It is only 15-20 minutes drive away from our villa at The Manors, Westridge, on Highway 27.

We find this mall has exceptionally good bargains and is often less crowded than some of the other large malls. There are 90 excellent stores, including JC Penny, Dillards & Sears department stores.

There are also many other favourites including Victoria’s Secret, Bealls clothing outlet, and numerous jewellery stores.  There is also a ToysRUs store just outside the main mall.

Eagle Ridge has its own  12 screen theatre, offering all the latest film releases, and a large food court catering for all tastes.

For disabled guests   Randy’s Mobility Centre – as well as selling mobility wheelchairs and scooters, offers a rental service for disabled visitors, and arrangements can be made beforehand to book a suitable mobility scooter for your holiday which can be delivered when required to your villa.  If you visit www.eagleridgemall.com you will find a complete list of stores, along with their relevant telephone numbers.

I love Clinique cosmetics, and for some strange reason I thought this manufacturer was French.  It is actually an American brand, so ladies, save money – don’t be tempted to by Clinique skincare and cosmetic products at the airport’s duty free.  They are on sale for lower prices at Eagle Ridge department stores, and when I visited to stock up, I found the assistant had plenty of time to advise me on the various products and, as I purchased several items, she very kindly gave me some free trial sizes which gave me an opportunity to sample other products in the range.

When we visited once in January we found great bedding bargains for our villa at Sears.  For guests  If you love (as we do) the American bedding – comforters and sheets with high thread count – the higher thread count, the more silky the texture – why not consider buying space saver bags.  Walmart sell them and your rental villa should have a vacuum cleaner, with suction pipe, to take out the air.  For added security I only ever put filled space saver bags into a suitcase that doesn’t contain anything metal that might be ex-rayed and cause the authorities to open the case.  I have never had a problem doing this.  Also, special ‘homeland security’ approved suitcase locks can be purchased for extra peace of mind.

For villa owners  There were also good sale bargains on ‘white electrical goods’, some of which could be delivered immediately, which can be a great help.

There is usually a delivery charge, but sometimes if your villa manager lives close-by they may be willing to pick up an item for you.

I feel that Eagle Ridge shopping mall can be easily over-looked, and I image you will be very pleased to discover and explore what it has to offer.

It did mean that we had to take our SLR camera instead of our usual pocket one, and that we packed our decent binoculars too. The effort was very worthwhile. Having checked out the National Parks of Florida before we left the UK, we decided to try the Lake Louisa State Park, which is just a 15 minute drive up the SR27 from our villa. It has a lot to offer, including six Lakes, Hiking Trails, Bar-b-q sites, Fishing, canoeing and great birdwatching. Lake Louisa is the largest of several lakes all joined by the Palatlakaha river. The Park is open from 8.00am through till sunset, every day of the Year.

We only hiked, relaxed, and had a Bar-b-q but still had a fantastic time. We walked about 10 of the 20 miles available, and in November, only saw about 10 other people. The weather was great, in the high 70’s so a Bar-b-q was a bonus. The Bar-b-q was provided, and did a great job. We took the food in a polystyrene coolbox, and left it in the car, which we could park very near the waters edge.

The hiking trail was easy going, and although we had walking boots, sturdy trainers would have been fine. We saw a host of birds, at close range, that we had not seen before. This included the crested Caracara, the American Bittern and lots of smaller birds too numerous to mention, but which included the beautiful red Tanager. We found that as long as you made no sudden movements, the birdlife was comfortable to come within a few feet of us which was great.

The Lake we stopped at had a brown, brackish water, which is coloured by the root systems of lakeside trees and bushes. It is fine to swim in, and has safe shores, ideal for younger children. Petrol driven boats are not permitted, so no disturbance from fast or noisy boats was also a bonus.

We had a great ‘relaxing’ day at Lake Louisa. The staff were helpful, the winter weather was kind to us, and we would definitely go back again, perhaps in the Summer time.

Within 20 minutes of packing up, we were back at our villa having had a really great day out. Guess what? The total entrance fee for the four of us. and car, was only $4.00 so great value too.

We will be visiting other Parks in Florida, and will update you as we do.

Ian and Sarah Cox

The first choice is to rent a car from an off-terminal company.  They usually have lower rates because they do not pay for the in-terminal space.  The drawback from these companies is that your party must take a shuttle to the car location which means undertaking the cumbersome task of moving all of your travellers and their luggage on and off a shuttle, waiting while the driver rents the car, and then repeating the process on the trip home.  This takes extra time and effort and can be a hassle to your travel experience.

The second choice is to rent from an in-terminal company.  As far as Orlando International, once the paperwork is taken care of, your party takes the luggage across the street to pick up the car.  It is quite easy and there are limited delays.

Now for the savings tips regardless of the company.  Car rental companies generally cannot charge your credit card until you actually rent the car.  I have gone to a general website such as Orbitz to view the car choices and prices for the dates needed. Once you see a car and price of your liking, go directly to the company websites. Consider that some of lesser known companies such as L&M  as they offer good deals and are reputable. You can then view the prices and availability and make a choice.  Now make the reservation and keep the reservation number handy.  Rental rates often change. Every week or so go back and review the rates. Check the rate of the exact car type and dates needed.  If the price is lower, use your reservation number and modify the existing reservation for the same  at the lower rate.  I have done this as many as 5 times and have been able to reduce my price by over $200.

Another tip is with insurance.  Many people in the US have auto insurance which covers you in a rental car.  If you have proof of insurance with you and you are in an accident, there is usually no issue.  The car rental companies will want to be paid for damages but you have to file a claim with your insurance company.  The car rental companies may pressure you to buy insurance and the only benefit (with cost) is that your liability is reduced.  (this is what they tell you) So, if you want this peace of mind, pay the extra cash.  It adds up.

The last tip is about car rental choice.  I have reserved the economy car many times.  The companies are limited to how many cars they have in that class and will ask you if you want to upgrade the car type at additional cost.  I refuse to pay more for the upgrades.  More often then not, they are out of the economy models and they will act as if they are giving you an upgrade for free.  So what, I have gotten models far above the economy model and yet paid the economy price.  Car rental companies make money on the extras such as insurance and upgrades that are on the spot offerings at the rental office.  Be prepared ahead of time and stick to your guns.  In the long run, you will get more for your money.

They are really busy places and although you may need to stand in line for a short while, it is certainly worth the wait. They pack you in as quick as possible but don’t let that deter you. The service is fairly standard for this type of place but it is truly a “eat as much as you like” sort of restaurant.

This alone may not appeal to all but in this case it includes all the steak, chicken, ham and other hot carved meats.

The steak is cooked to perfection on an open fire grill in front of you. The reason its to perfection? Well you can pick the steak you want (rare, medium, well done or any combination) and then go back for another! Not only are they really tasty but they are good quality meat and almost melt in the mouth.

And like the other similar restaurants, there is a large variety on the buffet, which includes salads, pizza, soup, food for the kids and some really tempting sweets. We had to try the gateaux and the kids went for the ice cream.

As you will come to expect in Florida, you also get free refills on soft drinks, which is ideal when you have thirsty kids in your party!

Value for money couldn’t be beaten. At $9.99 I challenge you to find the variety, quality and quantity anywhere else for less. We even had a voucher for10% off the check but we felt embarrassed to use it!

If you are looking for a good breakfast to fill up with before going to the parks, this is the place to go.  Again, the value is second to none when you consider the choice and quality available.

There are 7 restaurants in all, spread through the main Orlando tourist areas. Obviously we haven’t tried them all but I can sure recommend the ones on192 and at Lake Buena Vista.

Seven locations at:

• Lake Buena Vista - 8707 Vineland Avenue
• Orlando -  7251 W Colonial Drive
• Orlando -  8032 International Drive
• Orlando -  2328 Semoran Blvd
• Altamonte Springs -  897 W Town Pkwy
• Kissimmee -  7702 W Hwy 192
• East Kissimmee -  2701 W Vine Street

Lowery Park Zoo not only is highly recommended by me, but the Child Magazine have voted it number 1 Family Friendly Zoo in America, with over 2,000 animals and the new White tiger cubs Ashley and Alex {26 weeks old}and the new Penguin beach, which is lovely.

My highlight was being able to feed the giraffe with crackers you buy for 4 tokens. The rides on the camels looked great too.

The Manatee sanctuary was very educational. They have a talk about the manatees and have a hospital there for the injured manatees that have been caught up by propellers on boats. Manatees are the oldest living mammals on this planet {even older than me!} and because they move so gracefully and slow and are so big, Man or should I say boats are their biggest threat. Since they were around when Dinosaurs were alive, it’s up to us to do something about conserving these beautiful animals.

The price to enter this great animal zoo is a mere $13 per Adult, $11 per child & Free to children less than 2 years.

Don’t forget to take swimming costumes for the children, as they have splash fountains for the children to play in {or walking across to cool your feet off}

The restaurants and gift shops are lovely, all you want for a great day out.

Don’t forget to go on the mini safari or the cable car.

Highly recommend by the Goymer family and as our daughter has just passed her degree, B.S.C. with Honors in Animals Conservation, it has passed her critical eye on how the animals are kept as near to their natural surroundings as possible. The educational value they give to children is excellent!

Well done Lowery Zoo, we will be back to see you soon.

Lowery Zoo is very close to Bush Gardens, Nr Tampa.

When I went to Gatorland I saw the biggest gators I’ve ever seen in my whole life. They were just tremendous beasts and that could move surprisingly (and dangerously) quick, when they are on the hunt for prey. Visiting Gatorland gave me a whole new respect for those creatures, along with the multitude of other animals that are on display there. I certainly gained a lot of new knowledge of the local Floridian wildlife. The zoologists and marine biologists on hand are very knowledgeable about the area and you get to hear from them through the small tours given and questions you ask them too. My favorite show would have to be the Gator Jumparoo. This is the show where a piece meat is dangled from a rope to a bunch of hungry gators. I’ll tell you what, I was not expecting those gators to be able to jump as high as I saw them jump. It was very entertaining to say the least.

There is also a fantastic walk in a tropical woodland which is a must and don’t forget the Giant Tortoises. My son sat on the back of a crocodile for $10 even though it’s jaws were held by tape I think he enjoyed it. I was happy when he came off though!

The Orlando Premium Outlet is “the” place to shop for designer trends at bargain prices. With 110 outlet stores, Premium covers every spectrum of the shopping scene from jewelry, luggage, and clothes to house accessories, games, and electronics. With an outdoor setting and Palm trees scattered all throughout, you will get a true Florida experience and feel for the climate. If by chance you get hungry stop by the indoor air conditioned food court located in the dead center of the venue. The Outlet is no more than 5 minutes from Disney and 15 minutes from Sea World making it a hot spot for tourists on rest days from the parks. Seconds away from the Dolly Partons Dixie Stampede Dinner Show, you could set reservations to have a delicious dinner full of excitement and entertainment to finish off your day. Be prepared to find deals from 40 to 70% off designer clothes such as Ann Taylor, Barneys New York Outlet, Burberry, Coach, Diesel, Fendi, Banana Republic, and Hugo Boss. Other featured outlet stores include Giorgio Armani, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Tag Heuer, Timberland and much much more.

My favourte store is the Timberland shop, everytime I go shopping there it has a sale on! With the exchange rate at over $2 to the Pound this makes it fantastic value.

I forgot to mention the sports clothing shops, Nike etc it is just shopping heaven, even for the boys!

Outlet hours
Monday-Saturday: 10:00am-11:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am-9:00pm

On our third visit to our villa in Davenport, Orlando, my parents were to come with us.

Every thing was booked, so off to the airport we went, staying over night in a hotel the night before. On arrival at the check in desk my wife, daughter and myself checked in OK. But my parents could not check in as they had British subjects on their passports as they had moved to the UK from the Irish republic 60 years earlier. We did resolve the problem, my parents went and got their Irish passports renewed, but lost a week of their holiday, so be warned, check all of the following:

US VISA AND PASSPORT

Under the US Visa Waiver Programme, many British Citizens holding a UK Passport do not require a US visa providing: -

· Duration of stay is not more than 90 days and the traveller holds a valid ticket for their onward or return journey.

· Passport is valid for at least 90 days from the date of entry into the US

· Travel is for business, tourism or transit only.

· Traveller is not a journalist on assignment or an individual seeking gainful employment.

· Traveller has never been arrested (even if the arrest did not lead to a conviction) and has not been convicted of a crime.

· Traveller has not been refused entry into or deported from the US and has not previously violated the terms of admission under the Visa Waiver Programme.

· Traveller is in possession of a machine-readable passport. All children and infants must also have their own machine-readable passports.

· Traveller completes and presents an I-94 W form to the US Customs and Border Protection at the first point of entry into the US (these forms are available at check in or on the aircraft) and otherwise be eligible for a visa.

British Subjects (i.e. not British Citizens) are not eligible to travel visa- free under the Visa Waiver Programme and require a visa to enter the United States.
If you do not meet the above requirements, and need to apply for a visa, you may contact the US Embassy on 09055 444 546,for an appointment as far ahead as possible. You may also visit their website www.usembassy.org.uk.

Prevention seems to be the key here, so follow these tips:

Avoid sun exposure during the hottest hours of the sun’s rays – between 12 and 2 particularly – Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun is very true and the heat is not pleasant at that time of day.

Apply sunscreen with a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15, paying special attention to the face, nose, ears and shoulders. Some of the drugstores in Florida refuse to sell sunscreen with less than factor 8 because of the danger of sunburn. My daughter is mixed race and has quite dark skin but I always put 25 minimum on her and she still comes back with a healthy glow.  We always buy our sun cream in America as it is far cheaper and also there is nothing worse than opening your case to find it has leaked EVERYWHERE!  No-Ad is sold in most places and is one of the cheapest – we find it fantastic and we come home with great tans.  For the last couple of days of the holiday when we have got a safe brown tan the adults in our party usually use oil, again with a sun factor.

Always wear a hat and sunglasses with UV (Ultraviolet) Protection – be wary of “cheap” glasses as these tend not to offer the correct protection.

Drink plenty of water and non-carbonated drinks, even if you do not feel thirsty – dehydration is not very pleasant.

Since overexposure to the sun is a major cause of sunburns, it is important to limit your time in the sun. And, don’t get fooled into thinking you can’t get sunburned when it is cloudy. You not only can, you probably will. Also, check the UV Forecast which is often broadcast on local news programs and published in local papers. The general rule is the higher the UV Index the higher the SPF needed in your sunscreen. It is equally important to recognize and carefully watch for the symptoms of sunburn and know how to apply first-aid. Remember that if you do get a sunburn, treat it seriously.

If you go for a dip, even if the sunscreen is waterproof, keep applying it– too much is better than too little.  There is a real trend for   but ensure you put cream on your head between braids as nasty burns are being gained through this – better still keep your hat on!