Still, a little research before heading south is well worth the effort. Learning about new attractions, events and deals can enhance your vacation and save money.
Tough economic times have created some excellent deals this year. Here's a sample:
PARADISE FOUND
If you're travelling to Naples, Marco Island or the Everglades, the new Paradise Priced Perfectly promotion is filled with winter warm-up offers to lure travellers to Southwest Florida's Paradise Coast region.
Until April 15, area hotels and resorts are offering lower-than-usual peak season rates, credits, additional hotel nights free, and deals on golf, spa treatments and more. For details, see myparadisesavings.com.
If you miss those deals, another promotion begins in May. The free Paradise Coast Values in the Paradise VIP card offer visitors thousands of dollars in savings at participating restaurants, attractions and shops from May through December 2009. Savings include attraction discounts, half-off offers and other deals. The VIP card is available at four visitor centres. Contact paradisecoast.com or 1-239-225-1013 for a free guide.
Looking for lodging on the Paradise Coast? The Convention and Visitors Bureau wants vacationers to know it's possible to get "value rates" even in high season at several properties including the Lemon Tree Inn, Bayfront Inn 5th Avenue, GreenLinks Golf Resort & Conference Center and the Marco Island Lakeside Inn.
SMILEY FACE
Orlando's new "Bundles of Free Smiles" program includes free admission to attractions, free room nights, and even free events across the area, from now through June 30. Created by the Orlando CVB, the promotion complements the destination's newly launched "Orlando Makes Me Smile" program, which lists more than 50 free offers on bundlesoffreesmiles.com.
KISS AND TELL
Kissimmee likes to boast of its great location near Orlando and the world's top theme parks. Now it hopes to entice more visitors with new attractions and spring deals.
New in Kissimmee: The opening of Shingle Creek Regional Park, Florida's only zipline ride, and four giant white alligators at Gatorland from now until September.
Turning a year older anytime soon? Nearby Walt Disney World is offering free admission to one of the resort's four parks throughout 2009 on your birthday, while several hotels -- Holiday Inn Maingate East, Seralago Hotel or FunSpots Hotel -- are also offering free night deals if you stay over on your special day.
Other lodging deals: Royale Parc Suites has suites with kitchenettes from $99 per night, including breakfast, and evening cocktail reception.
All Star Vacation Homes is offering visitors who stay four nights in a private pool vacation home or condo a fifth night free between now and April 10. And Hayes Vacation Homes is providing $100 vouchers toward attraction tickets for guests staying five nights in one of their homes by using the promo code HVHKISS.
For more, visit the Travel Deals section of floridakiss.com.
SEAWORLD ORLANDO'S MANTA
Swoop over sea and sky, see amazing underwater animal habitats, then soar on a flying coaster. That's what you'll experience on the new mega-ride Manta, which opens at SeaWorld May 22.
The journey begins when you enter a mythical village celebrating ray legend and lore, see 300 rays and thousands of fish through floor-to-ceiling windows, then fly underneath the belly of a coaster train shaped as a giant manta. The 2.8-hectare, 42-metre tall attraction is located inside the main entrance to SeaWorld.
FORKS & CORKS
The second-annual Forks & Corks on Florida's Suncoast this spring promises to be a world-class food and wine event. Highlights include vintner dinners, a late-night kick-off soiree, seminars and a Grand Tasting with visiting wineries, food demonstrations, samples, live entertainment and a charity auction.
The event is presented by the Sarasota-Manatee Originals, a group of 50-plus independent restaurateurs on the coast along with winemakers from around the world. Events take place May 14-17 in various locales including Anna Maria Island, Venice, the University of South Florida's Sarasota/Manatee Campus, and The Ringling Museum of Art Courtyard.
For details, see freshoriginals.com/forksandcorks.
SANIBEL SEA SCHOOL
Many hotels offer excellent marine programs for kids, but they're often restricted to guests only. Another option is the Sanibel Sea School, which is open to all. The school teaches children and adults about the ocean and its inhabitants using the setting of the barrier island habitats of Sanibel and Captiva.
Students, who typically range in age from 6 to 13, are divided into groups of 10 with each group supervised by a lead educator. Rates start at $55 for half a day. Day courses and week-long camps are also available.
For more, contact 239-472-8585 or info@sanibelseaschool.org.
GOING TO THE DOGS
Staying at the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort on St. Pete Beach is never "ruff" for dogs -- or their owners. That's because the resort has opened a pet play zone and pet-friendly suites in response to a growing number of requests by visitors travelling with their dogs or cats. The TradeWinds Island Grand has a new doggie play area, an attractive waterside walking zone, 48 pet-friendly suites and a room-service menu, just for pets. Contact 1-866-JUST-LET-GO (587-8538) or justletgo.com.
SUNNY SIDE UP
If you're headed to Greater Fort Lauderdale, you may want to check the revamped official website before you go. Sunny.org, has beefed up content of popular sections as well as new Google map-it capabilities, a build-your-own itinerary section plus a calendar of events. Check the live beach cams, updated every 15 seconds, or book a room on sunny.org and get a free beach starter kit with beach towel and flip-flops.
Spring breakers party on!
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