Approximately forty million people visit Orlando, Florida every year. The reason for this is that Orlando is one of the most sought after vacation destinations in the world. When planning a vacation, the most exciting part of it is where to go once you’ve reached your destination. So if you are thinking about going to Orlando for its fun-filled tourists attractions, you are thinking the same way as all those millions of people who flock to Orlando every year. (photo courtesy: c21capitalrealty.com)

Somehow, the first thing you think of when someone mentions Orlando is Walt Disney World resort. It is the largest resort in the world with hotels, theme parks and water parks that you can visit and have lots of fun with the whole family. Located a short distance from the Orlando city limits, the Disney resort is by far the best place for families and kids to stay and you will have an unforgettable vacation.

Imagine this, within Disney there are four theme parks and each one has a towering structure that represents a unique theme that is distinct from the other theme parks. Every theme park is different and caters to different tastes but while there, you might as well visit all of them. There is no time to waste while at Disney so do take advantage of everything Disney has to offer for the whole family and make your dreams come true. If you are traveling in the summer months when it’s real hot in Orlando, there are water parks for you to cool down and at the same time have some wet and wild fun as well. (photo courtesy: weblo.com)

Another great place to visit in Orlando is the Universal Studio’s resort. Much like Disney, there you will find subsets to the area which serves different wants and needs to the visitors. During the day, you may want to spend some time at the Universal Studio Florida theme park. This is a theme park like Disney with rides that are inspired by the movies made by Universal. If you’ve never been here, this is a place you don’t want to miss. All the themes are segregated by sections in the park and there is also a Kid Zone for active fun for children. And, Universal Studios owns six islands all with their own feel to them like Jurassic Park Island theme take from the book and movie of the same name. So be sure to explore those islands while there. (photo courtesy: igougo.com)

SeaWorld also has a theme park in Orlando but unlike Disney and Universal Studios, there are no distinct themes separating it into different sections. What they have are zoned areas separating their various displays onsite. An example of this is Shamu’s happy harbor which is basically a place for children to have fun. SeaWorld is best know for its famous whale called Shamu but there are also rides, attractions and exhibits dedicated to the display of marine life. The thing to remember about SeaWorld is that it is not only a place to have fun but it is also very educational in nature. A visit to SeaWorld will allow you to gain new respect for the earth’s sea creatures. No wonder SeaWorld is ranked the 7th most visited park in the U.S. (photo courtesy: flickr)

Are you starting to see why Orlando, Florida is one of the top vacation places in the world? There are so many places to visit and things to do in Orlando that it is almost impossible to list them all here. All I can tell you is that a family vacation to Orlando will be an unforgettable experience for the whole family. Visit Orlando once and you will be back for more!

If you’ve never visited Florida’s Chautauqua before, this is an event you don’t want to miss. National recording star Ronnie McDowell and his band, the Rhythm Kings, will present a special benefit performance in DeFuniak Springs on August 26th to help Florida’s Chautauqua Center with fundraising efforts. The event will be held at the old Walton County High School auditorium. Tickets are just $25.00 each and all proceeds will benefit the Florida Chautauqua Center, a non-profit organization established in 1993 to orchestrate and host the official Florida Chautauqua Assembly. (photo courtesy: Florida Chautauqua)

“We are so grateful to Ronnie McDowell and his team for agreeing to support the Florida Chautauqua Center and our upcoming 2011 Assembly,” says Dennis Ray, Chairman of the Board, who approached McDowell about supporting the official Florida Chautauqua Assembly several months ago. “Mr. McDowell’s national travel schedule is extremely tight, and to bring such a high-profile singer to our DeFuniak Springs community is extremely rare. We can’t express our gratitude to him enough for helping support our historic Assembly.”

Ronnie McDowell charted a string of hit singles and albums for the Epic label between 1979 and 1986. Every single release with the exception of just one became a Top 10 Hit including the chart toppers “Older Women” and “You’re Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation.” Other hits during his Epic years included “Watchin Girls Go By,” “Personally,” “You Made A Wanted Man Of Me,” “All Tied Up,” and “In A New York Minute.”

Moving to Curb Records in 1986, his current label to date, McDowell scored a Top 10 hit with “It’s Only Make Believe,” a duet with Conway Twitty on what was Twitty’s breakthrough hit from 1958. Two years later Ronnie teamed up with Jerry Lee Lewis for a rocking duet that McDowell wrote titled,”You’re Never Too Old To Rock N’ Roll.” He also recorded yet another Top 10 hit with his version of the pop standard “Unchained Melody,” which also became a #1 country music video. His entertaining abilities soared and he began to draw larger crowds. He started appearing in larger venues and touring with artists such as Conway Twitty, Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn before headlining his own shows. (photo courtesy: Florida Chautauqua)

Ronnie McDowell is still constantly in demand on the road and he tours relentlessly with his band the Rhythm Kings. Additionally, he often tours with Elvis Presley’s original sidemen Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana along with Millie Kirkham and The Jordanaires staging a tribute to Elvis Presley’s music.

So pack your bags and come on down to attend this one of a kind event. For more information about the August 26th performance in DeFuniak Springs by Ronnie McDowell, call the Florida Chautauqua Center office at ( 850 )  892-7613 or log on to their website at www.FloridaChautauquaAssembly.org

If your ideal Florida travel vacation is spending lots of time at the beach, then Daytona Beach is for you with its sandy white beaches. An estimated eight million tourists flock to the city of Daytona and its gorgeous beaches every year for a time of fun and sun. Did you know that this is one of the few beaches in the world where its hard packed sand makes it possible for motor vehicles to drive on the beach? Yes, just bring your car right to the beach as it is permitted in designated areas from sunrise to sunset. (photo courtesy: uptake.com)

Daytona Beach is not only a year round family friendly resort but also a seasonal vacation place as record breaking crowds show up every year to attend the opening of the Daytona 500 car racing normally held in February every year. This is followed by the famous Bike Week event where several thousand bikers from all over the world visit the Daytona Beach area and this takes place early March. In July, another record breaking group shows up again to Daytona Beach to attend the Coke Zero 400 car race. The Daytona International Speedway opened its doors in 1959 and since then it has been the home of NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) Sprint Cup Series as well as the famous Daytona 500. (photo courtesy: wikipedia.com)

If you really want the most thrilling car racing experience of your life, then the Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Walt Disney World Speedway is for you. Most of us just dream about getting behind the wheel of a stock car and racing around a track at 150 miles per hour. Well, now your dream can become reality with the Richard Perry Driving Experience. This attraction has been making racing dreams come true for the past 10 years. It puts you in the action for a thrilling, pulse throbbing and adrenaline pumping spin around the asphalt where you will zoom around the track with the pedal to the metal in a robust 600 horse power V-8 engine stock car. Awesome! (photo courtesy: allears.net)

While Daytona Beach is basically known for its beautiful beaches and motorsports, you can also enjoy an array of activities and entertainment like sporting events, cultural events, nightlife and abundant shopping. For example if you like aquatic activities, there are multiple ones to choose from like kayaking, parasailing, a banana boat ride and jet boat thrill rides. Or you can go on a scenic riverboat excursion along the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway. If you like ice skating, there is a state-of-the-art facility at Daytona Beach where you can enjoy recreational ice skating or just watch the pros. Maybe you just want to take a walk along the Daytona Beach Boardwalk and the Daytona Lagoon and there you will find thrill rides, arcades, go-karts, miniature golf, rock climbing, souvenir shops, restaurants, the clock tower, an exhibit called ‘Speeding through Time’, and much more. (photo courtesy: goflorida.com)

There is so much to see and do at Daytona Beach that it is almost impossible to mention all of it here but the information above should give you an idea of the many things you can do on your next Florida travel vacation to Daytona Beach.

Discovery Cove located not far from SeaWorld in Florida is a secluded tropical get away where dolphins and birds welcome you to their home. It is the home of more than 30 species of exotic birds and you can touch, talk, feed and mingle with these birds. It is also the home of bottlenose dolphins where you have the opportunity to swim with them and become acquainted with these incredible creatures through hugs, kisses and rubdowns. You will experience an unforgettable personal connection with these amazing animals of the sea.

The choice is yours at Discovery Cove. You can choose to spend time swimming with the dolphins and playing with the birds or you can spend a relaxing day at one of the pristine beaches. You can snorkel in a coral reef with crystal waters full of rays and exotic fish of all kinds in park-provided snorkeling equipment. And while there, be sure to find an underwater tank with sharks and barracudas behind protective glass. Or, you can just float through beautiful landscapes into a peaceful tropical hideaway where the stresses of the day fade away.

Discovery Cove is a place where the fresh water pool is maintained at 80 degrees temperature year round and is complete with waterfalls. It is a tropical sanctuary, a paradise of rocky lagoons surrounded by lush landscaping, underwater ruins, unique coral reefs and heated tropical rivers. It is a place with sandy beaches and lots of Florida sunshine. And, if you are staying at Disney or SeaWorld, complimentary transportation will be provided to Discovery Cove.

I firmly believe that a visit to Discovery Cove will leave an unforgettable experience in your heart for years to come. Here are some of the many things you can do on your visit.

• Swim with the Dolphins – a one-on-one dolphin encounter that will teach you about their behavior and incredible communication skills. Hold on to its dorsal fin and this fascinating animal will take you for the ride of your life.
• Free flight Aviary – a hidden treasure where hundreds of beautiful birds soar around and above you singing to the sound of birdsongs that will inspire you.
• Serenity Bay – is the pristine freshwater pool which is kept at 80 degrees temperature year round.
• Tropical Reef – snorkel through this beautiful reef and explore countless species of tropical fish including fascinating rays. A visit here will give you a better understanding as to why people around the world are passionate about preserving coral reefs.
• Wind-away River – is a tropical river that winds past sandy beaches and into a dense rain forest beneath a rocky terrain of cascading waterfalls and even an underwater cave.

So there you have it, another beautiful place to keep in mind as you plan your Florida travel. At Discovery Cove, only a thousand guests are allowed per day so make your reservations early.