Location is very important to your plans so you need to ensure you have chosen the right area to be able to get to everything you want to see and do. If you are visiting the main theme parks then you’ll need to stay in Kissimmee which is the closest destination for vacation rentals in the Disney, Sea World and Universal Orlando areas.

If you are planning to visit for some of the great shopping or fabulous dining then you’ll need to be close to Interstate 4 which allows for fast and quick travelling from the Kissimmee area to the Florida Mall, Mall of Millennia, Dr. Phillips and Winter Park areas. So let’s now break the accommodation choices into three areas: Condo’s, Apartment / Townhouse and Vacation Homes

Condo’s are typically 400 to 800 sq. ft in size and are typically made up of a small living area, a bedroom and a tiny kitchen. Usually your condo will be mixed in with many other units of a similar nature and for some people that can be very overwhelming. Condo’s are usually the cheaper way to go if you are on a really tight budget but peace, quiet and a tranquil environment can be sacrificed.

Apartment’s, otherwise known as townhouses, can vary in size but most range from 500 sq ft upwards to 2,000 sq ft for the larger units. Apartments are very similar to condos in as much as they are usually found in three story or higher blocks of buildings and again this can feel overwhelming to those who are used to having plenty of space around them. Again, privacy can be an issue but they do offer a little more space than a condominium unit. Each apartment will have a separate living area, separate medium sized kitchen and separate bedrooms. Most apartments range from one to three bedrooms and are usually moderately priced.

Vacation homes are the way to go if you value space, peace and quiet and the ultimate in luxury. Common myth is that they are expensive but there really are some great deals around and if you enjoy having spacious floor plans of 1500 sq ft upwards to over 4,000 sq ft of space available to you then this is the only way to go. Vacation homes have at least one lounge or living area (some have two or three such areas), large screen TV’s, internet access, full sized kitchen, a laundry, a garage and a private heated swimming pool.

Most vacation homes are also equipped with all modern appliances, home furnishings, DVD/CD players, entertainment centers, video game consoles, screened-in lanais and patios.

Each type of vacation rental property offers amenities that are sure to make your stay in Orlando more pleasurable and you should check each rental community to find out if they have some of the nicer extras such as clubhouse access, hiking and biking trails, communal pools, golf courses, tennis and basketball courts, gyms and shuttle transportation to area theme parks as not all rental communities have what you can find.

While choosing a hotel in Orlando, location of the hotels plays a very important factor. In generally, you should prefer a hotel that is situated close to major attractions of the Orlando city. Being close to both the Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando will be better for you as you will be able to save transfer time; this will allow you to spend more time travelling Orlando attractions.

Choosing a hotel located on International Drive will help you to travel all major Orlando attractions without the stimulation and cost of lengthy travel between theme parks. There are many famous restaurants available along I-Drive. You can also get massive bargains at the different shopping outlets present in the Orlando city.

You can even get all the major Orlando attraction tickets, which are available in the lobby of most of the Orlando hotels. However, you are highly advised to check for availability of all such facilities at the hotel before confirming your booking.

Also, you should regularly check for tariff of the hotels as it continues changing according to the season. You will be able to find much better deals than the normal hotel rates in the off-season. However, you can easily find a hotel that suites your budget near International Drive.

Orlando is the entertainment center of the state of Florida, and it is always better to book your hotel well in advance else you may be disappointed if you wait for last minute. You can even book your choice of Orlando hotel online with a few clicks of your mouse. Remember there are several thousands of hotels in Orlando hotels filled all year round, so book early.

The House of Blues is known for its music but it has a fantastic all-you-can-eat Gospel Sunday Brunch. You eat in an atmosphere that features live gospel music in the huge music hall. Cajun food like spicy shrimp and jambalaya are served along with more common breakfast fare including made-to-order omelets and pastries.

If you are a vegetarian or a vegan, or just interested in trying something new, then a brunch at the Ethos Vegan Kitchen is what you need. They have a Sunday Brunch from 10 AM to 3 PM. This is a place where there’s no meat in the burgers and the steaks, but they taste just fine. There is also nice outdoor seating so you can enjoy the great Florida weather too. If you are interested in trying something different or if you are a true vegetarian then check them out.

One restaurant that is really serious about its Sunday brunch is La Coquina. In fact that is all they do, they are open only on Sunday and serve brunch with a fixed priced menu that includes fresh fruits, meats, and seafood. The cuisine is French inspired and they consistently place high, year after year, in votes for the best brunch spot in Orlando. They have an open kitchen and you can watch the chefs prepare your meal. The restaurant is tucked inside the Grand Cypress Hotel. One word of caution, this is not a cheap restaurant, but if money is not a problem, then try it.

If you want to try a brunch restaurant that has been voted the number one Orlando brunch eatery for the past few years, then visit the Hue Restaurant. This is a downtown location and it is a very stylish place. They call their cuisine “progressive American” and it includes a menu that changes daily. Their brunch menu features steak and eggs, Eggs Benedict, pancakes and lots more.

These are just a few of the restaurants in the greater Orlando area that specialize in making brunch customers feel at home. When you are in Orlando you will also find many others as well, so take your time and enjoy your vacation brunches in style.

Orlando Shopping at Outlet Malls

Outlet malls are known for great deals. The Orlando area is home to several outlet centers. Two are located right on International Drive: The Belz Factory Outlet and Belz Designer Outlet Center. These are very convenient, if you are staying near the theme parks or at one of the resorts. Belz Factory Outlet is the largest outlet center in the United States. The designer outlet has Ralph Lauren, DKNY and many other famous designer names.

There are two other outlet centers in this area. The Orlando Premium Outlet is known for discount merchandise. You will find many good deals here at just about every store. Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores is convenient to Walt Disney World. There are a wide variety of stores in this outlet. You will find something for the whole family here. There is a playground for the kids when they need a break from shopping.

Open Air Shopping

International Drive is home to two large, open air markets. The Mercado has a variety of designer clothing stores. There are several stores selling art work created by local artists. This is also a great place to find distinctive Floridian merchandise, including many offerings reminiscent of the Florida Keys. The cobblestone walk ways give this market a unique feeling.

The Pointe Orlando is a large open air market. There are many choices here not only for shopping, but for dining and evening entertainment. Visit the sixty stores and shop till you drop. When you have finished shopping, enjoy a meal in one of the seven restaurants located in the market. If you are looking for night life, there are two night clubs here as well.

There are two other open air markets in the area: the Church Street and Central Florida Farmer’s Market. You will enjoy browsing in these markets while enjoying the beautiful weather. The Farmer’s Market has fresh produce, locally made crafts and a variety of other merchandise.