A survey of more than 600 travel agents has revealed that most consumers, despite the economic recession, think a summer holiday just too important to give up, even if it puts a dent in their wallet.
According to Reuters, almost 90 per cent of travel agents said they are getting more questions about deals for this year than they did in the past. Forty-five percent said travelers are not cutting short vacations this year and are booking the same amount of holiday time as in previous years.
Instead of shortening vacations, people are making concessions in other areas to save money. They will consider altering destinations and the type of accommodation to stretch their money further.
But although taking connecting flights can be cheaper, many travelers will not even consider the idea, insisting on flying direct to their destination, according to the poll.
Sixty percent of the travel agents questioned said more consumers are also asking them about tips to save money, such as traveling midweek to get the best deals on flights, looking for holiday packages that offer free night promotions and taking an all-inclusive cruise so they know exactly how much the trip will cost.
We hope they are all being told that the best value to be had on vacation is to visit a rental agent and spend your week or two weeks in a glorious home. For the best on Anna Maria Island, visit www.annamaria.com and discover the true meaning of affordable luxury.
Tuesday 26 May 2009
Friday 22 May 2009
Hit the road, Jack
Where are you going this holiday weekend? According to AAA more Americans will go on road trips this Memorial Day weekend than they did last year to take advantage of discounted hotel rooms and a 39 per cent decline in gas prices.
About 32.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home this holiday weekend, a 1.5 percent increase from 2008, according to AAA, the biggest US motoring organization. Memorial Day, which commemorates US armed forces killed in service, falls on May 25 this year and marks the traditional beginning of the summer travel season.
But it's not just about road travel, domestic airfares are as much as 10 per cent less than last year’s Memorial Day weekend as well, and hotel rates for the summer months have fallen as much as 14 per cent from a year ago after the deepening US recession cut demand.
The average price of a gallon of unleaded gas was $2.334 on May 19, compared with $3.80 a year ago, according to AAA.
So get out on the road, and get down to Anna Maria Island. Visit www.annamaria.com for the best in vacation rentals on this perfect patch of Old Florida.
About 32.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home this holiday weekend, a 1.5 percent increase from 2008, according to AAA, the biggest US motoring organization. Memorial Day, which commemorates US armed forces killed in service, falls on May 25 this year and marks the traditional beginning of the summer travel season.
But it's not just about road travel, domestic airfares are as much as 10 per cent less than last year’s Memorial Day weekend as well, and hotel rates for the summer months have fallen as much as 14 per cent from a year ago after the deepening US recession cut demand.
The average price of a gallon of unleaded gas was $2.334 on May 19, compared with $3.80 a year ago, according to AAA.
So get out on the road, and get down to Anna Maria Island. Visit www.annamaria.com for the best in vacation rentals on this perfect patch of Old Florida.
Tuesday 19 May 2009
Big Apple to Sunshine State made easy
Just a quick message for anyone considering traveling from New York to Florida by air.
As part of their most recent flight discount announcement, Jetblue is offering flights between New York and Ft. Lauderdale Florida for $89 each way. That makes it $180 round trip.
The only flight restrictions are that the fare requires a 10-day advance purchase. Travel must be completed by June 17, 2009. Travel must take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Saturday.
If you can work around those dates, why not just get on the plane?
When you get to Florida, come visit us on Anna Maria Island. And when you are on this beautiful patch of sand and seclusion, you really should be staying in the very best the island has to offer in terms of luxury rental accommodation - at a price you can afford.
Check out www.annamaria.com to start your dream vacation now!
As part of their most recent flight discount announcement, Jetblue is offering flights between New York and Ft. Lauderdale Florida for $89 each way. That makes it $180 round trip.
The only flight restrictions are that the fare requires a 10-day advance purchase. Travel must be completed by June 17, 2009. Travel must take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Saturday.
If you can work around those dates, why not just get on the plane?
When you get to Florida, come visit us on Anna Maria Island. And when you are on this beautiful patch of sand and seclusion, you really should be staying in the very best the island has to offer in terms of luxury rental accommodation - at a price you can afford.
Check out www.annamaria.com to start your dream vacation now!
Sunday 10 May 2009
What, where, when for Central Florida
Here's another one of those hugely useful calendars of events for Florida, as compiled by those helpful souls over at the Orlando Sentinel.
May 14-17: Forks and Corks Food and Wine Festival, Sarasota. World-class weekend of food and wine including vintner dinners, a late-night kick-off soiree, and The Grand Tasting with visiting wineries, food demonstrations, delicious samples, live entertainment and a charity auction. At various venues along the Suncoast. Admission varies per event. 941-955-3663. www.freshoriginals.com/forksandcorks/events.php
May 15-17: Wild Amelia Nature Festival, Amelia Island. Educates residents and visitors about the bioregion, and encourages stewardship of the area's natural resources. Started in 2006 by a group of residents who realized that Amelia Island's unique position of being almost surrounded by State and National Parks made it the perfect place for a nature festival. This year's focus is on the Northern Right Whale, which comes to the waters off Amelia Island each year to give birth. Wide variety of tours and outings offered, ranging in price from free to $80. 904-251-0016. www.wildamelia.com
May 16: Arcadia Watermelon Festival, Arcadia. Held annually in May, which is height of watermelon harvesting season. Features a variety of pageants, contests, vendors and activities. Downtown. Free admission. 863-494-2020. www.arcadiamainstreet.com/events.htm
May 16: Blueberry Bluegrass Festival, Lake Placid. Day filled with blueberry treats of all kinds, from shakes and shortcakes to fritters, pies and more, and the sounds of live Bluegrass/Country music. Also offered is the farm's walking tour feeding the chickens, a presentation in the winery, and complimentary cheese and wine tasting. Lawn chairs and umbrellas recommended. At Henscratch Farms. Admission. 863-699-2060. www.henscratchfarms.com
May 17: Annual Blueberry Bash, Lake Placid. Blueberry pancake breakfast with bluegrass music, and arts and crafts for sale. All things blueberry are offered: blueberry wine, blueberry muffins, blueberry fritters, blueberry jams and blueberry syrup. At Henscratch Farms. Free. 863-699-2060. www.henscratchfarms.com
May 23: Red, White and Brew, Daytona Beach. This third annual event takes place on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. It takes advantage of the summer Boardwalk fireworks program kick-off, and features live music, food vendors, food courts, giant inflatables, giveaways and radio station live remotes. Each of Main Street's bars and restaurants showcase up to seven American Microbreweries. The micro-brews are on sale in both sample and full sizes. 386-255-9300. www.whog.fm
May 23: Art Walk on Flagler Avenue, New Smyrna Beach. Features, in the five blocks between the Indian River and the ocean, a variety of interesting and unique art works by resident and visiting artists. Also entertainment, demonstrations and free prize drawing. Held fourth Saturday each month January-June. Free. 386-428-1770. www.flaglergallerygroup.com
May 23-24: Tampa Travel Show and Tastes of the World, Tampa. High-energy show consisting of 450+ travel- and culinary-based exhibitors, special appearances by celebrity chefs, travel experts, adventure activities such as rock climbing and on-site scuba lessons, and professional live entertainment. At Tampa Convention Center. Free. 877-STL-TRAVEL or 314-481-8100 x109. http://tampaadventureexpo.com/
May 23-24: Market Fest at Water Tower Place, Celebration. Art, crafts, food. At W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy and Celebration Blvd. Free. 352-344-0657. www.tnteventsinc.com
May 23-25: Blue Crab Festival, Palatka. Florida's largest Memorial Day celebration. Includes Memorial Day Parade, seafood cook-off, live entertainment, helicopter and airboat rides, arts and crafts, antiques, and more. Downtown. Free admission. 386-325-4406. www.bluecrabfestival.com
May 25: Memorial Day Celebration and Remembrance, Cocoa. Old-fashioned Memorial Day celebration featuring a variety of speakers, musicians and more. Food and beverages will be available for sale. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets. At Riverfront Park in downtown Cocoa Village. Free admission. 321-631-9075. www.cocoavillage.com
May 28: Memorial Day Concerts at Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales. Half-hour carillon concerts at 1 and 3 p.m. present a musical salute to the nation's veterans and current members of America's armed forces. To honor the military, free admission will be offered to all branches of the military as well as active, retired and disabled veterans. 863-676-1408. www.boktowergardens.org/
May 29-31: Mount Dora Blues and Wine Festival, Mount Dora. Sample wines from the best vineyards and listen to Blues artists and groups. At Lakeside Inn. Admission. 352-383-2165. www.mountdora.com/events.php
May 30: Picnic in the Vineyard, Lake Placid. Henscratch Farms hosts an end of season picnic for the community. Activities include a tour of the winery and a video of the winemaking process, plus complimentary wine tasting with cheese and nibbles. Entertainment by the "Front Porch Fiddlers" is scheduled 11am -2pm. It is blueberry u-pick season on the farm and the ice cream shack will be open for creamy Blueberry & Strawberry treats to enjoy with lunch . Guests may tour the farm by strolling through the nine flagged educational stations, complete a scavenger hunt and feed the 101 free range hens. Door prizes and giveaways will be awarded every 15 minutes. It's all for free. 863-699-2060. www.henscratchfarms.com
May 31-June 1: Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival, Sarasota. More than 100 talented crafters display their wares, from baskets and homemade soaps to jewelry and much more. On Main Street downtown. Free. 941-957-1877. http://www.escape-to-sarasota.com/sarasota-calendar-of-events.html
May 14-17: Forks and Corks Food and Wine Festival, Sarasota. World-class weekend of food and wine including vintner dinners, a late-night kick-off soiree, and The Grand Tasting with visiting wineries, food demonstrations, delicious samples, live entertainment and a charity auction. At various venues along the Suncoast. Admission varies per event. 941-955-3663. www.freshoriginals.com/forksandcorks/events.php
May 15-17: Wild Amelia Nature Festival, Amelia Island. Educates residents and visitors about the bioregion, and encourages stewardship of the area's natural resources. Started in 2006 by a group of residents who realized that Amelia Island's unique position of being almost surrounded by State and National Parks made it the perfect place for a nature festival. This year's focus is on the Northern Right Whale, which comes to the waters off Amelia Island each year to give birth. Wide variety of tours and outings offered, ranging in price from free to $80. 904-251-0016. www.wildamelia.com
May 16: Arcadia Watermelon Festival, Arcadia. Held annually in May, which is height of watermelon harvesting season. Features a variety of pageants, contests, vendors and activities. Downtown. Free admission. 863-494-2020. www.arcadiamainstreet.com/events.htm
May 16: Blueberry Bluegrass Festival, Lake Placid. Day filled with blueberry treats of all kinds, from shakes and shortcakes to fritters, pies and more, and the sounds of live Bluegrass/Country music. Also offered is the farm's walking tour feeding the chickens, a presentation in the winery, and complimentary cheese and wine tasting. Lawn chairs and umbrellas recommended. At Henscratch Farms. Admission. 863-699-2060. www.henscratchfarms.com
May 17: Annual Blueberry Bash, Lake Placid. Blueberry pancake breakfast with bluegrass music, and arts and crafts for sale. All things blueberry are offered: blueberry wine, blueberry muffins, blueberry fritters, blueberry jams and blueberry syrup. At Henscratch Farms. Free. 863-699-2060. www.henscratchfarms.com
May 23: Red, White and Brew, Daytona Beach. This third annual event takes place on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. It takes advantage of the summer Boardwalk fireworks program kick-off, and features live music, food vendors, food courts, giant inflatables, giveaways and radio station live remotes. Each of Main Street's bars and restaurants showcase up to seven American Microbreweries. The micro-brews are on sale in both sample and full sizes. 386-255-9300. www.whog.fm
May 23: Art Walk on Flagler Avenue, New Smyrna Beach. Features, in the five blocks between the Indian River and the ocean, a variety of interesting and unique art works by resident and visiting artists. Also entertainment, demonstrations and free prize drawing. Held fourth Saturday each month January-June. Free. 386-428-1770. www.flaglergallerygroup.com
May 23-24: Tampa Travel Show and Tastes of the World, Tampa. High-energy show consisting of 450+ travel- and culinary-based exhibitors, special appearances by celebrity chefs, travel experts, adventure activities such as rock climbing and on-site scuba lessons, and professional live entertainment. At Tampa Convention Center. Free. 877-STL-TRAVEL or 314-481-8100 x109. http://tampaadventureexpo.com/
May 23-24: Market Fest at Water Tower Place, Celebration. Art, crafts, food. At W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy and Celebration Blvd. Free. 352-344-0657. www.tnteventsinc.com
May 23-25: Blue Crab Festival, Palatka. Florida's largest Memorial Day celebration. Includes Memorial Day Parade, seafood cook-off, live entertainment, helicopter and airboat rides, arts and crafts, antiques, and more. Downtown. Free admission. 386-325-4406. www.bluecrabfestival.com
May 25: Memorial Day Celebration and Remembrance, Cocoa. Old-fashioned Memorial Day celebration featuring a variety of speakers, musicians and more. Food and beverages will be available for sale. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets. At Riverfront Park in downtown Cocoa Village. Free admission. 321-631-9075. www.cocoavillage.com
May 28: Memorial Day Concerts at Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales. Half-hour carillon concerts at 1 and 3 p.m. present a musical salute to the nation's veterans and current members of America's armed forces. To honor the military, free admission will be offered to all branches of the military as well as active, retired and disabled veterans. 863-676-1408. www.boktowergardens.org/
May 29-31: Mount Dora Blues and Wine Festival, Mount Dora. Sample wines from the best vineyards and listen to Blues artists and groups. At Lakeside Inn. Admission. 352-383-2165. www.mountdora.com/events.php
May 30: Picnic in the Vineyard, Lake Placid. Henscratch Farms hosts an end of season picnic for the community. Activities include a tour of the winery and a video of the winemaking process, plus complimentary wine tasting with cheese and nibbles. Entertainment by the "Front Porch Fiddlers" is scheduled 11am -2pm. It is blueberry u-pick season on the farm and the ice cream shack will be open for creamy Blueberry & Strawberry treats to enjoy with lunch . Guests may tour the farm by strolling through the nine flagged educational stations, complete a scavenger hunt and feed the 101 free range hens. Door prizes and giveaways will be awarded every 15 minutes. It's all for free. 863-699-2060. www.henscratchfarms.com
May 31-June 1: Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival, Sarasota. More than 100 talented crafters display their wares, from baskets and homemade soaps to jewelry and much more. On Main Street downtown. Free. 941-957-1877. http://www.escape-to-sarasota.com/sarasota-calendar-of-events.html
Friday 1 May 2009
State fears grow over flu suspects
Florida has so far escaped the spread of swine flu, but news last night of three cases bein sent for analysis at the CDC headquarters have caused some to fear the worst.
Here is the news as the Herald Tribune reported it: Florida's surgeon general said samples of three suspected cases of swine flu have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more testing. One each came from Lee, Orange and Broward counties. Results could take up to 48 hours, Dr. Ana Viamonte Ros said Thursday. No cases of the illness had been confirmed in Florida as of Thursday night.
Meanwhile, samples from two Manatee County residents have been sent for initial testing at a state lab in Tampa, according to the county's director of disease control, Ron Cox. It is too early to know whether those tests will show enough potential to be swine flu to be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta for confirmation.
State labs have tested about 70 samples, but only three cases needed more testing.
Read the whole article here
Here is the news as the Herald Tribune reported it: Florida's surgeon general said samples of three suspected cases of swine flu have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more testing. One each came from Lee, Orange and Broward counties. Results could take up to 48 hours, Dr. Ana Viamonte Ros said Thursday. No cases of the illness had been confirmed in Florida as of Thursday night.
Meanwhile, samples from two Manatee County residents have been sent for initial testing at a state lab in Tampa, according to the county's director of disease control, Ron Cox. It is too early to know whether those tests will show enough potential to be swine flu to be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta for confirmation.
State labs have tested about 70 samples, but only three cases needed more testing.
Read the whole article here
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