Partying With Parrot Heads at Margaritaville, Myrtle Beach
Swirling Hurricane at Margaritaville
You don’t have to be a Jimmy Buffett fan to be captured by the zaniness of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville in Myrtle Beach, SC. Personally, I’ve never been a fan of Jimmy’s pseudo-tropical, off kilter tunes but I forgot all that as I nibbled jerk salmon and conch fritters. The sprawling, two-story restaurant anchors the popular Broadway on the Beach shopping district and tops the list for Myrtle Beach family friendly activities. Jimmy Buffett fans are called Parrot Heads and the first thing you’ll see are tons of people roaming around in balloon parrot hats. You’d think this was a draw for the kids but you’ll spot more adults wearing them. The other spectacle that greets you is a swirling hurricane, complete with sound effects and weather forecasts.
Even with reservations, waits can climb to two hours, which can be whiled away at the shops on Broadway at the Beach or at the kitchy Margartitaville souvenir store. Filled with tongue-in-cheek references to Buffett’s famous “Margaritaville” song, you can scoop up t-shirts emblazoned with “Blew my Flip Flop Stepping on a Pop Top,” signs announcing “Parrothead Parkway” and key chains jingling the elusive shaker of salt. Touch the mermaid ship mast on the way to your seat and the fun begins. The menu focuses on tropical dishes like mahi mai, peel and eat shrimp and the jerk salmon but there’s also the cheeeburger in paradise and macaroni and cheese for kids. But the food isn’t really the point. It’s the party atmosphere that draws the crowds. Live bands perform pop classic that streams from a stage, reggae videos flash from a screen and a local meteorologist supplies periodic ”hurricane party warnings.” The Margaritaville highlight unfolds when the video for “Margaritaville” plays. Apparently, the song boasts rituals and accompaniments along the same lines as Rocky Horror Picture Show. Women stand and wave during the “woman to blame” verse and the chorus of “searching for my lost shaker of salt” triggers deafening screams of salt! salt! salt! An excursion at Margaritaville is sure to leave you and the kids happily worn out. Fortunately, nearby hotels like the Holiday Inn Express and Dunes Village Resort ensure that rest is just a short drive away.
A tongue-in-cheek sign on sale
Photos by Rosalind Cummings-Yeates
Winter Fine Arts Festival, Englewood, Florida
With its plethora of lovely old restored homes and storefronts, historic Dearborn Street in Englewood, Florida is the site for dozens of special events throughout the year. One of the most popular, the Fine Arts Festival hosted by the Rotary Club of Englewood, features well-known local artists and exhibitors from all over the United States and Canada. Fine art available in all mediums is available, including: sculpture (metal, wood and glass), paintings (watercolor, acrylic, oil and pastel), jewelry (gold, silver, and gemstones), photography, pottery and ceramics, and mixed media.
Fine Arts Festival draws exhibitrs and attndees from all over the country
The theme of this year’s festival, “Colorful Mutton,” is drawn from the work of Captain Jim Roberts, a Florida native who combines his passion as an angler with his background in graphic arts to create sea life designs through Gyotaku, an art created by pressing rice paper onto fish. His “Colorful Mutton” artwork will be featured on T-shirts, posters and other media at this year’s fair. In addition to strolling through the booths of over a hundred artists, visitors can visit the unique shops and great restaurants that occupy the restored structures lining charming West Dearborn Street, many of which have been around for more than 100 years.
“Colorful Mutton” by Captain Jim Roberts provides the theme for this year's festival
This year’s Fine Arts Festival is scheduled for December 5 and 6, 2009. Free parking is readily available along nearby streets and admission is free; however, Rotarians will be greeting festival attendees and requesting a “$1 Donation In Exchange for a Smile.” All proceeds raised during this event benefit the Englewood Rotary Youth Foundation, Inc., and other Rotary Projects. Last year the Rotary Club of Englewood awarded over $30,000 in scholarships to the youth of our community.
Photo credit: Rotary Club of Englewood
Article by Barbara Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels
King of the Peak Surf Contest at Cocoa Beach
Inquiring minds want to know.
Which super-surfer is going to end up crowned as the king of the peak? And who is just going to end up with a hearty slice of humble-pie and a nose full of saltwater?
I’m always searching for an excuse to grab my beach towel and splash on over to Cocoa Beach, and the King of the Peak Surf Contest provides a good one. This annual event, scheduled for Nov. …
Forever Florida’s Screamline Haunted Zipline Adventure
Here’s a Halloween adventure for those who love the outdoors and are looking for something completely unique to do in celebration of Halloween (and for those not afraid of the dark)!
Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida is where you’ll find The Screamline Haunted Zipline Adventure! It’s a two-hour journey into Florida’s wilderness where you’ll fly through the darkness 55 feet off the ground – and at speeds up to 25 miles per hour! If you’re too scared to try the The Screamline, then just come on out for their 10th annual Howling Halloween Party.
All the fun takes place in St. Cloud at Forever Florida, Oct. …
Muscle Car City, Punta Gorda, Florida
Rick Treworgy purchased his first beat-up old car at the age of 16. Back then, it was all he could afford; at the time he had no idea that classic cars would become a lifelong obsession. He restored that first car and sold it for a profit, then repeated the process because he enjoyed the work and it provided him with good pocket money. But somewhere along the line, Treworgy stopped selling and began collecting the vehicles he restored, becoming especially enamored with mid-60’s to early 70’s General Motors muscle cars.
Gorgeous grillework on an old Chevy
For years, his successful real estate and development company subsidized the expensive hobby. Now 60, Treworgy still oversees operations in his firm, but these days he is more likely to be found in a small office at the rear of the old WalMart in Punta Gorda, Florida that he recently purchased and converted into Muscle Car City, a permanent home for his collection. Within the cavernous museum, antique neon signs cast electric colors on long walls, car wax and engine oil scent the air, and row after row of highly polished muscle cars stretch into the distance, their hoods propped open to expose their gleaming engines. This 99,000 square foot museum contains more than 200 classic cars and hot rods spanning 35 years of makes and models, including Z-28 Camaros, 396 Camaros, SS Chevelles, SS El Caminos, big block Impalas, Pontiac GTOs, Oldsmobile 442s, and one or more Corvettes for each year from 1954 through 2006, making the museum one of the largest muscle car displays in the nation.
Corvettes lined up in a row
In addition to the museum, a full line of Hot Rod, muscle car, speed and restoration parts form more than 450 manufacturers are available in the on-site Muscle Car, Rod & Performance Shop, and a full service 1960’s style diner serves up the best omelets, biscuits & gravy, hamburgers, hot dogs, salads and cheese steak sandwiches the area has to offer for breakfast and lunch. Muscle Car City is located at 3811 Tamiami Trail in Punta Gorda, Florida and is open from a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $10 for a one-time pass or $30 for an annual pass. Children under 12 are free with an adult.
Photo credit: Barbara Weibel
Article by Barbara Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels
Your Friendly Vacation Planner
Until a few years back, a vacation meant piling the kids into the back and hitting the road. But times change, and now you have a whole new bunch of requirements to fulfill before you can even think about the beach, a cold beer and some peace and quiet.
Beach Vacation
If you don’t want your neighbors and colleagues to look down on you, follow this list of ’friendly’ things that your vacation has to be.
1. Environment-friendly:- It’s bad enough that your vacation destroys your entire year’s savings. Don’t let your vacation be blamed for the destruction of the earth. Find a destination which cares about their surroundings, get a green hotel, try to avoid trips by air and don’t do stuff which will be harmful to the environment – like wasting water, and leaving trash and beer cans in the outdoors or on the road.
2. Pet-friendly:- Not being a pet-friendly vacationer can bring eternal shame. Ask former MA Governor Mitt Romney, whose Presidential bid in 2008 got KO’ed because he strapped his dog Seamus to the roof of the car while on a family vacation trip from Boston to Ontario – a 12 hour trip.
Pet friendly vacation
Either treat your pets like family and let them mess up the back seat, or get a small cute dog like a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, which you can carry around in a bag. Stay at pet-friendly hotels.
3. Family-friendly:- Going to a destination/hotel/resort which isn’t family friendly is simply not acceptable. Absolutely no smoking, should offer room service, baby-sitting, cribs, rollaway beds and should have a convinience store either within the premises or just outside. Should be safe – as in no meth lab experts or other shady characters hanging around, and should have an on-call doctor 24 hours a day. There should be a separate kiddie pool. The family-friendly attractions should be across the road from the resort. In short – the entire hotel, their staff and the whole town should be at your disposal and beck and call throughout your stay.
4. Economy-friendly:- The primary purpose of taking a vacation – if you listen to all the financial experts yakking about the impact of tourism, is for you to do your patriotic duty and contribute to the economy. Depending on who you’re listening to – your vacation dollars need to end up in the grubby hands of either your own City Council, state legislators, or the robber-barons in Washington.
5. Budget-friendly:- Ever heard of the AIG Effect? The summary of it is that you cannot spend your own money lavishly, because those less fortunate are suffering. Admirable sentiment, but what’s anyone or anything else got to do with how you spend your own money? But that’s how it is - if you don’t want people to frown on your excessive spending, then you have to limit your budget and vacation frugally. No limos, no helicopters, no private yachts and never, ever do any of this on a corporate expense account or company paid vacation.
Mumbai, India
6. Culture-friendly:- Until recently, it was quite ok to not know anything about your destination’s culture. You could drink alcohol on the beaches in Dubai, and take pictures of the slumdogs in Mumbai or the landmarks in London. That’s what a vacation is supposed to be, right? Not any longer.
Now, if you screw up and say or do something stupid, you’ll either end up in trouble with the law, be the subject of a discussion on ugly tourists on hundreds of blogs, or even worse – the star of a viral youtube video. So learn as much as you can about your destination and it’s people - the language, the food, the customs and most importantly – the laws.
7. Twitter-friendly:- You MUST send in at least one tweet/mile traveled for your vacation. Start with a tweet when you pull out of your driveway, a couple more on the way to the airport, lots of tweets from the airport about how boring it is, and even more on the plane with the new airline wi-fi, at least one tweet when you land, and from thereon, you’re expected to tweet about anything and everything you see.
Oh, and once you’ve got all this right, don’t forget to enjoy your vacation.
Photo credits – Beach vacation – Justo Ruiz; Pet-friendly – SD Rebel; Mumbai – babasteve
Four Maryland Routes Named to America’s Byways Program
The Federal Highway Administration designated four Maryland routes as America’s Byways Friday, placing them among the best driving tours in the nation.
It’s Camping Month at Florida’s Official Welcome Centers
Welcome to Florida!
That’s what you’ll hear when you stop in at any of the five official Florida Welcome Centers, and during the month of October, there’s a special treat for us outdoorsy types! A cool campsite display is set up in the lobby, and right there you can gather up some great information to help plan out your next outdoors adventure.
October is the perfect time to gather up the family, pack up your tent and gear, and head to one of Florida’s fabulous state parks. There are 160 of them, so I’m sure you’ll have an easy time finding one that offers camping near you. …
Top 10 Best Cities To Visit In The US
Are you looking for ideas for your next vacation? Want to go somewhere, but can’t decide exactly where?
Perhaps you should check out one of the Top 10 US Cities to Visit. Of course, whether or not a city is the best is a subjective opinion – but Conde Nast Traveler has taken a poll of its readers collective subjective opinions and come up with 10 American Cities that you’re most likely to enjoy visiting. With cities from across the country highlighted, there should be a great vacation destination for everyone.
Top 10 Best Places To Visit In The Us
San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge - Best US City to Visit
1. San Francisco, California
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of San Francisco, California is The Golden Gate Bridge. Residents rave about the culture and the year round mild weather that’s never too hot or too cold. Visitors to San Francisco can stay in some of the country’s most eco-friendly hotels and enjoy organic dining. UpTake’s own Cat Lincoln shares insider information on San Francisco via podcast.
Charleston, South Carolina
2. Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina offers a slow paced, historic vacation opportunity. The city is filled with old buildings and homes closely monitored by an attentive Historical Society. The best way to see Charleston is by taking advantage of a carriage tour.
New York, New York
3. New York City, New York
It should come as no surprise that New York City makes the list of one of the best places to visit in the United States. While there may be arguments about living in The Big Apple, the city is jam packed with tourist attractions. Visitors from all over the world flock to experience everything from world class theater to the Statue of Liberty. The best of the best – in any industry – can be found in New York City.
Santa Fe, Nex Mexico
4. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Travelers looking for a genuine Southwest experience will be happy to see Santa Fe, New Mexico make the list of best American cities to visit. While Santa Fe isn’t known for an exciting night life, it offers an extraordinary amount of excellent restaurants. Santa Fe is a great place for photography enthusiasts to capture sights unseen in other parts of the country.
Chicago, Illinois
5. Chicago, Illinois
I love Chicago. I think the best time to visit Chicago is during the winter holidays when the city is decked out in white lights and holiday displays. Of course, during the summer months you can find a festival or free concert on any given weekend. Chicago offers almost as many entertainment options as New York City, at a (slightly) lower price.
Carmel, California
6. Carmel, California
Visitors to Carmel, California will find a relaxed community and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. From Point Lobos State Reserve you can watch migrating whales for just $10 per car (or free, if you walk in). Carmel is a great vacation destination for pet lovers, offering pet friendly beaches and shops.
Honolulu, Hawaii
7. Honolulu, Hawaii
Do we really have to make the case for including Honolulu, Hawaii on this list? Reason number one: It’s in Hawaii. As Hawaii native Stefani Pomponi Butler describes it, “Honolulu is much-maligned for being touristy and crowded, but if you love the energy of big cities combined with a tropical locale, this is the place for you.” It certainly has to be the prettiest metropolitan center on the list!
River Street in Savannah, Georgia
8. Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, much like Charleston, offers a slow, Southern vibe to travelers. But Savannah does it with a gracious smile and a reputation for a heck of a party. No trip to Savannah, Georgia is complete without a stroll and lunch along River Street.
San Diego, CA
9. San Diego, California
There is an endless supply of things to do in San Diego. Whether you prefer amusement parks or museums, you’ll find something that tickles your fancy here. And chances are, the weather will be perfect for whatever you plan.
Sedona, Arizona
10. Sedona, Arizona
While listed as one of the top cities in the United States to visit, odds are that most of the photographs you come home with will be of Mother Nature in and around Sedona. A Sedona vacation is perfect for someone into horseback riding and off roading tours. It’s also a great place to visit if you’re traveling on a budget.
Choosing which of the Top US Cities is right for your vacation is about deciding what kind of travel experience you’re looking for. Are you looking to relax or enjoy the thrill of big city night life? Do you prefer a beach to a Broadway play?
Do you think there’s a great American city that the Conde readers missed? Share your suggestions in the comments!
Photo credit (in order of appearance): A Million to One, Smudge on Flickr, Ferguson Photography, Puroticorico on Flickr, KM Photography, the tahoe guy on Flickr, Cliff 1066 on FlickR, Britt Reints, WouteR on FlickR
Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 2009
With eleven country pavilions surrounding World Showcase Lagoon, live music performances, and Disney character appearances, Epcot is fun any time of the year, but the best time to visit this theme park may be during the annual International Food and Wine Festival. For six weeks each fall, guests can sample the world’s tastiest regional foods and drinks at kiosks specially set up for the event.
International Food and Wine Festival at Walt Disney World's Epcot
Between visits to year-round pavilions (Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, United States, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom, Canada) and stops to enjoy live musical performances, visitors eat their way around the world. At more than 25 kiosks, appetizer-sized entrees and desserts are offered for prices ranging from $2.75 to $7.25, with most in the $3-4.50 range. Wines, beers and specialty alcoholic drinks specially selected to compliment the tasting menus are also available at each kiosk, priced from $2.50 to $11.00.
Bangkok Kiosk
Cape Town, South Africa Kiosk
Disney’s Food & Wine themed gift card is the best way to enjoy the culinary delights during the event. Just load the card with any dollar amount, slap it on your wrist, and swipe it at any kiosk, eliminating the need to dig for credit cards or cash when you pay.
Red Snapper Escabeche from the Barcelona Kiosk
In addition to feasting on world cuisine, guests are invited to attend free seminars and demonstrations scheduled throughout the day that feature fresh ingredients and secret techniques that go into some of the world’s most extraordinary dishes and drinks. Master the art of wine selection, learn the history of beer, sample varieties of Virgin olive oil, or join Puglian chefs as they prepare dishes featuring the flavors of southern Italy. Special festival dining experiences, available for an additional fee, include Mexico Tequila Tastings, Cheese Seminars, and late afternoon Food and Wine Pairings that marry three regional wines with three tasting-size portions of cuisines from select Epcot restaurants.
Learning about olive oil at one of many free seminars
A series of rockin’ “Eat to the Beat!” concerts round out the festivities during the Food and Wine Festival. Three times each evening at America Gardens Theatre along the World Showcase lagoon, performers belt out classic rock, soul, R&B, oldies, jazz and funk. This year’s lineup includes Richard Marx, Vanessa Carlton, John Waite, Boyz II Men, Billy Ocean, and Los Lobos, among others. Show times are 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.
Celebrating its 14th year, the 2009 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is a great way to spend a delicious day in Orlando, Florida. Prior to arriving, download a map of the park and circle the items and locations that you definitely want to try so you don’t fill up at the first few kiosks. The festival is currently underway and will continue through November 8th.
Photo credit: Barbara Weibel
Article by Barbara Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels
