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Funny old name, Staines; funny old place, Staines but it has so much going for it. How come it has so much going wrong for it?

Take the name, Staines; sounds like a blot doesn’t it? An ink-spill on the map instead of a place richer in history than many of its better known sister towns like Kingston and Richmond. Settled in by the Romans in 43AD, that makes it nearly 2000 years old. Back then it was known as St Annes, now there’s a name; Staines? St.Annes? No contest. St.Annes-on-Thames, even better; Staines? St.Annes-on-Thames; absolutely no contest. Imagine what a name change like this would do for the standing of the town; tourism for a start. No, don’t snort, it’s perfectly feasible; look.

Staines appears on the Middlesex domesday map in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Stanes. Let’s have an authenticated copy of this document and others like it. There’s the Staines London Stone, dated the year 1280, still easily accessible on the bank of the Thames.

The greatest historical document, the Magna Carta, that led to the rule of constitutional law in the English speaking world was signed just outside of Staines and the memorial is there at Runnymede.

The situation of Staines as a major crossing point over the River Thames, its position on the main road from London to the southwest, and its proximity to Windsor and Hampton Court via road and river had Staines often involved in national affairs. England’s barons assembled in Staines before they met with King John at Runnymede in 1215 for the signing of the Magna Carta, and Stephen Langton held a consecration there shortly after the issue of Magna Carta. Sir Thomas More was tried in 1535 in a Staines public house, because there was an outbreak of plague in London at that time. The church bells were rung several times in 1670, when King Charles 2nd and Queen Catherine went through Staines.

Staines Moor is one of the last remaining Commons of the medieval Manor of Staines. The Moor has been registered Common Land since 1065 and only registered Commoners are entitled to graze their animals on it. During the civil war in 1642-48 there were several skirmishes on Staines Moor and numerous troop movements over Staines Bridge.

Staines was a site for a horse change on The Trafalgar Way in 1805, announcing the victory over the Spanish and the death of Nelson. This is commemorated on a plaque on Staines townhall building.

Staines was the major producer of linoleum after the formation of the Linoleum Manufacturing Company in 1864 by its inventor, Frederick Walton. Linoleum became the main industry of the town and was a major employer in the area up until the 1960s. The term ‘Staines Lino’ became a worldwide name but the factory was closed around 1970 and is now the site of the Two Rivers shopping centre completed circa 2000. A bronze statue of two lino workers in Staines High Street commemorates the Staines Lino Factory.

Staines was the site of the Staines air disaster in 1972, at the time the worst air crash to have occurred on British soil, until the Lockerbie disaster of 1988. The crash was commemorated in June 2004, with the opening of a dedicated garden, created at the request of relatives, near to the crash site, and the unveiling of a stained glass window at St. Marys Church, where a memorial service was held.

How many more ‘places of interest’ does Staines need? Then there’s Ali G and Hard Fi, Christine Keeler, Bobby Davro, and Richard Murdoch, to name just a few of Staines’ famous residents. And I haven’t even mentioned the river!

Boat trips to Runnymede, to Windsor, to Hampton Court, bringing more visitors, busy bars and restaurants by the river.

And, remember, with visitors and tourism comes money, lots of money, and jobs, lots of jobs, particularly for the youngster now growing up in Staines, and a better class of retailers (no more empty shops) and a better looking town with better resources for everyone.

So, how about it folks? Let’s make Staines famous again; St Annes on Thames.

To find out more about Staines and the surrounding area visit Your online guide to Staines.

Cocoa Beach has got to be one of the best Florida beaches of all; there is so much to do in such a small area, you see, Cocoa Beach is only 15 square miles and ten of that is water. When I am asked “What’s so great about Cocoa Beach?” Many things spring to mind; there’s Ron Jon’s, unique clothing and souvenir shops, many restaurants, and a lot of family fun with two miniature golf courses, a go cart track and of course, the beach with a fantastic pier. It’s also great to be so close to so many other things to do, like in Orlando, but I what I really love is just the town it’s self.

You know, Cocoa Beach is considered a retirement area, the average age is 54, but if you looked around you’d tend not to believe it because there’s always something to do. In the summer there are tourists on the beaches and in the shops and then in the fall is slows down a bit and gives all of us who live here year round a chance to catch our breath before our friends from the other parts of the country come to stay for the winter. After they all leave in the spring we gear up for summer and the whole cycle starts all over again.

Cocoa Beach started to come on the radar when in the 1960′s two things happened: One, NASA came to the area in the form of the Kennedy Space Center. One of the coolest things you will ever do is watch a rocket launch and there is no better place to be when one goes off than standing on the beach. There are no buildings to obstruct your view and on a clear day you think you can literally see them achieve orbit. If it’s a shuttle not only can you see and hear it but on the beach you can feel the sound of it go through you, it’s wild. There are only a few more shuttles scheduled to fly out and I’ll bet the beaches are going to be packed with people from all over the country. I know of several people who are planning special trips just to see them go. When you do plan a trip keep in mind the shuttle launch schedule changes so it’s best to keep checking it.

Two: A wildly popular little show called “I Dream of Jeannie”, tell me the theme song didn’t just start in your head, came on T.V. Although the only episode actually filmed in Cocoa Beach was the one where Jeannie gets married there were enough scenes that showed just enough of Cocoa Beach for people to want to know more about it. Another popular iconic thing in Cocoa Beach was a restaurant called the Moon Hut it was a popular hang out of the Astronauts back in the day, it’s a Mexican restaurant now but there’s still a lot of space memorabilia throughout the place.

There’s a lot of history and nature around Cocoa Beach, the Kennedy Space Center is just 15 miles north of town and we have the Canaveral National Seashore or the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge nearby, both are great places for a day of family fun in the great outdoors. We also have a store here that sells dinosaur and other fossils, it’s an interesting place to go and just look around.

As you might have guessed tourism is a major industry in Cocoa Beach and one of the biggest draws here is Ron Jon’s Surf Shop. Its open 24 hours and gets over 2 million visitors a year, it is also home to the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame. Cocoa Beach is the small wave surf capital of the east coast, and hosts the Ron Jon Easter Surfing Festival which drew an estimated 50,000 visitors in 2009 and began in 1964. This all takes place around the Cocoa Beach Pier, I love the pier. We spent New Year’s Eve there this past year, we walked down the beach to it and rang in the New Year dancing 800 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, it was beautiful.

The Pier, because it does extend so far into the water, is a great place to watch the surfers that flock to the area when the swells are going off. People surf with long boards and shorts boards they even have boogie boards they are all different. Some are beginners and some have been doing it for years, they all have their own style and are fascinating to watch. There are also all kinds of kids in the surf with skim boards trying to get the best ride they can off the shore surf, it’s awesome. The Cocoa Beach Pier was built in 1962 and is the focal point of Cocoa Beach. They have many shops there with specialty clothing, gifts and jewelry. When you enjoy a meal there you can either eat inside, under a covered area outside or head to the Tiki Bar at the end of the pier. No matter where you eat the view is spectacular you can watch the ocean or watch the people on the beach playing volleyball, building sandcastles or just baking in the sun. You can also watch the people fishing off the pier as they try to reel in their latest catch.

For those of us who live here year round there is plenty to enjoy for instance every year part of Cocoa Beach is shut for the annual art festival which has been held since 1963. We have an air show that draws crowds estimated at 30,000 people and this year, for the first time, there was a boat race right off the Pier.

Here in Cocoa Beach we say “It’s all about the beach” and it is really but there’s a lot to do on land too, we invite you to come see and for yourself.

Surfing is just the beginning of an adventure at Cocoa Beach, FL. You can spend a day at the beach or view a Space Shuttle Launch courtesy of NASA, either way you and your family will enjoy the vacation destination.

Those who attended the Winter Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan in 1998 were the first to see the addition of snowboarding to the list of events that take place. The sport had been approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1994. It is really no surprise that it found its way into the largest sports competition in the world. It had been and still is growing in worldwide popularity since the 1960′s. In the middle of the 1980′s snowboarding was permitted in fewer than 10% of the ski spots in the U. S. Today, in 2010, it is allowed in about 95%.

A snowboard is not too different in design to a skateboard or surfboard. Inside of the water or cement, it is made for a snow covered slope. A snowboard looks somewhat like a wide, short ski. Flexible bindings are used to secure the boot in place, perpendicular to the board rather than facing forward as is the case with skis.

The largest demographic for participants to the sport is young people, aged 18-24. The primary reason is the cost factor. While it may cost $400-$600 to get a pair of skis, one can get himself a snowboard plus boots and bindings for about $200. Another main reason is that its opportunity for athletic creativity makes this a “hip” sport. It allows a person to test out many different styles, tricks and techniques.

The most common form for new snowboarders is freestyle. Few, if any, tricks are added to a run. A freestyle board is generally lighter, wider and more flexible and stable than other boards. With this type of board a newbie has an easier time navigating turns and bumps.

The form most embraced by boarders is freeride. Freeriders can board down dry slopes as well as snow-covered slopes and are able to adapt to various snow conditions, from powdery to icy. A repertoire fro freeriders usually includes a few half pipe, aerial and surface tricks. A freeride board is a stiffer board, which helps riders make hard turns.

When it comes to speed, the form to watch is called freecarving. Since the focus here is on speed, there are rarely tricks or jumps included in a run. Carving is generally done on hard packed snow and involves making very hard turns. This style is not recommended for beginners as an advanced control of the board is required. Freecarve boards, also referred to as Alpine boards, ) will be narrower and longer than most other boards.

One of the big attractions to snowboarding is the opportunities to learn and perform several tricks. As in skateboarding and surfing, tricks involve twists and turns and jumps. Among the popular tricks are melons, nollies, ollies, flails, poptarts, Canadian bacon and Japan air.

It is expected that snowboarding will continue to grow in popularity as a winter sport. Its inclusion in the Winter Olympics helped give this sport the exposure it needed to expand. Television coverage as increased in other events and worldwide competitions, making it as mainstream a sport as any other.

Blue Mountain chalets is a popular destination for people who are looking for a bit of fun and adventure on their vacation. There are many activities to engage in, such as skiing, snowboarding, and horseback riding. Blue Mountain accommodations give a sense of warmth and comfort.

It is that time of the year again when people want to take a nice, relaxing vacation. Planning a vacation can be overwhelming though since not everyone knows how to plan for a vacation. It is good to stay organized and on to stay on track while planning the vacation getaway. Otherwise, you may find yourself scrambling to plan your vacation.

Be sure to put in for any vacation time really early. Summer time is usually the busiest time for companies as far as vacation time goes. You want to be sure that you and everyone else that is planning on going on vacation with you is able to get approved for vacation at the same time. That way no one gets left out.

After you have gotten your vacation approved it is good to go ahead and decide where you want to go on vacation. Some people go to the same place every year and some people like to go somewhere different each year. If you are unsure of where to go you can ask for suggestions from family and friends, choose somewhere random, or just research online until you find a place that you would like to go.

After you have decided on the perfect vacation destination then it is good to decide on transportation plans. You may need to book airline tickets if you are planning on travelling a far distance. If it is close enough to drive then you need to decide who is driving and if a rental vehicle needs to be booked.

Booking your hotel is the next step. You can research different hotels online. You can visit their particular website to see what the hotel has to offer and how much is costs. You can even call the hotel if you need to. The hotel can be booked online or over the phone. The hotel will let you know if they do not have your dates available.

Once all the arrangements have been made then be sure to let everyone know. That way they know for sure what is going on and if they owe you any money for vacation then they can go ahead and pay you what they owe. If anyone cancels then you still have time to find other people to go along or change plans with the hotel or the flight if need be.

Sometimes making travel arrangements can take a lot of time and patience. If you do not have the time to do all this then you can hire a travel agent to assist you. Travel agents specialize in vacation planning so you can trust that they will plan a happy vacation. Of course you can also expect to pay a fee to the agent for their assistance.

So if you are not sure how to plan for a vacation, then with a little planning and organization you can plan a really fun and relaxing vacation. Do not forget to get your vacation time approved ahead of time. The biggest part of planning is setting up hotel reservations and flight plans if necessary. After that is done everything else is simple.

These Boat Cruises offer a luxurious experience for all tourists, vacationers, and adventure seekers. Whether you are mesmerized by the breathtaking scenery or the quality dining, you are guaranteed an enjoyable time on these Toronto Fireworks Cruises.

Conference facilities hotels can provide many benefits for business people from everything needed to conduct business to all possibilities of leisure activities.

Conference areas will include a variety of different size rooms that can be designed to accommodate the needs of any type of business meeting from very large exhibitions to small meetings. The conference area can be set up with many booths to host an exhibition, or with tables and chairs in various configurations for theater type presentations to boardroom table style presentations. A podium and wireless or wired microphones can be used to focus attention on a specific speaker. Broadband Internet access can also be configured to provide virtual access to meetings for a virtual meeting or to increase participation in a meeting.

Many facilities also offer an assortment of technical possibilities and equipment for the meeting rooms. The technical staff at a facility can provide equipment for data and video presentations, access to the Internet and wireless or wired local area networks, as well as data points where needed. The technical staff will be available to provide tech help to keep equipment and network equipment in proper operating order.

Larger facilities may provide attendees with paper pads and pens or pencils and other needed equipment such as laptop computers to aid in meetings. In addition, the facility may also offer access to other business services for photocopying and faxing, and a computer room or wireless access throughout the facility could be available as well as a business phone service.

Restaurants or possibly a catering service located at the facility should be able to meet dining needs. Snack breaks, or brunches, lunches or dinners can be set up for attendees to dine while a meeting is in progress or during breaks between meetings.

The same food services can also be used to accommodate smaller, less formal meetings generated by the main conference activities, or business people will have the option to move a smaller meeting to a relaxed atmosphere pub, pool, or cafeteria type dining areas located in many hotels.

After the meetings are over, the hotel will provide access to some leisure activities for guests to unwind and relax. Spa areas may provide access to activities such as massages, pedicures, facials, steam rooms, sauna tubs and swimming pools. More lively activities going on in the local area can be recommended by the hotel concierge.

The hotel facility may also offer some sort of shuttle services. The shuttle can transport business people to the nightlife activities, or anywhere they would like to go. The hotel may also provide shuttle services to and from the local airport.

The hotel rooms at many of the conference facilities also offer an assortment of features from relaxing to business specific. The hotels may offer in room dining, movies, games, and a staff that will take care of any and every need. For the business person, the room may offer features such as complimentary wireless Internet access, secure data points, conference calling, facsimile services as well as many additional benefits.

For the business person looking for as many benefits as possible, conference facilities hotels provide the most possibilities for both business and relaxation.

Airport Hotels in Toronto offering business class executive suites, meeting facilities and Mediterranean restaurants. Many location across the GTA to serve you better. Visit us at Mississauga hotels. Includes online reservation form.

Do you enjoy taking a break from scorching heat and spending some quality time with your family and friends? We all deserve break from the kind of hectic personal and professional life that we live and therefore it is very necessary that we spend some time with our loved ones. Spending a holiday with your friends and family might be easy but it is not easy when it comes to deciding where you should spend your next holiday. People normally prefer European tours when they think of spending some quality time with their family but there are few that are always on the move and always look for a better holiday destination that would keep them occupied and entertained throughout.

Costa Rica is one of the upcoming destinations that will soon become one of the favorites for people who are constantly hungry for new locations, new entertainment and new hotels that would provide world class service. Costa Rica is located in Central America and since it is covered by oceans on both the sides you will find plenty of white sandy beaches here that are inviting and where you can have a break from the scorching summer.

Though, Costa Rica has a tropical climate you will never find excess heat over there because of the natural environment around it. If you have nothing to do for the day than you can take a nice walk and enjoy the cool breeze that blows from the ocean and enjoy the clean blue water right in front of you. No matter wherever you are in Costa Rica you are never too far from the ocean because most of the Costa Rica cities and tourist locations are situated near coastal areas where you can find some good accommodations and hotels that are truly Costa Rican.

If you prefer places where you can find more activities than Costa Rica is the place to be because you can try your skills in various water sports activities like kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, scuba diving and boogie boarding. You can either contact some of the agencies that provide special tours for such water sports or you can ask the hotel personnel so that they can arrange it for you. There are also various national parks which are truly worth watching and therefore every wildlife fan will find Costa Rica nothing less than paradise.

Costa Rica also has various other adventures that you can try like rock climbing, mountain bicycling, trekking and walking through the deep forests of Costa Rica. Most of these activities are done under careful supervision because you need to know the routes that would lead you back to your hotel. Costa Rica also has various cities like San Jose and Liberia where you can enjoy the urban life and enjoy your dinner and spend some time moving your body to the groovy Central American music. You can even go for shopping and have some of the best Central American coffee and snacks in some of the best Costa Rica restaurants and cafes.

I’m the head copywriter for SurfVoucher.com. If you like to learn more on Costa Rica Surfing, Costa Rica Vacations packages and our detailed Costa Rica Map visit http://www.surfvoucher.com/

Are you recently planning to go on a holiday? Holidays are really important and exciting not only for kids but also for adults because we work hard to earn income for our family and friends and therefore we should give ourselves a little bit of relaxation through holidays that are really rejuvenating and where we can find peace that is important for our mind and soul. Of course finding a place where there is fewer crowds is a tough task because all top tourist destinations are always packed with international and local people who would like to enjoy their holidays or business trips.

However, there are some places which are equally good but not all people are aware about the true potentials of that place and Costa Rica is such a place. Costa Rica lies in the Central American region and is quickly becoming the most popular tourist destination in the world. As per the survey done by various international tourism organizations it has been found that the growth rate of Costa Rica is better than any European country which means more and more people are knowing about the true potentials of Costa Rica and therefore Costa Rica is getting more international visitors every year. Many international hotels and chain of restaurants and cafes are now trying to invest in Costa Rica because they believe that Costa Rica does have all the necessary elements of becoming the top tourist destination in the world.

There are many things apart from the beaches that make Costa Rica a place where you can enjoy holidays in a better way. Costa Rica is not a big country but it still has the best marine biodiversity in the world and if you are a wildlife lover than you will simply fall in love with this place. Costa Rica is 166 times smaller than Brazil but still has 234 different plant species and therefore it clearly outbeats Brazil when it comes to various plant and bird species available in thousand square kilometers of Costa Rica. You can even enjoy the biggest rainforest in Costa Rica where you will different and new species of plants and animals. The La Amistad International Park is around 200,000 hectares and can isolate you from the rest of Costa Rica if you are not sure about the route.

Costa Rica is also famous for its volcanoes and therefore if you are in Costa Rica than do not miss out Arenal Volcano which is one of the ten active volcanoes in the world. Apart from that there are 112 different small craters and eruption locations where you can checkout the volcanic smokes and bubbling red hot lava that is oozing out of the surface.

Divers will never feel like going back home because Costa Rica is an underwater paradise. Costa Rica has been named as the number one place on earth if you love scuba diving and many magazines clearly have admitted this in their publications. Costa Rica oceans have more than 6000 different aquatic species that attracts divers from all over the world.

I’m the head copywriter for SurfVoucher.com. If you like to learn more on Costa Rica Surfing, Costa Rica Vacations packages and our detailed Costa Rica Map visit http://www.surfvoucher.com/

Going on safari is an increasingly popular way to spend a vacation, and with good reason. For those who want excitement and thrills from a trip away, and who want lots of great stories to tell, a safari really is ideal. Everyone loves nature and wildlife, and what better way to experience it than on a safari?

The following is some practical information and advice on selecting and preparing for an African safari…

Tour Operators : Look for positive reviews and testimonials before paying any money to a safari tour operator. Find out where they operate from. Ideally you want to choose one that has offices in both Africa and your home country. Be prepared to spend some time shopping around as prices vary substantially. Safaris can be all inclusive or ‘pay as you go’. It is often easier, and can be less expensive, to do all inclusive, air, lodging transports, meals etc.

Passports And Visas : Most people think that they can just turn up at a country and be let in, but this is not always the case. Find out whether you need a visa to gain entry in to the country where you are going on safari. The official tourism website of the country should tell you what you need to know. Err on the side of caution and ask your tour operator to confirm anything that you are unsure about. If you do need a visa, it is not normally a problems to get one, but the process will take at least a week, so apply a few weeks before departure to be on the safe side.

Immunizations : Most insurance companies do not pay for travel immunizations but they will refer you to travel clinics. Not only can these clinics make sure that you are properly immunized, they will also be able to offer advice on traveling safely. They will let you know if the water is safe to drink, if mosquitoes will be a problem, etc. As well as immunization shots, you might want to stock up on medications for diarrhea and insect bites.

Type Of Accommodation : Luxury accommodation is generally available if you want it, but authentic safari ‘back to basics’ accommodation is more common. If you want a ‘real’ safari experience, and want to do more than just day trips around the fringes of the wildlife reservations, then you will have to sacrifice some home comforts. A common approach is to spend the first and last couple of nights in a plush hotel, and then to sleep under the stars for the rest of the vacation.

Weather : It is essential to read up on what to expect weather wise before packing your bag. If you pack the wrong type of clothes then you will regret it for the whole of your trip. There can even be huge climate differences in different parts of the same country on the same day, so be sure to research this thoroughly. Whilst the days probably will be scorching hot, the nights will probably be quite chilly.

More : African Safari Or Uganda Safari

Just before you get to Pensacola traveling west in the Florida Panhandle you come to a great little town called Fort Walton Beach. If you’re from the nearby states of Alabama, Georgia or Mississippi you may have spent a spring break or two in the area. Fort Walton Beach is famous for its white sand beaches, both commercial and recreational fishing fleets, and anything you can think of to do on the water. As with many Panhandle destinations, the busiest time of the year is no doubt spring break, however the fishing is great year ’round and the beautiful beach resorts are always welcoming, they also have weekly or monthly rentals for bigger groups and longer stays. There are many golf courses, tennis courts, miniature golf courses and beachside parks for families to enjoy.

One such place is the Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island, it overlooks a beautiful white sand beach with crystal clear water; they have a covered picnic area right there where you can enjoy the view of the beach while you enjoy your lunch. There are also several great little restaurants there like the Crab Trap that has a great deck where you can get a tropical drink and a delicious fish sandwich and watch all the action on the beach. While you’re watching the beach it’s not unusual to see a kite surfer or even a dolphin go by.

Kite surfing is a very popular sport on Florida, some say one day soon it’ll even be more popular than surfing but I doubt it. Kite surfing is exactly what you’re thinking it is. A kite surfing board is a board that you stand on, like a snowboard, but with a huge slingshot like kite attached to it. It takes a few hours to learn but a lifetime to master. An experienced kite boarder can go flying through the water, catch massive air, do a flip or two and then land in the waves and keep going. It’s a thrill to watch and I’d love to try it.

The boardwalk is centrally located, close to many hotels and resorts on the island, which means it’s within walking distance in many cases. The beach itself is a great place to lay around soaking up the sun, build a sandcastle or play volleyball; they even provide the nets for you. Something I really liked was the fact that after you’ve gotten all hot, sweaty and hungry playing volleyball, they have showers there so you can clean up a little bit and get the sand off before you head up to the boardwalk for some lunch or shopping.

Okaloosa Island also has a great fishing pier, which is another popular pastime in Fort Walton Beach, as it is all over Florida. It’s a huge pier, when it was first built in 1972 it was 962 ft long; then in 1998, it was lengthened to nearly a 1/4 mile at 1262 feet. The Okaloosa Island Pier is all about catching the ‘big’ one, and some huge fish have been caught off the pier, a Tarpon that weighed over 100 pounds and a 42 pound King Mackerel are just two on record, you can also catch Cobia, Redfish, Pompano, Ladyfish and Bluefish. The end of the pier is shaped like an octagon which allows for the maximum fish fighting room. There is a bait and tackle shop on the pier and they even make their own rigs for kids that have no hooks in them, safety first. If you get hungry while trying to land the big one you can buy snacks, sodas and other beverages, and if you don’t have a rod of your own, you can rent one there. When you’re ready for a little nibble yourself and you want something a little more substantial you too can get a bite at Anglers, which is conveniently at the beach end of the pier. I also found out that they do beach weddings at the Angler which I thought was very romantic. They serve a lot of fresh seafood, as you’d imagine, but have a few steak and chicken dishes too.

Fort Walton Beach has been around for years and is rich with history, I was surprised to learn that they’ve found archaeological evidence, like pottery, of Indians living here between 600-1650 A.D..Then from around 1500-1800 came the pirates, the most infamous being Billy Bowlegs. If you don’t recognize that name here’s one I’ll bet you’ll know, especially if you’re a football fan, Danny Wuerffel. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1996 when he was the quarterback of the University of Florida Gators; he attended Fort Walton Beach High School, they’re real proud of that.

Fort Walton Beach is a great little panhandle town that is a wonderful place to spend a few days no matter what time of year you choose to come so we’ll see you soon.

If you’re looking for the best spot to vacation this summer, try Fort Walton Beach. With beautiful white sand and clear blue-green water, it’s one of our favorite Florida beaches and a top southern tourist destinations.

Do you like camping and do you like live music? If you answered yes to both questions then a visit to the Suwannee Music Park and campground in North Florida will positively delight you.

The park located north of Live Oak, Florida. The camp ground is located on the banks of the Suwannee River and it is home to a variety of musical events throughout the year. You can watch musical performances throughout the week at the park’s music hall and during the festivals you can enjoy the outdoor natural amphitheater.

Live music is just part of the attraction of this park. The camp covers 800 acres which provides ample space for camping, hiking, canoeing, bird watching, jogging, putt putt golf and lots more recreational activities.

The scenery here is beautiful. There is a Spanish moss-draped forest, a cypress tree lined, spring-fed lake, and a wonderful wildlife habitat that is perfect for bird watching. The recreational facilities are well developed and varied.

One unusual attraction is the Bat House. This is the largest known bat house in the United States. Bats enter the house from underneath through three-quarter inch openings. The Bat House is able to hold half a million bats since bats only use one-fourth of an inch of space.

Well if bats are not your thing then you can keep yourself blissfully occupied with swimming, hiking, fishing or canoeing. You can come as a day visitor or spend some time camping.

If you are camping you have several possibilities. The park has 600 improved campsites and 800 acres of primitive camping. There are beautiful cabins available for rent and there is RV parking with full hookups, and there are shower and bath houses as well. There are tent and camping areas and also areas for horse camping. With tent camping you can get water and electric facilities or you can spend less and opt for primitive camping.

If you are planning to do horse camping you will have to bring your own horse (no stallions) and be able to enjoy 20 miles of in-park trails and have access to 50 miles of other trails as well.

Other services at the park include a full service restaurant, a country store and an arts and crafts village.

In case you are wondering about the music experience here, the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park was named “the Best Live Music Venue” in Florida in 2009 by Florida Monthly Magazine. There are numerous concerts and festivals throughout the year and there is live entertainment four nights a week during the year.

But this not only a place to watch music, it is a place to play your own music. There are many covered pavilions and gathering places where campers can gather together for a time of fun, fellowship, and of course, pickin’ and grinnin’. The Suwannee River Bluegrass Association invites you to join them every Saturday night in the Pickin’ Shed at 6 pm.

So pack up your instruments and your camping gear and consider stopping in the Swannee Park the next time you are in Northern Florida. They are located: Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, 3076 95th Drive, Live Oak, Florida 32060, Telephone: 386-364-1683.

Janice McSherry writes frequently about Orlando tourism. She is the proprietor of www.floridavacationsvillas.com. Visit her website for great deals on Florida Vacation Villas