices this month here.

Fez, Morocco

• June avg high: 82F/28C
• June avg low: 59F/15C
• June avg precip: 1.0″/2.5cm

Much like nearby Marrakech, Fez sounds to many people like a place that would be in the heart of a forbidding desert, but Morocco is just south of Spain, and the Atlas Mountains keep most of the heat on the other side, so this country is fairly pleasant even in June. Most visits tend to come as part of a trip to Spain, and those who make it past the hard-to-recommend border city of Tangier will find a fascinating culture and very appealing prices.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$30.36

Asia

The cheap destinations in Southeast Asia will be celebrating the start of the drenching rainy season in June, so it’s not really an ideal time to visit if you have a choice. Still, there are some good options to consider.

Nha Trang, Vietnam

• June avg high: 89F/32C
• June avg low: 80F/27C
• June avg precip: 1.7″/4.3cm

The exception to the Southeast Asia rainy season pattern, this beach town on Vietnam’s southern coast avoids nearly all the wet during summer, so it’s especially appealing for Australians and such who are escaping their own winter down under. This is not Vietnam’s best cultural experience, but the beaches are very nice, the nightlife is surprisingly good, and it’s extremely cheap once you get there.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$16.44

Kuta, Bali, Indonesia

• June avg high: 85F/29C
• June avg low: 77F/25C
• June avg precip: 2.8″/7.0cm

Bali is near the equator so temperatures are similar all year long, but fortunately June is not part of the rainy season so this is one of the best times of the year to go. Rain never seems to be too far away, but of course the island is well adapted to the quick downfalls, so things get right back to normal again. Those who only research on big travel sites might think Bali is very expensive for hotels, but there are still many cheap and cheerful guesthouses in all the main tourist areas, so just showing up might save you quite a bit compared to reserving online in advance.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$26.24

Beijing, China

• June avg high: 86F/30C
• June avg low: 66F/19C
• June avg precip: 3.0″/7.5cm

Beijing can get really sweltering, steamy, and smoggy during summer, but June is a decent compromise before things start getting too bad. Of course this is one of the world’s most important cities, past and present, and it’s loaded with interesting things to see and do. Hotels and food are very good bargains here, and things are even cheaper in pretty much all of China, so this is a good time for a tour of multiple cities if you can pull it off.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$28.20

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

• June avg high: 91F/33C
• June avg low: 75F/24C
• June avg precip: 4.9″/12.3cm

Another city very close to the equator, Kuala Lumpur is hot every day of the year. And while there will be some noticeable rain during June, this is actually the driest month on average. An impressive and modern city, KL is built to drain off the wet stuff very fast, so it rarely impacts a visit. It’s not as cheap as the rest of Southeast Asia, but when you get to Kuala Lumpur you realize why, as things are much nicer than they are in most of the region, and more cosmopolitan as well.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$33.49

Middle East

A bit surprisingly, much of the Middle East still has very reasonable temperatures in June.

Amman, Jordan

• June avg high: 87F/31C
• June avg low: 64F/18C
• June avg precip: 0.0″/0.0cm

Quite cheap by international standards, Amman is usually used mostly as a launching point for trips to Wadi Rum and Petra nearby, but the city itself does impress many visitors. The weather in June is still quite nice, at least in the first half of the month, and the threat of rain is literally zero. It might not be worth flying a long distance just to visit Jordan, but this region is quite worth a visit so connecting a few nearby countries is worth a look.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$27.41

Beirut, Lebanon

• June avg high: 80F/27C
• June avg low: 69F/21C
• June avg precip: 0.1″/0.3cm

Similar to Amman, Beirut is actually quite pleasant during June with no rainfall at all. Prices here aren’t as low as they are in Jordan, but this city has plenty to see that might make it worthwhile on a visit to the region. There has been a long history of turmoil here and that has certainly hampered tourism. Nearly everyone who actually makes the trip seems to find it fulfilling, so it’s a good choice for the bold among us.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$34.82

Tel Aviv, Israel

• June avg high: 82F/28C
• June avg low: 69F/21C
• June avg precip: 0.0″/0.0cm

Carrying on with the theme of places that aren’t as hot in June as you might expect them to be, Tel Aviv has its nice beaches to keep things even nicer than the inland cities as well. This is not a particularly cheap city compared to most on this list, but June is one of the best weather months here, again with no rain at all, so if you are thinking about an Israel trip you might as well do it this time of year.

2013 Backpackers Index: US$56.14

(courtesy of http://www.priceoftravel.com/1179/22-cheap-destinations-with-great-weather-in-june/)