Four fun, frugal Florida vacations for those who want more than Disney.  National Park Service Photo by Rodney Cammauf used under public permission. I do my best to embrace winter. I've recruited my blogging friends to help me write about all the amazing things you do when you travel in the heart of winter. I've eaten Beavertails on the Rideau Canal - the world's longest skating rink. And I've traveled to amazing winter destinations around the world. But I'm also a proud Canadian - and that means dreaming of a warm escape is in my DNA! And for most Canadians, there's no winter avoidance destination quite as affordable as Florida.
Whether you're heading to Orlando, Miami, Tampa, or further afield, Canadians can find cheap flights to Florida, plenty of value priced (and delicious!) food, great road trip opportunities, and bargain basement priced attractions. There's just one catch - none of it is in a theme park. My friends have always given glowing reports about Disney, except for one thing: the price. Even basic theme park passes can make your budget soar. So with all due respect to Cinderella and Snow White, this girl's recommending four Florida vacations that are completely cartoon free. Exploring the hidden history of Alcatraz Prison through a night tour.  San Francisco skyline From Alcatraz For most travelers, being in a maximum security prison with no chance of escape would be the ultimate nightmare; but for me it was the ultimate adventure! When the prison in question is the legendary Alcatraz and it's the 50th anniversary of its closure, the idea of spending a night in jail has tremendous appeal.  Arriving at Alcatraz. Why Golfing in Death Valley National Park (in July!) is Something That Should be on Every Golfers' Bucket Lists In summer, golfing Death Valley's Furnace Creek begins at 6am. There are a couple of things I must be doing wrong. Waking up at 5am and stepping outside into a 105 degree pressure cooker is not normally high on my agenda of pleasant summer activities. But this is no ordinary morning – I have a 6:00 am tee off time at the Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley.
This course was rated as one of the 50 most difficult to play in the United States by Golf Digest, and it’s not hard to see why. By the time my round finishes on this clear July morning, the sun will be baking the 18th green with temperatures passing the 120 degree mark. Combined with the heavy, still air of the valley at 214 feet below sea level, this course certainly tests the resolve of any golfer who attempts it – and that’s the very reason why I have come to play. To play the world’s lowest elevation golf course, to dodge coyotes who are chasing road runners, and to sweat out a round that should be on everyone’s golf bucket list! Zion National Park is filled with breathtaking natural wonders. Zion National Park has amazing geological formations. Just over two hours from Las Vegas, the beautiful natural wonders of Zion National Park are perfect for a short day of sightseeing. I enjoyed it for the breathtaking geological formations, the unique plant and animal life, the many lovely photo opportunities, and the interesting and informative presentations by the park rangers. If your tastes run towards more adventuresome activities, Zion National Park has legendary hiking and climbing challenges.  Even within the desert there is wonderful, diverse plant life. Grand Canyon planning starts with the basics. Here's what you need to know to visit this iconic park (no matter if your travel styles are wild and a bit wimpy like me!) Grand Canyon planning starts with some inspiration: Grand Canyon National Park at sunset. Few locations capture the beauty, mystery, and romance of the American Southwest like the Grand Canyon. This extraordinary natural wonder captivates thousands of people each year and for good reason – it really is stunning! While extraordinary adventures are everywhere to be found, the Grand Canyon is still a wonderful destination for anti-adventurists like me! You could spend days admiring the scenic vistas, honing your photography skills, and enjoying informative presentations from the renowned park rangers. But Grand Canyon planning starts with the basics. Here's what you need to know to organize your trip.
I'm an indoor girl but I do love to get in touch with nature when I travel. Here's why! Visiting Grand Canyon National Park. I can’t claim to be an outdoorsy girl. I’d much rather read Jane Austen and sip wine than brave the bugs, sun, sleet, and dirt of the great outdoors. I’m a bit of a chicken (we all remember the Segway and ziplining anti-adventure), but one way or another, I’ve always managed to find myself outside, SPF 110 and bug spray in hand, ready to try something new. Here are some of my favourite travel activities in the great outdoors.
 Below the Rim in the Grand Canyon. It gets hotter the lower you go! Grand Canyon National ParkHawaii's Volcanoes National Park Not fog! This is output from a volcanic steam vent in Hawai'i Volcanos National Park. HOT! Every weekday in July, we will be posting a photo with the theme of "heat". (Crazy concept, we know!) On Thursdays, we will post one photo submitted by one of our amazing readers. If you would like to submit a photo, please email us at contact@turnipseedtravel.com with the subject line "heat". To start off, here is a photo that we took at the Devil's Golf Course in Death Valley, in July; the hottest place we have ever, ever been. Happy Heat Month! Looking for summer heat? Check out Death Valley! Death Valley National Park Devil's Golf Course. Bonus! We're thrilled to share our YouTube video of Death Valley's Devil's Golf Course. |
Recent Posts
Posts by Location
Post Categories
All
Posts by Date
May 2023
|
Disclaimers, Privacy, and Cookie Policy |
Top 100 Travel Influencer
As named by the Obama White House in 2014. 
|
 © COPYRIGHT 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
|