The Burger Digs: here’s an example of the food there.

Food: Burgers, Chicken sandwiches, Chicken Fingers, Milkshakes, and Beer

Type: Counter Service

There’s a salad bar where you help your self to as much salad as you want.

If you have anyone in your party who has an ‘Annual pass’ you can get an added discount from your purchase.

On your visit to the water parks, we find taking a cool box with your over night frozen drinks, and your freshly made subs, from either Subway or the local Publix Store, is the best way to get your sustenance whilst at the park. 

When you go shopping at Premium Outlets, as most people will, we always make a point of eating at Bahama Breeze. The food is great, and the service is very attentive.

8735 VINELAND AVE.
ORLANDO FL 32821
(407) 938-9010

OR

8849 INTERNATIONAL DR.
ORLANDO FL 32819
(407) 248-2499

http://www.bahamabreeze.com

An example of their menu from their web site:

NEW Vine-Ripened Tomato and Basil Flatbread
Baked on a thin and crispy herb-cheese crust with tomato-basil sauce, Parmesan shavings, fresh basil and melted mozzarella cheese.

NEW Crab Claws St. Thomas
a generous portion of Blue Crab claws simmered in our Island citrus butter, served with fire-toasted Cuban bread.

Barbecue Chicken Flatbread
On a thin and crispy herb-cheese crust with roasted red peppers, grilled red onions, applewood bacon, sweet and smokey guava barbecue sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Spinach Dip and Island Chips
A Breezy blend of spinach, artichokes and cheese, with a hint of nutmeg, served warm with tortilla chips.

Coconut Shrimp
Our guests’ favorite! Crispy large shrimp hand-breaded with sweet flaky coconut, with our delicious citrus-mustard dipping sauce.

Island Onion Rings
Thick-cut and coconut-breaded with chili-horseradish and citrus mustard dipping sauces.

Fire-Roasted Jerk Shrimp
Simmered in garlic-thyme butter with warm Cuban bread for dunking.

Jamaican Grilled Chicken Wings
Marinated with authentic spicy jerk seasonings and slow roasted, with a tangy dipping sauce.

Habañero Wings
Crisply fried and tossed in a spicy habañero pepper barbecue sauce.

West Indies Patties
Crispy pastry with savory beef filling served with seasoned sour cream and apple-mango salsa.

Tostones with Chicken
(Pronounced “toast-tone-ays”) Thick slices of home-fried plantains layered with chicken, sweet peppers, mushrooms, onions and cheese, topped with fresh tomato salsa.

Chicken and Fresh Vegetable Quesadillas
Golden grilled, with sliced chicken breast, spinach, vegetables and cheese, served with fresh tomato salsa and sour cream.

Golden Fried Calamari
Topped with sofrito…a warm sauté of tomatoes, sweet peppers, onions and Chorizo sausage.

Roasted Cuban Bread
Fire-toasted with vine-ripened tomatoes, parmesan cheese, fresh cilantro and basil.

Creole Baked Goat Cheese
In roasted red bell peppers served with vine-ripened tomato salsa and parmesan toast rounds.

My favorites are:

Seafood Paella
(Pronounced “pie-ay-ah”)A traditional Caribbean casserole with shrimp, sea scallops, mussels, chicken, fish, Spanish sausage and peas, cooked with moist and flavorful yellow rice.

Lobster and Shrimp Pasta
Sweet Caribbean lobster and shrimp in every bite! Sauteed with fresh mushrooms, herbs, brandy and cream and tossed with linguine.

Washed down with a pint of Aruba Red

Thursday Nights Motor Cycles drive through, hundreds of biker enthusiasts show off their machines.

Saturday Night Over 300 Vintage US cars display their stuff. Live music in the street. Great night out with no cover charge.

CELEBRATION  Just off  the 192. A charming village with millionaire’s villas leading to the Village Square. There are events on, usually on Saturdays & Sundays. Excellent eating places around the lake. The nearest cinema to our villa is here with its 50s Style appearance showing all the latest film releases.

WEBSTER MARKET

Approximately 1 hours drive. Head north on Highway 27 to Junction of Highway 50 (Clermont).  Head due West for approximately 35 miles. Look out for small sign post WEBSTER. It is at a crossroads with a large petrol station, take a right, the market is 3 miles along this road. There are lots of parking spaces on your right. Head to the far end of the market and enter the part under the trees, this is the wholesale area but they sell to individuals. The best bargains/prices are here.

THE VILLAGES

A Beautiful and Unique village community. Excellent eating places, live music. A real step back in time. Great atmosphere in a seemingly perfect setting. Head North on Highway 27 for approximately 55/60 miles. Well sign posted as you get closer to it.  A lovely day & evening out. It takes about 1 hour from the villa but well worth it.

THE GAYLORDS

Excellent dining especially at the Café De La Flora Buffet, there is a different European buffet each day/night. Key West style dining area on board a Large sailing ship, live alligators, Botanic garden area in quite a special setting.

ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE

You can see the animals from the Park in their own environment as they bed down for the night. A wonderful African Buffet at the Bouma restaurant, with an amazing “Sweet” selection. At the entrance, inform them you are going in for a meal and they will direct you to the visitors parking area.

DISNEY BOARDWALK

A leisurely stroll along the Boardwalk, with all sorts of entertainment going on as you pass by. Plenty of dining places, ideal for a relaxing evening stroll. The fireworks display from Epcot can be seen from the bridge just along from the massive sports bar/restaurant every night at 9pm.

THE STAGE DOOR

Approximately 1 mile from the Junction 192 West/ Hwy27 along the 192.  there is a large US Flag flying, (signs on the road side), is set just behind the main shop frontage. With Cabaret/Karaoke nights offers nightly entertainment. (Closed Mondays). Sinatra style Host/Owner introduces the local talent. English menu, Fish & Chips, Sunday lunches. A little bit more expensive but you do have the entertainment thrown in.  Don’t run a “Tab” as they add on a 15% service charge. Pay for your drinks as you get them.

On Sept. 8. 1565, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles landed here and named a stretch of land near the inlet in honour of Augustine, a Roman Catholic saint. The emphasis on “first European settlement” acknowledges that the Timucuan Indians were here first. Since then, the city has been under the governments of Spain, Britain, and United States. Florida became a state in 1845. It was part of the Confederacy from 1861-1862 before returning to the Union.

Henry M. Flagler, co-founder of Standard Oil, built two hotels and took over another to serve as the base of his Flagler System hotels. He founded the Florida East Coast Railway as a means of transporting guests to and from the north to his hotels in St. Augustine, Palm Beach, and Miami.

Directions from Orlando.

106 miles, 1Hr 45mins.

Take I-4 East from Orlando. Exit I-4, SR-400 via ramp at sign reading “I-95 N to Jacksonville” and go North for 0.8 miles. Bear right on I-95, SR-9 and go North for 37 miles. Exit I-95, SR-9 via ramp at sign reading “Exit 92 US-1 to St Augustine” and go Northwest for 0.3. Bear right on US-1 S, SR-5 and go North for 17 miles. Turn right on W Castillo Dr and go East for 0.2 miles. Turn right on Cordova St and go to the Municipal parking lot and the Visitors information

Attractions

Castillo de San Marcos

Castillo de San Marcos is probably the most impressive of all the historical landmarks in St. Augustine. Every year, thousands of visitors flock here to see this unique structure and learn about its colourful history.

Construction of the Castillo was begun in 1672 and took 23 years to complete. It was besieged on 2 occasions by the British, but held fast.

OldTown Trolley Tour.

Take a Tour of the city at your own pace! The Old Town Trolley Tours allow you to get off at any convenient stops situated close to all popular attractions, shops and restaurants. When you’re ready, just re-board and continue with the tour.

St. Augustine Old Jail

This was completed in 1891 and housed prisoners for over 60 years. It is one of the few surviving 19th century jails. It was built by railroad magnate Henry Flagler, to resemble a fine hotel. Guests can see the male and female cells, maximum-security area, the gallows which ended the lives of numerous criminals, and also a large collection of guns used in actual crimes!

St. AugustineLightnerMuseum

Relics of America’s Gilded Age can be found exhibited on the museum’s three floors. Costumes, mechanical musical instruments, furnishings and other artefacts give a glimpse into 19th century daily life.

Ghost and Gravestones

The “Trolley of the Doomed” transports you to 3 haunted sites:

1. The SpanishMilitaryHospital –hear about the strange practices of the 17th Century Practitioners.
2. The Old Drug Store – rests on an old Indian burial ground.
3. The Old Jail – the site of countless supernatural occurrences.

The Oldest HouseMuseum Complex

A must see attraction on your visit to St Augustine.

The González-Alvarez House is the oldest surviving Spanish Colonial dwelling in Florida. The present house dates to the early 1700’s but the site has been occupied since the 1600’s.

There are many more worthwhile attractions including the Ponce de Leon Fountain of Youth, Scenic Boat Cruise, Potters Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, Anastasia State Park.

2. Theme Parks.  Central Florida has some of the best theme parks in the world and they are constantly being updated, with new rides being added all the time and new parks springing up all the time.  The latest park due for completion around the end of 2009 early 2010 is the “Harry Potter Park”. 

3. Water Parks.  Ok this is similar to “Theme Parks” but the water parks in Florida really are a class in their own right.  There are many to choose from… Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, Wet and Wild on International Drive, Adventure Island (opposite Busch Gardens) and Water Mania.  Sea World are also currently building a water park due for completion soon. 

4. Beaches.  Head to the coast and there are some fantastic beaches.  The coast is about an hours drive from the “Disney” area and two great beaches are Clearwater and St Petersburg.  Lovely white sand!

5. Food.  As with everything in America the food comes “bigger and better”, so if you like to eat a lot then this is the place for you.  Portion sizes are generally big and there are plenty of eat as much as you can buffets.  The restaurants are generally cheap (about the same in dollars as you pay here in pounds so particularly good at the moment)  The exception is the Theme Parks which do charge a lot more as you would expect.  Generally the restaurants expect a tip of around 15%.

6. Shopping.  Wherever you go there are shops!  Florida has some great Malls.  Florida Mall has lots of shops and a great food court.  There are also plenty of outlets selling brand names at discount prices. 

7. Exchange rate.  The US dollar is currently very weak against the UK pound, meaning that you can get around 2 dollars for every pound.  This effectively makes everything “half price” and makes shopping in Florida even more of a bargain.  Watch out for credit cards that make a charge for foreign transactions as this means you won’t get such a good deal.  You can often get a better rate buying travellers cheques than cash and in most places in Florida you can spend them in the shops (some places ask for a passport for identification) so no need to even change them in the bank.  If you want to use a credit card Nationwide do one which currently they don’t charge for foreign transactions on (July ‘07).  Credit cards also usually offer a fair exchange rate.

8. The people.  The people, particularly in the Disney Parks, are very friendly and helpful and they speak “English” which is a bonus.  In the restaurants the service is usually good and again friendly.  “Have a nice day” is the phrase of Florida!

9 Golf.  If you’re a golfer this is the place for you.  With many award winning golf courses and the Floridian sun to play under Florida has to be one of the best places to enjoy a spot of golf.  Try Southern Dunes with it’s dramatic hillside layout, or Highlands Reserve a championship golf course with large, fast, undulating greens.

10.  Wildlife.  Check out the gators in the lake if you dare!!  Failing that, check out Gatorland where you can feed the gators or maybe try some gator ribs for lunch.  Of course Florida is also famous for its dolphins and a great place to see them and swim with them is Discovery Cove.  It’s quite pricey but if you’re a dolphin lover it could be a day not to be missed.  Sea world has some great shows with Killer Wales and other sea creatures.  Busch Gardens is a zoo and theme park in one and if you fancy something more peaceful visit Florida’s everglades.

Why Choose A Villa Over A Hotel?

Here are some good reasons why staying in a villa is much better than staying in a hotel:

1. Space. You have a huge space to relax in, not just one room like in a hotel.  Separate areas mean that different members of the party can do different things; for example the kids can watch TV while the adults sunbathe, and most importantly once the children have gone to bed, the adults still have the rest of the villa and pool at their disposal.

2. A pool for your exclusive use.  No need to share the pool or fight over sun beds.  Whist some hotels ban the use of inflatables due to their size, in your own villa, you can bring what you like and you don’t have to traipse back to your hotel room with large lilos.  There’s plenty of space on the pool deck for everyone.

3. Kitchen amenities. Whilst I am sure you will want to eat out a lot of the time, it can be great to have an area in which to cook and eat should you want.  There is usually a large fridge so you can store cold drinks and sometimes it’s nice to loaf around the villa and have breakfast at your leisure before a jam packed day at the theme parks.  You can also take advantage of the great Floridian weather and have a couple of meals by the pool.

4. Additional bathrooms.  Hotel rooms generally have only one bathroom so queuing for the bathroom in the morning is inevitable.  With 2 or more bathrooms available, there are plenty to go around.

5. Peace and quiet.  You will be staying in a detached property, not a hotel room with rooms either side, above and below and people walking along the corridors at all hours, equally, if you have a small child who may be affected by the time difference and is likely to wake in the night, you don’t need to worry about disturbing other guests either.

6. Laundry facilities.  With a washer, dryer, iron and ironing board, you don’t need to pack a full two weeks worth of clothes if you don’t want to and you don’t need to take home two weeks worth of dirty washing.

7. A real home from home.  With everything you need provided you really can experience “living” in Florida for the duration of your stay…go on….make yourself at home!

You may think that having all this on holiday will be expensive.  On the contrary, a private villa can work out cheaper than a hotel room, especially if you go with friends or extended family.

Where is it? Located on Lake Eloise at Winter Haven, it took a leisurely 35 minute drive from our home near Champions Gate. From the Ronald Reagan Parkway (CR54) go south along the US27 to Cypress Gardens Boulevard (CR540) and go west for 4 miles and the park is on the left. The current admission charges are cheaper than most parks at Adult: $39.95, Seniors and Juniors(3 to 9): $34.95, children under 3 is free. A second day is free. Car parking is $7 per car. Lockers are available. For further information the web site is www.cypressgardens.com

What is at the park? Quite a selection for both young and old. On entering the park you are in Jubilee Junction, a small square containing shops, restaurants and restrooms. It is also where you will find the first “ride” - Sunshine Sky Adventure. This is a gentle excursion which elevates you in a slowly revolving dome giving excellent views of many square miles of surrounding countryside. There are eight shows, some inside and others outside, ranging from the Ski show to Swamp Critters.

There are 39 rides in all, including ample for the young ones. The larger rides are much gentler than those at other theme parks and are more compatible for the less daring of us.

Splash Island, the water park section, is only open 7 days per week in the summer months and at weekends only in spring and autumn. This is when the park is busier with locals. As with all parks it is advisable to telephone just before you go to check if anything is closed.

Internationally known singers, groups and entertainers are featured on many evenings throughout the year. Information is available on the web site.

In conclusion the stroll through Plantation Gardens via Wings of Wonder (butterflies), Topiary Trail to the Botanical Gardens was enjoyable and relaxing. The ski show, although skillful, was a slight disappointment with only six performers. This is mostly a park which can be done leisurely in a day, especially for families, which the children will enjoy. It is very quiet compared to the other theme parks but is busier at weekends. We went at the beginning of the fall when there seemed to be a lack of atmosphere but we did feel that late Spring and Summer could be totally different. Splash Island and some shops and restaurants were closed but most rides were open.

Being seasoned Florida explorers, we had our swimming trunks in the back of the car, so taking these with us, off we set to the turnstile booths. Great news, ‘seniors’ of 55 years and over, get a reduction. Every little helps, as they say. Cheaper than most other Parks, we were already warming to Cypress Gardens, but still not quite sure what to expect. As we walked in, reading our Park map, we decided we would try to do it all, and set off in a clockwise direction. Very soon we were tempted this way and that, but by the end of the day, we had certainly managed to fit most, if not all of the Parks many attractions under our belt.

Cypress Gardens opened back in the 40’s, and is still going strong. It has a very relaxed and peaceful air to it. The first thing we saw was the Water ski Show. This was spectacular, even if you aren’t a great fan of water skiing, as the stunts are great, the skill of the display team, stunning, and it maintains a slightly Olde Worlde feel to it. A Hang glider makes a surprise appearance too. Plenty of barefoot skiing, and lots of comedy too.

From here, we took a short walk into the ‘Park rides’ area. There are around 40 rides to choose from, and they range from very easy, gentle rides, through bone shaking roller coasters, to serious swinging, twisting and dropping you suddenly types of ride. In other words, there really is something for everyone. The Big Wheel is of the traditional type, with great views from the top.

Several of the rides had us laughing hysterically, and this seemed to be a feature of the day. We all felt we got a great ‘fun factor’ out of our visit.

There is also a unique ‘Sunshine Sky Adventure’ ride in the park, which slowly rotates as it goes skywards, giving you a great panoramic view of the Park, and the surrounding countryside. Several types of roller coaster pleased the livelier members of our party, and for the more sedate, a beautiful walk through the well-maintained gardens, and the Butterfly House, gave everyone a treat.

Food choice was good, and reasonably priced. All the usual platters and combos were available.

The one outstanding feature of this Park was the amount of laughter, from all ages, that seemed to be contagious.

We stumbled across the ‘water park’ side of Cypress Gardens towards the end of our visit, and this consisted of a ‘lazy river’ feature, and two or three water slides. Of varying angles and length. Again, it struck us how many people were having a great laugh, and seemed to be really enjoying themselves.

When we finally left the Park, staff were on hand to say ‘goodbye’ and reminded us we could come back for a second visit free. Another bonus.

All in all, a really ‘fun’ day out for all age groups, reasonably priced, with staff who clearly enjoyed their job, and wanted you to enjoy your visit.

Hope you have the same experience if you pay Cypress Gardens a visit.

“Magic Kingdom” was the first one we visited, the reaction we got from them was that they were too old to get autographs and to talk to Mickey and Minnie (we are not too old and we’re senior citizens) but they did enjoy the parades.

We then thought “Sea World”. We absolutely love “Sea World” they did enjoy it, but it was a very hot day and they complained about the heat all day.

Beginning to despair we thought we’d visit “Cypress Gardens” we were there last year and had a lovely day, but we were not too sure what their reaction would be, to our relief they both thought it was absolutely fantastic, it was nearly half the price of the main parks, no waiting in long queues for rides, a wonderful water park to cool off in, for the not so young who want to escape the noise and have a quiet sit in the sun and for people who enjoy gardens its well worth the visit, we also got free tickets to visit the park again within the next seven days.
 
The next week we went off to “Universal Studios” I must say the children really enjoyed it there but when asked which of the other parks they would like to visit the unanimous answer was can we go back to “Cypress Gardens” so off we went with our free tickets and another wonderful day for the kids and a much less stressful one for us.

The only thing I didn’t like was when we first went through the entrance I was put off by the caged animals, reptiles and birds that kind of thing does not appeal to me. But apart from that, the gardens are fantastic and there are a lot more rides than there were last year. On our arrival home our youngsters were asked which park the enjoyed most; you’ve guessed right, “Cypress Gardens”.

Anyone wondering where “Cypress Gardens” are, you go south on Highway 27 past Haines City till you come to the signpost for “Cypress Gardens”,  you turn right and it is then well signposted.

The Old town landmark is the Ferris wheel and the Sling Shot, another huge landmark at Old Town Kissimmee is the ever popular Sky Coaster. “This ride is not for the weak hearted and not cheap, but if you have the nerve… go for it…you will not be disappointed”. I did you are tied into a sling which is then pulled slowly up to 150 feet over a lake, you are then dropped and for the first 5 seconds go straight down then you soar out over the lake. It is a fantastic ride but don’t eat before you go on it! Along side Sky Coaster is G-Force which is drag car racing in a controlled environment.

There is also for the younger children Fun Town where there are merry go rounds, frog hopper, spin on the teacups and much more. For the shoppers, there are around 75 specialty shops are on offer here in Old Town Kissimmee, you can find some good deals for sales and there is a Union Jack British shop selling only British goods. Old Town has plenty of places to eat choose from Caribbean, fish and chips or Italian not forgetting the good old American burger. There is ice cream, popcorn and it has its own Old Town coffee works.

Every Thursday night there is a Motorcycle Cruise where bikers parade their Harley Davidsons and many other bikes through the town. Friday and Saturday there is the largest weekly car cruise in America. An average of 325 classic cars, hot-rods, street rods and antique cars come to Old Town every Saturday night. There is live music on the Main Stage every night and the car parking and entrance are free.

Champion Gate Golf Course

David Leadbetter’s World Teaching Headquarters

David Leadbetter is internationally recognized as the world’s best golf instructor. His “holistic” approach to teaching and innovative teaching methods is what has set David and his elite staff of instructors apart from all others. As a guest at ChampionsGate Golf Resort we can customize a golf clinic that will meet the needs of you and your guests.

The David Leadbetter Golf Academy at ChampionsGate caters to the individual and corporate learning experiences of a lifetime, at the personal teaching head quarters for David Leadbetter himself. It’s the dream academy for those serious about improving their game.

ChampionsGate Golf Resort, a nationally acclaimed golf facility for world-class golf, offers 36 holes designed by International Golf Champion Greg Norman and is the World Headquarters of David Leadbetter Golf Academy. 

ChampionsGate is home to both the National and International Courses.  Greg Norman designed the 36 holes of golf featured at ChampionsGate to offer golfers a blend of tradition and modern  elements and to create a unique golf experience.  Whether you choose to  play the International,  with its authentic  links style golf reminiscent of the great courses of the British Isles, or the National with its traditional American style, you will experience a challenging round of golf.

As a guest at ChampionsGate, you will experience superior service.

Located just 10 minutes from Disney World Resorts and 15 minutes from the Universal Hotel Resorts, our courses are in tournament-playing conditions year-round. Known for our first-class amenities including valet parking, iced towel service and our digital GPS Caddy System. Prolink, the #1 GPS system acts as a professional caddie that gives you the opportunity to improve your skills, experience PGA-type scoring and enhance your overall play.

The Courses

National Course: The National Course at ChampionsGate is a classic layout of America’s finest destinations.  A pleasure to play, the ChampionsGate National Course is a cut above the rest with its majestic greens and long ranges.

International Course: The International offers a golf experience unlike any other in the Orlando area, but one that will be familiar to those who have played the links courses of Scotland and Ireland.