In the 1920s storms divided Captiva Island and separated what is now known as North Captiva Island. North Captiva Island is a four-mile crescent of the coast of southwest Florida. The island has a private, exclusive feel. Vacationers came with a week’s worth of groceries and disappear into their North Captiva Island beach house rentals. [...] [...more]
In the 1920s storms divided Captiva Island and separated what is now known as North Captiva Island. North Captiva Island is a four-mile crescent of the coast of southwest Florida. The island has a private, exclusive feel. Vacationers came with a week’s worth of groceries and disappear into their North Captiva Island beach house rentals. The public beach has families and honeymooners but in Cayo Costa State Park, the beach is all yours. You will see gopher tortoises burrowing into the sand and dolphins playing close to the shore. One of the unique beauties of North Captiva Island is that there are no hotels. Rent North Captiva Island beach house rentals or North Captiva Island Florida vacation rentals.
Many people travel to Florida for beach vacations or theme-park resort visits. If you are planning to visit Florida vacation rentals and are in search of something different or somewhat untraditional, below are a few suggestions.
1. Tour dry Caves
Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna in Northwest Florida is one of the few U.S. parks and the [...] [...more]
Many people travel to Florida for beach vacations or theme-park resort visits. If you are planning to visit Florida vacation rentals and are in search of something different or somewhat untraditional, below are a few suggestions.
1. Tour dry Caves
Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna in Northwest Florida is one of the few U.S. parks and the only Florida park to offer tours of an air-filled cave. Native Americans used the cave for shelter for thousands of years.
2. Sleep Under the Sea
You can spend the night in Jules Underwater Lodge, an authentic underwater research habitat in Key Largo. The lodge offers three-day scuba diver certification classes during your stay. The accommodation is located in a mangrove lagoon.
3. Swim with Manatees
The only place is the U.S. where it is legal to swim with manatees is in Florida’s very own Crystal River. If you would rather watch, observe the manatees from Homosassa Springs. They say that the best time to swim with the manatees is in the winter when the come in search of warm waters.
4. Canoe Search for Shark Teeth
For 12 years in a row, the Peace River in Arcadia, Florida has been voted Florida’s best river/lake to canoe. The abundance of shark teeth in the river has initiated a common challenge to find as many shark teeth as possible on a canoe ride.
5. Art and Nature As One
The Cummer Museum of Art & Garden in Jacksonville, one of today’s largest collections of fine arts in Northeast Florida, originated as a collection of 60 fine art pieces in 1961. The 2.5-acre historic gardens of a 1903 residence flourish along the St. Johns River.
6. Bioluminescent Kayaking
Natural bioluminescent organisms in the lagoon of the Merrit Island National Wildfire Refuge make the waves take on a blue-green glowing light that resembles an undersea fire. This activity in Titusville is definitely something different. All things underwater from fish to your own hand will glow. Kayak tours are offered between summer and early fall.
7. Visit a Reconstructed Mission Site
Mission San Luis in Tallahassee is the only reconstructed mission site in the state. While you are there, visit the Spanish fort and the Franciscan Mission Church.
8. Reptile World
Reptile World in Serpentarium, St. Cloud is a working snake farm where poisonous snakes are milked for venom used for the purpose of medicine and herpetological research.
The main gay-friendly Florida vacations are in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Key West. The gay community has been influential in building those cities as top US gay-friendly Florida vacations destinations.
Gays and lesbians like to go on gay-friendly Florida vacations where they can avoid discrimination and find active gay communities, attractions and activities. Gay [...] [...more]
The main gay-friendly Florida vacations are in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Key West. The gay community has been influential in building those cities as top US gay-friendly Florida vacations destinations.
Gays and lesbians like to go on gay-friendly Florida vacations where they can avoid discrimination and find active gay communities, attractions and activities. Gay travelers like to stay in gay friendly Florida vacation rentals, shop in dedicated shops and party in gay clubs. Florida embraces and welcomes gays and lesbians on gay-friendly Florida vacations from all over the world. Not all the businesses listed are gay owned or run by gays but they are definitely gay-friendly. South Florida offers unique experiences and gay-friendlyFlorida vacations for gay travelers with plenty of exciting things to do. Enjoy both Gay Miami and Fort Lauderdale as they are only 30 minutes apart.
Aside from all of the amazing attraction, Florida casinos attract many vacationers. Many of the Florida casinos also feature dog-track racing. Florida casinos are somewhat limited as they are not allowed to offer Class III table games like blackjack, roulette or craps. You may find that there are different dress codes in some Florida Casinos [...] [...more]
Aside from all of the amazing attraction, Florida casinos attract many vacationers. Many of the Florida casinos also feature dog-track racing. Florida casinos are somewhat limited as they are not allowed to offer Class III table games like blackjack, roulette or craps. You may find that there are different dress codes in some Florida Casinos so check online beforehand. Below are some of Florida’s most popular casinos. There are many Florida vacation rentals close to the best casinos in the state. Search EscapeRental.com Florida vacation rentals data base to find accommodations near casinos.
Seminole Hard Rock Casino Hollywood, Florida Casinos
The Seminole Hard Rock Casino Hollywood opened its doors in 2004, offering the first Las Vegas-style Casino in South Florida. The Seminole Hard Rock Casino Hollywood is located in Broward County, just west of Fort Lauderdale. Visitors from Fort Lauderdale use the A1A/SR 5 to US441/SR 7 and reach the Florida casino in 25 minute. The quickest way to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino Hollywood from Miami Beach is to take I95 to the turnpike. Visitors in Miami can reach the Florida casino within 30 minutes. The Seminole Hard Rock Casino Hollywood is the core of the complex which is surrounded by nightclubs, lounges, bars restaurants, stores and a concert venue. The entertainment portion of the complex attracts 12,000 people per day during weekends. The hip and trendy restaurants offer excellent food. By mid March 2009, Opium Garden will join other Hard Rock nightclubs including Passions, Pangaea and Gryphon. The Seminole Hard Rock Casino Hollywood is one of the most popular in South Florida with a Las Vegas type of operation. Players will find a wide array of games including Vegas-style slots, poker, roulette, black jack and more. Find an affordable Hollywood vacation rental nearby.
Gulfstream Park, Florida casinos
Gulfstream Park is presently undergoing a massive renovation. The racino opened in November 2006 and offered the first Class 3 slots in Florida casinos. The renovation is focused on quality versus quantity and is trading its previous 1,200 Las Vegas-style slot machines games for just 850 of its best ones. When the renovation is finalized, Gulfstream Park will offer 70 stores and restaurants and new video poker rooms. The Florida casino is open around the clock on weekends. The Gulfstream Park, located in Hallandale, is easily reached from Fort Lauderdale using I-95 South to Hallandale Beach Boulevard and East to the corner of US-1 and Hallandale Beach Boulevard. If you are coming from Miami, take I-95 North to Ives Dairy Road and head east to the corner of US-1. Stay nearby in a Fort Lauderdale vacation rental.
Mardi Gras Gaming, Florida Casinos
Mardi Gras Gaming opened in December 2006 and offers more than 1,100 Vegas-style slots and 30 poker tables. Mardi Gras Gaming slot machines include Wheel of Fortune® Special Edition™ Super Spin™. The Florida casinos slots are linked to a progressive jackpot. The crowd at Mardi Gras Gaming consists of dedicated slot players. The 70,000 square foot Florida casino is located directly under the elevated grandstand of the race track. Aside from Greyhound racing, Mardi Gras Gaming offers pari-mutuel wagering everyday of the week on thoroughbreds and harness races from all over the country. Fans keep track of the races on the big screen TVs. Stay in affordable Fort Lauderdale vacation rentals and enjoy your time on vacation. You may take the Florida Turnpike to Hollywood Blvd and go East to I-95 South and exit on Pembroke Rd East. Mardi Gras Gaming is on the S.W. Corner of US 1 & Pembroke Road. You may also take I-95 to exit Pembroke Rd East and find Mardi Gras Gaming on the S.W. Corner of US 1 & Pembroke Road.
Isle at Pompano Park, Florida casinos
The Isle at Pompano Park is known by many as the most attractive of Florida casinos. The two-story, 157,000-square-foot Isle at Pompano Park opened in April 2007 and offers 1,500 Class 3 slot machines. In May 2007, 34 high-stakes poker tables were opened on the second floor. The Isle at Pompano Park has the look and feel of a big-time casino with bright colors, multiple video displays, a high-tech sports bar, a wagering area for the races and a new Winner’s Circle. The Isle at Pompano Park offers daily multi-table no-limit Texas hold ‘em tournaments and single table tournaments as high as $800. The Florida casinos restaurants include Farraddays’ steakhouse, a tropical-themed buffet, a full-service New York-style delicatessen and Italian osteria by Chef Luke Palladino.
Miami Miccosukee, Florida casino
Miami Miccosukee Resort & Gaming offers hotel, convention and special event accommodations. The 24-hour Class II Florida casino offers 1,000 Video Pull-Tab Machines, 58 Poker Tables, Lightning Lotto and High Stakes Bingo. Reportedly, the Miami Miccosukee Resort & Gaming monthly jackpots are currently over $22,000,000. Guests have five dining options including the Florida casinos steakhouse with exotic specialties and an International Buffet. The Florida casino offers daily live entertainment, dancing and sports events. The Miami Miccosukee Resort & Gaming is located on the Tamiami Trail, just over 10 miles west of Route 836 in Miami. Stay in Miami vacation rentals nearby and enjoy your stay.
Seminole Hollywood Casino, Florida casinos
The Seminole Hollywood Casino opened in 1979 as the first high-stakes Indian gaming operation in the country. The Seminole Hollywood Casino is just a half mile from the swanky Seminole Hard Rock Casino. The 73,000-square foot Seminole Hollywood Casino offers 850 gaming machines which are actually class II bingo video devices that look like slot machines. The Florida casinos poker area features 48 tables with progressive royal jackpots. The Florida casinos Bingo is a very big attraction. Rent affordable Hollywood vacation rentals nearby. The Seminole Hollywood Casino is located at 4150 North State Road 7 in Hollywood, Florida.
Tampa Seminole Hard Rock, Florida casinos
The Tampa Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is located just off I-4 and 10 minutes from downtown Tampa. The Florida casino has a large pool, a full-service spa, live entertainment and a fitness center. Strangely enough, this Tampa Seminole Hard Rock Hotel does not have a Hard Rock Cafe. It does have two first-class restaurants: the Council Oak for steaks and Floyd’s. The 150,000 square-foot Tampa Seminole Hard Rock offers 3,180 gaming machines and 50 live-action poker tables with games from Seven-Card Stud and Texas Hold’em to Omaha. The Florida casinos gaming machines are actually class II bingo video devices that look like slot machines. The Tampa Seminole Hard Rock poker room is open around-the-clock, with daily multiple-table tournaments and $140 to $1,050 single table offerings. The Tampa Seminole Hard Rock casino is located just off Interstate 4 at 5223 Orient Road in Tampa, Florida.
Seminole Casino Immokalee, Florida casinos
The Seminole Casino Immokalee is located about 45 minutes from Naples and Fort Myers. The Florida casinos 950 gaming machines are actually class II bingo video devices that look like slot machines. The Florida casinos 16 poker tables offer daily Live Texas Hold ‘em, Seven Card Stud and Omaha Hi-Lo. The highest jackpot paid to a single winner is $397,000. Enjoy a meal from the Florida casinos Seminole-style restaurant, the “EE-TO-LEET-KE Grill”. The Seminole Casino Immokalee is five blocks south of Route 29 at 506 South First Street.
Seminole Casino Brighton, Florida casinos
The Seminole Casino Brighton sits on Florida Highway 721, in an area of sugar cane fields and cattle ranches between S.R. 78 and S.R.70. The Florida casino is just west of Lake Okeechobee and a good 90 minutes inland from West Palm Beach. Presently, the Seminole Casino Brighton offers 10 poker tables, a 500-seat bingo hall and 240 gaming machines which are actually class II bingo video devices that look like slot machines. The Florida casinos games include Monopoly, Wheel of Fortune, Diamonds are Double, Wild Cherry and Red, White & Blue.
Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, Florida casinos
The 67,000 square-foot Seminole Casino Coconut Creek is located in northern Broward County, only 10 minutes from Boca Raton. The Seminole Casino Coconut Creek was renovated in 2006-2007 and transformed into a stylish casino with 1,510 gaming machines on the main floor. Just as in other Florida casinos, the gaming machines are actually class II bingo video devices that look like slot machines. The Florida casinos austere poker room offers 15 tables and is located on the second floor. The Seminole Casino Coconut Creek is located on Northwest 54th Street, just east of State Road 7 in Coconut Creek, Florida.
St Petersburg and Clearwater are located on a superb peninsula of the west coast of Florida where the white-sand beaches are pristine and clear. Every year, beaches in Florida receive awards and ranked as the nicest beaches in America. This part of Florida offers some of the nicest beaches in America. The Caladesi Beach in [...] [...more]
St Petersburg and Clearwater are located on a superb peninsula of the west coast of Florida where the white-sand beaches are pristine and clear. Every year, beaches in Florida receive awards and ranked as the nicest beaches in America. This part of Florida offers some of the nicest beaches in America. The Caladesi Beach in the Tampa Bay area was voted # 1 Beach in America by TripAdvisor in 2008 and The Fort de Soto Park, also in the Tampa Bay area, was voted the #1 Beach by TripAdvisor in America in 2005. This area has 35 miles of white, sandy, clear-water beaches and incredible sunsets. Visitors in Florida searching the guide of Florida for a beach vacation should definitely include St Petersburg and Clearwater in their itinerary.
According to the Travel Channel and our guide of Florida, the top ten beaches in Florida are as follows:
1. South Beach, Miami
2. Siesta Key Beach
3. Palm Beach
4. Lovers Key Beach
5. Clearwater Beach
6. Smathers Beach, Key West
7. Sanspur Beach, Bahia Honda State Park
8. Panama City Beach
9. Sanibel Island
10. Daytona Beach
Driving in Florida is very easy. As long as you obey traffic signs and the basic rules, you will be just fine. Traffic signs in Florida exist for your safety and convenience. If you are driving to Florida or planning on renting a car when you get here, familiarize yourself with a few of [...] [...more]
Driving in Florida is very easy. As long as you obey traffic signs and the basic rules, you will be just fine. Traffic signs in Florida exist for your safety and convenience. If you are driving to Florida or planning on renting a car when you get here, familiarize yourself with a few of the basic signs mentioned in the Florida Guide:
Stop signs
When driving in Florida, bring your vehicle to a complete stop at a stop sign. When you reach a 4-way stop sign, the rule is that the first car to arrive at their stop sign has the right of way and may cross first. The second car may proceed next and so on.
Speed limit
Within the state, speed limitations range between 30 to 45 miles per hour. Should you disobey the speed limit and get caught by a police officer while driving in Florida, be prepared to pay a fine. See our articles in the Florida Guide on radars and radar detectors to better understand and avoid trouble for speeding.
One Way sign
Some roads in Florida will have opposite traffic direction lanes set side-by-side. Some roads, however, are one-way streets. The one-way sign identifies these one-way streets in which traffic may only flow in one direction.
Do not block intersections at a red light
Make sure not to block an intersection at a red light. You can get a ticket for blocking the intersection. You can avoid doing this if you do not move forward to cross an intersection if you are unable to cross the entire intersection.
No U-Turn
Do not make a U-Turn where you see a No U-Turn sign. Again, if you break this rule, you may get a ticket. The Florida Guide suggests that instead, you proceed forward to the next corner that allows a U-Turn.
No turns
Some intersections have a signs indicating that turns are not allowed. Unless a specific turn is mentioned (right or left), you are not to make any turn in either direction. You may only drive forward. Follow these rules carefully when driving in Florida in order to avoid accidents or ticket fees.
Directional Street signs
Some lanes have directional information painted on the actual road. Make sure to be aware of whether the specific lane that you are in requires you to turn right, left or keep straight ahead. Make sure to obey these directions in order to avoid any accidents or fines while driving in Florida.
If you are a visitor planning to rent a car to drive in Florida, the Miami city guide urges you to exercise caution and follow Florida driving rules. In other US cities, drivers begin to stop while the light is yellow and are completely stopped by the time it turns red. In Florida, it is [...] [...more]
If you are a visitor planning to rent a car to drive in Florida, the Miami city guide urges you to exercise caution and follow Florida driving rules. In other US cities, drivers begin to stop while the light is yellow and are completely stopped by the time it turns red. In Florida, it is not uncommon to see drivers speed up and run through the light even seconds after the light has turned red.
Florida Police officers remain strict on the original meaning of a red light Florida driving rules. Stop at yellow lights. The fine for running a red light is expensive. Several cities in Florida have installed photograph robots that shoot pictures of drivers running a red light. The photographed violators of Florida driving rules will receive their ticket in the mail. Many times, a car rental agency will subtract fines from your credit card. Enjoy your holidays without taking risks or breaking Florida driving rules. If you are pulled over by an officer, consider the tips given in the Florida guide “What to do if you are stopped by a police officer” article.
Some portions of Florida highways have tolls which on average, cost about $1. Sometimes, you will get backed-up in traffic at these tolls. Florida travel guide suggests skipping the traffic and ordering a Florida Sunpass online at www.sunpass.com or at Publix Supermarkets and CVS pharmacies.
Check the Miami City Guide for the stores closest to your [...] [...more]
Some portions of Florida highways have tolls which on average, cost about $1. Sometimes, you will get backed-up in traffic at these tolls. Florida travel guide suggests skipping the traffic and ordering a Florida Sunpass online at www.sunpass.com or at Publix Supermarkets and CVS pharmacies.
Check the Miami City Guide for the stores closest to your Florida vacation rental. The Florida Sunpass is a prepaid device that transmits a radio signal to sensors mounted in the toll lanes as you drive through. The toll amount (less 25%) is then automatically deducted from your prepaid account. A long beep will let you know that the transponder was recognized and the toll cost was successfully paid. A different signal can mean that your credit is about to expire and needs to be replenished, is defective or low on battery. If you pass the toll with a faulty or unreplenished Florida Sunpass, you can be charged a $100 violation fee.
If you are visiting Florida, you may notice a sign with a diamond symbol on several highways. These symbols represent HOV lanes. Florida HOV lanes are reserved for vehicles with more than one passenger. The purpose of Florida HOV lanes is to minimize negative effects from traffic on the environment as well as reduce traffic [...] [...more]
If you are visiting Florida, you may notice a sign with a diamond symbol on several highways. These symbols represent HOV lanes. Florida HOV lanes are reserved for vehicles with more than one passenger. The purpose of Florida HOV lanes is to minimize negative effects from traffic on the environment as well as reduce traffic on Florida highways.
In 2008, Miami-Dade replaced their Florida HOV lanes with 2 lanes restricted to registered car poolers driving in Florida or those driving in Florida that are willing to pay a toll. A Florida Sunpass (www.sunpass.com) is required by anyone who opts to take the toll.
The toll amount (less 25%) is automatically debited from your prepaid account every time you drive through the lane. Toll prices vary according to highway congestion. The more congested the highway, the higher the toll price. High Occupancy Tolls, also called HOT, are meant to ease traffic. The toll cost changes according to real time traffic conditions to keep traffic flowing and driving in Florida less stressful.
Sunpasses can be ordered online or can be purchased at Publix supermarkets or CVS pharmacies. It is a prepaid toll that you can get for $5. Violations of the HOT lanes will cost you a fine of $100.
Florida is a large state and vacationers enjoying travel in Florida may choose from several alternatives of travel between cities. They may rent a car, take a plane, train or use the bus services in Florida. The easiest way to travel in Florida is probably by car. The extensive road system is easy to navigate [...] [...more]
Florida is a large state and vacationers enjoying travel in Florida may choose from several alternatives of travel between cities. They may rent a car, take a plane, train or use the bus services in Florida. The easiest way to travel in Florida is probably by car. The extensive road system is easy to navigate and renting a car in Florida is affordable.
Flying is also an easy option to travel in Florida with the large network of Florida airports. Bus services in Florida are probably the cheapest way to travel in Florida. Greyhound bus lines (www.greyhound.com) maintain the most extensive network of lines within the US and Florida. Greyhound bus services in Florida allow vacationers to see all the routes and rates offered. The main Miami bus services in Florida terminal is located at 411 Northwest 27th Street Miami, FL. For more information on bus services in Florida, call Greyhound at 305-871-18 10.
