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Fall in love with Florida
Move aside, Mickey and friends—there’s certainly more to Florida than cartoon characters and roller coasters! Though theme parks dominate the scene, other experiences prove equally enthralling, as RCI member Cynthia Ee and her family pleasantly discovered.
Vacation homes
My family spent three fantastic weeks in Florida last December: a week each at Clearwater, Orlando and Miami. Our three RCI resorts provided all the comforts of home, and much more! In Camaron Cove at Indian Rocks Beach, our simple but charming unit was located right on the beach. The kids had fun building sandcastles while my husband and I enjoyed morning walks on the beach, soaking in the sights and sounds.
In Orlando, our unit at Sheraton Vistana was
a mere 10-minute drive from Disney World. It was so convenient to drive back to the resort for a bite, nap or bath – then head back to the parks again, refreshed and energised.
As for Vacation Village at Bonaventure unit in Weston, who would complain about a space of more than 100 sqm with a gigantic jacuzzi bathtub next to your bed? Our kids had such a splashing good time that we had to factor in a good one hour for their bath!
Shopping!
Down south in Sunrise, we found great bargains at Sawgrass Mills. If you’d like to get Disney merchandise at a bargain, make sure you make a stop here at the Disney Character Premiere store.
Beaches and piers
We explored the Gulf coast area, white sandy beaches and wildlife such as birds, manatees and dolphins.
John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk on Madeira Beach is a charming fishing village lined with boat charters, restaurants and souvenir shops. And no one would ever forget the sight of The Pier at St Petersburg, a shopping complex shaped like an inverted pyramid.
Children’s museums
We saw dinosaur fossils and experienced what a hurricane feels like at the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa, which also houses a Children’s Science Center.
At the Young at Art Children’s Museum in Broward, kids can dabble in art and craft activities of various cultures, from Japanese to Native American. In the recycling section, they can learn how to turn waste into art. A special treat during our visit was an exhibition by Nickelodeon on Dora and Friends, with a guest appearance by Dora.
6 I MARCH-JUNE 2008