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Pirate Tales and Coastal Trails: Exploring Fort Lauderdale’s Pirate History

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pirate ship cruise

For many vacationers, Fort Lauderdale is a place they simply pass through en route to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The combination airport and cruise ship terminal certainly have plenty of people coming and going, but the city itself is a travel destination you should consider visiting by itself or just sticking around for a few days. Year-round warm weather is one reason, but pirate stories and history are another.

Where does ‘X’ mark the spot? 

When you think of pirates, you probably think more about the Caribbean. While they were certainly prevalent there, you can also discover East Coast pirate history around Fort Lauderdale. Pirates are simultaneously shrouded in mystery but also steeped in known historical facts. The fun is learning the legends and deciding for yourself what’s true, made up, or just exaggerated.

Florida has more coastline than any other counterpart in the continental United States, with beaches bordering the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico. St. Augustine is home to a pirate and treasure museum stocked with artifacts and exhibits, including Blackbeard’s blunderbuss, an authentic pirate treasure chest, and an original Jolly Roger flag.

Pirate Pioneers of the Past

The history of pirates in Florida includes many names that you might have heard or are familiar with. Learning more about them in the region of the world where they sailed, terrorized, and plundered can be a lot of fun. Specific pirates to make an impact on Florida history included Sir Francis Drake, Harry Jennings, and Robert Searles.

Legend has it that Drake’s impressive navigational skills let him sail the seven seas all over the planet. He earned the moniker “Sea Dragon” while en route to England when he made a pitstop at a military outpost on modern-day Anastasia Island. Drake destroyed the fort, burned buildings, and looted money and supplies before fleeing.

Henry Jennings got wind of rumors about a fleet carrying Spanish treasures in 1716. A hurricane crashed them close to Port St. Lucie, and silver, gold, and jewels dropped into shallow waters. While shipwreck survivors were trying to gather what treasure they could, Jennings sailed in from Jamaica and attacked. This began what many consider the Golden Age of Piracy, and pirates such as Calico Jack and Blackbeard gained notoriety for their exploits.

Robert Searles captured a ship near Cuba that was supposed to deliver flour to St. Augustine, and this let him sneak into the harbor and attack the city by surprise. They killed a quarter of the city’s populace, and many others were taken hostage or captive only to be freed or sold for seriously high ransom. Spain’s trade route between Europe and Cuba was compromised to the point that the Castillo de San Marcos fort was built in 1565. The Coquina Fort is one of the continent’s oldest forts, and you can visit it today.

Modern-Day Pirates 

Pirate culture permeates the area to this day. The Fort Lauderdale Pirate Festival is an annual event that includes competitions for the best rum drinks, pet pirate costume contests, and paddle boarders racing on the New River. Florida pirate festivals and stories celebrate the history of pirates looking to plunder gold and treasure from galleons sailing from to Europe from the Caribbean and Central America. Fort Lauderdale has pirate festivals most months of the year.

You can explore Fort Lauderdale’s pirate past on its own, or through organized activities. Treat your kids to a pirate birthday party, or take them on a children’s pirate ship cruise. BYOB adult cruises are a chance to relax, party, and learn local history, or you can just go on a pirate tour to savor the educational experience for yourself.

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Travel

5 Awesome Reasons to Take a Trip to Florida

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Aerial view of South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida. USA

Do you deserve a break away from the strains of life?

Then you need to take a trip to Florida!

In 2019, The Sunshine State welcomed over 131 million people through its borders. And with the pandemic coming to an end, it’s predicted that Florida will return to these numbers in 2022.

But what makes so many people visit this part of our great nation? And why should you start planning a Florida vacation?

Continue reading until the end to find out!

1. City Breaks

Florida is home to around 400 cities. The cities range from bustling metropolises to small charming environments. So there is one here that will suit you perfectly.

Jacksonville is the largest and most populous city in the region.

Miami and Orlando are the most visited by tourists. Both cities have a vibrant downtown area and are lined with palm trees and highrise buildings.

If you want a quiet escape, Mount Dora is for you. The charming town is known for its cozy stores, local festivals, and history museums.

2. Florida Beaches

With Florida’s location and 1,350 miles of coastline, it’s no wonder the state is famous for its sandy beaches.

There are countless beaches dotted up and down the state. Each one offers you something different.

South Beach offers a carnival atmosphere and a place to cool off after exploring the city. Others are more secluded, hidden in parks or woodlands.

Because of Florida’s humid subtropical climate, you can enjoy beaches all year round!

3. Theme Parks

Florida is home to one of the highest concentrations of theme parks in the world. There are hundreds of parks in the region. Some are unheard of, while others are famous around the planet.

It’s also home to ten major theme parks. You can find four Disney parks, Universal Studios, Legoland, and much more!

The best thing about the parks here is that there’s something for everyone. Thrill-seekers will enjoy Iron Gwazi, the largest coaster in the state, with a 206-foot drop. Younger kids can enjoy parks such as Peppa Pig Land or SeaWorld.

4. Explore the Outdoors

There are 11 national parks in Florida. It would be a shame not to take advantage of exploring the region’s beautiful outdoors.

The Everglades isn’t just one of the best things to do in Florida, but one of the best things to do in North America! While you’re here, you can rent a boat, hike, birdwatch, and go fishing. You can even sleep under the stars at one of two campsites here.

Even though there are popular sites here, there are plenty of parks that are off the beaten path. And the best part is that most have no entry fee!

5. The Upbeat Nightlife

Are you looking for a vodka-fueled night that spills into the early hours of the morning? What about a quiet night sipping a cocktail by the beach? Or maybe something in between both nights?

Well, whatever you’re looking for, Florida offers a night to suit any preference.

Orlando is becoming a favorite nightlife spot for locals and tourists. The city is constantly adding new and exciting bars and restaurants to the streets. Most notably, this downtown courtyard!

Take a Trip to Florida

Now you know why you should take a trip to Florida, but do you still think you deserve a break from the strains of life?

If so, it’s time for the fun part. To pack a bag and start planning a trip down south!

You can find out the best Florida activities and more information on the region in our free travel blog.

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What You’ll Need To Consider When Traveling Frequently For Work

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Traveling for work is a staple of a number of careers for so many professionals. Some travel regionally while others seem to be in a different country every month of the year. The pandemic derailed so many business conferences and thwarted so many meetings. Zoom took over which has now become the new normal for so many companies. There are still some individuals, companies, and cultures that value a physical meeting far more than a virtual one. Thriving when traveling for work can provide job security and a number of other benefits. Below will delve into what to consider when traveling very frequently for work. 

You Might Need Help Around Your Home 

Traveling for work can lead your home to fall into disrepair over time. Maintenance might be impossible to handle due to being out of the home for weeks at a time. Hiring landscaping professionals is recommended as this will allow your home to look occupied even when you are traveling. There is even weed control mulch that can be put down to help reduce the amount of maintenance that needs to be done. Smarthome improvements can help you save energy if you find you left something on after leaving for a trip. 

Try To Put An Emphasis On Your Health

Traveling can be tough on your health as it can be difficult to get into a routine. You might feel like you are living out of a suitcase so routine is of paramount importance. Hitting the gym regularly is not as difficult as you might think as there are national chain gyms with plans for frequent travelers. Eating in a healthy manner is also important as you don’t want to gain weight after each trip. Delivery food options are far more healthy than in the past rather than relying on pizza and fast food. 

Maximize Your Productivity While Traveling

You can get a solid amount of work done on a flight along with the time spent waiting in the airport. This can help reduce the amount of time that you have to work when you get to your destination. Keeping up with office work can be so important as it shows you can thrive while traveling simultaneously while keeping up with regular work requirements. 

Enjoy Your Time Regardless Of Where You Are Traveling

Scheduling a nice dinner or seeing a show in a large city can be so enjoyable. You might be swamped during the day but the nights are yours on certain days. Client entertainment can even be a blast although you are not going to personally like all clients or companies/individuals you are pitching. Getting to know new cities can be such a blast especially if you enjoy learning new things. 

Business trips can create great memories if you manage them appropriately. Use the time alone to improve yourself and visit with friends/family when visiting their city. You’d be surprised as to how much a physical visit can mean and do for various types of relationships.

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Budget Friendly Travel Tips

We all want to travel the globe but how can we when travel is so expensive?  Here are some easy and simple tips to traveling on a budget and getting the most out of your vacation.

 

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We all want to travel the globe but how can we when travel is so expensive?  Simple, travel with budget in mind and you can stretch your dollar to the max. Here are some easy and simple tips to traveling on a budget and getting the most out of your vacation.

 

Learn about currency

When traveling to foreign lands, the currency conversion can really screw people over, especially if you don’t know what stuff should cost. Knowing what normal stuff costs like taxi fares and groceries will save you money and frustration. But mainly it will keep you from getting ripped off, which is very common. Travelers often have no idea how much a cab ride from the airport to a resort should cost so they usually over pay.

 

Luggage scale

A luggage scale is a cheap buy that can save you huge in baggage fees. If you are anything like my wife and constantly over pack, you need a luggage scale. You could just learn to pack light but we all know that’s crazy talk.

 

Prepare your own food

Eating out every meal really adds up and can make a cheap vacation turn into a budget buster quickly. When I travel I tend to eat out only a few times and make lunches and breakfast on the go. This will save you major bucks and make the meals you eat out much more special.

  

Bring water filter

A good water filter can save you money and keep you from getting sick. Water isn’t always the same everywhere you go. In many third world countries the water isn’t as clean as more developed countries, so you may get sick drinking the water.

Buy a nice water filter and a refillable water bottle to save you big bucks and keep you from spending the entire trip on the toilet.

 

Comfy walking shoes

Choosing the right shoes for your trip is essential, so make sure they are comfortable and suitable for the terrain you will be walking on. Basically don’t pack flip-flops if you are going to a cold area or don’t pack high heels if you are going to the jungle.   Walking will not only allow you to see more of the area you are traveling but it can save you money on taxis.

Bring food

Airports allow you to travel with food so pack a lunch, some snacks and keep your wallet in your pocket. I’ll bring plenty of snacks in my carry-on because food at airports is ridiculously overpriced. I’m not telling you to bring your entire pantry full of food but instead just bring some snacks and maybe a sandwich.

  

Check fine print

Always check the fine print especially with airlines and hotels, they will try and sneak charges past you. If you want to save big bucks on your trip, make sure you aren’t getting screwed in the process.

 

Cheaper accommodations

Hotels and resorts are quite expensive so maybe look for alternatives to the standard hotel room. Websites like AirBnb.com and Couchsurfing.com have made travel much more affordable. Hostels are also great ways to save money. Think about it, you don’t go on vacation to spend time in your room, all I need is a nice bed and a shower and I’m a happy camper.

 

Alternative modes of transportation

Airplanes aren’t the only way to travel and usually are much more expensive over alternatives. Trains, busses and boats are often cheaper and more of an adventure so find your alternatives to airplanes.

 

Flexible with flights

Be flexible with your travel schedule and your flights won’t be so expensive.   Certain days are cheaper to fly than others so figure that out and save mucho dinero.

 

Chose a budget friendly destination

Paris is expensive so instead maybe check out Croatia, both cool destinations but one will break your budget while the other is budget friendly.

 

Travel for cheap isn’t as hard as it used to be, so get out there and find your adventure on your budget.

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