"Faiza-Ifrah's Florida off the beaten path" Florida by Faiza-Ifrah

Florida Travel Guide: 20,939 reviews and 45,488 photos

The picture (all shots taken by me and scanned to this effect by my husband) shows some multi-million dollar villas in the affluent community of Winter Park Village around Lake Osceola.

We visited Central Florida in January 2002, traveling all the way from the United Arab Emirates where we lived then. As usual, we went off the beaten path in addition to several Disney and non-Disney attractions. The haggard looks on our faces in the photographs posted on these pages is attributable to a jet lag and a blazing sun that even we, the people of the abundant sunshine (United Arab Emirates), were unaccustomed to during that part of the year.

Florida Lakes mean Airboating

A scene shot from our airboat

We used the trip to rent out airboats and explore various lakes and water channels. Of course, airboating is not permissible in Everglades National Park, but it certainly is outside of the park boundaries.

Opportunity for observing wildlife

Ducks take to air as airboat approaches

To our utter surprise we found lakes, swamps, forests and gardens teeming with birds. Taking their snapshots turned out to be easy. Some of our best animal pictures were taken during this long trip.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Haven for wildlife and theme park lovers
Cons:Too many attractions to be covered in one small trip
In a nutshell:It is the tourism capital of the USA.

Last visit to Florida: Jan 2002
Intro Updated Nov 17, 2007
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Reviews (21)

Ifrah and Rayyan were hard to get for this pose - Florida

World of Orchids - a rainforest... Things to Do (7)

The 30,000 square foot conservatory claims itself as the "world's largest permanent exhibit of rare and exotic orchids... more travel advice

Ducks take to air as our airboat approaches - Florida

Everglades - an easily visited national... Off The Beaten Path (7)

The Everglades was established as a national park in 1947. If I am not wrong in recalling what I had read some time ago,... more travel advice

Airboating for observing wildlife. Off The Beaten Path (7)

Airboating in the water channels, Everglades and Lake Tohopekaliga, sail on a pontoon boat on Lake Osceola and drive on... more travel advice

Ifrah & Rayyan on the boardwalk - Florida

Eco-Walk in Kissimmee. Off The Beaten Path (7)

Go to Eco-Walk, which is located next to the World of Orchids, south of marker 11 on US 192 in Kissimmee. The walking is... more travel advice

Travelogues (3)

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Comments (33)

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marvelous_girl Jun 6, 2010 at 11:58 AM

Very interesting tips.especially about the discount tickets.it can surely help the tourists.
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balhannah Jan 14, 2010 at 6:16 PM

Plenty of interesting things to do here! You must have felt like you were Africa when touring in the safari truck, and how I would have liked to join you in the airboat, that would be wondeful!
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iandsmith Aug 16, 2009 at 2:03 AM

Very informative and interesting. Hope the China thing re-opened.
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goutammitra May 10, 2008 at 9:48 AM

I think I have missed this page before. I have heard about this place so much. Recently we had a visitor Sonia Das from Long Beach, she spoke very high of this place. I like the the angry Gator photo but why it is blue?
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SLLiew Dec 18, 2007 at 5:00 PM

Great stuff for Florida. So many wonderful attraction for famiy vacations. Enjoyed reading all your tips here. Cheers, SL :)
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monina_c Oct 31, 2007 at 2:54 AM

Hello Ifrah! Happy, happy birthday!
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Fullmoonfever Apr 14, 2007 at 3:51 PM

I reread your tips. Yes, there are no discounts to attractions!
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kymbanm Apr 9, 2005 at 7:20 AM

Nice everglades tips, I recently took an airboat ride and had a blast :) Strong work, your English is very good, thanks for taking time to share your experiences and travels :)
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Wolverine_13 Dec 10, 2003 at 4:49 PM

Florida does seem to bring out the kids in us all!! Great page (as usual ;o)
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850prc Oct 14, 2003 at 6:24 AM

Glad you had a great time in my homestate. I'm also happy that you've discovered more to Florida than Disneyworld. :)