November 14th, 2008 — Orlando Seafood Restaurants
There are many seafood restaurants in Orlando. When you travel to Orlando during the holidays you can eat some exquisite seafood. If you are a seafood lover you might consider some of the top seafood in Orlando from restaurants like Barneys, the Boston Lobster Feast, and High Tide Harry’s.
Orlando is known for the amazing cuisine. While you are traveling throughout the city during the holidays you should plan one night of a fine dinner. If seafood is your favorite there are handfuls of places you can go. You can dine by candlelight and enjoy the amazing decorations of artificial Christmas trees in the restaurants.
When you go to Barneys you will see why they have been one of the favored restaurants in Orlando for the past 30 years. They serve fresh seafood and you can pick your lobster live from the tank if you like. Piano is played live each night and the setting is relaxed and friendly. People have the opportunity to enjoy prime rib every Sunday night when all prime rib dinners are $4 off. Tuesdays you can enjoy martini specials all night long and Thursdays all sirloins and New York strips are on sale also.
The Boston Lobster Feast is another amazing place you can enjoy the most wonderful mouth watering crab legs, lobster, crawfish, oysters, mussels, piles of shrimp, and so much more. This restaurant has been around for almost 20 years. The feast includes more than 60 items at the bar with fabulous desserts and more. Adults can also enjoy a full service bar. As you dine at the Boston Lobster Feast you can enjoy the beautiful artificial Christmas trees as you eat the some of the best seafood in Orlando.
High Tide Harry’s is another favored seafood restaurant you can dine in when you travel to Orlando. This fantastic venue provides a vast menu of seafood at affordable prices. You and your family can enjoy meals for under $10 which include ahi tuna, king crab cakes, red snapper fillets, crab platters, whitefish, catfish, oysters, clam strips, popcorn shrimp, garlic shrimp, fried shrimp, king size shrimp, and so much more. High Tide Harry’s is the perfect place to dine for people who have a large family and want to enjoy a relaxing atmosphere during the Christmas holidays. You will enjoy the lighted palm trees and the exquisite cuisine in one of the most wonderful cities in Florida.
There are many different places you can dine in Orlando. There are actually over 10,000 restaurants in this amazing city. When you travel with your family during the holiday season you should plan at least one night of your vacation to have a fine dining meal. If you are a seafood lover there are many different restaurants you can pick and choose from. Three of the most amazing seafood restaurants include Barneys, High Tide Harry’s, and The Boston Lobster Feast. You deserve to have a wonderful meal during the holidays and these are only a few of the wonderful places you can go.
Article source: http://www.silver-lake-resort.com/blog/seafood-restaurants-in-orlando/
October 18th, 2008 — Orlando Steak Restaurants
Everyone loves steak. When you are traveling on vacation in Florida during the Christmas holiday you might want to find a place where you can enjoy Christmas dinner or just a fine meal. Two favored steak houses you might consider include Charley’s Steakhouse and Vito’s Chop House. These are only a couple of many fabulous places where you can eat your favorite meal.
Steak is most people’s favorite thing to eat. Every now and then you should treat yourself out on the town for a really good steak. When you are in Orlando there are tons of steakhouses which offer some fabulous food and fine dining. The holidays are a time of year when you must treat yourselves, especially when you are on vacation in Florida. As you dine you can enjoy decorated artificial Christmas trees that are captivating to the eyes.
Charley’s Steakhouse was founded by the owners of the Red Lobster chains. They have been honored by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and also have received the lifetime achievement award in 2006. Charley’s is known for the finest Midwest grain fed USDA prime and choice beef. The beef ages on-site from 4 to 6 weeks. Management cuts the meat on a daily basis. All steak is grilled over flames in an over 1200 degree open pit. They say the taste of the meat is so fantastic because the fuel for the fire is oak and citrus wood. Charley’s Steakhouse is known to be a traditional steakhouse featuring appetizers and many different entrees. You will absolutely love the white Christmas trees decorated at this venue.
Vito’s Chop House is another classic steakhouse you can dine at when you are traveling through Orlando during the Christmas holiday. You can enjoy your meal as you look at the artificial Christmas trees at Vito’s. This restaurant has an Italian flare and includes a unique selection of aged steaks, a specialty martini list, 1000 selections of wine, and more than 50 different varieties of cigars to choose from. The lobster tails at Vito’s are known to be some of the biggest in Orlando weighing in at around 3 lbs. Most people need a doggy bag when they order them. The pork chops are 2 inches thick. You can enjoy veal chops, jumbo stone crab claws, plank roasted salmon and so much more. This is a fabulous place to dine when you are in Orlando.
You won’t have a problem finding a place to have a steak when you travel to Orlando for the holidays. Two fabulous places you might consider include Vito’s and Charley’s. These two restaurants serve some of the best steaks in the city. They are well known and have won many rewards. If you want to dine at Vito’s or Charley’s be sure you call in advance and secure a reservation for you and your family. These are fine restaurants so be sure you are dressed appropriately so you don’t have to go back to your hotel and change your clothes.
Article source: http://www.silver-lake-resort.com/blog/steak-restaurants-in-orlando/
August 30th, 2008 — Orlando Transportation
If you are taking a vacation to Orlando it is important to work out your transportation issues before you get there. If you are driving it is important to know which highways you will drive on and how to get around. There are many connecting highways throughout Orlando if you are driving. There are also many ways to get around which include the rail, buses, light rail and the commuter rail.
Orlando is ranked 8th in the nation when it comes to traffic congestion. The average person in Orlando spends at least 54 hours a year in their car stuck in traffic. The heavy traffic is not predictable and you should avoid rush hour if you can. Rush hour is most commonly on week days after 7 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
Interstate 4 in Orlando is the primary highway. It starts in Daytona Beach and continues across the middle of the state through Orlando. I-4 provides connectivity to the suburbs, downtown, area attractions, and both coasts in Orlando. There is usually a lot of congestion on this highway. As it travels through downtown you might appreciate the 3D architecture you will see with some of the buildings and the 3D design.
The East-West Expressway is a major highway that intersects the Central Florida Greeneway and the Florida Turnpike. There is major construction going on that is responsible for some serious congestion also. The Greeneway serves as the eastern beltway. It begins and ends on I-4. The Daniel Webster Western Beltway is a toll road #429. This is the back entrance into the Walt Disney World from the northwestern suburbs of Orlando.
Currently there is not a light rail in Orlando. There is a lot of controversy about a light rail. The people who have been in the city for years who are tired of the congestion want the rail and those people who are new and think that the rail ruins the charm of the city. The problem is that people coming from larger metropolitan areas are in denial of the need of the rail. There is a commuter rail in the planning stages and hopefully will open in 2009. This rail should connect the current CSX lines from DeLand and Poinciana. It will travel directly through downtown and have stations located at the LYNX station and the Church Street station.
There is a bus system in Orlando known as the LYNX. This bus system serves five different counties throughout Orlando which include Osceola, Orange, Lake, Seminole, and Volusia. This is a local bus system you might consider when you are vacationing in Orlando. There is also a Greyhound Bus station if you are interested in taking the bus home to another state across the country.
When you travel to Orlando transportation is a big issue. You don’t want to spend your vacation stuck in traffic for hours and hours. You might want to consider planning a trip that avoids the I-4 or uses the back toll way into Disney World.
Article source: http://www.silver-lake-resort.com/blog/
transportation-when-traveling-through-orlando/
August 23rd, 2008 — Orlando Day Trips
If you are looking for something fun to do while you are in Orlando the decision will be hard to make. It is not because there is not much to do but because there is so much to choose from and not enough time to do everything that is a blast. Many of the day trips you might consider include the Kennedy Space Center, the Gatorland Theme park, and the Dolphin Encounter.
Orlando is an amazing place to visit. You don’t need a green card to enjoy what the United States has to offer. US immigration doesn’t turn away people who want to enjoy an amazing vacation in Orlando.
The Kennedy Space Center is the headquarters for NASA’s launching. It is an amazing place to spend the day and view the new Shuttle Launch Experience. There are IMAX films and other shows you can enjoy. Walk through tons of exhibits and even see the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Most hotels will offer round trip transportation to this location if you are interested in visiting the Kennedy Space Center. Some of the things you can do here include checking out the 4-story Observation Gantry and see the space shuttle launch pads, meet a real astronaut, strap in for a simulation in a space shuttle that replicates the actual sights and sounds of a shuttle launch, and much more.
The Gatorland theme park is an amazing attraction in Orlando that you must spend one of your days at. This park includes a boardwalk you can stroll through and see thousands of alligators and crocodiles. You can visit Alligator Island, Swamp Park, the Flamingo Lagoon, Allie’s Barnyard, Very Merry Aviary, and more. There are also plenty of shows to sit through too like the Gator Wrestlin’ Show and the Gator Jumparoo Show. When you are finished you can even stop and buy souvenirs at the gift shop like perfume and cologne if you wish.
The Dolphin Encounter is another amazing place to go in Orlando. This park is located on the Gulf Coast of Mexico. You can take a ride for 90 minutes to the Clearwater Beach or enjoy a 75 minute cruise while you encounter dolphins in their wild habitat. It is amazing to see the dolphins jump and play in the water. Dolphins are amazing creatures that will put you in awe at their presence as they swim and jump gracefully in the ocean. Your family cannot miss this experience.
If you are looking for a full day trip of something to do while you are in Orlando you are in the right place. There are tons of places and things to do to fill your itinerary. The hard part will be deciding which places you have to leave out. You must plan a day at the Dolphin Encounter, the Kennedy Space Center, and the Gatorland Theme Park. These are amazing places and you will never have seen anything like it. Your family will talk about these places for years to come.
Article source: http://www.silver-lake-resort.com/blog/day-trips-in-orlando/
February 17th, 2008 — Orlando
How To Make The Most of It(continued):
Day 3
An even more remote retreat than this watery suburban dream is Wekiwa Springs, Central Florida’s biggest state park. 45 minutes away from the theme parks, this nature paradise offers a glimpse of what Florida might have looked like around times when Timucuan Indians fished and hunted here centuries ago. It is totally different and more rustic than the experience you would get at silver lake resort.
Costing you only 5 USD per car, Wekiwa is one of the area’s best value-for money attractions. You can either take a picnic lunch and spend the whole day swimming or you could be just enjoying the peace and quiet. Wekiwa literally translates as water in the language of the Creek Indians, and these springs are crystal clear and stay a refreshing 22º, whatever time of year you visit. Visitors are allowed to venture as deep as they wish into the steamy jungle-like forest or even hire a canoe and paddle along the Wekiwa River.
Day 4
Florida’s unique, narrow shape ensures that both the Atlantic and the Gulf coasts are within easy striking distance for Orlando visitors. The Cocoa Beach, that is an hour’s drive east of Orlando is the nearest place for you to feel the sand between your toes.
Locate yourself near the wooden pier to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the beach. When the sun’s rays become to intensive, you can retreat to Ron Jon Surf Shop - an emporium selling everything from day-glow beachwear to tropical style home decor. In case the enthusiasm rubs off, you can always hire a board and try catching a few waves of your own.
Perhaps the region’s most famous coastal beach is Daytona - a place known for
hedonistic love of motor sports and its casual, beach party atmosphere. Daytona is about an hour’s drive northeast of Orlando, and its light brown sands stretch some 30 kilometres and are surrounded by typical seaside fare: miles of hotels, souvenir shops and restaurants.
Day 5
You could spend the next day at Cape Canaveral -a home to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, an attraction that directly relates to world’s fascination with space exploration and is fast-rivalling Orlando’s theme parks for the tourist dollar.
What distinguishes Kennedy from other team park is that it is pretty much a working site, the real-life hub of NASA space programme.
Shuttles are tested and blasted into orbit here an it, naturally, only adds to the appeal. Less widely known is the fact that this marshy island is also a protected wildlife haven.
An hour ride from Daytona (approx. 200 km from Orlando) is the delightful European style town of St. Augustine, which also sports a brace of beautiful beaches. First discovered by Spanish explorer Ponce de León in 1513, St. Augustine is the oldest permanent settlement in USA. Some miles from the historic district, on the islands parallel to the bay are wide, fine-sand beaches of St. Augustine Beach and Vilano Beach.
Reaching the white sands of Florida’s west coast also requires considerable driving time, but it is well worth the effort. One of the finest Florida bitches are located there, the stunningly beautiful St. Petersburg beaches.
You can enjoy a day here and still be able get back to your Orlando hotel at a respectable time or a visit for a luxurious treat at westgate lakes resort and spa although many visitors now tend to stay west for longer periods, twinning a beach break with time exploring Busch Gardens, Florida’s wildlife theme park, located in nearby Tampa.
However long you decide to enjoy the west coast make sure try and time your visit to coincide with the breathtaking sunsets. The views here can only be rivaled by those on the Florida Keys and it is common practice that crowd gathers nightly to appreciate this crimson and orange light show, a sight so spectacular even Mr. Disney himself couldn’t have dreamt it up.
January 28th, 2008 — Orlando
Travellers determined to lounging around the hotel pool on days away from Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld should give it a second thought. There is an endless array of alternative attractions you can easily sandwich in-between theme park hopping, many of which do not cost a penny.
One of the best ways to get the taste the real Florida is to get back to nature and orchestrate a face to face encounter with some of Central Florida’s wilder inhabitants.
How To Make The Most of It:
Day 1
Orlando is surround with counties Seminole, Orange and Osceola, These counties are dotted with lakes of all shapes and sizes like westgate lake or silver lake with its gorgeous silver lake resort, from the vast, gleaming waters of Lake Jesup in the north to the smaller urban retreat of Lake Eola in downtown Orlando.
The more southerly lakes run into the No 1. ecological spectacle in Florida - the Everglades. In case there is not enough time to journey the 250 miles south and experience the one and only «Glades», then you should head for East Lake Toho, just 20 minutes from International Drive, for an authentic taster.
With its swaying cypress trees and bald eagles circling overhead, Lake Toho feels a million miles away from the hectic chaos across town. Most visitors come here to experience the famous Boggy Creek Airboat Rides (a family-friendly company that specializes in Gentle Ben-style rides through the lake’s wetlands) and the search of Florida’s most famous critter.
Before you getting wet, a good idea could be to line your stomach with a hearty breakfast in the Southern-style East Lake Fish Camp. It is never too early to indulge into the local specialities of frogs’ legs, gator or catfish.
At the very edge of the lake you’ll find board and airboat that will skim you at speed (up to 45mph) over the lake’s surface. Make sure you hold on to your hat as you hurtle through the long grass. When your guide cuts the engine, it will be a sign that he’s spotted something lurking in the distance, most likely a stealthy alligator hiding in the undergrowth. Visitors with a taste for flying can also try parasailing - your guide will reel you out and up to 240 meters for a breathtaking view of the surrounding area.
If whizzing through tall grass wasn’t your cup of tea, then opt out completely and visit one of the area’s more serene lakes for a waterfront picnic.
Day 2
Almost impossible to beat in tranquility is a trip to Winter Park, one of Orlando’s most exclusive suburbs. Mingle among the ladies who lunch on Park Avenue and take a stroll around the delightful but expensive boutiques.
Just a few streets from Park Avenue, there are three of the region’s most picturesque lakes: Maitland, Osceola and Virginia. You can take the short walk to Lake Osceola where you’ll find one of the oldest attractions in town, the Scenic Boat Tour, a delightful one-hour excursion that has been gliding visitors around since 1938.
Young travellers will enjoy the friendly skippers and the inevitable ducking as you move under low bridges. Be prepared for playful gestures by local residents including a life size model of late U.S. president Ronald Reagan.
For adult visitor this is an enthralling insight into the American property market and your guide will wax lyrical about the multi-million pound properties located on the water’s edge. The more interesting anecdotes comprise references to the plot of land where Margaret Mitchell penned the final chapters of the historic Gone with the Wind movie.