6 FANTASTIC REASONS TO TAKE A FAMILY VACATION IN FLORIDA

Florida is known for a lot of reasons, but the state’s biggest call to fame is, of course, its wide range of tourist attractions. If you have not yet visited the state with your family for an extended vacation, here are six good reasons as to why you should do so while planning your next one.

The White Nights of St. Petersburg

The city of Saint Petersburg itself could take a while to explore in its entirety because it has its own set of wonderful experience to offer. However, if you manage to visit the city at any point in June or July, you will be privy to a unique natural phenomenon that’s rare in this part of the world. It’s called the White Nights of St. Petersburg and if you are familiar with the everlasting days of Norway, the phenomenon is quite similar.

As the name suggests, nights in St. Petersburg never really get dark as a whitish glow keeps the city illuminated even during the darkest hours. After 16-19-hour long days, the sun dips just below the horizon, but never enough for the star’s glow to completely dissipate.

This is a general time of celebration throughout the city for tourists, students, and locals alike. Expect music festivals, fireworks, light shows, and do not forget to take a boat trip. The cruise will go through several canals like the Griboedov and the Kryukov, which are built within the city itself, not unlike Venice. This is of course possible because at least three rivers (Moyka, Fontaka, and Neva) flow in and out of the city itself.

Shelling with the Children on Sanibel Island

The first thing that comes to mind when anyone mentions Sanibel Island is shell collecting, aka shelling. Although the practice is somewhat getting lost among today’s children, that is all the more reason to encourage them to find a few rare shells to add to their own collection.

It is essentially a bonding activity for the whole family, where you get to enjoy a gorgeous beach and collect memorabilia. Although people are far more likely to find cockles, coquina, and scallop shells, it isn’t entirely impossible to find a full conch bonnet on occasions either.

Since we are discussing a beautiful island beach here, the attractions are not just limited to shell collecting alone. There will also be seafood, stunning sunsets, small beach treks, and a lot of exotic bird watching. Visit the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge to see a lot more than just the roseate spoonbills. Keep an eye out for the rainbow bird, aka painted bunting, the purple gallinule, the sanderling, the royal tern, and egrets as well.

Visiting the World’s Greatest Theme Parks in Orlando

Orlando is the world’s greatest destination for theme parks. It is for that reason primarily that the Disney city has remained one of the most visited places in the whole world for decades now. Needless to say, most theme parks belong to either Walt Disney World Resort or Universal Studio, but you should be able to visit most of them with a package deal for each.

The Walt Disney World Resort is by far the biggest attraction in Orlando, which manages to bring in families by the millions every year. This is where you will find all the legendary Disney theme parks, namely the Magic Kingdom, the Animal Kingdom, the EPCOT, and the Hollywood Studios to explore. Keep in mind that Disney theme parks are not just about the amazing exhibits they have, but also about fun activities that the whole family can engage in. There are treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, cosplays, friendly competitions, and so much more.

Next, we have the Universal Orlando Resort to visit, which also draws in millions of people every year, firmly securing Orlando’s position as the greatest city for visiting theme parks. Universal’s Islands of Adventure offer thrilling experiences to families looking for the most challenging rides, and of course, dinosaurs! There is a Jurassic Park inside Universal Studios which has been renovated and further expanded recently to make the experience feel as close to the fictional Jurassic Park we saw in the movie, way back in 1993.

Considering that we have not even mentioned LEGOLAND, Discovery Cove, or even SeaWorld Orlando yet, it would be more surprising if this city was not one of the world’s largest tourist spots! As one can probably imagine, booking park tickets and finding quality accommodation in Orlando during peak season will either be very difficult or far too expensive, and likely both. If you are planning a visit with family and friends, contact Ocean Florida and book a Orlando Villa Holidays package in advance.

Any advanced booking you may make will be protected under Air Travel Organiser Licensing (ATOL) and Travel Trust Association (TTA) regulations. More importantly, Ocean Florida’s Orlando Villa Holidays will let you choose grand villas located in some of the most scenic spots in the area at surprisingly affordable rates, especially when compared to that of the villas rented out by the theme parks themselves.

Take the Kids to Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa

When we think about Tampa, two things usually come to mind first: bay and beach. Both are justifiable musings because Tampa does have wonderful beaches like the Ben T. Davis, and you can indeed go on some the best sea cruises in America from the Tampa Bay. Then there is the world-famous Busch Gardens theme park to explore, filled with exotic animals and downright scary roller coasters! However, if you have small children in the group, don’t forget to take them to the Glazer Children’s Museum in all that excitement.

The place is less of a museum and more of an interactive learning hub for curious, developing minds. For example, the Art Smart exhibits are designed in a way so that the young artistic mind of a child is encouraged in the most stimulating and enjoyable way possible. The more inventive child will find himself/herself at home in the Engineer’s Workshop, while the adventurous and courageous kids can head over to learn about firefighting in the Firehouse. These are just a few small examples because there is a lot more to explore for children of every personality.

Explore the Myriad Beaches of Miami

Both Tampa and Miami are famous for their respective beaches, and they are not geographically much different from each other for obvious reasons. However, the Miami Beach is significantly posher in every possible way. That is to be expected of course, given how closely it is associated with glamorous history and regular celebrity visits.

While no one can guarantee that Claudia Romani will show up somewhere nearby at the exact same time of their visit, no one can say that some minor/major celebrity or another won’t show up either. Now, celebrity presence is irrelevant for the most part because the beaches in these parts are beautiful all on their own. However, the very fact that celebrities do tend to pop up from time to time in these parts is something that the local management keeps in mind. As a result, you will get to enjoy the full glory of Miami Beach with your family in perfect preservation!

Go on an Adventure Around White Springs

There are several scenic spots to explore in and around the small town of White Springs. The Suwannee River is serene and perfect if you have kayaking in mind, while the Big Shoals State Park has multiple trails of varying difficulties to hike. Children and paddling rapids don’t exactly go together, but the park will offer its visitors the opportunity to go on a rafting adventure if they wish. Other than that, the entire location around White Springs is a beautiful and safe place to go on an adventure with your family and most assuredly, a guide.

Florida as a whole has virtually unlimited potential for hiking but there are a few things that you must be wary of, especially since we are talking about family visits. Do not choose a trail that your local guide advises against and do not try to trek through areas with children where the presence of predators has been established. White Springs is a safe location for hiking, but that does not apply in most forested regions within and around Florida. There are large alligators, American crocodiles, black bears, rattlesnakes, coral snakes and most alarmingly, Florida panthers, aka cougars or mountain lions. Except for the cougars, the rest can be easily avoided even if you see them, but it is best to ensure that you do not meet any of them up close while trekking with children!

It would be a safe bet to place that you have not managed to see everything, even if you did visit Florida few times before. There is just so much to see, and this post does not even begin to cover them all. Mickey Mouse may have made Florida famous, but it has more to offer than just the insanely famous Walt Disney Parks. It is probable that you will find a few new attractions on your own while you are there.