This is a NEW alternative for Fun and certainly a new experience to be had for us, hope it appeals to more holiday makers. It just may do to add some adrenalin to your day out, away from the usual Parks, it sounds real COOL. A lot different to Old Town, with all of the Flashing Lights, Music & Exhaust Fumes.

Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida is upgrading and will be, bigger, faster and more exciting with its new Zipline Safari.

This Ecotourism attraction has been reimagined and has raised the bar, (literally), now taking guests up to the 68-foot mark, about 20 feet above the treetops. The new course has seven Zipwires, two extended and upgraded bridges (twice as long as before, evidently) and 10 observation platforms. A dramatic stretch takes Zippers from high in the sky, down a 30-foot descent into the trees and skimming above bushes of the Pine Flatwoods ecosystem.(The Real Soarin Experience!!) With greater height comes greater views. For the first time, guests will be able to see all 4,700 acres of Forever Florida’s conservation and ranchlands. There is upto 10 miles of visibility. The new course is a dual-line one, which Florida EcoSafaris says is the only one of that kind in Central Florida.

The attraction’s first course opened in 2008 and was the first full zip course in Florida. This summer, Florida EcoSafaris added the Cypress Canopy Cycle, a more leisurely ride over the wetlands.

Cost for the Zipline Safari is $85 per person. Cypress Canopy Cycle tickets are $45 per person. A combo ticket for both is $120. Thirty percent of the Florida EcoSafaris revenue is donated to the nonprofit Allen Broussard Conservancy, which works to preserve and protect lands at the Forever Florida Wildlife Conservation Area.

Zipline participants must be at least 10 years old, and they must weigh no more than 275 pounds. (Keep off the McDonalds!!!) You have to Pre Book. I have added a link to check out all of the rides and facilities.

For more information for this Attraction, go to www.FloridaEcoSafaris.com.

It sounds a really good day out for the more adventurous, maybe anyone who has already tried it could let us know how it compares before we Old Pensioners try it!!! or maybe watch our Grandchidlren!!!

Happy Holidays,

Mary & Larry

Both my wife and I had decided to spend a longer length of time in Florida on Holiday during the summer. Part of our plan was to perhaps visit New York for a few days during our stay until we saw the fantastic offers by RCI Cruises.

So we looked into travelling to the Bahamas on a 3 day cruise. It could not have been easier or better value.

The crusies depart from Port Canaveral which is only a short drive from Orlando and so easy to get to along Highway 528 off I4. Although the parking is quite expensive but you save so much on the cruise it is insignificant in the end.

A Three day cruise work out at about £70 a day and bear in mind that was all of the accommodation and food during  the trip.

It was a party atmosphere from the start and all you had to do was pay out for your beer or wine. The weather was great but you do have to watch out for what tropical storms may be around. But we were told that they are never cancelled they just avoid the bad weather.

The accommodation was very good although you spend litte time in your cabin anyway. Food was fantastic as was the people we met. We were spoilt for choice  for food.

We visited Nassau in the Bahamas for a day and then their private Island where you could experience those white sandy beaches and water activities that you would only dream of.

I was a bit dubious about sea sickness but was never affected.

So take the plunge and try it out you will not regret it.

This is Florida’s hidden gem. If you want a couple of hours relaxation in a perfectly tranquil and calm place this is it – only don’t tell the tourists!!

Just South of Haines City, you need to follow the signs for Lake Wales and the Bok Tower, set amidst orange groves, it is incredibly easy to find and you will see the tower rising above the trees as you are driving along.

The Historic Bok Sanctuary was donated to the American people by a Dutch immigrant, Edward W Bok. Mr Bok used to holiday on Iron Mountain in Florida and loved watching the sunsets. He purchased the mountain and commissioned a famous American landscape architect to plan and build the Sanctuary so that its beauty could be preserved.

Later a CarillionTower was added to the gardens, and Edward W Bok is buried on the North side of the tower.

We visited mid week and at first glance, in the information center, it looked fairly busy with a school party and quite a few elderly people. After watching a short introduction video you are left to wander freely around the gardens. It is only then that you realise that no matter how busy it looks, you rarely see other people about.

The gardens are pretty large and the flowers really unusual, but the highlight is seeing the 205 foot Carillion Tower.The colours of the stonework and marble have to be seen, I have never seen pinks, blues, purples, greys etc in natural stone like they are here, and the carving and mosaics around the windows are magnificent.

The CarillionTower houses a 60 bell carillion and twice a day you can sit and listen to half hour recitals of this instrument, but be aware, the peaceful environment and pleasant sounds can start to make you feel rather drowsy!

There are several different walkways around the garden, and one leads you to the ‘Window By The Pond’, a wooden hut built facing a lake where you can see all sorts of wildlife in it’s natural environment. When we visited there were several types of bird, squirrels a plenty and a rather elegant blue heron perched right in the centre.

The views from the top of the mountain are quite breathtaking, Iron Mountain is the highest excavated piece of land in Florida, and you can see for miles around, in fact 200 million years ago, you would have been looking over the sea.

We are not great fans of gardens, but this one has been put on our list of ‘must see and do again’. The pathways are mainly bark chippings and if you are unable to walk the short hill to the Carillion Tower, don’t worry, an electric car is available to take you to the top and back down again if you don’t wish to or are unable to make the walk. I cannot recommend the Historic Bok Tower and gardens enough, it has to be one of our favourite places in all Florida, let’s hope it doesn’t change.

Once you are finished at the gardens, why not take the very short drive across to ‘Spook Hill’. There is no charge for this, and I do not wish to spoil the fun, there is an information board, read this and follow the instructions……..what do you think is happening!?

You may have already seen that Endeavour is due to launch in April this year for the last time.

We were in Florida last year and took the opportunity to watch one of the rocket launches from Cape Canaveral. It was amazing.

We travelled to Titusville and parked up along the Indian River to watch the launch. We sat by the waterside and was fortunate to be parked next to the wife of the Operations Manager for Cape Canaveral. So we were getting up the the minute updates on when it was going to launch.

As the rocket launched we could see it take off in the distance and then a minute or so later the sound hit us. It was superb to see - a once in a liftime opporunity. We have some great photos.

Once it had disappeared into the atmosphhere we stayed in Titusville and explored the Launch Park nearby that had a couple of memorials.

Then to finish off the day we visited Dixieland for a meal and had their speciality Rocket Prawns. A superb finish to a liftime experience.

So if you get the chance this Easter do not miss the launch of Endeavour

In Key West there are the Conch Train and the Trolley Bus tours. We’ve done both more than once as we’ve gone with different people.

The trolley bus is a hop on hop off tour. You buy a ticket for the whole day then spend as much time as you like at different spots before jumping back on. You can buy tickets and join the tour at various locations. The drivers give a running commentary which is informative and usually amusing and it’s a good way to see the island.

The tour stops at all the well known tourist spots, Mallory Square, the Flagler Station, Ernest Hemingway’s House, the Southernmost Point where you just have to get off and join the queue of tourists waiting to have their photo taken at the buoy which marks the  most southerly point of the USA.

 It takes you past the beaches and the parks, along Duval Street past the bars where Hemingway used to drink including the famous Sloppy Joes. The guides tell you about the history of the island, the pirates and about the architecture and the hurricanes and also about the people who live there.

You can stop at La Concha Hotel. The tallest building in Key West which has a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy a Margerita and watch the sun set with views of the whole island. It’s much more relaxing than driving round and trying to find parking and you wouldn’t learn half as much.

If you really don’t want to wander about but just want to see the sights, then the Conch Train is the better option. This is a 90 minute guided tour which takes in all the same sights but there are only 2 or 3 stops. Ideal if you’re not feeling energetic or its just too hot, although be warned its very hot on the train!

Wildlife: Wildlife sightings vary depending on the time of year, the weather, and even the time of day. Birds, reptiles, mammals, insects, and a variety of native plants including wild orchids may be seen from the boardwalk. Due to natural predators such as mosquito fish and dragonflies, mosquitos are not a great nuisance in the swamp.

Directions: It is at the end of Sanctuary Road West, north of Immokalee Road (County Road 846), approximately 15 miles east from Exit 111 on I-75. Visible, brown informational signs along Immokalee Road assist in finding the Sanctuary. Do NOT take Exit 123 (Corkscrew Road) which does not connect!

Bok Sanctuary

1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales,
FL 33853. Tel: 863.676.1408.

A place of tranquillity in beautiful surroundings. Bok Sanctuary is a mix of gardens (full of azaleas and camelias in the early Spring), peaceful woodland walks, surprising views (the highest point in Florida), mirror-like lakes, beautiful birds, a coral pink tower from which a carrillon of bells plays music hourly and a live recital at 1pm and 3pm each day - with the shade of centuries-old live oak trees to enjoy the music under. We have been back many times and it is always ‘new’. They have frequent ‘special events’, outdoor concerts, exhibitions and displays. Call ahead to check what’s on or go to: http://www.boksanctuary.org/

Directions from I-4, East or West: Take Exit 55 and proceed south on U.S. Highway 27 for approximately 23 miles. Proceed two traffic lights past Eagle Ridge Mall. Turn left on Mountain Lake Cut Off Road. At the caution light, turn right (south) onto County Road 17 (also known as Scenic Highway). Proceed on CR 17 for 3/4 miles. Turn left (east) onto Burns Avenue (also known as County Road 17-A). Proceed on Burns Avenue for 1.3 miles. On your left you’ll see a main entrance sign to Historic Bok Sanctuary. Turn left for the entrance gate.

There’s almost always something good going on in Kissimmee.  The Silver Spurs Rodeo host to a variety of concerts,  festivals and events all year long, offering fun, excitement, and entertainment for every member of the family. We have seen Hulk Hogan in person at one of the promotions, he is a Fishing fanatic and an expert angler. He signed our autograph book and we had pictures taken along side him, he is MASSIVE.

The Rodeo Show and Funfair weekends are great family entertainment with live music, lots of free give aways and live demonstrations. It’s a real crowd pleaser, offering a taste of the Wild West and you can watch bronco bucking, barrel racing, steer wrestling, team roping, and even those funny little rodeo clowns. It is worth getting the Events Calendar, where you’ll find what’s happening all year round.. 

Also, the three downtown areas, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, and Celebration, host numerous uniquely-themed special events throughout the year. You can also head over to Lake Toho in St. Cloud for a day of free family fun revolving around a beach, a playground, and several lakefront fishing spots including a tranquil fishing pier with a gazebo. Take one day of your holiday to slow down the pace and just see what you can do for free.

It will certainly make a change!!!!!

Happy Holidays

Mary & Larry

Kissimmee Lakefront Park is a great place for families to visit for recreation and to enjoy the many popular events, festivals and concerts that are held there throughout the year.

Kissimmee Lakefront Park is situated on Lake Toho which is the second largest lake in Florida.  The park has basketball courts, a playground, a volleyball court and picnic areas with BBQ grills.  There is boating and fishing on the lake for water enthusiasts.   If you are a nature buff, you can take an excursion boat out to Cypress Island which offers visitors some gorgeous nature trails for hiking and exploring.  The beautiful ancient oak and cypress trees are part of the habitat of a number of birds including herons, osprey and owls as well as a good variety of other animals.  You’ll also see sheep, goats, llamas and emus grazing throughout the area.  Your family can enjoy airboat rides, swamp buggy rides, horseback riding, tubing, and water skiing during your visit.

Here are some of the annual events and festivals held at Kissimmee Lakefront Park that are fun for the whole family:

In January, you can attend the annual Sunshine Regional Chili Cookoff.  This event features competitors from all over the U.S. creating their signature chili recipes.  In addition to plenty of food, there is stage entertainment, arts and crafts, and family activities.

Caribbean Fusion is an annual event in March that offers Latin, Caribbean, and Hispanic music, food, arts and crafts.  There are plenty of stage performances and activities for the kids.

Music lovers will find many free concerts to attend at the park including the Concert in the Park series that features a performance by the Orlando Philharmonic and Jazzfest Kissimmee which showcases many jazz artists from the area as well as local high school jazz bands.

The 4th of July celebration offers families a fun day of live music, festival food, rides and of course a spectacular fireworks display to finish off the day!

In December, the Holiday Extravaganza is held.  This very festive event includes live bands, street performers, arts, crafts and food  vendors as well as  ice carving demonstrations. Winter comes to Florida with the 30 ton pile of snow known as “Frosty’s Playground.”  The climax of the Extravaganza is the “Festival of Lights” parade down Broadway followed by fireworks over the lake.

Admission and parking is free at all of these events.

I found Bob’s Balloons on the internet and got us booked in, we were to meet him at 6am at Championsgate. Once there we met Bob and the other couple who were taking the ride, we had absolutely no idea what to expect and we’re both a bit afraid of heights!

We were all taken in Bobs van to a ranch on the other side of US27 where several other companies were already getting set up. We were lucky as the conditions were favourable, it had been too windy for the ballons to go up over the past few days. It was fascinating to watch the whole process of getting these balloons inflated and off the ground. We actually stood inside the balloon as it inflated. The basket was smaller than I expected and we nervously climbed in, we were given instructions for landing and then we gently floated up and joined all the other balloons above the swampland.

We had to go with the direction of the wind which took us parallel to US27 but not over our villa where our neighbours were waiting to wave. The height was no problem at all, it was marvellous to be able to see for miles and miles and it was a beautiful sunrise. I had no idea there was so much swampland at the back of our house.

After about an hour we landed in a field at the side of the highway, we helped to pack the balloon away then we were taken to a fruit stand where we had a champagne brunch on a dock overlooking the lake. It cost $350 for the 2 of us but it was an experience not to be missed.

For new visitors to Florida, it is a hidden Gem away from the hubbub of the Parks, bright lights and glitz.

It has all of the tranquillity you could ever want to enjoy, with a quaint Main Street, Custom Shops, Cinema, a gorgeous Lake, complete with Alligators  and a variety Dining places to sit and enjoy the unique ambiance. Our favourite is The Tavern, with it’s New England Fish menu an absolute must, snow crabs, Maine lobsters are the best.

Throughout the year the Towns folk have Special events for each & everyone and it is all free.

We always make an effort to go down, especially on Sundays to sit in the Rocking Chairs on the promenade to chill for a little while and get our energy back for the next attack at The Parks with the Grandchildren. We thought that some visitors would find the time to venture down so we have the events due for this year. We can really recommend the Great American Pie Festival in April. We were fortunate to be here 2 years ago with our two grandsons and they had a fantastic time. Firstly making their own Cherry Pies, then joining in the Fastest Eater competition, we still enjoy the video. 

CELEBRATION TOWN CENTER 2010 SPECIAL EVENTS 

MARCH 27TH & 28TH.           SPRING ART FEATIVAL

APRIL 16TH & 17TH.             CELEBRATION Exotic Car Festival

APRIL 24TH & 25TH              THE GREAT AMERICAN PIE FESTIVAL

JULY 4TH.                              A FLASH BACK 4TH. JULY (Live music, parade, fireworks & 50s theme)

JULY 23RD – 25TH.                SUMMER SIDEWALK SALE (TV SHOW “SURVIVOR” WINNERS & CAST)

OCTOBER 8TH & 9TH.            OKTOBERFEST (Autumn German Themed Street Party)

NOVEMBER 6TH.                   ALFA ROMEO CAR SHOW

NOV. 27TH – DEC. 31          NOW SNOWING NIGHTLY (Snow Falls every hour, Strolling Santa, Photos etc)

DECEMBER 11TH.                  RADIO DISNEY CONCERT (Jump, Jingle & Jam to your favourite Disney Artist)

We hope you are luck enough to catch one of these shows, it really is worth it for a Family Day out.

Have Fun

Mary & Larry