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Either in Buenos Aires, or in Patagonia; in Mendoza or Iguazu, the golf traveler can combine his favorite sport with visits to the most spectacular highlights of Argentina .

Ten Rivers & Ten Lakes offrers a unique collection of lodges & boutique hotels associated with a fantastic menu of Golf Programs, prepared and managed by our experienced partners of Patagonia Golf, a leading specialized travel agent.

Special packages:

- Golf in Buenos Aires: Golf Days, Golf Weeks playing in the most prestigious Golf Clubs: Jockey Club, Olivos Golf, and other Courses ranked among the best out of US.

- Mendoza Wine Tours & Golf: play golf and enjoy the premium argentine wines in the heart of the Argentine wine region

- Golf in Patagonia: Bariloche & San Martin de los Andes

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – From Adventure Landing to an award-winning zoo, with MOSH in the middle! Visit Jacksonville announces a new way to save on a family vacation to Jacksonville.

The Jax A-Z Family Pass bundles Jacksonville’s top family attractions – Adventure Landing, the Museum of Science & History (MOSH) and the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens at a savings.

The one-stop admission ticket, available at www.splashintospring.com , starting at $32.99 for adults and $25.99 for children (ages 3-12), a savings of up to $7 per person.

Adventure Landing is “The Place to Play!” The family entertainment complex has something for everyone, from kids to adults. Practice putting skills on the miniature golf course or perfect gaming skills in the mega arcade.

Keep an eye on the ball in the batting cages or build a stuffed-animal friend at the Teddy Bear Factory.

The Jax A-Z Family Pass includes an Adventure Landing Splah Pass to use in the waterpark or the Quest Pass where guests are granted three tickets to be used for any combination of the following attractions: mini-golf, laser tag and go-karts. www.adventurelanding.com

Experience electrifying and explosive science shows, explore 12,000 years of Jacksonville’s history or watch the stars circle the night sky at the Museum of Science & History (MOSH). The MOSH features hands-on exhibits exploring nature, history and science. There are small animal exhibits and aquariums to view and special exhibits are featured seasonally.

This spring, the museum is welcoming guests to the A-Mazing Seas, a fully immersive maze-based exhibit.

The exhibit compels visitors to climb into sea turtle shells, crawl through a whale’s mouth and reach into an octopus cave while discovering simple solutions for challenges that face inhabitants of the deep blue and beyond.

The Jax A-Z Family Pass grants guests admission to the museum, as well as the Science Show at MOSH, normally offered at an additional charge.

The Science Show is where all the action happens, from hair raising fun to exploding objects. www.themosh.org

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens features over 1,500 rare and exotic animals and its renowned botanical gardens are home to over 1,000 species of plants.

Special features include Play Park, Gardens of Trout River Plaza and Giraffe Overlook.

Be sure to visit the award-winning Range of the Jaguar exhibit or the Asian Bamboo Garden and Komodo Dragon Exhibit, which opened in 2009 and draws in visitors with an authentic Moon Gate, Lotus Pool, Orchid Pavilion and Bamboo Mist Forest.

The Komodo dragon exhibit is set in an Indonesian fishing village and features two komodo dragons.

This spring, enjoy penguins in a new permanent exhibit and stingrays and sharks in a temporary home.

Guests with a Jax A-Z Family Pass also receive 10 percent off at zoo gift boutiques. www.jacksonvillezoo.org

Plan to immerse yourself in Jacksonville family fun. For more information and to purchase the Jax A-Z Family Pass, log on to www.splashintospring.com

The Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail

Philadelphia might have the cheese-steak sandwich. New York may boast of its pizza, and Texas has barbecue — but Southwest Louisiana has boudin, and eating it guarantees that a visitor will leave with a tingling palate, full stomach and an official certificate of their becoming a true Louisianian.

Boudin, a sausage made with meat and rice, is generally considered the signature food of Southwest Louisiana.

It’s a culinary gift from the French Cajuns who settled in Louisiana after being sent out of Nova Scotia in the 1700s by the British. The sausage and its many recipes originated in the prairie regions of the Bayou State and traveled to Calcasieu Parish.

Years ago, Cajun families would get together to slaughter a hog, an event known as a boucherie. The families left nothing to waste, so boudin was made with the leftover parts of the animal.

Today, boudin is made with ground pork, liver, rice, parsley, onions, salt, black pepper, red pepper, and other seasonings that vary from cook to cook.

The sausage can be steamed or smoked, much to the delight of many residents.

In recent years many boudin producers have gotten creative by using shrimp, crawfish and alligator to mix with the rice that is eventually stuffed into natural casings.

As the regions eaters get more health savvy, boudin –– if you do a little searching –– can also be found with organic ingredients. Some truly enterprising producers make vegetarian boudin.

Boudin in these parts is made with lots of meat and spices and less liver and parsley like a boudin eater will find in the eastern parts of Louisiana.

But boudin, even in Louisiana’s Outback, is left up to interpretation by the person who makes it. The sausages’ moisture, coarseness of the stuffing, stiffness of the casing and the meat-to-rice ratio vary.

The best way to find your favorite boudin is to sample it. In Southwest Louisiana that means traveling the Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail along U.S. Interstate 10 and visiting any mom and pop food establishment, specialty meat shop, or grocery store that has boudin fresh or packaged.

For instance, in In Sulphur, due east of Vinton and home to some of Louisiana’s best amateur sporting complexes are an assortment of shops to eat boudin like The Sausage Link (2400 E. Napolean St, 337-625-2030) or The Boiling Point (1730 South Beglis Parkway, 337-625-9282).

Drive into Lake Charles, the largest city in Calcasieu Parish and eat boudin at Hackett’s Cajun Kitchen (5614 La. 14, 337-474-3731), Billedeaux’s Cajun Kitchen (2633 Fruge St., 337-439-9944), Leonard’s Food Quarters (1708 Gerstner Memorial Dr., 337-494-0618), Abe’s (1833 La. 14, 337-433-0152) and Market Basket #18 (4431 Nelson Road, 337-477-4868).

North of Lake Charles, off of La. 14 is Moss Bluff, home to Peto’s Meat Market (104 Bruce Circle, 337-855-0036). And right outside of Lake Charles, due east on Interstate 10 in the town of Iowa lies Rabideaux’s Sausage Kitchen (105 U.S. 165, 337-582-3184).

To get your free Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail Brochure, call 800-456-SWLA today or log on to www.visitlakecharles.org

Santa Monica, Calif. – 2010 and 2011 are full of new developments and special events for Santa Monica. Known as one of the West Coast’s most progressive cities, and home to some of the largest companies in the world, e.g. MTV, Google, Red Bull, Yahoo! and more, there is no shortage of exciting new offerings in this beach town.

“With our wonderful year-long weather, 340 days of sunshine on average, oceanfront views, casual lifestyle and cutting-edge mind-set, it’s no surprise that we have so many new developments in the works right now,” said Misti Kerns, president and CEO of Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“It’s an exciting time for us as we are able to offer the travel industry and our guests even more options when they visit, which is what Santa Monica is all about – it just keeps getting better!”

Among the new developments are the following:

• Ocean Avenue Hotel – Set to open in the summer of 2011, Ocean Avenue Hotel will be set in Downtown Santa Monica, with great views of the beach and Santa Monica Pier.

The hotel will be a great addition to Santa Monica as it will offer moderately priced rooms in an ideal location near the beach and Santa Monica Place shopping mall.

The hotel’s features include 164 rooms over four stories, an outdoor pool and jacuzzi, a meeting room, exercise room and outdoor courtyard space. It will also feature ground floor retail and restaurant space as part of the hotel, and will pursue LEED Silver Certification, joining many of the other eco-friendly hotels and businesses in Santa Monica.

More information will be available on www.santamonica.com  as progress on the hotel is made.

• Santa Monica Place Shopping Mall – Opening on Aug. 6, 2010, the new outdoor shopping mall will open in Downtown Santa Monica two blocks away from the beach, offering high-end shopping options in true California form.

The mall will be anchored by Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom, and will feature shops like Hugo Boss, Burberry, Kitson, and more.

Distinguishing attributes of the outdoor shopping haven will be the beachside setting and ocean breezes, unique meetings and event space, fine rooftop dining and bar scene, a modern outdoor fireplace, and a stunning view overlooking Santa Monica Beach.

Santa Monica Place will be the fifth shopping area in the city as it joins Third Street Promenade, Main Street, Montana Avenue and Pico Boulevard – shopping and entertainment destinations that offer an eclectic mix of boutique and brand name delights.

More information can be found about the new mall, including virtual tours and photo galleries, at: www.santamonicaplace.com

• GLOW: A Dusk ‘til Dawn Arts and Culture Festival in Santa Monica – GLOW is a beachfront arts festival that will feature cutting-edge art displays from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Saturday Sept. 25, 2010.

This will be the second biannual Glow event in Santa Monica, where over 200,000 people will gather on the beaches of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Pier to experience and engage with compelling, enchanting and awe-inspiring public art displays from dusk until dawn.

With a variety of world-class art and cultural experiences and attractions, it’s no wonder Santa Monica is home to one of the most unique arts festivals in the country.

For more information about GLOW 2010, including footage from the inaugural festival in 2008, please visit: www.glowsantamonica.org

• Two New Museums – The Museum of Flying, opening later this year, will be located in the South-side of the Santa Monica Airport directly adjacent to the DC-3 Aircraft Monument and Park.

The museum will place heavy emphasis on Douglas Aircraft and the history of the Santa Monica Airport. Originally founded in 1974 by Donald Douglas Jr. as the Douglas Museum and Library, the museum reopened as the Museum of Flying in April of 1989. The museum gradually grew to a collection of more than 50 vintage aircraft with many still in flight-ready condition.

The new museum will feature nearly two dozen aircraft chronicling the beginning of flight – from a replica Wright Flyer, all the way to the jet age, with the BD-5 micro jet and the FedEx 727 nose section. The museum will also feature a broad collection of aviation art, rare artifacts and ephemera from famous aviators.

Opening in Fall 2010, the Santa Monica Historical Society Museum will be the first museum to tell the story of Santa Monica as it relates to California’s arts and cultural diversity, as well as the history of the city.

For years, the Santa Monica Historical Society has carefully collected and preserved artifacts, photographs and other memorabilia, which will now be displayed in interactive state-of-the-art exhibits, including a virtual roller coaster and a “Then and Now” touch screen map of Santa Monica.

Learn more about our museums at www.santamonica.com/visitors/what-to-do/arts-and-culture/art/museums

• New Meeting Spaces in Santa Monica – In addition to the new meeting space in Santa Monica Place and Ocean Avenue Hotel, there have been three new additions in the last year with various sizes of meeting and event space. To learn more, visit www.santamonica.com/meeting-professionals.

For more information about what’s new in Santa Monica, please visit www.santamonica.com/whats-new

New Offering Says “Build Your Own Ticket” to the Best Things to Do in Top Travel Destinations

BOSTON, MA – Smart Destinations, the company behind Go City Cards and Explorer Passes, announces the launch of a unique new capability to help travelers see and do what they want for less.

Using www.buildyourownticket.com , travelers to six top U.S. travel destinations can create their custom ticket to the museums, tours, and sights they plan to visit AND save money in the process.

Travelers simply go to www.buildyourownticket.com  and select from as many as 45 different sights and activities in a destination and add it to their customized card.

The list of their choices shows a constantly updated price so the traveler sees their savings compared to buying tickets individually. The more that is added to the card, the more the savings increase.

Upon check-out, the list is used to create a credit-card sized smart card which acts as a ticket to each of the desired admissions.

The card is shipped to the customer and who then can present the card at each of his or her chosen museums and sights, the card gets swiped, and in they go. There is nothing further to pay as the cost of the admission is already covered by the price of their card.

This new capability is available in Boston, Chicago, Maui, Miami, New York City and Oahu, with more destinations on the way.

“The value behind all our products is to save customers time and money while vacationing,” said Cecilia Dahl, founder and President of Smart Destinations. “We already offer sightseeing passes that give travelers a lot of flexibility and savings across 14 destinations. This new approach is just another way to empower the traveler to see and do what they want for less. People are accustomed to that with flights and hotels. Smart Destinations makes it clear the opportunities don’t end there.”

Dahl noted that Smart Destinations already had most of the building blocks: “We have our ticketing network in place at over 400 of the top U.S. museums, activities, and tours. Our Smart Cards are programmable. We have guide books.” She continued, “While we needed to adapt all three, once we added an online configurator that travelers could use to build their own tickets, the final piece was in place.”

The attractions available for inclusion on a Custom Explorer Pass include such must-see sights as The Empire State Building, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Miami Seaquarium, SkyDeck Chicago, The Field Museum, Plymouth Plantation, Boston’s Museum of Science and over 100 more – even surfing lessons on Maui.

To get full details and to start to build your own ticket, see www.buildyourownticket.com

LUXE City Guides bring you mobile city guides for smart and savvy travellers – anytime, any place anywhere…

Introducing the fabulous new LUXE City Guides Mobile editions, available for a multitude of handsets including iPhone, Blackberry, Sony Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung and HTC. Each app comes with a year of free updates sent directly to your mobile. What’s more, when the year is up, re-subscription is half price.

For seven years LUXE City Guides have led the way for stylish, smart, busy people, with ultra-opinionated, informed and pithy to the point information – no faff, no gimmicks, no padding and no adverts!

Now LUXE brings the same take no prisoners attitude to a whole new level with our snappy, snazzy mobile apps. 
Initially covering 10 popular destinations – New York, Hong Kong, Paris, London, Shanghai, Singapore, Rome, Bali, Sydney, and Bangkok, with 20 more international destinations on the way.

LUXE City Guides Mobile editions are downloaded directly to devices for travellers to check out rich content anytime, save their favourites, arrange and build personal itineraries and navigate with the handy online and offline maps plus clickable websites and touch dial telephone numbers. Chic, simple and above all, useful.

Ultra researched and curated, LUXE City Guides are written by city resident editors and packed with the finest and funkiest dining, leisure, culture, accommodation, bespoke shopping, and city secrets that most visitors would simply never find.

www.luxecityguides.com

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Visitors are often surprised that the Bayou State offers more than alligators and marsh.

In fact, along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, visitors will encounter three national wildlife refuges; bodies of salt and fresh water; Civil War and archeological dig sites; the scenic beauty of miles of natural beaches and prairie lands that yield an abundance of wildlife. And of course, there are the requisite marshes and alligators.

The Creole Nature Trail All American Road, also known as “Louisiana’s Outback,” is a unique experience that appeals to just about every traveler. Naturalists will appreciate the world-class bird and alligator populations and the oak cheniers found in only four locations worldwide, while visitors looking for leisure activities can try their hand at the top-notch fishing, hunting, crabbing, boating, nature photography and other outdoor adventures that make the byway a recreational paradise.

The rural communities along the byway appeal to everyone. The residents have a high regard for the American work ethic and a zeal for life that is evident in their lifestyles, wonderful Cajun and Creole cooking, friendliness and family-oriented activities. Visitors who attend the local festivals learn the true meaning of “passing a good time.”

The 180-mile long trail, which was designated a National Scenic Byway in 1996, and then All-American Road in 2002, begins at the Interstate 10 exit near Sulphur, La., and loops through Cameron Parish to end in Lake Charles, La.

Both directional and information signs are strategically placed along the trail to route visitors, and occasional turnoffs provide a safe alternative for visitors to explore the byway and its many creatures — up close and personal!

No longer a best-kept secret, the trail has been named among the Top 40 Birding Spots in North America by Wildbird Magazine, and the Creole Nature Trail Byway District was honored in 1997 as a Shining Example and the Regional and State Organization of the Year by the Southeast Tourism Society, which promotes tourism for 12 Southeastern states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

The trail was designated with the top honor of an All American Road in June of 2002, one of 27 in the United States.

With the scent of salty air and the stirring winds that accompany visitors throughout, the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road truly is one of America’s “Last Great Wildernesses.”

For more information, contact the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau at (337) 436-9588 or (800) 456-SWLA, or visit www.visitlakecharles.org   Visit the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road on the Internet at www.creolenaturetrail.org

Adams County is in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Fruit Belt and known nationally for its apples.

With more than 20,000 acres of orchards, wineries and many roadside farmers’ markets, the region is rich in taste.

Ten businesses in the Historic Gettysburg area are now working together to bring agriculture to the millions of annual visitors through the Gettysburg Wine & Fruit Trail, a consortium of attractions that feature not only apples, but much of the area’s other fruit, nurseries and wineries.

“More of Gettysburg’s travelers are exploring the agriculture-rich area of Adams County,” said Norris Flowers, President of the Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“A trail such as the Gettysburg Wine & Fruit Trail will connect key sites in the county’s fruit belt, giving visitors a wide range of activities on their vacations.”

Participating in the Gettysburg Wine & Fruit Trail are:

Boyer Nurseries & Orchards Inc.
405 Boyer Nursery Road, Biglerville, PA 17307
(717) 677-8558, www.boyernurseries.com

Hall Brother’s Fruit Farm
2740 Buchanan Valley Road, Orrtanna, PA 17353
(717) 677-7184

Hauser Estate Winery
410 Cashtown Road, Biglerville, PA 17307
(717) 334-4888, www.hauserestate.com

Hollabaugh Bros. Fruit Farm & Market
545 Carlisle Road, Biglerville, PA 17307
(717) 677-9494, www.hollabaughbros.com

McDannell’s Fruit Market
332 N. High St., Biglerville, PA 17307
(717) 677-6922, www.mcdannellsfruitfarm.com

Musselman’s Greenhouse
261 Orrtanna Road, Cashtown, PA 17310
(717) 334-1187, www.musselmangreenhouses.com

Reid’s Orchard & Winery
2135 Buchanan Valley Road, Orrtanna, PA 17353
(717) 677-7047, www.reidsorchardwinery.com

Round Barn Farm Market
298 Cashtown Road, Biglerville, PA 17307
(717) 334-1984, www.roundbarngettysburg.com

Sandoe’s Fruit Market
304 Carlisle Road, Biglerville, PA 17307
(717) 677-6931

Seven Springs Tree Farm
1668 Old Route 30, Orrtanna, PA 17353
(717) 334-9426, www.sevenspringstrees.com

The Gettysburg Wine & Fruit Trail is about 20 miles in length and is just a few miles north and west of Historic Gettysburg, Pa.

For more information on the Gettysburg Fruit & Wine Trail, call (717) 357-0402 or visit www.gettysburgwineandfruittrail.com

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Whether it’s an outdoorsy individual determined to spend some downtime with nature, a family on a quest for adventuresome attractions or a couple longing for a relaxing, romantic getaway, there is more than one way to discover Central Florida’s Seminole County.

Known as Florida’s Natural Choice, this destination has it all and can offer an experience for anyone looking to get out of town this spring.

Eco-Traveler

Seminole County is the perfect destination for the eco-traveler with its pristine landscapes and blossoming flora and fauna. What the county lacks in the winter weather and snowy terrains, it makes up for in wildlife sightings and warm, gentle waterways. Eco-friendly travelers will enjoy pushing deep into the wilderness experience, by hiking over to the Geneva Wilderness Center. Take a hike through some of Seminole’s rich, tree-canopied trails and get a glimpse into the county’s most natural beauty.

The wilderness center offers overnight camping so stay for an hour, or for a week! Stop by the center’s Ed Yarborough Center to check out exhibits on the area’s wildlife. Ready to eat?

Boaters, bikers and land lovers alike will feel at home dining at Gators Riverside Grille overlooking the St. John’s River.

And while visiting in the month of May, don’t miss the charming Memorial Day Parade in Sanford.

But for a day full of exploring and exercise, take a guided kayak tour with the crew at Central Florida Nature Adventures.

Work your muscles as you paddle down the pure Seminole waterways, getting a first-hand look into the home of some of Florida’s most unique wildlife such as the alligator, great blue heron and manatee.

If you haven’t gotten a close enough look at the Florida Alligator, visit Lake Jesup, which is known as Seminole’s most-populated, natural alligator gathering place. Either way, Seminole County is a nature lover’s paradise.

Families

While Seminole boasts its ability to provide a fun stay just a short drive away from all of Orlando’s famous attractions, it also has a lot to keep the family busy here in its own backyard. For starters, cruise over to Aiguille Rock Climbing Center to burn off some energy and reach great heights.

Aiguille Rock Climbing Center is a place for climbers of all ages and abilities. Beginners will be taught basic skills, while more experienced climbers will be put to their limits.

Feeling famished? Head on over to Bubbalou’s Bodacious Bar-B-Q and enjoy pulled chicken and pork with beef brisket, ribs and sausage while saving room for homemade pies and brownies.

Take the family for a walk on the wild side at the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens where they’ll embark on America’s most unique eco-exploration – ZOOm Air Adventure.

This attraction allows visitors to catch a bird’s-eye view of the zoo as they travel by zip line from tree to tree.

The design of the courses intentionally blends with the natural environment, inspired by the trees and the natural flow of the terrain and flora. When the course is finished take a look at the zoo’s hundreds of exotic animals and birds.

But let’s face it—Florida gets hot. So instead of wiping the sweat from your brow, take a dip in the cool spring waters at Wekiwa State Park. Here the whole family can swim, canoe or play on the playground. Bring a picnic and eat on shore of one of Florida’s natural springs which stays a consistent 72 degrees year round. For those more adventurous, snorkel over the boil to see the root of the spring’s water supply gushing from underground. For something a little more faced paced, hop onto an airboat at Black Hammock Adventures.

Children will love this experience as you speed through the waterways practically flying over marshlands and breezing by gators. Stop by for a bite after the ride at the Black Hammock’s family restaurant.

Romantics

Seminole county is for lovers and it’s not afraid to show it. The area provides a unique setting for the perfect romantic getaway.

Escape the daily stressors of life and board the Rivership Romance, an old-fashioned steamboat dinner cruise. Enjoy a full course meal followed by dancing as you chug down the St. Johns River.

For a relaxing formal brunch, settle in at table for two at the elegant Maison & Jardin villa, garden setting restaurant.

For a romantic evening, get tickets for one of the many productions at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center.

This charming, community theatre provides excellent entertainment after a quiet dinner. For a more hands-on experience swing by Hot Spots where you and your partner can spend the afternoon molding and painting your own pottery. After all that creativity and hard work, wind down at the Zen Essentials Day Spa and treat yourself to a calming massage or invigorating facial. While in town for the month of April, check out the Taste of Oviedo, a free event with the chance to taste local treats and be entertained by local talent.

For that extra romantic touch stay at the Kings Manor Bed and Breakfast and enjoy the Victorian style rooms and quaint settings.

Accommodations

Whichever path you choose, don’t worry about where to stay; Seminole County has great options for every budget. All three experiences can lead you to the nicest, newest hotel in town, the Westin Lake Mary Orlando North. Come find comfort, beautiful rooms, convenient amenities and the delicious and cozy Shula’s 347.

Located right on the County’s trail system, this brand new hotel is the perfect place to lay your head.

As another option, try the newly remodeled Hilton Garden Inn in beautiful Lake Mary.

Here, comfort and amenities like complimentary wireless, mini fridges and deluxe rooms are the standard.

The comfortable Clarion Inn and Conference Center takes luxury to the next level.

This location offers complimentary wireless internet and a complimentary full breakfast every morning at the facility’s Waterfall Café, located conveniently right next to the Inn’s waterfall pool.

If none of this meets your fancy, check out the Candlewood Suites in Altamonte Springs, which gives you all the comforts of home such a fully-equipped kitchen and a large work space.

For the campers, make your post at Wekiwa State Park, the Geneva Wilderness Center or Lake Mills Park, all which provide camping areas, bathrooms and other amenities.

Seminole County offers a wide range of lodging, attractions, dining spots and events to fulfill a traveler’s quest for a spring getaway. Whether a traveler is craving to experience the outdoors, hit the fun parks, or attend some charming local events, Seminole County has it covered.

Or make your own way! Check out www.VisitSeminole.com to begin planning a spring trip today and to see the many seasonal events scheduled during your stay.

About Seminole County:

Just a short drive from all the major attractions of Central Florida and within a 15-minute drive from Orlando, Seminole County offers great accommodations, fine dining, upscale shopping, superb golf courses and state-of-the-art sports facilities and training complexes – nestled among charming historical villages.

Surrounded by the beauty of natural Florida, Seminole County also offers the classic Florida experience of peaceful rivers, fishing, boating, hiking and more.

For destination information call 1-800-800-7832 or 407-665-2900 or visit www.VisitSeminole.com

SPACE COAST, Fla. – The countdown to a memorable vacation begins with a trip to Florida’s Space Coast. Located just 35 miles east (56 km) of Orlando, visitors are sure to have a blast with a variety of space-related activities to enjoy.

This exciting destination offers visitors the opportunity to explore some of the most significant aspects of our nation’s treasured space history and see history in the making at the same time.

Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is the center of America’s space program, making the region the only place in the country where visitors can see a live space shuttle launch. Guests can explore launches of shuttles carrying astronauts or enjoy additional unique viewing opportunities with one of many unmanned rocket launches as well.

At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the nation’s space history can be further explored at the Rocket Garden, showcasing historic NASA rockets; the Apollo/Saturn V Center, featuring rockets and equipment from the Apollo missions to the moon, and the Astronaut Hall of Fame, where the sights, sounds and experiences of famed astronauts are captured and the world’s largest collection of personal astronaut memorabilia is located.

Guests can also enjoy two IMAX theaters; tour a life-size replica of a space shuttle; train in spaceflight simulators and get a first-hand encounter with the Shuttle Launch Experience, an attraction designed by astronauts which gives guests the feeling they are actually taking off in a Shuttle. It’s the only place on Earth providing these unique vacation experiences. Additionally, each day, guests get the rare opportunity to meet veteran astronauts from NASA’s Astronaut Corps.

Guests also can enjoy a series of tours offering insider views of the space program from launch preparation to liftoff, including panoramic views of Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle launch pads and rocket launch pads at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Other points of interest include a Children’s Play Zone, where “junior astronauts” can liftoff in spacecraft; climb a moon rock wall; crawl through rocket tunnels and slide to the surface of the moon, and the NASA Art Gallery, where more than 200 pieces of space-related works of art are exhibited by world-renowned artists including Andy Warhol, Annie Leibovitz and Robert Rauschenberg.

More than 1.5 million guests come each year to experience the one-of-a kind vacation opportunity the KSC Visitor Complex exclusively provides.

The U.S. Space Walk of Fame Museum is the first and only walk in the nation which honors America’s astronauts as well as the men and women behind the scenes of the space program.

It features shuttle launch memorabilia and an outdoor park comprised of monuments dedicated to U.S. space missions – most notably is the intricate Apollo monument which took 10 years to construct. Guests will enjoy unique finds like x-rays of boots that went to the moon and actual pieces from a shuttle. Best of all, visitors have the rare opportunity to actually touch the showcased items, including consoles from past shuttles.

“Visitors can spend one day or several days enjoying all the space-related facets of our destination,” said Rob Varley, executive director, Space Coast Office of Tourism.

“Vacations aren’t limited to one experience here, they can encompass everything from viewing a manned space shuttle launch to seeing an unmanned rocket launch to touching real mission artifacts. Either way, these are unique opportunities only this destination can provide.”

Whether a space enthusiast or a traveler looking for a unique travel experience, Florida’s Space Coast unlocks the door to a variety of vacation experiences that can’t be duplicated anywhere else.

Located 35 miles (56 km) east of Orlando, Florida’s Space Coast is home to Orlando’s closest beaches. A family-friendly destination with more than 10,000 guest rooms, the area is an ideal, value getaway, offering adventure, history and nature.

With 72 miles (110 km) of beaches, the longest stretch in the state, and 250 square miles of wildlife refuge, the Space Coast is one of the largest intact eco-systems in Florida. Home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, it is the only place in the country where one can watch a live shuttle launch, and after the shuttle program ends will continue to offer viewing opportunities for unmanned rocket launches.

Encompassing Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach, Palm Bay and Titusville, the Space Coast also is noted for surfing, its numerous history and art museums, and a popular cruise port, Port Canaveral.

For more information, contact the Space Coast Office of Tourism at (877) 572-3224 or visit www.space-coast.com

Visit www.spacecoastlaunches.com  to learn about remaining shuttle and upcoming rocket launches.