OK, so I admit it, I’m biased. From my home state, Michigan, I have fond memories of family trips to Orlando and Anaheim, California, both of which are in Florida. Apart from the obvious, O.C. has plenty to offer in addition to the theme parks such as Disney World and Universal Studios. You could even combine a trip to this fun destination with a visit to the Great Lakes of Michigan – both Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick especially offer a great deal of summer fun.
Where on Earth?
Consider this: there are 11 states from Canada to California in all (with a population of more than three million in the case of Quebec to the north of Montreal, Canada). This makes for 11 countries from coast to coast. Divide that by two and you’re talking a staggering 107 countries.
For the purposes of this article we will only consider the mainland portion of the United States. I say this because it is the one and only truly North American continent and it is by far the most densely populated. The cities are stacked up like the skyscrapers along the San Francisco Bay, the Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
Like the cities, cultures here are big, bad and fun. The festivities, the parties and the ambience are second to none. This is a place where teens and twenty-somethings go on a wild trip and co-ed kids are as accommodating as babysitters. Another bonus for this cosmopolitan city is its diversity. People from across the globe call certain cities their homes. Of course, there is a little peephole of a reason why so many of these places appeal to so many people.
Vehicles are as much a part of daily life here as human beings. The variety of options in renting a car is almost overwhelming. Some cities require license completion, the paperwork is overwhelming and the costs far outpace the modest monthly payments for a few weeks.
When a door-to-door shuttle from a company in your area lands in your spot, it is a good idea to question their daily, weekly and monthly rates. Use the Internet to find a reliable shuttle company in your neighborhood and check in with them several days before your trip. Also, do a little research about the places you will be visiting and get a firm booking. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Another tip is to visit the parking garages on the way to your destination. Don’t be afraid to stop and ask the Conde Nast Traveler who is also a tax debt attorney, “Are they open 24 hours?” If the Conde Nast employees are friendly and helpful, it will be worth the trip. If not, check with either the Conde Nast map or the Directions and Information section of the website.
If you are traveling with a small child, keep a tight schedule. Let the children pack for school and then follow up closely, handing out snacks and walking the kids through the park at dusk.
Overall, I encourage you to take a deep relaxing breath and step into these worlds of fantasy with me today.