top places to visit in florida

Walt Disney was right: Florida is a place that captures the imagination. The landscape is exaggerated, and invites exaggeration unsecured loans. Spanish explorers saw manatees and imagined them mermaids; Ponce de Leon saw crystal-clear springs and imagined them fountains of youth. Developers saw swamps and sold them as paradise, but if they are, there’s plenty of the devil in them.

In its history, Florida has inspired as much madness and murder as it has fantasies of a magical kingdom where dreams really do bad credit loans come true. So come for the beaches and Mickey Mouse, come for the people and the Everglades, come for the nightlife and the kayaking and the manatees and the gators. But make sure to come. Here are our top 10 Florida getaways:

1. WALT DISNEY WORLD

Wait. Walt Disney World? That’s about as Lonely Planet as a trip to Branson, Missouri (no offense, Branson). Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it! Sure, there will be lines a mile long, and sure, you’ll spend more money than you intended on a Mickey Mouse sweatshirt that you would never have dreamed of buying before you came. But no matter how much of a hard-core traveler you claim to be, there’s something here that will soften you – something that will spark your inspiration and imagination. Maybe it’s the children’s awestruck faces illuminated by the fireworks above Cinderella’s Castle. Maybe it’s a particular turn in a particular ride. Maybe it’s the corny (but endearing) joke told by the guy who drives the horse-drawn carriage down Main Street. Whatever it is, once you’re there, you’ll admit it. Walt Disney World’s got you.

2. MIAMI

What was once a little citrus town is now a pan-American mosaic, the most Latin city in the world north of Mexico. A vibrant mix of Cuban, Haitian and Colombian cultures (just to name a few) splashed against a pastel backdrop of distinctive art deco architecture, the turquoise waters of Biscayne Bay kissing the sands of South Beach, it’s this diversity that makes Miami more quintessentially American than the cutest Mid-Western Main Street.

3. KEY WEST

Feeling like mainland Florida is just too tame for your taste? Time to ship out to Key West, where the high- and low-brow mix it up with a devil-may-care attitude. There’s always a party to be found here, and the vibe is decidedly tolerant: the Key West motto is ‘One Human Family’, which translates to acceptance and mutual respect for people of all colors and religions, gays, straights, and everything in between. It’s all love – and rum punch – here.

4. THE EVERGLADES

Often dismissed as a swamp, the Everglades are arguably more beautiful than all the sin and flash Miami can produce. Forget what you’ve heard about airboats and swamp buggies. Come and canoe, bike, kayak or walk around the park. Get to understand the delicate ecosystem that has endured forever here. Stand still long enough to see an alligator’s back surfacing above the black water and take in the unbroken vistas of wet prairie, big sky and long silences.

5. ST AUGUSTINE

Saunter along cobbled roads, linger at charming cafes, and learn about the city’s rich history at countless museums. Cap it all off with dinner at a gas lamp-lit restaurant and a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Historic District. Europe? Oh wait, we’re in Florida. Epcot? No way, this is the real deal. Founded by the Spanish in 1565, St Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the US, preserved for centuries and awaiting your discovery.

6. SANIBEL ISLAND

This beautiful barrier island is the perfect beach escape: scout for seashells along the porcelain sand, spot night herons, anhinga and alligators at JN ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge, and dine on delicious fresh seafood at one of the quaint beach-shacks. If you’re without a car, don’t worry about it – with 23 miles of dedicated paths, you can bike around the entire island.

7. CALADESI ISLAND STATE PARK

Located in the Tampa Bay area, Caladesi Island State Park ranks at the top of national surveys for the best natural beaches. Reach it by canoe or take a ferry from nearby Honeymoon Island (also worth a visit). In addition to nature trails and an unspoiled, palm-lined 3-mile beach, it’s the perfect spot for a lazy day of swimming and picnicking.

8. AMELIA ISLAND

Home to Fernandina Beach, a charming shrimping village with 50 blocks of historic buildings, delightful eateries, and unique B&Bs, Amelia Island is a moss-draped southern fantasy.  Prefer a swanky resort to the quaint B&Bs? They’ve got that too, as well as miles of shark-tooth covered shoreline and a commanding Civil War-era fort anchoring it all.

9. APALACHICOLA NATIONAL FOREST

The largest of Florida’s three national forests, Apalachicola occupies almost 938 square miles of the Panhandle, from just west of Tallahassee to the Apalachicola River. Hike and bike this otherworldly forest of cypress hammocks, dunes, swamps, sinks and karst terrain.

10. SARASOTA

If you’ve ever wanted to run away and join the circus, Sarasota is the place to go. John Ringling (yes, of Ringling Brothers fame) made Sarasota the winter home for his circus. His legacy lives on here in the Ringling Museum Complex, which includes his former home, a fine art museum, and of course, a circus museum. The circus doesn’t stop there – the entire town is obsessed. Enroll your kids in circus classes, go to the church that the circus built, or check out one of the many shows in town.

hangover 2 talky

 Warner Bros. has what you'd call a champagne problem this weekend: Its "The Hangover Part II" could gross as much as $140 million over its first five days following a huge $29.7 million Saturday, but it probably won't break any of the R-rated-opening records set by the studio's second "Matrix" movie in 2003.

"Hangover 2" grossed an estimated $91.4 million through Saturday. "The Matrix Reloaded" grossed $91.8 million over its first three days (although actuals might change that outcome). The critically eviscerated "Reloaded" also grossed $144.4 million over its first five days of release, also a bar that would appear difficult for Todd Phillips' R-rated follow-up.

For an R-rated comedy like "The Hangover 2" to beat out a huge tentpole like "The Matrix" franchise would have been nothing short of extraordinary.

"Hangover 2" does, however, appear to have the all-time comedy-opening record, besting the $85.7 million start for "Bruce Almighty" over Memorial Day weekend in 2003. The $29.7 million Saturday gross was also a comedy record.

Also among all-time best this weekend, Terrence Malick's Palme d'Or winner "The Tree of Life" has an estimated three-day gross of $352,320 at four New York and Los Angeles locations. The $88,080 per-theater average is Fox Searchlight's best ever, even beating out the $80,212 pace set by "Black Swan" in December.

"Tree of Life's" did not have the best limited opening of 2011, however. That mark belongs to Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris," which averaged an incredible $99,834 per screen last weekend.

Expanding from 6 to 58 locations this weekend, "Midnight in Paris" grossed an estimated $1.9 million over the standard three-day weekend period.

Back among the tentpole trees, DreamWorks Animation's "Kung Fu Panda 2" grossed $18.7 million Saturday, according to studio estimates. That film could end up grossing more than $70 million over its first five days (it's currently on pace for around $68 million) bad credit loans.

A flashy number with a seven in front of it might be enough to influence a punitive Wall Street, which cratered DWA stock 5 percent Friday amid "Panda 2"s $13.2 million second day.

"Panda 2" has also grossed $57 million so far opening at 8,023 locations in 11 foreign markets.

Also performing big internationally, Disney's fourth "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie, "On Stranger Tides," is expected to have a two-week global total of over $645 million through Monday.

The film is also predicted by studio estimates to gross $50 million domestically over the four-day Memorial Day holiday weekend, a second-week decline of around 45 percent.

Saturday update:

Warner Bros.' "The Hangover Part II" grossed an estimated unsecured loans $30 million Friday, putting the Todd Phillips-directed R-rated comedy sequel on pace to exceed $130 million over its first five days of release, according to studio data.

The raunchy film, which re-cast Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis in their "OMG, what happend last night?" roles, was widely expected to break R-rated opening records while grossing around $125 million from its Thursday-morning midnight opening through Monday.

How to Write Christmas Cards Low Down

• Select the Christmas cards you wish to use for the holiday. Select from store-bought individualized cards, boxed greetings or even homemade cards. Choose a card with a predetermined sentiment that will go well with your own words. Choose a blank greeting card if you unsecured loans wish to completely personalize the Christmas card.
• 2
  Make a list of card recipients. Remember to include family, extended family, friends, coworkers and people who have been part of your life. This may include a special teacher, real estate agent or employer. bad credit loans Be sure to include people who sent you greeting cards the previous year.
• 3
  Determine the length of holiday greeting you want to use. Will you write a full holiday letter? Do you want to write one simple sentence, or use just a holiday closing? If you have had an eventful year, want to tell people about a bright future or recent family development, choose a longer, letter-style Christmas card.
• 4
  Plan your words. Use a quote book or check online for phrases and sentiments of the season (see the Resources section). Write out a rough draft of personal information. Set your sentiments aside and reread them a few days later. Make any necessary adjustments. Be sure you include your feelings about the season, and why you are sending the Christmas card to the recipient.
• 5
  Choose the style of writing for your cards. Although it takes more time, a handwritten Christmas card or letter is much more personal than a typed letter. If your greeting is too long, or your have too many to write, a handwritten card may not be possible. Then at least include a handwritten signature and address the envelope in your own handwriting.
• 6
  Include extras with your Christmas card. An updated family portrait, wedding photos and pictures of a new home will be appreciated by your card recipients. If you're having a holiday gathering, include a small map and your phone number for RSVPs or directions. Decorate the envelope with stickers and festive return address labels.

  
  

DC Shoes pro skater

It stayed many a person’s preference to walk and skate in Rob Dyrdek shoes showcasing the skills and life of the pro-skater and star of MTV's Rob & Big. So this signature shoe was released showcasing some real heavy-duty features.
The list starts with the suede, followed by a soft, action leather upper and together they bring in an optimum support not many DC shoes of this price range can bring; the materials also double-up the durability unsecured loans factor. As for the fit, it is a tongue padded with foam and a collar with soft tricot lining that turns it a comfortable one. The picture of the DC RD 1.5 shoe completes with internal, elastic tongue holders; the whole effect boiling down to additional foot stability. The rubber soul is abrasion resistant, meaning you will wear a spotless pair for many days. The rubber outsole’s pill pattern brings on an improved grip thus enhancing overall board control through an excellent ground contact, thanks to its ultimate flexing properties.

 

Rob Dyrdek

Source: Rob Dyrdek

The build quality shows the great care with which the components have been put together, right from the heel to the toes including the double stitches, many times better than a single stitch and simple gluing. Not that glue is absent in the DC RD 1.5 shoe, but that’s when the double stitching needs to be concealed. The end result is an even wearing of all the components, maintaining parity. That’s what people seem to mean by aging gracefully. And that starts from the bottom parts i.e. either from the outer soles or from the pads receiving maximum friction from the heels. Unlike other skating shoes where the lace cuts into the holes, this one has metal rings that guard the top eight.
The two elastic straps hold the tongue in place ensuring the foot stays in place within preventing any sort of sprains resulting from a lack of balance; the centered position sets the equilibrium bad credit loans in quite a perfect manner.
Regarding the style and the fit, they are exclusively that of the skaters’  but the durability is enough to grant it a permanent place in the weekend wear list. The only problem is the whites turn dull and discolored pretty soon, but those willing for an used look would like that immensely. One more thing: This is a pair that will retain its shape long because of the perfectly centered tongues.
As far as the price goes, £60 is a meager price to pay for a long investment that will provide the same comfort as it would on day one. The credit goes to the sumptuous amount of padding inside, also a big insurance against a board slapping against or when slipped from the ramp. That’s a big saving on the money you would have spent otherwise on the orthopedic or on the medicaments.