Sunshine Slate

[Boston, MA] Tired of waiting in line? There may be a solution. Want to pay less? Even better. Travel industry innovator Smart Destinations has announced the release of the Go Select Pass app. With this smartphone app, both residents and travelers to Orlando and Miami can “custom build” discount attraction passes and tour packages while [...]

[Miami, FL] Think those TSA guys are a little too handsy? Try crossing the border. On Monday, U.S. Customs Officer Paulo Morales, 47, was arrested for allegedly groping the breasts of women who were in custody back in January 2011 at the Miami International Airport. Maybe he thought the women were trying to smuggle in [...]

[Orlando, FL] Orlando may be the first location a would-be traveler thinks of when planning a trip to the Sunshine State. But you should know that there is a vast variety of other satisfyingly sunny family vacation spots in Florida worthy of consideration. Below are a few ideas for the traveler to think about when [...]

[Naples, FL] People stay at The Ritz-Carlton because they offer the ultimate in customer service. Now, for a limited time at Ritz -Carltons across Florida, the high-end hotel chain is also offering use of the ultimate driving machine at no additional charge. That’s right, guests who stay at one of the The Ritz-Carlton resorts in [...]

[Tampa, FL] The Tampa Tribune has obtained a state report that contradicts much of what Gov. Rick Scott said were his reasons for saying no to federal funds earmarked for a high-speed rail route that would have run between Tampa and Orlando. According to the story, two separate firms hired by the state to analyze [...]

[Tallahassee, FL] There’s good news out of Tallahassee when it comes to the amount of traffic-accident deaths on our state’s roadways. Last year, 2,373 people died in traffic crashes on Florida roads according to a report issued Wednesday by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), not good news for sure. But [...]

[Miami, FL] One of the most expensive and complex transportation projects currently under construction in South Florida will be finished this year: the Metrorail extension to Miami International Airport. The new line of the elevated train, from Earlington Heights Station to a new public transportation center under construction just east of the airport, will be [...]

[Tallahassee, FL] The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently completed thorough inspections of the Tallahassee Regional Airport and both agencies gave the facility the “highest possible acclaim,” according to airport officials. “Special thanks go to our very capable operations and maintenance staff who assisted in preparations for these inspections [...]

[Fort Lauderdale, FL] Ever feel that your life is in danger when you are behind the wheel on the streets of Florida? You are not alone, especially if you live in Fort Lauderdale, according to a CNBC analysis of traffic fatality statistics from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data. Sadly, four Florida cities were in [...]

[Fiesta Key, FL] A Merritt Island man on a fishing trip is dead after trying out an unknown bricked substance that he and his brother found floating of the coast of Middle Keys. On Wednesday, Thomas Swindal, 53, and his brother Kenneth Swindal discovered what they thought to possibly be a kilo of cocaine as [...]

[Miami, FL] The Wright Brothers would be so ashamed. Two brothers were arrested after one threatened to have the pilot killed before allegedly punching him in the face. The man also punched a flight attendant in the shoulder, according to sources. The incident took place aboard an American Airlines flight that was grounded at Miami [...]

[Key West, FL] Now there is another reason to go to Key West – jet packs. That’s right, you can soar above the water in a jet pack, just like James Bond. Call it a license to thrill. Jetpack Adventures, based out of the Galleon Resort & Marina, is the first company in the nation [...]

[Washington D.C.] According to the 21st annual beach water quality report released today by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), storm water runoff and overflowing sewage systems continue to pollute the beaches of America. Yuck. And thanks to the BP oil spill, Florida got the brunt of it this time around. The report notes that [...]

CNN reports on the rash of jellyfish bites along Florida’s Atlantic-side beaches: More than 1,600 people within a 10-mile stretch of central Florida’s Atlantic beaches have been stung in the past week by a distinctive species of jellyfish not indigenous to North America, a rescue official said Tuesday. Brevard County Ocean Rescue officials said they [...]

With a majority of Florida surrounded by water, it could be said that the state is one giant beach. But besides being grossly inaccurate, it would also be unfair, as certain parts of the coastline – and in particular many of the stand-out beaches – easily rise to the top of a very long list [...]

Preliminary estimates released May 17 by VISIT FLORIDA (the all-caps official tourism marketing corporation for the State of Florida) show an estimated 23.3 million travelers visited the Sunshine State during the first quarter (Q1, Jan.-March) of 2011. That’s an increase of 3.3% from Q1 2010. Preliminary estimates are issued 45 days after the end of [...]

Good news out of Orlando International Airport (MCO to you fly boys and girls): traffic increased for the first quarter of 2011, with approximately 342,000 more passengers made their way through the facility compared to the same period last year. While both domestic and international numbers were up, international traffic only showed “modest gains” due [...]