Planning A Group Trip To Florida With All Your Nearest & Dearest

I am a big travel lover, my family and I love to travel. Whenever we can, we like to hop on a plane and jet off to somewhere new. Recently, a friend of mine mentioned how her, her partner and children, and all of their extended family were planning a big group trip. This got me thinking about how I would go about planning a big family trip and where I would opt to go.

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While I’m not planning a big trip right now, I thought I would share with you how I would go about doing so, with my location of choice being Florida. The reason for this being it’s warm, has lots to see and do, and most importantly, is family-friendly. So, what is the best way to go about planning a big family trip to Florida or another location of your choice?

Get an idea of numbers

The first step is to find out who would like to come along. The best way to do this is by sending out a group email with a proposed date and period that the trip would last for. Ask everyone to let you know what they think, as well as what their budget would be for the trip.

This will then allow you to start planning while ensuring that it’s affordable for everyone. Email everyone back with an amount that you think the trip will cost, ask them to confirm if that’s okay so that you can start getting organized.

Think about how you’ll get there

Once you know who is coming along, the next step is to think about how you’ll get there. As well as how you’ll get around once you’re there.

If you all live in one area, a good option could be to charter a bus so that you can all travel together. While you could fly, renting a bus will be much cheaper. Plus, you can then use the bus to get around once you arrive in Florida, making transport easier while you’re there. If you like the idea of using a bus, you can rent one here.

However, if you all live in different states or areas, it might be best to all make your own way there. Perhaps for yourself and the others living near you, you could hire a minibus? Or maybe, flying would work out cheaper and easier?

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Be smart about accommodation

When it comes to where you stay, there are lots of options to consider. From hotels to budget guesthouses, it all depends on yours’ and your group’s budget. If there’s a lot of you, the cheapest option is probably to rent a house or villa for your trip. This won’t only be cheaper, but also easier, as you’ll all be staying in one place.

If you don’t plan on staying in the same place for the duration of your trip, make sure to book the amount of accommodation that you need. So that when you arrive in each place, your accommodation is already sorted.

Create an itinerary beforehand

To prevent arguments from occurring about what you’re doing each day, it’s best to put together an itinerary beforehand. Research all of Florida’s best sights and attractions, as well as where they are located. And then put together an itinerary based on what everyone wants to see and do. From theme parks and studio tours to beaches and sports activities, Florida has a lot to offer. It’s just a case of working out what you and your group will enjoy and can afford.

So there you have it, how to plan an amazing group trip to Florida.

My Tips For A Brilliant Trip To Florida

Are you planning a trip to Florida? While some people see the state as plastic others love the picturesque setting and gorgeous sandy beaches. Not to mention the theme parks that are fun-filled zones no matter how old you are. As you’ve probably guessed, I’m in the latter group. I love Florida and that’s why I want to make sure your trip there is the best it can be. So here are my tips on how to make the most of this wonderful vacation spot.

Book At The Right Time

Typically, people find that they have to counter the price of a Trip to Florida with the weather forecast. Ideally, you want to avoid the storm season while also not hitting the summer rush. That’s why despite the fact that October is the cheapest time to visit Florida I don’t recommend you head over during that time. This is when the chances of hurricanes are at their highest. It will certainly put a dampener on having a beach outside your window if you can’t go out and enjoy it. Also, you’ll find most of the theme park rides will be closed during a storm. However, you also don’t want to head over in July or August. The crowds are immense at this time of year, and you’ll be lucky to find a single spot of shade where you can sit down and relax. Instead, take my advice and head over in the spring. The weather isn’t too hot, the crowds haven’t arrived, and you’ll be in for a wonderful time.

Alternates To A Hotel

Hotels in Florida are wonderful, but it’s difficult to ignore how much they are for what you get. Even the resort hotels are ridiculously priced considering they often consist of one room and a bathroom. Instead, I recommend that you look into renting a privately owned accommodation. A vacation rental by owner offer will allow you to stay in a luxury apartment overlooking the beautiful sandy beaches of Florida. The price will be reasonable, and you will have the freedom you simply can’t get in a hotel. Enjoy Florida your way by skipping the hotel and getting a little more for your money.

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Beaches And Theme Parks

Obviously, one of Florida's biggest draws is the beautiful sandy beaches that stretch for miles along the coast. There, you can try your luck on the open waves with a surfboard. Or, you can relax staring up at a perfect velvet blue sky.

Then there are the theme parks of which there are now too many to name. If you’re heading over at the end of this year, I’m sure you’ll be checking out the magic of Disney at Christmas. There’s nothing quite like it, and it’s the only place that you’ll find snow in Florida

But don’t forget there’s a lot more to Florida than that. For instance, you should certainly take a hover boat ride across the swamps to see the natural habitat of the alligators. And don’t forget that you might be lucky enough to see a rocket blast enough at Kennedy Space Centre. There’s no question that there’s a lot more to Florida than first meets the eye. I hope you have a wonderful time.   

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A Great Family Experience

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You and your whole family can enjoy an exceptional vacation in the Florida sunshine at a resort that caters to children as well as adults. 

Imagine a well-located destination right on the ocean where all the rooms are beautifully decorated condominiums with many having views of the ocean, the Intercoastal Waterway, the beach and a park from a large balcony. A full kitchen makes it easy to make breakfasts and other meals to go easy on part of your budget, and a washer/dryer is also provided. 

Children love the pool with its waterfall and slide and other activities that are provided for them constantly by the Kids Club. That includes a movie on Friday nights and a bonfire on the beach on Saturday nights. 

The entire family will love the large clean pools, the gym, the restaurants, and the easy beach access with chairs and an umbrella available for rent. There is warm water year round with an average of 75 degrees F. in January and 85 degrees F. in June. 

There is a sidewalk right in front of the hotel that is perfect for walking or running, you will find a convenient Publix grocery store within walking distance. The Sailfish Marina is a short drive away where you can feed the fish, and a wildlife preserve/state park is only five minutes north of the hotel where you can go to explore and perhaps go kayaking. 

Visit Florida now and have an outstanding family vacation at Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort and Spa.

Hit the Beach in Miami: The Best Places to Work on Your Tan

If you want to get some sun and a tan, enjoy the ocean, and play beach sports, where better to go than Miami? This city is famous for its beaches, from South Beach to other, lesser-known beaches. Whether you're looking to people-watch or get away from the crowds, you can find a beach that will give you a great tanning experience. Here are some of the beaches you can visit in Miami.

South Beach

No list of Miami beaches would be complete without mentioning South Beach. This beach hardly requires introduction, but in case you're out of touch with all pop culture, South Beach is the place to be. The beach stretches the length of Miami Beach, and topless bathing is allowed if you want to get a tan line-free tan. People won't stop and stare, either! There is a jogging path that runs along the beach, too, and nearby Ocean Drive offers nightclubs, restaurants, and cafes to satisfy any hunger or thirst at any hour of the day.

Bill Baggs State Park

Nearby Key Biscayne offers a view of the particularly famous Cape Florida lighthouse you have probably seen on postcards and in photos. You can go swimming, stay on the beach, or take a guided tour to learn more about the history of the park's lighthouse. From the seawall, you can fish or watch fishermen relaxing in the sun.

Haulover Beach

Locals and international tourists know Haulover as the clothing-optional beach in Miami. You can take advantage of either the clothing-optional section to avoid any tan lines or a normal sunbathing section, and the sections are clearly marked so you won't stumble into one area or the other. People are very laid-back and mind their own business here, so you'll quickly lose your shyness.

Sunny Isles Beach

This two-mile-long white sand beach offers a great sunbathing experience. It tends to be less crowded than South Beach, but isn't difficult to find. The Newport Fishing Pier allows you to fish or watch others trying their luck, and the beach also has a kids' play area. Water sports such as snorkeling and diving are popular here, but you can quietly sunbathe if you prefer that.

Matheson Hammock Park Beach

Don't expect to be surrounded by hammocks when you come to this beach – but you can expect a man-made lagoon with stunning sunset views. The Biscayne Bay regularly refreshes the water here, unlike some lagoons, and the name comes from the trees that surround it. These trees are mangrove trees, also known as hammock trees. Look on websites such as the Marriott.com website to find information about hotels in the area of this family-friendly beach.

No matter whether your goal for hitting the Miami beaches is to show off your style, get a tan, play beach sports, or just enjoy the view, you can find a beach that suits your needs. There are beaches with white sand, clear blue waters, jogging paths, legal topless bathing, or family-friendly attractions all within an easy drive of Miami. Relax and enjoy your vacation in the heat of Miami!

Chris McMahon enjoys sharing his travel stories and insights online through blogging. He has a particular love for Miami which he never misses the chance to visit.

(Photo credit: nimblefitness.com but I added my own text)