Mount Dora’s history dates back to the 1800s. In 1846 Lake Dora was named

Then in 1883 the town was renamed Mount Dora. Incorporated as a town in 1910 with 370 residents, the town now has a population of around 10,000 people. The first railroad service through Mount Dora began in 1887 and by 1915 there were two passenger trains daily in each direction. At one time citrus was the major industry in the area, with a great deal shipped from Mount Dora, while today Mount Dora’s major industry is tourism.

According to the Local

What drew me here personally was the ride on the the “Herbie Express”, which is part of the Inland Lakes Railway, located in Mount Dora and Eustis, Florida. The ride I went on is a one hour train ride between Mount Dora and Wooton Park in Tavares. We departed in a Pullman sleeper railcar originally built in 1949 that was later refunctioned as

The route initially takes you along Lake Dora and later continues inland past shopping malls, and suburban residences. A young conductor explained the local sights to us and kept us entertained. The Lake Eustis / Mount Dora Railway also features other train rides, such as the Lake County Champion, the Blue Swan Dinner Train, and the Magnolia Sun Lunch Train. The Lake County Champion round trip is 2 hours and 20 minutes, with an opportunity for a short visit in Eustis to enjoy Ferran Park and area shops.

The oldest structure in Mount Dora is the Lakeside Inn, established in 1883. It features a wrap-around porch, gingerbread trim and a steep roof crowned with a corner spire.

Many of the walking and trolley tours through this quaint town start at the former 1915 Atlantic Coast Line Depot, home of the Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce since 1973. Mount Dora’s most renowned architectural jewel is the Donnelly House. This Queen Anne-style structure uses design elements characteristic of the Victorian Era.

The Donnelly House was constructed in 1893 by John Phillip Donnelly, the first mayor of Mount Dora. The home sits on Donnelly Street within walking distance from downtown Mount Dora. The Donnelly House is just one of the many restored 19th and early 20th century buildings in the Golden Triangle area.

This charming little town also features a whole host of specialty

One of my favourite features of this town, which also refers to itself as “City of Parks”, are the many public green spaces by the water. Donnelly Park, located right downtown and dating back to 1924, offers free concerts and other civic events. The park also features a tennis court and shuffleboard facilities.

After my demanding stroll through Mount Dora’s winding streets I walked down to the waterfront to Evans Park, which is located

Simpson Cove and Grantham Point are adjacent to Palm Island Park and feature the only inland freshwater lighthouse in Florida. This lighthouse was built of bricks and donated by local residents. Gilbert Park features a public boat ramp, picnic area, croquet court and children’s playground along Alexander Creek.

Palm Island Park features a 1700 foot fresh water hiking trail and boardwalk through oak trees draped with

The City hosts many major annual events such as the popular “Mount Dora Arts Festival”. This event attracts over 150,000 people each year and has been ranked among the top art shows in the country. Other events include the Antique Boat Show, Antique Car Show, Golf Tournament, Bicycle Festival, Crafts Fair and Plant and Garden Fair.

While I was exploring this charming little town, my husband played golf at the Mount Dora Golf Association. He played a beautifully manicured full-size 18-hole course, and at $18 including cart, this outing was a real bargain. The Mount Dora area also offers a variety of other

I capped off my explorations with a delicious late afternoon ice cream on the patio of the Sunshine Mountain Bakery, soaking up the sun while waiting to hear about my husband’s golf adventures. Mount Dora is a great day trip from Orlando and we enjoyed our drive back through the countryside of rural Florida.

For more information about Mount Dora you can visit the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce’s website.

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called

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Black Mountain Golf and Country Club is a semi-private golf club, where the membership rates range from $80 to $100. Desert Pines Golf Club is a public golf course that offers golf facilities at competitive rates beginning from $45. Special deals are provided for non-residents, senior citizens, and members? guests.

Most of the golf courses and hotels in

Special offers are usually made during non-peak periods. A recent discounting technique introduced is the discount golf certificate. There are scores of tour operators to make golf facilities available at reasonable rates; they provide the service of a caddie or professional staff to assist golfers of any level. They even offer high quality rental golf equipment, including Big Bertha Titanium 454 drivers, FootJoy shoes, and Odyssey putters.

Most websites on the Internet provide free quotes, discounted

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For a feel of history combined with modern conveniences, visitors might choose to stay at the Amelia Island Plantation. Built in harmony with nature, the Amelia Island Plantation offers world-class golf while preserving the habitats and marshes indigenous to the island.

The Plantation offers 4 distinctly different 18-hole golf opportunities, all of which are available to visitors. Instruction is available at three of the four courses, including family lessons. World-class tennis opportunities are also available at Amelia Island Plantation. Even if you are not personally into golf or tennis or if

For a place to stay with a name that is synonymous with luxury, try the Amelia Island Ritz Carlton on Amelia Island. This hotel has the accommodations you would expect from the Ritz-Carlton, including

Summer Beach Resort offers a different type of experience. Visitors can rent single-family homes, condos, villas, or penthouses for a more private stay. Each development offers private swimming pools, beach clubs, and snack bars. The resort also offers an 18-hole golf course. For information on rentals or purchasing property, call

If you desire a more homey vacation try one of Amelia Island s B&B s. All eight of these properties are housed in historic downtown buildings that will make the visitor feel like they are stepping back in time. For a breakdown of B&B s call the Amelia Island Chamber of Commerce at (904) 261-3248.

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As an example, the cruise industry is quickly adapting by introducing ships with everything from climbing walls to adventurous “land tours”. Eco-tour and Adventure-tour travel companies are popping up in every price range. And more RVs are now

Now that they are reaching the empty nest/retirement era, they are once again changing the scene. No longer is retirement viewed as golf and the rocking chair, today s boomers are still actively rocking and will continue to do so as long as their aging bodies and psyches hold out, which could be a very long time.

* In a mere 10 years (2015), 55.2 million Americans will be between 55 and 69 years old and increase of 68% over 2001 (Del Webb Study, 2001)
* Boomers rank travel as their number one expenditure in

The empirical evidence is everywhere that boomers are going to spend an unprecedented amount on travel, but how, when and with whom?

Much antidotal evidence points to boomers travel dreams. An extraordinary number are taking to the highways of our country (and other countries) for longer explorations of their varied interests. Some are trading it all in to live on the road permanently; others

Authors Phil and Carol White (Live Your Road Trip Dream, RLI Press, July, 2004, www.roadtripdream.com) make this observation, The people that we met in small towns and large cities on our adventure all had travel dreams, but most lamented that they couldn t seem to get it all together to take their trip of a lifetime .

Why? The White s believe that there are two basic reasons. Inertia it all seems too overwhelming to plan , says Carol. Phil adds, The other reason is

In their recently released book, the Whites have taken on the challenge of convincing would-be travelers to quit dreaming and start doing! Live Your Road Trip Dream Travel for a year for the cost of staying home explores both the practical how-to aspects of planning your adventure and provides the cheerleading motivation to overcome the inertia that keeps so many from having their own incredible experience of a lifetime.

“Mid-life and older adults want to

Carol concludes, There is a huge market for travel of all types. But if the people we met along the road are typical, there are millions who have a travel dream right here in the United States. We ll help them turn their dreams into reality.

Carol White is the co-author of the award-winning book, Live Your Road Trip Dream (www.roadtripdream.com) the ultimate road trip planning guide for extended road trips. Carol and her husband Phil have traveled over 50,000 road miles in the

Shopping Tips for Your Golf Travel Case

When shopping for golf travel cases, make sure that what you end up purchasing has the following integral features:

DURABILITY - If you don’t travel all the time, a moderate level of durability will naturally be enough but if you’re the type to mix golfing with every trip you go on to then you should look for a golf travel case that’s extra

The type of material used also has an effect on the case’s durability. Cotton, for instance, is less durable than genuine leather, but leather cases have nothing to say when pitted against steel cases.

CONVENIENCE - This is arguably the most important factor to consider when looking for a golf travel case. There are a lot of things that could go wrong when you’re far from home, and you certainly don’t need to have a problematic traveling case to add to your burden. For optimal convenience, look for cases that

SAFETY - Consider the locking system. Is a zipper all that’s preventing forces of nature - and man - from getting your worldly goods in golf? If you want maximum security, always look for the most durable and technologically advanced locking system for your case. Secondly, consider the design within the case. Does it offer padding to prevent equipment from scratching each other’s surface? Are there straps provided to keep them in place? Are there padding to cushion the

LOOKS - And lastly, consider the appearance of your golf travel case. Cases tend to reflect the appearance of the golfer. A serious golfer will usually look for a solid colored case while a trendy player will look for a case that has an outstanding print or design. There’s no right or wrong in this aspect so choose what makes you feel happiest!

Maintenance Tips for Your Golf Travel Case

Read cleaning instructions provided by the manufacturer. A lot of golf travel cases end up ruined simply because owners didn’t take the time to read instructions. You might think you know what’s best for your case, but it’s really the manufacturer who has

There is always a maximum weight that’s allowed for golf travel cases; don’t go beyond this if you want your case to have a longer life. Rather than squeezing all your things into your case and risk causing damage to your golfing equipment, buy another bag instead. That’s the safer and more cost-efficient choice in the long term.

Clean your golf travel case regularly, but don’t overdo it. If you clean it everyday or every time it gets a speck of dust on its fabric, you’ll end up wearing the whole thing out and it could look washed up and overused in a matter of months. A regular and thorough washing is better than daily

Store your case properly. Place it in ideal room temperature and condition. An excessively hot, humid, or cold climate can cause your case to deform or have it suffer from other types of damages.

Always check your golf travel case for wear and tear. If you notice even the smallest tear, have it repaired immediately to prevent the situation from worsening.

There is more information to be found in the internet about shopping and caring for your golf travel case. Read product reviews, testimonials, and maintenance tips to ensure you’re doing the right thing. And of course, don’t forget to ask advice from your golfing buddies especially if they’re veterans of the game!

For more complete information on

Two of their top models are the Great Big Bertha Cart Travel Bag and the Big Bertha Stand Travel Bag with Steelhead Club Protection. These bags are of the highest quality. Several others are the Fusion Stand Golf Bag Carrier, X Series Stand Golf Bag Carrier, and the X Tour Cart Golf Bag Carrier.

These bags are not cheap. In fact, they range between $160-$280. But if

Just do the math. Say your irons cost $700. Your driver $300. Your putter $100. Your 3 wood $200. You’re looking at a conservative $1300 right there! So to spend a couple hundred for a good quality travel bag is more than worth it wouldn’t you think?

The very first travel bag for golf I got was so cheap, my driver shaft was broken on my very first trip with it. Needless to say, when I got there and realized it, it was too late. I had to get another shaft put in for $80 right there! I’m

I’m not here to tell you, you need to buy a Callaway travel bag, but I am here to inform you to get a good one. Don’t waste your money on a low quality bag that you’ve never heard before. Spend the extra $50 or so on a decent one that will protect your clubs for at least a dozen golf trips or more.

Of all the travel bags I’ve had, the [http://www.golftravelbagtips.com/travel-golf-bags/callaway-golf-travel-bag.php] Callaway golf travel bag has held up the best.

About the author: Curt Smith is a golf writer who writes for many golf websites. He is the main writer for the new

The Windsor Golf and Country Club is larger-than-life Victorian extravaganza built in the Nairobi suburbs. There is nothing to prepare you for the overpowering impact of this hotel. It seems to be in the middle of no where. You drive past some suburban houses and through coffee fields and then

The imposing main building follows the grand Victorian style. It is built of stone and crowned by ochre tiled peaks and cupolas. The soaring entrance concourse has Victorian street lamps and shop fronts. There are dramatically high windows, miles of curtaining, wide stairways-everything is on a grand scale.

The Kenya golf hotel was designed to recall the early days of Kenya s

The d cor is reminiscent of a grand English country hotel. There is a huge copper fireplace in the vast ballroom. There are countless armchairs and sofas in richly woven fabrics. You see lots of etched glass, polished brass, wood and leather. Ornate draperies billow around towering small-paned windows and there are many cozy drawing rooms and bars set at different levels. Through out the hotel, original

Most of the public rooms and the expansive open-air terrace below command wonderful wide views over the golf course with its forests and ponds. The sky seems to stretch forever, and there are hills and mountains in the far distance. The separate accommodation buildings and cottages stride out to each side of the main complex, lining the first and last holes-a frame for this beautiful, world-class golf course.

The Nairobi Kenya golf club hotel has been designed and equipped in grand style, and there is a whole directory of services and facilities. They have tried to include everything including a shopping arcade, a full service health

There are also special butler service stations spaced to conveniently service bedrooms. It all seems so ambitious and rather incongruous in its setting. However, the hotel is still too new to gauge its ambience and operation. When it has mellowed abit, has a smooth operation, and the huge rooms are filled with animated guests, this might become a very special place. Effort and expense have certainly been expended to create something of quality

Quotes from Guests:

The golf course is magnificent. It ranks with the best. It s like a grand Victorian Railway Station with some Tudor thrown in.

Accommodation and rooms at the Windsor Golf and country Club

The Nairobi Golf hotel can accommodate 230 guests in a choice of rooms, studio suites or cottages. The accommodation has been arranged in a series of separate buildings which stand along the edge of the golf course to each side of the main chimneys. They all offer woodland or golf course views.

Rooms are furnished to resemble an English country-style hotel or inn. All have a full bathroom ensuite and a seating area. They are well equipped with

The Windsor Butler Service on each floor is designed to help guests with everything from laundry to hiring cars, from getting newspapers to reserving golf tee times. There are 15 cottages. A central living room with fireplace is flanked on each side by a double room with full bath. There is an outdoor terrace. The favorite s cottages overlooking the first fairway.

The 20 studio suites are situated on the top floor of each guest wing. They feature fireplaces, a sitting area with sofa and chairs, cathedral ceilings with exposed beams and a separate dressing area.

The 80 standard rooms, called

Recreation and Activities at Windsor Golf and Country Club

African Kenya Nairobi top & Best 18-holes golf course (putting green, golf tuition, golf driving range), heated swimming pool, tennis courts, squash courts, bowling green, croquet lawn, jogging trails through forest, fishing for tilapia and black bass in three lakes on the grounds, bird and nature walks with ornithologists, beauty and health spa with aerobics and exercise machines.

Other offerings at Windsor Golf and Country Club- Nairobi

Shopping (wide selection of shops including fashion, gifts, African arts and crafts, sports

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Soft sided golf travel bags are best suited for transporting your clubs shorter distances. These bags usually look like a large duffle bag, or a large piece of luggage. However, each manufacturer will interpret the style of their soft sided golf travel bag differently. The safety features that these travel cases use to protect your golf clubs include reinforced sides, padding, straps to secure

If you plan on flying with your golf clubs then you probably should use a hard sided golf club travel case. These cases have been designed to absorb impact, and to safely secure your clubs inside the case. These cases are going to be a lot more expensive then soft sided travel cases so you will want to compare prices and shop around to find the most affordable model.

Two of the manufacturers that produce soft sided golf travel cases are Nike and OGIO. Nike s offers several different soft sided golf travel cases, with prices for these bags starting around $179. OGIO has a large line of soft sided golf travel bag. Their

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Online directories

The Internet is one of the best sources for information on golf courses and other golf matters in places like Arizona. This is because the Internet is host to a number of golf directories that provide very important information to golfers, including the addresses of golf courses, their schedules, and the tournaments that are played on different golf courses. Usually, these directories have links to the web sites of the different golf courses in a certain location, which you can access by clicking on the link. For Arizona golf directories, golf courses are often categorized by location or the city where

In addition to these, additional services with regard to golf equipment, golf tips, and other important resources are also provided on these web sites. Looking for a golf directory online is a fairly easy process because all you need to do is to type the words “golf directory” and the place you are interested in, and you will automatically be led to a number of web sites that provide golf directories.

Given the popularity of golf in places like Arizona, picking a golf course among a wide selection of courses can be a bit of a challenge. Fortunately, there are a number of golf directories

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Florida can offer varieties of fun filled activities and attractions not only for adults but also for kids. Here are some of the things kids would love during a family vacation in Florida:

1. The Disney Land. Admittedly, one of the much loved by children are the gigantic rides and theme parks where they can see variety

2. The Parrot and Monkey Jungles. Kids would love seeing some of the exotic plants, tropical birds and animals in these places.

There are also beautiful gardens with abundant foliages and flowers. The Butterfly World is a park which offers a garden full of brilliantly colored butterflies flying in the air. The park also has species of orchids and roses abundantly planted everywhere.

There are zoos such as Miami Metro and Native Village with trained animals that are showcased inside the rainforest.

3. Children s Museum. Florida offers different museums that can bring fun to toddlers. The kids can have interactive learning varying from technological, natural and artistic studies to enrich their knowledge of the places, people and culture of the past and present Florida State.

4. Seaquarium is available in Miami where dolphin, killer whale, and sea lion show is a main attraction. Your children can watch whale feeding and can get face to face with some endangered species.

Another destination is the Mote Aquarium. Aside from seeing sea creatures such as manatees, starfishes, urchins and turtles, kids will enjoy the interactive movie of a missing dolphin.

5. Evergrades Safari can also

6. Nick Hotel. A Nickelodeon themed hotel where your kids can enjoy the sight while simply resting. This is a world class hotel with Sponge Bob and Green Slime at the side. Your kids will truly love this place!

7. Farms and ranches are popular choices nowadays. Just an idea of being a cowgirl or cowboy with their hats and boots on can excite your kids. There are activities such as barrel racing, bull riding, cow milking and

They can also enjoy the foods such as coconut clusters, pecan rolls, goat milk, orangettes and pinapplettes cooked just for them. Pools and golf courses are also available for added fun.

8. Resorts are always fine locations for your kids. At Bath Tub Reef Beach, children can enjoy the underwater sights and have their cameras to take pictures of coral reefs.

9. The kids will also be amazed in the space coast. The Kennedy Space Coast offers a variety of explorations. Aquatic exploration showcases underwater adventure while space exploration highlights the moon. Other navigation includes natural voyages and beaches. The kids will enjoy this one heck of experience.

10. If your kids want activities on their own,

After a week long vacation, isn t it heart warming to know that your kids enjoyed the escapades? Kids are easily pleased with new environments they discover and it will be nice not only for them to appreciate the places but for them to instill some knowledge and appreciation of the nature, wildlife and sea creatures they have encountered. A vacation can always be fun and filled with learning experiences.

To reserve your perfect Florida vacation