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  • 20 Unique Experiences in Orlando for $20 or Less

    2/24/2018 1:42:51 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    By Nate Shelton

    Andretti Indoor Karting & Games

                                                            Andretti Indoor Karting & Games

    What do you expect from an Orlando vacation? Magical fun? Absolutely. Unique experiences? Definitely. Value for your money? You'd better believe it! From indoor go-karting to collections of priceless works of art to rare objects you must see to believe, here are some killer ways to enjoy Orlando on any budget — with an emphasis on enjoy.

     

    Orlando Activities for $20 or Less per Person

    1. Andretti Indoor Karting & Games: Featuring multi-level indoor karting, this venue also has bowling, an indoor ropes course and zip line, laser tag, prize games, gourmet food, two bars and more. Price for adults is $19.95 with membership ($21.95 for non-members), and all other activities are well under $20.

    2. Coca-Cola Orlando Eye: Take a relaxing, air-conditioned trip to a height of 400 feet at this location. At Tickets.VisitOrlando.com, you can get adult tickets for $20 and $15 for children, plus discounts for other I-Drive 360 attractions, such as Sea Life Orlando Aquarium and Madame Tussauds Orlando.

    3. Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens: Get a close-up view of more than 500 animals, including many rare and endangered species, as well as 23 acres of native gardens and other special features. Admission is $19.50 for adults, $15.95 for seniors and $13.95 for children ages 3–12.

    4. Bok Tower Gardens: Nestled among 50 acres of picturesque gardens, this national historic landmark is home to the 205-foot, art-deco and neo-Gothic Singing Tower, which boasts a 60-bell carillon that rings at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. daily. Adult tickets are $20, with children tickets priced at $10.

    5. K1 Indoor Karting: Drive go-karts at speeds up to 50 mph on professionally designed tracks at this indoor facility, which also has video games, official racing memorabilia and a cafe. Pricing starts at $19.99 for both the 14-lap, standard adult race or 12-lap, standard junior race.

    6. Orlando Science Center: This hands-on science museum has planetarium shows, giant-screen films, educational exhibits, programs and more. Admission is $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and students, and $13.95 for kids ages 3–11.

    7. Ripley's Believe It or Not! Orlando Odditorium: Interactive exhibits and artifacts can be found in this venue's 16 galleries celebrating oddities from around the world. Admission is $19.99 for adults and $13.99 for children 3–11 (kids under 2 are free). Discounts are available at Tickets.VisitOrlando.com.

    Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf in Orlando

                                               Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf

    8. Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf: Putt your way through mountain caves, over footbridges and under waterfalls on two 18-hole, pirate-themed courses. When purchased from Tickets.VisitOrlando.com, playing 18 holes is $10.75 for adults and $9.75 for kids.

    9. SAK Comedy Lab: On select nights, laugh out loud at improvisational comedy sketches, scenes and songs. You can even be an active participant in the fun. Tickets range from $5 to $15, and some shows grant free admission if you have a ticket from a previous SAK event.

    10. Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour: The waterfront mansions you'll see on this tour cost considerably more than the tour itself, which is $14 for adults and $7 for children ages 2–11. You'll also see the waterways and natural scenery of this charming city on a relaxing, narrated journey.

    Bronze Kingdom African Art Gallery

                                                    Bronze Kingdom African Art Gallery

    Orlando Activities for $10 or Less per Person

    11. Bronze Kingdom African Art Gallery: With more than 2,000 pieces, this gallery features the largest collection of rare African bronze sculptures in the world, plus beaded and wood sculptures. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

    12. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art: You won't find a larger collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany's glass artwork than at this museum. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $1 for students. Kids under 11 enjoy free admission.

    13. Harry P. Leu Gardens: Enjoy three miles of paved, scenic walkways through luscious gardens, a butterfly garden and a house museum that dates back to the 1880s. Tickets prices are $10 for adults and $3 for kids grades K–12; children ages 4 and under are free.

    14. Kings Bowl Orlando: Bowl, eat and lounge in a comfortable, fun environment that also features billiards tables, an outdoor bocce ball court and other entertainment options. Bowling rates, which are per person per game, max out at $10 during peak weekend hours.

    15. Main Event Orlando: This attraction offers state-of-the-art bowling, virtual and interactive gaming, a ropes adventure course, billiards and other fun activities. Pricing is per lane, with a top cost of $36 per hour during peak times, but if you go with at least one companion, it's $18 or less per person.

    16. Orlando Museum of Art: Besides showcasing local, national and international works of art, the museum has two discovery centers for children. Admission for adults is $15, $8 for seniors ages 65 and up, and $5 for ages 4–17. Kids under 3 and active and retired military personnel enter free.

    17. West Orange Trail Bikes & Blades: With fees starting at $7 per hour, you can explore Central Florida's scenic trails by bicycles on an hourly, daily and weekly basis. Hotel delivery and group tours are available at an additional cost.

    18. WhirlyDome: This is the home of WhirlyBall, the world's first totally mechanized team sport that uses elements of bumper cars, basketball, jai alai and hockey. Laser tag and an arcade are also available, and all entertainment options are $8 or less.

    Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens
                                          Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens

    Orlando Activities for $5 or Less per Person

    19. Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens: Discover the works of this museum's namesake artist, who was one of the most prominent sculptors of the 20th century. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for students ages 12 through college, and free for children ages 11 and under.

    20. The Mennello Museum of American Art: Explore arts work by artist Earl Cunningham, plus contemporary American folk art. Entry is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $1 for ages 6–17. Admission is free for kids under 6, as well as active and retired military personnel and their families.

    Find Great Value in an Orlando Vacation

    Looking for other things to do in Orlando with all the money you'll save at these attractions? We have plenty of options, including shopping, dining, nightlife and, of course, theme parks. Stay up-to-date on other great deals in Orlando at our blog, as well as our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.

    Download the Visit Orlando Mobile App
    Now there is a new way to put Orlando right at your fingertips. Download our free Mobile App for your personalized Orlando experience. It's the best way to navigate Orlando. Download it today from iTunes Store and Google Play.

     

  • 5 Luxury Accessories For Your Next Flight

    2/14/2018 10:49:06 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Posted January 9, 2018 10:37 am in All in Good Fun by Madelyn Allard 

     

    Despite not requiring any work, sitting on a flight can be the most exhausting thing ever. Maybe it's the change of altitude, or maybe it's the recycled cabin air. Either way, it can take a toll on your body and get your trip off to a not-so-great start. So why not treat yourself to travel goodies that will help your flight be as luxe as possible and have you feeling relaxed and refreshed.

    1. Sound Canceling Headphones 

    Whether you're trying to get some shut-eye, or attempting to avoid a chatty seat-mate, sound canceling headphones are a must. If you splurge on a high quality pair, you'll really see (or hear) the difference. Crying babies? No big deal. Someone's snoring? It won't bother you! You're encapsulated in the peaceful sound of silence. 

     

    After a little research, we found that the Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones II are the best in the business. Plus if you have a Google assistant it can take commands through the headphones. 

     

     

    2. Skin Hydration Mask 

     

    The cabin air of an airplane is prone to dehydrate your skin. While jetting off to a dream destination, worrying about dry skin should be the last thing on your mind. Why not take preventative measures and get yourself a hydrating face mask. Now your in-flight nap will be extra refreshing. 

    We scoured Sephora for their best hydrating mask and settled on the Verso Deep Hydration Mask With Retinol 8. The ingredients are so amazing that hydration lasts up to 120 hours. 

     

    3. Skin Creme  

    You cannot forget the rest of your body when it comes to hydrating your skin. Just like with your face, you don't want to have to deal with dry skin while trying to enjoy your trip. Fight back at the cabin air with a high-quality super moisturizing creme. 

    We suggest going all in with the luxurious Crème de la Mer. It's the most luxurious lotion on the market, and your body will be thanking you for that extra love. 

     

    4. Cashmere Travel Set 

    In-flight comfort has a lot to do with what section your seat is in. Whether you're in business class or coach, maximize your comfort by snuggling up with a cashmere travel set. The buttery blanket and silky eye mask will have you slipping off to supreme dream land in no time. 

    Naked Cashmere offers a travel set in three chic colors and allows you to customize the carry pouch with your monogram. 

     

    5. Comfy Slip-On Shoes 

    Another key for maximum flight comfort is a nice pair of shoes. The best pair to get are easy to slip on and slip off that will fit your feet like gloves. A good pair will easily transition from flight to every day use and last you throughout multiple seasons. 

    Here at Tyus Tours & Travel we love companies that treat their employees well. That's why we're suggesting The Modern Babo by Everlane. They're ethically made and the perfect slip-on/flats for supreme comfort, and promise to become a staple of your travel wardrobe .

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Disney's Magical Private Caribbean Island

    2/4/2018 3:10:44 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Disney's Magical Private Caribbean Island

    (Don't forget your Camera)

     

    Image having your own private island. 

     

    Well, Disney has done just that with its enchanted Castaway Cay. This tranquil retreat is just for Disney cruisers and embodies the perfect island paradise. The tropical island hideaway located just 225 nautical miles from Port Canaveral, Florida is a stop on all Disney’s Bahamian and Caribbean cruises.

     

    There’s no shortage of things to do here.

     

    Ships dock right on the island, allowing Disney cruisers to disembark directly onto the pier. A short 15-minute walk leads to unbelievable amenities, including powdery white and sandy Castaway Family Beach. The beach area is quite extensive with points and coves along the shoreline. 

    Trams are available for those who need them (or want to get to the beach faster) and traverse all Castaway Cay amenities. Beach towels are provided by cruise line members at the pier, so no need to pack those in your suitcase or beach bag.

     

    Beach and Water Fun 

     

    Snorkeling is available to those wanting to explore the Caribbean’s undersea marine habitat in Snorkeling Lagoon just off Castaway Family Beach. 

    Two submerged submarines from Magic Kingdom’s retired 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction add an element of adventure for intrepid snorkelers. 

     

    The Pelican Plunge, the 2,400 square-foot floating platform with two bending twisting water slides dropping squealing riders directly into the lagoon. A giant “bucket dump” of water delivering hundreds of gallons brings more anticipation and laughter and four water cannons provides sharp-shooting fun with floating nautical targets. 

     

    Game pavilions near the Family Beach offer a variety of sand and shaded games like volleyball, tetherball, foosball, ping-pong, pool, shuffleboard and basketball. And there are also places where each age group can hang out with their peers that include planned activities like Teen Hideout or Scuttle’s Cove kids club for the younger cruisers. 

     

    Inner tubes, snorkel masks and fins can be rented from Gil’s Fin and Floats or Flippers & Floats on the beach, while kayaks, paddle boats, paddle boards and Aqua Trikes can also be rented for use in this water wonderland. Hammocks are located beachfront.  

     

    Port Adventures 

     

    Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure gives participants the chance to feed, touch and snorkel with the friendly rays in a private lagoon. Onsite marine specialists provided interesting facts and answered questions about these fascinating sea creatures. 

    (Interestingly, stingrays here have had their barbs manicured and groomed back by the Cay’s nature specialists for participant’s protection.) 

    Catch-and-Release Family Fishing Adventures take visitors for a trolling trip on the clear waters of the Cay in search of grouper, snapper, mahi-mahi and barracuda. Another option to learn more about hooking and reeling is the off-island Bottom Fishing activity. 

    Tour boats on the Glass Bottom Boat Scenic Voyage take visitors out to Castaway Cay’s majestic barrier reef on a one-hour guided sea tour that’s perfect for the entire family. Parasailing adventure soars high above Castaway Cay for an unforgettable thrilling experience and the chance to see the Cay from a bird's eye view. 

     

    Dining on Castaway Cay 

     

    Dining here is all included as part of the cruise package. A buffet lunch is provided at picnic tables, but lunch is a culinary feast, that is served on real plates with stainless silverware. 

     

    Hot dogs and hamburgers were on the menu, along with myriad other delectable food choices like chicken, ribs, fish, corn-on-the-cob, salads, and all the fixins’ imaginable. Self-serve drink bars offered several warm and cold beverages. 

     

    Desserts featured a variety of fruits, banana bread and, of course, “cookies.” Also, there is a self-serve ice cream machine with a variety of flavors. 

     

    Thirst Quenchers 

     

    The Beach bars on the island has Disney’s innovative and creative touches. Castaway Air Bar is a ramshackle building with 1920s air hanger décor. 

     Then there’s the appropriately-named Conched Out Bar and the Sand Bar. All served a variety of cocktails, beer and wine. Don't forget to try the Cay’s signature island drink, the Konk Kooler-a luscious libation made with two rums, orange juice, passion fruit and cream of coconut. 

     

    Exploring the Island 

     

    Beach cruiser bicycles for the entire family are available for rent. Though Castaway Cay sits on 1,000 acres, only 55 of these are developed. The remainder of the island can be explored along 1.5 miles of paved bike trails leading to secluded beaches, including the adults-only beach at Serenity Bay. Further down, private family beach cabanas can be reserved in advance of the cruise. 

    A 40-foot observation tower surrounded by the dense flora and fauna of the island provided breathtaking views of the Cay and the Disney ship docked in the distance. 

     

    At the end of the day, don't forget to stop for family photos on the way back to your Disney Cruise Ship.  Also, Castaway Cay merchandise isn’t sold on the cruise ship, so don't forget to purchased T-shirts and memorabilia before returning the ship. 

     

    The Castaway Cay allows families to live for memories that cannot be put into words. 

     

  • Carnival Miracle Kicks Off Year-Round Seven-Day Schedule From Tampa, Doubling Capacity At Port Tampa Bay

    2/3/2018 2:07:25 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    January 29, 2018

    Six- to 14-Day Cruises to the Panama Canal, Western Caribbean and Central America Also Added to Line’s Tampa-Based Options

     

    MIAMI (January 28, 2018) – Carnival Cruise Line’s 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle kicked off a year-round program of seven-day cruises from Tampa this weekend, doubling the line’s capacity at the port and further bolstering its position as the leader in Caribbean cruising. 

     

     

    Carnival Miracle will offer the only year-round longer-length cruise program from Port Tampa Bay, offering an unbeatable mix of destinations that appeal to a broad range of consumers, including families seeking an attractive and affordable vacation option.

    Carnival Miracle joins Carnival Paradise which operates year-round four- to eight-day voyages from Tampa to the Caribbean and Cuba.  Together, Carnival Miracle and Carnival Paradise will carry an estimated 280,000 passengers annually from Tampa – the most of any cruise operator.

     

    “Carnival Cruise Line has been sailing from Tampa for nearly 25 years and we’re thrilled to add a second year-round ship to provide our guests with an even greater variety of fantastic cruise vacation choices from this convenient homeport,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.  “We would like to recognize our partners at Port Tampa Bay and the Tampa community, as well as our valued travel agent partners, for their efforts in making Tampa one of our most popular and successful embarkation ports,” she added.

     

    “We’re delighted that Carnival Cruise Line will have two year-round cruise ships dedicated to the Tampa market,” said Paul Anderson, President/CEO Port Tampa Bay. “It speaks to the record-breaking demand of passengers in the Tampa Bay area wanting to get on a Carnival cruise.”

     

    Seven-Day Sailings from Tampa    

    On its week-long Tampa-based cruise program, Carnival Miracle departs Port Tampa Bay Saturdays or Sundays calling at four popular western Caribbean ports:  Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Mahogany Bay (Roatan) and Belize, each known for their world-class beaches, varied shore excursion opportunities, centuries-old historical sites and excellent dining and shopping experiences.

     

    These voyages from Tampa are part of Carnival’s exclusive Cozumel Plus program, which feature extended stays that provide guests even more opportunities to experience and explore one of the Caribbean’s most diverse vacation destinations with a variety of exciting and unforgettable excursion choices, many taking place on Mexico’s mainland.

     

    New Six- to 14-Day Cruises to the Caribbean, Panama Canal

    Carnival recently added several six- to 14-day sailings aboard Carnival Miracle visiting spectacular ports throughout the Caribbean as well as an unforgettable opportunity to experience a partial transit of the Panama Canal.  During the transit, guests will experience one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and sail on Gatun Lake, one of the largest man-made bodies of water in the world.

     

    The new six-day voyages feature day-long stops at Cozumel, Belize and Costa Maya or Mahogany Bay.  Departure dates include Sept. 2 and Nov. 11, 2018, and Jan. 27 and March 31, 2019. 

     

    Eight-day Panama Canal cruises depart April 14 and Sept. 8, 2018, and Feb. 2 and April 6, 2019, and include a partial transit of the Panama Canal along with stops at Limon (Costa Rica) and Grand Cayman.  There’s also an eight-day, five-port Caribbean cruise that departs Nov. 17, 2019, and visits Cozumel, Costa Maya, Mahogany Bay, Belize and Grand Cayman.

     

    Carnival Miracle will also offer a 14-day Carnival Journeys Panama Canal cruise round-trip from Tampa Dec. 2-16, 2018, featuring Cozumel and Limon prior to a partial Panama Canal transit followed by visits to Cartagena (Colombia), Aruba, Curacao and Montego Bay (Jamaica).   Guests sailing on Carnival Journeys cruises enjoy unique local dining and entertainment experiences and a number of shipboard enrichment activities.   

     

    Signature Carnival Innovations

    Guests sailing aboard Carnival Miracle can enjoy a wide range of onboard choices, the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub, the cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, Nick and Nora’s steakhouse located atop the ship’s 10-deck-high atrium, a luxurious 14,500-square-foot spa, and a Serenity adults-only retreat.  Of the ship’s 1,062 staterooms, 80 percent offer either an ocean view or private balcony.

     

    Family-friendly options include Seuss at Sea, an exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Hasbro, The Game Show, with larger-than-life adaptations of the company’s iconic games and complimentary programming for children in three age groups – Camp Ocean (ages 2-11), Circle “C” (12-14) and Club O2 (15-17).

    Call Tyus Tours & Travel to book A Carnival Miracle Cruise at 866-547-5362.

  
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