Actually, leave the planning to me. It's all taken care of. If you're looking for fun, sun, and hot chicks, then have I the vacation for you... Florida!
welcome to gator land
An 8-day, 7-night journey begins in sunny, warm Fort Lauderdale. Before venturing outside the airport limits, my buddy and I rented an affordable, compact car (Chevy Cavalier) from Payless Rent-A-Car just off of the US1 Federal Highway. It cost $84, plus all applicable taxes for one week, and unlimited mileage. Armed with our own transportation, we set off on our adventure.Our first night's stay was spent in Fort Lauderdale at the affordable Oakland Park Inn on Oakland Park blvd., just minutes away from Ocean Drive and the beach. This motel is close to a mall, theaters, and affordable diners, not to mention a handful of gentlemen's clubs.
By midday, our stomachs were growling like wolves, and we dared to venture around the corner street to an Italian food market and deli on Sunrise Blvd., where we were served a delectable home-cooked meal with all the trimmings... for just $8 a plate. McDonald's didn't stand a chance.
In the evening, we heard about this Hawaiian restaurant called Mai-Kai just blocks away from the inn, featuring Polynesian delights (and I'm not just talking about the food). A show is performed twice nightly, featuring beautiful women doing traditional Polynesian dances and men performing the thrilling Samoan fire knife dance. With the impeccable décor of waterfalls and tropical plants surrounding me, I truly felt as though I had taken another vacation to the big island in the pacific.
next stop, west palm beach
The name of this vacation spot says it all... elegant and tall palm trees swaying everywhere. The city is currently undergoing new construction projects, such as a new highway and apartment buildings, however, this does not take away from its natural beauty. This was one of the cleanest cities we saw on our journey through Florida. It's worth visiting during the day.pleasures of west palm beach
Divers snorkel in crystal blue waters, waterfront cafes prepare feasts of locally caught seafood, and sailboats and yachts mingle in the marinas. Ah, this is the life. A definite must-see is City Place, which is an open-air shopping mall in the heart of downtown.The view alone is worth the stroll down its cobblestone paths. Pastel colors and friendly smiles adorn every corner. If traveling with a girlfriend, make sure you satisfy her craving to shop by stopping here.
You can also enjoy a romantic meal in the Egyptian Tea Room on the second floor, overlooking the main courtyard and fountain. You might even want to try your luck and drive by the huge villas and mansions that spot the coast, in order to glimpse a view of a Hollywood star.
heading north to orlando
There's much more to Orlando than just theme parks. The sunshine that reigns here alone is worth the stopover. Orlando also has huge golf courses at one of its plush resorts. The best thing of all though, is the great bargains at the local fashion outlets. You can get awesome shirts and sweaters there for 5 to $10 apiece.Apart from the obvious (Disney World), I suggest visiting Universal's City Walk at night. Besides all the mouth-watering restaurants awaiting you, you can also hop by the Groove Nightclub and party the night away. This nightclub is situated on the second floor of the main entrance to City Walk and is always booming with energy and great dance music. Entrance fee ranges from 5 to $10, depending on the DJ playing that particular night.
Two other clubs we frequented in downtown Orlando are Taboo and Antigua; just blocks away from one another. Both are a minimum $10 cover charge, and drinks range from 6 to $12 apiece.
The ambiance of the Antigua is impressive, with aquariums and half-naked dancers everywhere. They even put on a show for you outside the club's entrance with a Hawaiian fire dancer.
Taboo is a bit less extravagant, but the music is good nonetheless. Make sure that you have a full set of vocal cords before entering any of these clubs because you're going to need to yell a lot to be heard by any beautiful girl you're trying to pick up. The music at both clubs was tremendously loud.
final destination: miami
You will need at least 2 nights and 3 days to appreciate what Miami and its surrounding areas have to offer. First, get a taste of the waterfront in the always-lively Bayside Marketplace. You can arm yourself with a Daiquiri and stroll along the bay.Numerous shops and kiosks, plus live music and entertainment every day will keep your senses busy for a while. Then, cross a nearby causeway and head towards South Beach, where you can get a suntan, take a tour of historic art deco hotels, lunch at News Cafe on Ocean Drive, shop at trendy boutiques on Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue, rub elbows with the rich and famous at dinner, then dance the night away at the hottest clubs (such as Crobar, Living Room, and Level, on Washington Ave.). The cover charge for almost all clubs in South Beach is at least $20.
We found that the best way to get around during the day is by renting inline skates and cruising along the beach.
stomach growling again?
I also recommend the restaurant Osteria del Teatro for a tasty lunch or a classy meal with that babe you hooked up with on the beach. Ask for the owner, Dino Pirola. He's one of the most gracious hosts we met, and he'll treat you like the king that you are. Not to mention their classical Italian cuisine is amazing. You'll find this quaint little restaurant on Washington Ave, right next to Crobar nightclub (tel. # (305) 538-7850 for reservations).After a hectic day on South Beach, you'll want to relax. In the late afternoon, drive down the winding Bayshore Drive to downtown Coconut Grove, a former artists' colony that is now home to eclectic boutiques, fun cafes and restaurants, charming architecture, and a myriad of tropical foliage. End your day at CocoWalk, a bustling open-air marketplace with shops, restaurants, movies, and nightlife.
Just a short drive away north of Coconut Grove, you'll find Sunset Place in South Miami. This is an open-air mall just off of the US1 Federal Highway and Sunset Blvd. The fun part is that you'll find Steven Spielberg's GameWorks on the second floor level.
An all-around entertainment center for everyone, GameWorks offers a place to eat and drink, play billiards and enjoy hundreds of other games for all. We were surprised to find more adults there than kids! Walking through the mall itself is also a treat when you have the warm ocean breeze in your face at the same time.
the end of the adventure
Your last night should be spent back in Fort Lauderdale, close to Ocean Drive. Beach Place is a definite must for hot nightly entertainment and refreshing drinks right on the beach. You'll find all this and more at the end of Las Olas Blvd.; make sure you also visit the world-famous Elbow Room.Florida's beauty is not only evident in its natural splendor, but you'll also find it in the people you meet there. So start packing, and head towards your friendly neighborhood state of Sunshine Florida!
Resources:
Florida Travel Guide
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