ADVERTISING FEATURE
Cocoa Beach Left: Lake Louisa State Park
DISCOVER ORLANDO beyond its theme parks
Encourage clients to explore the scenic landscapes and relaxed beach towns close to Orlando that show a different side to Florida
N
ot every day in Florida has to be spent racing on rollercoasters. Instead, inspire
clients to complement high-octane thrills with slower, equally captivating escapes on day trips within a two-hour drive from Orlando, from wildlife-rich landscapes to laid-back beach towns and crystal-clear springs.
EMBRACE THE WILD SIDE
In west Florida, a restorative encounter with manatees beckons at Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Home to a large aggregation of manatees, this protected conservation area and the surrounding Kings Bay is the only place in the country where you can legally swim with wild manatees in their natural habitat. Alternatively, clients can spy these gentle giants from a kayak and paddleboard or stroll the boardwalk that encircles the one- acre Three Sisters Springs. Closer to Orlando, Rock Springs Run State Reserve offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, cycling and horse riding through thick woodland, while at Lake Louisa State Park, clients can try to spot gopher tortoises, bobcats, bald eagles and more.
SOAK UP THE VIBES
Florida is famous for its beaches, but what isn’t quite as well known is Orlando’s proximity to them. Cocoa Beach is just about an hour’s drive from the city and and offers clients the
chance to watch a rocket launch from the nearby Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex while taking a dip. If that’s not thrilling enough, they can surf the waves, explore nearby Banana River Lagoon by boat or slurp down an ice cream at The Fat Donkey. For quieter beach days, New Smyrna Beach, a little over an hour’s drive from Orlando, exudes the charm of old Florida, with boutiques and art galleries, set against a backdrop of golden sand. Nearby, in Daytona Beach, petrolheads will love a driving experience on the designated 23 miles of hard-packed sand.
DISCOVER SMALL-TOWN CHARM
Help clients escape busy Orlando by embracing the small-town charm on its outskirts. Only a 30-minute drive west of Orlando, Winter Garden features tree- lined streets, charming cafes and, each Saturday, an artisanal farmers’ market. The 22-mile West Orange Trail offers plenty of opportunities for cycling and hiking and runs through Winter Garden before stretching to Lake Apopka, home to flamingos, alligators and an array of marine life. Nestled against Lake Dora, Mount Dora oozes New England- style charm despite being only 40 minutes northwest of Orlando. Time your clients’ trips right and they’ll enjoy a number of festivals, whether it’s celebrating crafts, biking or art.
Daytona Beach
Three Sisters Springs
DISCOVER MORE
Become a Florida pro:
visitfloridatravelpro.com
More information:
visitflorida.com Instagram:
instagram.com/visitflorida YouTube:
youtube.com/@visitflorida Pinterest:
pinterest.com/visitflorida Facebook:
facebook.com/visitflorida
PICTURE: Nickxshotz LLC
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
