If you are trying to figure out where to take the kids this summer, consider any of Florida’s beach resorts.  Most of these are just a couple of hours away from Orlando, and you can easily combine a theme park family vacation with the luxury of a resort on the beach.  Here are a few ideas if you are coming up short of your own….
 

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
 

This is a huge 2400 acre resort sitting on the Emerald Coast in Northwest Florida. It is famous for its white sand beaches. It has a beach side, bay side, sailing, putting course, children’s programs, four golf courses including an academy, a marina, and a picture-perfect village.
 

Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island
 This resort hosts the Ritz Kids club, and has holiday activities for all major holidays. It is located on Amelia Island just 20 minutes away from Jacksonville.  It also has nature walks, historic fort, boat tours, and a beautifully restored Victorian village.

Club Med Sandpiper
 This resort is not a beach but it has a host of pools with plenty of watersports.  It is an all inclusive Caribbean style resort with plenty of children’s activities on site.
 

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
 This is located in Southeast Florida in the Treasure Coast and is known for its shipwrecked treasure, gorgeous beaches, surfing, coral reef, and downtown scene.  It also contains 71 acres of barrier island.
 

The Breakers, Palm Beach
This is a landmark hotel with 6000 squ ft. of Family Entertainment, 4 pools by the ocean, 140 acres, and ½ mile of private beach.

When you are planning your vacation, you may want to do what more and more people are doing every day – cruise vacations.  These vacations are becoming more popular for many reasons.  If you are considering booking a vacation, but not quite sure what you want to do, you may want to consider a cruise for any of the following reasons.
 

Entertainment
 

Cruise ships are alive with the sound of music.  In any given day you can watch dancers, singers, comics, gamble, go swimming, sit in a Jacuzzi, or a host of many other activities.  Cruise ships are designed with activity directors that ensure you never experience a dull moment if you don’t want to.  If you prefer a quiet vacay, you can sit in the lounge or by the pool and enjoy a cocktail.
 

The Destinations
 

Being able to visit any number of the many destination ports that are offered during a cruise is the main feature of any cruise vacation.  Imagine being able to stroll down the street of a city 3,000 years old or stepping foot in the same places that Cleopatra did. Or you can enjoy moonlight evenings in Venice, or sail through the Archipelago in Stockholm that contains over 24,000 islands.  There is enough for you to do and experience in any port destination from a cruise ship.  Enjoy yourself first onboard the ship, and then see the amazing sights that the destination port offers you.
 

Pros and Cons
 

Before you book your cruise vacation, be sure you are aware of some of the possible disadvantages to doing so.  The meals and drinks are usually included in your pricing on board, but if you venture into snacks or other amenities, it could get pretty costly.  Another disadvantage is that you won’t know anyone on board, but many consider this a perk as a means of getting away from the hub bub of life.  Weigh out these advantages and disadvantages before you decide if a cruise is really your thing.

Fall is such a beautiful time for a wedding, and its symbolism of the fresh harvest makes it the perfect time to start a life with someone. Fall weddings capture the beauty and essence of the autumn and fall season as Mother Nature turns the leaves into rich vibrant shades on the landscape and foliage.  Warm and rich colors are a beautiful theme for a fall wedding.
When you are thinking colors, think reds, oranges, browns, deep harvest greens, and yes, GOLD. Use colors that are warm and fabulous and match the season.  Think oak, maples, aspens, pumpkins, lanterns, fireplaces, candles, wheat, and fall leaves.
Popular choices for flowers in a fall wedding include mums, daisies, sunflowers, and vibrant shades of roses.  Line the wedding aisle with lighted candles for a warm and cozy entrance that is very romantic.
Pretty venues can include old orchards, ancient turn of the century churches, gardens, barns, vineyards, and old castles that overlook the vibrantly colored landscape.  Romance is in the air when you have the rich autumn colors as your gorgeous natural backdrop.
Pretty harvest accents can include fruits, vegetables, berries, and nuts.  Add assortments of jam, jellies, and nuts on your reception tables for a theme of bounty.  Use wheat, barley, and seeds in your wedding toss to symbolize harvest as these always mean fertility and good luck.
Fall is the time of year we come to miss our loved ones.  We come home to them to share with them thanks and love for the past year.  The leaves begin to fall and the spirit of the season is a perfect setting for a fall wedding.  You do not need a June wedding for a successful marriage.  Every season carries its benefits, and the fall time of harvest is a beautiful time to share your love with your family.