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St. Augustine is the oldest European established city in the U.S. and is located in Northeast Florida south of Jacksonville. Long before St. Augustine became the family vacation paradise, it became St. Augustine in 1565. The settlement was already forty-two years old when Historic Jamestown was founded, and it has survives today as the oldest European town in the United States. Now St. Augustine is one of Florida’s favorite travel destination with beaches, attractions and historical significance.
There are so many things to do in St Augustine, the historic district is full of restaurants, coffee shops and small shops with craftsmen who are knowledgeable in the trades of the period. The small narrow streets are a excellent for taking a romantic stroll. Two trolley tours offer transportation s along a route with over 100 points of interest throughout Saint Augustine.
The Castillo de San Marcos, the historic Fort was built after the city was attacked by Pirates, the fort was never taken by force, only by treaty and was built of coquina rock, native to the area. The entrance to Castillo de San Marcos is heavily fortified and was surrounded by moat. Six different flags have flown over Castillo de San Marcos and you can view the Spanish and English barracks. On weekends, they fire the cannons in a demonstration.
The beaches of St. Augustine located on Anastasia Island home of Anastasia State Park. There is pier that is a favorite of fishermen and those who want a panoramic view of the beach. The beaches here are a favorite and considered by many the best Florida beaches.
There is also lighthouse on Anastasia Island which favorite for history loving tourist. It’s 219 steps the top, you’ll get a spectacular view of the surrounding area as the observation deck is 165 feet above sea-level. St. Augustine Lighthouse is one of the most popular lighthouses.
Families and couples will find many things to keep occupied with the attractions like The Alligator Farm, San Sebastian Winery, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum and The Fountain of Youth. St. Augustine is a perfect place to spend a vacation.
Filed under: St Augustine, Travel | Leave a Comment
Blue Springs, FL – SeaWorld’s Animal Rescue Team released Rita, the largest manatee the park has ever cared for, back into nature … by crane.
Rita was rescued in 1982 – from the Banana River in Merritt Island because her right pectoral flipper was entangled in a crab trap; the injury forced SeaWorld vets to amputate. After living more than 26 years ago at one of the Orlando Attractions, SeaWorld, here caregivers will miss her.
The 12-foot-long, 3,000-pound female was released into Blue Springs Thursday, February 26. Due to her immense size, SeaWorld’s rescue team had to utilize the heavy piece of machinery to lift and lower her into the spring.
A state-mandated quarantine for the papilloma virus (PV) kept Rita at SeaWorld longer than expected. At the time, wildlife officials feared this virus could be spread to wild manatee populations and it was thought Rita may have been exposed. Recently completed research shows that PV already exists in the wild and provides no threat to wild manatees.
SeaWorld is also releasing Amber, a 9-foot-long, 1,300-pound, female orphan manatee that was rescued from Blue Springs in 2001.
Filed under: Florida, Orlando | Leave a Comment
Tags: Manatee
Wintertime in Florida means festivals and parties. So take a break from the cold and join us in the Sunshine State for wintertime fun without the snow.
At the Grant Seafood Festival you can sample some of the local favorites like Shrimp & Tuna Kabobs, both Manhattan & New England Clam Chowder, Fried Shrimp, Raw & Steamed Oysters, Steamed Clams, Linguini with Clam Sauce and Lobster Bisque. There will also be live music and entertainment.
One of Florida’s largest festivals will take place between Orlando and Tampa, the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City is a huge favorite with numerous stage shows, exhibits of agriculture, horticulture, commerce, fine arts, homemade goods and crafts, livestock competitions and every strawberry delight you can dream of. The musical line up includes Jessica Simpson, George Jones, Taylor Swift, Julianne Hough (”Huff”) and Kellie Pickler.
If you’re ready to loose and party, Mardi Gras in Florida is where you’ll find plenty of beads, music, parades and fun. Mardi Gras at Universal Studios is also going on in Orlando featuring top acts like KC and the Sunshine Band, The Village People, Trace Adkins and Nelly.
Filed under: Florida, Orlando, Travel | 1 Comment
Tags: Festivals, Food Festivals, Jessica Simpson, Julianne Hough, Kellie Pickler, Nelly, Seafood, Taylor Swift
On Sunday February 1st Tampa Florida welcomes football fans from all over the country to Super Bowl XLIII pitting the Arizona Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Steelers. For some pre-game fun head to Tampa a day early to enjoy the Third Annual DIRECTV Celebrity Beach Bowl. That’s right, Saturday January 31st come see NFL Hall of Famers and Hollywood celebrities in a game flag football with a concert by one of today’s hottest artists to follow the game.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have of one of the nastiest defenses in football and are 7-point favorites over the Cardinals who didn’t seem to truly get it together until the postseason, here are some of the keys to the game. The most highly anticipated matchup is between the incredible Arizona offense and the indomitable Pittsburgh defense. The Cardinal defense plays well enough to give it’s air-arsenal offense a chance to light up the scoreboard and win. Both defenses are good at creating turnovers so something will have to give. This may just be up to Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner his passes need to be precise and careful if he’s to get by this Steeler’s defense, if he can do this it will be a great game.
While you’re in Tampa Bay be sure to take some time to see the city, maybe get there a couple of days early and go to Busch Gardens Africa, or visit the fabulous Florida Aquarium. Start your day with breakfast at a waterside cafe then enjoy a streetcar ride to Channelside Bay Plaza for a day of shopping in our unique Florida boutiques. Another can’t miss place is historic Ybor City the colorful streets are lined with fun you can get an authentic hand-rolled cigars and Cuban sandwiches, hot and crisp. If the beach is more your style you’re in luck the Clearwater, Florida is home to some of America’s favorite beaches. Nearby Caladesi Island has 2008’s number 1 beach in America and there are some 35 miles of white-sand beaches on eight major barrier islands. You can also visit historic Fort De Soto Park, take picture and just explore it’s a great way to spend the day with your family.
So come for the Super Bowl but be sure to do and see as much as you can while you’re here and if you feel you’ve missed something, you are always welcome to revisit.
Filed under: Florida, Travel | Leave a Comment
Tags: Cardinals, Football, Steelers, Super Bowl, Tampa
Little Torch Key, Florida Keys - Five national touring bands are to gather in the Lower Florida Keys Sunday, Jan. 11, for afternoon and evening waterfront performances featuring a variety of blues, rock, jazz, soul and island music selections.
One of the smaller Florida Keys events in 09 include The Boogie on the Bay music festival at Parmer’s Resort, near mile marker 28.5, is to kick off at noon and continue until 8 p.m. under a full moon.
Bands scheduled to play include Audioform, featuring a combination of jazz, funk and soul; Karma, with soul as well as rhythm and blues; and Dogfish, touted for blending blues and rock “that will have you dancing in the isles.” Also on tap are Deb & The Dynamics, with a high-energy mix of rhythm and blues, rock, jazz and funk; and the Keys’ own Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 band, featuring a unique style of tropical rock.
Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 on the day of the show. They can be purchased at www.keystix.com from Parmer’s at www.parmersresort.com or by calling (305) 872-2157.
Parmer’s is offering travel packages combining VIP tickets, accommodations and a Saturday pre-concert evening reception providing personal interaction with performers.
Additional details about the Keys are available at www.fla-keys.com.
Filed under: Florida, Geotourism, Hotels and Resorts, Travel | Leave a Comment
Tags: Concerts, Florida Keys, Music
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