Posts Tagged ‘Florida’

where can i go on vacation with 4 children? i went to disney and the theme parks, camping. i live in florida?

2010 Players Championship TPC Sawgrass, PGA Tour Florida

6th â?? 9th May marks one of the most-exciting non-major events of the golfing season – the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, Florida.

With a strong field and a great setting, you won’t want to miss any of the action. To give you a flavour of what’s in store: Tiger Woods tees off at 1:28pm and is paired with Hunter Mahan and Britains Ian Poulter who did so well in the 2010 Augusta Masters.

Rory McIlroy, fresh from winning his first USA tournament last week is playing with Bill Haas and KJ Choi.

TPC Sawgrass PGA Head Professional Matt Borocz, provided some inside information on the home of the PGA Tour. “Thanks for joining us. This week presents one of the most exciting on the schedule with the Players Championship. What is it that makes the Players such a special event?”

Borocz: It’s the Players Championship… The Players is crown jewel of the PGA Tour. The world’s best golfers are on a course that demands the highest level of shot-making and offers an unbelievable fan experience. It’s also the highest purse in golf with the champion taking home $1.71 million at the end of the week.

The Players Stadium Course surrounded by luxury villas in Florida  was specifically built to host the Players Championship and offer our fans the best possible viewing. Everyone wants to see the action on the final three holes, especially the 17th. It’s the lure of the hole and watching the best players in the world challenge the island green. The famous island green at the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass is arguably the most exciting in all of golf.

Many golfers book Florida villas and from there – tour the exciting golf courses that is on offer in this sunshine state. We can’t talk about the Players without mentioning the world-famous, par-3 17th island green, which you just touched on. I recently heard a promo with a player saying, “51 weeks a year, No. 17 at TPC Sawgrass is the easiest hole in the world for Tour players.” I don’t know if I would agree with that, but of course, that 52nd week is the Players. We know why it’s daunting, but it’s less than 150 yards. Is there any truth to what that Tour player said?

Borocz: A few stats on the 17thhole — it plays 121 yards from the middle of the championship tee to the front of the green. To the back of the green it’s 146 yards. The 17th green is 3,912 square feet compared to the average of 4,500 square feet. The challenge of the 17th hole is its ability to taunt the mental toughness of a player. It’s a very calculating shot because you have to factor the wind, firmness of the green and avoid looking at the body of water surrounding the island green.

During the Players, you add in the thousands of fans! We give tours every day to visitors and the No. 1 comment of amazement is, “The green looks so small compared to television.” Making a par 3 on the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass will bring a smile to all players, whether they are a novice or the best players in the world.

Henrik Stenson of Sweden is the defending champion and is paired with Jim Furyk and Jason Bohn.

Through the years with the likes of Stenson, Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott, Stephen Ames, Steve Elkington, Greg Norman, Nick Price — the list goes on — the Players has had quite a list of international champions.

What is it about the course that yields such diverse champions? In the 36-year history of the Players, 10 of the victories have been by international players. The Players Stadium Course does not favour any style of player. The goal of former Commissioner Deane Beman was to create a golf course that had balance in regards to distance, wind direction and shot-making. He wanted to create a goal course that was fair and would challenge every skill of the game.

The goal at the end of week is to crown the greatest player in world. The diversity of the field allows the Players and PGA Tour to expand the scope of the tournament to a world-wide audience. In 1994, Greg Norman won the Players with a remarkable 24-under 264. That’s by far the best winning score in tournament history. Is there any chance someone could come within a sniff of that this year?

Borocz: In 1994, when Greg Norman set the overall tournament record, the conditions started off perfect the first round with 76 players shooting under par. Norman started off on Thursday with a course-record round of 63, followed by three rounds of 67′s to beat Fuzzy Zoeller by four shots. In 1994, the Players was played in March. With the tournament now being played in May the course is much firmer and faster conditions. In March, we had a lot of inconsistency in weather. It could be in the high 70s and beautiful or in the 50s with rain.

The temperatures have become much more consistent, but the golf course plays much differently. When played in March, the golf course was overseeded. It’s now Bermuda grass all year. The golf ball has more opportunity to run through the fairways and the greens.

The forecast is shaping up to be a beautiful week. Final question. What’s the best part about working at TPC Sawgrass?

Borocz: Excellent question… TPC Sawgrass is a very special place being that it’s the home of the Players and PGA Tour. It is a privilege to work around such a passionate and dedicated group of people. Everyone on our team is focused on creating a magical experience for the Tour players, members and guests. Every team member comes to the club with a positive “can do” attitude. We have a team that is extremely dedicated and passionate about their role at the club. One of the most special things about TPC Sawgrass is the interaction with all the people that travel from all over the world to visit. Many of them have personal stories and connections why TPC Sawgrass is their favourite course.

There are definitely days that you have to pinch yourself. We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to work at such a beautiful place that is showcased to the world every year.

As a club and being apart of the PGA Tour, we have a lot of involvement with local charitable organizations. Almost every month we have a charitable initiative that we are giving back to you. It’s an honor and a blessing to be a part of such a great team.

Find The Finest Lodging In Pensacola Hotels, Florida, Usa

With mild winters and hot, humid summers, Pensacola is located in Florida, USA. This is a county seat of Escambia County. Though, there are many tourist attractions in this beautiful city, the three unique areas including Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Perdid remain the most famous. These places of interest are popular for attracting thousands of visitors all year round to enjoy cultural activities and outdoor adventures along pristine shores.

This is indeed an ideal destination for family getaway offering many logging options of different categories right from pet friendly hotels to spa and casino hotels. While on tour here, whether you are with tight budget or want to spend lavishly, you need not worry much as there is a wide range of hotels from cheap to luxury.

Luxury Hotels

By staying into one of the luxury hotels, you can enrich your vacation to this beautiful Florida City. There are many star hotels in Pensacola, but some of finest ones include Portofino Island Resort & Spa and Crowne Plaza Grand.

Portofino Island Resort & Spa

Located at 10 Portofino Drive Pensacola Beach, Portofino Island Resort & Spa is a super luxury hotel of the city. This excellent beach resort offers international standard services and accommodation with easy access to some major tourist attractions such as Gulf Islands National Seashore and Historic Village etc. Some of the finest features that this spa resort includes are full-service spa with dry saunas and steam rooms, and a fitness center.

Cheap Hotels

If you want to balance your budget while on tour, then make it sure that you stay into one of the cheap hotels, this would help you to reduce your expenditure. There is a huge list of cheap hotels. But the best ones include Days Inn Beachfront, Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites Navarre, Travelodge Inn and Suites, Cottages on the Green and Holiday Inn Express and Suites etc.

Days Inn Beachfront

This is one of the cheap hotels of the city conveniently located on the beach at 16 Via De Luna Dr. You will find excellent service and great comfort of luxury hotels at the most affordable price in Days Inn. Some of the best attractions near Days Inn Beachfront include Beach Gulf Pier and Pensacola Village etc.

Besides, there are numerous hotels of different categories too like pet friendly, spa and casino hotels located in each corner of the city, whether near airport or in downtown.

Downtown Hotels

Mostly people prefer to stay in the center of the city as it houses major attractions. If you are also one of those people and searching for hotels in Downtown of Pensacola, then just dont bother. There are plenty of full service hotels, some which include – Courtyard by Marriott, Crowne Plaza, Howard Johnson Inn Express and Red Carpet Inn etc.

Courtyard by Marriott

Located on the outskirts of Historic downtown of the city, Courtyard by Marriott is the best place for lodging where you will feel at home away from home. This offers international standard services and accommodation with wonderful features like – business center etc.

Naples, Florida Beaches – East Coast to West, Florida Beaches are the Best!

So, youâ??re interested in finding the perfect beach in Naples, Florida?  Weâ??ve profiled six of the dozen or more west Florida beach locations in Collier County, the County in which Naples resides.  The Paradise Coast, as this area is called, is famous for its sugar white Florida beach sand that stretches from Barefoot Beach Preserve at the northern tip of the County, throughout the city of Naples, along the four miles of Marco Islandâ??s crescent shoreline, and into the deserted Ten Thousand Island region of the Everglades. The beach parks range from those with full facilities to simple access points perfect for long beach walks on deserted sands. There are numerous beach access points in downtown Naples, as well as Tigertail Beach Park and the South Beach public access on Marco Island. You will find beautiful surroundings, warm sands and spectacular sunsets no matter where you choose to lose your shoes and dip your toes in the sand.

You have lots of choices in terms of Naples lodging;  Naples inns, gulf resorts, Naples golf resorts and even a few Naples motels. Naples, Florida restaurants are some of the best in Florida.  Café de Marco on Marco Island, has been in the business of catering to Marco Island residents for over 25 years.  Vergina on 5th Avenue in Naples, is another  fabulous Italian restaurant worthy of your patronage.  They also have a lively bar with entertainment. 

So, on to the beaches!   Weâ??ve profiled six of the dozen or more in Collier County.

 

Tigertail Beach County Park

Location: Hernando Drive, Marco Island

Phone: 239-252-4000 Collier County Parks & Recreation

Hours: 8 AM to sunset

Parking: $4/day

Amenities: ½ mile of beach, concessions for food & drinks and

rentals, playground, restrooms, boardwalk, barbeque areas with

picnic tables, butterfly garden, handicapped accessible and

handicapped wheelchair

Activities: swimming, fishing, shelling, walking, sunbathing,

birding

Pets: no

Of Special Interest: One of the most popular in the County

and listed as a birding site by the Florida Fish & Wildlife

Conservation Commission. There are no condominiums or homes

on Tigertail Beach.

 

Naples Beach Accesses

Location: west end of most numbered and named streets along

S.Gulfshore Blvd., Naples

Phone: 239-213-7120 Naples Community Services

Hours: dawn to dusk

Parking: metered & limited

Amenities: 5.5 miles of mostly quiet residential beachfront.

No restrooms. Handicapped accessible at 17th Ave S, 4th Ave S,

6th Ave S, 8th Ave S, Horizon Way, Vedado Way & Via Miramar.

Showers at Vedado Way, Via Miramar & Horizon Way, 2nd, 3rd,

5th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 15th, 18th, 21st & 33rd Avenues South and

2nd, 6th and 7th Avenues North.

Activities: swimming, fishing, shelling, sunbathing, walking

Pets: no

 

 

Naples Pier & Beach

Location: west end of 12th Avenue South, Naples

Phone: 239-213-3062 Naples Fishing Pier

Hours: Pier and Beach open 24 hours. Concessions: 9 AM to

sunset on weekends, 10 AM to sunset on weekdays.

Parking: Metered on street parking and parking lot one block

East with additional

parking at beach ends of Avenues to the North & South.

Amenities: food concession, bait shop, restrooms, picnic tables,

handicapped access, showers

Activities: pier fishing (no license required), volleyball, sunset

watching, swimming, walking, sunbathing, surfing

Pets: no

Of Special Interest: The Naples Pier is one of the most

popular attractions in Naples. Originally built in 1888 as a freight

and passenger dock, the Naples Pier stands as a community

landmark.

 

 

Vanderbilt Beach County Park

Location: end of Vanderbilt Beach Road, North Naples

Phone: 239-252-4000 Collier County Parks & Recreation

Hours: 8 AM to sunset

Parking: $8/day, 120 space lot and 340 space garage, located just

west of the Ritz Carlton hotel

Amenities: 2 mile beach, concessions for food & drinks and

equiPMent rental, restrooms, picnic tables, showers, handicapped

accessible and handicapped wheelchair

Activities: swimming, fishing, shelling, sunbathing, walking,

shelling, birding

Pets: no

Of Special Interest: Popular beach near upscale hotels in North

Naples. Get there

early to get a parking space in season.

 

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park

Location: five miles west of I-75 Exit 111 (Bluebill Avenue/

Immokalee Road), Naples

Phone: 239-597-6196

Hours: 8 AM to sunset

Parking: $6 per vehicle

Amenities: 1 mile of beach, boat ramp, restrooms, tours,

interpretive Exhibits, pavilion, picnic areas with grills and tables,

hard bottom reef, showers

Activities: scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, wildlife viewing,

boating, fishing,

kayaking

Pets: Yes, on 6â?? leashes. State parks do not permit pets on beaches

or playgrounds, or in bathing areas, cabins, park buildings or

concession facilities.

Of Special Interest: One of the most popular seashore destinations

in Naples, this parkâ??s mile long stretch of white sugar sand has been

rated one of the best beaches in the nation. In season, the park

closes its gates when it reaches capacity, so get there early.

 

Barefoot Beach County Park (Preserve)

Location: Barefoot Beach Road off Bonita Beach Road, Naples

Phone: 239-591-8596

Hours: 8 AM to sunset

Parking: $8/day

Amenities: 342 acres of natural land, one mile nature trail,

showers, picnic area, concessions for food & drinks and rental

equipment, handicapped accessible and handicapped wheelchair

Activities: fishing, swimming, shelling, sunbathing, walking

Pets: no

Of Special Interest: One of the last undeveloped barrier islands

on Floridaâ??s southwest coast. Numerous animal species reside here.

Popular for its gorgeous, plush surroundings. Park rangers offer

lectures, guided walks and interpretive programs.

 

 

Discover The Real Florida

The following guide has been written for those who are interested in going on holiday to Florida. Whether you seek the fun and fantasy of Walt Disney World®, great shopping and dining, or recreation and relaxation on fantastic beaches, Florida, the ‘Sunshine State’, has it all!

Kissimmee & Orlando

The Kissimmee resort area lies at the heart of the ‘Sunshine State’, with the highest concentration anywhere of theme parks and attractions. The choice of entertainment is practically endless. Walt Disney World’s® four parks – The Magic Kingdom®, Epcot® , Disney-MGM Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom? – as well as Universal Studios® and Universal’s Islands of Adventure® and Sea World are all fabulous theme parks you won’t want to miss. Each park is wonderfully unique, providing fun and adventure which is sure to delight visitors of every age!

The action is virtually non-stop, with the parks open late and a nightlife that is equally unique and entertaining. In the Summer months you can even spend a balmy evening at a water fun park like Wet ‘nWild® or Typhoon Lagoon. There is a wide choice of good quality restaurants often with an all you can eat buffet, as well as a full range of fast food places. You can combine dinner with entertainment at one of the themed dinner attractions in the area. In case you find free time on your hands, you can ‘shop till you drop’ in one of the enormous malls or factory outlets. The bargains are great!

The Florida Suncoast

Central to the Suncoast are the communities of St Pete Beach, Madeira Beach, Indian Shores and Indian Rocks Beach. These are uncrowded beach resorts close to a host of activities that make for a perfect beach holiday. The beach and sea are the areas’ greatest attractions, but tourist attractions are plentiful, giving you the opportunity to do as little or as much as you please. For years visitors from all over the world have enjoyed Busch Gardens, the Salvador Dali Museum and Sunken Gardens, among the many fun and interesting places within easy reach. Sports enthusiasts will delight in the range of activities whether you are a participator or a spectator: fishing, boating, golf, tennis and baseball to name just a few. The proximity of St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa offers an even wider choice of places to explore, restaurants to enjoy and shops to discover. The restaurants range from the deliciously sophisticated to the irresistibly informal, from fresh lobster to pizza and beer! Madeira Beach has outstanding fishing and is particularly famous for John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk – a unique collection of shops, boutiques and restaurants built on the water. From here you can hire boats for the day (or forever!). Indian Shores and Indian Rocks Beach are the ‘friendly island’ towns with a welcoming and laid back Florida lifestyle.

Sarasota Area

The Sarasota/Bradenton area is easily accessible from Orlando. The area contains some lovely beaches, local shops and good family restaurants. The Sarasota area offers botanical gardens, fine museums, performing arts, world class golf courses, upmarket shopping, boating and other watersports – there is something for everyone!

Anna Maria Island is a peaceful seaside community with no high rise hotels, lovely sandy beaches and turquoise-blue Gulf waters. You can even enjoy the serene beauty from the island’s delightful beachfront dining facilities. A perfect year round location for families and couples.

At the southern end of the Sarasota area is the island of Siesta Key. Siesta Key’s award winning beaches are officially recognised as having the most pristine, powdery white sands in the world. No sand is quite like it; even under the burning subtropical sun, it feels cool to the touch! To the visitors who flock here each year, the enchantment is many-fold: miles of wide white walking beach, elegant gourmet restaurants, a quaint village with resident artists and interesting shops, and an island ambience all of its own.

South of Sarasota lies unspoilt Manasota Key. With an average year-round temperature of 75ºF and the sea nearly always in the 80′s, it is not surprising that those who have discovered one of Florida’s best kept secrets have not been in a hurry to tell others! You will often see dolphins at play just off the beach and logger-head turtles in the sand. Collect shells, take a relaxed dip in the sea and watch the sun go down. The small charming seaside town of Venice is just minutes away.

The Englewood area offers a choice of restaurants and shopping. Fabulous Boca Grande Island with its excellent beaches and quaint village is closeby. The area’s smaller keys such as Palm Island and Little Gasparilla have regular ferry services and tempt you to try a real desert island day out.

Sanibel, Captiva and Fort Myers Beach

Sanibel and Captiva islands are a vacationers’ paradise, enjoying an average yearly temperature of 82ºF. The area is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico to the south and west. This unique position makes the area a mecca for seashell collectors. The only ‘main’ road on Sanibel is Periwinkle Way which winds its way through the centre of the crescent shaped island lined with trees and bike paths. Biking is a must on Sanibel. The “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel is a 5000 acre preservation area which can be enjoyed via a scenic biking, walking or driving route. Two public golf courses, tennis, boat rentals and charters are readily available. At the south end of Periwinkle Way are clusters of shops and boutiques tucked unobtrusively among tropical landscaping and offering a most delightful melange of clothing, souvenirs, arts and crafts.

Fort Myers Beach on Estero Island is 7 miles of sugar sand beach-front along the inviting Gulf of Mexico. The gentle sloping shoreline, calm waters and relaxed atmosphere make Fort Myers Beach a favourite with families. The location is also ideal for a day trip to the Everglades or a visit to the secluded islands of nearby Sanibel and Captiva. The town of Fort Myers is a short drive away and offers many golf courses, shopping malls and attractions including the winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Back on the beach enjoy sporting activities such as cycling, tennis or boating, or take a leisurely stroll at sunset on the crystal-white sandy beach. Dine at restaurants right on the beach, where fresh local seafood awaits you or enjoy the casual atmosphere of the many eateries and bars.

Naples and Marco Island

Naples is a great après-theme-park escape for the discerning visitor to Florida. Just 3 1/2 hours drive from Orlando and 11⁄2 hours drive from Miami, its sweeping Gulf beaches are just a stones throw from the Everglades. The superb Naples lifestyle is still relatively unknown to visitors, but a visit here will reveal why so many people want to return again and again. Every corner of Naples holds an image of tropical bliss, from swaying palm trees and technicolour sunsets to landscaped communities and sparkling waterways. Naples is known for its upmarket shopping. Both 3rd Street South and the Village of Venetian Bay offer a unique cluster of speciality shops, open air cafes and restaurants. Cultural pursuits include a resident Philharmonic orchestra, theatres and first-rate art galleries and museums. Other entertainment includes the Pier, Jungle Larry’s Zoological Gardens, Collier Automotive Museum, and even a Teddy Bear Museum! For those who are passionate about golf, you’ll find paradise on a par with the unparalleled lifestyle.

Situated at the corner of the Sunshine State is Marco Island, the largest of the ‘Ten Thousand Islands’ and a gateway to the Everglades. Just six miles long and four miles wide, the island has over three miles of beautiful white sandy beach and waterways reaching into every corner of its inland landscape. Marco Island simply surrounds you with opportunities: over thirty golf courses conveniently closeby, close to seventy restaurants, the Everglades National Park, a historic trail with charming boutiques, factory outlet shopping and an endless range of watersports.

Florida Keys and Key West

The Florida Keys, Highway 1 ‘The Overseas Highway’ and forty-two bridges connect this string of coral rock islands. Bounded on the east by the clear blue waters of the Atlantic Gulf Stream and on the west by the tranquil Florida Bay and the outlying fringes of the Everglades, the Keys enjoy the second largest coral reef system in the world. The reef protects the Keys and is the reason why there are no sandy beaches on these islands. America’s foremost underwater parks – John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the adjacent Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary – cover approximately 178 nautical square miles and are the area’s star attractions. You must see and experience the wondrous enchantment of the ancient coral landscape, home to an extensive variety of fish and undersea life, either as a shallow water snorkeller or a deep-water scuba diver. Dive shops, guides, charters and equipment in the Upper Keys are abundant.

133 miles from the southernmost tip of the Florida mainland is Key West an island where the famous and infamous alike come to enjoy a lifestyle with a European flavour and an all-American flair. Key West is home to poets, writers, artists and craftsmen all lured by its special way of life. Stay in Key West and leave your car parked. Key West is a town that never seems to sleep, but instead seems to come alive as the sun goes down. Each evening jugglers, musicians and street artists convene on the Mallory Dock for the Sunset Celebration. The streets are filled with sidewalk cafes, open-air bars, legendary pubs and world-class restaurants. Discover Duval Street, ‘the longest street’ in America because it stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico! Here you will find the world famous Sloppy Joe’s, Rick’s Cafe and the home of the Pina Colada. The nightlife is exceptional with theatre, cabaret, and so many dining experiences from fresh seafood to Cuban cuisine.

South East Florida

Palm Beach offers a rich variety of water pleasures, which include boating, fishing, snorkelling and deep-sea diving, and features more than 150 golf courses. On the western border lies the Everglades, a truly unique ecosystem. Enjoy a quiet al fresco lunch in Palm Beach itself and watch the rich and famous go by. Palm Beach, charming and elegant, is located entirely on a barrier island and is home to the historical mansions of some of the world’s best-known families.

South Beach is the red hot destination for visitors from all over the world. South Beach has long been a magnet for celebrities, sophisticates and fun-lovers from all over the world who thrive on its cosmopolitan atmosphere, chic restaurants and night-clubs and fabulous beaches. Seen around town ….Cindy Crawford, Will Smith, Jennifer López, Cameron Diaz, Robert De Niro and Gloria Estefan to name a few. South Beach is also a mecca for shoppers looking for trendy boutiques. Adding to the light-hearted fun of the colour palette are the pastel painted Art Deco hotels, the landmark of the historical area.

Fort Lauderdale is characterised by broad esplanades and boulevards, shaded by tall palm trees, elegant sidewalk cafés and marinas filled with gleaming yachts. Sawgrass Mills, with over 400 name brand stores and the world’s largest outlet mall. Las Olas Boulevard, in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale is a beautifully landscaped, gas-lighted street and is lined with chic boutiques and fine dining spots.