Imagine, just for a moment, having a virtually inexhaustible pool of island getaways to peruse until you find the island vacation best suited to your tastes. No matter what your interests are - water sports, beach combing, resort stays, hiking - there's something about the unique pace of life found on island escapes that resonates with everyone.
Nowadays you can choose from romantic island escapes, luxury island vacations, weekend family getaways at off-shore resorts, boating and fishing vacations, and wilderness retreats - even some relatively deserted islands accessed only by boat or sea plane.
Your location and how far you wish to travel can help determine what island vacation makes the most sense. Island escapes come in all shapes and sizes - those with saltwater and coastal climates, warm or cooler temperatures, or islands in fresh water. Other important factors include an island's history and population, the kind of accommodations and hotel amenities available, facilities for outdoors recreation and eco-adventures, opportunities for viewing wildlife and natural habitats, and of course, the price.
The most popular place for family weekend getaways is undoubtedly the Hawaii Islands. No tour of Hawaii is complete without a visit to the island of Hawaii, known also as the Big Island. This is the largest of Hawaii's islands, with 4,038 square miles. This is the Hawaii of legendary volcanoes and landscapes of lava-striped earth complete with the active volcano Kilauea, which still shoots red-hot lava, steaming into the Pacific or oozing over a roadside. On this island you'll also enjoy good snorkeling, lush gardens, and languid waterfalls. This chapter is one complete vacation written with families in mind. It's loaded with exciting things to do, family-friendly places to lodge and dine, recommended side trips, local sources of information, and detailed travel directions.
Apart from a wide range of choices of Island family weekend getaways, there are many places of interest on the mainland US as well. For instance-the state of Florida.
Tourism in Central Florida is dominated by the world of Disney and the kids' fantasy land of amusement parks that have sprung up on its shirttails. The Orlando- Kissimmee hub can provide enough for family weekend getaways, if you and your wallet could take it. You don't have to travel far from Walt Disney World and the Orlando area to find the real Florida, minus the animatronics. In the region's farthest reaches, you can discover snatches of the old Cracker days, when cowboys and orange growers scratched a living out of the swamps and prairies.
Here, along the shores of year-round warm springs, Florida tourism was born. This tour of Central Florida takes you to both extremes-the time-frozen temperament and the futuristic facade. The above description is an excerpt from "Fun With the Family in Florida." Whether you're a first-time visitor or a long-time local resident, this chapter from the Fun With the Family Series will help you find fun and engaging activities during your Florida family weekend getaways. The entire family will surely enjoy at great destinations throughout the state, suitable for "kids" of all ages.