Have you been itching for a trip to Florida? Ready to soak up some sand and sun? Then you will be glad to know that we have a few tips to help you make your experience one of success and filled with memories. Our goal is to provide options for traveling and having great experiences with your family. So get ready to take notes and learn lots of informative details regarding Florida!

First off, you should set aside time to simply relax at the beach. Many people fall into the trap of filling their days with so much sight seeing that they forget their primary focus: soaking up the sun! With a little research, you should be able to find a quiet beach side resort where you can fill your afternoon with margaritas, sun tan lotion and a good book.

Once you have one full day dedicated to the beach, you can then turn your attention to finding tourist attractions such as Caribe Royale Orlando, local pubs, restaurants and even museums. Choosing the best option will greatly depend on the age group that you will be traveling with. Do some research and find the best outlets, so that you will all be happy with your outings. Whether you choose Caribe Royale Orlando or the Hard Rock Diner, you will be on your way to making memories!

If you are hoping to find unique places in Florida, then you should try visiting some of the haunted mansions that are open to the public. Another idea, is to visit the little known Amelia Island. It’s a tiny resort area located just off the ocean and boasts a proud community feel. You can walk the boardwalk, dine on incredible seafood and take the kids out for ice cream. It’s a little paradise away from home! Want one more fun idea? Then take your family para sailing! This is one experience that you will never forget.

All these ideas are simply sounding boards to help you plan an unforgettable vacation to Florida! So start packing and planning your trip today. Vacation is just around the corner for you and your family.

Buy a ticket to win a trip to Rancho La Puerta click HERE!

All my adult life, there has been one spot that has been my Mecca when times are rough. I’m not sure what inspired me to go there when I was in my twenties – no one I knew had ever been to Rancho La Puerta, and even with my travel agent’s rate, it was far more expensive than I could then afford, but somehow I knew it would be a special place for me. I’ve been back ten or fifteen times – I’m not sure how many, but it’s always been a place that centers me.

I’m very pleased to announce that Rancho La Puerta and I are participating in the 4th Annual Passports With Purpose annual Travel Bloggers fundraiser. Travel Bloggers have raised over $100,000 to support charities assisting children in developing areas. In 2010, with overwhelming support and assistance from the travel blog community, PWP raised $64,128, over 25% more than our original goal of $50,000. In 2009, travel bloggers raised almost $30,000 to build a school in rural Cambodia (complete with a school nurse). In 2008, travel bloggers raised $7,500 to support Heifer International. In 2011, we have set our sights even higher. With your help, we will raise $80,000 to build a two libraries for children in Zambia through our partnership with Room To Read.

Rancho La Puerta and her foundation, Fundacion De La Puerta, are year round involved in similar types of efforts, supporting environmental education, cultural programs and sustainable agriculture in the Tecate River Valley in Baja, Mexico. Supporting Passports With Purpose is a perfect fit.

Rancho La Puerta is donating a one week stay for one, valued at $3,000, to the Passports with Purpose fundraiser. It’s the perfect way to travel to the Ranch. Up until recently, I always went by myself. No dwelling in the problems of every day life, no obsessing on minor unpleasantries that were bothering you. Every morning a fresh start at the Mountain. Every night a perfect sleep. Early to bed, early to rise. And lots of really interesting new people to meet, share meals with, workout with, do art with.

For just $10 – I repeat, just ten dollars, you can purchase a sweepstakes ticket to win a one week trip to Rancho La Puerta. All the prizes are listed, scroll down the page and you’ll see our beautiful prize. And you’ll be supporting a wonderful cause.

What is Passports With Purpose

This is the fourth holiday season the travel blogger community, and our many travel partners, have rallied to help improve the lives of children in developing countries around the world via the Passports with Purpose fund raiser. The program started small with a handful of bloggers raising $7,500 for Heifer International in 2008 (I was one of them!). In 2009, 90 bloggers raised $30,000 to help build a school in Cambodia. Last year, over 100 bloggers raised about $65,000 to build 25 homes in the small village of Karunganni in South India. This year, the goal is $80,000 to build two libraries in Zambia in partnership with Room to Read.

How It Works

Each participating blogger features a travel-related prize donated by a generous sponsor. This year there are more than 100 prizes available that include a wide range of getaways, lodging options, activity passes, travel gear and more. Visit the donation page and see the full list. Need more details? Just click through the prize link and visit the travel blogger hosting the prizes for all the specifics, then go back to Passports with Purpose to enter for a chance to win your favorites. It’s just $10 per entry, per prize. The odds of winning a specific prize depend on how many $10 donations are made for that specific offering. Spend as much as you like – it all goes to a good cause!

Details

Donations will be only be accepted from November 30th through December 16, 2011. So don’t delay! Visit the Passports with Purpose donation page to make to your donations and record your prize entries. All payments will be processed via Paypal and will be made directly to Room to Read which is a 501(c)3 charity. Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Passports with Purpose is all volunteer run so all the funds, minus Paypal fees, will go straight to Room to Read.

Host bloggers will be notified who won their prize by December 23rd . I will contact Rancho La Puerta and the winner of this fabulous prize and connect them via email so the winner can begin scheduling one of the greatest holidays of their life.

Thanks to the Passport with Purpose program sponsors: Round the World with Us, Traveller’s Point and HomeAway.

Details of the Rancho La Puerta prize
One week stay for one at the #1 Destination Spa in the World (voted such by Readers of Travel & Leisure Magazine 2010 and 2011). Includes 7 nights accommodation, all meals, your choice of over 300 fitness classes, evening events with our guest lecturers and roundtrip transportation from the San Diego airport. Value of the trip $3000. Package must be used in 2012. Guests are responsible for their own transportation to San Diego. Taxes and Tips not included. Spa treatments, cooking classes and special art programs available for purchase by guest. Subject to availability, some blackout dates apply and not for resale.