The Brazilian Court Hotel & Beach Club in Palm Beach

Technorati Tags: Beach Hotel, Beach Lodging, Florida, Palm Beach

I hope you’ve been enjoying my posts lately. I thought I might do something different today and rustle up a few bits of info from around the WWW. These are some of the news items and blog posts that have been popular over the last few weeks. Leave me your thoughts.

Super Bowl, Miami: All South Florida Wants to Play

A free concert with fireworks is scheduled on the beach next to the Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel on Feb. 6; scheduled acts are Barenaked Ladies, … Read More…

Hotels checking out high-tech amenities

COCOA BEACH — A few Brevard County hotels now tout the latest customer-service-friendly technology. … Read More…

Talk about travel: Travel staffers help you plan great escapes

The Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel is alo a nice resort to consider. If you decide you want to spend a little more, you can also check out … Read More…
That’s all the news for today guys, so until next time, thanks for stopping by.

Technorati Tags: Cocoa Beach, Florida, hotel on the beach, Miami, myrtle beach, Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel, Super Bowl, The Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel

Come see this world class resort.   Hammock Beach Resort is a destination that balances amenities, enjoyment, relaxation, families and golf.   Through its use of architecture and epic views of the Atlantic Ocean it is no wonder it features golf course designed by Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus.   From its signature dining to its family atmosphere and the impressive grounds to the unique Conservatory Clubhouse. This is one place every golfer or world traveler should visit once in their lives.

Hammock Beach Resort

Hammock Beach Golf Link

Technorati Tags: beach resort, Florida, golf resort, Hammock Beach, Jack Nicklaus, ocean course, St. Augustine, Tom Watson

Best Western Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach

Technorati Tags: beach resort, Florida, Fort Myers

Technorati Tags: beach resort, Florida, Islamorada, The Keys

1. Why Choose a French Chateau by Jitendrasinh Lanning

   When going to France on holiday you normally have a good choice of accommodation, hotels, B&Bs, Gites, Luxury Villas and even Chateaux. Most of these will be recognised by English holidaymakers though some may not be aware what a gite is.

2. Renting a Holiday Home – The Perfect Family Holiday by Dominic DonaldsonRenting a holiday home in the British countryside is one of the most relaxing ways to take a family holiday. You have a place to call your own for a week or two to which you can come and go as you please.
3. Holiday Villa Rental Spain – Begur, Costa Brava – Summer Holiday Heaven? by Clive LongHoliday Villa Rental Spain – Begur, Costa Brava – located between the towns of L’Estartit and Calella on the coastline of Catalonia in north-eastern Spain. Begur has a delightful blend of tradition, history, culture and golden beaches.
4. Condo Apartment Rental in View – Talay 2B Jomtien Pattaya, Thailand by James LambornAnyone deciding to rent here can be assured of a condominium complex that is run properly and adheres to and in many cases exceeds all the local government regulations. Within in the last year, all the fire exits have been modified and are clearly marked. The staffs are regularly trained in fire prevention.
5. Choosing Holiday Villas in Bali by Dharma Putra AThe internet is the perfect place to search for anything. If you have some excellent plans to have fun vacation, you can easily be able to search for some information about the vacation destination via the internet. Perhaps, if you wanted to go to Bali. Bali is located in Indonesia.
6. Why Book a French Chateau? by Jitendrasinh LanningWe’ve all seen stunning images of French Chateau on the TV or in magazines and most of us will have wondered just what it would be like to stay in such luxurious surroundings. Imagine yourself stood on the veranda looking out across French countryside as it meanders towards the horizon. Before now only the rich and famous would have such pleasures in life, however thanks to Simply Chateau, holidaying in such splendor is no longer an impossible dream as a holiday in a luxury French chateau is now more affordable than ever.
7. Holiday Villa Rentals – Costa Teguise, Lanzarote – For a Sunny Winter Break? by Clive LongHoliday villa rentals in Lanzarote are always popular with visitors in the winter season because of the good weather and the relaxing ambiance of resorts such as Costa Teguise. With its sandy beaches and lively nightlife, holiday apartments to let in Costa Teguise can be a great base for your stay in Lanzarote. It is situated on the coast in the central part of the island and is one of Lanzarote’s main tourist resorts.
8. Walking Holiday Rentals Around the World by Nick BeesleyWalking is one of the oldest forms of travel used by mankind; it has allowed us to move from location to location with ease and at our own pace, however best of all, is always been completely free. However people seem to forget that this simple day to day task which we all take for granted, also helps to take us to new and wonderful places. Places where you are able to widen your mind and experience new and exciting things.
9. Serviced Apartments – An Affordable Accommodation Alternative by Gordon ParkesServiced apartments make a great alternative to staying in hotels. This is particularly useful when you are trying to save money while travelling for business or pleasure.
10. Marketing You Florida Vacation Villa During the Off-Peak Season by Shah M KarimHow to market your villa during the off-peak season. Nine excellent marketing techniques to fill those empty weeks.
11. Renting a House in Pattaya Thailand – What You Should Know! by James LambornRenting property in Pattaya Thailand is much the same as at home. In other words you do the basics first.
12. Are You Considering a Vacation in Lake Havasu City? by Jerry GrossoDespite the fact “the lake” of Lake Havasu is located on the Colorado River, it should be noted that the Grand Canyon cannot be reached by the lake. This is because numerous dams are situated between the lake and the popular canyon attraction.
13. Vacation Rental Lease – Avoid the Nightmare Guest! by Deborah Catherine NelsonHave you ever seen a movie called “Pacific Heights?” Screenwriter Daniel Pyne got the idea for the movie from his personal experiences in tenant-landlord relations, saying, “I had to evict somebody from a three-flat building. He didn’t pay, so he had to leave. But then I started learning more about the law. He was scamming us, and even though he didn’t pay, he still had a right to be there… ‘Pacific Heights’ is about what would have happened to me had I not been able to afford the [eviction proceeding] payments, if I had a psychopathic scam artist as a tenant similar to the character played by Michael Keaton in the film.”
14. Money-Saving Tips For Outer Banks Vacation Rentals by Lauren DaknisEveryone wants to save money on their vacations, particularly considering the state of our current economy. That’s why an increasing number of vacationers choose to stay in Outer Banks vacation rentals instead of hotels during their OBX getaways. Rentals are affordable and spacious compared to hotel rooms. Furthermore, they typically have kitchens where you can prepare your own meals, thus saving you money on dining costs.
15. Ancient Water Mill Now a Holiday Cottage in France by Tom M DaviesWhen the water mill was built, the Limousin part of France was controlled by the English military. The mill was built in about 1276 and the local commander of the garrison lived in a house alongside a bridge over the river Beraude. As he was a member of the British gentry the area became known as ‘Le Pont de Chez Lord’ meaning literally The Bridge of the House of the Lord.
16. Winter Park, Colorado Vacation Rentals by Christopher BradfordWhen coming on vacation or holiday to Winter Park, Colorado what should do you need to know to get the accommodations that suit your needs? Here is what you need to be aware to have a fun and relaxing vacation in the Colorado Rocky Mountains at Wintepark, Colorado.
17. Cheap Accommodation by Dimitry SergiyovichSingapore is located in the East of the globe next to Malaysia. It is a great island that is highly developed. With a population of approximately 5 million, Singapore receives many guests who love touring the world’s beaches.
18. Exploring the Coast and Castles in England’s Far North by Peter HuntWe recently had a great cottage holiday in Northumberland. I thought I would share with you what I consider to be the highlights if you are thinking of a similar break. In case you didn’t know, Northumberland is the most northerly of English counties, most of it lying to the north of Hadrian’s Wall.
19. Virginia Beach Vacation Rentals – Relax Next to the Ocean by Chuck ChassIf you are looking for family fun, look no further than a Virginia Beach vacation. Virginia Beach is nestled on the coastline of Virginia, and offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.
20. Travel Deals Available For Business People by Boris LipkindThere are many people, who need to travel around the world for their business purpose. For this, they need to book flights, which can take them to their desired destination. Well, these people need some special facilities during their traveling, which can make their traveling easier and relaxed. For this, they prefer those companies, which can give the effective travel deals in very limited budget, so that they can visit their required place with great ease and comfort. These deals includes, booking flight, comfort during traveling, accommodation facility and traveling within the city.
21. Christmas Vacation Rentals – Festive Sunshine Breaks by Nick BeesleyDespite the financial restraints across the country’s family households, there is a growing trend of families fleeing the country this Christmas in search of a festive sunshine break. New research from travel comparison site Hotelly.com suggests that around 47% of British families are seriously considering booking a Christmas vacation rental in a bid to escape the stereotypically bad British weather and head for sunnier climes.
22. Why Book a Vacation Rental Over a Hotel For Your Next Family Vacation? by Chad RuttWhen most vacationers think about a family vacation, they automatically think of a hotel as the most budget friendly choice, but that is not always the case. Many families often go with a recognized hotel over a rental, as they figure it is the safest option.
23. Tips For Finding Great Vacation Rentals in Any Area by Chad RuttWhen it comes to finding a great vacation rental there is both bad news and good news. The bad news is that there are more rentals today than ever before. The good news is that thanks to modern technology, they are easier to tour and book, all from the comfort of your own home.
24. Holiday Homes in Spain – Try Tenerife in the Winter! by Clive LongHoliday homes in Spain are great for winter rentals especially in places like Playa de las Americas on the island of Tenerife. These days a lot of holiday takers search on the internet for an inexpensive apartment or villa holiday in Spain rental to book with the owners direct. The resort of Playa de las Americas was created in the late Seventies to cope with the large numbers of tourists who flocked to the island around this time.
25. Advertise Vacation Rentals For Free – Top 2 Free Advertising Sites by Scott A NorrisIf you are looking for a website to advertise your vacation rentals we have found the top 2 free advertising sites for help getting them booked. With all the rage these days about vacation rentals used for family vacations and you want more bookings for your vacation home, cabin or condo read on. Family’s prefer a large comfortable vacation home when visiting travel hot spots and your rental may be their desired accommodation. Advertise your vacation rental for free on these site to help your rental receive more bookings.
26. Hot Deal Luxury Condo Rentals For $40 a Night by Beth MarconNo, we didn’t leave off a zero! You can rent an 1100 square foot condo through the Condo Hot Deal program for as low as $40 per night, when you spend a week at many of the thousands of destination locations throughout the world. There is no timeshare tour, no blackout dates, no booking or maintenance fees, no annual membership fees, no ownership obligations or gimmicks. Just pure fun and relaxation at some of the world’s most luxurious condo rentals at resort locations!
27. Are You Looking For Quality Lake Havasu, AZ Rental Properties? by Jerry GrossoFor those who are bringing their families to the area, there are several great attractions that are perfect for young adults as well as for kids. Some of these include….
28. Holiday Villas in Spain – Costa Blanca North – Book Direct Next Year? by Clive LongHoliday villas in Spain are just a pleasant dream for most people at this time of the year. In the chilly depths of winter your holiday tan is just a distant memory and Christmas shopping or the January sales loom large. However, for many people it will soon be time to start thinking about next year’s holiday and part of the enjoyment is deciding where to go and where to stay.
29. Los Cabos – Mexico’s Most Spectacular Destination by Rob WaltersLos Cabos is Mexico’s fastest growing destination for “la buena Vida”-the good life! You’ll see why it’s the fastest growing destination in Mexico as you read the article.
30. Good Things to Know When Evaluating Telluride Vacation Rentals by Ray RoarkTelluride and Mountain Village, Colorado, are home to breathtaking views and the Telluride Ski Resort’s world-class skiing. But, when planning your vacation, it also helps to understand the layout and characteristics of the two towns, as well as the accommodations found in each.

Technorati Tags: Arizona, Bali, beach vacation, Begur, Colorado, Costa Brava, England, Florida, France, French Chateau, Indonesia, Lake Havasu, Lanzarote, Los Cabos, Outer Banks, Pattaya, Singapore, Spain, Telluride, Tenerife, Thailand, travel and leisure, Travel Deals, vacation rentals, Virginia Beach, Winter Park

For many years and generations the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Islands as well as Gasparrilla and Cayo Costa Islands have been Fla Beach vacation stars. They are located in Lee County which is also home to Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach & Bonita Springs. Lee is the most populous county in Southwest Florida, although you would never know it once you cross the bridge to Sanibel and Captiva and Gasparilla or ferry over to Cayo Costa. The feel on the Fla beach islands is so much different than the mainland; it’s as if you are in the middle of the Caribbean.

If you are spending more than the day, Captiva Island hotels include the ‘Tween Waters Inn Island Resort with its fabulous fine dining restaurant, the Old Captiva House. And, no visit is complete without going to the Captiva restaurant, The Mucky Duck for sunset watching, island music and great food. The Mad Hatter is a Sanibel restaurant fine dining tradition and a must visit!

On to the beaches! We’re featuring 6 of 12 in this article.

Natural Florida beach sand and warm waters invite you to relax, read or partake in a favorite beach activity – shelling. Each beach has a personality all its own. Families will find soft, white sand great for kids. Couples can experience solitude and exceptional sunsets. And active types can enjoy volleyball, picnicking, shelling, cycling and skim boarding.

Causeway Islands

Location: SR/CR 867, from mainland traveling to Sanibel, pass through the Toll Booth, cross over “sky” bridge to first island. Continue over “flat” bridge to second island.

Hours: sunrise to ½ hour past sunset

Parking: free

Amenities: accessible from water, restrooms, drinking fountains, picnic tables

Activities: fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, wind surfing, kite boarding, shelling

Pets: yes, on 6′ leashes

Lighthouse Beach Park

Location: 112 Periwinkle Way, east end of Sanibel Island

Hours: sunrise to sunset

Parking: $2/hour, 195 spaces

Amenities: restrooms, handicapped accessible, shell display, drinking fountains, bike racks, fishing pier on bayside

Activities: sunbathing, shelling, fishing, walking

Pets: yes, on 8′ leashes

Of Special Interest: 32 acres on eastern tip of island. Strong currents make swimming inadvisable, especially for children.

Tarpon Bay Road Park

Location: East End of Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel Island

Hours: sunrise to sunset

Parking: $2/hour, 75 spaces (use Trost Parking Lot)

Amenities: restrooms, outside showers, handicapped accessible

Activities: swimming, sunbathing, shelling, walking, fishing

Pets: yes, on 8′ leashes

Of Special Interest: .9 acres on midsection of island

Bowman’s Beach

Location: 1700 Bowman’s Beach Road, off San-Cap Road, Sanibel Island

Hours: sunrise to sunset

Parking: $2/hour, 214 spaces

Amenities: changing room, showers, drinking fountains, soda machine, grills, restrooms, picnic tables, handicapped accessible

Activities: swimming, fishing, known for great shelling, walking, sunbathing

Pets: yes, on 8′ leashes

Of Special Interest: One of the best beaches in Florida, it’s a quarter mile walk from the parking lot to the beach (over a bridge) through beach grasses and wetlands. Bowman’s is located on the west end of the island and is the most remote of the beaches on Sanibel.

Cayo Costa State Park

Location: directly south of Boca Grande and West of Pine Island, Cayo Costa Island

Hours: 8 AM to sunset

Parking: Accessible only by passenger ferry or private boat. Ferry departs from Pine Island; 239-283-0015. Park fees: $2/person

Amenities: bike rentals, day boat slips, cabins, campfire circles, kayak and canoe rentals, restrooms, interpretive programs, nature trails, pavilions, tent camping sites, picnic tables and grills, showers

Activities: biking, swimming, boating, camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, walking, hiking, scuba, snorkeling, wildlife viewing, campfire programs

Pets: Yes, on 6′ leashes. State parks do not permit pets on beaches or playgrounds, or in bathing areas, cabins, park buildings or concession facilities.

Of Special Interest: The island is 7 miles long and has 9.5 miles of pristine beach on the Gulf. Its 256 acres look much like they did 500 years ago, when the first Europeans arrived here.

Gasparilla Island State Park

Location: a barrier island on Florida’s southwest coast, access is via Boca Grande Causeway at C.R. 775 and Placida

Hours: 8 AM to sunset

Parking: $3/vehicle

Amenities: 2 miles of beach, hiking/nature trails, restrooms, interpretive exhibits, picnic areas, showers, visitors center

Activities: swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, shelling, biking, fishing, wildlife viewing

Pets: Yes, on 6′ leashes. State parks do not permit pets on beaches or playgrounds, or in bathing areas, cabins, park buildings or concession facilities.

Of Special Interest: The beaches are the Park’s greatest asset. They end at Boca Grande Pass, famous for its deep waters and tarpon fishing. The circa-1890 lighthouse once marked the pass for mariners. It is now a museum that explores the island’s fishing and railroad heritage.

You can’t go wrong choosing shining Fla beach stars like Captiva or Sanibel for your next Fla beach vacation. Gift certificates for the Captiva restaurants, the Mucky Duck and Old Captiva House, as well as the Sanibel restaurant, the Mad Hatter, can be found in The Florida Beach Book.

Maria Norton is the creator of Florida-retirement.net, a website designed for those who are considering retiring to Florida or buying second homes there. She is a licensed Real Estate Broker and a 20 year veteran of the Relocation Industry. She provides comprehensive, personalized & free, Florida Relocation Services. She has also published 4 eBooks: A Guide to Establishing Florida Residency, THE FLORIDA BEACH BOOK, How to Create the Perfect Retirement & How to Buy a Second/Vacation Home in Florida. THE FLORIDA BEACH BOOK is a Guide to over 350 Florida Beaches and the Best Florida Restaurants On or Near Them, and includes over $750 in restaurant gift certificates, including the Mucky Duck, Old Captiva House and The Mad Hatter. The Guide includes Florida Beach Maps. To GET YOUR COPY, visit: http://www.florida-retirement.net.

Technorati Tags: beach vacation, Captiva, Florida, Sanibel