Latin Food and Wine Festival Debuts in Orlando

The Latin Food and Wine Festival will debut in Orlando October 1-3, presented by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando. The three day festival features a schedule of events that will highlight the cuisine, culture and entertainment of Spanish-speaking countries.

On October 1, the festival will begin with “An Evening in Spain,” which will be held on the rooftop of The Plaza in downtown Orlando. The event will highlight cuisine from Barcelona, Madrid and many other Spanish cities. Delectable dishes, fine wine and exciting entertainment are all on the menu for “An Evening in Spain.”

On October 2, the festival will host the Roast & Runway at The Red Coconut Club at Universal Orlando Resort’s CityWalk. The event combines tradition with fashion to showcase top designers, all while enjoying a traditional pig roast complimented by themed beverages. A silent auction will showcase original art, jewelry and getaways inspired by Latin culture. Entertainment will be provided by award-winning pianist Adlan Cruz. The Latin Food and Wine Festival will also host Carlos Alberto, an acclaimed Puerto Rican fashion designer, to showcase his haute couture gowns during Roast & Runway.

On October 3, the festival will culminate with a Grand Tasting event, held at the Dellagio on Sand Lake Road. Guests of the Grand Tasting will indulge in the delicious flavors of Latin cuisine and beverages while enjoying Hispanic entertainment. Renowned chefs Guillermo Pernot, Jen Isham and many others will be on hand to demonstrate their culinary skills and tasty concoctions.

Latin Food and Wine Festival tickets are on sale now.

Orlando lodging reservations are also available.

Where to Stay During Your Orlando Vacation

Orlando has several distinct areas where visitors can look for a place to stay after a long and adventurous day of tripping to the many theme parks and recreational spots. It can be quite a confusing task to carry out, so here are some ideas that may help you choose the best place that will suit your vacation needs (and budget) during your stay in the family entertainment capital of the world.

South of Disney World (Highway 192 - Kissimmee)

Highway 192 has been a well-known destination for many tourists visiting Orlando. With its numerous restaurants, bed & breakfasts, golf courses, and family attractions, many vacationers consider this area an excellent one for finding hotels and lodging. Hotel prices here are less expensive when compared to hotels in the other areas.

North of Disney World

This is also called the Lake Buena Vista area, which is the newest spot to look for places to stay in Orlando. The hotels built in this region were put up in the early 1990's and are mostly associated with the national hotel chains. The Lake Buena Vista area hosts great shopping and dining only a few miles away from each other.

Universal Studios Florida Area

There are also some good options that can be considered in this area, but not as much as there is in other areas of Orlando County. Only a few hotels can be found in this area and there is not much competition going on between them, so the prices are generally not as competivie, but still budget friendly.

Downtown Orlando

An Orlando vacation means visiting the theme parks and beautiful attractions that this region has to offer. Most likely, you will not enjoy the traffic hassles of long trips from downtown to the theme parks - not to mention the time that you will be wasting traveling thirty minutes or more to and from Disney World each day. If your Orlando vacation isn't theme park centric, then the downtown Orlando area is a good choice.

Orlando Convention Center Area

Only a few minutes from SeaWorld, this area can be a good choice for those who will be going primarily to that park. However, the prices here are a little more expensive while the amenities offered by the hotels are mostly geared for business travelers than for families. This area is a natural choice for those combining business with a vacation.

SeaWorld (International Drive) Area

This is a favorite area to stay when vacationing with children. The reason is due to the number of villa resorts in the area. For the same price as a nice hotel room, you can have a two bedroom villa with full kitchen, whirlpool bath, living room and screened veranda. These resorts have lakes, pools, activity centers and other amenities that children (and adults) love. You will especially appreciate these resorts if you have some planned non-park days.

Orlando offers a large variety of different options for lodging. By reviewing the different choices described in this article, you will be well on your way to making the right decision for a great Orlando vacation.

Information courtesy of Really Fresh News

10 Survival Tips for Taking Kids to Disneyworld

As the school year draws to a close, parents everywhere are gearing up for the family summer vacation. If your family is among the many visitors headed to Disneyworld this summer, even adults may need a few pointers from a class like "Kid Tourism 101" before tackling Kissimmee and Orlando, Florida, the areas best known as home to Walt Disney World.

1) Always have a small backpack for each day's adventure. Pack band-aids, sun block, bug spray, camera, wet wipes, and some light snacks. Always have some water bottles or juice. The hot summer sun in Kissimmee, Florida makes for thirsty tourists of all ages.

2) If traveling with children still in diapers, pack more diapers than a usual day's supply.

3)When entering the Orlando theme parks, make sure the children have a note tucked in a pocket with the child's name, adult's cell phone, Orlando lodging information, license plate with make and color of car, and any medical information. Lost children happen and this info will speed up unification!

4) Kids 3 to 5 years old might balk at the thought of riding in a stroller, but by 2:00 pm wherever you are in Kissimmee or Orlando, a stroller will be welcome!

5) If you have traveled from another time zone, remember a child takes longer to adjust to the time difference. Be patient. Also, remember the need for naps never takes a vacation. Allow down time for children each afternoon.

6) Theme parks are not all there is to do in Kissimmee and Orlando, Florida! Most non-Florida children would love to see an alligator or two. Take them to Scenic Eco Tours for an hour long boat tour of Lake Tohopekaliga. On the northern end of the lake is Mackinson Island which is great hiking territory. The island is only accessible by boat.

7) If your kids are orange juice lovers, let them see and taste the real thing by visiting Ivey Groves Fresh Citrus off Boggy Creek Road just off the Florida Turnpike. A tram ride through the groves is followed by samples of Florida's best known export: orange juice!

8) Kids of all ages love Downtown Disney. From seeing the Lego creations in the lake to getting misted at the Rainforest Cafe, the kids will enjoy the sights and sounds. There is no fee to walk around, but some of the restaurants have long wait times. Early dinners are advised. The parking is free.

9) Don't forget about spending time at the pool. Look for Orlando vacation homes and Kissimmee villas for rent with private pools or large resort pool areas.Sometimes two hours in the pool with mom or dad are really the vacation moments that children will remember long after they leave the land of theme parks.

10) If the resort community where you are staying is quite large, take the kids for a walking tour. The best Florida vacation memories are often closer than you think!

The perfect family vacation to Disneyworld starts with deciding whether to stay in Orlando or Kissimmee, Florida. For the best value, choose a Disneyworld condo rental or vacation villa in Kissimmee, FL, which is actually home to many vacation resort communities. Multiple rooms in one unit are more affordable than paying for multiple hotel rooms at the Disney World Resort, especially when traveling with Grandparents or another family.

After tiring of tired children, Mom and Dad will also thank themselves for the separate sleeping quarters, additional space to spread out, and also enjoy added savings by cooking family meals. As an added bonus, many Orlando Florida Resorts have a private pool and hot tub, or enjoy the shared recreation facilities at many of the Disney vacation resort communities.

Information courtesy of TransWorldNews