Palm Beach Florida Vacation Highlights

While Palm Beach is renowned for exclusive enclaves of millionaire's winter beach houses and shopping for wildly expensive designer labels in exclusive boutiques. However, the area has a lot more to offer visitors than just a peek at the rich and famous lifestyles.

The city is synonymous with world class beaches, great golf, tennis, boating and diving. There are over 1,100 tennis courts and more than 150 golf courses within the Palm Beach County precincts. Two golf courses that accept the general public are the Emerald Dunes Golf Course located in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Public Golf Course on The Island.

Palm Beach is a popular destination for scuba divers as they can reach the off shore reef using guide boats operating from the local marinas. As with nearly all Florida beach destinations, Palm Beach offers lots of opportunities for water sports such as sail boating, jet-skiing, kayaking, water skiing, para-sailing and fishing.

The railroad and oil baron Henry Flagler commissioned a luxury mansion as a wedding present to his third wife. This building is now the renowned Flagler Museum. Referred to as the "Taj Mahal of North America", the mansion has 55 rooms furnished with European antique pieces in a variety of styles and themes. The mansion is set in magnificent grounds, the highlight of which is Mr. Flagler's restored, private railroad car.

First opened in 1941, the Norton Museum of Art is now recognized the world over for its permanent collections and the quality of its traveling exhibitions. The display featured the art collections of Ralph and Elizabeth Norton and now houses a French collection that contains works by Cézanne, Degas, Gauguin, Matisse, Monet, Picasso, Pissarro, and Renoir. The permanent exhibits also contain paintings by Pollock, O'Keefe, Warhol and Hopper.

A favorite with younger children is the Playmobil Fun Park with a replica castle and themed play areas such as a western town, medieval village and a fantasy doll house.

Over 1,300 animals are kept at Lion Country Safari and range from elephants, wildebeest, ostriches, chimpanzees, antelopes, American bison, buffalo, flamingos and many other unusual species. The 500 acre animal preserve is divided into simulated geographical regions that range from the East African Serengeti to the American West.

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Florida Beaches for Everyone

Florida is known as the land of sun and it's no wonder because most of it has beaches that sit along both the Atlantic Ocean and the warm Gulf of Mexico. Often, when people think of having a beach vacation, they think of visiting Florida. Below are some of the regions with brief descriptions of a few of the beaches of the 'Sunshine State'.

Florida Gulf Coast Beaches

Fort Myers Beach is party central and is a known hot spot for those fun-loving Spring Break Party kids. If you are wanting party fun with beach bars and hotels that line the shores, head to Fort Myers Beach.

If you are in the mood for romance, Sanibel Island might be more to your liking. This peaceful spot is a nature lover's paradise, known for the best seashells in the world. Other beaches that grace the Gulf coast region are those in Naples, Lover's Key State Park, Manatee County, Crescent at Siesta Key, St. Pete Beach (think camping!), and Cayo Costa State Park.

Orlando Area Beaches

Located along the east side of Florida, are the Orlando area beaches. One of the most well-known is Daytona, with flat, wide, coastal areas used also for parking for vehicles. This area is very nice to visit outside of the Bike Week in March and Spring Break season. Cocoa Beach is a surfing hub that offers family-friendly fun. If riding the waves of the Atlantic is your thing, then this is your beach to visit. Other fun Orlando area beaches are New Smyrna, Melbourne and Sebastian Inlet.

Florida East Coast Beaches

The east coast beaches of Florida include the Orlando area beaches plus several more located along the Atlantic Ocean coast. Boca Raton / Deerfield Beach offers fun for the water sports enthusiast featuring jet skis, sailing, surfing and water skiing. The Fernandina Beach is located on historical Amelia Island. Spend the days fishing and enjoying beach activities, as well as shopping. It is also family-friendly and great for romantic getaways too. Also along the east coast are Fort Lauderdale, Fort Pierce, Hollywood Beach, Miami Beach (one of the most famous hot spots in Florida!), St. Augustine, and West Palm Beach.

South Florida Beaches

Located at the southern tip of Florida, are the amazing Keys. This area is known for being laid back in a tropical paradise. The Bahia Honda State Park is home to three of the best Keys beaches in Florida: Calusa, Loggerhead and Sandspur Beach. These span the Gulf of Mexico (Calusa) and Atlantic sides (Loggerhead and Sandspur). Smathers has free access to the shores, which host volleyball, parasailing, and kayaking and also snorkeling. Sit back in a lounge chair and enjoy the calm waters of Key West. The other beaches that makes up South Florida are Fort Zachary Taylor, South Beach (you are sure to have
heard of this famous hot spot), Palm, Stuart, and the Miami beaches of 12th Street (for gays and lesbians), Haulover (nudist), Bill Baggs Park and Crandon Park.

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Daytona Beach Hotels - Enjoy a Great Vacation in Florida

Spring break is only a few short months away. When cold mother winter sets in, it's time to start planning that spring break beach vacation. But you don't want to make a reservation at just any hotel in Daytona Beach. There are many hotels who boast 'ocean views,' but in fact a short walk is often involved. Not every hotel is right on the beach, so before you book anything, find a system that maps hotels daytona beach. You're spending all that money to be on the beach, to be in the middle of the party. Why waste your money on a hotel that doesn't have the ocean in its backyard?

If you know anything about spring break vacations, then you know that the parties take place on the beach. There might be live music playing, or volleyball tournaments or other sports. Some people will spend most of their time surfing the waves, or laying in the sand working on their tans. To each their own. It would be a shame to go all the way to Florida if you don't first check maps hotels Daytona beach. Just make sure the hotel says 'oceanfront' in the title, such as "Daytona Beach Oceanside Inn," or "Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort" or "Super 8 Oceanfront.

"If the crowd is too much for you, then you might want to consider heading to Florida before or after spring break. Usually when January and February set in, you're suffering from cabin fever. The hustle and bustle of the holidays are over, and you're tired of being chilled to the bones. Even the thought of a nice warm Daytona Beach vacation warms your soul. First find out when all the college spring breaks are, and then plan on heading down either right after Christmas, or long before Easter. If you wait any longer to go, it will most likely be too hot. But if you're an avid swimmer, then a nice hot day at the beach probably sounds pretty good to you.

A beach vacation might even be the perfect Christmas present, speaking of Christmas. Wouldn't your kids be thrilled to open up tickets to a sunny, warm beach vacation? Throw in a couple Disney tickets, and you're the King of the world as far as they're concerned. After a few busy days at Disney, a nice quiet down time at the beach is just the thing. But don't pick just any hotel - you need to be right on the ocean. If you spend some time looking for maps hotels daytona beach, you will nail it on the head. You'll find that perfect beach getaway hotel surrounded by a crystal blue ocean background, and you will be able to just lay on the sand for days, like a beached whale.

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Best Florida Hotels - Guide to Hotel Star Ratings

If you are going to be heading out to Florida for a beach vacation then you should be aware of the various options that are available in terms of hotels. The truth is that while there are loads of great hotels to choose from not all of them are alike. There are hotel star ratings that are used for all of the Florida beach hotels.

First, it should be noted that although the hotels that you will come across are ones that have star ratings there is no definite standard as to how hotel star ratings are formed anywhere. The main factor involved with the stars deals with the price of the hotel in terms of rent. Of course, certain features in these hotels will add to the ratings. You're going to certainly pay more for a four star hotel than that of a two star hotel.

All sorts of special features will increase the ratings of hotels for Florida beach locations. Places that have their own private restaurants will have higher star ratings. Also, places with larger rooms that have more features will generally have higher star ratings.

One of the most common things that can be found among three and four start hotels in Florida is that of the private features that these restaurants have. For instance, some of these hotels will have private beach areas that are off limits to people who are not visiting the hotel. Others will have golf courses that are available only to those who are staying at that hotel. Spa treatments and other luxury amenities that are available to guests can be found in some of these higher end hotels as well.

The distance to certain top destinations will be a major factor too. Places that are closer to the airport will be lower in terms of ratings because of the noise factors involved with the airport nearby. Places near top locations near the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean will be different though. These hotels will be closer to some of the best hotspots on the beaches of Florida and therefore will be more appealing places for Florida beach vacations. As a result their ratings will be higher.

Hotel star ratings do not have their specific requirements as to what is needed for a hotel to have a certain rating. However, these ratings will mean different things for people on Florida beach vacations. They will suggest that there are more private features for guests and that they are closer to hot areas in Florida. The cost of the hotel for guests will be the most notable factor for hotel star ratings though.

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South Beach Florida Hotels

South Beach in Miami is the most famous tourist destination for youngsters perhaps, for its night life. The pulsating music of Latin beats along with the intoxicating aroma of Cuban cuisine from the road side cafes makes this destination irresistible for any connoisseur of food, music and carefree life.

Even if you are one of those people who plan for every trip at the very last moment, you have nothing to fear when it comes to getting your hotel reservations done for South Beach hotels. You just need to go online, choose the kind of hotel that seems most suitable to your budget and go ahead with the booking. You have the option of taking your pick from a long list of luxury resorts and hotels, medium budget accommodations, those that are extremely pocket friendly and places that offer special discount packages.

The prices of rooms on per night per person sharing basis can range from anywhere between £20 and £800 depending upon your choice. While even the cheapest hotels will offer you the luxury of the view of the beautiful South Beach, the high end accommodations come with a number of other conveniences that can make your trip truly memorable. Rooftop swimming pools, bar and lounge, private luxury suites with excellent room service, 24hrs-internet access and a number of other amenities makes the money spent on these luxurious accommodations worth it.

The hotels listed in the "standard" category or the medium budget accommodations too are equally competitive. You can get almost all the facilities that are offered by the luxury destination at these hotels, only at cheaper rates. Whether it is a twenty four hour reservation desk or room service, a swimming pool, a bar or a concierge, these hotels have it all. Most of these hotels also boast of their excellent restaurants.

It would not be wrong to say that a large variety of choices makes selection more difficult. Advertisements are meant only to guide; one must keep one's requirements and budget in mind and carefully select the accommodation. So, choose the best to make your stay at South Beach a truly memorable experience.

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Discover the Best Beach Hotels Around Florida Keys

Florida has many gorgeous places, and there is no doubt: Redondo Beach is one of the best beaches around. Here you can have a great day at the beach, and then have a nice walk to the Redondo Beach Pier, where you will find many local restaurants with delightful cuisine. After you have had your supper, you can go shopping at local shops, or you can go fishing. The beach pier is open 24 hours a day, so it is not a problem if you want to watch the sunrise, and then go surfing in the morning.

As for lodging, there is something for everyone at Redondo Beach: there are luxury resorts and charming, small motels and inns. But you can be sure you will stay up in the evening: this is because Brixton South Bay comes alive after sunset. You will be able to hear the best live music in town, and with some luck, you will be able to catch some really famous rock band. The restaurants and bars are open all night, so if you get hungry or thirsty, you can refresh yourself.

The Crown Plaza and Marina Hotel is one of the most famous hotels in Redondo Beach. The hotel can be found on the pacific coast, near King Harbor and the beautiful Redondo Municipal Pier. This hotel captures the spirit of Redondo Beach to perfection, and you can have gorgeous views from the hotel room. There is a great sandy beach just outside the hotel, and this is where you will be able to catch a bus or boat to Los Angeles, Catilina Island and the beach communities of El Segundo, Torrance, Hermosa Beach and Gardena.

Another great place to stay is the Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club. This hotel has luxurious waterfront accommodations, viewing King Harbor, with breathtaking scenes from sunsets, sailboats to dolphins and pelicans. The hotel was completely restored and refurbished not long ago, so you will be able to wonder at the new, ocean-inspired theme for the lobby, and upgraded guest rooms and baths.

For those who are looking for a cheaper place to stay, Best Western Redondo Beach Inn can be a great opportunity. The inn is only 9 miles south from Los Angeles International Airport and the beach is also within walking distance. Because of its great location, the Best Western Redondo Beach Inn is hugely popular among business and leisure travelers.

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Discover the Best Beach Hotels Around Florida Keys

Florida has many gorgeous places, and there is no doubt: Redondo Beach is one of the best beaches around. Here you can have a great day at the beach, and then have a nice walk to the Redondo Beach Pier, where you will find many local restaurants with delightful cuisine. After you have had your supper, you can go shopping at local shops, or you can go fishing. The beach pier is open 24 hours a day, so it is not a problem if you want to watch the sunrise, and then go surfing in the morning.

As for lodging, there is something for everyone at Redondo Beach: there are luxury resorts and charming, small motels and inns. But you can be sure you will stay up in the evening: this is because Brixton South Bay comes alive after sunset. You will be able to hear the best live music in town, and with some luck, you will be able to catch some really famous rock band. The restaurants and bars are open all night, so if you get hungry or thirsty, you can refresh yourself.

The Crown Plaza and Marina Hotel is one of the most famous hotels in Redondo Beach. The hotel can be found on the pacific coast, near King Harbor and the beautiful Redondo Municipal Pier. This hotel captures the spirit of Redondo Beach to perfection, and you can have gorgeous views from the hotel room. There is a great sandy beach just outside the hotel, and this is where you will be able to catch a bus or boat to Los Angeles, Catilina Island and the beach communities of El Segundo, Torrance, Hermosa Beach and Gardena.

Another great place to stay is the Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club. This hotel has luxurious waterfront accommodations, viewing King Harbor, with breathtaking scenes from sunsets, sailboats to dolphins and pelicans. The hotel was completely restored and refurbished not long ago, so you will be able to wonder at the new, ocean-inspired theme for the lobby, and upgraded guest rooms and baths.

For those who are looking for a cheaper place to stay, Best Western Redondo Beach Inn can be a great opportunity. The inn is only 9 miles south from Los Angeles International Airport and the beach is also within walking distance. Because of its great location, the Best Western Redondo Beach Inn is hugely popular among business and leisure travelers.

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