Travel Writing Adventures
  • Home
  • About
  • Highlights
  • Articles
  • Photography
    • Photo Blog
  • Videos
  • Get Featured!
  • STORE
  • Submit
  • Publishers
  • Contact
  • Travel Writing Partners
  • TWPartners Blog
  • Advertising

Next Vacay - My New "Go-To" Flight Booking Site?

2/1/2017

Comments

 
,By Jen Lucas
​
Next Vacay is a site I stumbled across through one of the many travel related newsletters I receive daily. There are so many booking sites out there that I’ve tried and new ones that continue to be developed, which can prove to be overwhelming, BUT, Next Vacay caught my attention.  
Picture
Seoul, by Greg Samborski
First of all I’m a true supporter of the entrepreneur, and a husband and wife team, Naveen and Shaylee Dittakavi, developed this site. Naveen, a software developer and travel junkie, found it tiresome (as we all do) and almost impossible to hunt through the many travel sites out there to find the best deals, at the exact moment they are released, as they often disappear in an instant. Last year Next Vacay was developed, which automatically searches countless airfare sites, finding the best deals from your home airport (and those surrounding) which are delivered right to your inbox. ​
Picture
How it works – when you navigate to their website you’re prompted to enter your home airport and sign up for a free one-month trial period (which does require inputting your credit card information). After the one-month trial, the charge is $25 per year (unless you cancel) which to me is worth it providing the service turns up some killer fares. The membership includes unlimited deals and a six-month money back guarantee if you are not happy with the product. 
Once you are registered, their system searches multiple databases, sending emails alerting you when deals, both international and throughout the US, are found from your home airport. If a flight looks interesting, instructions to book directly with the airline are provided; which is a bonus as it’s easier to work with the airline directly in the case of cancellations or rescheduling. 

​Using their system, Naveen and his wife claim they were able to fly from Georgia to India for $300 each round-trip and Barcelona for $600 round-trip.
“Every single deal is reviewed and assembled by hand by us. We know you have bosses and family to talk to before booking. This is why we do not send last-minute deals. We put ourselves in the shoes of someone who has to request paid time off and coordinate with a partner, who also likely has to do the same. The deals we send include links to real ticket itineraries for desirable weekends like Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.” -Naveen
Picture
Seoul, by Greg Samborski
Since joining 2 weeks ago, I received a total of 5 emails most notably a flight deal from Cleveland to London for travel between early February and late March ($575 round-trip) as well as a deal from Philadelphia to Venice, Italy for travel in late March to early May ($450 round-trip). Both airports are several hours away but again, if the deal were one I couldn’t pass up, I would consider it; and these are both really low fares. The email, although automated, had that personal feel which is lacking in so many other services and they encourage users to notify them when booking a trip as they appreciate the feedback.
Picture
At first glance my personal concern is that I have specific trips planned throughout the year and this service sends deals for any destination. The good news is most of my trips are to popular destinations where there are several airport options and my dates are somewhat flexible. ​
On the other hand if a “hard to pass up” deal were to land in my inbox there is a good chance that I would book a spontaneous weekend trip which would justify the membership fee. Also, I’ve read they plan to release more personalized options in a future version of the site, possibly allowing users to choose specific destinations. So it seems there is a lot of potential for Next Vacay as they refine their system. Being a small operation allows them the flexibility, as well as the personal connection with users, to understand their needs and to update the site accordingly.   

Next Vacay is obviously not for every traveler however if you have flexibility in your destinations, travel dates, are able to travel with only a couple months notice, I’d say this site is for you!

Check out "Next Vacay" here... NextVacay.com

​Jen Lucas, a freelance travel writer, works as a Project Manager in the tech industry by day, but is a travel junkie at heart. Having worked in the publishing industry throughout her career, Jen has always been passionate about writing and is currently branching out into the travel writing scene.

Jen Lucas
Website
eMail
Picture

Picture
Comments

Don't be an "Ugly American" or a Viral Video

11/13/2016

Comments

 
To avoid being an asshat, ​the rules we follow at home should also serve double duty while traveling. Number #1 on the hit parade, in polite society, is the “Golden Rule” … do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

This is a great rule and covers a variety of situations. For instance…

Leave things the same, or better, than you found them.

As a guest in someone else’s home, do you tidy up before you leave? Or do you leave a big mess for your friend or relative to clean up?

​Of course, if you expect to remain friends, or be invited back, you leave the place the same as you found it… or BETTER.
Picture
​You would not appreciate your friends trashing your house like a rock star trashes a hotel room, would you? So of COURSE you would not do it to your friends home.

Don’t do it to their COUNTRY either!

Obey the local rules and customs, even if they are different than your own.

If you have a “no smoking” rule in your home, you certainly would not appreciate friends or relatives ignoring that rule and turning your coffee table into a giant ashtray, right? 

It’s a simple thing, but guests are good guests by being sensitive to the local rules and culture, and by trying to fit into the surroundings. This one thing can greatly enhance the quality of your trip too, as the best way to do this is to ASK a local what the common courtesies or cultural norms are, and in doing so, you’ll earn their respect and make a new friend.
​

Treat your surroundings with respect, leave it better off.  For instance, I always pick up additional trash while disposing of my own. Another way you can do this is with the American custom of a gratuity. Many service workers are paid little, and often are not tipped at all. Make their day a little brighter by flipping them a few dollars.

It’s also a safety issue to pay attention to your surroundings.
Picture
​You don’t want to be like THIS guy, described by a local…
​

​“In México are thousands of tourists, every single day, doing stupid things. Like recently, an American was eaten by an alligator because he couldn't read IN ENGLISH (or even see the drawing of a alligator) on a warning sign and jumped into a lake. ”

Even worse? His return ticket  was non-refundable.
​
And, please, don't be like some of these other people, whose stories I read on the internet…

"Just about every beach and harbor of Cornwall (seaside touristy area of the UK) has a strict rule about NOT feeding the seagulls, with prominent signage to that effect. As a result of constant feeding by tourists, there are huge numbers of gulls, which are very aggressive and bold enough to snatch food from your hands even if you’re not aiming to feed them; they will also attack children, cats and small dogs. Their beaks are very, very sharp, and a wound from one will almost always go septic because they’re such “dirty” feeders. Yet every year you see visitors moaning and wailing (or even trying to sue the town councils) because they’ve been injured while feeding seagulls - generally whilst standing in front of a large sign saying “DO NOT FEED THE GULLS.”

Apparently tourists never see a bird a home...

"In a cafe off the Piazza in Venice a family of English speaking tourists caused an incident. My family was eating at one table, theirs at another. They were throwing bits of bread to the pigeons.
Pigeons on the Piazza San Marco are quite a thing to have to deal with, and the cafes have strict rules about feeding them. Vendors selling bird seed further toward the center of the square have taught the pigeons that presence of humans plus the presence of food equals pigeons getting food, so the birds are very bold near the open-air cafes. It's a constant battle to keep them from hopping and flying right on in.

The waiter came out and asked, very nicely, in perfect English, if they could please stop. They stared at him as if they didn't understand a word he said, and went back to tossing bread as soon as he left. Pigeons got closer and closer. Patrons looked down, startled, as they felt birds around their ankles. Others tried to shoo them off tables and chairs.

The waiter tried again, a couple more times if I remember correctly. I know the family were English speakers, because they spoke to one another every time he left. They just chose to ignore him, and you could see he was getting very frustrated. At the time I got the feeling that he didn't want to make a big deal, and kick them out, because the family had children. Each time, they stared at him blankly, but then kept tossing… I guess seeing the pigeons go after the bread was just too much fun for them to stop.  At one point the waiter actually took away the bread, but the children found little rolled bits they'd dropped on their chairs and clothes and kept going.

Long story short, from there it was a very short jump to the patio being swarmed with pigeons, who perched on the tables and ruined the place settings. Spoiled the meal for everyone, especially that poor waiter."

One tourist even told a story on himself... AGAIN with the birds... 

"I learned the hard way about birds and restaurants. I was in Phoenix on business and sat outside on the patio at a Mexican restaurant. My salad had those tortilla chips on it, and I saw a little sparrow a few feet away. So I tossed it one. ONE. Sparrows came from everywhere. I won’t over exaggerate the scene, but there were dozens. Fortunately, I was on the patio by myself. A couple of birds perched on the backs of chairs right next to me. I really thought they were going to dive-bomb my salad to help themselves to the tortilla chips. I covered my meal with my napkin and tried to stare them down. I don’t know who looked more stupid at that point."

Since he was alone, I’m guessing…. HIM?
Picture
​Don’t be a “cheapskate!” If you can afford to travel, you can afford to pay the associated costs.

Take the time to learn what they are before you travel and you'll make your trip smoother.

Whether it’s a gratuity for the housekeeper who does up your room, or the duty taxes on your shopping spree, you should be prepared to pony up your fair share...
​
"​A wealthy woman from a foreign country first arrived at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport from Paris last July with her sister and adult daughter. The Customs and Border Patrol officers found undeclared items in their luggage, including designer bags, a fur coat, diamond jewelry and watches, Total value: $160,000.

The woman attempted to then bribe the customs officer offering a watch and US$10,000 if he would turn a blind eye. After the officer excused himself and put on a hidden recording device, the woman upped the stakes and offered to “sleep with” the officer if he allowed them to pass through.

She is presently out on a bail of$250,000. USD."
​
Behaving badly on a plane is never a good idea, in fact behaving badly, in this age of cell phone video and YouTube, could make you a viral sensation and, if your name is published, could hurt your career down the road. 

Ask THIS guy how that works and how effective his “damage control” on Inside Edition has been in saving his career in the mortgage biz.
​
Wolters World offers some great tips for American tourists that will help travelers fit in and not get labeled an “Ugly American.”

Some of these tips are good for anyone, and go back to the “try to fit into local culture.” rule.

Check out more at… www.WoltersWorld.com
​
Probably the best thing you can do before traveling is READ up on the areas you will be visiting.

Search on Facebook for locals in that area, send a friend request and ask them if they have some tips.

Search YouTube for videos of the area so you can familiarize yourself with the local culture and customs.

All of this will make your trip go more smoothly, will allow you to make new friends around the world, AND, just as important, will help you blend in and not be a target to local petty criminals looking for a pocket to pick or a bag to swipe.

No matter where you go… just treat other people the way you would like to be treated!

#TravelTips
#UglyAmerican
​#TravelWriting

Picture
by: Sue Copening
[email protected]

Do YOU have a story to share about an "Ugly American" or "Bad Tourist?"

Or maybe you'd like to make us all feel better, and give us a lift, with a story about the best experience you've had traveling and the most helpful people you've met?  

​Please post in the comments below...
Comments

Nicola Suggests Autumn in Tuscany

11/2/2016

Comments

 
Picture
Picture

From "My Travel in Tuscany"

Even though along the coast summer seems to still be here, with some people resting in the sun and swimming in the sea, the fall came a couple of weeks ago. If you are still uncertain of where you should be traveling during this period of the year, choosing to plan the autumn holidays in Tuscany is definitely a good idea.

There are various good reasons to choose Tuscany in autumn, even if only for a short break or a romantic escape. Together with the spring, the fall is probably the best period to visit this land loved for its relaxing atmosphere, peaceful places, culture and history.

6 good reasons to plan your Autumn Holidays in Tuscany...
​
Mild weather

In October, the weather is still mild with warm and sunny days where you only need shorts and flip-flops to walk around. In November a bit of rain should fall, but it won’t stop your will to travel. Depending on the forecasts, you can choose to explore areas with less chance of rain, as Maremma or Crete Senesi. For an overview of the climate of the region read also our post about the weather in Tuscany.

Cheaper rates

Flights, hotel rates and the cost for a room or apartment are cheaper. Taking advantage of some packages and deals, you will be able to organize your autumn holidays in Tuscany without spending a fortune, a big savings compared to the high season.

Nature

Autumn is the period of the fall foliage, and the forests of Tuscany are every bit as good as the ones in New England in the United States or in Japan. The colour of leaves turns to different shades of yellow, orange, red and brown, giving the forests a special, magic and relaxing atmosphere where the only sound you can hear is the creaking of the dry foliage under your feet. I am sure your “perfect place” is somewhere out there, between the Mugello and the Casentino areas, up to the mountains of Abetone or Monte Amiata, into the chestnut tree forests of Castagneto Carducci in the Etruscan Coast or of Lunigiana.

No crowd

Being out of the peak season you can enjoy both the art cities (Florence, Pisa, Siena and Lucca) and the main villages (San Gimignano, Pienza, Montalcino and Montepulciano) without the crowds you find during the summer.

You can even get out the cities and the more "touristy" spots and head for the Tuscan Riviera. It offers you wide empty sandy beaches to walk, medieval villages overlooking the sea to explore as Populonia in the Gulf of Baratti (where you can even visit the interesting archaeological park of Baratti and Populonia) or Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano in the Argentario Promontory.
Picture
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES OF THE AUTUMN – TRUFFLE PHOTO CREDITS: MICHELA SIMONCINI
Picture
Taste the fruits of the season

The indisputable ruler of the autumn holidays in Tuscany is the food. Fall is the season of truffles, mushrooms, chestnuts, olive oil, and wine. The Sagre, the traditional festivals where you can taste the fruits of our land and the exquisite recipes made with them, spring up throughout the region.

The villages of San Miniato (in the province of Pisa) and of San Giovanni d’Asso (near Siena) celebrate the white truffle every November with festivals and trade fairs. But, the best places to pick and taste chestnuts are in the areas of Mugello, Garfagnana, Casentino, Lunigiana, and Monte Amiata. In the past, chestnut was one of the main ingredients of the kitchen, especially during periods of famine. Thanks to our grandparents, who passed down to us recipes of delicious dishes made with chestnuts, we still keep alive their memories and their traditions. Do not miss tasting roasted chestnuts or traditional food made with chestnut flour as Castagnaccio (try to make it following the recipe of my Grandma), crepes (called Necci) with ricotta cheese, or the Torta di Marroni of Mugello.

November is also the time of olive oil harvest and the time to celebrate the “Vino Novello”, the first wine produced with the fruits of the grape harvest of September.

Wellness
​
Finally, I add another suggestion to the list of reasons why you should plan an autumn holiday in Tuscany: wellness and hot springs. In case of bad weather or chilly temperature you can even think to pamper yourself with a plunge into one of the hot springs of the region. Here is our blog post where put together all the free hot springs of Tuscany.

Do you still need reasons to convince you to spend your autumn holidays in Tuscany? Let me know If you need any other information or suggestions... just send me a story idea anytime through Facebook!
Picture
Picture
Nicola Bandini

Nicola lives and breathes the travel life. From Cecina, a small coastal town in the centre of Tuscany, along the Etruscan Coast, Nicola works for luxury hotels and, when he's not working, he travels himself.

Nicola spent most of his years in Cecina, on the Tyrrhenian coast, surrounded by the sea, the wine region of Bolgheri and beautiful hills with many little hamlets. As a child there was little opportunity to travel a lot, except for weekends and holidays spent at the families country house in the chestnut wood of the tiny village of Sassetta.

Once gown, Nicola started to travel with friends, or by himself, and he fell in love with travel; discovering new cultures, new ways of life and meeting new people from all over the world. 

Read more from Nicola at:
http://mytravelintuscany.com
​Click to follow Nicola

Comments

Frankenmuth, Michigan: Cruising on the Bavarian Belle

7/31/2016

Comments

 
Picture
Road Tips:
Inland Cruises are a Great Travel Value
Ninja Level 1 (out of 5)
Budget: $


When we travel we love to take whatever local cruises we can find, whether they are lake cruises or river, they are an excellent way to see a “side” of the city or town you wouldn't see any other way. An added bonus is they are often an excellent entertainment value as well.

Called “Michigan's little Bavaria,” Frankenmuth is a charming town, on the Cass River, featuring a strong German heritage, with it's own Brewery and quaint, German themed shops. Michigan families have made staying at the 13 acre Bavarian Inn a tradition for generations... it's an full fledged family resort with multiple pools, a water park, arcade, mini-golf and a variety of adult, and family, activities. It's a perfect place to stay if you have kids to entertain.

If you are in the Detroit area, Frankenmuth is just an hour, to an hour and a half, North, through some charming farm country. You'll see the Bavarian Inn on your right as you come into town, but if you prefer to stay in the downtown area they have several selections there as well (Marv Herzog, Fairfield Inn, Springhill Suites and Drury Inn).

We were just there for a day trip though, so we hit the downtown and parked at the River Place Shops, walking over the bridge to the park and annual craft festival, to spend an hour checking out it's exhibits before the boat ride.

We planned the highlight of our day to be the cruise on the Bavarian Belle, followed by lunch at one of the many interesting restaurants and cafes.

The Bavarian Belle is a beautiful boat, and it docks right at the River Place Shops, it's dock and ticket kiosk is by the fountain. Not knowing how crowded the first cruise of the day would be (it wasn't), we got to the ticket kiosk about a half hour early, bought our tickets (just $12 for adults, $4 under 12 and free for children under 4 – cash only), and walked around the shops for a bit.

Getting on the boat was easy, you go down a winding path, a little steep, but still navigable if you have someone in a wheelchair (boat is handicapped accessible), and you just pick your seat. The boat is big enough to move around on, they have popcorn and beverages avail to purchase, and there is plenty of shade on both the upper and lower decks.

I just love taking a boat ride! You always learn a lot of history of the local area and, with the Bavarian Belle, the boats history as well. The Bavarian Belle is a fully restored paddle wheel boat that holds 150 passengers and is run by a family, all working together (Dad is the Captain). It has (non operational) smokestacks and it was interesting to learn that the smokestacks on these boats are hinged and made to lay down for passing under low bridges. Some of what we learned involved the river commerce that used to be so essential to the economy of these small river towns.

Booking.com
You can check out some great places to stay in Frankenmuth on "Booking." 
Picture
We got to see quite a few ducks and Canadian Geese on the Cass River, plus one lonely white goose who, every year, attaches itself to the first duck or goose Mother to hatch babies, helping to guard and raise the brood. The birds are used to passengers throwing popcorn into the water for them, so they will paddle out for easy picture taking... like they did in the photo here!

The cruise lasts only an hour but that was plenty of time to learn the local history and enjoy the scenery. After our cruise we had lunch at the Frankenmuth Brewery, partly because the waiters were waving at our cruise boat from the outside deck. We couldn't disappoint them since they were so obviously wanting our business, but it was a good decision, The Brewery has a nice selection of German and American food (even a couple of “Tex-Mex” items), and you can pick up some of their craft beer to go.

Visiting Frankenmuth has been considered a “summer staple” in Michigan for years, so when you go there you'll feel like you're “vacationing like a local.” You could easily spend several days in Frankenmuth enjoying their restaurants, shopping and activities but DO make a cruise on the Bavarian Bell part of your fun; you'll be glad you did!

​Author: Sue Copening
[email protected]

​407-443-0348

Picture
Comments

Road Tips: Budget Dining Ideas for the Road

7/25/2016

Comments

 
Picture
Road Tips
Dining on the Road – Budget ideas
Ninja Level 1 (out of 5)
Cost: $ to $$


One of the great things about traveling today is the number of travel-friendly phone APPS like “Around Me” that allow you to find businesses within your current area. This allows the passenger to browse as you drive down the road. I use the APP to easily find ways to eat well, but on a budget.

I think one of the most fun parts of travel is finding the “Mom & Pop” eateries... like the “HomeFront Cafe” in Altamont, New York (just outside Albany), a charming country diner with patriotic and war memorabilia, including photos and memorials of locals who served our country. It was one of those places you could picture becoming your regular place, and it had an vintage “soda shop and ice cream bar” that is open in the warmer seasons.

One of the pleasures of locally owned, rather than chain, restaurants is that you often find the food to be unusually good, less expensive, and you get to experience the “flavor” of the local area, rather than a homogeneous “cookie cutter” ambiance that doesn't change with geography. Eating in a local place is a great way to get a feel for the community. Why not sit at the bar so you can chat with the locals?

I love meeting locals when traveling... and some are just a delight. In Kentucky my boyfriend and I sat next to an African American gentleman who was a regular at the diner. His name was Clay and he worked at a local non-profit helping men with drug and alcohol problems get back on their feet. He recommended we try the “Hot Brown” which is a Kentucky favorite consisting of Turkey and Bacon, sometimes with Ham as well, and served as an open faced sandwich with either a Mornay sauce or Cheddar Cheese. We did, and their version was a little different than my Mom used to make but very, very good. This diner had drinks, my boyfriend had a beer and I had a couple of cocktails. When we went to pay our bill however, we found that Clay had already picked up our check. So, not only did we have a delightful dinner companion to chat with, but we had that as a pleasant surprise!

Now “Diners” can vary in quality from state to state. In New Jersey and Michigan, a diner is often like a 4 or 5 star restaurant but with a more casual atmosphere and much lower prices. In fact New Jersey is famous for it's highly rated diners... like the Americana Diner in East Windsor, a delightful treat that made getting a bit lost totally worth it. The Americana serves cuisine best described as “international' in it's range, including curry flavors, Mexican, Italian, Asian, french, Greek and, of course, American!

In other states “Diners” might be slightly grimy places with little more than hamburgers and chicken soup on the menu. Frankly, I don't care which type of place it is, I still prefer being able to relax and get waited on (while enjoying the local ambiance) rather than grabbing a predictable (and generally unhealthy) meal in a fast food joint that looks the same as the one around the corner from our house. Often, you spend the same amount of money, so why not do something different and enjoy one of the pleasures of travel?

Ever been traveling and wanted a meal late at night but there were no options other than the normal fast food joints off the highway? Now here is something you might not even think of... Check the internet for local hospitals! This is something I picked up on while caring for sick relatives over the years... hospital cafeterias are often open very late, and some even have a limited selection 24/7. They generally have some “home cooking style” hot meals like meatloaf, chicken, fish and pasta, salad bars, a wide beverage selection and even desserts. Another plus... pricing! Hospital cafeterias are designed to service both employees and visitors of patients, so generally speaking, they are a low budget option for dining. Most of the time hospitals are located within a few miles of the major highways as well... so just look on your phone APP, then check the website for the hospital to see what their cafeteria hours are. Once I had a great meal at a hospital that served full meals till 1:30 AM.

Picture

​Most of the time when we are traveling by road we take a couple of coolers with us. This saves us a bunch of money and allows us to snack healthier while driving. Before leaving I make up a bunch of hard boiled eggs, a few sandwiches, sometimes some cold chicken and salads. Throw in a half gallon of milk or tea, some yogurt, blocks of cheese, fig or fruit spreads and crackers and you're good to go, Finding a scenic spot for a picnic is usually pretty easy.


Now that's at the beginning of the trip. On the return, we often don't have much of a kitchen for preparing, but we can restock the cooler from a local grocery store. Additionally having a cooler allows us, when we eat in a restaurant, to have a place to put leftovers. Sometimes, if we are driving through more remote areas, I'll even order another meal to-go, something I know will keep in the cooler well that we can have up the road or the next day.

When we go on trips where we will be in the same spot for a week or two, we try to find places to stay that have somewhat of a kitchen in the room. This cuts down on the number of (more expensive) restaurant meals. You'd be surprised what you can do even in a room with only a microwave and mini fridge. I don't use microwaves for cooking though (only for heating water), so we also bring our trusty CrockPot (slow cooker). I've made delicious lasagna, pot roast and other hot meals right in the room. Like pasta? Cook the sauce in the CrockPot and heat water to boiling in the microwave, pull it out and drop in Angel Hair. It's thin enough it only has to sit in the hot water for a few minutes to be ready.

You can easily bake potatoes in a CrockPot and, if you get an elevated rack for your slow cooker you can bake chicken or meatloaf as well. Just use Google to find great recipes perfect for hotel room “dinner and movie” nights!

For packing, I throw our condiments, salt, pepper and spices, in the CrockPot, along with some of our own silverware and knives for prep. Into a tote goes a couple of plates and bowls, a larger serving bowl for prep, a roll of paper towels, crackers, nuts and other snack items. You can take along a complete kitchen “outfit” in no more than two tote bags.

​My final “Road Tip” is this... don't pass up the chance to stop at those roadside stands.. in the Southern USA the boiled peanuts are a delightful snack and, all across the country, you can find some amazing BBQ, crabs, boiled shrimp, jerk chicken, empanadas, tacos and more. If you're not hungry when you come across them... stop anyway and throw something in that cooler!

Author: Sue Copening
[email protected]
​407-443-0348
Comments

Exploring Florida: Kelly Park, Rock Springs Run, Central Florida

7/23/2016

Comments

 
Picture
Exploring Florida
Tubing at Kelly Park.
Rock Springs Run

Central Florida, NW of Orlando
Ninja Level – 2 out of 5
Budget - $ (take cash)

As a lifelong Florida resident I have, sadly, not even begun to cover all the opportunities for adventure and leisure, that it has to offer. You could really spend a lifetime visiting all the unique parks, springs, towns and historical spots within the state... where to start?

Recently though we made a pledge to get off our couch, get out and explore. I'd heard a lot about Rock Springs in Kelly Park and it was close enough for a half day adventure.

I really didn't know what to expect before visiting the park, though I did a quick online search for basic information. It costs (cash only) $3 per car with 1-2 people, $5 for 3-8 and $1 for each extra person in case you've got folks strapped on the roof or something.
  • Click here for link to the park website for more details.

The springs are the perfect place to go in the HOT Florida summer (I frankly find the beaches as attractive an idea as inserting myself in my toaster oven). There are plenty of shade trees and the water is (“Rock Springs” – duh) from a SPRING... meaning it is COOL. Not so cold that you don't adjust to it pretty darn quick, but cool enough that you absolutely feel refreshed.

As we were getting close to the park we stopped just outside at an intersection with a gas station on one side and a place to rent TUBES on the other (no tube rental inside the park). To rent a tube they ask you to leave them your ID (as sort of a deposit to insure you come back), and tubes are just $5 each to rent (take cash for these too). If you have a good sized trunk the tubes will just stack in there and probably not bounce out as you only have a short distance to get to the park (though some people will just stick their hand out the window and hold the tube). Total cost for 3 people: $5 entrance, plus 3 tubes = $20 for an entire day of fun! You can bring your own tubes and floats as well... though be aware they cannot be longer than 5 feet in length (a lot of blow up rafts are 6-7 ft).

We were not planning to stay the whole day so we didn't eat in the park, but you can certainly do that. The park has BBQ grills and picnic tables scattered under the trees and, if you're just feeling lazy, you can pick up sandwiches on your way there or buy food at the park's concession stand where they have hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream and drinks. Don't bring alcohol or beer though... it's not allowed and, with the number of kids and families there, anyone that is drunk or disorderly is sure to feel the wrath of “Florida Redneck Father” - a common, and occasionally frightening, creature best left unprovoked.


Upon arrival we grabbed our tubes from the trunk of the car and headed down to the Springs to check things out. A little tip: Lock your valuables in the car and put your car key (but not remote) on a lanyard around your neck. This way you won't risk losing the keys by having them fall out of your pocket while swimming, or have to worry about someone stealing them.

The layout of the Springs is such that you will first encounter an area that is about midway from the springs headwaters to the end of the “run.” If you just want to float around a bit, there are stairs to make it easy to get down to the water; so just go for it. Even if you are partially disabled or less limber, it's easy to get in here and you can then float to the end of the “run,” get out on a ramp there and take the tree lined sidewalk back to the midway point. This aspect makes tubing in Rock Springs great for the whole family and we saw many grandparents enjoying the water.


If you want to float down the whole length of the “run,” which is more like a slow stroll down a “lazy river,” then you can take a series of boardwalks up to the springs headwaters. Here you will find it a little trickier to get into the water if you are not limber, because the rocks are a tad slippery. I would certainly not recommend it for anyone that is disabled in any way because slipping on the rocks could leave you with a nasty injury. I did see a rather overweight gentleman manage to navigate an entrance into the water just fine, although it took him a bit of time to figure out the safest way.


The “run” itself takes you down a mostly tree shaded river surrounded by flowers and wildlife. We encountered some Ibis birds that were so intent on nabbing their insect breakfast, and so used to people, they allowed us to come within 4 feet of them. There was also a bit of drama as the park rangers briefly closed off a fork in the river when someone spotted an alligator. It was a baby gator so it was more to protect it, than the noisy humans, but from the level of excitement in the crowd you'd think it was an extraterrestrial.


If you have a waterproof camera or one of the new waterproof smart phones, bring it! You'll be able to capture some great photos of foliage, flowers and maybe even wildlife.


One of the things I liked most about the “lazy river” part of the park is that it is a combination of floating down and walking back. It takes about 25-30 minutes or so to float from the head-springs to the end of the run... and only about 10 minutes to walk back on a beautiful shady path to do it again. This makes it a perfect way to both relax AND get a bit of moderate exercise.


Another thing I liked is that they close the park when it reaches capacity... meaning, while it can get a bit crowded,it's not so overcrowded you can't enjoy yourself.


A word of warning though; you must get there early as the park often reaches capacity very quickly after opening (8:00 am opening time). We were there by 9:00 on a Monday (during summer vacation when the kids are out of school) and they had closed the park already when we left at Noon. The park is open until sunset and they do let additional vehicles in after 1 pm, IF enough of the earlier visitors have left. If you're driving a distance to get there though.. best to plan an early arrival (8-9 am) to avoid disappointment and so you won't have to wait in too long a line to get in and parked.


Kelly Park Rock Springs Run is part of Florida's State Park system and is only about 40 minutes from downtown Orlando and 45-50 minutes from International Drive, making it convenient for a day, or half day, adventure for locals and tourists alike.

Author: Sue Copening

[email protected]

Comments

    Travel
    ​Journals...

    Articles are submitted by our Travel Writing Partners and are copyrighted. To secure republishing rights, please contact the Author directly. Their information is at bottom of each article.

    Topic Categories

    All
    Accomodations
    Adventure
    Alaska
    Arts & Culture
    Beaches
    Budget
    Canada
    Central Florida
    Dominica
    Entertainment & Events
    Family
    Florida
    Food & Wine
    Great Deals
    Historic
    Iowa
    Islands
    Italy
    Kentucky
    Michigan
    Midwest
    New York
    Pacific Northwest
    Parks
    Pets
    Road Trips
    Romantic
    Spain
    Travel Tips
    USA
    Water Sports
    Wildlife

    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    January 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016

    RSS Feed

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Top Travel Blogs:
    Picture
    Picture

    Sponsors:
    Picture

    Picture

    Picture
    Get the book!

    Picture
    Greg Samborski, Seoul

    Picture
    A+: Better Business Bureau
    Kiwi.com - Book Cheap Flights!

    Unlimited travel in 24 countries
    EuRail: Europe by rail
    Picture
    Free Logo Set-up

    Picture

    Picture
    Get an Annual Pass

    Picture
    Free Membership

    ShawAcademy Limited Time Offer One FREE Course
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About
  • Highlights
  • Articles
  • Photography
    • Photo Blog
  • Videos
  • Get Featured!
  • STORE
  • Submit
  • Publishers
  • Contact
  • Travel Writing Partners
  • TWPartners Blog
  • Advertising