Cocoa Beach is located south of Orlando, about an hour drive. It is the favored vacation spot for many American and International travelers.

The foundation of what Cocoa beach and Cocoa City are today started after World War II, when returning soldiers decided to vacation in Florida and ultimately, retired there.

Throughout the years, Cocoa Beach and the city increased in popularity and therefore, became what is today, a nice trendy and awesome place to vacation or to live.

In spite of the fact that the beach alone is a magnet to draw people, another attraction nearby is the Kennedy Center, which incidentally, also helped to boost the popularity of both, the nearby Cocoa Beach and City.
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Time to go to the beach friends, Cocoa Beach!

Cape Canaveral – Kennedy Center
Aren’t we lucky to live in the country who put a man to walk on the moon for the first time?  Of course we are. Thanks to an agreement between the Department of Defense and NASA to change Cape Canaveral from a military installation into the Space Coast.
 
Although it was previously name Missing Firing Laboratory by the Air Force, it was later renamed the Kennedy Space Center, to honor President Kennedy who was responsible to put the first man on the moon.
 
We all can remember the Space Shuttle Program, the Hubble Space Telescope and the Apollo Missions, which incidentally, is celebrating 50 years this month, July 2019.
 
Today we can go to the Visitors Complex, offering plenty of activities for adults as well as for children. Make it somewhat an educational vacay for them as well.
 
Admission:
Adult: $57.00
Children: $47/child
Military/Senior: $50.00
 
Port Canaveral
This port has become a hub for the Cruise Line Industry. However, having easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, this port in the past was primarily the port of choice to import petroleum from Central and South America.
 
Rather quickly, it was overtaken by the citrus industry, importing from Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. It was and continues to be the port used by NASA, to retrieve, receiving, tracking space vehicle or/and its components.
 
Nevertheless, the Cruise Line industry is enjoying this port to conduct their travel business, moving thousands of passengers on a daily basis to destinations like the Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica and more. 

​Kissimmee has lots of attractions and entertainment, however, it also offers incredible natural, outdoor adventures. For instance, experiencing a ride on a zip line in Orlando’s Tree Trek Park will be unforgettable. There are other attractions within this place but the zip line is one to be remembered for quite a while.
 
This park is packed with adventure! There are swings, nets, ropes, trapeze and more. If you like, you can test your skills on their challenging bridges, each one taking you higher and higher into the forest canopy until you’re 50-feet atop a pine tree forest. Then you can fly to a breathtaking finish on a pair of plunging zip lines. It’s heart pounding fun for everyone.
 
Admission: Zip Line Only $29.95 + tax = Up to 4 rides /person.
Age: at least 9 years old.
Hours: 8:30 am first departure
For reservations and more ticket price information call: 407-390-9999 

The Sea Life Orlando Aquarium is as awesome as any other attraction in the Orlando area. It will not disappoint you, the kids or the family. For some reason, anything that deals with the ocean and the creatures that live there, make us wonder about the importance to keep our beaches and bodies of water clean for our next generations to enjoy. They are just too precious, let’s keep them healthy and the beaches clean.

​Admission: Book online for best prices
Hours: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
What to enjoy: A dive show, explore a 360-degree ocean tunnel and come close to sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, and more without getting wet. Furthermore, behind the scene opportunities to see how the staff care for the sea creatures daily. 

Yeah, I know what you are thinking, but I am not going to talk about the Disney Parks. Nonetheless, while you plan a trip to the parks, make sure to build in other nearby amazing activities as well, some for relaxing and some for fun.

Just within a short distance from the Disney parks, you can access and enjoy other family or individual attractions that will fulfill your day with plenty of relation and joy. There are plenty of special tours, day trips to nearby beaches either on the east or the west gulf coast, wild rides in the everglades, tons of great well-known chef’s restaurants and safari adventures.

Oh, and if you love sports, don’t leave Orlando before a visit to the ESPN compound. In short, who wouldn’t want to not just visit Orlando but better yet, live there, in the real wonderland! The Kissimmee area is simply beautiful. Just Cruising around, for about an hour, will help you to get to know it better.

While driving, you can still enjoy the many natural sites that Kissimmee offers and also Relax at the same time! Oh, did I mention that these relaxing activities are FREE? As you also know, the parks aren’t cheap, right? Smile. So enjoy cruising Orlando, there is a lot to see.

Richmond is the capital of the beautiful state of Virginia. It is also one of Americas oldest city. There are tons of activities for the whole family to enjoy, for nature lovers, and for young and the not so young.

Here is a short list just to mention some, there is a Holocaust Museum, a Botanical Garden, the Museum of Fine Arts, The State Capitol, designed by Thomas Jefferson that you can tour for free. And also, the Hollywood Cemetery, (for those interested).

Furthermore, there is the Arts District, and Carytown; the city’s trendiest area with restaurants and bohemian boutiques, but most importantly, the local quirky shop alternatives, totally different to the shops that we are used to frequent, (of course, except Starbucks, smile). Unfortunately, I also heard that Carytown restaurants are overpriced, therefore, be cautious. 

Finally, Richmond, like most cities in the country have a large convention center, a beautiful coliseum and plenty of lodging places for all budget levels.

Richmond is also the home of Virginia Commonwealth University, VCU, one of the many outstanding Virginia universities. (Incidentally, I know a nice young and good looking dentist who graduated from VCU, right Ricky? Smile.)

Ok friends, is time to pack your bags to go visit Richmond.

Von Voyage!

Regardless of where you plan to travel for a short or a long vacation, the goal is to have fun. You gain more from several weekend vacation trips-a-year than to go on a one-time long expensive one. Is all good though.

However, my point is that we live in such a hectic world now, that fun road trips should be happening more often than just few times a year.

My trip to this beach on the east coast took only 4 hours and in spite of the fact that the weather was a bit uncooperative, we had tons of fun and memories that will stay with us forever.

So, when are you going to plan your next weekend road "vacation" trip? Now right? Yes! 

Who didn’t like that magical era? Women had big hair, platform shoes, sequins, feathers, tight strapless colorful culottes, bell-bottoms, and halter neck tops. Both, men and women wore long hair or big afro’s. Men also wore bright colorful three-piece suits with unbuttoned-wide lapel shirts, as well as one piece tight jumpsuits. Others took the John Travolta look of the hit movie Saturday Night Fever, the famous white disco three-piece suit.  It was an era to dress different to make a statement.

Then there were places to go to show off all that, like Studio 54 in NYC, where the rich and very famous went to dance all night and do crazy stuff.

However, the most impacting element of that era continues to be the music. We are still listening to artists from the 70’s today. You’ll recognize their music if you hear it. Last Dance: Donna Summer; We are Family: Sister Sledge; YMCA: The Village People; Boogie Wonderland: Earth Wind and Fire; Staying Alive: Bee Gees; Disco Inferno: The Tramps; well the list is endless.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the 70’s Disco Live Show that is travelling the country, at the MGM National Harbor, in Maryland. The MGM at the National Harbor, is located in Prince George’s County, MD, a county that I adore, about 15 to 20 minutes from our nations Capital Washington, DC.
The show had all the sequins, outfits, colors and especially, the best music of the 70’s. It was very entertaining and people attending couldn’t stop dancing from beginning to end.
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If you want to have an awesome time watching (and dancing) this live show, Google: Disco Live Tour for locations and tickets. 

​I had the opportunity to spend a weekend in Atlantic City, NJ to attend the Boardwalk Block Party Volleyball Tournament. It was nice to see that there are so many attractions for kids, adults and the whole family. I’ll try to be brief, smile.
 
Entertaining SHOWTIME: They have show’s booked until 2020 and the list of performers is so diverse, including entertainers to please everyone. You can go to a live show daily if you want. This is just a short list; Frankie Beverly and Maze, The Temptations and The Four Tops, Kenny Chesney, Tony Orlando, Brooks and Dunn, The Australian Bee Gees, Chaka Khan, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Miranda Lambert, Aerosmith, Rob Thomas, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Disco Live, Fleetwood Mac, well you get it or I would keep adding names to this already amazing list.
 
Beach-Boardwalk-Pier: Nothing is more entertaining thank strolling down any boardwalk and the Atlantic City boardwalk will not disappoint. I loved the water view, hotels, people, the gigantic Ferris Wheel with breathless views, etc.
 
Dinning: You will have a problem trying to decide where to go for dinner. There are tons of restaurants, the question is, what’s your pleasure? Italian, German, Latino, well, you get it.
 
Camping: Believe it or not, yes, there are camp grounds available if you wish to go camping. Also, RV sites for those of you who love to camp more protected, smile.
 
Lodging: Oh, and don’t forget Hotels. We stayed at the Sheraton. The service and facilities where simply outstanding. It was also attached to the Convention Center, therefore, no driving needed to attend the whole weekend tournament. The location was perfectly close to the boardwalk, beach, restaurants and the such. This is my prefer camping option, smile.
 
Shopping: Well, I guess I’ll stop here. You want to buy something, fine, they have a zillion stores to choose. They also have a Tangier Mall where you can purchase more high end brand stuff for less.
 
Golf: And for those of us who love to play and enjoy some quiet, relaxing quality time surrounded by nature, there are also golf courses available.
 
Next time you want to spend a weekend away from home with multiple options for attractions, restaurants, kids, teen, parent’s activities, etc., visit Atlantic City, you will not regret it.

Washington, D.C. is also home of other non-monument attractions as well as what I call the national monuments’ cousins; the Smithsonian Institution. The list of these museums is amazing. Not only they are FREE of charge, but you can spend a whole day browsing through halls and halls of amazing stuff. If you get hungry, they have their own cafeterias and prices are very reasonable.
 
If you have the opportunity to come to Washington, D.C. to enjoy our nation’s capital, especially in the fall when is less crowded, plan to set aside enough time to visit some of these landmarks. Remember, they are free and will provide you and your family an experience of a life time.
  
​Cover Photo: National Museum of African American History and Culture.