Orlando - One of the Best Vacation Spots around

Known around the world as The Sunshine State, Florida is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the U.S. because of the abundance of tourist attractions in the state. Inside Florida, there are several cities that are known to keep tourists coming back for more vacations. Orlando is one of those places that deserve a repeat visit from both local and foreign visitors. The fifth largest city in Florida is the third most-visited U.S. city among travelers in 2007 and boasts of a large multi-racial population, which makes it one of the most tourist-friendly spots in the world.

Orlando is known as the home of theme parks and amusement attractions, which include SeaWorld, the Universal Orlando Resort and of course, the Walt Disney Resort. The latter alone gets thousands of visitors annually, which contributes greatly to Orlando’s local income.

If you are planning to take a vacation in Orlando, the first thing that you should do is to find great accommodations. You will never run of places to stay in the city, no matter what budget you are in. There are posh hotels for those who want everything first-class and there are moderately-priced motels and inns for those who are in a tight budget. Staying in hotels near the theme parks is more convenient for those who plan to spend most of their vacation exploring Orlando’s amusement attractions. To give you an idea where to stay during your vacation, here are some places you might want to check out:

Those who will be taking a family vacation and have more cash to spend will definitely love it here in Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa. This luxurious condominium property has beautiful, spacious units with full kitchens and modern amenities. You can choose between the two, three and four-bedroom suites. The resort also offers free rides to the major theme parks in Orlando.

Those who want to stay near Universal Studios should definitely check out Hawthorne Suites Universal. The hotel is a big favorite among families because of its convenient location. Guests can enjoy free shuttle service if they want to go to the city’s major attractions. Business guests will definitely enjoy the convenience of having meeting rooms located near Universal Studios and wireless high-speed internet access.

Golf lovers should book their rooms at the Tuscana Resort, which is situated near Champions Gate, Orlando’s premiere golf community. The resort’s location makes it accessible to those who want to go to Central Florida. The beaches in the East and West coast are just 60 miles away from the resort. Choose from two and three-bedroom condo units, which are all equipped with the most desirable amenities.

When you find the perfect accommodation for you and your companions, the next thing that you should do is to make your itinerary. Understandably, this will be quite difficult to accomplish since there are so many places in Orlando that you should visit. A lot of visitors swear that a three-day vacation is not enough to explore majority of what Orlando has to offer. To help you out with your planning, here is a short list of the places that you should definitely include in your itinerary:

No vacation in Orlando is complete without going to Walt Disney World. Made of four massive parks filled with mind-boggling amount of attractions, which include shows and rides, visitors often find themselves spending more than one day immersing themselves in the Disney experience. Walt Disney World can bring out the kid in most adults, even in this day and age.

Movie buffs will kill for a chance to get their foot inside Universal Studios in Florida. The spectacular “movie rides” inside the studios are enough to keep fans excited, but there is more in store for them. There are also educational attractions where they can learn the secrets of movie-making.

If you want a one-stop vacation destination in Orlando, then head to Universal Orlando Resort. The sprawling property is a world of its own, where everything is within the reach of visitors. Book rooms at the resort’s luxurious resort hotels, where you will get lavish VIP treatment. Two magnificent theme parks will definitely fill your days with inexhaustible delight. The resort has lots of options for dining and shopping, as well as venues and events for an exciting night life.

Immerse yourself in a great ocean adventure with the world-famous SeaWorld Adventure Park. This aquatic-themed haven is always filled with tourists who want to see some of the most wonderful underwater species in captivity. Aside from the massive aquariums and fish tanks, the park has thrilling rides, including the Kraken, the longest and fastest floorless roller coaster in Orlando. You will also enjoy delightful shows which showcase the smartest animals in the park.

Those who live for the thrill of riding in the scariest roller coasters should put the Busch Gardens Tampa at the top of their must-see list. It is home to some of the biggest and fastest roller coasters around. You will have to drive for an hour from Central Florida to get here, but it is definitely worth it, especially for rollercoaster enthusiasts. Test your heart and stomachs and ride the Montu, an Egyptian-themed coaster with a 60-foot vertical loop and inverse diving loop. Or better yet, ride the Kumba, famous for its diving loop and 110-feet plunge.

Those with the need for speed will definitely love it here at Daytona International Speedway. This 60,000 square-foot motor sports attraction showcases the best of the fastest, most adrenaline-inducing sport in the world. This interactive attraction features high-technology motion simulators and bumper-to-bumper competition on the speedway’s historic banks. A day at the Daytona International Speedway will definitely set your heart pumping in triple amounts.

If you seek more than theme parks and roller coasters, then head to Loch Haven Park and visit the Orlando Museum of Art, the largest modern art museum in the city. Immerse yourself in endless displays of landscapes, portraits and impressionist works.

The city also caters to tourists who do not have the heart to try out scary rides or stay in noisy, adventure-filled locations. Those who prefer to spend their vacation in Florida in a more quiet and leisurely way should head out the golf courses. Orlando is home to some of the most excellent golf courses in the country. Here are some of the best ones in the city:

For a truly world-class golf experience, head to ChampionsGate International, a 36-hole golf course designed by no less than international golf champion Greg Norman. It is comparable to the excellent old golf courses in Ireland and Scotland. It is also the location of the headquarters of the David Leadbetter Golf Academy.

This 18-hole par 72 golf course is considered as one of the best ones in Orlando because it still honors the timeless traditions of the sport. Known as a Rees Jones Signature Design Masterpiece, the facilities of the Falcons Fire are the standard to which all the other golf facilities are compared to. The excellent conditions of the golf courses are maintained 12 months a year, so visitors can play golf anytime of the year.

Those who want to play golf in surrounded by the best sceneries in Florida should take their game to the Highlands Reserve. The property is located at one of the highest areas in the state, which makes for an exhilarating golf experience. Designed by Mike Dasher, the Highlands Reserve has spacious fairways just like those found in the great courses in Scotland, lined with fresh pine-trees that remind one of the Carolinas.

This is the first golf course specifically designed by professional women golfers. Another masterpiece from Rees Jones, it has Scottish-style course with five sets of tee markers. Golfers can play from 5,131 yards to 7,088 yards. The course is surrounded by nature preserves and peaceful marsh areas, as well as water hazards strategically placed around the entire property.

Want to play affordable golf and eat great food after games? Go to Remington Golf Club, where you can avail of their All U can pricing. This entitles you to unlimited practice and play all day at the course, which includes the use of the 18-hole championship layout and unique aqua driving range. Famished with all that golf? Satisfy your taste buds at the Remington Bar and Grill with their fantastic chows and drinks.

Speaking of food, a significant part of your Orlando vacation should be spent trying out the gastronomical delights that the city has to offer. Behold Orlando’s superb restaurants and bars, which range from the best fining dining spots to places for unbelievably affordable but delicious meals. Reserve a table at the following restaurants:

Located at Parc Corniche Drive, the Calypso Bar and Grill is a tropical-themed restaurant which offers soups, sandwiches and salads. A fully-stocked bar is ready for those who want to booze up and just hang out. You must try their refreshing daiquiris, margaritas and their famous Pina Colada.

Steak lovers should get their fill of the finest beef at Charley’s Steakhouse at International Drive. The restaurant selects only the best grain-fed steer approved by the USDA Prime and Choice. The loins are aged for four weeks minimum to achieve the perfect flavor and tenderness. The steaks are broiled on natural wood-burning pits which remove excess fat and retain the excellent flavor of the beef.

If you are craving for the freshest seafood dishes, then Bonefish Grill at West Sand Lake Road is the place for you. Here, fish and other seafood products are delivered straight from the ocean, hand-cut and grilled to perfection. The friendly and accommodating staff members here at Bonefish Grill are experts at cooking and serving fish, and they will gladly help you in choosing the best fish that will suit your tastes. The restaurant has signature sauces which complements each dish. Bonefish Grill uses only the freshest ingredients, which include sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese and wild mushrooms. For those who do not eat fish, the restaurant has a great selection of steaks, pasta and chicken dishes.

If you want to dine out while enjoying Orlando’s exciting night life, then you should take your family and friends to Universal’s CityWalk, a sprawling 30-acre complex filled with restaurants, bars, shops and live entertainment. One can enjoy a fabulous night of excellent food, great music and dancing at the Universal CityWalk. It houses popular restaurants such as the Hard Rock Café, Margaritaville, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Nascar Café and NBA City.

Pointe Orlando is another great night life spot, with its numerous restaurants and a movie theater. One can dine in style at the posh Capital Grille, with 9,000 feet of dining and serving space. Quality seafood can be enjoyed at the Oceanaire, which serves seafood flown in daily from around the world. For authentic Italian cuisine, head to Maggiano’s Little Italy, which serves home-cooked meals in single or family-style servings.

For those who want to cap off their Orlando vacation with shopping trips galore, head to the city’s biggest shopping malls, where you can find pretty much anything you want. The largest so far is The Florida Mall, a gargantuan property which houses seven anchor department stores and more than 250 shops. It is also the location of the Florida Mall Hotel & Conference Center Tower. For those who want to an upscale shopping experience, go to The Mall at Millenia, which houses Neiman Marcus, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s.

Other malls that you can check out are Orlando Fashion Square and Festival Bay Mall. Located near Downtown Orlando, Orlando Fashion Square has four anchor department stores and a 14-screen cinema house. Festival Bay Mall has a theater and a skate park aside from its numerous stores.