City Guide

If you’re like me, you love the idea of casually sauntering around Walt Disney World, taking in the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the parks, but in reality you don’t have that kind of time. One of these days I’ll take a trip to Disney for a full week (in the off-season) to allow myself time to take the parks at a leisurely pace without missing anything, but for the time being (assuming I can muster the energy) Disney trips will remain action packed weekends. This means effective time management.

As a Florida resident, I have the luxury of being able to visit the parks several times a year, meaning that I’ve gathered together quite a few time savers for my own personal use, and now I feel like I should share them with the world at large (or at least those of you who have found this blog).

I recently discovered one of the best restaurants in
Orlando, Florida when it comes to good food and good times: Taverna Opa on I-Drive!

A group of friends and I were looking for a new place to satisfy our “Friday Night Spectacular: Dinner and Drinks” (I know, I know… We name our weekly rendezvous, but just go with it.). None of us had been to Taverna Opa before, but had heard good reviews. From the moment we stepped in the door, we were having a blast! The atmosphere is like “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” meets “Cheers.” Guests and employees alike are throwing napkins and yelling “Opa!”, dancing on the tables (Seriously! It’s encouraged by the staff!), and singing to the music. You can’t help but get caught up in the excitement and join in.

This wasn’t just some bar for rowdy weekenders, either. While the Ouzo was flowing freely, there were families with little kids all the way up to Grandma and Grandpa dancing and having a good time. Anyone and everyone looking for a lively evening can enjoy some kabobs and hummus at this place.

So if you’re looking for some good food and a great time (Come on, who doesn’t want to indulge their inner child by throwing napkins on the floor and stomping on the table during dinner?!?), I highly suggest stepping into a whole other world over at Taverna Opa!

Who would have thought downtown Orlando would have such a beautiful lake sitting smack dab in the middle of it.

I didn’t expect the lake to be so beautiful and didn’t expect to have so much to do there. We road a swan boat, found room to have a nice game of catch, and were only a block away from a cozy sandwich shop. All this was nestled in between beautiful cobblestone streets and gorgeous natural scenery.

What a place to just kick back and enjoy nature and the family for free…

What a breath of fresh air this place is. I know it would be a sin to say anything negative about Disney World, especially for an Orlando native but sometimes I just gets a little sick of the mouse.

In saying that, we took and weekend trip to Epcot just to get away and spend some time together. Both days we were there we had a great time. We loved how it was an educational place hidden behind a fun and exciting exterior.

My husband probably could have spent all day looking at the futuristic inventions and I felt that the “World Showcase” was as close as you could get to visiting all the places we ever wanted to go around the globe in one day.

For an older crowd looking for a Disney Experience that has a little more culture, Epcot is the best theme park in Orlando.

Looking to catch one of Orlando’s famous dinner shows? My family and I recently had the same idea and ended up choosing Medieval Times and I’m glad we did.

The food was far beyond what I expected (Be ready to eat with your hands) and was more than filling. As far as the show went, we were entertained from the opening introduction of the knights to the closing ceremony where they fought on horseback.

This is no ordinary meal with the family and I would go back again.

When it comes to top sushi restaurants in Orlando, Ran Getsu on International Drive, has to rank towards the very top. I read about Ran Getsu on a plane ride with my fiancée to Orlando. After reading Sky Mall for the 3^rd time I switched over to the travel magazine in the seat pocket and stumbled across the Ran Getsu write up.

After gorging myself with their specialty sushi’s and delicious tempura I could attest to the fact that this sushi restaurant may have very well been “one of the nation’s best” like the magazine said.

We even got lucky and dined on a night when they performed a traditional Japanese drum ceremony in the restaurants beautiful garden.

The Orlando Premium Outlets are brilliant. Whenever I go to the outlets for shopping, I hop in the car in the early morning and do not leave until dark! The prices and selection are always amazing. And with so many name brand outlets to choose from, like Nike, Polo, Ann Taylor, Gap, it is easy to find something for everyone in my family. I highly recommend this outlet for anyone from the states or from overseas for incredible savings on designer clothes, shoes, and even accessories.

Nobody offers a vacation experience packed with more thrills, more flare, more of today’s hottest entertainment, and more value than Universal Orlando. In one shot you can experience the pulse pounding thrill of Spiderman through his 3-D thrill ride, you can drive your taste buds wild with one a kind cuisines at Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Co. or Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, you can witness performance perfection as the world famous Blue Man Group engulf your senses with their irreplaceable musical and comedic act, and you can let loose while taking in the nightlife at Universal Citywalk. No two vacations are the same and that is why Universal Orlando works tirelessly to provide a unique travel experience that will have its guests coming back for more and more without ever having to wander into the realm of the ordinary.

This place is no regular zoo. My family and I have been to a lot of zoos and have visited Animal Kingdom many times in our travels to Orlando and I can say that Gatorland may be the most entertaining of all.

For people who are not used to seeing alligators, this place is amazing. Gatorland gives guests a feel like they are walking in the Florida everglades. The while park really gives you the chance to capture the true natural wildlife of Florida.

My son loved the show where a “crazy trainer” performed stunts with the gators like putting his head in their mouths. I personally just appreciated a zoo that was different than most I was used to taking my 8 year old too. This place is a must see.

Sure, anti-smoking legislation has limited the places you can find and enjoy a good cigar, but that also means that for those of us who do enjoy the occasional stogie, those few places where we still can are also places where we’ll find like-minded individuals. It’s always more pleasant to be in the company of those who share your hobby, rather than to foist your smoke on those who would prefer not to smell it.

Orlando is a great place to find these elusive cigar connoisseurs’ retreats. Whether you need a break from the theme park action, want a classic cigar bar with a good selection of complimentary adult beverages, or are simply trying to track down that oh-so-rare brand that has eluded your usual tobacconist, Orlando may hold the answer. After the jump you’ll find my personal suggestions for where to find stogies in the Orlando area.