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Tarpon Feeding at Robbies Marina – Florida Keys

One of the Florida Keys most popular attractions, Robbies Marina is a must stop off on your journey on, off or along the keys.

Located in Islamorada Robbie’s is home to the long time world famous opportunity to hand feed Tarpon. Yes hand feed these giant fish weighing over 80lbs  if your brave enough. When you arrive you will have the chance to buy a small bucket of food for a few dollars and then proceed to the jetty’s were should you have the courage, lay down with bait in hand and the Tarpon will leapTarpon Robbies Florida Keys - Travelammo out of the water and take the food straight from your hand. Be warned though, Tarpon have a huge mouth and will happily, if only momentarily, grab your hand also. They soon let go though as they much don’t care for hands as their lunch. Another word of caution, guard that food with your life. The birds although harmless and not to bothersome will do their very best to get fed before the Tarpon do.

Robbies is not just about feeding the Tarpon though. There is a vast array of things on offer to keep you amused for hours and countless return journeys.

After feeding the Tarpon, Grab and Ice cold Beer and relax overlooking the Marina.

There is a small market where vendors sell craft and food items many of which are hand made from materials and skills unique to the keys. Looking for lunch, well there is an onsite informal restaurant where you can grab a ice cold beer and over look the marina.

If you want a little more adventure and get the adrenaline flowing  then Robbie’s can offer this also. Kayaks, Snorkeling, Boat rentals and tours are just some of activities on offer whilst your visiting.

So how do you get there. Well Robbies Marina is located at mile marker 77.5 on the bay side of the highway. The marina itself is actually located on Lower Matecumbe Key and if driving onto the keys from the north is located on the right as soon as you come off the bridge from Islamorada.

For sat navs the address is: 77522 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036

Driving times:

Robbies Marina is  approximately 1hr 45 mins from both Miami and Key West.

Quick Facts:

  • Open from 8am – 8pm year round.
  • Rest facilities available.
  • Free Parking on site.
  • Suitable for all ages.
  • Food and Drink available.
  • Kayaks and boats available for rental.
  • Boatyard Services.
  • Tours and Snorkeling excursions. ( booking advised )

Visit the Robbies site for more details and booking details.

Please mention you heard about Robbies with us when you contact them.

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Everglades Safari Park Sign Florida

Everglades Safari Park – Florida

Airboat Tours, Alligators and the Everglades. These three things are synonymous with Florida and probably on many a visitors to do list. Well, if your looking to tick these off whilst tagging on some food and a days adventure to boot then the Everglades Safari Park provides the perfect holiday excursion.

Airboat Safari Florida - TravelammoThe Safari park, based in the Everglades offers a chance to experience the beauty and expanse of the region whilst enjoying a exhilarating tour. When taking the airboat tour you will snake your way down narrow channels, through the mangroves with the opportunity wild birds, turtles, snakes and the odd wild boar sneaking around. After a short while you will emerge into the vast expanse of swampland’s and your air boat captain will open up the throttle and whisk you off to some fabulous locations for spotting alligators and the large array of wildlife that call the swampland’s home.

Alligator Show Florida travelammoThe park offers several different tour types which are purchased upon entering the park including private Airboat rides, Sunset tours and personalized trips. Your air boat ticket also includes admission to the park including several exhibits, shows and walking trails.

Alligator Florida - TravelammoAlthough there is no food or beverages available within the park there is a restaurant located at the entrance serving snacks and light meals along with the chance to experience the taste of Alligator. The restaurant offers take away snacks and meal deals if you need to take something with you for the journey back to your holiday rental villa or hotel.

Located on the US-41 in the south of Florida, Everglades is probably one of the most convenient parks to get a real feel of the Everglades without having to travel to far off the beaten track. If your simply looking for a Airboat ride then there are plenty on offer throughout Florida and in all honesty, this safari park due to being located right on the edge of the Everglades state park is not the most convenient if your based in Orlando. Still, its worth the drive and if your travelling past the Miami area it should not be missed.

Location:

    • 26700 8th St SE, Miami, FL 33194, United States

Directions:

From Miami: Join highway US-41 and follow for approximately 30 Miles.

From Orlando, Florida keys, Fort Lauderdale: From either the US-1 or the Ronald Reagan Turnpike join the highway US-41 heading west. Follow the US-41 for approximately 15 miles from the turnpike and arrive at Everglades Safari park on the left.

Website:

What’s Nearby:

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DoubleTree Reserva del Higueron Resort and Spa Review

Located on the edge of a private estate in the hills above Fuengirola, Spain lies this modern, trendy full service hotel, perfectly located for beach access whilst serving up a relaxing holiday within the hotel grounds. Perfectly located in the Costa del Sol and within easy reach of both Malaga and Marbella there is everything you could wish for nearby what ever your holiday wishes be.

Guest Rooms and Suites at the DoubleTree Reserva del Higueron:

  • Standard Guest Rooms come is a few variations all of which are well appointed with large screen TVs, mini bars and decorated with a bright modern approach. Rooms with Twin beds or King Bed are available and come either with or without a sea view. All rooms have a decent size balcony with full height and width glass windows allowing excellent views when you awake.
  • Deluxe Guest Rooms are similar to the above but only available with King Beds. Rooms provide more space and the Bath Tub is located near the window to allow you to relax whilst enjoying the view from the window.
  • King Duplex Suites bring the addition of a second mezzanine floor where the large king bed is located along with freestanding bath tub and separate shower room and WC. On the lower floor is a second shower room and toilet along with a dinning area and sofa bed. The suite benefits from being on a higher floor and comes with two 42 inch televisions and a spiral staircase linking the two floors. Duplex suites are available with or without a sea view.
  • One Bedroom suites offer all the luxury’s of the other suites but are spread across a single floor making them more suited to wheelchair users and people who might not like the idea of the narrow spiral staircase to get to the main sleeping area.
  • King Panoramic Suites are essentially the same as the King Duplex Suite but come with the addition of a separate large round day bed seating area on the upper floor which is surrounded by panoramic views over looking the sea.

It must be noted that most rooms that feature a second bathroom, whilst the main shower room and toilet are located behind a conventional door the second bathroom is more open to the upper floor. Where rooms have free standing baths these will be located in the main sleeping area, not the bathroom. Consider your room choices depending on how comfortable you are with your fellow travelers.

All Suites sleep four and standard rooms sleep two. Roll away beds are apparently available but when we asked they seemed somewhat exclusive and extremely limited.

Restaurants and Dinning at DoubleTree Reserva del Higueron: 

  • Al Rolo – Fusion dinning, A la carte menu.
  • Infinity snack bar – located on the roof top overlooking the me providing pool side dinning, drinks and snacks.
  • La Higuerita – Open air dinning pool side within the main spa and fitness club pool area. Affordable meals perfectly suited for lunch or light evening eats.
  • Palmeral – Located below the main lobby with views out to the med, Palmeral offers Buffet style breakfast, dinner and an A la Carte lunch Menu.
  • Sollo – Exquisite  fine dinning and tasting menus served in a Michelin starred restaurant by Chef Diego Gallegos. This place is not cheap but it certainly packs a punch in terms of quality and is very much worth the price.

Pool, Fitness and Spa facilities at DoubleTree Reserva del Higueron:

The hotel is also home to a fully featured spa, wellness and sports center with expansive gym facilities, tennis and racket ball courts. Volleyball courts are also available for use and indoor spa pool if your looking for a more tranquil swim away from the heat of the sun.

Nearby beaches – The hotel is only minutes from the beach but is not really suitable for walking. The nearest beach, Carvajal is located down a very steep hill and it is best to take the free beach shuttle. other beaches include:

  • Fuengirola Beach – Vast, clean and very popular with lots to do along the sea front. Also packed with resturants and shopping makes it a very suitable spot to spend an evening.
  • Arroyo Hondo beach – a smaller beach located a few miles west of the hotel is great if your looking for a quieter spot.
  • Playa del Arroyo De La Miel – further west still is this large resort style beach with lounger and other amenities available to rent.

Golf Courses near DoubleTree Reserva del Higueron:

The area surrounding the Reserva del Higueron is packed full of Golf courses, over 70 in fact so finding the perfect spot to tee off will not be a problem. Some of the closest golf courses are:

  • Mijas Golf International
  • Santana Golf and Country club
  • Calanova Golf Course
  • Torrequebrada Golf Course
  • Club de Golf El Chaparral

Transportation:

  • The hotel offers a free shuttle to the beach and nearby  Carvajal train station.
  • The nearest airport is Malaga.

Nearby villages and attractions to DoubleTree Reserva del Higueron:

  • Mijas – a small village steeped in history in the hills to the north of the hotel.
  • Bioparc Fuengirola – Small zoo located in the town center.
  • Tivoli World – Medium sized theme park in between Torremolinos and Benalmadena

Cabin Ban on Electronics Update

25th March 2017

With the announcement last week that there was going to be a ban on most electronic devices on flights from certain destinations bound for the United States, to which the UK then followed suit,  we now have a little more information and some details of how some airlines are looking to assist their passengers.

The Bans of both the British and USA variant come in to force today.

Restrictions on flights bound for the UK affect flights originating from Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

Restrictions on flights bound for the USA originating from Turkey, Kuwait, Morocco, Jordan, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt.

The Ban precludes all electronic devices from being taken into the main cabin with the exception of mobile phones and essential medical equipment.

All devices that are part of the restriction will have to placed in checked baggage.

So what are the Airlines doing about this?

Well some of them not a lot at the moment but Turkish Airlines has been the first to come up with a solution, even if only temporary and maybe not to everyone’s liking.

Turkish airlines will essentially let you hand in your electronic devices at the gate where they will be wrapped and placed in communal hard sided cases which will be placed in the hold. These can then be claimed at the gate when you reach either the UK or the USA.

British Airways on the other hand, whilst not offering a similar service yet has announced that when passengers have booked a cabin baggage only flight they will be allowed now check a bag for free to enable you to take your electronics home with you. The only issue is there are big restrictions to this. You need to have booked your ticket before 22nd March 2017 for travel before the 4th April 2017. Anything outside that you will need to pay for a checked bag should you be on a hand baggage only ticket.

 

Hilton Honors changes coming in 2017

So there has been a raft of changes to the Hilton Honors program. First and foremost the name. Hilton has decided that the double H at the beginning of the Word Honors was unnecessary. Obviously for a long time many people have often wondered why it is essentially named twice. Many assumed that the H stood for Hilton but the program was commonly know as Hilton HHonors, so Hilton Hilton Honors. Well its now gone, and with it the re-branding has begun. New logo, New app and a gradual change and feel to the website is progressing.

Along with the re-branding the Hilton Honors program is introducing some big changes scheduled for introduction throughout 2017. These changes are probably the biggest changes to the way the program works in over a decade.

So what are the changes:

Pay with Honors Points and Cash is changing. From 1st of march it will be possible to pay for your stay with any combination of points and money rather than the previous fixed limited Points and cash offering. The principle is rather simple. If the room cash price is $100 per night and the Points reward value is 20,000, it will be possible to pay $50 + 10,000 points, or any combination in between starting at 5000 points.

Does this devalue the points? Will the points redemption price change?

Well Hilton have assured everyone that whilst the previous category system is going to be phased out you will not pay more in points today than you previously would have done. There is still going to be great redemption’s and poor redemption’s. We do advise with the new system to calculate how much value you are getting per point to make sure you are not wasting your points.

Hilton have been very proud of the way this new system is implemented. The new slider, which is rather neat, is how you choose what proportion of money and points you wish to pay. If you want to give it a go, tick the points and money checkbox on the left when choosing a rate and where you see the points and money logo you will be able to play with the amounts via the slider on the payment page.

Other changes for 2017 include the ability to pool your points with another Honors member so if you do not have enough for a stay you can pool your points with your friends or family and get your redemption your after.

Diamond members will have the ability to pause their membership for the period of twelve months should they feel that they would not be able to maintain it in the current year. This will only be offered to select members who qualify it has to be noted.

For more information on the changes view the new Hilton Honors page here