Guest Hook Travel Guides Orlando & Central Florida | Page 8

THE FAMOUS FLORIDA THEME PARKS... LOOKING TO ESCAPE THE PARKS? The vast majority of visitors to Orlando come for the theme parks and there's no denying they are world class destinations that should not be missed. But be sure to leave some time in your vacation for exploring some of Florida's other charms and attractions. A NOD TO PARKS... Walt Disney World Disney's incredible parks are just 20 minutes from Solterra. The Kilimanjaro Safari in Animal Kingdom has an impressive 100acre Savannah, with many exotic species. EPCOT offers a multicultural experience, including a snack tour ‘around the world’. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney Hollywood Studios is one of the best attractions in the park. And Magic Kingdom has the best shows in Disney, like the New Year’s Eve light show and the Christmas day celebration. Universal Studios Universal Studios is 30 minutes from Solterra up the I-4. The diversity of attractions in this park includes everything from 4D movie theaters, a special ride through the set up of the movie Jaws, experiencing the incredible special effects of a tornado in the Twister attraction and of course a full immersion in the spectacular Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Water Parks There are many great water parks within 25 minutes of Solterra and Adventure Island is only an hour away in Tampa. Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Island are two of the best. For more adventure, Wet ‘n Wild is the largest water park in Orlando. Sea World Aquatica combines water with beautiful animal themes. Next to Sea World is Discovery Cove, an interactive educational park where you can swim with dolphins. Cape Canaveral Oliver knew all the planets and their moons by heart as a kid and his Dad always promised to take him to Cape Canaveral. So imagine our delight to now own a home just 75 minutes drive away. The U.S. space program began at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, home to the Air Force Space and Missile Museum, before operations moved to the Kennedy Space Centre. Canaveral also boasts the historic Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore. And if you leave early enough, you can spend some time at the nearby Cocoa Beach. Beach Time What better way to recover from the theme parks than with a day at the beach. And the best beach near Orlando also happens to be the closest. Just 80 minutes from Solterra Resort, Cocoa Beach is a great place to play golf, do some water sports, go deep sea fishing or take an extraordinary eco-tour adventure on a kayak to get up close and personal with Florida's awesome wildlife. Or you could simply relax on the beach. On the other side of Florida, the Tampa Bay area has some excellent beaches. Our favorite is Clearwater. Shop 'til you Drop You will need to bring empty suitcases to Central Florida, such is the array of shopping available. Two Premium Outlet Malls, one at 8200 Vineland Avenue, 20 minutes from Solterra, and another on International Drive 32 minutes away, offer great savings, especially if you join the VIP Shopper Club. Florida Mall, 32 minutes from Solterra on Orange Blossom Trail, is Central Florida’s largest mall. Orlando Outlet Shopping at Lake Buena Vista, 20 minutes away, offers coupons on its website. Artegon Marketplace at 5250 International Drive, 30 minutes away, is an artisan mall, hosting galleries to showcase local artists. The Mall at Millennia, 32 minutes from Solterra, has more luxury brands.