Florida Fun

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Slowly but surely we are able to explore beyond the comfort of our homes. We will share with you the great destinations that may be a drive away or a short flight and some of the great flavors of that destination. The USA is a great place for travel.

Mickey Mouse, Harry Potter, the Daytona 500 and the Fountain of Youth are just a few of the great experiences on Florida.

Although we may think of Florida as a theme park paradise, and it is, there is so much more.

If you are driving from the north, the fabled Fountain of Youth is the place to stop in St. Augustine. It’s an easy visit to America’s oldest city.

Central Florida offers us entertainment for everyone.

Central East has Daytona, Central West allows a peek into wildlife and the wonders of Legoland.

You can even take in Seaworld and Ripley’s Believe it or not.

Of course we can’t forget Universal Studios or Disneyworld.

Despite the challenges, Disneyworld is open and waiting for you.

They have taken all the right steps to assure your safety and to have lots of fun. All the parks are open so visit a castle and meet a princess, discover the great challenges at the Star Wars exhibits or take an aerial adventure at Epcot.

Follow the coastline to Santa Barbara, a fascinating city that effortlessly swirls history, art, culture and mouthwatering dishes to please anyone. One of the ‘hidden secrets’ of Santa Barbara is the courthouse, not grey walls or cold metal doors, but a flourish of art that educates and delights all at the same time. Of course the Old Mission gives you great insight to the past and a treat for the senses.

Lights, camera, action, Hollywood’s fame is as big as the stars that work and live there. Take a stroll down the Walk of Fame, do a selfie in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre or take a Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour of Los Angeles for a great overview. Discover the boutique hotel that has served iconic figures of the past and present, The Roosevelt Hotel.

Fun Fact: The artichoke is the California State Vegetable.

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Andrea SavitchFlorida Fun
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Seeds of Faith

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Smaller than New Jersey but a history of global proportions. Israel, a seed of faith, is layered with tales of glory, horror, miracles and strength. The journey begins in Tel Aviv, a vibrant modern city. I felt at home as if New York and Miami had come together across the globe.

Tel Aviv is a brimming with startups and technology making it full of young entrepreneurs and all the amenities they desire.


There is a plethora of dining options, a wonderful beach and the haunting of modern history reaches out.

Visit Ben-Gurion House, a museum honoring David Ben-Gurion the first Prime Minister of Israel whose history and insights bring the past to life.

More recently the memorial to Yitzhak Rabin, simply placed on the street reminds us of the constant struggle for peace.

As with any major city there are many choices for hotels. In Israel the Dan Hotels are an excellent choice for service and dining and its an Israeli hotel group. Consider the Dan Tel Aviv for your stay.


Once you venture beyond Tel Aviv the depth of Israel’s past opens like a great book. Jerusalem is only about an hour from Tel Aviv. Take time to view the Western Wall, a holy site still filled with contention. Perhaps one of the most fascinating parts of Jerusalem is ‘Old Jerusalem’.

We walked through the four quarters, Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Armenian. Each street offers a different charm and feel, discover delicious tastes from the local stands. Try the falafel or buy some fresh fruit. Take in each enticing scent and appreciate the amazing diversity.

Despite being small there is a great deal to see as history has been uncovered by archeologists and those who live a simple life still permeate the land.

Perhaps two highlights for my trip with my daughter were the Dead Sea, yes you will float, followed by a mud bath and historic Masada. You can reach the top of Masada, a Unesco World Heritage Site, by walking the long snake path or relying on the cable car.

Remember when visiting Israel to check the temperatures and the holidays.

Andrea SavitchSeeds of Faith
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