Florida Culture for the Week of January 18, 2016 by Josh Garrick

The cliffside hike from Monterosso al Mare, the most northern seaside village of Italy’s renowned Cinque Terre, to neighboring Vernazza is extraordinarily scenic, but it’s also arduous—the two colorful, ancient towns are connected by an endless series of steep stairways that overlook the rugged coast. “I can’t endure another step,” I breathlessly told my thirty year old daughter after a few minutes of strenuous climbing. She suggested I turn around and take the train back to our rented apartment in Riomaggiore, the southernmost village, while she continued on. 

One look out my window, and there was no mistaking where I was. The early morning sun was playing hide and seek with the clouds and buildings. I lay there watching the light show thinking, I MUST GET UP.  The sun was shining and I was in San Francisco, one of the most beautiful cities in the world - but I did not want to get out of my bed. You may be thinking I had a wee bit too much wine the night before, or perhaps there was another, more seductive reason to linger. But no, it was the bed itself that wooed me.

Costa Rica has a lot to offer when you visit this amazing place. Its natural beauty gives visitors a unique holiday experience you can’t find in most other holiday destinations. It’s the perfect holiday location for individuals and groups of people with differing interests and requirements. Some people like a quiet peaceful vacation, while others are interested in a more adventurous holiday. Others want a combination of relaxation and adventure. Costa Rica gives you all of these options. Here are some of the most popular things you can do in Costa Rica.

It seems impossible, I know. Enjoy traveling over the holidays? Really? As you brace protracted lines at the TSA checkpoint and your car crawls at a snail’s pace along the Interstate?
Even when everything goes according to schedule, the sheer volume of fellow travelers can exponentially magnify our level of stress.

You already know the basics. Keep a positive attitude, drink lots of liquids (the non-alcoholic kind), feed your body nutritiously, listen to music that makes you feel good.

Florida Culture to Help You Say Farewell to 2015 by Josh Garrick

NOW to Dec 27 – Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – The Musical 
The beloved classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is on-stage this holiday season with all your favorite characters in a new production at the Orlando Rep. Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, and of course, Rudolph are all there in this beloved musical adventure that teaches us what makes us different can be what makes us special. Call 407.896.7365x1 or visit orlandorep.com