South Beach, Miami

Probably the best-known beach in Florida is South Beach in Miami, and South Beach stereotypes are to be found aplenty in the location of Lummus Park, along Ocean Drive. It’s great for people watching, models doing photoshoots and celebrity sightings. At night, it becomes a hot spot for activity with restaurants, nightclubs, dance clubs, bars and all-night parties.

Florida is a great location for a taste of beach paradise. South Beach is hugely popular with beachgoers because of its smooth white sand. Activities include Jetskis, powerboat rides, surfing, swimming and kayaking in the Atlantic Ocean, and volleyball. Greater Miami is less than ten miles away with galleries, museums and theaters. Admire the art deco architecture on Ocean Drive on the southern tip of Miami Beach.

Fort Lauderdale

About 40 miles north of South Beach, the wide stretches of white sand and palm trees of Fort Lauderdale are far less chaotic than Miami. Nicknamed the ‘’Venice of America’’, Fort Lauderdale is the ideal beach paradise for beach and nature lovers. Sawgrass Recreation Park is nearby, home to alligators and other animals, and visitors can enjoy a river cruise to tour the city.

What to pack for a beach holiday

For a beach holiday you will need swimsuits, beach towels, sun hats and sunscreen, sunglasses, a waterproof/sand-proof pouch to keep valuables safe on the beach, a cool bag for drinks and snacks, safety jackets or armbands for children, a bat and ball and a book or magazines.

Packing for a beach party

If you plan on going straight from the beach to the party, bring something loose to wear over your swimwear. Choose something simple that won’t crease or show damp patches if your bikini hasn’t dried – something you can put on with no fuss. Instead of a sun dress or maxi dress, wear a sarong, beach wrap, kaftan, jumpsuit, loose cotton trousers, or even shorts and a strappy sun-top. If you want to change out of your swimwear and look your best with some cool, comfortable and flattering underwear, have a look at the largest selection of all lingerie stores at Lingerie Diva for some ideas and inspiration.

Wear sandals or flip-flops, and take something warm for later in the evening. Choose simple jewelry and accessories that won’t break your heart if they got lost in the sand or sea. Take a beach towel, a bottle of water, and a handbag for valuables. Take some after-sun with you if you are going straight from the beach. Pack a compact mirror and some waterproof makeup, and keep it casual, bright and fun.

After sampling the beaches on the Atlantic coast of Florida, why not try the beach paradise of Siesta Beach, Siesta Key on the Gulf of Mexico? Siesta Key boasts arguably the world’s finest white sand, which is quartz crystal and always cool under foot. Watch the sunset over the Gulf on this beautiful, tranquil beach – the perfect end to your Florida beach vacation.

Ft Lauderdale by Daniel Dudek-Corrigan on Flickr.

They’re even more fun when you can take your family dog along! The problem is, not many vacations are dog friendly.

Luckily, Utah is a great place to go with your four legged friend.

Another problem is there seem to be an unlimited number of places that you can take your family. You could head east and see the Big Apple, New York City. You could head west and take a trip to Southern California. Head south and join Mickey and Minnie in Disney World. Traveling anywhere abroad is another option.

However, many of these trips will drain your bank account. For a truly unforgettable family vacation that is both unique and inexpensive, check out Utah.

Yes, Utah should be your next family vacation and for good reasons.

Nestled in the mountains of Utah, is Salt Lake City. This city is quietly becoming an increasingly more popular destination for vacationers. It combines a big city atmosphere in a small city, and it’s a great place to go hiking with your dog.

Salt Lake City boasts some impressive architecture both in its religious sights as well as its municipal buildings, particularly its library. The Salt Lake City Public Library is an architectural beauty that features an expansive floor plan and is lit through its seemingly endless windows.

For the adults, Salt Lake City is home to some top of line craft breweries including Epic Brewing Co., Uinta Brewing Company, and Red Rock Brewery.

Yet with all of these seemingly “indoors” type attractions, the real treat is on the outside. Big Cottonwood Canyon is by far one of the most popular areas for visitors. This canyon has skiing in the winter and incredibly hiking trails when the snow is melted. Every season is beautiful in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Another great outdoor area for the family is Red Butte Garden. This botanical wonderland is over 100 acres of display and natural gardens. Part of the University of Utah, the Red Butte Garden is bountiful in walking baths and areas to hike. You can even take classes, have a picnic, or attend a concert in the gardens.

Great Salt Lake

One of Utah’s most defining landmarks is the Great Salt Lake. This enormous saltwater lake covers an average of 1,700 square miles during the year.

Great Salt Lake offers visitors a handful of activities. Of course, one of those options is to take a dip in the lake. You’ll want to wait until after the Summer Solstice in June so that the water temperatures are to your liking. The best areas to jump in are Black Rock, Antelope Island, and the Great Salt Lake Marina. Just be sure to rise any clothing with freshwater after your swim. The saltwater will stiffen your clothes.

Another common pastime of visitors to the Great Salt Lake, is bird watching and animal sighting. Over 250 species of birds soar above the lake. Some of the more popular areas to bird watch are the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve, and Antelope Island. Antelope Island State Park is a must for the animal lover in your family. Wild bison, pronghorn antelope, deer, fox, bobcats, coyotes, and more roam around the state park.

Other land based adventures include biking, scenic drives, and horseback riding. Any of these three will offer your family unparalleled views of the picturesque lake.

If you’ve already taken a swim and can’t wait to get back into the water, you can also sail over the lake. Others can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding.

Monument Valley

Monument Valley is humbling region of the Colorado Plateau. Located near the Four Corners, this region is characterized by sandstone buttes that can reach 1,000 feet.

Chances are you’ve seen Monument Valley and not even known it. Monument Valley was the backdrop for a handful of old Western movies.

Visitors can pay a fee to drive through the park and enjoy the scenic views it has to offer. However, there are also parts of Monument Valley that are only accessible through a guided tour. Both Mystery Valley and Hunts Mesa are incredible areas that can be explored through a guided tour.

It’s a fantastic place to hike with your dog, as there’s plenty of space for them to roam. Utah’s even the home of some great dog DNA testing centers, just in case you were wondering about your dog’s breed!

Zion National Park

Zion National Park may be one of the most picturesque parks in the United States. It is also one of the most daunting. It is defined by Zion Canyon, a stretch fifteen miles long and up to half a mile deep.

Several hiking trails of varying difficulties are available throughout Zion National Park. Trails range from the half hour round trip Weeping Rock trail to the eight hour round trip Kolob Arch.

The park is also home to some popular natural rock climbing spots including Touchstone, Spaceshot, and Prodigal Son. Guided horseback trips are also a common attraction amongst tourists visiting the park. Not an equestrian? Try out their mechanical counterparts with 4×4/ATV guided tours of park. Finally, if you’re feeling lazy and need to cool off, the summertime is perfect for tubing down the Virgin River.

Utah is becoming an incredibly popular tourist destination and for the reasons listed above, it’s not hard to see why. Offering some of the best outdoor adventures in the United States, Utah should booked for your next family vacation.

Texas de Brazil

Dessert at Texas de Brasil by satanoid on Flickr

A steakhouse calling on Brazilian and international influences, this Orlando institution offers a mouth-watering selection of dishes together with a salad bar, delicious sauces, desserts and cocktails. Don’t think you’ll be going home with an empty stomach – there’s just too much to try. The management pride themselves on their attentiveness and levels of service, so you won’t be kept waiting either. The meats are slow-roasted following a technique from the gauchos of southern Brazil and brought hot and skewered to your table, where wait staff stop to carve you slices. Salads and sides include artisan breads, buffalo mozzarella, Portobello mushrooms and herbed sweet onions. A great dining experience.

Jiko

Maize-crusted Wreckfish at Jiko by HarshLight on Flickr

For romantics and lovers of ethnic cuisine, Jiko is a dream come true. The interior is both fun and elegant, with an open kitchen featuring glowing wood burning ovens and a wall that changes from pale yellow to fiery orange to echo the colours of the sun setting on the African savannah. Quirky additions such as flying birds are an amusing touch, but the real draw is the menu, which features Ethiopian, Eritrean and Moroccan cuisine. After a selection of wood-fired flatbreads, the starters include grilled wild boar tenderloin with mielie pap, and crispy beef bobotie with cucumber raita. Mains include grilled shrimp curry, braised beef short rib and maize-crusted wreckfish.

Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion

Green Tea Tiramisu by Roger Mommaerts on Flickr

Asian, Hawaiian and fusion food are the order of the day at this unique and innovative establishment. Signature dishes feature the finest seafood, and while many are firmly based around Hawaiian cuisine, there’s no shortage of Oriental influences either. Appetisers such as island style ahi poke, miso truffle soup and flash fried oysters with melted brie kick off the menu, while entrees include macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi with lobster cream, hibachi grilled salmon and teppanyaki shrimp. Try some tempura, Maui shrimp salad or blistered shishoto peppers on the side. An exotic experience.

MoonFish

Tuna Ahi Tartare by Michael Saechang on Flickr

Serving up the freshest seafood and prime aged steaks in superb surroundings, MoonFish is one of the best seafood options in the city. It’s also one of the most inventive, with an intriguing menu that combines fusion cuisine with sushi and other raw delicacies, all put together with vibrancy and flair. Try oysters from the fresh shellfish bar, or perhaps the seared tuna sashimi, crab claws or go all out with the iced shellfish tower. Mains include the bamboo steamer, with lobster tail, king crab and shrimp, and the MoonFish bouillabaisse.

Le Coq au Vin

Onion tart by Kirsten Loza on Flickr

Bringing fine French food to Florida, Le Coq au Vin also manages to successfully incorporate the freshest local ingredients and add a modern American twist. Many ingredients are sourced from the restaurant’s own family farm. You can dine al fresco on the garden patio or eat in the elegant dining room, and the staff are happy to offer special menus and any assistance. The classic menu includes starters such as traditional onion soup with apple cider, caramelised onion tart, soufflé au fromage, steamed mussels and steak tartare, while mains include aubergine du bayou teche, poisson with roasted pecans and beurre blanc, and braised veal sweetbreads.