Cypress Garden’s Water Ski Show- Winter Haven, Florida
– Photo By Patrice Raplee

By Patrice Raplee

 

Demure southern belles gracefully pose for photographs against colorful blossoms that adorn an effervescent waterfall. Gleeful children emit squeals of delight at the sight of amusement park rides. Visitors watch with rapt attention as water skiers leap and flip through the air to land atop each other in Florida’s amazing Cypress Gardens’ Water Ski Show. 

Central Florida is a favorite destination for visitors that want to experience attraction parks, gardens, dude ranches, exclusive shops and unique special occasion destinations in the sunshine state. The region represents several outstanding counties such as Winter Haven, where Florida’s oldest attraction adventure park, Cypress Gardens, is located.

Cypress Gardens opened in 1936 by founders Dick and Julie Pope. The savvy entrepreneurs were the first in Florida to create a unique attraction park that faced many a challenge in the early years. Today, the park is operated by Land South Adventures and continues to flourish, yet retains the essential elements that make it a popular destination around the world.  

Cypress’ beautiful and mature gardens are a central feature in the park with a multi-hued topiary trail and magnificent botanical gardens. Follow the topiary trail towards the gardens to view impressive sculptured shrubbery animals, such as the peacock and flaming red cardinal. Upon entering the gardens, music flows through the constantly changing horticultural palette of native and exotic, flora and fauna. Large Cypress trees cascading trials of sunlit Spanish moss, a giant Banyan tree and a gorgeous French garden with sparkling waterfall are just a few of the hidden gems in this botanical paradise. Keep watch for the famous and elegantly clad southern belles that appear through out the gardens and park.

The park’s world-famous Water Ski Show, performed on picturesque Lake Eloise, attracts crowds year-round with the best ski performances in the states. Awe-inspiring skiers keep the audience holding their breaths, while they race across the lake, sail into the sky on hang-gliders and stand five-high in gallant human pyramids on skis. The talented performers offer a riveting show with great photo ops!

What adventure park would be complete without exciting rides and an invigorating water park? Cypress’ attraction rides run the gambit from exhilarating high-speed roller coasters to thrill rides, such as the thunderbolt and the more scenic but sedate sunshine sky adventure. The attraction rides are first rate and with the addition of high-tech game rooms with flight simulator and multiple performance shows occurring through the park, visitors won’t want to leave. The Splash Island Water Park is a necessity on hot days and caters to thrill seekers or those who want to drift languidly on a river.

Cypress Gardens offers a bevy of exciting entertainment, shows, games, gift shops and dining options in a beautiful setting with genuinely happy cast members. In fact, the park’s customer satisfaction rating surpasses many other attraction theme parks in the U.S. Plan at least two full days to experience the park and gardens for a fun-filled vacation from your vacation. For additional information, visit www.cypressgardens.com.

Westgate River Ranch – River Ranch, Florida
– Photo By Patrice Raplee

Dude ranches are becoming a popular vacation choice for families and those who want a unique holiday. Westgate River Ranch, located in River Ranch, Florida, is a spectacular inclusive destination that offers visitors a plethora of activities within the setting of a large dude ranch with a small western town nestled in its midst.

The ranch extends over 100,000 acres and its fabulous activities are a huge draw. There are so many adventures and events to choose from that visitors return year-after-year for their vacation. These activities include horseback riding, hayrides, a champion rodeo, golfing, fishing airboat rides, boat and canoe rentals, trap and skeet shooting, petting farm, pony rides, cattle drives, video arcades, a pool, basketball and tennis courts, not to mention bike rentals and several additional fun adventures.

The accommodations vary from wonderful inn rooms to pictorial suites and cottages in attractively landscaped settings, to cottages with complete kitchens. All of the rooms and cottages (screened-in patios) are spacious and modern with excellent décor.

For a funfest, take an airboat ride on Lake Kissimmee. Remember the cool airboat that glided through the everglades in the hit TV show Gentle Ben. This exhilarating ride takes visitors through a scenic and undeveloped wildlife area with an abundance of birds and animals. Great White Herons sail above the reflective lake and alligators lounge at the banks taking in the warmth of the sun, while the strange call of the Sand Hill Crane echoes across the tarn.

Shopping

No matter where you visit, browsing for that unique souvenir, sampling the local fare or finding that perfect antique to take home is part of the vacation experience. In this regard, Central Florida won’t disappoint. Every county features a wide array of tempting shops and boutiques offering local and regional delights.

Davidson of Dundee, located in Dundee, Florida, features delicious hand-made citrus candy and chocolates, preserves and fresh citrus that you can order shipped home. Don’t miss the opportunity of viewing the candy makers cooking up fresh batches of their citrus specialties in copper kettles. For additional information, visit www.davidsonofdundee.com

The Barn, located in Winter Haven, Florida, is a family-run lunch restaurant and an impressive antiques store. The Backporch lunchroom features homemade scrumptious fare served in wooden baskets in a wonderful English country atmosphere. The outdoor setting by the charming pond is perfect for those lovely gourmet sandwiches and desserts. The Stable is the home décor and antiques section with treasures from around the globe (80 percent from Europe) at a very reasonable price! The Barn is a must-visit if you are in Winter Haven and a location you will want to recommend to friends.

Special Occasion Destination

Magnificent and historic Chalet Suzanne, located in Lake Wales, Florida, summons the vision of a romantic dream. Created in the essence of a small and elegant Swiss Bavarian village, this sublime 100-acre estate was created by the Hinshaw family over 70 years ago. Today, the chalet incorporates upscale gourmet cuisine, a gorgeous inn, alluring gift shop, a spa and an airstrip for sizable personal aircraft.

The chalet’s stunning pastel-hued country inn glows softly against the vivid scarlet Florida sunset and flowing fountains. Butterfly gardens surround the meandering brick pathways encircling the inn’s 28 suites; and lovely wrought iron bistro tables grace the lantern-lit courtyards and patios. Layer upon layer of exquisite detail infuses the classic décor of the romantic guestrooms and antiques from around the globe artfully complete the ambience. Amidst this tranquility, a shimmering pool and lake add to the storybook enchantment.

From top celebrities, astronauts, royalty and Prime Ministers, Chalet Suzanne receives an elite reputation as a unique and award-winning inn and restaurant. Guests visiting the chalet dining room for a superlative dining experience are captivated by the beautiful interior décor. Lustered, Near East tiles, delicate floral arrangements, European stained-glass windows, rich, dark woodwork with vaulted ceilings and interior balconies form an enclave of charm and elegance.

Cuisine is a word that seems almost an unworthy nomenclature when addressing Chalet Suzanne’s fare. The six-course evening menu features a culinary artistry of uncommon appetizers and entrees ranging from broiled grapefruit to King Crab Thermidor. The chalet’s country breakfast and lunch are equally a superb affair and require an unhurried attention. After a lengthy dining soirée, inquire about Chalet Suzanne’s famous soups. These delectable soups accompanied the historic Apollo 15 and 16 astronauts and were served on their moon flights. The gourmet soups are prepared and canned on the chalet’s premises and are available for purchase in the restaurant.

If this beguiling Chalet is grand for romance, then imagine a wedding like no other in the world! Brides and grooms who seek the ultimate matrimonial experience plan their weddings at the chalet’s mesmerizing Wedding Gazebo, Swiss Dining Room or the Autograph Garden. The Wedding Garden is perfect for sunset weddings overlooking the majestic lake. In addition, the Autograph Garden features a sunken and verdant array of flora and fauna enclosed by personally autographed tiles by brides and grooms. These precious tiles are permanent and bespeak quite a history of chalet weddings and romantic interludes.

Chalet Suzanne is a place removed from time and exists in an allegory of romance, desire and the definitive pursuit of beauty and tranquility. For additional information, visit www.chaletsuzanne.com.

Accommodations

For a comfortable and central location, try the Best Western Admiral’s Inn & Conference Center, located by Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven. www.bestwesternadmiralsinn.com. 

For a beautiful and upscale hotel with gorgeous décor and perfectly decorated rooms in Lakeland, located by Hollis Gardens, visit the Terrace Hotel. www.terracehotel.com.

For a special occasion inn, located in Lake Wales, Florida, visit Chalet Suzanne. www.chaletsuzanne.com.

Restaurants

For a fabulous upscale Mediterranean restaurant, complete with live piano music and special appearance opera performances, visit the superb Antonio’s Ristorante, located in the Best Western Admiral’s Inn & conference Center on the second floor. www.antonioswinterhaven.com.

The Terrace Hotel, located in Lakeland, by Hollis Gardens is a restaurant you shouldn’t miss. The luscious cuisine is unsurpassed in Lakeland and the gracious interior design is a study in sheer elegance. www.terracehotel.com.