Sunday, May 15, 2011

Amway Arena Offers More Than Basketball

The Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida is by far the best athletic complex in the United States.  However, surprisingly, it is also a state of the art entertainment complex.  This arena surpassed all of my expectations with its design and the multi-purpose use.  From basketball (Go Magic!), to concerts, to hosting corporate events--this arena does it all in style!  Orlando could not have gotten a better entertainment complex to complement the growth in downtown and industry.

The design of the Amway is amazing.  The seating in the Amway allows for even the upper level seats to have great views of the court. Not only are there great views inside, but outside as well.  The Amway has two outside pavilions that are open to fans on game nights before and after the game.  With great weather, a beautiful skyline, you can have a happy hour with friends before actually going in to the game, which makes your ticket a two for one deal.  The upstairs lounge is named the Grey Goose Lounge and has a full service bar and DJ to keep the electric atmosphere going on after the game has ended. 

The Amway also has several eating areas with views of the game, where patrons can eat various types of food and enjoy a drink, all while watching the game live or looking at one of the many flat screens for viewing pleasure.  The Magic Team has also taken the liberty to entertain fans from beginning to end with bands and vendors prior to entry and a team of hype people to keep the fans involved throughout the game, not to mention Stuff, the Mascot.

Tickets to the Magic are no longer just to see a basketball game (Go Magic!), but the Amway offers an experience.  One can begin the night enjoying the terrace outside, have dinner while watching the game, and end the night enjoying the sounds of house, hip-hop, and rhythmic notes in the Grey Goose Lounge.  In plain terms, the Amway is awesome!!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Great Places to Eat in the Orlando Area

There are a few things that I like to do and one of those things is--EAT!!  There are quite a few restaurants in the Orlando area that I will recommend highly to those that are visiting.  If you can manage to find them and stop by, it will be worth going a little out of the way and into the city.

CAPITAL GRILLE, Orlando, International Drive--I love Capital Grille.  The food is so elegant and delectable, especially the vanilla bean creme brulee.  I am a dessert girl!  The steaks are also good, especially the filet mignon.  Not only is the food good, but the service takes the cake.  Capital Grille is one of those places where I like to celebrate an occasion or just enjoy a great meal!  It is definitely a great place to have a great dinner.

HILLSTONE (formerly Houstons), Winter Park--Just outside of Orlando, Hillsides is a great place to start out your evening or spend your evening.  When the weather is perfect, the patio is a simply breathtaking as it sits on a private lake and seems to transport you out of the city.  The food is equally impressive as the view.  My favorites are the smoked salmon appetizer, the Saturday Chili, and the beef au jus (this sandwich is to die for!).  My suggestion is to ensure you make a reservation, but if not, enjoy a drink at the bar while you wait.

KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE, Orlando, Kirkman Road (not too far from Universal Studios)--This restaurant combines entertainment and great food into one, all for a great price.  Not only is it a great price, but it is a lot of food!  For approximately $30.00, patrons receive soup, salad, hibachi prepared vegetables, fried rice, noodles, and a selection of hibachi prepared meat.  The chefs are entertaining as they prepare your meal right in front of you and it is simply delicious.  This is definitely a great place for a family vacationing at Universal Studios and wanting to enjoy a great meal!

If you eat at one of these places, you are guaranteed to have a great meal and a great experience.  I frequent all of these restaurants and have not had a negative experience as of yet.  Capital Grille is the place to have some great couple time, Hillstone is a great place to really see Orlando outside of the tourists area, and Kobe Japanese Steakhouse is recommended for some family fun.  Bon Appetite!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Le Reve Surpasses Expectations

If you are vacationing in Las Vegas, Le Reve is a show that is worth seeing.  Housed at the Wynn Hotel, Le Reve is the timeless tale of two lovers, one of that has to decide if she wants to move forward with her paramour.  The artistry and aquatic athleticism takes this theatrical phenomena to new levels. The aerial acrobatics are also amazing and thrilling all at the same time. 

The pricing is comparable to other shows in Las Vegas but it was a great value for the level of entertainment. There are three price points and it is suggested that the higher up you are in the stadium the better you can see all that is around you.  This theatrical presentation is more than a love story, but it takes you into a fanatasy dreamworld of the imagination of the main character and the confusion and turmoil she feels when deciding to say "yes or no" to her lovers proposal.   The musical interpretation of this story is absolutely the perfect complement to the visual interpretation.  The vocalists and musicians act as dreamweavers and emote through the sounds and lyrics creating a beautiful tapestry that the audience can not only follow but feel.

If you are looking for a show that will provide the classic love tale with a an amazing and thrilling modern interpretation, Le Reve perfectly fits the bill and is recommended for theatre lovers of all ages. 

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Spring Break in Orlando, Florida

They don't call Florida "The Sunshine State" for nothing.  What better place to visit on your spring break or your upcoming family vacation than sunny Orlando, Florida.  Orlando is home to some of the most popular theme parks and beaches in the world.

The beaches that are close to Orlando are within driving distance in either direction.  The world's most famous beach, Daytona Beach, is just 30 minutes east of Orlando.  There is also New Smyrna Beach, Cocoa Beach, Flagler Beaches, and many other well-kept but unknown beaches on the Atlantic.  There are also pristine beaches on the Gulf Coast of Florida as well, including Clearwater Beach, Sarasota Beach, and many others.  If you are a water baby and love the beach then spring break in Florida will meet all of your expectations.

Not only are the beaches just a stones throw away from Orlando, but the most thrilling theme parks and rides are right in the backyard.  Catering to children of all ages, Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, Sea World, and all of the other attractions are designed to keep your adrenaline flowing and to immerse you in the world of animation and movies.  If your vacation is filled with all that these theme parks have to offer it will be a vacation to remember.

Consider Spring Break in Orlando, Florida this year. There are great travel deals and packages available at various sites. 

Friday, March 18, 2011

Spring Break in Las Vegas

Spring break 2011 is already upon us and it is time to relax and have some fun.  No better way to do it than to travel to hotspots around the globe at one destination--Vegas!!  Las Vegas is filled with activites to meet any budget and economic level.  If you are feeling the crunch of this economic recession, do not let it prevent you from visiting Vegas because there are alot of budget friendly things to do.  For example, if you want to gamble on a budget, all of the casinos offer one cent slot machines and nickel slot machines and you can still partake in the free drinks that are offered when you gamble. 

Not only, are there budget friendly casinos, but hotels as well.  Many of the local hotels have great deals right now rates.  You do not have to sacrifice quality for price.  New York New York Hotel has rates beginning at $51.00 per night and MGM Grand has rates beginning at $70.00 per night.  There are also internet sites like traveldealspotter.com(currently under construction) and expedia.com and others that offer packages at discounted rates for hotel and flight.  A little research can make your luxurious Vegas vacation extremely affordable!

Spring Break 2011in Las Vegas can provide clubs, parties, casinos, Vegas shows, and 24 hour entertainment!  If you are looking to have a great time, consider Las Vegas for your spring break 2011.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour is a Must When in Las Vegas

The weather is beautiful and perfect for what else—a helicopter ride.  There is no better way to see the splendor of the Grand Canyon than by a helicopter tour by Papillon Helicopter Tours in Las Vegas, NV.  The Grand Canyon truly is “grand” in nature, but being able to see its greatness up close brings a whole new perspective.
The helicopter tour begins with a bus ride from Las Vegas (pick up from your hotel of choice) to the airport located outside of Las Vegas.  The bus ride is long (about 45 minutes); however, the nice, plush, leather seats make it a more than a comfortable ride.  The excitement of seeing the Grand Canyon from a bird’s eye view makes the anticipation almost intolerable.  Upon arrival, guests should utilize the restrooms because there are no facilities once you leave the airport and the total time from departure and return is approximately one hour and a half.
The views from the helicopter are simply breathtaking.  The desert shows her beauty and complexity by exhibiting desert, grasslands, and snow capped mountains, while views of the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead are equally impressive.  From the sky, the pilot provides an excellent narration of the history of the area including the building of the Hoover Dam, the ownership of the Grand Canyon, and local history of the gold mining industry.
Once in the Grand Canyon, a champagne picnic lunch tops off a picturesque backdrop of the Canyon and its maker the Colorado River.  Millions of years of creation are right at your feet and you cannot help but inhale the wonder of the Grand Canyon and the simple complexity of life.  The value of the trip exceeds the cost with each blink of the eye.
Papillon Helicopter Tours provides an exciting alternative to an all day bus tour to the Grand Canyon.  If you have 3 or 4 days in Las Vegas, you do not have to sacrifice the Canyon because the helicopter tour takes up half a day, at the most five and a half hours.  You can go see the Canyon and be back on the strip for dinner and a show without skipping a beat.  This is highly recommended for any visit to Las Vegas.