Although probably the theme park capital of the world, a vacation in Orlando, Florida does not mean these are the only attractions to keep visitors amused. Orlando also has markets, shows, art galleries, exhibitions, beautiful lakes and parks, all easily available for the visitor who wants something a little different. Everything a visitor could possibly want is here and the reason why people return year after year.

If you enjoy shopping then you will love Orlando, quite apart from the Orlando vacation resorts. Orlando has plenty of malls and stores like Outdoor World which is so large it contains a 17,000 gallon aquarium and you could spend all day there. Of course this article can only brush the surface of what you can see and do on an Orlando vacation but there is so much more than just theme parks that it would be a shame not to mention them.

If you are an animal lover then you must visit the Central Florida Zoological Park in Sanford which was opened to the public in 1975 and houses a collection of over 400 hundred animals. Even though it is privately owned, it is run by a charitable group with the intention of providing classes for children and protecting species that are only found in Florida and other world wide exotic animals.

For anyone that appreciates the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany then a large collection of his works is exhibited the Museum of American Art, where it has been housed since the early 1940’s. The collection is the most comprehensive anywhere with Tiffany jewelry, art glass, ornaments, pottery, paintings and leaded glass.

Orlando is certainly a city for all age groups and not solely designed for the amusement of children as family and adult attractions are in equal numbers. For the young at heart, a vacation in Orlando aims to please with extensive evening venues including music and dance at Disney’s incredible Pleasure Island and Universals version, City walk, to name just a couple of places.

Another great place to visit about twenty minutes drive from Orlando Airport is The Orlando Science Center, originating back to 1955; it is a huge complex with over two hundred thousand square feet of exhibition space spanning ten halls. If your preference is in railways then the International Trolley and Train Museum on International drive will be a pleasant surprise with 14 trains running continuously and three waterfalls in a space of about 4,000 square feet.

For something a little different there’s the Titanic Exhibition which tells the story of the ill fated Ocean Liner performed by a character from the ship; the displays contain some original salvaged items and at times the tour is very moving. Away from all the hustle is the wonderful Lake Eola Park in the heart of downtown - it has beautiful sidewalks in over forty acres where it is possible to spend a few peaceful hours during your vacation in Orlando.

However, there aren’t that many visitors who visit Orlando without a trip to one of the four main Disney theme parks or the equally impressive Universal studios; where a person’s age really doesn’t matter. Everyone that takes a vacation in Orlando wants to return and experience more of the attractions it has to offer.

For interesting facts info information on orlando vacation resorts, keep up to date on how to enjoy a vacation in orlando at the online travel guides.

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Panama is a popular Latin American tourist destination. This country offers
Unrivalled tourist attractions. A spectacularly rich biodiversity makes Panama a
Magnet for eco-travelers too. The country’s name means “abundance of fish and
butterflies” -but howler monkeys, sloths, manatees, crocodiles and rare quetzals
share the jungles and lakes, too.
This is what makes people come back time and again to Panama.

Facts & Figures

Panama is a 75,990 square km land area. The official language is Spanish.
However, many Panamanians speak both Spanish and English.

Panamanian weather is pleasantly tropical, and uniform throughout the year.
Nights are usually cool. The average temperature is 27 degrees C.
Panama has two weather seasons: rainy and dry.
The former stretches from March to December.

The time in Panama all year long is the same as the EST (GMT -5).
Panama does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Panama’s Tourist Attractions

Islands and Beaches

Panama offers an exquisite view and experience of nature at its best. Panama has
Coasts on two oceans: the Pacific and the Caribbean Sea. These coasts, although
Different, are suited for all sorts of activities with the different beaches and
islands found in them. World famous beautiful beaches and islands will make your
visit unforgettable!

Caribbean Sea: On the Caribbean coast, the beaches on the provinces of Colon,
San Blas and Bocas del Toro and their neighbouring islands, are small to
mid-sized and all of them have coral reefs nearby,
They are often near other waterways and most have been formed by coral buildup.
These are the best beaches to do some scuba diving in.

Pacific Ocean: On this coast you’ll find a series of beaches which are easily
Accessible from the Pan-American Road. Many water sports including windsurfing,
surfing and swimming are practiced here. The most popular of these are: Gorgona,
Coronado, San Carlos, El Palmar, Rio Mar, Corona, Sea Cliff, Santa Clara, Playa
Blanca and Farallon.

Panama Canal

Considered one of the Eight Wonders of the World, the Panama Canal is one of
the most fascinating places in the world, where human genius and skill join to
link two oceans and bring the world closer together.

The Panama Canal has a length of approximately 80 kilometers between the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Between 13,000 and 14,000 ships use the Canal
yearly, thanks to the work of approximately 9,000 workers, working 24 hours
a day, 365 days a year, offering transit service to ships of all nations.

The Canal uses a locks system that act as water elevators raising the ships
from sea-level (Atlantic or Pacific) to 26 meters above sea-level (Gatun Lake).
Each set of locks carries the name of the town where it was built: Gatun
(on the Atlantic side), Pedro Miguel and Miraflores (on the Pacific).

The narrowest part of the Canal is Gaillard Cut and it stretches from the Pedro
Miguel Locks to the southern tip of Gatun Lake in Gamboa. This stretch is
approximately 13.7 kilometers long. Take a mini cruise through the Canal and
then check out the Visitor Center in Mira Flores, the ideal place to see the
Canal operating. This installation, recently open to the public, has large
balconies from which visitors can see the locks open and close as the ships
begin or end their transit. Four exhibition rooms, organized by themes, are the
main feature of the Visitor Center. Exhibitions are dedicated to Canal history,
the importance of water as a source of life, the Canal operation and it’s place
in worldwide trading.

Tropical Rainforest

Panama is an ideal country for direct contact with the tropical rainforest.
The only capital in Latin America with a rainforest less than 10 minutes away
from downtown and with easy access to three national parks.

If you would like to go into the tropical rainforest, Panama offers national
parks declared Biosphere Reserves and World Heritage. Rainforests with the
widest variety of flora and fauna in the world (Darien) where we can find over
10,000 plant species and over 1,000 bird species.

Colon Free Zone

In a separated area of 400 hectares the Colon Free Zone is located at the
entrance of the Panama Canal in the Caribbean sector, in the province of Colo
and is considered the second largest of its kind in the world and the first in
the Western Hemisphere. Due to its unique geographic location and easy access
to four major ports, considered the most advanced in Latin America, this is
truly an International Shipping Center.

Also, located next to it, Visitors can find transportation services such as
France Field Airport, a Railroad Terminal, access to the Panama-Colon highway,
cruise terminals and a ground transportation terminal.

The Colon Free Zone is a Global Logistical Center. Its commercial transactions
generate US$ 11,000 million in imports and re-exports. With over 400 hectares
its more than 2,000 companies and more that 250,000 annual visitors reflect the
success of the Colon Free Zone.

Traders and investors can find: The existence for the International Banking
Center, the efficient maritime infrastructure, the largest center for collection
and redistribution in the Americas, the use of the US Dollar as currency,
security both within and around the area, great exhibition rooms,
warehouse and commercial outfits. A great workforce, both specialized and
low cost, a great number of tax incentives and a sophisticated communications
network are just some of the factors that contribute to ease the operations from
the Colon Free Zone and make this the ideal place for International Commerce.

Staying In Panama Made Easy

Getting to Panama is easy with all the transportation modes in this country.
There are land, water and air transportations operating in Panama. Staying in
Panama is also a burden off the shoulders of tourists. There is a wide array of
hotels and accommodations in Panama. These hotels suit any type of budget and
needs. They range from economy to luxury.

Indeed, there are countless reasons why tourists simply love Panama. With all
the attractions and complete comfort, there is no better “home away from home”
destination than Panama.

Young is the owner of iTravel Forum. You can find more information at itravelforum.com.

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Are you planning a trip to Spain? A trip to this beautiful country wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the gorgeous resort city Mar Menor, located on the east coast (Costa Blanca) of Spain in the Murcia region. Mar Menor is a salt water lake area that is exciting to explore and relaxing so there is really something for everyone.

The landscape of the Mar Menor area is truly breathtaking. There is the amazing salt water lake that this area is known for as well as the Mediterranean coast with cliffs and small beaches to enjoy sun filled days or a quiet sunset. If you enjoy outdoor activities then this destination has plenty to offer. You can enjoy a round of golf at a challenging golf course amidst beautiful surroundings. Summer is the time to visit this area to enjoy water sports on the open sea or there are many recreational activities at the lake.

Mar Menor does not only have much to offer in natural beauty but this area is brimming with culture and history. There are remains from Roman and Arabic periods for the history buff as well as a great amount of other incredible sights and attractions.

The Mar Menor area is home to some charming towns that are perfect for day trips and exploring. Each town has something a little different to offer visitors so you’ll have plenty of variety. You can spend your time shopping, walking around, or just sipping a coffee at a caf and people watching.

For a day trip outside of Mar Menor, venture off to nearby Cartagena. There are forts and castles to enjoy here so there are many exploration opportunities. There are also many festivals during the year; if you’re lucky enough to be in this region during a festival, it will make your holiday experience even more unique.

Mar Menor is an ideal place to relax but if you want some entertainment and let your hair down after a day in the sun then head to Gran Via. This street not only is home to many serviced apartments and hotels but it comes alive at night with a variety of bars and restaurants. For dining options there is a wide range on offer to fit any appetite on any budget. You can grab a snack at a caf or have a leisurely dinner at a posh, five star restaurant.

So whether you’re looking for a place full of sights and activities or a destination to sunbath and relax, Mar Menor is the holiday spot that really has something for everyone. Make sure and add it to your Spain vacation itinerary.

Johnathan Bakers frequently writes detailed papers on things relating to la manga strip at mar menor and map of the la manga area in spain. His work on lamanga spain are found on his website .

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Article: Tips to enjoy your vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

1) Most of us have heard of Puerto Vallarta and it may bring images to our minds of tropical scenes and exotic travels. Maybe we remember that this was where the Love Boat made a stop once a week. But there may be a question as to what attractions and activities can be found in this coastal Mexican city.

2) Puerto Vallarta is located on the West Coast of Mexico, south of the Baja Peninsula. The weather all year round is beautiful and the cost of living is low, which may be why over 20,000 Americans own vacation homes there.

3) Puerto Vallarta may be best know as the location for the 1963 movie “Night of the Iguana” starring Richard Burton and Ava Gardner. Actually, most of it was filmed a few minutes drive down the coast in Mismayola, but walking tours can point out buildings in town where Burton stayed and had his affair (or one of his marriages with Elizabeth Taylor. - Who can keep track?) The U.S. media gave a lot of attention to the couple and to all the infighting among director John Huston and the film’s stars and the publicity put Puerto Vallarta on the map. Today, most bus and walking tours will make some mention of the film and point out applicable sights of interest.

4) While there are so many reasons to visit Puerto Vallarta, it is the beautiful beaches that lure most people to return again and again. Puerto Vallarta sits on 25 miles of beaches within Banderas Bay, Mexico’s largest bay. Being located on the bay is what opens the possibility of so many different types of water sports and activities. The large marina is home to an abundant population of sports fishing boats. Most of the boats can be chartered to take you to any of the hottest fishing spots, where you can try your hand at wrestling one of the large fish the area is known for.

5) Another popular activity is to take a tour out to the island of Yelapa where you can seem to step back in time and see small village life as it still exists in Mexico. In addition to tours, there are many programs available for swimming with dolphins, a popular resort town activity that has increased tremendously in recent years. Whale watching has also become big business in Puerto Vallarta.

6) Most resorts are situated right on the water and provide all sorts of activities, such as windsurfing, snorkeling, and kayaking. Of course, you may just like to hunker down under a palm tree with your favorite adult beverage and shop from all the roving vendors that carry their wares up and down the beach.

7) But if lying on the beach all day drinking and shopping gets a bit mundane, you may feel the need to hit the links. There are several championship quality golf courses in the immediate Puerto Vallarta area. Clubs and shoes are available to rent, so don’t worry if you didn’t bring any of your own equipment with you.

For a tropical getaway, a family vacation, or an adventure filled trip, you can bet that you will find something fun to do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Travel101Tips.com giving you insight on destination travel.
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