Fiji Vacation Experience

Just thought I would mix it up a little bit and tell you guys about a place near Australia that I’ve actually been to. Two summers ago I took a family vacation with my mom’s company to the beautiful island of Fiji. The plane ride there was absolutely exhausting. It took a total of about 23 hours on the plane and 17 were actually in the air (because of stops along the way). My parents gave my sister and I a sleeping pill to split on the way there and back, and we were still miserable.

After all the traveling was over to get there, we checked into our hotel. We stayed at the JW Mariott in Fiji and I wouldn’t recommend another one. The service was great and the rooms and their views were gorgeous. The pool in the back is connected to the beach so if you’d like to go to the beach or pool it is all right there.

Honestly, there isn’t much more to do in the area of the hotel, or in Fiji itself, for that matter. There were about 5 to 6 restaurants connected to our hotel alone, and many others that are with other hotels nearby. But the life outside of the resorts is nothing. There is a lot of farmland and areas that are not very developed. There is a shopping strip but it doesn’t have much besides the little trinkets that you tell yourself before you leave that you’re not going to come back with.

When we were there, we mostly stuck around the beach everyday. I am a beach person, however for those of you that aren’t, it might get a little boring. There is a long stretch of beach with resorts that offer the generic “beach vacation activities” but those can get old, and expensive, after a few days.

One day my family went on a catamaran ride to get to an island across the ocean. We went with a few people from my moms work, and one of which drove it. Everything was going great and the views were lovely… until we started noticing we were slowly accumulating more and more water on the catamaran. Soon enough we realized that the ship was sinking. So, there was nothing else to do but to jump off into the middle of the deep ocean. As we all floated there panicking, we watched the boat sink deep enough to where the tip of the sail was the only thing left.

Obviously I’m here writing to you guys today so I think you can conclude that we were all okay and rescued….our boat was recovered as well. The point to this story? You cannot always trust the people that lend you those fun rides. The gentleman along the beach that had rented us the catamaran had conveniently forgotten to put the plug in the back of the pontoon, which is what caused us to sink. They then had blamed the situation on US for putting too many people on the catamaran, even though they are the ones that put us on there. Anyway, we got the situation worked out and it ended up being completely their fault. So, just be careful! This advice can apply to you even if you’re not going to Fiji and you have another vacation planned where you think you might be renting something.

~America’s Next Top Model Goes Aussie~

I am going to step away from my usual trend of posting about packing. I thought it would be a good idea to bring in some of the more trendy aspects of traveling. And who travels more eloquently than Tyra Banks? I’ll admit it; I am a huge fan of America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) and Tyra Banks, but I wasn't always such a big fan. Most people are turned off by the term “model” and with good reason. Most models have to be super skinny, super pretty, and stuck up. I thought that all models were that way and concluded that I hated all models no matter what. Well, growing up out in the country and not having cable leaves only so much to do on the long summer nights. One night I was so bored that I gave in, despite all that was in me telling me no, and I watched ANTM. I watched an episode from season 7, just to make fun of the girls; I figured that if I had to be bored, then I might as well have some fun. Instead of hating it, I ended up loving the show. Some girls of course were over the top and gave new meaning to drama queen, but there was always that one girl that is there to learn as much as she can an genuinely cares about the advice given to her. Also the challenges were actually interesting to watch. When I see a picture in a magazine, I never thought about how much effort was put into that single shot. I now have a new appreciation for models and I can’t believe how much models go through. Also, Tyra Banks is one of the fiercest and most caring people in the world. She wants her girls to be ready for the modeling industry and she wants them to realize the stereo types that come with the title of model and that it is up to them to change or confirm people’s perspective of what a model "should be."

There was one cycle of ANTM that I absolutely loved. Cycle 8, for some reason, I really connected with the girls on this cycle and all of them grew throughout the show, and so my favorite changed with each episode. One episode that I consider to be my favorite from cycle 8, would have to be when Tyra took the final 6 six girls to Australia, and they way that Tyra told them was so Tyra. The door opens and someone dressed in a kangaroo suit and a wrangler with a real kangaroo came into the room where all the girls are and all the girls were like, “o...k... what is all this about?” The next thing they know, the person in the kangaroo suit takes the head off the suit and it’s Tyra! Tyra is one of those people who aren’t afraid to look ugly as long as she is having fun. The thing that really got me what that even in that ridiculous kangaroo suit, you could tell that Tyra was gorgeous and didn’t let her beauty hold her back. The final six go and pack their bags for Australia.

Now most of these girls haven’t been very far from home and most of them have some sort of accent from where they’re from. Well, as soon as they get off the plane, they are greeted by Erika Heynatz a model herself and she was the original host for Australia’s Next Top Model. She informs them that they are going to have a challenge right then and there and the winner will get to be a correspondent for the Tyra Banks Show. The girls have to interview Aussies about American faux pas and use as much Aussie slang as they can in their interviews. The girls are running on little sleep and being thrown into a challenge. This probably wasn’t the greatest first impression of Australia. I thought most of the girls did ok, but I enjoyed watching the girls with thick accents the most, because they were trying to use Aussie slang and it sounded so funny. I felt like I would probably look just as ridiculous as these girls given the circumstances. I was encourage by their attitudes, if these girls can communicate with real Aussies under that much pressure, then if I ever go to Australia I should be able to get around just fine. Here is a clip from that episode, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Sleepover at the zoo

In Sydney, Australia there are so many different places to stay and tons of things to do. Everything can get expensive when you add up a plane tickets, a nice hotel off the beach, and all the activities you plan to do. I know the perfect activity for the family to do together and it even offers a place to stay.

Did you ever think you'd be staying in a zoo?? The thought can be a little scary, waking up next to a cage of roaring lions. The Taronga Zoo offers a great family fun activity, it's called the Roar and Snore, and it's offered to children, families, and even school groups. Everyone gets the chance to explore the zoo, go on a tour, and you guessed it, stay overnight at the zoo. 

Arrival time is 6:30, this is where you meet your group, group leader, and have a chance to grab a quick snack. After everyone has arrived and is ready to go, an up close and personal look at the animals is offered. Who wouldn't want a chance to get a picture with a zebra, kangaroo, or any other animal? Later is dinnertime and a chance to go on a zoo safari. Everyone sleeps in tents of two to three people and I recommend getting to bed somewhat early because there is an early start at 6:15. The next day's highlights include two behind the scene tours and a chance to further explore the zoo. 

The Roar and Snore may seem kind of pricey, with adult prices at $165 and children at $110, but the way I see it is most families would be spending way more to stay at a nice hotel and do some type of activity for everyone. I recommend if you're staying in Sydney or planning a trip to book a night at the zoo. I will be an unforgettable night, give it a chance. 

Want to visit the beautiful beaches of Sydney, Australia but don't know where to eat?

At the Circular Quay Restaurants in Sydney, you can choose from many different types of food from Asian, Indian, Morrocan, Greek, Thai, and Mexican food. Not only is the food to die for but the view is too! This is more along the lines of a food court, where there are many different restaurants all set up in one area. This way, there is something for everyone in the same area!

This court is set up right on the shore of the ocean so there is a magnificent view of the ocean. The Circular Quay is located right in the heart of Sydney. It is surrounded by the Opera House, The Rocks, Botanical Gardens, and Harbour Bridge.

For the next restaurant, picture one of the most famous beaches of the world that you can view as you eat. You can experience this at the Bondi restaurants on Bondi Beach. This is very similar to the Circular Quay. The Bondi Restaurants include Thai, Belgian, Mexican, Asian, Italian, Middle Eastern, African, Mediterranean, Spanish, Japanese, European, modern Australian, seafood and vegetarian restaurants and many more. After your meal, you can walk along the beautiful Bondi Beach or dip your feet into the ocean.

~G'Day Mate!~

As it so happens, my best friend was born and raised in Australia for eight years. When we were younger, we would consistently fight about what things were called and how they should be pronounced. She would say things like, “For Chrissie me mum and dad got me lots of prezzies!” I thought she was speaking another language. I thought she was mad because her parents got her “prezzies”, I wasn’t sure what those were or who Chrissie was, but I just let it go. Later I found out that prezzies means presents in Australia and Chrissie means Christmas. It took us a long time to figure out what she was trying to say. If I had my Australian Slang Guide, I would’ve been able to avoid a lot more arguments between us. We are really good friends now and sometimes she throws in random Australian Slang just to confuse me, but I’ve picked up on a few things.

Australians are speaking English, it’s just their slang is so different from what we are used to. If you are traveling to Australia, I highly suggest that you take an Aussie slang guide with you. It may save you from a lot of hassle and possible make you seem less like a tourist. The accents alone throw me off, adding the pressure of miss understanding or offending someone is pressure I don’t want to deal with during vacation. One very important thing to remember is the great “Australian Wave”. Apparently people in the country are constantly swatting the flies away by waving their hands in front of their faces, so sometimes it looks like they are waving at you. So it’s called the “Australian Wave”. Just don’t be surprised if someone says something to you or it looks like random people are waving at you. Don’t let the worry of messing up keep you from taking an amazing vacation to Australia.

A Lovely Place to Dine

California Grill is rated on of the top 5 best restaurants in the country by many magazines…and I would have to agree. It is one of my favorite places to eat that I have ever been to. The food is a wide range of everything from sushi to pasta and steaks. The attire is business casual…but it is Florida and many people dress how ever they feel like. The food is absolutely to die for, but the views are even better. The restaurant is located on the top of Disney's Contemporary Resort right near Magic Kingdom. When it gets dark, you have a perfect view of Cinderella’s Castle all lit up. I would recommend making reservations well in advance if this place sounds appealing to you because it will probably be hard to walk in. If you do make a reservation, ask for a table next to the window. The food is a bit pricy so you might as well make your special dinner worth it! It was a great place to go to get away from the park food and have a nice romantic dinner with a gorgeous view of the park at night.

Fort Lauderdale

Of all the places I've stayed in Florida, the Lago Mar in Fort Lauderdale has been one of my top places to stay. I stayed there last summer with my aunt, mom, and sister for our girl's trip. We flew into the Fort Lauderdale airport. It was a nice short drive to the resort and shuttles are available. The Largo Mar is conveniently close to many places to shop. There were also many nice sit down places to eat nearby. 

One thing I loved about the resort was the rooms. They are spacious and luxurious. We stayed in one with an ocean view. I definitely recommend requesting an ocean view. It was very relaxing at night to be able to sit out on the balcony and listen to the ocean. 

The hotel is feet away from the ocean so it was nice not to have to walk across the street or a long ways to lie out and swim. We usually signed up for a cabana the night before and it was ready for us the next day out on the beach. It's very convenient. Sometimes I'm more of a pool person and the pool at the Largo Mar is amazing. It's crystal clear blue water and tons of chairs to lie out on made it a great place to relax. Our girl's trip was very fun. We always had something to do and it was good place to stay. I recommend it to those looking for a fun get away.

~Welcome to Florida~

Florida is called the sunshine state, and for obvious reasons, but I think they should tag on to it… Welcome to Florida- the Sunshine State; hope you have room for souvenirs. Every time I go to Florida, I always buy souvenirs. I mostly don’t see the point in buying something that you will more than likely sell later in a garage sale, but I seem to have a weakness for Florida. I always come home with at least two beach towel, a magnet, and a ton of sea shells. Of course, I always tell myself that I won’t buy any souvenirs, but I can’t help it. Souvenir venders in Florida are in my opinion the best sells men and women in the United States. They always convince me that my beach towels aren’t efficient or I don’t have enough. I think there is a sign on my forehead that only they can see saying, “Weakness- Beach towel and witty magnets.” When I try to pack up for the trip home, I find I don’t have enough room in my bag to everything. I get home and I see that my fridge is already covered in magnets and that my relatives won’t even take my lame magnets. I guess I just don’t have any will power to stop shopping. I guess I will just have to start leaving the credit card in the hotel… Or just start packing lighter.

Under the Sea

My next trip to Florida I'll be staying at the Jules' Undersea Lodge located in Key Largo where celebrities such as Steven Tyler, former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, and Jon Fishman of Phish have all stayed here. It's the world's first underwater hotel. The Jules' Undersea Lodge originally was a research laboratory until it was transformed into a hotel.

To get to the hotel all guests have to take a 21-foot dive down in the sea and enter through a hole in the bottom of the hotel. Dive lessons are offered prior to the dive incase instructions are needed. The hotel has 24-hour service and is designed to meet any of the customers needs during their stay. One of the main attractions is the 42-inch window in each room.

The only thing I don't like about this place is that is only accommodates two couples, or up to six people. It has a bed and breakfast kind of feel and is very homey. There is one main common room to relax in. I like staying at unique places and places I'll always remember. The Undersea Lodge is a one in a lifetime opportunity. It's not everyday I have the chance to stay underwater! Florida has so many cool places to stay, but I'd definitely check this place out.

~Go and Have Fun!~

Please if you are going on a vacation to somewhere as beautiful as Florida, please, please don’t spend your entire vacation in either your hotel room or the beach. Yes, it’s your vacation and you may do as you please. Your hotel room may be the coolest hotel room ever, but you could have just as easily rented a room near your home town and saved a bunch of money. I am just suggesting that if you are already going to spend a good chunk of your money on airline tickets and the hotel, then you might as well take one or two days of your week long vacation, to doing something that you and your family can do together. Getting the family out of the your house was a good step, now take one more and take them somewhere where they can expend some of their pent up energy and you don’t have to worry about making a scene, (it’s not like you will ever see those people ever again.)

Go site seeing, swim with dolphins, or go to an amusement park, these are activities for that most of the family will enjoy. Also, these are activities that you don’t have to worry about everyone being bored or make sure the kids are staying out of trouble. Doing things together as a family is a learning experience, usually exhausting, but ultimately they bring families closer together and the families are better off because of it. The really great thing about vacation is you are paying others to cook for you and clean up your messes. Don’t stress the little things, just enjoy your vacation. You can still enjoy your hotel and the ocean view, just don’t overdo it. Everything is better in moderation, including vacations; you rarely get a chance to spend quality time with your family in a calm environment so enjoy it for all that its worth. Everyone will have a more memorial vacation and can say they did more than sleep and tan.

Book Your Tickets NOW

Latest news related to gas prices is that they are DOWN! 8 hours ago CNN informed that gas prices have reached a price not seen as of October of 2007. So this is the best moment for you to book a ticket. I bought my ticket for Miami about a week ago it cost me $485.00. Today because of the whole prices going down I checked the current prices and if you buy it right now your saving $60.00 from the price that I had to pay. That's a great deal. The prices for oil have been declining now for 38 days straight, so you even wait a while longer to buy the tickets to see if prices go down even further. 

Also I found out from some friends of mine, that traveling to Florida via Fort Lauderdale Airport is cheaper than going through Miami International Airport. Currently the price comparison between the two is $420.00 via MIA versus $403.50 via FLL. As you can see there is not that big of a difference, but hey you are saving at least $16, which you could use to pay the taxi or buy yourself your first Florida souvenir. 

You have options, you have price comparisons so now get on your computers and search your tickets to book them as soon as possible. 1, 2, 3, GOOOO!

Disney World

Since it is so common for many of us to hit the Disney parks when vacationing in Florida, I thought I would share some of my experiences there. I have been fortunate enough to be able to take vacations to Disney World almost every year as a kid because my grandparents live there. My most memorable times have been in Magic Kingdom. In all the times that I have gone, it seems like the lines in the park have gotten longer and longer. It boggles my mind how so many people can possibly be at the same place at the same time…every year. I could understand if it were Spring Break or Christmas vacation time…but it is usually a completely random weekend during the year. I can’t imagine what it is like on those popular breaks! I have literally waited up to three hours in the “Dumbo the Flying Elephant” line. Ridiculous, huh?
As a kid my favorite rides, that I believed were worth waiting in the never ending, twisting and turning lines at Magic Kingdom, were “Dumbo the Flying Elephant”, “It’s a Small World”, and “Peter Pan’s Flight”. I look back and wonder how there were only three rides that I can remember being my favorite, but then I realize that that is all a day had time for because of how long you actually wait in line and how impatient I was.
So as I grew older I didn’t mind waiting in the long lines as much…but the drive for wanting to ride Dumbo diminished. There are a few rides that I still do like going on to this day. I think that “Space Mountain”, “Splash Mountain”, “Thunder Mountain”, and “Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin” are all still pretty fun rides for teenagers. I actually went to Magic Kingdom two years ago and I had a blast on the Buzz Lightyear ride! At that time I was 17 years old and still enjoyed it!
The park is still great for older kids, however the excitement of the characters and all of the rides is just not there. I hadn’t gone from the age of 10 or 11 until about 15 and I can remember going back and my parents being so relieved that I didn’t care to go wait in line to get every characters signature. Their “realness” just wasn’t there anymore.
As far as eating at the park, everything is going to be pretty expensive. But, one of my all-time favorite things to do when I went to Magic Kingdom was to eat with Mickey Mouse and the rest of the Disney characters. As you eat your meal, the characters walk around and interact with the kids. It was so fun to see them right there with you! Not to mention, the Mickey Mouse pancakes were amazing!
I hope that I have helped you if you are planning to go to Magic Kingdom anytime soon with your family. I tried to give you some insight on which rides I would personally choose to spend the day waiting for...but if you still have questions let me know!

"Welcome to Miami, Bienvenidos a Miami"

Miami is the city to go and party until sunrise, which is exactly what I'm planning on doing for my Thanksgiving Break vacation. It's a bunch of friend going together, staying at a beach house and thinking of only two things: soaking up the sun and partying non-stop. 

Now keep in mind that Miami has a collection of clubs, the trick is to find which ones are the best and to know what each club is hosting that night. This way you will know where to go every night to dance and socialize at the best parties hosted by the worlds most renowned Dj's.

So for those who don't know which parties to hit up while at Miami here are some of the trendiest clubs and bars:

• Mansion- 1235 Washington Ave. This art-deco themed multi-level club, offers a variety of music with tons of bars and VIP sections inside the establishment. It has an above average rating for sound quality which makes it a great place for live performances by some of the top artists. If you want to party with the famous people then stop by in order to party with high fashions top models and celebrities. Entrance is $20.

• Mynt Lounge- 192 Collins  Ave. First thing I'm going to tell you about  this place is to come if you don't care about spending a lot of money. Entrance is $20, Valet Parking is $20, drinks range from $8 to $14, and if you want to get that much closer to the celebs that party here then pay for a VIP pass of $100. The lounge has futuristic feeling to it with its big white lounges, making it a favorite spot for rockers, actors, models and other celebs. It was voted as the 2006, "Best Celeb Hangout" by readers of CitySearch Miami.

• Nikki Beach- 1 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. Its considered one of the toughest clubs to get into.  Located right on Ocean Drive, Nikki Beach is a pricey restaurant by day which then turns into a hot dance floor at night. To me its decor resembles something like Fiji, its all done with washed wood and white sheets "for a chic Sobe experience". Again entrance fee is $20 so is the valet.

• Opium Garden- 136 Collins Ave, Miami Beach. An open-air, Asian themed club. The Buddha statues and Chinese lanterns make the vibe of it as if were a dream. The 2-leveled club has some of the hottest Dj's come from all over the world spinning their records with a variety of music from trans to house. Celebrities are also spotted here at one of their favorite VIP rooms, Prive. The fees to Opium are very much similar to the ones at Mynt Lounge.

Now that you know where to go, you need to learn how to get in. Here are a few tips:

• Stay at a Hotel that offers VIP passes- Some of the top notch hotels in Miami can get you VIP access into the cities hottest clubs. With the VIP pass the hotel contacts the club and they add you to the guest list so you don't have to spend hours in line.

• Arriving Early- I personally hate to do this because you tend to look desperate. My friends know me for always being late no matter what the occasion, but I might have to make an exception now that I'm going to Miami. Some clubs are so hard to get into that people tend to arrive at 11PM to make sure they get in. Inside you get some drinks and socialize with your friends until the crowds start coming in, then the party really starts!

• Dress to Impress- The bouncers are on the look out for the people that look the hottest and willing to spend the big bucks once inside the club. Important people come to these clubs so its obvious that the owners want the best looking people to be partying at their clubs to create a name for it. Guys should wear sport jackets with fancy shirts, nice pants and NO flip flops. Then the ladies should dress sexy but at the same time keeping it chic and sophisticated. 

• Respect the Bouncer- When in line don't act all nervous and uncomfortable, especially if you are going to show a fake ID. Just act casual like you know you belong there, but at the same time respect the bouncer and don't give them an attitude. They are the ones that control who goes in and who doesn't. Also people tend to believe that by slipping a twenty into the bouncers hand they're in, be careful with this, some bouncers actually take this as an offense.

• Arrive in a Mixed Group- Showing up in big groups is good because it gives and image that you are going to spend a lot of money by buying bottles and having a reserved table. Try to always have more ladies in the group than guys, that tends to attract the bouncers attention and let you all go in. 

• Miami Party Pass- You buy it 72 hours prior to your traveling date. You get access to 13 of Miami's clubs without having to wait a single minute in line! Passes start at $25.

With these clubs and these tips you have no excuse to step in Miami territory and not party. I know for a fact that the minute I arrive it will be party non-stop until the minute my plane takes off.

Daytona Beach, Florida

I went to Florida for the first time, since I have been old enough to remember, during Spring Break in 2008. We went once when I was only 2 years old, but I don't remember that visit very much. When we went to Daytona Beach in 2008, My mom was nice enough to take my two best friends and me. We had the time of our lives.

We went to a club for teenagers for about 10 minutes and then realized how creepy it was and decided to leave. It was supposed to be a teen club yet there was 50 year old guys trying to check these young girls out, so we decided it wasn't the best place for us.

Then one day my mom decided she wanted to take us to see the dog races. This was a very odd experience, and quite sad too. These races are very similar to horse races except they have the dogs chase a little toy rabbit around the track until the end and then when the rabbit stops, all the dogs crash into each other. I could only watch this so many times until I just stopped paying attention. My mom also got very annoyed by this, and had a few drinks in her system by now, and decided to start yelling at the guy that this was not the way to treat a dog. So we decided it was time to leave.

You may be thinking to yourself, "How is this the time of your life?" But it got much better after this. I am a very big beach person. No matter where I go I can sit on the beach all day and say I had the best day ever, and of course what else do people think of when they think of Florida? So after these two night outs, we decided to just hang at the beach and relax.

This beach is an amazing 23-mile long beach with beautiful white sand. The beach was full of little stands set up with all different kinds of things to do. You were also able to drive your car on the beach, which I thought was pretty cool. As we were driving on the beach, because at this time we were too relaxed, some may just call it lazy, to walk we saw one stand had four-wheelers that you could ride up and down the beach. So we decided to try this and had a blast. We didn't realize you were only supposed to go as fast as the cars in front of you and kind of got yelled at for passing up all the cars. But, we were told as long as we slowed down, we could still ride. So we slowed down and still were able to have fun.If you don't like four-wheeling they also have just about any water sport imaginable set up somewhere that you can do.

One other adventure we took on this vacation was to the boardwalk. If you walk down the beach a little there is a long boardwalk that goes a quarter of a mile into the ocean. It is an awesome place to visit if you like to fish. If you like to shop, however, there are many small shops set up along the beach where you can buy those annoying little gifts to give to people.

Out last adventure was the next day when we went to go see this light house that is the number one rated attraction, according to the TripAdvisor, it is called the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse. This was a very cool thing to see. My two friends and I climbed all the way up to the top. It was a long, tiring climb, but the view was amazing from the top. My mom decided to visit the gift shop instead of climbing with us. Even just standing next to the lighthouse and looking up is an amazing site.

One of the most amazing things I thought about the trip was watching the sun rise, and then going to bed. This is one of the most beautiful sun rises I have ever seen. There is just something about watching the sun rise over the ocean that just takes your breath away.

Marco Island

The past two times that I have traveled to Florida, I have stayed at a resort in Marco Island. We stay at the Marriott Resort and Spa and it is beautiful! They actually have just renovated it in between the two times I was there. Now the layout is even better and the stay is more comfortable. I am a big beach junky, so every time I go I usually just lay out on the beach. However, if you are into being outside on the beach but just want some activities to do, the many hotels along the beach offer several different fun beachside activities. I have seen everything from human fosse ball to jet skiing and parasailing. If you would like more information on the specific activities that you will find, I would suggest finding your hotel first and then researching what they specifically offer. Also, if you find your hotel, you can research nearby hotels and their activities.
In Marco, I have gone snorkeling and parasailing. They were both fabulous. If you don’t mind sea creatures or heights, you will absolutely love those two activities anywhere you go on Marco’s beach. The water is so clear that you can see right into it and take in all of the amazing underwater scenery. One time I dug into the sand with my toes and I found at least four star fish! Just to show you that the sea life there is very populated.
As far as dinner when I was there, the town has several little restaurants that they are known for, but we drove to Naples and ate at the hotel itself most of the days. There are good restaurants within the hotel but it is fun to get out sometimes! In Naples we love going to the Tommy Bahama Restaurant. It is a very lively atmosphere for all ages and really good food is served. It is a little pricey…but then again a lot of the restaurants you will find around that area are. The time you will have and the food you will eat is worth it though! My favorite plate there is the coconut shrimp. It is outstanding!
If you are staying in Marco, Naples is not a far drive away and it is worth it for a day or nights trip. The area is very well kept and very pretty to walk through at night. You can find everything from fine dining to golf and shops.
I really suggest planning a vacation in Marco Island. The resorts are all great and there are wonderful places to travel right around there, such as Naples, where you can find plenty of other activities.

The Florida Hotel and Conference Center

When I go on vacation there is one thing I'm always up for doing.... shopping. I've been to Florida many times and have shopped in a lot of different areas. One place I haven't is the Florida Mall located in Orlando. It's Florida's largest mall. When I plan my trip there I'm going to stay at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center. It is connected to the mall, so I'll only be a few steps away from shopping until I drop. 

The Florida Hotel offers big spacious rooms. They are decorated in a modern look and seem very cozy. If I were looking to spend big I'd stay in one of the Presidential suites.  They are about the size of a small house! The suites are bi-level, have 2-4 rooms, and even their own balcony. They look like a great place to go and relax. Parlor suites are another type of suite offered but are not quite as nice as the Presidential. If I were going to spend the extra money I would just go all out for the best. 

I love coffee, so one perk of staying here is that there's two Starbucks located right in the hotel. There is also a cute little restaurant called Cricket's Restaurant and Grille. It's American cuisine and it offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. One thing I thought was pretty cool was that every seat in the restaurant has a view of a TV, so if I were eating I would never have to miss a game. There are a lot of things to like about this hotel. I guarantee I'll have a fun and relaxing trip here. I recommend it to anyone else that loves to shop on vacation and is looking for a great convenient place to stay. 

~Don't Forget Your Camera~

Headed to Florida, then don’t forget to pack your camera. If you are headed to the beach, theme parks, or just visiting relatives, remember your camera! Basically anywhere and at anytime there could be the perfect chance for a photo opportunity, especially in Florida. When you and your family have been soaking up the sun all afternoon and the sun is setting on your little piece of paradise, and you don’t have your camera, then you have possibly missed out on your next Christmas Card photo. I guess you’ll just have to make everyone dress up in those “awesome” Christmas sweaters. Don’t worry, they’ll forgive you… Eventually. And there are no excuses, take your camera. Carrying cases are, usually, fairly waterproof and easy to carry. Just throw the camera case in with your beach towels and your set.
If you don’t have a camera of your own, don’t stress, you can easily get a disposable one at Wal-Mart. They even have disposable cameras that can be used under water. If you don’t like being in the pictures, just be sure to keep the camera close to you, that way you can be taking the pictures instead of being the main focus. Maybe you don’t like taking the pictures; just give an underwater disposable camera to the kids and your set. Plus these cameras are usually built to be durable, so you won’t have to worry too much about the kids dropping the camera and the camera breaking. Most of the time children see things differently than us adults, so you’ll never know what they are taking pictures of, so you may have to watch them, just to be sure. But they enjoy the chance to feel grown-up by taking pictures and you don’t have to take the pictures yourself. Vacations are supposed to be cherished and remembered for a long time. Don’t let something like being a little camera shy or worried about breaking the camera ruin your chance to preserve a memorable time in your life.

La Gare

One of the top restaurants in Paris for 2008 is La Gare. This restaurant is the place to go if you want to impress that special person. At La Gare, the desserts are just as good as the main course, if not even better! It is an exceptional place, that tastes amazing, but still stays within your budget. It is a great place to go with a group of friends but people who have been here recommend you go for the first visit with a date. This is the type of place that you go for the first time for the setting, then you never stop returning for the food. Everything that the restaurant does is for the costumer.

Visiting the Eiffel Tower

Trips out of the country can be very expensive. Staying downtown of an area can add up, but if you stay too far out you can be paying just as much for transportation. I know if I went on a trip to Paris one thing I'd have to see would be the Eiffel Tower. My next question to myself would be.... "Where do I stay?"

I would choose to stay at the Hotel Eiffel Seine for many reasons. One, it's very affordable for its location. Rooms can start as low as $155 and it is only a five-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower. Two, the inside of the hotel is very cute. The 45 rooms offer something unique and there are five types to choose from. Some offer balconies overlooking the city, which I would enjoy. Hotel cleanliness is very big when I'm choosing a place to stay. The Hotel Eiffel Seine is very clean and the staff is very helpful for anything the guests may need. Three, the hotel even offers a little restaurant. I personally enjoy having a nice place to grab something quick to eat when I have a busy day packed with things to do. Overall it's an adorable little hotel, and I would definitely stay here if I were going to Paris.