There is so much to do in Orlando, which is why so many families make it their vacation destination. Orlando is home to every theme park, water park, and shopping center you could ever want, but it lacks one thing - the beach! Luckily there are plenty of coastal destinations within an hour or two of Orlando. Cocoa Beach is one of the best budget day trips from Orlando.

Sanibel Island has been at the top of my Florida Bucket List since our family moved here almost 4 years ago. The laid back island culture and abundance of sea shells called to me. I had also heard that the island was free from chain restaurants and high rises, working hard to maintain the unspoiled views and ecosystems in the area.

Daytona Beach has a reputation for being a spring break Mecca for college students, but the city has recently been ramping up its efforts to become known as a family-friendly destination. There are actually a ton of activities to do with kids in Daytona Beach, including quite a few free and cheap ones!

I hate to use this cliche, but Flagler Beach really is a hidden gem of a beach town. With its cinnamon-colored sand, laid back vibes, and seriously delicious restaurants, this beach should, by all rights, be an incredibly popular destination with families. The truth is, though, that Flagler Beach often gets overlooked as a vacation spot because it’s surrounded by St. Augustine and Daytona Beach, two very famous Florida cities which attract many visitors.

I’ve dreamed of visiting the Florida Keys ever since our family moved to Florida. I’m not sure if it was the island culture that drew me in, or just a desire to visit the most remote part of our state, but either way I knew I had to go.

I’ve just completed my first year as a freelance travel writer for TravelPulse, and it’s been one of the most exciting years of my life. Though I would still consider myself a novice, and am not nearly as experienced or qualified as journalists who travel for a living, I have really enjoyed the opportunity to combine two of my biggest passions: writing and traveling.

I got the chance to go on my first real press trip for TravelPulse in August of this year (2018), and it was to RIO DE JANEIRO. Yes, my very first press trip was to one of my bucket list destinations. Did I almost cry when I found out? Yes. Was it everything I dreamed it would be and more? Yes.

First of all, I definitely was NOT disappointed by Santa Barbara, even though my expectations were sky-high. What’s the opposite of disappointed? Impressed? In love? Dazzled? Yes, I was dazzled by Santa Barbara.

Before this summer, all I really knew about Atlanta was that it was the worst traffic to drive through on our way from Florida to Wisconsin (or vice versa). 

But all that changed when I had a chance to visit Georgia's capital with my kids. My extended family was vacationing in the mountains of northern Georgia for a week of togetherness and relaxation, and one of my 5 sisters was flying into Atlanta a few days into the trip. We decided to make a day of it when we went to pick her up.

My family lives on the east coast of Florida, so we are no stranger to beaches, palm trees, and warm weather. But driving across the state to visit Sarasota felt like the perfect tropical getaway with my two youngest. My boys are 2 and 13 months, so I'm always on the lookout for kid-friendly locations whenever I travel, and Sarasota was bursting at the seams!