Family Getaways 2008 - (Page 10) experts FAMILY ADVICE Ask the Expert JENNIFER MICHAELS VISIT FLORIDA’S Family Travel Expert Tampa native Jennifer Michaels grew up in Clearwater and reported on celebrities for People and Inside Edition. She is now VISIT FLORIDA’s online Family Travel Expert, one of 10 Florida web personalities on the site. At VISITFLORIDA.com, read stories on family travel, see videos and comment on Jennifer’s blog postings. You can also send her a question about bringing the brood to Florida. Here, a few reader questions submitted online that we hope will inspire some travel ideas of your own. Find Jennifer on VISITFLORIDA.com/family call the concierge or front desk and ask this very important question. Also, as a parent, I am sure you know that even with a lifeguard present, you can NEVER take your eyes off your kids in the water! The currents can be really strong at times. I make sure an adult goes with my kids when they go past knee-deep waters. TRAVEL WITH A ONE-YEAR-OLD CHILD Lynn writes: Any ideas of where to take a 1 year-old in Florida? Should we wait until she’s older to travel? DOWN SYNDROME Quinn writes: Hi, I’d like to visit Florida for five days. I’ll be traveling with a young woman who has Down syndrome. She loves Disney but I’d like to try someplace new that will provide gentle fun for her (she’s not into thrill rides, but loves stage and animal shows, easy rides, meeting costumed characters, etc.). TRY PANAMA CITY BEACH Heidi Ridder writes: My family would like to visit Florida this July. We have a 3 year old and a 4 year old. We would like to stay on the beach and mostly just enjoy the beach. Do you have any recommendations? I would greatly appreciate them! Jennifer responds: Try Panama City Beach. They don’t call it the “Beach Lover’s Beach” for nothing! The region is best known for its sugar-white sand beaches and clear, emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. Located in the Northwest portion of the state, Panama City Beach boasts over 27 miles of award-winning beaches and has been recognized as a top U.S. beach destination. Jennifer responds: I think bringing a 1 year-old to Florida is a great idea as long as you are organized and prepared. Pack lots of hats and sunscreen and take the baby to a relaxing Florida beach. You can rent a cabana in the sand at most of Florida’s full-service, family-friendly resorts. I have even brought a playpen or portable crib to the beach so my kids wouldn’t run off or eat the sand and I could RELAX while they played happily with their toys. Florida offers some wonderful zoos including Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, the Central Florida Zoo and Naples Zoo, where she could watch the animals up close. WE HIT FLORIDA Linda writes: We throw a dart at the U.S. map every December and visit the state we hit the following spring/summer. We have hit Florida and plan to come in May. We usually try to see historical and fun family sites. We have been to Florida for beach/ Disney vacations before but have only visited a small portion of the large state. Can you suggest particular cities/sites we should not miss to give our kids a good feel of what Florida is all about? Jennifer responds: Linda, I like your family tradition and I’m glad the dart landed on Florida! There are many opportunities for both historical and fun family vacations. The Space Coast is a great place to let the kids explore and learn at the Kennedy Space Center. I also like to take the kids to nearby smaller, offthe-beaten path attractions like Florida’s Gatorland, where my 6 year-old learned how to wrestle an alligator. Florida offers many eco-tours, which are a great way to get a feel for the state. Florida Eco-Safaris at Forever Florida, St. Cloud, features horseback or swamp-buggy safaris. I think the key is to let the kids see Florida’s wildlife through learning tours. You can even snorkel next to Florida’s manatees in Crystal River. LIFEGUARD CHECK Island Dolphin Care, Key Largo Jennifer responds: Here is my suggestion. I think you would both like Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven. Gentler fun is found on the Boardwalk Carousel, a double-decker beauty full of brightly colored, bobbing horses, or the classic Ferris wheel found in the heart of Adventure Grove. Another suggestion is a dolphin pool therapy program; above is Island Dolphin Care in Key Largo. Cristina writes: Are there lifeguards on all Florida beaches? What about the resorts? Do they have lifeguards on their beaches? Jennifer responds: Many of Florida’s beaches do have lifeguards. I recommend calling the Parks & Recreation Department in the city you choose to visit to find out the locations/ hours of those stands. I would suggest the same thing with resorts. You need to 10 VISITFLORIDA.com/family http://VISITFLORIDA.com/family http://VISITFLORIDA.com/family
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