First Responders receive FREE Admission to Busch Gardens Tampa from Oct. 11th till Nov. 24th

October 11, 2017 By Marijean

FLORIDA’S FIRST RESPONDERS RECEIVE FREE ADMISSION TO BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY

“Thank You” Offer for First Responders Good from October 11th to November 24th

Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay is honoring Florida first responders through November. From October 11th to November 24th, first responders will receive free admission to Busch Gardens, and four discounted tickets for friends and family at 50% off the regular ticket price.

“A first responder’s mission is to selflessly protect us each day, and this special offer is a small way to show our appreciation of their dedication to the communities they call home,” said Stewart Clark, president and general manager of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Qualifying first responders include:

All Florida fire rescue first responders
Florida emergency medical services employees (EMT/EMS)
911 dispatchers
All Florida police and sheriff officers
Florida Highway Patrol
Florida Department of Corrections
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission field officers
Florida Forest Service Forest Rangers
Florida Park Service law enforcement
Department of Homeland Security law enforcement agents
Florida Department of Environmental Protection law enforcement

Qualifying first responders should visit buschgardenstampa.com for more information and register using the ID.me verification system. 911 operators must take advantage of the First Responder offer at the front gate. Tickets must be used by November 24th. Restrictions apply.

Members of the United States military and the National Guard can take advantage of the Waves of Honor® program, which provides free admission to the SeaWorld® and Busch Gardens® parks, and Sesame Place® for active members of U.S. armed forces and as many as three direct dependents per service member.

Be the first to know about new events, special deals and future announcements by following @buschgardens on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snap Chat.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

4 Reasons to Visit Canada in the Summer

September 13, 2017 By Marijean

When you see pictures of Canada, they are normally ones with snow covered mountain tops which evoke that winter feeling. Yes, Canada is a popular place for travelers to visit in winter, but the fun doesn’t stop once spring rolls around. In fact, it is a year-round destination that has plenty to offer whenever you decide to land in this diverse, enticing country.

With that said, and as the title spotlights, this article will be focusing specifically on the summertime in Canada. After all, it is the direct opposite of winter – so it is the ideal way of pointing out why the country isn’t just a one-off seasonal stop each year. Read on for four reasons to visit Canada in the summer.

Warmer weather for exploring

Firstly, it is important to start with the most obvious aspect of visiting in the summer: the warm weather. While Canada is a popular place to visit in winter, that doesn’t mean every traveler is comfortable with going on holiday during cold temperatures and snowy conditions. If you are in that situation, going during the summer is the perfect solution – the snow might not be so prominent (you’ll still find it atop the most elevated mountains), but everything else that makes Canada so special remains.

Countless things to do

UNESCO World Heritage sites, 42 national parks, museums, wide-open spaces ripe for exploring, wildlife to observe – there’s so much to do in Canada, that you will probably regret not booking a longer trip! As for summer-specific things, you obviously have the chance to participate in more outdoor activities. While hiking is still possible during the winter, the summer allows you to do things like biking, rafting and playing a round of golf in comfort.

Affordable prices

Perhaps surprisingly, Canada is a country that is amongst one of the most inexpensive places to visit on the planet. Sadly that doesn’t include airfare if you are traveling long distance, but the price of entering attractions, going to festivals, and so on is usually an inexpensive affair.

Plus if you are keeping a close eye on your finances, why not book a self-catering accommodation option like Tremblant Sunstar in Mont-Tremblant? That way you can cook in your very own kitchen, helping to avoid eating out for every meal during your journey. If you’re traveling across the country, the option of camping is also a possibility – which is not something that would be all that viable during those freezing winter conditions.

Summer festivals

During the summer months, there are plenty of Canadian festivals to choose from. Of course, festivals rarely pop up during the winter months, however, when the sun and warm arrives so does the music, art and culture.

When it comes to these annual festivals and events, there are many of them that are suited for visitors of all types. This is an ideal point if you’re traveling as a family. Plus these shows and celebrations are diverse in what they offer, with everything from the well-known Montebello Rockfest music extravaganza to Freezer Burn – the latter being a Burning Man-sanctioned, artistic expression of freedom.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Guy Harvey Outpost Resort Vacation

August 31, 2017 By Heather Little

Although we live just a few miles from a beautiful beach on the Atlantic Ocean, I grew up going to beaches on the Gulf Coast and to this day, they remain my favorite. The crystal blue calm waters and soft white sand are just so beautiful and relaxing. So when it came to planning our summer vacation this year, we decided to head west to the Gulf Coast.

From the panhandle of Florida all the way down to Marco Island and Naples, there are an endless number of beautiful beaches along the coast. We wanted a destination with a relatively short drive, so we decided on St Pete Beach, near Tampa. When picking a resort, my family really enjoys a “one stop shop” where everything is available onsite or within walking distance. After some research, we decided on Guy Harvey Outpost Resort.

Located directly on the Gulf of Mexico on St Pete Beach, the resort offers tons of amenities, plus access to their “sister resort”, Tradewinds Island Grand, just a few steps down the beach. Between the two resorts, there are seven swimming pools, over a dozen restaurants, bars and eateries, and countless activities like a touch tank, paddle boats, and pirate shows to keep you and your kids entertained the entire vacation. One of the major attractions at Tradewinds is the 3 story high, 200 foot long High Tide Slide. My girls couldn’t get enough of it! They also had a great time on the inflatable waterpark while my husband and I relaxed in the complimentary beach cabanas and ordered delicious food and tropical drinks right from an app on my phone…Doesn’t get much better than that!

Surrounded my sea grapes and swaying palm trees, the wide, white sand beach is beautiful. The water is clear and calm, perfect for floating the day away or enjoying the water sports the resort has to offer. But when the sun starts to set, that’s when the real show starts! The famous sunsets from St Pete Beach are simply amazing. Just before the sun starts to go down, crowds gather on the beach to enjoy the beautiful view. My girls loved roasting s’mores over the resort’s fire pits as we watched the sun set each night.

Overall, my family and I really enjoyed our time to Guy Harvey Outpost in St Pete Beach and we definitely plan to be back. Between the beautiful beach and the great onsite dining choices and countless activities to keep the whole family entertained, the resort checked all our boxes for a relaxing beach vacation.

To book your vacation, click here!

Heather Little

My name is Heather Little and my husband and I have two sweet girls and one crazy dog. We moved to Florida 6 years ago and have loved every minute of it! I enjoy crafting, good food, shopping, and of course travel!

Scare Up Some Fun at Seaworld’s Halloween Spooktacular on Weekends in September and October!

August 25, 2017 By Marijean

SCARE UP SOME FAMILY FUN AT SEAWORLD’S HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR

Popular Daytime Halloween Celebration Returns Weekends September 23 – October 29

Halloween Spooktacular returns to SeaWorld Orlando this fall earlier than ever before on September 23. Guests of all ages can join everyone’s favorite furry friends from Sesame Street as The Count, Elmo, Abby and others take the stage in “Sesame Street’s Countdown to Halloween.” Families will also enjoy a Halloween Dance Party and meet whimsical characters inspired by the sea. For this special event, children can dress in their Halloween costumes and take part in fun-filled trick-or-treating in the park.

The daytime Halloween fun takes place every Saturday and Sunday starting September 23 through October 29, 2017 and is included with park admission. Event hours are 11 a.m. to park close.

Halloween Spooktacular Highlights Include:

· Sesame Street’s Countdown to Halloween – Celebrate a Spooktacular Halloween at SeaWorld with The Count, Elmo, Abby, and the rest of their Sesame Street friends! The Count is feeling lonely this Halloween, and it’s up to the loveable monsters from Sesame Street to get him into the Halloween spirit. Batty bats and spooky skeletons join the fun in a song-filled stage show that invites guests to dance, play and sing along.

· Count von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast – Back by popular demand, Count von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast features a delicious buffet enjoyed with the furriest characters in town, this breakfast is a fun-filled experience sure to delight kids and parents alike. Starting at $9 for kids and $19 for adults, reservations can be made online, at the Information Counter or by calling (407) 545-5550.

· Penelope’s Garden Party – This dynamic “underwater” environment comes to life with a live DJ, bubbles floating overhead, unique photo opportunities and colorful sea-themed characters.

· Pets Ahoy Halloween – Guests can enjoy a special Halloween version of this side-splitting show with surprise twists, and a cast of unlikely characters that will have the whole family laughing from beginning to end.

· Waves of Trick-or-Treat Fun – Costumed youngsters can trick-or-treat from 11 a.m. to park close for ghoulish goodies. Each sea-themed, trick-or-treat station features an assortment of candy favorites including Tootsie Roll®, Airheads® and Junior Mints®, just to name a few.

· Halloween Dance Party – Children join Princess Penelope and her under-the-sea friends for a Spooktacular Dance Party where they can participate in line-dancing favorites as clouds of bubbles fill the evening air. The party kicks off in the front of the park every event night one hour before park closing.

Best Way to Play:

The best way for families to experience SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular – and save – is by purchasing advance tickets online at SeaWorldOrlando.com. Guests who purchase single-day tickets at least 1-day in advance can save $20 and visit the park for only $79.99.

For more information, park hours and to purchase tickets, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com. To keep up to date on park hours and events, follow SeaWorld’s social channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Traveling to Asheville, NC

August 3, 2017 By Heather Little

Don’t get me wrong…I love the beach. But when the Florida heat gets to be too much, it’s time to head to higher ground and cooler temperatures. My oldest daughter went to camp in North Carolina this summer, so we thought it was the perfect opportunity to spend some time in Asheville after picking her up. Although still warm in the summer, the higher elevation brings cooler nights and mornings, and much less humidity.

Asheville is located in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and is known for its vibrant arts scene and historic architecture, and of course, the Biltmore Estate. We knew this was where we wanted to spend most of our time, so we booked a hotel right in the heart of the Biltmore property at the Village Hotel. Located in Antler Hill Village, we walked right out the hotel door to find the Biltmore winery, restaurants, historic barn, ice cream shop, live music, and beautiful views. You could easily spend the day just in the village – my girls loved visiting the farmyard animals, enjoying root beer floats on the village green, exploring the old barn on the property, and sampling “real” homemade grape juice while the adults took advantage of the complimentary wine tasting at the winery.

No visit to Asheville is complete without a tour of the magnificent Biltmore House. The home was built by George Washington Vanderbilt II in 1895 and is the largest privately owned home in the country. To say it is huge is an understatement! As a huge Downton Abbey fan, I found the tour to be fascinating. I was also surprised at how much my kids loved it as well. We opted to purchase the audio tour device (there was a special audio tour just for kids) and I would definitely recommend it when touring the home. After the tour, we had a delicious lunch at the estate’s Stable Cafe, where guests of the Vanderbilt’s kept their horses while visiting over 100 years ago.

The Biltmore Estate is a sprawling 8,000 acres and there are so many activities on the property – from Segway tours to horseback riding, biking to fly fishing – visitors could easily spend a week there and still not see and do everything the estate has to offer. Christmas time is especially popular when the home is decorated with lights and more than 70 Christmas trees!

For more information on visiting the Biltmore Estate, check out www.biltmore.com.