Traveling to Orlando means finding some great restaurants  and dining experiences. If you are looking for delicious, authentic Italian food, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Mama Della’s Ristorante  at Universal’s Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando .  You can get delicious Old World favorites in an impressive atmosphere.

Food, Fun, and Music

Musicians move about from room to room entertaining diners with songs of Italy.  You will find scrumptious foods ranging from insalata caprese to lasagna.  Select your favorite dishes from Naples or Tuscany.  They will be so delicious, you might just have to slap the person sitting next to you. Make sure to pick out your favorite bottle of wine from Mama Della’s extensive wine list.

A Delightful Atmosphere Where Everyone is Family

Mama Della’s treats you not only to good food, but a delightful dining atmosphere.  You will find the setting fun and enjoyable for everyone in the family.  Don’t be surprised if Mama herself greets you at the door or drops by your table to check in on you.  She is one of the most delightful people I’ve ever met. 

Find huge savings on airfare  and hotel  accommodations in Orlando buy booking your trip through OrlandoTravelHotels.com .  The savings you reap will only mean more bottles of wine at Mama Della’s Ristorante!

Mother’s hold a special place in our hearts and many of us look to offer them back a little something extra on Mother’s Day.  You won’t have any trouble finding that little extra something in Orlando on or around May 9th, 2010.

Bring Mama to Orlando for a special stay at one of the many hotels offering Mother’s Day special weekend packages.  Gaylord Palms is featuring the “Mom Prom & Family Affair” where Mom can be “Belle of the Ball.”  Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort have special rates and activities to make Mama feel as if she has fallen into the lap of luxury.  Enjoy a scrumptious brunch with Mother at any of the fine restaurants in the Orlando area or treat her to a luxurious spa outing.

Our mothers spent much of our lives pampering and petting us.  Give a piece of that back to her this Mother’s Day with a special treat in Orlando.

If you’re looking for great hotel deals, flights to Orlando, rental cars and entertainment while you’re in town, check out OrlandoTravelHotels.com where you can find everything you need to make your trip a success.
 

Don’t miss out on the Cinco de Mayo celebration at Wall Street Plaza in downtown Orlando on Wednesday, May 5, 2010.  You’ll find an entire city block filled with live entertainment, special activities, and great drinks and food.

Mexican Foods and a 2-Ton Margarita

Wall Street Plaza is a hotspot in Orlando.  You will find conveniently located hotels like the Grand Bohemian, fabulous nightlife spots, plenty of restaurant options, and unique shopping.  The Cinco de Mayo celebration at Wall Street Plaza is one of the area’s most popular events.  This year will be no exception. 

Get ready to shake your booty with Los Lawn Boys and party with thousands of your closest friends.  Take a sip from the 2-ton margarita and feast on delicious Mexican foods.

Make your travel plans now to enjoy this great celebration of Cinco de Mayo.  Check out the latest flights and hotel room rates at OrlandoTravelHotels.com to book your travel.

Orlando is simply glorious in the spring.  The flowers are blooming, the wind is blowing at just the right speed, and turtles are on the loose.  Orlando tends to be busy during the spring months with visitors taking advantage of the latest travel deals  to get here for a swing around the theme parks  or to participate in the tons of offerings for things to do  in the area.  As a result it seems, turtles face a little more difficulty in crossing the roads to go from one lake to the next.

Rodents, Bugs and Turtles – Oh My!

Let me start this story by saying I am scared of any animal that is not classified as a dog or cat.  I am scared of rodents, bugs, and now, turtles.  I am scared of anything I think can outrun me. 

Now I’m not talking about those cute little green turtles we used to grow in the terrariums before their import was outlawed.  I’m talking about those huge mama jammas that snap and as it turns out, can move rather quickly. 

So on a beautiful spring day in Orlando, we were headed down one of the main roads to check out a new restaurant  in town.  Right in the middle of the road, there was this huge snapping turtle.  Of course I didn’t realize it was a snapping turtle until the thing tried to take my hand off. 

The Good Samaritan Tries to Lend a Hand – Literally!

I consider myself a Good Samaritan when the need arises, and I figured I would try to get this poor turtle out of the middle of the road.  After prodding with sticks, shoes, and verbal instruction, it wasn’t budging. 

It just so happened I had a pet carrier in the back of my car.  I’m not one of those “think on your feet” types of people.  I tend to like to mull things over for a few days before I come up with the wrong decision.  I run get the pet taxi and with the help of a friend and a few worthless bystanders, we attempt to get the turtle I have named Susie into the pet taxi.  As I put it down in front of dear Susie, she retracted her head, and I took this as my opportunity to lift her – the whole time screaming in sheer terror – to get her into the pet carrier.  With her head toward the back and her body completely filling the compartment, we loaded Susie into the trunk and headed toward the nearest lake.

Sounds of Trepidation

You know how you can hear a sound and all of a sudden you are filled with fear?  I heard that sound and immediately knew trouble was ahead.  I pulled up to the lake and ran to open the trunk.  Sure enough, Susie apparently morphed into some svelte, lithesome turtle and had managed to turn herself around to the front of the carrier. She was snapping at me before I even started to pick her up.  Naturally, I begin screaming like the big old scardy cat I am. I pick up the carrier while the Olga Korbut of turtles is just snapping away. 

Of course, I have the mac daddy of pet carriers; one of those “doors guaranteed to stay closed” types. (Note to self, write pet carrier manufacturer testimonial letter.) Fortunately, it also “no tools required” for assembly or in my case, disassembly.  I undo all the screws and find the longest tree branch available to flip off the top cover.  I swear I see steam coming from Susie’s ears.  With her freedom immediately at hand, she decides she isn’t ready to budge.  I run to my car, all the while in my mind knowing she is chasing me.  I jump in the car and lock the doors (how stupid is that?) only to look back and see Susie apparently taking time to sun bathe while sitting in the bottom of the pet carrier.

About two hours later, she decides to mosey on out and take a dip in the cool waters of Lake Lucerne.  You know, I never drive by that lake that I don’t give a shout out to Susie.  If you are out and about in Orlando and have that fear of anything other than dogs and cats, go ahead and ride with a pet carrier.  You just never know when it might come in handy.

Have you got a crazy travel story to share? I would love to hear it. Leave us a comment!

If you’re planning a trip to the Orlando area and looking for a way to decide what to do with your time, where to stay and how to get from one place to another, OrlandoTravelHotels.com  is your answer.

You can book flights , reserve hotel rooms  and find the best entertainment  and fun things to do  – all in one place. Orlando locals can keep up with upcoming events and local happenings.

Dine at one of the trendiest and hippest restaurants  in Orlando at HUE.  HUE is consistently rated among the top restaurants in town.  Their menu is eclectic and has something to satisfy anyone’s cravings.

HUE  is located in Thornton Park Central near downtown Orlando, a top destination for shopping , restaurants  , and fun things to do .  HUE’s varied menu is categorized as progressive American cuisine and includes scrumptious items such as center cut filet mignon, wok seared ahi tuna, duck breast and oven roasted Chilean seabass. 

I love HUE’s happy hour.  It’s one of the most popular happy hour spots in town.  HUE is open daily for lunch and dinner and is famous for its Disco Brunch on the third Sunday of every month.

When visiting Orlando, book your travel through OrlandoTravelHotels.com .  There are plenty of hotels  located within walking distance of HUE and other fabulous downtown Orlando hot spots.  HUE is a restaurant you will want to make time to patronize while in town.

Easter is this weekend and what better time to celebrate family, friends and the arrival of spring than with a delicious Easter Brunch. Mom gets a break from the kitchen and everyone can enjoy good food and a time well spent together.

For many, Easter is a very important date beginning with a traditional sunrise or very early church service. So an Easter Sunday brunch may be the perfect follow up for friends and families to gather.

Orlando is loaded with wonderful restaurants all over the city and outlying areas. A small sampling of  local restaurants that will be geared up to welcome you for Easter Brunch include:

• Luma on Park   in Winter Park offering a modern version of delicious American food.
• Capriccio Grill  – I Drive – offering traditional American and Italian cuisine.
• Funky Monkey Wine Company   on Mills Ave. offering a different twist with Asian & Pacific Rim, Fusion, and Japanese & Sushi fare.
• Fiorella’s at Westin Imagine Orlando   on Universal Blvd. where a couple of the specialties include Lobster Ravioli and Chicken Rollatini and an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids.

If you’re planning a weekend in Orlando, start with OrlandoTravelHotels.com  where it’s easy to find the best of Orlando year round - restaurants , attractions , entertainment  and more.  You can also book flights and make hotel reservations. Best of all you can be sure with the 110% rate guarantee  that you will be getting a great deal.

Bayridge Sushi in Longwood, Florida, an adjacent city to Orlando, serves up a broad menu of sushi, hibachi, noodles, rice and more. There are so many rolls to choose from you just may have a hard time deciding.

If you can't pick just one, the all-you-can-eat special for $19.95 is your best bet. This special allows you to choose from a special list of rolls and comes with miso soup and salad. If that is just too much for you, you are free to order a-la-carte from the sushi menu. There are also Bento Boxes with teriyaki chicken, dumplings and a California roll.

Healthy Sushi Options

Bayridge has a lot for vegetarians to choose from as well. There are yummy noodle and rice dishes. They even have some sushi rolls that can be wrapped in cucumber skin if you are on a low carb/carb restrictive diet - it's not on the menu so make sure you ask your server to prepare this special roll for you.

Looking for the best of Orlando entertainment, restaurants, travel, hotels and more? You'll find it all in one convenient place - OrlandoTravelHotels.com. Simplify your vacation planning with a one-stop destination for everything you need to make your vacation a success.
 

Indulge yourself with some of the finest foods and romantic settings in Orlando.  There are many restaurants  offering wonderful specials for you and that special someone on this Valentine’s Day.

Orlando Restaurants Make Valentine’s 2010 a Weekend Affair

Since Valentine’s Day falls on Sunday this year, many local restaurants are making it a weekend affair.  You can find romantic dinner offerings February 11-14, 2010 at many of the finest restaurants in town. 

Enjoy mouthwatering steaks and seafood and delectable desserts, all at fantastic prices.  Most establishments will also be serving fine champagnes or wines as part of their Valentine’s Day specials. 

Traveling in from out of town? 

Find great package deals  including special amenities just for Valentine’s Day.  There’s no better place than Orlando to celebrate Valentine’s Day ala mode.  With 110% Rate Guarantee through OrlandoTravelHotels.com , your can be sure you’re getting a great getaway deal for you and your honey.

Tart frozen yogurt shops are starting to pop up all over Central Florida. Some of the most recent ones are Gurtzberry in Winter Park, Florida and Cefiore in Orlando, Florida. Both shops feature a trendy décor and are decked out in bright, bold colors. You can even bring your laptop or other favorite gadget and hook up to the free WiFi available throughout the shop.

Raw food restaurants are a fast growing trend that can normally be found in major cities such as Los Angeles and New York. And now Central Florida is quickly catching on with a new raw food restaurant in Orlando called Café 118°.

If you’re looking for an incredible meal and you want all the bells and whistles, plan an evening at Victoria and Albert’s in Orlando. According to Orlando’s premier food critic, Scott Joseph , “Victoria & Albert's, the top-of-the-line restaurant in Disney's dining pantheon, has been awarded its 10th consecutive AAA Five Diamond rating, one of only three Florida restaurants to earn that ultimate classification.”

When you’re in Florida, finding a good seafood meal is often on the agenda and there is no shortage of great restaurants to fulfill your taste for great seafood.

Are you going to be in Orlando, Florida over Thanksgiving? Enjoy sumptuous Thanksgiving meals at many of the area restaurants. Many Orlando hotels and restaurants are offering Thanksgiving feasts which will satisfy your need for turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings.

The expected outcome of this year’s Thanksgiving Holiday travel, the busiest travel season of the year, is busy airports, planes filled to capacity, but fewer delays since fewer planes will be in the air – a drastically reduced number compared to last Thanksgiving.

Whatever you're craving at any moment, it’s a pretty sure bet the restaurants at Downtown Disney can fulfill the craving. If you need a quick snack or something a little more substantial take a look at all of the restaurants which call Downtown Disney home.

No matter your preference of foods, Orlando offers the finest of dining experiences to satisfy your taste buds. Choices abound for any ethnic food you desire in Orlando. Try something new at one of Orlando's great restaurants.

Dinner theatre can be an entertaining experience for every member of the family. Orlando dinner shows cater to people of all ages and of varying taste buds. Buffet style meals are available at some of the restaurants, while others offer a specific menu consisting of several courses.