| Terry Ward's Blog Archive |
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| Outdoor Ice Skating Comes to the Upscale Burg of Winter Park |
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| November 20, 2009 |
| Don't worry. Florida is far from freezing over. But if you're in search of that cozy autumn-into-winter feeling, you can get a taste of it (while not worrying about scraping ice off your car, happily) at the new outdoor ice skating rink opening this holiday season in ... more |
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| Nature's Wonders: An Educational and Very Fun Amenity for Kids at the Ritz-Carlton Naples |
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| November 12, 2009 |
One thing I love about the Ritz-Carlton chain of hotels is that the company knows how to cater for everyone in your entourage -- whether it's via an amazing spa experience, myriad dining options, or, in this particular case, a fun-with-learning experience that shines the light on Florida's natural beauty while catering to the hotel's youngest guests.
I'm talking about ... more |
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| One Perfect Family Weekend at the Resort at Singer Island |
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| October 22, 2009 |
Any chance I get, I love to experience Florida with my three little nieces, Maddy, Ella and Olivia. But let me tell you, the logistics of traveling with an entourage of toddlers is not an easy operation (the girls are 3, 2 and 1!). They need snacks; they need toys; they need constant stimulation! So boy was I relieved to find a resort recently that makes traveling with little ones not only as easy as possible, but a veritable pleasure, too!
... more |
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| Round Up: Elegant Thanksgiving Meals at Top Florida Resorts |
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| October 08, 2009 |
| Thanksgiving dinner. It's the most iconic American meal. And if you're spending the holidays in Florida, consider making it a true holiday break by giving yourself the night off cooking and instead booking in for Thanksgiving dinner at one of the state's many luxury hotels.... more |
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| Fancy some Retail Therapy? Follow My Lead for Florida's Top Luxury Shopping Tips |
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| October 07, 2009 |
| With the beautiful weather and the feeling of fall finally in the air here in Florida, my mind has turned to a wardrobe update for our temperate and refreshing version of autumn. So I thought I'd share with you my favorite tips for luxury shopping excursions around the state. From luxury outlets with all the couture brands to upscale malls and unique boutiques in hidden neighborhoods, Florida's shopping obsession runs deep and diverse.... more |
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| Picture Tuesday: Columbia Restaurant in Celebration |
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| October 06, 2009 |
Give me a plate of chorizo and some paella and I'll practically purr with happiness. I love Spanish food, and in Florida we have that and then some, with every derivation of Latin American and Caribbean cuisine to be found showing up on menus at classy restaurants throughout the state.
... more |
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| Back-to-School Spa Specials at Hotel Victor in South Beach |
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| September 14, 2009 |
| Having the kids back in school and the semblance of the regular school year routine under way surely helps lower stress levels for busy parents. But if, like me, you're the type that needs some hands-on therapy to ease away the stress from time to time, take note of this back-to-school spa special at Hotel Victor in ... more |
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| Picture Tuesday: Escape to a Luxury Villa on Anna Maria Island |
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| September 08, 2009 |
| It's amazing how a photo can draw you into a place. I'm the type of girl who's prone to get a postcard from some far corner of the globe and find myself booking a flight minutes later. And when I saw these pictures of a luxury villa called Honeyfish for rent on ... more |
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| Picture Tuesday: Is it the Amalfi Coast or Orlando? |
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| September 01, 2009 |
At first glance, you might think I was promoting tourism to Italy here on my VISIT FLORIDA site with this installation of Picture Tuesday. But you'd be wrong!
It certainly looks like a snapshot from summer vacation on the Amalfi Coast, but I took this photo a few weeks ago right here in Orlando at the ... more |
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| Last-Minute Labor Day Weekend Idea in Northwest Florida |
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| August 31, 2009 |
Staycations are so 2008! If, like me, you've been procrastinating on planning something for Labor Day weekend, it's not too late to escape your routine for a holiday weekend in a Northwest Florida paradise.
The WaterColor Inn & Resort is offering 15 percent off vacation home rentals during the holiday weekend, good for stays of three nights or more. The ... more |
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| A Wet and Wild Ride: Check out this Video from the Resort at Singer Island's Twisting Waterslide |
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| August 27, 2009 |
| I've had a few readers ask me to recommend luxury hotels with special pool amenities for kids. The most common request is for resorts with lazy rivers on property, of which I've sourced a few (the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes has a great lazy river, and you can see my Q&A section for other recommendations). But if you ask me and my nieces, Maddy and Ella (the latter two are bonafide pool amenity experts), twisting waterslide action is where it's at! And all the better when the kids can partake in the fun while you're enjoying the other amenities at ... more |
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| Football Widows: Treat Yourself to a Spa Deal at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort in Aventura |
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| August 20, 2009 |
Never the type to have a sports fanatic as a boyfriend (I tend to go for bookish types instead), I can't say I've experienced the football widow phenomenon first-hand. But I can certainly sympathize with friends who have basically come to terms with limited communication from their husbands and boyfriends come football season.
To all ladies in a similar dilemma, I am happy to announce this fun antidote to football season abandonment! It comes in the form of a tempting spa special from ... more |
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| The Hyatt Siesta Key Opens Luxury Beachfront Residences to the Public for a Limited Time |
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| August 12, 2009 |
| Lately, I've really appreciated the amenities of suite-style hotels during long weekends away. It's so nice having the option of cooking yourself a meal, popping some clothes into the laundry or just kicking back on a comfy couch that makes you feel like you're home--with the benefit or resort amenities and a beautiful beach or pool just a few steps away. So I was excited to learn that the just-opened ... more |
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| Labor Day Luxury on a Budget - Get a Deal on a Great Holiday Weekend Escape! |
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| August 07, 2009 |
I love, love, love a luxury deal. And when it happens to coincide with a holiday weekend, namely Labor Day weekend, well, by all means--bring on the lap-of-luxury savings!
This recession has some serious hotel bargains popping up in Florida's luxury market. And to my very pleasant surprise, I'm not seeing too many of those clauses about blackout dates on holiday weekends.... more |
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| Prime Tampa Dining at Ocean Prime |
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| July 30, 2009 |
| I had the pleasure of dining with my sister, Janet, and favorite (and only) brother-in-law, Matt, last week in Tampa at a relatively new steak and seafood restaurant, ... more |
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| Labor Day Weekend Deal in Boca Raton--Start Planning Now! |
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| July 17, 2009 |
| July Fourth weekend is barely behind us, and I'm already planning my next long holiday weekend--Labor Day, which falls on Sept. 7 this year. And if, like me, you're looking to roundup some friends to celebrate a long weekend in Florida, I invite you to ... more |
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| Kick off your Fourth of July Weekend on Orlando's Riviera |
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| June 26, 2009 |
Just a little over a week to go until fireworks and family fun. And if you fancy something on the sophisticated side to kick off your Fourth of July weekend, I have a tip for you.
I love the sound of the Harbor Nights Americana event taking place a week from today in ... more |
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| EPIC Hotel in Miami Makes High-Tech a Way of Life |
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| May 08, 2009 |
I don't know about you, but having a hotel throw in complimentary wireless Internet with the room price makes me one happy camper (not to mention those precious few properties that tell you the mini bar is included, too - pure bliss!).
And while there's a lot to love about the new ... more |
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| Mother's Day Spa Packages at the Naples Grande Beach Resort |
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| May 01, 2009 |
| The first of May always makes me think of Mother's Day, coming soon. And my mother, it can be said, bloomed late (she's also a natural beauty, I should add). It's only within the past few years that my au naturel mother discovered the pleasures of a pedicure! And I think she'd positively keel over from pampering pleasure if she were lucky enough to be treated to this divine Mother's Day spa package on offer in ... more |
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| FLOAT: Snag a Discount on Dockage Fees When You Call in at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota |
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| April 09, 2009 |
| The yachting life is beyond blissful. But every sailor knows that calling in on solid ground every once in a while has its perks, too. Among them -- a stable night's sleep in a bed that doesn't have a tendency to sway like a hammock! If you're looking to get your land legs back for a while, check out this deal on dockage fees and a stable night's slumber in ... more |
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| Heads Up on a Florida Resident Deal at The Inn on Fifth in Naples |
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| March 30, 2009 |
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Membership - also known as Florida residency - certainly has its privileges in the Sunshine State. And most of the deals on lodging are to be had during the summer months, so it's never too early to start planning for an in-state getaway.
From May to October, Florida residents can book in at the Mediterranean-inspired ... more |
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| Intrepid Culinary Tour in Northwest Florida |
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| March 05, 2009 |
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| My mouth is watering at the sound of this culinary exploration of Northwest Florida's gastronomic treasures. I've heard of culinary tours in Italy and France, and I dare say this Sunshine State version - dubbed ... more |
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| Grand Opening Deal at the The Betsy Hotel in South Beach |
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| March 02, 2009 |
Isn't it great living in Florida in the wintertime? My best girl friends from growing up all live in the northeast. They are presently grappling with snow and seriously itching for a girl's reunion somewhere warm and sunny. I love it when the fun comes to me!
And, of course, with the blustery temps up north, the ladies are looking to migrate as far south as possible for our reunion.... more |
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| Organic Spa Treatments at Bellasera Hotel in Naples |
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| February 28, 2009 |
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Indulging with a clean conscience is the best kind of decadence, don't you think? Organic spa treatments are good for your body and easy on the environment, too. And I say when a luxury experience has an organic slant, it only intensifies the all around pleasure.
And at ... more |
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| Valentine's Romance at Santa Rosa Beach's WaterColor Inn & Resort |
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| February 11, 2009 |
| Yes, it's getting down to the wire. But it's not too late to plan a surprise getaway for Valentine's Day. After all, it's not every year that the love fest falls in the middle of the weekend (and let me assure you gentlemen - a "staycation" just doesn't have the same appeal).... more |
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| Oceanfront Valentine's Dinner at Azurea |
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| February 10, 2009 |
Looking for a romantic table for two in Jacksonville?
Valentine's Day -- or any other day, for that matter -- promises to be a feast for all the senses at Azurea, the signature restaurant at the recently opened One Ocean Resort in Atlantic Beach.... more |
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