Florida Keys – Beaches, Culture, Education and More

The Florida Keys are famous for their coral reefs, which encompass various activities such as fishing, diving, snorkeling and boating. But there are numerous other surprisingly diverse activities at the Keys, which make this region more than a destination for beach lovers.

Museums at the Keys

Off of Hwy 833, the Ah-Tha-Thi-Ki Museum boasts proximity to the Big Cypress Reservation, which exhibits unique artifacts that demonstrate how the Seminole ancestors lived in the Florida region that is dense with swamps and Everglades. The film “We Seminoles” tells the story in first person by the Seminoles ancestors and offers dramatic insight into the endeavor to remain Florida. The reservation offers nature trails throughout the sixty-acre property and provides visitors a unique view into a living village complete with its European influences.

Dolphin Research Centre

The Dolphin Research Centre in the Southern region of the Florida Keys offers visitors a rare opportunity to learn about dolphins and sea lions in their natural habitat of the Florida Keys.

The Dolphin Research Center provides many presentations each day, which display the dolphins’ skills at flying acrobatics, an educational session, which will teach fun facts about dolphins, new research studies and behavior training plus much more. The centre is a fun destination for families to spend the day.

Florida Keys Beaches

Naples and Marco Island in the northwest Keys off of Highway 41 offer the best starting points for visitors looking to enjoy the beaches of the Keys. They also offer easy access to the Everglades National Park, which offers scenic hiking trails and beautiful campgrounds.

A manageable drive from Miami’s International Airport offers a panoramic view off of the seven-mile bridge. After crossing the bride, the beaches to choose from are numerous and the land topography begins to change into a more rugged and less developed area.

Underwater Coral Reefs

A popular destination just south of Key Largo, the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park offers the opportunity to explore the underwater reefs and underwater reaches, which extend nearly three miles. For those that prefer to stay dry, visitors can rent canoes, dinghies and motorboats to explore the clear waters.

Pristine Beaches of Key West

After a thirty-seven mile drive from Key West, visitors converge on the five hundred and twenty-four acre Bahia Honda State Park, which boasts some of the most pristine beaches in Key West. The beaches display miles and miles of pristine white sand areas and the park is packed with a dense forest with hiking trails that allow visitors to see numerous unusual tree species.

For divers, there are daily trips to the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, which is a five-mile section of wild reef that is considered one of the most spectacular dive locations with unusual reef formations and bountiful marine life.

A trip to the Florida Keys can offer a diverse recreation schedule that includes culture, education as well as the pristine white beaches of which the Florida Keys have become justifiable famous.

Contact a Travel Agent or Plan Your Vacation Online

Many travelers prefer to organize their Florida Keys vacation through a reputable travel agency, but there are also groups of people that thrive off of the adventure of planning their own Florida Keys ultimate travel schedule with thorough research and planning.

Sales on Florida Beach Vacations

Hotel Profits Down, Vacationers Benefit

Because of the growing uncertainty in the financial markets, hotel companies' profits are going down, but the bright spot of this scenario is a new wave of sales on hotels and beach vacations across the United States exists, including at some of the most pristine beaches of Florida.

A recent report released stated that the hotel industry has suffered a seventy-six percent decline in sales during the first half of 2008 compared to the record sales levels of 2007. The highest drop of hotel sales was in North and South American, only to be followed by Asia, which has lost sixty-seven percent of their gross profit.

Even though the United States hotel industry remains more liquid and it accounts for more than a whopping six billion dollars in sales for the first half of 2008, hotel sales are down by all indications. However, the hotel industry as a whole in the United States is still raking in the cash from vacationers looking for a fun vacation or business travelers who need a place to rest their head in between meetings. What does this mean to people looking for a fun beach vacation on sandy-white beaches? Sales!

Sales Offered for Hotel Rooms in Florida, North Carolina and Texas

Hotel chains across the United States are offering sales to residents of their state in an effort to encourage people to vacation; even though gasoline prices are skyrocketing. The strategy is working and despite the weakened U.S. economy, people are vacationing more often in their states or taking advantage of the numerous hotel room sales to take that trip they have been waiting for.

People looking for a family-friendly beach in Florida, North Carolina and Texas can find deep discount sales on hotel rooms at almost every type of hotel. Even beach hotels, chic hotels and four or five star hotels are offering discounts.

Discount Hotel Rooms for In- State Vacationers

As with many deals that seem too good to be true, there are some restrictions. The discount hotel rooms are based, of course, on availability, and most require a minimum amount of nights that the vacationer must stay, plus the proper identification. Many hotel properties do not advertise the discount hotel rooms, but will provide them for those that call in advance and ask for discounts.

The majority of the beach hotel deals are available for travelers at individual hotels, instead of their entire chain. Marriott, for example, is rumored to be testing this idea by extending a fifteen to twenty-five percent discount for people who stay at least two days through the Labor day holiday at over twenty of their Florida hotels near wonderful stopping places that are fun such as Disney World as well as the clean, white-sand beaches of Florida. They are also offering additional discounts at Florida hotels for people who reside in the state of Florida. The marketing strategy is rumored to be offered at hotels within the Marriott's, Courtyards and other Marriott hotel brands. If the strategy increases business, indications are that Marriott intends to extend it and possibly widen the offers.

Florida Vacations

Contrary to popular stereotypes, Florida is not merely composed of white-sand beaches and theme parks. Many other popular destinations, such as the Palm Coast, Amelia Island and Flager Beach attract visitors with their vacation experiences unlike any others.

The lovely Amelia Island shows off its unique Victorian designs, which are suggestive of nineteenth century architecture. The Palm Coast is special for travelers who are looking for culture and adventure. There is something for everyone if you are looking for a beach vacation memory, but do not want to be lost in a crowd of travelers lined up on the beach. Flager Beach is just the place for solitude and beauty on the beaches of Florida.

Save on Your Florida Beach Hotel

The best practice for discount hunters who want to visit a Florida beach is to book your hotel room online. There are numerous travel web sites such as Rentalo.com or HomeAway.com, which are popular lodging forums. You can view pictures of the hotel room or rental, communicate with the owner or manager, negotiate and find something to your liking that is well within you budget.

If you are looking for a specific destination in Florida, there are many offers available for the budget conscious traveler. The sales of Florida beach vacations are there, you just need to do a little research.

Texas Beachgoers Flock to Florida Beaches

Hurricane Takes Aim at Texas - Beachgoers Flock to Florida Beaches

Many families had planned their Texas beach vacation for months. But as Hurricane Dolly strengthened into a Category 2 storm Wednesday, these vacationers were planning their escape route. After all, the maximum sustained winds are near 100 mph and the hurricane's leading edge lashed the Gulf Coast near the Texas-Mexico border with heavy rain and powerful winds.

The center of the Category 2 hurricane was expected to make landfall later Wednesday and dump up to 15 inches of rain, threatening flooding that could breach levees in the heavily populated Rio Grande valley.

Dolly, upgraded from a tropical storm Tuesday, and became a Category 2 storm on Wednesday morning.

With hurricane force winds strengthening, many people on vacation at Texas beaches are planning their exit strategy. And without letting the vacation turn into a complete loss, many Texas hurricane evacuees are flocking to the pristine beaches of Florida.

Getting to Florida from Texas

The drive from Texas to Florida is a memorable experience as you get to witness the beauty of the Deep South. The drive consists of a long stretch of travel along Interstate 10. If you are traveling in a Suburban, you can take turns driving while the other passenger sleeps in the third row. Depending on the area of Texas in which you begin your trip, the drive could last as little as twelve hours and as long as twenty-two.

Florida's Panhandle Beaches

The Florida Panhandle Beaches are among some of the most beautiful in the United States. Several of the beaches along this stretch of highway are within the Florida State Park system and are available for use for only a small fee. The beaches are clean and pristine, with white sand beaches and well protected sand dunes.

The beaches along the Alabama and Florida border near the Florida Panhandle, from Cape San Blas with emerald shorelines to deep blue seawaters have sugary-like white sand beaches. These Florida beaches are often referred to as a "visual feast" and for those that are in Texas for a beach vacation who are disappointed by the coming hurricane - the drive to Florida is well worth it.

My Search For a Dog Friendly, Florida Beach House Rental

My family and I are ready for a beach vacation.

We scoured the Internet for a beach house that we could rent that would let us bring our sweet dog, a Golden Doodle that goes with us everywhere.

(See from the expression on his face? He is dreaming about a beach in Florida.)

At first we found a condo that was dog friendly in South Padre Island, Texas. After calling to speak to the manager, he assured us that it was dog friendly. The travel agent we used even promised us that it was dog friendly and that we could take our beloved Golden Doodle on the beach to play. Then, I did some more research. I found the websites for the beaches in the vicinity and found that they do not allow dogs. I was ALMOST duped. Can you imagine if I had driven all that way only to discover that I could not bring my dog on the beach? It would have been a complete loss and my kids would have been disappointed.

The Search for a Dog Friendly Beach House

So I started searching for really pet friendly accommodations. I searched and found many that would let you bring your dog on the beach with a leash. That would not work for my dog. He loves to run and make new friends. He would never hurt anyone, except to lick them in an effort to be friendly.

Dog Friendly Florida Beach and Dog Friendly Beach House Rental

I stumbled upon a beach in Florida that is dog friendly - they let the dogs in the beach houses they rent and they let the dogs roam on the beach with no leash. They even provide a list of restaurants nearby that are within walking distance that will let you bring your dog, if you call ahead.

The name of this oasis - Cape San Blas Beach Vacation Rentals Barrier Dunes: Florida Panhandle, Pet Friendly Beach! And because it is located on the Northwest Florida Panhandle, the drive to the beach would not be too bad. I estimate around eight hours from Texas. I would make a small bed for my dog in the back, buckle in the kids, load up an ice chest, negotiate my husband to join us, and off I could go. Before I knew it, the entire family could be in paradise. I haven't been there - yet - but am about to make my reservation for Spring Break or the first part of summer in 2009. I can't wait. My family and dog will love it!

Vacation to Fort Walton Beach, Destin

Fort Walton Beach, Destin or Okaloosa Island

Fort Walton Beach is renowned for its pale sand beaches, coupled with both commercial and entertaining sportsman fleets, and aquatic activities. It's not uncustomary to discover a kite surfer or possibly a dolphin when you are visiting the beach for a week. As with several Florida Panhandle vacation destinations, the midsummer is eventful with explorers from well beyond the Southeast area of the United States. The sporting activities are above par all season and the graceful coast resorts are invariably welcoming. Fort Walton Beach is center to a boardwalk and jetty with fun nighttime activities, and ample shopping to do any time of the day or night.

The Drive to Destin

Many travelers drive to Destin/Fort Walton beach area to save on airline costs. The drive is not too long and if you wake up around 3:30 to get started on the road trip by 4:00, the kids can sleep while the adults drive. When the kids awake they will be delighted to see the white sand beaches at the destination. A quick trip to the store and the kitchen of the vacation rental is stocked full of groceries so much that it will resemble home. Many beach house rentals have access to the beach and some even have a pool table to keep the kids occupied while not at the beach. The week is full of fun activities.

Why Choose Florida's Emerald Coast?

This Florida beach vacation destination has been acclaimed as the "Number One Beach in the South" by the readers of Southern Living for the last four consecutive years. The shockingly beautiful white sands and brilliant green waters with the twenty-four miles of Northwest Florida's Emerald Coast are somewhat unquenchable. Once you have experienced these beaches, the desire to return and experience its beauty is everlasting.

Encompassed by the Gulf, Choctawhatchee Bay, Santa Rosa Sound, and vested with miles of docks and harbors, a recuperative water surround emerges. Scattered with sea oats, beach pine trees and magnolias full of blossoms, six miles overextends with of mellow sand dunes exchanged with glimpses of culture and pockets of beach parks with decks and gazebos lengthwise an enchanting coastline.

Weather at the Beach

The Emerald Coast's sweet-smelling subtropical air is one of the area's richly valued assets. An intermediate annual climate of sixty degrees provides very much of an alteration in the temperature to point the shifting seasons.

High reaching temperatures in the summer range from eighty to ninety degrees, and winter highs reach from fifty to seventy-five degrees. The rainfall is just enough to fuel the growth of deep colored flowers and vegetation and averages mid fifty to sixty days a year. There are few days that are without sunshine for fun outdoor activities.

Beaches of Florida's Emerald Coast

The most popular of the beach front parks include four that were recently refurbished: Beasley, James Lee, Marler Memorial and Wayside Parks. Six beach parks characterized as "mini-parks" include ADA accessibility, clean showers and bathrooms, which are available for everyone to enjoy. The beaches find that their greatest assets include their coastal dunes. Erosion is a pensive quandary along the thirty miles of coastal areas in the county.

The dunes are delicate and can be easily damaged, therefore they need certain safeguards be observed in order to be sure that their continued beauty exist for people to enjoy. Coastal dunes sweep from seemingly supposedly low lying sand hills to shapely hills that are over fifty feet in height. Dunes with little vegetation are vulnerable to erosion by the identical forces by which they were formed - the waves and wind. The almost bleach-like sand dunes are compiled by sand that blows into the vegetated areas up on the beach. The dunes protect against flooding and act as a source of replenishment of sand to the beach. The sand from the dunes can wash away during storms and hurricanes, which in-turn reduces the strong force of the waves. The sand dunes are a beautiful, yet powerful force of nature that should be protected.