ORLANDO: It’s no surprise that Orlando is one of the world’s leading vacation destinations – whether it’s a white-knuckled thrill ride, a skydive encounter, a soothing massage, a round of golf, a mega shopping junket or a moving theater performance. Rarely does a destination offer such a myriad of spectacular and diverse choices for every age and interest.

OTHER PLACES Boca Raton Bonita Springs Bradenton Brooksville Clearwater Captiva Island Charlotte Harbor Cocoa Beach Daytona Beach Daytona Beach Shores DeLand Destin Emerald Coast Everglades Ft Lauderdale Flagler Beach Fort Myers Fort Myers Beach Fort Pierce Fort Walton Beach Gainesville Gulf Islands Hollywood Jacksonville Key Largo Key West Kissimmee Lake Buena Vista Lake City Lakeland Marco Island Marianna Melbourne Miami Miami Beach Naples Ocala Orlando Ormond Beach Panama City Pensacola Plantation Pompano Beach Punta Gorda Sanibel Sarasota Sebring Siesta Key Space Coast South Walton Beaches St Augustine St Petersburg Tallahassee Tampa Titusville Vero Beach West Palm Beach

Orlando is the epicenter of fun and excitement, as more than 95 attractions keep visitors coming back for more. Take the mix of legendary theme parks, spectacular museums, world-class entertainment and blockbuster rides and attractions, and it would take about 67 eight-hour days to visit all of the entertaining offerings in Orlando. Looking for spine-tingling, white-knuckled extreme adventure? Orlando’s got just the adrenaline rush with a slew of over-the-edge activities for the daring at heart. For thrill-seekers, O-town is the place to be with the likes of Kraken at SeaWorld Orlando and the Incredible Hulk and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando. The Richard Petty Driving Experience puts gutsy drivers behind the wheel of a NASCAR stock car on a real track. Free-fall fanatics rave about Wet ‘n Wild - Orlando’s Bomb Bay, Disney’s Blizzard Beach’s Summit Plummet and SkyVenture Orlando on I-Drive where a vertical wind tunnel uses 120 mph (193 kph) winds to simulate an unforgettable skydiving experience. Those seeking the perfect wake will find it at the Orlando Watersports Complex, the area’s premier park for wakeboarding, wakeskating and waterskiing. With more than 2,000 lakes, springs and rivers for swimming, boating, waterskiing and fishing; 168 golf courses; 800 tennis courts and 21 fitness trails for biking, walking and blading, few destinations in the world come close to rivaling Orlando’s incredible year-round outdoor activities and pastimes.  And, with an average year-round temperature of 72.4  F (22 C), who can blame them? Add to the offerings getting up close and personal with a bounty of original Florida inhabitants like alligators, manatees, osprey, deer and eagles. Golf aficionados are in their element in Orlando thanks to the area’s great lineup ofworld-class golf. Whether playing a championship course, learning from the pros or cheering on a favorite from the gallery, Orlando’s got the ticket to the best links around. With 168 spectacular golf courses located within a 45-minute drive of downtown, golfers can try their hand at an array of challenging and diverse courses designed by such legends as Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Tom Watson and Rees Jones.  From Gucci bags and Tiffany diamonds to Ocean Pacific flip flops and second-hand treasures – plus everything in between – Orlando has boldly emerged as an international shopping leader. And, with more than 52 million square feet (4.6 million square meters) of retail space, including nine regional shopping malls, all tastes and budgets are satisfied. Orlando has an impressive lineup of world-class performing arts. The Orlando Opera, Orlando Ballet, Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival, Bach Festival Society, The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, SunTrust Broadway in Orlando series and several professional and community theater companies are just a few of the area’s entertainment options. In addition, House of Blues and Hard Rock Live offer concerts.   Orlando's numerous year-round art exhibits and cultural diversity add an extra dimension to Orlando. The world's most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany are on display year-round at The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park, while 19th- and 20th-century American art are showcased at the Orlando Museum of Art. Children of all ages can also embark on a variety of learning adventures at  area standouts like the Orlando Science Center and the Orange County Regional History Center. With almost 500 hotels and 113,000 guestrooms, Orlando offers more lodging options than nearly any destination in the world. Accommodations range from luxury resorts and themed hotels to charming bed and breakfasts, economy hotels/motels and campgrounds. There are also more than 26,000 vacation home rentals available and more than 16,000 vacation ownership units. Everyone deserves to be pampered – especially on vacation – and Orlando’s got just the answer. Whether it’s a couple of hours or a full day’s treatment, guests can relax at any of the area’s more than 11 spectacular destination spas.   From rodeo performances and celebrity concerts to ethnic festivals and art shows, Orlando hosts more than 450 year-round events to please everyone and add more vacation variety.

Take a look at the Travel Tidings Florida FEATURES section for more in depth articles on many places and destinations in the Sunshine State. ORLANDO Golf in Orlando – Designed By Legends, Legendary By Design Move Over Kids – Orlando's a Playground for Adults Too Teens and Tweens Discover Action, ADventure, Thrills in Orlando ST PETERSBURG/ CLEARWATER St Petersburg/Clearwater has become Florida's Cultural Center

Getting there: Orlando International Airport (MCO) is located within 15 miles (24 kilometers) of the Orange County Convention Center and major attractions.   Orlando Sanford International Airport is located within 18 miles (29 km) of Orlando city limits and 45 minutes from the Orange County Convention Center and major attractions.   Roadways – Major highway networks provide easy access for visitors to reach their destinations and for traveling in and around the Greater Orlando area. Primary roadways include Interstate 4, the Florida Turnpike (toll), Highway 528 (Beachline Expressway-toll), Highway 408 (East-West Expressway-toll) and Highway 417 (Central Florida Greeneway-toll).   Train Service - Amtrak serves more than 28 Florida communities with north and southbound daily trains originating from New York and Miami. These Silver Service trains stop in downtown Orlando, Winter Park and Kissimmee. Amtrak also offers the Auto Train, which transports business or pleasure passengers and their vehicles daily between Lorton, Va., and Sanford.

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