Craving Adventure? Check Out These National Parks in South Florida

April 28, 2015 by portofino

Southern Florida is home to some of the few tropical national parks in the country. Travel to one or both of these neighboring areas to enjoy all the beauty they have to offer.

Big Cypress National Preserve
Big Cypress National Preserve lies 45 miles west of Miami and neighbors the Florida Everglades. This tropical national preserve is home to the Big Cypress Swamp, a truly unique natural environment. Take an airboat tour through the trails of the swamp to spot unique vegetation and wildlife, or go off-roading on an airboat of your own. If you prefer something a bit more relaxing, the preserve also offers a wide variety of traditional park activities like camping, hiking, and canoeing.

Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park accounts for 20% of the Florida Everglades. It was the first national park established to protect a complex ecosystem, and it's home to many endangered species like the manatee and the Florida panther. Visit the park year-round to enjoy activities like canoeing, fishing, and hiking, or spot an alligator along one of the airboat tours. The park, which is the third largest in the contiguous US, offers a wide array of activities that are suitable to nearly anyone.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Christopher Michel

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: National Parks, Travel, Trip Ideas, Vacation

Unplug and Unwind at These National Parks in South Florida

March 24, 2015 by portofino

Everything is more fun in the sun, which makes these two national parks in Florida excellent travel destinations. One of them comprises seven small islands far off the coast, while the other protects a delicate ecosystem and provides a variety of leisurely activities.

Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park lies approximately 70 miles off the coast of Key West. It consists of seven small islands and the clear blue waters surrounding them. The park's main attraction is Fort Jefferson, which is the largest masonry structure in the Americas. Dry Tortugas is only accessible by boat and plane, but offers a wide variety of activities like camping, canoeing, and guided tours. You can also take guided fishing or snorkeling trips from one of the local vendors.

Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park is the third largest National Park in the contiguous United States. It is located in southern Florida and was the first national park to protect an ecosystem, rather than to preserve geographic features. Guests can look for some of the endangered wildlife like alligators and Florida panthers while on an airboat tour, or take part in traditional activities like camping, fishing, and hiking.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/L'eau Bleue

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: National Parks, Travel, Trip Ideas, Vacation

3 Tips for a Perfectly Packed Suitcase

August 26, 2014 by portofino

We’ve all been there before: You go to pack for an upcoming trip and quickly realize that your belongings far exceed the space in your suitcase. Whether you’re trying to conserve space in the car or you don’t want to pay the outrageous airport baggage fees, there are a number of benefits to using a smaller suitcase. Here are a few tips to help you pack like a pro.

Roll it up. By folding each article of clothing in half and then tightly rolling it like a burrito, you can dramatically save space in that overcrowded suitcase. Even better, the rolling technique ensures that your clothes will stay wrinkle-free until you unpack them at your destination.
Check the weather. Don’t fill your suitcase with bulky sweaters if you don’t have to. Checking the weather at your destination ensures that you’re prepared for anything, and it means that you won’t pack unnecessary things that you don’t wear. If possible, wear your bulkier clothing items on the plane.
When in doubt, shrink wrap. If you’re going on a long trip where you simply can’t afford to leave things out, investing in space bags that vacuum your clothes together is a great option. These bags are available at most home goods stores, and many cost less than $20.

How to Pack a Suitcase [Travel and Leisure]
5 Ways to Pack Your Suitcase Way More Efficiently [Gizmodo]
Pack Your Suitcase as Efficiently as a Flight Attendant [Lifehacker]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/pedrosimoes7

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: DIY, Packing, Travel, Vacations

Combat Jet Lag With These 3 Simple Tips

May 27, 2014 by portofino

An unfortunate side effect of travel, jet lag can easily suck the fun out of the first few days in a new time zone. Whether you're planning on traveling to a new city for business or pleasure, these three tips will help expedite your acclimation.

1. Ease your body into the time zone of the city you'll be visiting.
Take a week or so before your departure to incrementally shift your sleep schedule so that upon arriving in your destination, your circadian rhythm is already in sync. Go to bed earlier for an eastward trip, later for a westward trip. If you'll be traversing multiple time zones, you may want to consider breaking up your travel into smaller flights.

2. Get outdoors.
Staying inside only worsens jet lag. Being exposed to sunlight will help stimulate a correction of your biological clock. Try taking a short walk to clear your head.

3. Stay hydrated.
Once you're in the air, drink eight ounces of water per hour. This will help curtail the dehydrating effects of cabin air. You may be tempted to reach for a cocktail, but be forewarned that alcohol worses jet lag. Avoid caffeine, as well, as it acts as a stimulant and may prevent restful sleep.

Jet Lag [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]
Jet Lag and Sleep [National Sleep Foundation]
Avoid Jet Lag with our Top 10 Tips [Fodors]