We have since been back serveral times one of which was for a special anniversay meal to celebrate 18 years of marriage.  We had a wonderful Italian meal.  After the meal we took a walk around the lake area which was so peaceful.

Celebration is a wonderful get away from it all area and I would recommend anyone to go visit especially during December when they switich on the artificial snow it is such a lovely sight.

Mount Dora & Lake Dora

Nestled 184ft above sea level, Mount Dora is a charming historic village in the heart of Lake County in central Florida.  Being located 40 minutes northwest of Orlando, off Highway 441, it is about an hour’s car journey from Kissimmee.

Mount Dora dates back to the Civil War.  It was originally named Royellou after the children  of Postmaster Ross Tremain  (Roy, Ella & Louis) - the name was changed to Mount Dora in 1883. 

And when the railroad arrived in 1887, Mount Dora became, and continues to be, a popular winter retreat for hunting, fishing & boating.

The town is nowadays renowned for it’s shopping, possibly the best antique shopping in Florida, and for its annual festivals and historic buildings.

There is at least one city-wide festival held nearly every month of the year, and together with the regular monthly ‘Film In The Park’ every 2nd Friday of each month, ‘Mount Dora At Dark’ every 3rd Friday of each month, and live music most evenings, there is plenty to entertain you during your visit:

JanuaryArts Festival

February          Music Festival

March              Dragon Boat Festival, Antique Boat Festival

April                 Reading Festival, Sail Boat Regatta

May                 Taste of Mount Dora

July                  Old Fashioned 4th of July Festival

October           Bicycle Festival, Craft Fair

November        Mount Dora Plant & Garden Fair, Antique Extravaganza

December        Christmas Parade, Lighted Boat Parade

There are a couple of tours that are also well worth taking:

The Mount Dora Trolley offers narrated 50-minute tours on board a climate controlled trolley, exploring historic neighbourhoods, and provides information about the town’s pioneers. 

The Inland Lakes Railway operates an hour long narrated return tour to nearby Taveres, on board a vintage railcar pulled by a 1942 locomotive.

And interestingly, in 1981 the entire town was painted pink when some of ‘Honky Tonk Freeway’ (staring Beau Bridges) was filmed there.

A mile or so outside of Mount Dora is Lake Dora; one of the finest lakes in all of Florida, abundant with exotic water life and birds, and there is even a lighthouse.  Lake Dora connects with waterways that can lead you direct to the Atlantic Ocean by boat. Probably the best place to take a boat tour is on the Dora Canal from Tavares, which incidentally is the geographical centre of Florida. 

Or you can just stroll around the edge of the lake, walk along the jetty at Grantham Point and enjoy its serenity.  Walk further and you come to Palm Island boardwalk nature trail, which meanders through groves of cypress trees growing on the water’s edge.  You can follow the boardwalk, or take one of the trails through the woods, which all link up, so there is little chance of getting lost.

For more information:  www.whattodoinmtdora.com

Higgins House is a lovely Victorian house, built in 1894, which has been lovingly restored and features a Victorian parlour, numerous antiques, plus 5 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms all with mod-cons, courtyard and varanda. Breakfast is taken in an elegant Victorian dining room and consists of many home-made specialities, including muffins, breads, jams & jellies.

Sanford is the oldest city in Central Florida, dating back to the 1830’s. It is also the County Seat of Seminole County. Two museums showcase the history of the area – The Museum of Seminole County History, and the Sanford Museum, which illustrates the history of the city of Sanford and the life and times of City founder Henry S. Sanford.

After exploring the many fascinating antique shops along Main Street, we made our way to North Palmetto Avenue, where we took the Romance Cruise along the St. John’s River. It was a wonderful experience and, if you have the opportunity to take it, an excellent luncheon is provided, and there is musical entertainment. There is also a similar evening cruise provided. Monroe Harbour Marina on Lake Monroe, is also part of the St. John’s River. There are some magnificent water-front town houses and condos, and brightly painted river front shops and restaurants.

If you decide to take advantage of early baggage check-in at Sanford Airport, why not see for yourself what Sanford has to offer. We particularly enjoy visiting Willow Tree Café on E. 1st Street, where we opt for a table outdoors, where we can enjoy the atmosphere of the historic buildings and shops, before making our way back to the airport for car return and passenger check-in.  

If you want to have a look on Google earth the villa address is Pliny Court, Windward Cay. Kissimmee- or put in Wall-mart 192 Kissimmee and we are to the left of it at marker 14 on the 192 (which is the main road running through Orlando)

If you go onto the net and type in Kissimmee old town Or 192 Kissimmee map. It will give you info on what is around that area.

While you are in Florida it nice to other things than just parks..

Shopping

www.wintergardenvillage.com

192 Flea Market (Outlet) in Kissimmee Florida

Celebration, Florida

http://www.celebrationtowncenter.com

Old Town- on the 192

www.oldtownflorida.com

On Thursday and Saturday nights at old town there is entertainment motor bikes one night cars the other night.. Really nice to see, need to get there for around 6pm to get the full benefit of a night out. for adults there is bars along with dancing in the street & for the kids

On Old Town there is a big’ish fair split into two – Ride tickets are cheap to buy and the all day wrist bands work out at good value for money or to go after 6pm.

Coupon Books

When you are out and about pick up some coupon books in Golden coral Wal-Mart/. Ect. These will give you for example 10% off food bill in Golden Corel  or dunkin donuts buy 6 get six free (a must have, you’ll eat them all without sharing them) coupon books also gives the kids free gifts in some shops and the flea markets. The younger kids enjoy collecting free stuff…

Air boat

We did hire a hire an air boat for a few hours - which is a must do - it was so funny getting stuck in the tree’s, drive your self!!!! - also in Down Town Disney there is the Disney Quest, this is for all ages lots of computer game’s, internet, children can make their own pop song, make toys etc. you need a long evening to do it all.

 Follow along the 192 and you will see signs to Celebration. There is also a large old fashioned water tower on the corner.

This is a nice town to visit, the houses are very traditional and well-kept though modern, and there are various nice walks around the lakes. There are several good places to eat and admire the view, or just have a coffee and visit some interesting shops.

During the fall, there are hourly “leaves falling”, and at Christmas there is “snowing nightly” on the hour.

WINTERPARK

 A smart northern suburb of Orlando which can be reached by taking the I4 North towards Orlando and exiting at Junction 87, Fairbanks Avenue. Then turn right. Carry on down this road and turn left on to Park Avenue. There are scenic boat trips on the lake here where you will be shown luxury lake-side properties and some wildlife to spot. The boats leave on the hour between 10.00 and 4.00 every day but Christmas. In the summer you would need to take some sun cream , as the boats are open to the elements and it can get extremely hot on the lake. There is a farmers market on Saturday mornings on New England Avenue where there is a good choice of fruit and vegetables, fresh baked goods and good browsing!  

MOUNTDORA

 A pretty lakeshore town set in gently rolling countryside and citrus groves, MountDora is renowned for its Victorian architecture and antique shops and is a good place just to browse.

Take the Orange Blossom Trail / US441north, direction Ocala, to MountDora and follow signs for downtown.

BLUESPRINGSTATE PARK

On the St John’sRiver, a 45 minute drive from Orlando, this is one of the prettiest state parks in central Florida with walking, boating and swimming opportunities. From November to March, the manatees swim to this area as the springs are at a constant 72 degrees. From the boardwalk, there is a birds-eye view of them, and dozens of different fish and turtles as well. Canoes are available and there are boat trips through the state park which point out the many different birds and you often spot alligators basking on the river bank.

Take the I4 East, direction Daytona, to Exit 114. Follow US17-92 for 2 1/2 miles south to OrangeCity. The park is signposted off to the right at the junction with W French Avenue.                  

It has grown amazingly over recent years with millions of holidaymakers flying into and out of its International Airport.

Most visitors assume they have seen Orlando, when really all they have done is visit the theme parks.  Orlando is a thriving business city, with fine buildings, shops and restaurants.  

Downtown Orlando

Possibly the most well known downtown area is Church Street Station – an entertainment centre similar to Universal’s City Walk and Downtown Disney .

The Train Depot is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places and contains numerous historical artefacts. The most impressive of which is ‘Old Duke’ the steam locomotive featured in the film ‘Wings of Eagles’ staring John Wayne.

Church Street Station also offers live entertainment, fine dining and the Church Street Exchange Shopping Emporium - a three story complex that has over 50 shops, restaurants and midway games.

Rosie O’Grady’s Good Time Emporium is Church Street Station’s original bar, and features dark wood bar and brass fixtures. The  Dixieland Jazz Revue - complete with bartop can-can dancers and a specialty cocktail,  the Flaming Hurricane, are it’s popular attractions. 

Phineas Phogg’s Balloon Works.  Where you can dance the night away. Weekend nights are crowded and it is a great atmosphere.

Cheyenne Saloon and Opera House.   This magnificent building is one of the staples of Church Street Station, built inside a former opera house.   Spread out over three levels it is decorated old west memorabilia and there is plenty lively country & western music.

Lake Eola Park.  This lovely park, including its lake, covers an area of 43 acres.  The lake has a beautiful central fountain which is illuminated at night.  From the lake you will have a great view of soaring the Orlando skyline with its magnificent modern skyscrapers.  The sidewalk that circles the lake is almost a mile long.  Swan-shaped paddle boats can be rented for $12 per half hour, and electric gondola boats $15 per half hour.  The Walt Disney Amphitheatre often has live concerts or a play, and there are many good restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious meal.  There is a Japanese Garden with pagoda and also a children’s play area.  Admission to the park is free and it is handicapped accessible.  This park is a safe area to visit and is well worth seeing.

After browsing around the shops head off towards the lake for a boat trip. This takes you around the lake past some fabulous homes whose gardens stretch right down to the lakeside, some with their own boat house too. There are several lakes linked by narrow canals which all adds to the interest. The guide was very informative and was very knowlegeable about the area. Be sure to wear a sun hat and sunscreen as the combination of sun and breeze can take you unawares until it is too late.

Finally we arrived at our destination for a few nights the magnificent Ritz Carleton on Key Biscayne. On the edge of a nature reserve yet only 10 minutes drive from downtown Miami and the South Beach area what a fantastic place to spend a few nights. If like us you travel in the school summer holiday period its classed as the low season! That’s a first. It did mean that we were able to get very reasonably priced rooms. We can highly recommend it. Whilst you are there one place you must go for some fabulous people watching is Ocean drive at South Beach. We still laugh whenever we think of the sight of a bearded man in a bikini and ra ra skirt directing traffic. Whilst a lot of fun after a few days we were pretty glad to get back to the relative sanity of Orlando!