It's Valentine's Day - Let's Talk Florida.Here at Ocean Florida we have all gone a little romance crazy, as we have now waved off ourUltimate Test couple,Rebecca and Brendan who are embarking on a Valentine adventure in Orlando.
But for those of us who are left behind, we are on hand to give you plenty of reasons why couples love Florida. | |
\t\t\t\tCombine romance and rollercoastersFlorida’s theme parks aren’t just set up for kids. TakeUniversal Orlando Resort, for example – its CityWalk has fun first (or 500th) date written all over it. Start with cocktails at a waterfront bar, move on to dinner at an authentic Mexican restaurant, and end the night grabbing gelato or dancing to live music. And the hotels aren’t all Mickey and Minnie. Italian-inspired Loews Portofino Bay Hotel feels as if you’ve been whisked away to a traditional seaside village. You can stroll through the piazza, be serenaded by singers and stuff your face with indulgent-as-they-come Italian dishes. | |
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\t\tEscape to an idyllic islandTrade theme parks for natural thrills onAnna Maria Island. This barrier island floats off the radar on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It might be small in size, but it’s big on beaches – with seven miles of sand to its name. There’s no wonder this place is such a honeymoon haunt. Fishing, bird-watching and kayaking are the main pastimes – not forgetting sunbathing, of course. You can even go horseback riding along the beach. Does it get more romantic than that? | |
\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPlay house in your own villaKissimmee, in Florida, is the ‘Vacation Home Capital of the World’, with a whopping 30,000-plus homes to choose from. And you don’t just get a room. You’ll get a house you can make a home, in a gated community. Some line up luxe facilities like swish state-of-the-art kitchens and private pools, so you’ll be saying “Kissimmee, quick”. Plus, the city’s even closer to Disney than Orlando, so it’s the perfect spot to lay down (temporary) roots. | |
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\t\t\t\tGo wild for each other at GatorlandGet back to nature atGatorland– the Alligator Capital of the World. If you want to see Florida’s wild side without trekking down to the Everglades, this is the place for it. From Orlando, you’re only looking at 20 minutes in the car, rather than four hours. And adrenaline-loving couples are in for a treat. This theme park is home to alligators and crocodiles of all sizes, including the rare white leucistic alligators. You can tour the swamp after dark with an optional Gator Night Shine tour. Or ride the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line, voted the Best Zip Line in the USA by AOL Travel. | |
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\t\t\t\tWine, dine and fly through the sky at ICON Park®ICON Park®dubs itself the ultimate entertainment destination. And they’re not kidding. This 20-acre site is home to more than 50 restaurants, bars and shops, as well as attractions. Admire the views of Orlando – and your loved one – on The Wheel, which stands at 400 feet tall. For an added dose of romance, time your visit for the nightly theme park fireworks, or a rocket launch from the Kennedy Space Center. | |
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet your heart’s racing with a shopping spreeIf you want to treat your loved one to a designer anything, Orlando’s a good place to do it. If your other half is a high-end lover, tryThe Mall at Milleniaand The Florida Mall®. Or, if they like a big name without spending the big bucks, you’re in luck. Orlando is bursting with outlets. International Premium Outlets® is Florida’s biggest outlet centre at over 773 square feet. But you’ve also got quaint little neighbourhoods with cute boutiques, which are perfect for an arm-in-arm wander. | |
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\t\t\t\tHave dinner with a viewIn Florida, anything really is possible. And this is one to suit sports fanatics. Want to wine and dine in sight of a basketball game? Sure. There are plenty of ways you can upgrade your game-watching experience when you watch theOrlando Magicplay. Ultimate Seats get you in the first five to seven rows, plus you’ll get access to the Fields Ultimate Lounge where you can take advantage of all inclusive food and drinks. Or go all out with Courtside Seats, which get you as close as you can get to the action, without shooting hoops. | |
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\t\t\t\tHave fun together at Westgate River RanchCouples that play together, stay together. And there’s plenty of fun to be had atWestgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo. Rock climbing, airboats, swamp buggies, mini golf – you name it, they’ve got it. For a slower pace, you can go horseback riding, or cruise along the Kissimmee River. Plus, there’s a rodeo every Saturday night, followed by a street party – basically a good ol’ fashioned hoedown. So, what are you waiting for? Round up your partner and get yourself down. | |
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\t\t\t\tFeed each other chocolate in Daytona BeachNothing says romance quite like a truffle or two.Daytona Beachhas its very own chocolate factory to rival Willy Wonkas. It’s been producing the good stuff since 1925. And if you swing by, you can see them making it all, the old-fashioned away. Plus, there are some delicious samples up for grabs. The range of flavours is huge and you can build your own box to take home. There are some more bizarre offerings, too, like chocolate-covered bacon and crisps. | |
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