SunStream Travel Blog

Welcome! As employees of SunStream and residents of Southwest Florida, we thought this blog would be an excellent opportunity to share what we love about living here with our guests. Enjoy!

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Posts Tagged ‘Southwest Florida Travel’

Out-of-the-Way, Yet Only Minutes from Everything in Naples

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For information, contact:
Carolyn Masten
SunStream Hotels & Resorts
(239) 765-4111 (office)
@SunStreampr (Twitter)
CarolynM@SunStream.com
www.SunStream.com

PARK SHORE RESORT
Out-of-the-Way, Yet Only Minutes from Everything in Naples.

(NAPLES, FL) – Structure and formality are for the office and perhaps your mother-in-law’s dining room on a holiday weekend. What a relief to vacation at Park Shore Resort, where guests are not instantly assaulted by an artillery of scheduled activities and protocols. Instead, travelers feel an immediate sense of comfort and ease, just like coming home. Except instead of being greeted by household chores, guests are met with a lush tropical oasis, brimming with gorgeous waterfalls, cobblestone walkways and beautiful landscaping. (more…)

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Posted in Press, Resort Amenities, SunStream Hotels & Resorts, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Naples Zoo. Really Wild. Really Close. Really Fun.

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

naples-zoo-at-caribbean-gardens-naples-fl2007History

In 1919, pioneer botanist Dr. Henry Nehrling founded the botanical garden. Respected botanist David Fairchild reflected, “The wildlife is passing. Man is destroying it. Dr. Nehrling loved it and taught thousands to follow his lead.” After Nehrling died, his garden grew wild until Julius Fleischmann restored and expanded it in 1954. Explorers and educators Larry and Nancy Jane Tetzlaff, known as Jungle Larry and Safari Jane, introduced the rare animals in 1969. Larry performed stuntwork in the popular Tarzan films and collected venom during WWII for medicine. Millions gained a new appreciation of the planet’s wonders through their films, TV appearances, and live programs. Today, Naples Zoo continues its mission to delight guests with the natural world and inspire the conservation of our planet’s remaining wild areas and their wondrous inhabitants.

Today

In this tropical setting, guests can take delight at seeing many of their favorite animals like lions, kangaroos and bears. They will also find a botanical collection of exotic plants, mature trees and rare historic tropical gardens. Experience the Zoo’s feature exhibits such as The Fosa: Madagascar’s Legendary Carnivore, Tiger Forest, Leopard Rock, Petrof’s Primate Pavilion, Alligator Bay and African Oasis. And gaze on an array of more rarely seen creatures like African wild dogs or an Asian deer that barks and eats meat. Guests can climb aboard a guided cruise and leisurely observe islands of monkeys, lemurs and apes in their own habitat.

Lions, Tigers and Bears ’09!

2009 marks the 40th anniversary since the Tetzlaff family introduced the wild animals to the historic tropical garden. Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz movie, Naples Zoo is celebrating with Lions, Tigers and Bears ’09! (Oh Nine! Oh My! Cute, huh? Not as cute as the lion cubs, baby porcupine and black bears). See them all during your next visit to Southwest Florida.

The Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is conveniently located at 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road, Naples, FL 34102. ZooLine: 239-262-5409 or on the web at NaplesZoo.org.

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Posted in Day Trips, History & Culture, Outdoor Adventures, Things To Do, Uncategorized | No Comments »

What To Pack For Your Florida Beach Vacation

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

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I’ve been living in Southwest Florida for almost 20 years now (does that make me a native yet?) and have vacationed at the beach most of my life. One of the most frequent questions that people ask while they’re packing and heading off for their Florida vacation is: What on earth should I pack? Here are some practical – and some not-so-common – tips from this beach bum: (more…)

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Posted in Day Trips, Outdoor Adventures, SunStream Hotels & Resorts, Things To Do, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

DiamondHead Beach Resort Adds Romance and Value to Intimate Weddings

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For information, contact:
Treva J. Marshall, TJM Communications, Inc.
(407) 977-5004; treva@tjmcommunications.com

Dipika Joshi, TJM Communications, Inc.
(407) 977-5004; dipika@tjmcommunications.com

DIAMONDHEAD BEACH RESORT
Adds Romance and Value to Intimate Weddings

(FORT MYERS BEACH, FL) – Emerald waves lap gently at the pristine white-sand beach as close friends and family gather for the blissful event. A guitarist strums a choice wedding tune, and the glowing bride, red roses in hand, strolls toward her groom, who waits beneath a picturesque arch. “I do” resonates with meaning against the idyllic seaside backdrop as the couple becomes husband and wife.

DiamondHead Beach Resort provides an enchanting setting by the tranquil Gulf of Mexico for couples who want over-the-top romance on their wedding day – minus a big price tag. The Ruby Wedding Package offered by DiamondHead Beach Resort, a SunStream Hotel & Resort property, presents an intimate fairy-tale wedding for 20 or fewer guests for a $2,100 value.

Couples can book their big day with family and friends between 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., and their wedding package includes:

  • Beach setup of a charming arch and white folding chairs, plus complimentary parking for guests
  • An officiant to perform the wedding ceremony
  • A bouquet of beautiful roses for the bride and boutonniere for the groom
  • A guitarist to play at the ceremony
  • A professional photographer to capture the magical event
  • Choice of two wedding portraits and 12 four-by-six photos plus copy of the photo CD
  • A premium wedding-night beachfront suite for the happy couple, including a bottle of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, his-and-hers plush bathrobes
  • Dinner for two at the resort’s elegant Chloe’s Restaurant (up to $125)

If the guest list grows past 20, DiamondHead Beach Resort offers the perfect value with its Emerald Wedding Package for a minimum of 20 persons. For just $135 per person, the package includes:

  • A beach ceremony with decorated arch and white folding chairs
  • White chair covers and choice of sash
  • A four-hour dinner reception with choice of one entrée, salad, two hors d’oeuvres and champagne toast
  • Choice of reception linen colors and centerpieces
  • Premium wedding-night beachfront suite for the bride and groom
  • Breakfast for the bride and groom the next morning at the hotel’s restaurant, Chloe’s
  • Complete list of local recommended vendors including: churches and notaries, photographers, spa and salon services, DJs and entertainment, wedding cakes and florists

The natural beauty of Fort Myers Beach provides the ideal honeymoon for newlyweds who want to escape to sun, sand and calm waters while staying within their budget. The nearby dynamic Times Square entertainment district heats up for nighttime fun. The signature Esterra Spa & Salon offers couples massages for total pampering and relaxation. Water sport rentals and sightseeing charters offer extra activities. DiamondHead Beach Resort provides first-rate amenities including fitness center, heated pool, outdoor whirlpool spas and beachside dining on fresh-caught seafood and other gourmet treats. And the icing on the wedding cake? Spectacular Gulf sunsets keep lovebirds on a romantic wavelength throughout their stay.

DIAMONDHEAD BEACH RESORT, Fort Myers Beach. DiamondHead Beach Resort, one in SunStream Hotels & Resorts collection of distinctive properties in Southwest Florida, is located at 2000 Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach, Florida. DiamondHead Ballroom and Terrace offers memorable settings for larger weddings of up to 400 guests. For more information on SunStream Hotels & Resorts weddings and romantic vacations, please call 888-865-58 44 or 239-765-7654 or visit DiamondHeadFL.com.

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The Partnership For Florida’s Tourism

Monday, March 30th, 2009
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Tourism has been key in sustaining Florida’s economic livelihood for years, with touristic expenditures generating 19 percent of our total state revenue last year. With state government, businesses and everyday Floridians in clear need of a strong solution to the current economic crisis, tourism is a viable solution that can generate significant dollars – but visitors don’t just show up; it takes experienced marketing to bring them here.

VISIT FLORIDA and Florida’s tourism industry partners have a track record of successfully marketing our state as a prime tourist destination, but now they need your help.

As Florida experiences staggering budget cuts, increasing unemployment rates and an economic recession, we must capitalize on our state’s strongest resources for creating revenue and jobs. The reality is that the global travel business is hugely competitive and Florida’s tourism industry must hang on to its piece of the pie. Just last year, VISIT FLORIDA’s marketing efforts directly attracted 12.5 million visitors – and $9.75 billion in tourism spending to Florida. Losing this resource would be a devastating blow.

As our state faces a budget shortfall this session, lawmakers have the opportunity to view VISIT FLORIDA as part of the budget solution so that we continue to bring visitors to the Sunshine State.

Florida’s tourism industry supports Governor Crist’s recommendation to sustain public funding for VISIT FLORIDA in FY 2009 – 2010. We must continue to invest in tourism marketing to bring visitors to our state and generate additional revenue.

The Florida tourism industry accounts for:

  • $65.5 billion in travel spending
  • $3.9 billion in sales tax collections
  • $513 million in TDC tax collections
  • 991,300 Floridians directly employed in travel related jobs

The Partnership for Florida’s Tourism needs you to visit the Capitol and speak with Legislators about why VISIT FLORIDA and tourism marketing are integral to our state. Share your story – tell how tourism affects your business and your community. Florida lawmakers need to hear from you. To take action, please visit www.FloridasTourismCounts.org.

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