Florida Bound Magazine 1st Issue

Issue 1 Autumn 2015

FLORIDABOUND

An exclusive magazine for Florida homeowners based in the UK

BUSINESS

BRANSON STYLE Contempo Homes new developments THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN MIAMI

In association with

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Welcome...

roperty your guide to p – d n ou B a d ri Flo first edition of Welcome to the a. id and fe in sunny Flor many years now this r fo and the good li te a St e in sh with promoting sitor to the Sun I have been a vi to do my bit and get involved time decided it was is nd the weather a . a s re ge a a ic ll a st r ta fo n fa ch to do Why not buy a ? There’s so mu t? rt si a vi st I st o ju d y e h er w h So, w inking... d that got me th e in the sun. unbeatable. An m a d much more ti en sp d n ther a plan for a ge ty to er t u p prop to ed , rt Contempo, I sta uyers a real taste of the state t a s er n rt a p y With m spective b would bring pro g property abroad. t a th e n zi ga a m yin and help for bu uyers and along with tips to inform new b fer – from is im a s It . n a can of was now bor ights that Florid e. Plus of course, el FloridaBound d e th of s er ty own lifestyl potential proper to eat, culture, shopping and le. s ce lity homes for sa a u attractions, pla q d n a ts ve. My en evelopm g and informati state. in st re te new property d in it d n eat nd fi ough of this gr joy this issue a I hope you’ll en s on growing and I can’t get en keep and enjoy some g in d a re on y love of Florida rr you. Ca n piece, it’s up to u to buy your ow y yo m e d id a sa su ve er I’ p ll Now ybe I’ Who knows, ma fun in the sun. ida! property in Flor Have fun...

Andy Fry

FLORIDABOUND magazine is publ ished by Nova

Travel, Edward Way, Burgess Hill, West Suss ex RH15 9UA www.nova-travel.com +44 (0)1 444 231400 Chairman & Publisher: Andy Fry Editor: Zach Fry Design: Kim Lower Editorial team: Jon Woodhead, Hayl ey Bradbury, Stuart Sutherland, Donna Fry, Anna Hooper, Laura Waddington, Jasmine Fry. Printed in Great Britain by Nova Dire ct.

Contributors: Jill Zander, Erica Ho, William Davis.

Grateful thanks to Contempo Grou p, Owners Club of Florida, VisitFlorida, Visit Central Florida and Polk County Tourist Board.

Fab hou se

roup G o p Contem

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CONTENTS

FLORIDABOUND – A n

exclusive magazine for Florida homeowners based in the UK

Contempo UK Your guide to new developments around Florida

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An Affordable Gem Hidden in Polk Featuring Providence Polk Golf and Country Club

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Business Branson Style An insight into the entrepreneur Richard Branson

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Surviving Long Haul Erica Ho is planning her next trip. She shares her tips for making travel just that little bit easier

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Florida Taxes: A Quick Look What you need to know about the taxation system

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Advertorial: Panama City Beach We look at this vibrant area and its attractions

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Top Summer Beach Body Treatments Jill Zander showcases the latest body perfecting treatments

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Are You Florida Bound?

We explore the merits of buying a property in the Sunshine State

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autumn2015

22 Airport Uncovered A focus on Orlando International Airport

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VisitFlorida Feature The tourist board share their top tips for things to do around the area Miami Beach turned 100 in 2015 – we explore the entertainment options

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Get Back to Nature at Merritt Island National Wildlife Resort

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A Hub of Activity – Orlando

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Shopping – and there’s loads of it!

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Advertorial: Affordable Car Hire

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BUY YOUR DREAM HOME IN FLORIDA

57 New Homes for Sale in Providence Golf Resort

Exclusive launch price of $340,000 (ÂŁ221,000)* *subject to current exchange rate

Contact: sales@contempouk.co.uk 0843 289 1813 www.contempouk.co.uk 6

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Founded in 2007, Providence Golf & Country Club is a hidden gem in Polk County.

“Our magnificent clubhouse is the perfect place for banquets and weddings,” said Tim Greco, General Manager. “We offer our clients a unique experience at an affordable price.”

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You and your guests can enjoy each other’s company with delicious food and drink in the chandeliered banquet room and off the adjoining southern style veranda; all with panoramic views of a beautifully landscaped golf course. Whether you choose a sumptuous sit-down dinner or exquisite food stations, Providence’s experienced staff can help you prepare creative menus, manage all of the setup prior to the event and takedown after the event, and ensure that all of your guests have a fabulous time while attending your event.

The Clubhouse is a great option for your next corporate or association meeting, and can accommodate groups of up to 150 guests indoors in the 6,800-square-feet banquet room or 48 guests outdoors on the 1,700-square-feet southern style veranda.

Ever consider a meeting in the morning and then switching into your golf gear after lunch and going out for a round of golf? What a great team-building exercise.

Golf at the 18-hole “Providence” course ranks up there with the $100-courses, but with much lower greens fees. Designed by renowned architect Mike Dasher, Providence was named one of the top 50 new golf course layouts in the United States by Golfweek in 2008.

Constructed on wetlands, Providence Golf Club utilized the native hardwoods to line the fairways, and the fresh water creeks invite you into the world of otters, deer and wild turkey that can occasionally

be seen during your round. Technically challenging and esthetically pleasing, the Providence course is a masterpiece.

In addition to providing a challenging and scenic course, Providence’s professional staff has over 45 years of experience in the golf industry and received numerous awards and recognitions by the PGA and LPGA. Customer care is taken seriously at Providence.

The dedicated staff is sincerely devoted to making a day at the golf course enjoyable for all.

Providence offers a well stocked 1000 sq. ft. golf shop with a wide selection of the latest, competitively priced men’s, women’s and juniors’ golf apparel and equipment to fit any player to the tee, including shirts, shoes, gloves, golf balls, and clubs.

The Providence Grill Room, a full-service restaurant and bar, offers an exceptional dining experience for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as dancing and Karaoke on Friday nights and monthly theme dances. Reservations should be made at 863-4247916 ext 106.

Located within the Providence community, Providence Golf Club is easily accessible and offers a great price point for locals and visitors alike. Take Interstate-4 to Exit 58 (CR 532). Turn east on CR 532 and go to 17-92. Turn right and go 3 miles.

Providence is on the left.

Those looking to build a great home in a great community, can contact these builders: ABD Homes 863-427-7528, Townhomes 863-4277528, Homes Starting at $360,000; Lennar Homes 863-420-4220, Homes Starting at $190,000; Toll Brothers 863-420-2747; Meritage Homes 502-724-2777, Homes Starting at $228,000; Contempo 863-424-0219. Call 863424-7916 or visit www.providence-golf.com.

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Business

Branson Style...

Profile by Maarten Hoffmann

Named the 24th wealthiest billionaire in a recent Sunday Times Rich List, it’s fair to say that Sir Richard Branson, the man behind the all-ecompassing Virgin brand, didn’t get where he is without tenacity, energy and a laser-like focus on his ultimate goal.

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“If you want to be a millionaire, start with a billion dollars and launch a new airline.”

At 63 years old, the entrepreneur, activist, philanthropist and some might say, incorrigible show off, spreads his Virgin moniker across copious commercial arms. Yet despite the success of Virgin Airways, plus media, fitness, drinks and train line offshoots to oversee – and that’s just four of many – the tycoon remains refreshingly grounded.

Based on Necker Island, a 74-acre luxurious base he owns in the British Virgin Islands, it may seem Branson lives a rather charmed existence. “Yes I’ve got a big house on a paradise island and I’ve got a big boat, but I’d rather make it a sailing boat rather than a motor boat - make it that little bit more tasteful,” he laughs. “Ultimately, I don’t feel comfortable with ‘flash’. If somebody comes up to my house in a Rolls Royce and offers

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me a drive around, it doesn’t strike a very relevant chord for me.”

Flashy wheels may not suit the temperament of this mass money operator, but he clearly sits easy with social media, acknowledging its capacity for immediate, truly global communication in a modern world that craves immediacy.

With the online world representing an ever-accessible virtual community, Branson has collected over four million Twitter followers, in a period of digital innovation at stark contrast from when the entrepreneur set up his first business at just 16 years of age.

“It’s interesting because I didn’t get that involved with my Twitter site until I realised that I had over a million people following me!” the tycoon laughs. “So I now

take a personal interest in it and make sure everything that goes up I’m involved with or write myself; I think that’s incredibly important.

You can get immediate feedback about what people think about a speech you’ve made or a product you’ve launched. That’s so powerful in modern business.”

Ambitious self-starters make up a considerable proportion of Branson’s online following. With his career trajectory an obvious inspiration, the London-born entrepreneur is a torrent of advice for those looking to set up shop. “My slogan is ‘Screw it, just do it’ and if you get great people around you, a small team of really committed people that you can work with on whatever you’re doing, then you’ve got a good chance of achieving something special.

“Of course, you also need to try to stand out from the crowd, and to offer things that are slightly different from other people. And although we’ve now climbed out of recession, perhaps still think about offering something that’s slightly better value for money compared to the opposition, even if that just means charging less during various hours of the day and more in others. You’ve just got to be smart when it comes to marketing your proposition in a unique way.”

One to walk the talk, Branson has clearly followed this ethos within his own working life. The son of a solicitor and an air hostess, Branson’s less-than perfect educational performance at school only increased his determination to succeed outside of the classroom.

Leaving school with little other than the words of frustrated teachers in his ears, he set his sights on the music industry, determining to sell vinyl records by mail order for a fraction of the price of high street retailers. It didn’t take long for Branson to cut the ribbon on his first music store in London’s Oxford Street, and within time, his turnover allowed him to create his own record label. The iconic moniker ‘Virgin’ came about when a colleague commented on how they were all virgins to the business world.

Fast forward to the 1980s, and economic downturn threatened many livelihoods. But while other

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“Above all, you want to create something you are proud of. That’s always been my philosophy of business. I can honestly say that I have never gone into any business purely to make money. If that is the sole motive, then I believe you are better off doing nothing.” businesses crumbled, the decade became one of Branson’s most lucrative, and he feels there may be similarities between this period and the current crisis we still seek to climb out of.

“We’ve been through a dreadful time of late, and it’s not just Britain, but the whole global market. It’s one of those passages whereby it seems as if we’re moving out of danger only to be sucked back in, and you know, it might not be over yet, although I must say all the signs are positive.

Opportunity “But it’s during these quiet periods, if you want to call them that, that the opportunity comes to really make a difference. The business that now trundles along breaking even may well be the business that goes global when people rediscover they have money in their pockets – and I believe they are doing that now.”

As living proof that “fortunes are made out of recessions”, Branson insists we can emulate these conditions for success within the present climate.

“As long as businesses can keep their heads above water, and as long as managers and directors can inspire and involve staff, most industries have the chance to do something great. I think the move now is to treat staff as stakeholders, not employees.

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There are some fantastic businesses in the UK who do exactly this.

Empowering people creates better output – immeasurably so.”

Making waves Perhaps it was through empowering people that Branson continued to reap profits through the recession-hit early 1990s too, making waves with his fitness and communications businesses.

“I get involved with things that interest me,” he insists. “The interest always has to be there, and it has to go beyond a desire just to make money. I don’t think I’ve ever launched a brand that hasn’t excited me as a product or service. And, you know, when that commodity stops exciting me, that’s normally the time to move it on.”

That’s not to say it’s always been smooth sailing. In his early years, to pay off Virgin Records’ overdraft, 20-year-old Branson pretended to buy records for export to escape an excise tax on sales within Britain, but sold them in the UK nevertheless. Discovered and put behind bars for the night, he was only released when his mother secured his bail by pledging her home as collateral. Branson’s plea bargain called for him to pay a hefty £60,000 or face a criminal record. What did he learn from this?

“I promised myself that I would never again do anything that would cause me to be imprisoned or, indeed, do any kind of business deal that would shame me again,” he explains. “My parents had always drummed into me that all you have in life is your name. You may be very rich, but if you lose your good reputation, then you’ll never be happy. Having said that, as a 22-year-old it is important to have an absolute blast. You are only 22 once! Make sure you have the time of your life, stay up for plenty of sunrises and meet all kinds of people in as many places as possible.”

One step at a time “If you get the opportunity to travel, grab it with both hands and don’t forget your toothbrush (and these days, condoms)! Get out there, dance and play as well as working hard and creating things. I never looked 40 years ahead. It was one step at a time, building block upon block and sometimes finding those blocks fell to the ground on the way.”

“But I’ve been extraordinarily lucky, have a wonderful family and friends, and would change very, very little. I absolutely love being in a position to make a positive difference in the world – I am going to do my best not to waste that position.”

I don’t have any regrets about my decisions aged 22, and would try to live with the same zest for life whether I was under 20 or over 100. Age isn’t important so long as you are surrounded by people you love, doing things you passionately believe in.”

Giving Pledge As well as hard commercial interests, the charitable sector remains a constant area of interest for Branson, and he is an essential component in the philanthropy club Giving Pledge, an elite assembly of a dozen billionaires who are publicly committing to give away more than half of their fortunes to charitable causes.

“Successful entrepreneurs can make a positive difference in the world and l will give away half my wealth when l finally liberate the assets out of my Virgin holdings. ‘Stuff’ really is not

what brings happiness. Family, friends, good health and the satisfaction that comes from making a positive difference are what really matters. Happily our children, who will be our principal heirs, agree with me on this. I want the value created by the Virgin Group to be used to invest in new collaborative approaches to addressing issues, where business, governments and not for profits join forces to create a healthy, equitable and peaceful world for future generations to enjoy.” Members of the Giving Pledge commit to give away at least half their wealth to charitable organisations and philanthropic causes. The pledge was established three years ago by Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, his wife Melinda and Warren Buffett.

Gates said: “Money has no utility to me beyond a certain point. Its utility is entirely in building an

organisation and getting the resources out to the poorest in the world.” Co-founder Warren Buffett is the fourth richest person on the planet with a reported worth of $53.5bn while Mr Gates has a fortune of $66.2bn. According to Forbes, Sir Richard has a net worth of $4.2bn.

Other billionaires to sign up to the pledge include Russian nickel and media mogul Vladimir Potanin and India’s software magnate Azim Premji. A total of 105 families from nine countries have now signed the pledge.

With the Virgin Group now an empire of more than 200 diverse enterprises that run independently, with different shareholders and boards, Branson still relies of one integral business component: brand recognition. He has never been shy in promoting his brands.

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We all recall the madcap ballooning adventure with Per Lindstrand that so nearly ended in disaster, the Virgin Atlantic Challenger’s attempt to take the famous Blue Riband for the fastest Atlantic crossing and the endless publicity stunts he has pulled to promote his brands – the most recent of which saw him kite surfing with a naked model on his back! It would also be difficult to ignore his recent attempt to put people into space aboard the Virgin Galactic although that is already years behind schedule. A show off or a canny self-promoter?

He is also well known for his sense of humour. In 2010, Branson entered the ruinously expensive world of Formula 1 with the Virgin Racing Team and made a bet with Tony Fernandes, the owner of Air Asia and rival racing team Lotus, that the Virgin team would finish ahead of the Lotus team at the end of the season. The wager would see the loser don air hostess drag and serve drinks on the winner’s airline.

Branson said: ‘It’s true we both had Grand Prix teams and I was absolutely certain that I was going to win, and I thought it would look very fetching for Tony to be in a Virgin Atlantic 22

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stewardess outfit. Something went wrong.’ Not only did Branson honour the bet and duly turn up in full drag aboard an Air Asia flight but then had the last laugh by ‘accidently’ spilling an entire drinks tray over Fernandes mid-flight. ‘As Tony said, we had a fun day, glad to have got his bet over and done with, and I’m looking forward to getting back into my own clothes. This has been a real first for me but I have enjoyed the experience and I have nothing but respect for what our fabulous flight attendants do every day to keep us safe,” said Branson after the flight. He also revealed the stunt raised over $300,000 for the charity Starlight Foundation, which both Virgin Australia and Air Asia support.

Get the right mix of people With Gatwick being integral to the past, present and future of Virgin Airways, we asked what advice he would have for the countless start-ups and SMEs across the country who are toiling away to realise their dreams: “When you’re planning a start-up or preparing to launch a small business, it’s hard to know which tasks to delegate, which to delay, and which to tackle right away. One area where you should do a lot of the

work yourself is hiring. If you get the right mix of people working for your company, it will have a far greater chance of success.”

“While the founder of a company usually wears many hats during the first few years – I handled everything from the secretarial work to the company accounts at my first businesses – you’ll have to delegate those duties as your business grows. It might be hard to even imagine this right now, but you should be hiring with an eye to the day when you’re going to delegate even your CEO position and step back from the business’s day-to-day operations so that you can focus on making sure that your company is prepared for what’s next.”

“As I’ve written in previous columns, it was partly due to my dyslexia that I learned early on to delegate as there were some tasks that I struggled with. When we were getting ready to launch Virgin Atlantic, I realized how important the ability to delegate was going to be, since I had no experience in the airline industry.

Within weeks we had assembled a team of aviation experts to blend with our experienced Virgin managers. Together they worked on creating and delivering the level of service that I had hoped for.”

Hiring the right people is a skill, and you get better at it with practice, but there are some good shortcuts that can help you learn quickly.

Here are my tips for identifying great people and building your team.

Whenever possible, promote from within

A great personality goes a long way During the job interview, you need to find ways to decide whether a candidate fits with your company culture. One great way to test this may be to ask two or three of the employees who would work with this person to join you at some point in the interview and to come prepared with a few of their own questions. When your employees start talking to the candidate, it’s time for you to listen.

How is everyone getting along? While a little awkwardness and nervousness can be expected, look for someone who is fun, friendly and caring, because that is a person who likely understands teamwork and will help others.

A resume is just a piece of paper Next, the person’s resume can come into play.

One good question to ask a candidate is what he didn’t include. While you may need to hire specialists for some positions, take a close look at people who have thrived in different industries and jobs - they are versatile, with transferable skills, and can tackle problems creatively. Above all, don’t get hung up on qualifications. A person who has multiple degrees in your field isn’t always better than someone who has broad experience and a great personality.

Take chances on people When you’re interviewing, it’s possible that a candidate may say something so interesting about your industry or business that you’ll want to keep talking after the interview is over. Her resume may not be quite right, and she may be a little different than everyone else ON your team, but this might be a good time to take a risk and hire her anyway.

Such people can seem like oddballs at first, but in my experience, they can become indispensable. A maverick that sees opportunities where others see problems can energize your entire group.

If you’ve been hiring great people all along, when an executive or manager does leave, you should fill that job from within if possible. The key is to keep up a constant stream of strong candidates into all positions, especially the entry-level ones that your competitors might ignore. At Virgin Active South Africa, we have made a point of hiring talented young people who may manage one of our businesses someday. Xiki Baloyi, for example, began her career at Virgin Active in 2003 as a receptionist – she had trained in sports management but couldn’t find a position on that career path. But Xiki’s people skills attracted attention and she was soon promoted to the job of fitness instructor, where she demonstrated her commitment to getting members fit and motivated to train. In the last seven years she has been promoted several times; in 2013 she was named the assistant general manager of our new Alice Lane Health Club.

When to consider bringing someone new in If you’re in a situation where your business is becoming stale or stuck on a problem, it may be time for you to bring in talented people from outside the company. Two of the Virgin Group’s higher-profile hires were John Borghetti, now the CEO of Virgin Australia, and Craig Kreeger, Virgin Atlantic’s CEO. John had worked at Quantas Airlines and Craig had worked at American Airlines, so they knew our competition well, and were able to give us a fresh take on our business Great hiring takes time and a healthy dose of curiosity. You need to meet a lot of people, ask them about themselves and their careers, and tell them about yourself and your company in turn. So relax and be yourself – the people you eventually choose are, after all, going to play big parts in your shared adventure of building a business.

“It’s a person taking an interest in you and your products that makes all the difference in the world. For a business to achieve that is colossal.

And that’s the next challenge for businesses – to be content relevant as well as product relevant.

One is beginning to feed into another, and if consumers believe they are being spoken to as well as being sold to, that’s an extremely powerful subconscious message and remember – screw it, just do it.”

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Surviving long haul

Erica Ho is the founder and editor of Map Happy.

When she’s not writing about travel, well, she’s just planning her next trip.

I think it’s safe to say that few people enjoy long-haul flights. But here’s how to safely survive a couple of days trapped in an aluminum canister with your sanity intact.

Some flights pass by in the blink of an eye; some drag on forever. The good news is that some flights are better than others and there are things that will help mitigate the journey along the way. Don’t also underestimate the power of dread; long-haul flights are intimidating if you travel infrequently, but it’s not near as bad as you think it is after the hundredth time.

I’ve definitely flown my fair share, including some rough routes. The worst flight I’ve ever endured involved a 12-hour flight from Hong Kong to Istanbul, followed by another 13-hour flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles. Instead of traditionally flying over the Pacific, I basically flew in the other direction. The layover was eight hours long. (It was cheap and it was for the holidays, what can I say?)

It should be noted that this advice mostly applies to people who are flying international long-haul flights in economy class. If you’re in business class, you might want to take your glass of wine and see how the other half do it.

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Seating Like on any flight, a good seat is paramount. On a transcontinental or transoceanic flight, though, trust me, you want an aisle seat. No matter how much you hate it, there is no way anyone can avoid the airplane bathroom over a 12-hour period.

If you’re sitting in an airplane that has a three-row configuration—where there is a section of seats on the left side of the plane, followed by a middle section, and section on the right side—you should opt for one of the aisle seats in the middle section in particular. Though it may not seem obvious, this seat has several advantages.

Most importantly, it gives you easy access to the aisle and bathroom while also giving the people sitting in the middle seats two options to get to the aisle. This should automatically reduces your chances of getting climbed over (or having to politely exit your seat so others can get out) by 50 percent or somewhat significantly. The aisle seats toward the left and right section of the plane don’t have this advantage.

Moving It’s actually quite important to keep the blood flowing while you’re sitting down for ages. Though it’s not happened to me personally, AllThingsD’s Kara Swisher suffered a transient ischemic attack, or a ‘mini stroke,’ on a plane en route to Hong Kong a couple of years ago when blood temporarily stopped flowing to her brain.

For those concerned, some of the foreign carriers are pretty good at demonstrating in-flight exercises in their safety videos. (CNN also has an instructional airline yoga article, who knew?)

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I always use bathroom breaks as a periodic opportunity to stretch my legs and either hang out in the back of the galley, at least for a few minutes, or walk down the aisle once or twice.

Eating In the days leading up to the flight, I would stick to fairly light and healthy meals. There’s nothing worse than sitting with a Mexican burrito like a stone in your stomach when you’re trapped in an aluminized tube of claustrophobia. When you combine this with large periods of no movement, you’re going to feel pretty gross.

Though some people suggest skipping the meal service to combat jet lag, this depends on your own personal discipline. (I have a particularly strong sense of smell and the olfactory cues kick in my hunger pangs. Even watching The Food Network is sometimes a form of masochism.) Airlines actually tend to serve more correct portions—think Asian and European sizes – so I just generally take whatever the flight attendant puts in front of me.

However, if that’s not going to be enough, pack something that’s easy to snack on.

can personally tell you this as someone who once fainted in the middle of an aisle during a 9-hour flight from Singapore to Australia.

During the meal service is when the aisle seat particularly comes into handy. Once the food is served and half of the plane begins to digest their food, you can be sure that the bathroom is going to be pretty popular soon. Don’t forget the fact you’re most likely on a pretty big-ass plane, which means there are lots of people on board. If you wait too long to do your business, you run the risk of being uncomfortable in your seat while everyone uses the loo.

In fact, there is an opportune time to go. There should be a fairly short window when the flight attendants have served the food and are no longing blocking the path to the bathroom just right before the meal trays are collected. Now, for some reason, people like to wait until the trays are collected before getting up from your seat. This is actually your golden opportunity, should you choose to take it.

Though it’s annoying to hold up your tray table and set it back down to get to the aisle, it’s going to be a lot more annoying waiting for six people to finish using the bathroom. Going to the bathroom during this in-between time ensures you won’t have to wait later, and even better, it means that you still have a relatively clean bathroom before everyone else has used it. This is especially true if this just happens to occur after the first meal service.

Sleeping

In terms of tangible objects, investing in a cheap eye mask and earplugs work magic, and I do mean ‘magic’ in terms of improving the quality of your sleep and regulating your circadian rhythm by limiting light. Travel pillows do considerably less in comparison; pillows are one of those things you’re better off using the complimentary one onboard. Not only are most airline pillows sufficient, you’ll also have one less thing to carry on the plane with you.

Getting to actual sleep is a far trickier business.

Some people swear by complete sleep deprivation; I prefer to do things a little bit less drastically, especially if you have to work in the days preceding the trip. That said, shortening your normal sleep by a few hours does help. (Lastminute packing does wonders!) It’s not necessary, however, to feel like you need to get on the time zone of your destination immediately. This will either occur eventually or not at all.

In frequent traveler circles, some people like to cite melatonin as one of the more natural remedies for visiting the Sandman. The truth is, though, this is really dependent on how your body reacts to it like any other drug. While I’ve had poor results, I know others who swear by it. I would prefer melatonin if it actually worked for me, but the alternative is using more traditional over-the-counter sleeping aids.

Though Ambien is one of the more popular sleeping pill brands, I’ve had excellent results with Unisom.

It knocks me out faster than a light on even half the suggested dosage. For a flight, I would suggest to take only a quarter of a pill. Personally, I’m not sure if I would try a sleeping aid for the first time on a flight without knowing how it affects me beforehand.

(Its active ingredient is doxylamine succinate but clearly check with your doctor before trying it. It can also leave users slightly groggy.)

Especially because international flights usually serve free booze, people often resort to alcohol to help them sleep. Unfortunately, not only is alcohol a depressant, it’s also a dehydrating agent, so I actually generally discourage drinking on the plane.

When you combine this with the pressurized cabin of an airplane, its effects can be amplified. I also

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The main thing I look at, besides connection points and costs, when booking flights more than anything else is the arrival time. One of the most important factors in beating jet lag has to do with remembering that it’s a lot easier to go to bed later than to wake up earlier. Keeping this in mind, flights that have a late afternoon or nighttime arrival are preferred. If you arrive earlier, all it means is that you’ll have to stay up a whole lot longer. (The key is to keep moving when you arrive until you have to go to bed; once you start resting, it’s game over.)

To get a good idea of when I should be sleeping on the plane, I usually immediately change the time settings to my destination on my phone once the aircraft is en route. Though it’s pretty tempting to pass the whole flight in a complete state of unconsciousness, sleeping the entire time can mess up your internal clock just as much.

Jet lag Everything starts from the minute you book the flight. If it’s inevitable that you’re going to have a flight with a connection, try booking the connection at the end. Nothing is more draining than beginning a 12-hour flight after you’ve spent three or five hours flying across the country just to get to the hardest portion of it. This may or may not be possible depending on where you live – travelers that live in major hub cities often have the most choices.

If you’re fortunate enough to be able to reverse the connection so it happens at the end, this puts the hardest part, the long-haul portion, upfront. Not only will you have more energy to deal with the most taxing part of the flight, but by the time you make the connection, you’ll be exhausted. It sounds counterintuitive, but it’s actually not: by the time you reach the connection, you’ll end up sleeping through most if not the entire second leg.

Most of the time, I end up passing the time in a wonderful, pure state of black unconsciousness.

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The cabin crew is pretty good at giving visual cues during a flight; for instance, they’ll dim the cabin lights when it’s a good time to rest or turn them completely on and be in-your-face during specific intervals. The point is to not be deterred if you can’t sync your body exactly, but to sleep proportionately when you need to. Even if the best you can do is to flip flop the waking and sleeping portions of the flight, it will still help overcome serious jet lag.

If you’re on a long-haul flight, the chances are pretty high that we’re looking at a minimum time zone shift of six to twelve hours (unless you’re travelling north-to-south or south-to-north). If I sleep for half or up to three-quarters of the flight to anticipate an approximately 12-hour time zone change, I consider that a job well done. I find 6-hour time zone changes – give or take a few hours – are the hardest to acclimate to. If you’re flying east to Europe from the U.S. East Coast, you’ll run into these.

In a nutshell…

The thing about most of these tips is that what may work for another person may be completely different, but like anything, it’s only over time and with lots of practice does someone get used to flying long distance. Still, many of the strategies I mentioned can cut down significantly on the stress of flying. The important thing to remember is that, thankfully, the flight does eventually end.

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These soldiers put their lives on the line for our freedom

Now they need your support...

Creating skills and employment opportunities for ex-military personnel HOW YOU CAN HELP US Building Heroes depend on the generosity of people like you in order to provide our ex-service personnel with the skills to pursue a second career.

It’s vital that we continue to support the people who have given so much for us.

There are several ways you can help: Set up a regular donation via direct debit at www.charityline.org.co/buildingheroes Make a one-off contribution by texting ‘BHEF00 £’ followed by the amount you wish to donate to 70070.

Sign up to ‘Give as you Live’ and select Building Heroes as your nominated charity.

Thousands of stores will donate a percentage of your purchase every time you shop on line – and it doesn’t cost you a thing!

US NON-RESIDENT TAX SPECIALISTS Qualified US Tax Specialists offering US tax filing services to Non-resident homeowners and investors.

When a Non-Resident investor buys property in Florida and rents it out for more than 14 days, he is subject to the US Tax laws of the IRS and Florida State.

Owner Accounting Services What do we offer?

If you own or share property in the US, it is important to get expert advice from a tax professional. By choosing Owner Accounting Services, you are guaranteed just that!

We will take care of complex US tax compliance issues and guide you through the process.

Our company was established in Florida, in 2003 and is now UK based.

A British qualified Accountant can also advise on the UK tax implications of rental homeownership.

We are Enrolled Agents before the IRS and Certified Acceptance Agents.

We file your mandatory tax returns and provide the essential ITINs for all our clients as part of our service.

If you would like a ‘No Obligation’ discussion on any of the following issues: Applications for US Tax IDs (ITINs) Annual filing of 1040NRs or LLC tax returns Advice on Tangible Personal Property Tax returns and preparation of forms W8-ECI FIRPTA – on the sale of your US property. …we will set you on the right track and you can expect professional advice delivered in a friendly manner!

STEPHEN HARTER CGMA (ENROLLED AGENT) OWNER ACCOUNTING SERVICES LLP WARBURTON HOUSE, 14B EAGLE BROW LYMM, CHESHIRE, WA13 0LJ Tel: 01925 758330 Fax: 01925 758353 E-mail: info@owneraccounting.com Web Site: www.owneraccounting.com AUTUMN 2015 FLORIDABOUND

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Florida Taxes: A Quick Look Major taxes collected in Florida include sales and use tax, intangible tax and corporate income taxes.

Information regarding these and additional taxes can be located from the list below. There is no personal income tax in Florida.

• Florida Sales Tax: Florida sales tax rate is 6%.

• Florida State Tax: Florida does not have a state income tax.

• Florida Corporate Income Tax: Corporations that do business and earn income in Florida must file a corporate income tax return (unless they are exempt).

• Florida Property Tax: Florida Property Tax is based on market value as of January 1st that year.

Taxes in Florida Explained For decades, Florida has had one of the lowest tax burdens in the country, according to the independent research organization Tax Foundation. But not all taxes are created equal, and the state collects in a variety of ways that residents need to be aware of.

Income Tax: The strength of Florida’s low tax burden comes from its lack of an income tax, making them one of seven such states in the US. But Floridians still have to pay federal income taxes.

Estate Tax: Florida also does not assess an estate or inheritance tax. No portion of what is willed to an individual goes to the state.

Sales Tax: The state charges a 6% tax rate on the sale or rental of goods, with some exceptions such as groceries and medicine. Additionally, counties are able to levy local taxes on top of the state amount, and most do. For a complete list of the additional sales tax rates by county, visit the Florida Department of Revenue: http://dor.myflorida. com/dor/forms/2013/dr15dss.pdf

Use Tax: State sales tax needs to be paid for on internet or other out-of-state purchases, even if no tax was charged at the time of purchase, or were charged at a rate less than the Florida sales and use tax rate. While this includes taxable items bought in Florida, it mostly applies to items bought outside of the state which were brought in or delivered. Florida residents are required to report these sales and pay the use tax on them personally.

Property Tax: These rates are assessed at the local level and can vary by county, and they are based on the value of the property. Property taxes in Florida are some of the highest in the country, although there are several exemptions to try to lighten the load on some Floridians.

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Property Tax Exemptions: Homestead Exemptions are available on primary residences in Florida.

These exemptions can be available up to $50,000. However, only the first $25,000 of this exemption applies to all taxes. The remaining $25,000 only applies to non-school taxes.

Widow(er) Exemptions: of $500 are available to widows and widowers who have not remarried. If you were divorced at the time of your ex-spouse’s death, you do not qualify for this exemption.

Senior Citizen Exemptions: are available in http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/property/taxpayers/pd f/FLsrhx.pdfcertain counties and cities only. They are valued up to $50,000 for residents 65 years old and older who have gross income below $20,000 in 2001 dollars, adjusted for inflation.

This exemption is in addition to the Homestead Exemption.

Total and Permanent Disability Exemptions: are available for homeowners who have a total and permanent disability. Quadriplegics who use their property as a homestead are exempt from all property taxes. Others who must use a wheelchair for mobility or are legally blind and have a gross income below $14,500 in 1991 dollars, adjusted for inflation, can be exempt from all property taxes as well.

Other Taxes: Florida collects taxes on many other goods and services residents pay for.

Documentary Stamp Taxes are assessed on documents that transfer interest in Florida real property, such as warranty deeds and quit claim deeds. Additional taxes are charged for fuels, tobacco products, communications services, and more.

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Join the Owners Club of Florida today and you too could enjoy some of the fantastic benefits of being a member.

We are continually striving hard to obtain beneficial travel arrangements and discounts with our chosen suppliers.We do this by using our buying power through our many members.

The more members we have, the better discounts we can achieve.

As you will see from the website, as soon as you become a member you will benefit from booking specially negotiated air travel with Virgin Atlantic, as well as a guaranteed lowest price on attraction tickets.

A number of other special offers are being negotiated currently including local attractions, restaurants, shopping and events!

FLIGHTS WITH VIRGIN ATLANTIC With our exclusive contract enjoy special fares and conditions when flying your family from the UK to USA. DISCOUNTED CAR RENTAL Whether you wish to rent a compact car, a van or a convertible! Members can benefit from our offers with Alamo Rent-a-Car. HOME & TRAVEL INSURANCE Why not let the club provide you with cheaper travel insurance whilst also covering your Orlando home.

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BENEFITS OF JOINING THE OWNERS CLUB OF FLORIDA Here are just a few great reasons to join the Owners Club Of Florida:  Pay only a deposit of £30 per person at time of booking (Virgin will charge full price at time of booking)

 Balance due just 6 weeks prior to travel (Most companies have a balance due of 8-12 weeks prior to travel)

 Build up/accrue miles with Virgin Atlantic s Flying Club (Miles cannot be used to pay for flights with the owner s club, but owners can accrue their miles and then when they have enough use them for flights directly with Virgin)

 All flights fully ATOL protected  Extremely competitive prices  Prices guaranteed at time of booking (No additional taxes or increases in tax will be passed on to owners club members, except Government imposed airport fees)

 Date changes allowed free of charge up to 6 weeks prior to travel (subject to availability)

AUTUMN 2015 FLORIDABOUND

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Real. Fun. About Panama City Beach Panama City Beach is situated on 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches bordering clear, emerald-green waters where the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrew Bay converge.

With 320 days of sunshine annually and attractions such as St. Andrews State Park and Pier Park, the region has long been favoured by travelers seeking an affordable beach vacation with year-round offerings for families, couples, groups and adventure-seekers.

These include championship golf courses, spas, sporting events, award-winning dining and diverse recreational activities. In addition, Panama City Beach’s Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport offers non-stop flights on Delta Airlines and Southwest Airlines. For more information, visit the official website of the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau at http://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com.

From Coaster to Coast Panama City Beach Announces New Flight from Orlando Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) is pleased to announce a new flight service with Silver Airways, linking Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Tampa International Airport (TPA), with the pristine beaches of Panama City Beach. The two, non-stop flights will begin a daily service from March 19 2015, meaning holiday makers can now easily combine the adrenaline of the Orlando theme parks with a relaxing beach stay on Florida’s Northwest Coast.

The addition of Silver Airways at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is a huge milestone in the growth of the airport and Northwest Florida. “We’re excited that visitors will be able to reach our beautiful beaches even more easily, and see the part of Florida that the UK and European markets are only just discovering,” says Dan Rowe, President and CEO of Visit Panama City Beach. “Once you’ve seen our beaches and felt this sand for yourself, you’ll want to come back again and again.”

Flights are available to book online now: http://www.silverairways.com Panama City Beach, North West Florida is the ideal setting for a beach break, with 27 miles of beautiful white sandy beaches, emerald waters, and lots of family friendly activities. From building sandcastles and shelling on the beach to water parks and nature trails, Panama City Beach offers endless amounts of fun and relaxation for all.

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Beach.

Family-sized Fun Panama City Beach is an affordable REAL.FUN.BEACH destination that families can enjoy year round.

With approximately 320 days of sunshine each year, fun in the sun is sure to be found on the destination's 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches – whether it be building sky-scraping sand castles or catching a dive-in movie.

A Place to Please all Palates Known as the ‘Seafood Capital of the South,’ Panama City Beach offers an array of dining options to please all palates, from award-winning restaurants to casual beachfront cafés. Visitors can enjoy island cuisine, steakhouses, barbecue, ethnic cuisine, and specialty sushi.

A REAL.FUN.BEACH Romance Options are endless for couples visiting Panama City Beach. Those looking to relax and reconnect can enjoy a couples massage at Serenity Spa at Wyndham Bay Point or enjoy a wine tasting at SeaBreeze Winery.

Foodie couples can tour the community's romantic restaurants as well as sign up for a cooking class at Liza's Kitchen. Active couples can sign up for a round of golf or tennis, or alternatively, fishing charters, kayaking excursions and stand-up paddle boarding for water sports lovers.

Weddings in Panama City Beach: where FUN meets FOREVER Pairing the picture-perfect scenery of a sugar-white sand aisle and emerald green waters with gracious hospitality and charming resorts, Panama City Beach is quickly becoming a popular wedding destination for couples planning their big day.

Attractions abound, families can create an engaging itinerary that will spark children's imaginations and fulfill their appetites for adventure.

Visitors can swim with the dolphins at Gulf World Marine Park, create a human-sized bubble at WonderWorks' Bubble Lab or take a spin on a nostalgic ride at Miracle Strip at Pier Park.

Other popular activities include Shipwreck Island Water Park and the Butterfly Pavilion at Pier Park – a 2,500 square foot pavilion featuring more than 400 fluttering butterflies.

Dozens of wedding venues are available for couples to choose from, to reflect their personal style. Options range from Gulf front resorts to the nostalgic Miracle Strip at Pier Park to secluded seaside locations.

Sun, Sand and Sustainability Panama City Beach is an ecotourist's dream! The Gulf of Mexico is home to some of Florida's best fishing and diving, and is ideal for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and parasailing.

FLORIDABound SUMMER 2015 FLORIDABOUND

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Top Summer Beach Body Treatments Boobs

Wobbly Arms

Taming a Tummy the Booty

Scars & Stretch Marks

Cellulite

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Jill Zander, Founder of the Jill Zander Skin Rejuvenation Clinic, shares the latest high-tech body-perfecting treatments to help cheat your way to a buff beach body this summer. Get ready, the countdown is on!

Best for: Boobs

Best for: Wobbly Arms

NEW! Frozen Frontier Cleavage Facial Technology: Cold therapy and plant stem cells How it works: The sub-zero treatment tightens, nourishes and rejuvenates boobs using plant stem cells. A special ball of ice stimulates vascular microcirculation and encourages the cellular active ingredients to better absorb. Results are instant, with improvement after 12 hrs.

Treatments Needed: One a month Price: £95 per treatment

NEW! 3D Lipo Cryolipolysis Technology: Cryolipolysis How it works: Exposure to cooling causes fat cell apoptosis – a natural, controlled cell death, which leads to the release of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators that gradually eliminate the affected fat cells. Arms will be slimmer and smoother.

Treatments Needed: Only 1 treatment Price: £350 per treatment

Best for: Taming a Tummy

Best for: Cellulite

Exilis – Skin Tightening Technology: Radio Frequency and Focused Ultrasound How it works: A combination of high energy, mono polar radio frequency and ultrasound deliver deep thermal heat into the skin resulting in collagen remodeling, skin tightening, and fat loss. Scientifically proven to treat laxity and melt fat within several painless treatment sessions.

Treatments Needed: Up to 4, 2 weeks apart Price: £350 per treatment

NEW! BodyShock Technology: Acoustic Wave Shock Therapy & Topical Active Ingredients How it works: A bespoke programme for each person’s specific type of cellulite is created. Includes Lipotripsy acoustic wave shock therapy, a body peel, serum, active solution, mask and firming gel.

Treatments Needed: up to 10, twice weekly Price: £220 per area, per treatment

Best for: Scars & Stretch Marks

Best for: the Booty

Legato Technology: iPixelRF Technology + IMPACT Ultrasound How it works: Legato Fractional Skin Resurfacing helps to resurface scars and stretch marks and stimulates collagen production and allows for effective delivery of cosmeceutical products into the skin, leading to regeneration and rejuvenation. Scars and stretch mark become smoother and less visible.

Treatments Needed: Up to 6, 3-4 weeks apart Price: From £100 per area, per treatment

Advanced 3D Lipo Body Contouring & Skin Tightening Technology: Cavitation, Cryolipolysis, Radio Frequency & 3D Dermology How it works: 3D-Lipo combines Cavitation and Cryolipolysis to physically destroy fat cells which are naturally drained by the body. With the combination of Radio Frequency and 3D-Dermology, you are also able to combine an effective skin tightening treatment.

Treatments Needed: Up to 8, 1 week apart Price: £150 per area, per treatment

For further information, please contact: Sarah Allen sarah@truegracepr.com T: 020 8241 8998 Jill Zander Skin Rejuvenation Clinic www.jillzander.co.uk AUTUMN 2015 FLORIDABOUND

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Are You Florida Bound?

Consider the reasons for buying property in Florida.

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Tampa

Attractions include the climate, favourable exchange rates and the availability of flights (and bargain fares) from all major UK airports. Few purchasers appear to be put off by travel time – a minimum of eight hours from London, depending on whereabouts in the state you are flying to.

As the US economy recently slid into recession and the long-standing property boom came to an end, many developers in Florida have faced tough market conditions in which to promote their projects. One consequence of this has been that intrepid British buyers have been able to get some great discounts on new properties. Another is that the exchange rate between the US Dollar and Sterling means Brits are getting far more property for their Pounds.

Consider popular locations in Florida. This guide gives a flavour of the areas of Florida most popular with British second home purchasers – the central region around Orlando, the east (Atlantic) coast and the resorts on the southwest (Gulf) coast.

Central Florida – The central part of the state, particularly around Tampa and Orlando, has long been a favourite with British holidaymakers, especially families, as it is there that most of the big attractions are located, including Disney World, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens and Sea World.

Unlike some other parts of Florida, it is warm all year round, and there is less rain than in coastal areas.

Its popularity, and the resulting healthy rental market, which offers owners the best returns in Florida, makes the area a magnet for both second home purchasers and buy-to-let investors. Prices reflect this, but generally still represent good value as the volume of new construction helps keep them competitive. Most purchasers here are looking for detached villas with pools.

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“Florida will offer you an amazing lifestyle in the sun.”

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The Gulf Coast – In July and August, the potential for letting properties, certainly to families, is not as good, but growing. However, it makes up for these disadvantages with magnificent white beaches, azure seas, plentiful moorings and fine restaurants – attributes that have made it popular with the super-rich. Around 60 per cent of the US’s wealthiest citizens winter in Naples or Sarasota on the Gulf Coast, or in Palm Beach/Boca Raton, on the Atlantic Coast. Consequently, the Gulf Coast is a hugely expensive area. Houses on the waterfront, in particular, command prices easily in excess of twice those of similar-sized ones in the Orlando area. Properties further inland (less than two miles and still close to the beach) or up the coast are slightly less expensive. For investment properties, consider buying a home within 5 miles (8.0 km) of the coast line. Sarasota is one of the fastest growing cities on the Gulf Coast with a large European and expat population, in contrast with the more Northeastern-centric population in Naples, Florida.

expensive) locations, such as Palm Beach, where prices routinely run to millions of dollars. However, not everywhere on the Atlantic Coast is this pricey, and if you choose your location carefully, you can find a three-bedroom house with a pool for around $250,000 (approximately £125,000).

An apartment in a good area of Miami will start from around $300,000 (about £150,000) – not bad considering how much the city offers: beautiful beaches, blue seas, non-stop nightlife, a varied arts and culture scene, fascinating Art Deco architecture and a consistently warm climate.

There is currently a boom in high-rise and downtown developments in Sarasota and Miami as more Americans have chosen to relocate to Florida.

So, the choice is now up to you. Whatever you decide, you can be sure that Florida will offer you an amazing lifestyle in the sun.

The Atlantic Coast – Florida’s Atlantic Coast stretches from St Augustine through Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, right down through the Florida Keys to Key West. It includes some of North America’s most desirable (and

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AIRPORT vered unco

Our lowdown on Florida’s airports.

We start with the popular tourist choice of Orlando International

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MCO: Orlando International Airport

Orlando International Airport is the secondbusiest airport in the state of Florida.

It has a large main terminal building and four airside concourses accessible via elevated tram systems or people movers. The main terminal building is divided into two terminals; A and B. The airport features an expansive lobby area for guests awaiting flights, convention space, several bars, and two restaurants.

Orlando is a major transportation hub for the Central Florida region and provides various ground transportation options including public transit, private transportation, and car rental.

Lynx: The local metro area public transportation system operates a sub-station at the airport with public bus service to Downtown Orlando and other area routes.

Disney’s Magical Express: A complimentary coach service runs to all twenty four Walt Disney World resort hotels.

Departing Orlando: Check-in for departing flights is on the Departures Level (Level 3) of Terminal A or Terminal B. Make sure you know which terminal you are due to depart from.

You may check-in with the skycaps on the curb if you are travelling within the US or you may also proceed inside the terminal, and check-in at one of the self-service kiosks. Or you may check-in at your airline’s ticket counter inside the terminal.

Once you have checked in and have your boarding pass, follow the overhead signage towards the gate from which your flight is departing.

Check on the flight information displays to check the gate and time of departure.

Cruiseline transportation: The airport serves as a major inbound gateway for cruise line passengers departing out of Port Canaveral.

Just before you board the AGT (train) to the gate area, you will pass through the Transportation Security Administration security checkpoint.

Taxis/Shuttles: Taxi cabs are available via a taxi stand line on the Ground Transportation level of both terminals.

In the hub of the Airside Terminal you will find a variety of facilities including bathrooms, telephones, restaurants and shops.

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on arrival...

Arriving international passengers who require immigration and/or customs clearance are processed through checkpoints in the airside terminal where they arrive. After clearing U.S. immigration, passengers collect their baggage and clear U.S. customs. After clearing customs, international passengers must ride the people mover to the main terminal.

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Miami100 Miami Beach turns 100 in 2015 and the centennial year is the perfect time to explore ‘America’s Riviera.’ To help you get started, the Visit Florida website offers you a list of 100 things to do on your visit. Go to www.visitflorida.com for the full list.

4. Crack open some fresh claws at the 100-year-old Joe’s Stone Crab. You’ll likely have to wait for a table but it’ll be worth it.

16. Check out a concert or comedy show at The Fillmore at Jackie Gleason Theater, a historic landmark.

100. Go jogging on the 56. Gather your thoughts among the blooming exotic trees and Japanese-style landscaping with a red bridge and stone lanterns at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden.

Boardwalk, which stretches for 40 blocks with plenty of places to stop for a drink or a snack.

41. Lounge year-round at one of the three infinity azure pools, all temperature-controlled, at the Setai Hotel.

48. Unwind with a soothing

27. Feast your eyes on the epitome of opulence known as the

Hamam mud bath, an acupuncture session or a sensual ‘sound shower’ at The Standard spa.

Versace Mansion on Ocean Drive, formerly one of America’s most expensive homes owned by Gianni Versaci, with 11 bathrooms and a pool lined in mosaic tiles and 24k gold.

It’s now a boutique hotel known as The Villa by Barton G.

53. Try a real Cuban sandwich, 2. Take a narrated Historic Art Deco District tour by foot or bike. See stunning architectural landmarks from the 1920s and beyond and hear the interesting stories behind them.

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hot-pressed, or some tender ropa vieja with a side of plantains at the no-frills, diner-style Puerto Sagua.

80. Rent beach scooters for your main mode of transportation for the weekend. You’ll enjoy seeing the city from a bike and find parking a little easier.

5. Navigate the streets and beachside walkways using Miami’s bike share program.

97. Grab a coffee and snack and watch an indie flick at the Miami Beach Cinematheque & Gallery.

Explore the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

By Gary McKechnie To see Florida the way it was before there were buildings, billboards, subdivisions, (and electricity even), I’d suggest you head off the beaten path to just east of Titusville and the Black Point Drive entrance to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Covering more than 140,000 acres, the natural preserve is a throwback to a simpler time, when it didn’t take a thrill ride or a 3D film to entertain you.

It’s also a throwback to the early days of America’s space program, since the refuge (established in 1963) was needed to provide a buffer zone between civilization and the ready-to-launch rockets.

At the visitor’s center you can watch a video about your surroundings, hike a nearby trail, and look for manatees from a viewing area. You’ll also find boat launch areas and sites for fishing.

Along seven-mile Black Point Drive Loop, the pleasure is in a slow and meandering exploration on a dirt road that crosses a variety of ecosystems and reveals an abundance of wildlife (often camouflaged by the surroundings). According to the rangers, more than 50 species of waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, and raptors live here.

A little more than midway through the drive you’ll find restrooms as well as a hiking trail that leads further into the wilderness. About 100 yards away, an observation beckons and should you go to it and climb the steps, the surrounding view is majestic in that “I didn’t realize how pretty emptiness can be” sort of way.

The wide expanse of land, the new (yet familiar) sight of Florida, the understanding that the slower you drive the more you’ll see... it all conspires to remind you of the natural beauty that’s available to us every day.

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A HUB OF ACTIVITY

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ORLANDO

Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, Orlando is central to most of Florida’s most thrilling attractions. The city is filled with so many theme parks, nature reserves, shopping destinations and family attractions that you will never experience a dull moment on your trip to central Florida. We recommend taking extra time to make memories with your family.

Family Attractions Orlando, Florida, USA is home to many major theme parks and unique family attractions. Visit Walt Disney World, which is divided into four different parks, each offering a distinctive experience, or Orlando’s other major theme park destination, Universal Studios, where you can ride movie-themed roller coasters at the Island of Adventure, get accepted into the mythical Hogwarts at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and see how the magic happens behind the screen at the main park.

You can also add a little wilderness to your adventure by visiting Sea World, Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove, and Florida’s own Gatorland! Or discover something strange at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium and the upside-down world of Wonderworks.

• Walt Disney World Theme Parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom) • Universal Studios (Islands of Adventure, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Wet ‘n Wild) • Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach • Disney Quest at Downtown Disney • Sea World (Aquatica, Busch Gardens) • Gatorland

Studios CityWalk.

• Hard Rock Live Coliseum of Rock ‘n Roll • House of Blues • Atlantic Dance Hall • Blue Man Group Museums & Culture The Orlando area is also host to a great number of museums and art galleries including the Orlando Science Museum, the Morse Museum (home of the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany), and the Orlando Museum of Art. After you see all you can in the Orlando area, less than one hour away from the convention site is the Kennedy Space Center, which is a must visit location for space enthusiasts and science fans.

Or if you’re heading west toward the Gulf of Mexico, you can make a destination out of the highly-interactive, family-friendly Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa.

• Kennedy Space Center (Cape Canaveral) • Museum of Science and Art (Daytona Beach) • Orlando Museum of Art • Orlando Science Center Nature A wonderful detail about Florida being the destination for the 2014 Convention is the diverse landscape. Just outside the bustling tourist attractions are many different nature preserves (Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve, Ocala National Forest, Florida Everglades) and zoos where you can get a first-hand look at Florida’s wildlife. And of course you cannot visit Florida without experiencing the 120,000 miles of beaches!

• Discovery Cove • Wonderworks • Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium Live Music & Entertainment Outside of the major parks are many venues and theaters offering live music and entertainment. See live performances by Cirque Du Soleil and the Blue Man Group or enjoy shows at the Hard Rock Live (dubbed the Coliseum of Rock ‘n Roll) at Universal

Sports Looking for a one-of-a-kind experience outside of the theme parks? In Orlando, you can skydive indoors (iFly Orlando), drive at top speeds of 120 MPH (Richard Petty Driving Experience), visit professional athlete training facilities (ESPN Wide World of Sports), and golf on Florida’s famed greens.

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Sawgrass Mills

If shopping’s your bag, you’ll find it in Florida.

Here’s a roundup of some places where you can find whatever you might possibly want or need in the Sunshine State.

Fort Lauderdale: On West Sunrise Boulevard in Sunrise, you’ll find Sawgrass Mills, the largest outlet shopping mall in the United States with more than 350 stores.

Baytowne Wharf

Fort Myers/Naples: A successful shopping centre relies on environment as much as the goods in the stores. Prepare to be charmed by the downtown vibe at 5th Avenue South in Naples.

Jacksonville: Every city has a one-stop-shop for entertainment, food and retail therapy, and in downtown Jacksonville, that place is Jacksonville Landing on the St. Johns River.

Florida Mall

Key West: Before you head to Mallory Square to witness one of Key West’s world famous sunsets, venture into Clinton Square Market, nestled between the historic Custom House and the Key West Aquarium.

Orlando: If you just want to take a break from the parks, head to one of Orlando’s luxurious shopping malls, including the Florida Mall or the Mall at Millenia.

Palm Beach/West Palm Beach: Worth Avenue isn’t just one of the most sought-after shopping locales in Florida. It’s one of the most sought-after locales in the country.

Panama City Beach: No trip to Panama City Beach is complete without shopping time at Pier Park, an outdoor complex with an IMAX movie theater, restaurants, live music venues and 124 stores.

Pensacola: Head to the Portofino Boardwalk for shopping, dining and entertainment in Pensacola Beach.

Sandestin: The Villages at Baytowne Wharf is an outdoor shopping and eating area located in the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort.

Tampa Bay: The place to see and be seen is International Plaza and Bay Street, the most upscale shopping stop in town.

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Duvall Street, Key West

visit the fabulous malls in Orlando...

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As the second most visited country in the world, the USA continues to be one of the most popular car rental destinations for Affordable Car Hire, with the Sunshine State of Florida leading year on year.

With prices starting from just £15 per day*, you can experience the holiday of a lifetime travelling around Orlando’s popular theme parks; explore the subtropical paradise of Key West and soak up Miami’s vibrant culture – all in a single visit.

Book your Florida car hire with Affordable for zero excess,free additional driver and free upgrade offers. Young driver packages from just £10 per day and there are no one-way fees within the state of Florida.

For a limited period only we are offering no summer high season supplement**. If you upgrade to our platinum package you will have a tank of fuel and unlimited additional drivers included.

For further details visit www.affordablecarhire.com or call our Reservations Team on 0845 9000 420.

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