Backpackers Travel Insurance Center

Florida, with a total area of approximately 58,000 square miles is the twenty second (22) largest state in the nation, however it’s population which is in excess of 17,000,000 makes it the nation’s fourth (4th) largest state population wise. It has over 1,800 miles of coastline with over 1,200 miles of beaches, over 5,000 islands, over 8,000 lakes including Lake Okeechobee, the second (2nd) largest freshwater lake in the United States, more than twenty (20) major commercial airports (twelve of which are international airports), fourteen (14) deepwater ports, over 385,000 hotel rooms, over 100,000 campsites and over 1,250 golf courses (more than any other state in the nation). Over 75,000,000 people visit Florida each year and over 350,000 people move to Florida each year.

Florida is a beach lover’s paradise, with it’s over 1,200 miles of sandy beaches (many of them are white sand) on the clear warm waters of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Go sunning, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving or surfing almost all year round. If you prefer freshwater swimming, you will find over 8,000 lakes with some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere.

Go saltwater or freshwater fishing to your hearts content. Go saltwater sport fishing for blue marlin, wahoo, sailfish, dolphin, kingfish, swordfish, yellowfin, blackfin tuna, redfish, bonefish, tarpon and numerous other sportfish. Go freshwater fishing in Florida’s canals, lakes, ponds, and rivers for bass, bluegill, crappie, bream, catfish, sturgeon and more (There are over 250 species of freshwater fish found in Florida.).

Florida’s is a golfer’s paradise with it’s over 1,250 beautiful, well maintained, golf courses (most of which can be played year round). Many of these courses are among the best in the world. Check out the Ocean Hammock course with it’s eight (8) oceanfront holes, or the Tournament Player Course at Sawgrass which is the is the Stadium course home for the annual Players’ Championship, or the Bay Hill invitational course in Orlando which is the masterpiece of golf legend Arnold Palmer, or the World Golf Village, in St. Augustine, which is home to the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Florida is teeming with amusement parks, zoos, museums, etc.. Visit Disney World, Kennedy Space Center, Epcot Center, Busch Gardens, Universal Studios, The Naples Zoo, Key West Aquarium, Sunken Gardens, St. Augustine Alligator Farm, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum, Gatorland, SeaWorld Adventure Park, Silver Springs, Animal Kingdom, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park, Disney-MGM Studios, Islands of Adventure, Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory, Big Cat Rescue, Butterfly World, The Shell Factory & Nature Park, Titanic - The Experience, Orange Blossom Balloon Rides, Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park, Parrot Jungle Island, Jungle Adventures, Lion Country Safari, Marineland, Dinosaur Adventure Land and dozens of other attractions.

Visit the 1,399,078 acre Everglades National Park, the only subtropical preserve in North America. It contains both temperate and tropical plant communities, including sawgrass prairies, mangrove and cypress swamps, pinelands, and hardwood hammocks, marine and estuarine environments, rich bird life with bald eagles and wading birds, such as the roseate spoonbill, wood stork, great blue heron and a variety of egrets along with owls, hawks, vultures, ducks and more. Alligators and crocodiles both inhabit the park. You will also find panthers, deer, boar, black bear, grey fox, manatee and many other species of animals. Tour the Evergaldes by airboat, riverboat, canoe, kayak, bicycle or car.

Go swimming, boating, camping, fishing, hiking, biking and hunting at Lake Okeechobee, at 730 square-miles it is Florida’s largest lake and the second largest freshwater lake in the United States.

Pamper yourself and stay at one of Florida’s many luxury resort hotels like, the Boca Raton Resort and Club, one of Florida’s several Ritz-Carlton Hotels, the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club, the Breakers, the St. Regis Hotel & Resort, The Colony Palm Beach, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Palm Beach and Miami, the Costa Del Sol, the Mandarin Oriental, LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, Don CeSar Beach Resort & Spa and many more.

If you don’t want to stay in a luxury hotel, Florida has hotels, condos, motels, RV parks and campgrounds in every price range.

For more information about the state of Florida see: http://www.usacitydirectories.com/florida.html, a directory of links to the state of Florida guides and directories listing hotels, restaurants, attorneys, real estate brokers, information, resources, services, things to do, places to go and more.

David G. Hallstrom, Sr. is a retired private investigator and is currently the publisher of several internet directories, including http://www.usacitydirectories.com a directory of national, state, county and city guides and directories listing local guides, directories, web sites and web pages providing resources, services and information about things to do and places to go.

Tags: destinations, florida, leisure, tourism, travel, vacationsdestinations, florida, leisure, tourism, travel, vacations

Share This

Scotland’s geography has been integral to its political, social, economic and cultural development, discover more about the physical make-up of the country, together with some facts and figures about its people.

What makes Scotland so distinctive? There are some things that are uniquely Scottish but in truth, there’s no single element that defines the country. Rather, it’s a subtle blend of many different ingredients that have been added to the mix down through the centuries. Here, you can find a flavour of these - Scotland’s often turbulent past, her extraordinary people, the rich diversity of her arts and culture, and the many other features found around the country which have produced a nation that treasures its past and keenly anticipates its future.

So whether you opt for a dedicated city-break or use them as a base to explore the surrounding countryside, Scotland’s cities offer a truly memorable experience.

A nation’s artistic and cultural life says much about its people and the vibrancy and creativity we display across a wide range of artforms quickly dispels the myth of the dour, downbeat Scot. In successive generations, Scotland has produced writers, painters, sculptors, musicians, composers and dancers whose talents have received both national and international acclaim.

Some of these artforms - such as our traditional dance and music - are uniquely Scottish both in style and inspiration and are appreciated chiefly at home. Others - such as theatre, opera and painting - draw on and incorporate influences from elsewhere in the world and consequently receive wider recognition. All, however, have the power to enthrall, challenge, provoke and inspire.

Scotland’s position on the edge of the European continent with sea on three sides means that the weather is very varied. Records show that May and June are usually drier than July and August.

Generally speaking, the east coast tends to be cool and dry, the west coast milder and wetter. July and August are normally the warmest months, average temperature of 15-19oC/60-68oF.

Historically, Scotland has always been a popular destination for those seeking a truly romantic setting in which to make their wedding vows and several recent high profile weddings have served to highlight the reputation of Scotland as a great place to tie the knot. As a country, Scotland is famous for its beautiful and unspoilt scenery, its distinctive culture and its dramatic history. In addition it is renowned for the high standard of its cuisine and the quality of its accommodation which ranges from bed and breakfasts to magnificent castles. Perhaps most importantly though, Scotland is famed for its hospitality and the genuine warmth of its people.

So, whether you are planning to ‘run away’ to Gretna Green for a small intimate wedding or to do something on a much larger scale, be it in a hotel or castle or even on a canal boat, Scotland offers endless possibilities to make that special day truly memorable.

Edinburgh has a network of local bus services allowing frequent travel throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians making this a great - and cost effective - way of getting around the city. Local bus companies offer daily bus tickets, which allow you unlimited travel in and around Edinburgh. You buy these tickets, and single journey tickets, on board the bus from the driver - remember that no change is given, so you’ll need the exact fare.

If you’re heading further afield, you can buy your coach tickets for UK and Scottish travel from the bus station in St Andrew Square in advance. And if you’re heading to the airport a regular express service runs from Waverley Bridge to Edinburgh Airport, with pick up points along the way.

You can also take in the sights of the city on one of the many Edinburgh bus tours - City Bus Tour tickets can be bought in person at the Edinburgh and Scotland Information Centre, 3 Princes Street or on Waverley Bridge, which is where the tours start.

The following companies can provide more information;

For travel in and around Edinburgh including Edinburgh Airport, city bus tours and night buses - Lothian Buses contact number - 0131 555 6363

For Travel in and around Edinburgh, Central and The Borders
First Buses contact number - 08708 72 72 71

Air travel-Scottish airlines or air operators servicing Scotland and/or Edinburgh include; BMI, Loch Lomond Seaplanes Scotland’s first commercial seaplane service, British Airways, Eastern Airways, EasyJet, Highland Airways and Loganair.

For more on Scotland please visit scotland travel or Fife information

Tags: edinburgh, scotland, scottish, travel, UKedinburgh, scotland, scottish, travel, UK

Share This

The day the sun came out was like heaven. I enjoyed the first Californian sun up here in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The air was refreshing and turned out to change my whole attitude.

The sun is out and all is well! At least that’s how I feel today. It’s amazing what a little sun can do for you. You start moving a little faster, doing a little more, and before you know it your winter life of baking and hanging around watching old movies is over.

You’re living outdoors, barbecuing, tending to the garden and watching the birds. I personally always buy a new piece of garden decor or lawn furniture. A new pine swing to grow my vines on, or windchime to intensify the joy of the warm soft breezes. Just sit back and enjoy your yard. Enjoy your family and the outdoor neighborhood. Take my advice and get outdoors while you can. Get out there before the rains set back in or even worse, the snow.

Don’t let this bit of spring freshness go by without trying to enjoy every bit of it. Take walks, sit outdoors, start planning your garden. It’s good for your soul. Let the sun make its changes in your attitude.

Mickey - http://www.frankandmickey.com

Tags: landscaping, lawn decor, leisure, travellandscaping, lawn decor, leisure, travel

Share This