Travel Florida on a Budget

Don’t let high gas prices get in the way of a priceless vacation. Seek out Florida destinations where you can have fun without breaking the bank. Many hotels are helping travelers by offering gas cards and other summer offers. The Hyatt Regency-Bonaventure (www.bonaventure.hyatt.com) near Fort Lauderdale offers luxury for a smaller price. Guests who book two or more nights receive discounted room rates, a $50 gas card and 20 percent off all services at the hotel’s relaxing Red Door Lifestyle Spa. Guests of the Courtyard Marriott on Hutchinson Island (www.courtyardhutchinsonisland.com) near Port St. Lucie receive a $25 gas card and breakfast for two for each night booked. You’ll also get private access to the beach – no entrance fees here! For those who don’t have private access to the beach, head over to one of Florida’s beautiful state parks. For $5 per vehicle, St. Andrews Park (www.floridastateparks.org/standrews), near Panama City, offers a great beach for fishing, surfing, camping or just relaxing. Its crystal-clear water is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving or kayaking. From the beach, visit of one of Florida’s intriguing low-cost or no-cost museums. The Pensacola Museum of Art (www.pensacolamuseumofart.org), which features beautiful modern and contemporary art, is open to the public every Tuesday at no cost. For more information about travelling Florida on a budget, visit www.VISITFLORIDA.com.

Beach Hiking

What happens when you combine Florida’s beautiful beaches with its scenic hiking trails? Go beach hiking and you’ll find out. At Long Key State Park (floridastateparks.org/longkey) in the Florida Keys, hike the Golden Orb Trail, which offers a magnificent view of the ocean as it winds along the shoreline. Next, head over to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park (floridastateparks.org/hughtaylorbirch) near Fort Lauderdale and adventure through the Beach Hammock Trail where you’ll see a wonderful variety of tropical plant life. Finally, make your way to Little Talbot Island State Park (floridastateparks.org/littletalbotisland) near Jacksonville. Jump on the Island Hiking Trail, a three-mile trek through dunes and white sand offering an exciting challenge. For information on Florida’s incredible hiking trails, go to www.VISITFLORIDA.com.

Awaken Your Senses, Rejuvenate Your Soul

Give yourself a well-deserved break and escape to one of Florida’s revitalizing spas. Relax and rejuvenate at the Sandpearl Spa (www.sandpearl.com) in Clearwater, set amid the tranquil surroundings of the ocean. Learn to prepare a delectable organic meal and then enjoy an indulgent massage beneath a private cabana. Re-align your body and spirit at The Setai (www.setai.com) on South Beach in Miami, a haven of serenity and natural beauty. The spa offers Swedish and Balinese massages, healing facials and body polishes. Each suite has ocean and pool views, a private bath and steam room. Bring a friend as each suite and spa package is suitable for two people. The Ocean Waters Spa (www.oceanwatersspa.com) in Daytona is a beautifully appointed modern spa overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The 15,000 square-foot spa has 16 private treatment rooms that immerse guests in a sea of healthful experiences. The spa even offers a Gentleman’s Massage for men. For more information on Florida’s spas, visit www.VISITFLORIDA.com.

Island Golfing

You don’t have to resort to miniature golfing to golf on an island. The Ocean Reef Club (www.oceanreef.com) in the Florida Keys boasts two championship 18-hole courses which offer distinctly different tests of golf. The remarkable collection of plant life, which includes endangered species of plants, adds to the scenic landscaping throughout the courses. For those who live for the experience and have passion for the game, there’s no place like Lost Key Golf Club (www.lostkey.com). Framed by the natural beauty of Perdido Key, Lost Key is ideally located between historic downtown Pensacola and two pristine sugar sand beaches. Located near Cape Coral, Captiva Island is a genuinely inspired setting for golf, with year-round temperate climate, delightful sunshine, and stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico. Find the perfect swing, set to motion amid breathtaking views from nearly every hole at the South Seas Island Resort (www.southseas.com). As an unspoiled refuge at the edge of the Gulf Coast, the two-course resort offers genuine freedom and luxury to set your own pace in the midst of timeless natural splendor. For information about golfing in Florida, visit www.VISITFLORIDA.com.

Corporate Events at the Beach

Plan your next corporate event at the beach and watch the RSVPs pour in. At the Hemsley Sandcastle Hotel (www.hemsleysandcastle.com) in Sarasota, guests will enjoy 600 feet of private white sand beach, two on-site restaurants and spacious guest rooms with a view of the Gulf of Mexico. The hotel also offers beach activities such as sailing, aqua-cycling and kayaking. Meeting rooms can accommodate up to 225 people. For recreation, camaraderie and team building, the PGA National Resort & Spa (www.pgaresort.com) in Palm Beach boasts five master-designed golf courses, a health and fitness center, 19 tennis courts, a 40,000-foot European spa, a variety of outdoor pools for exercise and relaxation and multiple dining options. The recently renovated hotel also features a convenient airlift for guests in wheelchairs. Hawk’s Kay Resort (www.hawkscay.com), the 60-acre island destination resort in Key West, boasts 20,000 square-feet of meeting space, including the waterfront Overseas Conference Center. Cool off at the saltwater lagoon or at one of the resorts five swimming pools. Guests can snorkel, scuba dive, fish, swim with the dolphins, or sail into sunset at this magnificent group destination.

Swim with the Dolphins