The Best Destinations to Visit in Spring

Springtime differs around the world, and many popular destinations see a decrease in tourism between the summer and winter peak seasons, meaning you can enjoy mild temperatures along with lower rates and less crowds.

Check out these amazing destinations to visit in the spring!

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– – Cartagena – –

• Visit Mid-March

The flamboyant, Columbian coastal city of Cartagena is one of the best in South America in terms of nightlife and historical artifacts. The prominent writer, Gabriel García Márquez, spoke lovingly of the city’s colonial architecture, open-air cafés, delicate blossoms, and horse-drawn carriages.

If you’re aiming to visit in spring, be sure to aim for mid-March to catch screenings at the Cartagena International Film Festival!

– – Bali – –

• Visit in March

March heralds the start of Bali’s dry season and the Balinese New Year (Galungan), beginning March 12. Celebrations usually last a few weeks, culminating in Nyepi, the day of silence on March 31.

From exotic jungles, spa-like bungalows, to intimate beaches, Bali has a lot to offer very kind of traveler!

Read Next: The Solo Female Traveler’s Guide to Bali

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– – Fiji – – 

• Visit April – May

It’s all about the water in Fiji, where divers come from all over the world to explore the deep waters near Taveuni. The waters here are world-class, comparable to those in Thailand or the Great Barrier Reef.

Snorkel with manta rays in the Yasawas, game fish for the big mahi mahi, or brush up on your skills in wake-boarding. If you fancy the calmer sides of life, simply recline on the beach or in a hammock under softly swaying coconut trees.

Fiji is also home to colorful Hindu temples, thick tropical jungles, and natural mud pools.

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– – Japan – –

• Visit March – May

Springtime in Japan means cherry blossoms and lively festivals. The viewing of cherry blossoms, or sakura, is so popular that the Japanese have a separate word for it, hanami.

From mid-March to early May, families will gather outside in parks for picnics and people come from all over the world to see the blossoms!

– – Los Cabos, Mexico – –

• Visit April – June

Los Cabos is heaven for the spring-breaker: think endless bar crawls, spectacular coastal scenery, and whale-sightings in the Sea of Cortez in the spring. The area is actually two cities: sophisticated San José del Cabo and beach-going Cabos San Lucas.

Travelers to Cabo are sure to find an endless supply of tasty tequila, high-rise resorts and ritzy shopping!

– – New Zealand – – 

• Visit March – May

March to May in New Zealand is actually harvest time, which makes it a perfect destination for wine connoisseurs.

Take a drive down to the celebrated Central Otago wine region on the South Island, to experience beautiful landscape and world-class pinot noir. 

– – Costa Rica – –

• Visit January – April

Springtime is in-between rainy season in Costa Rica, making it the perfect season to explore its cloud forests and mangrove swamps. Despite an influx of tourists in recent years, it also manages to stay quite affordable.

This is a country made for the adventurer- don’t miss the plentiful picturesque waterfalls, lush jungles, volcanic hot springs, and turtle beaches.

Read Next: The Beginner’s Guide to Backpacking in Central America

– – Thailand – –

• Visit January – March

Thailand lures thousands of visitors each year with its crystalline waters, vibrant parties, and food to die for. Explore chaotic Bangkok and its glittering temples, or head south to the tropical beaches and dive with whale sharks off Ko Tao.

Add in friendly locals, cheap prices, and wild northern jungles, and you have yourself an unforgettable vacation!

Read Next: The Ultimate Guide to Island Hopping in Thailand

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– – Santorini – – 

• Visit April – June

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a lovelier Old World landscape than Santorini. With its bleach-white houses and blue-domed churches, Santorini is a picture-perfection destination to spend your spring.

Highlights include gorgeous seascapes, prehistoric Akrotíri ruins, black sands at Perissa, and a few choice wineries.

You’ll also find the blue caldera where The Lost City of Atlantis was said to have stood!

Read Next: The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Greek Islands

– – Stockholm – –

• Visit March – May

The cosmopolitan Swedish city draws visitors on account to its beautiful old town and mild temperatures year-round.

Located between fourteen islands, the city has been called the “Venice of the North,” complete with canals and bridges galore. It’s no wonder that one of the best ways to see it is by ferry—hop on a boat for a day through the beautiful waterways!

Read Next: Stockholm Travel Tips

READ NEXT: 16 Unforgettable Trips to Take in 2016

 

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The Ultimate Guide to San Francisco in a Weekend

San Francisco is a city of high tech and startups, diverse restaurants and fun little neighborhoods, each with their own unique spin. But you only have a weekend- so what to do?

Read on for my ultimate guide to San Francisco in a weekend!

– Best Time to Go –

San Fran means mild climate all year round, though there tends to be regular rains between November and March. Typically, there can be significant weather differences  in parts of San Francisco because of the city’s large hills and maritime location.

Even on a sunny day, things can get chilly! Your best bet is to always carry a jacket, no matter what season.

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– Where to Stay –

Hotel Diva is the quintessential chic boutique, attractive and modern. Located in Union Square and just two blocks away from upscale shopping. Fun, “diva-ish” perks include free sake in the lobby, welcoming guests with dogs and the Sidewalk of Fame, which features signatures of celebrity guests!

Airbnb is also a great way to arrange accommodation during your visit and offers a variety of apartments and rooms for rent across the city at competitive prices.

– Enjoy a Delicious Breakfast –

• Sam’s Anchor Cafe (SF Staple Sunday Brunch): Across the bay, in Tiburon, this lovely cafe offers great seafood, brunches and burgers, with lovely views out over the sea. Take the blue and gold fleet ferry over to Sam’s Anchor Cafe for a perfect Sunday Brunch.
• Red Door Cafe: Are you looking for a crazy, unique San Francisco experience? Red Door Cafe is your spot! With an owner who can only be described as a ‘character’, this cafe is one of the institutions of San Francisco that has been decorated with a real sense of humor.
• Mama’s on Washington Square: Gobble down your French Toast at Mama’s, a local favorite for 50+ years. Menu items include fluffy benedicts, housemade jam, fresh omelettes, spicy Italian sausage, five types of French toast.

– Cycle the Golden Gate –

The Golden Gate Bridge is the iconic landmark of San Fran and the north entrance into downtown. One of the best ways to see it is by bike, so rent a pair of wheels for a quick jaunt to Sausalito and back.

A short walk south is Golden Gate Park, 1,000+ acres of beautifully cultivated gardens and home to the California Academy of Sciences.

– Have an Over the Top Lunch –

• Ike’s Place in The Castro (Not Your Average Sandwich): Loaded with sauces, fillings and with an excellent range of sandwiches on the menu, Ike’s Place offers sandwiches large enough to satisfy the biggest of appetites.
• The Zeitgeist (Fun Beer Garden): The Zeitgeist is located in The Mission area of the city and features a nice outdoor area that is perfect for relaxing with a few pints. On days with good weather, expect the beer to be flowing and the garden to be packed with locals.
• Salumeria (Best Deli): Have your fill of fresh sandwiches and wraps at Salumeria, a tasty Italian bistro in the Mission District. Start off with an antipasto of cucumbers, pole beans and preserved lemon—then go for the chili-caper egg salad, with calabrian chili and kale chips.
• Swan Oyster Depot (Best Fresh Seafood): One of the best places for seafood in San Fran, this cash only restaurant offers some of the best shrimp, oysters and sashimi, all of which are freshly prepared. There are only around twenty seats so be prepared for a long line to get in.

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– Take the Mission Street Art Tour –

Once you’re all filled up on goat cheese, try a walking tour of Mission Street’s famous murals. The neighborhood is colored with vibrant tapestries and graffiti that light up the alleyways and parking lots.

You’ll start over in Balmy Alley with its Latino influences, then head down to Osage Alley, a vibrant splash of paint that stretches over two blocks.

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– Take a Night Tour at Alcatraz –

Jump onboard the ferry to Alcatraz, America’s most notorious prison. Guided tours are the best way to learn all about the famous inmates (including Al Capone), prison breaks, and general history on the island.

The night tour offers stunning sunset views of the bay and a spooky tour of the jail!

– Visit Pier 39 on Fisherman’s Wharf –

Named for the generations of fishermen who sold their catches at the harbor back in the day, the Wharf is now a tourist attraction.

It is a great hub in the city where shopping, restaurants and entertainment venues are brought together to make for excellent areas for visitors. Make sure to keep your eye out for the famous Bushman street performer!

You can catch the boat to Alcatraz Island from the pier also!

Keep a lookout for sea lions!

– Explore Chinatown –

San Francisco is home to the largest Chinatown outside of Asia and the oldest in America, boasting an impressive display of markets, specialty shops and restaurants. If you’re lucky enough to be there in the fall, don’t miss the beautiful Autumn Moon Festival, a celebration of harvest, bazaars, dancing and mooncakes.

With beautiful Chinese architecture, a wonderful atmosphere and the beautiful Chinatown Gate this is a great area to explore.

– Treat Yourself at Dinner –

• Coqueta (Sensational Spanish): While it features a beautiful view, Coqueta’s focus is inside, to the bar and to the open kitchen. From excellent meat platters to tasty pintxos, this newly opened restaurant facing onto the bay serves up savory Spanish cuisine and fabulous cocktails.
• Nob Hill Café (Best Italian): Grab dinner at the authentic Italian restaurant, a staple for nearly 20 years. Local favorites include the creamy pesto pasta, roasted eggplant, veal cutlets and sautéed sole. The ambiance is cozy, comfortable and intimate- be sure to call ahead with a reservation as it gets quite popular after five.
• Gracias Madre (Best Vegetarian): Offering wonderful organic vegan food in a Mexican style, this restaurant is enough to convince even a carnivore that not every meal needs meat in it.

READ NEXT: San Francisco Travel Tips

 

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Top Tips for Finding Cheap Flights

We all know that flights can be the most expensive part of traveling, and it can be quite frustrating when traveling on a budget. After years of travel, I’ve collected a few trick to help bring down the costs of long trips by finding cheaper airfare.

Check out my top tips to finding cheap flights!

– Use a Fake Location –

Some airlines sell cheaper tickets depending on the location of sale, so it is based on where you purchase them. This is especially the case if you’re trying to book a domestic flight- for example, buying a ticket from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. If you buy it in the USA, it’s much more expensive than if you buy it in Thailand.

Avoid this with a simple internet hack: simply change your country on the airline website.

Sometimes this will force you to navigate the site in the local language- but hey, that’s what google translator is for!

– Know When To Buy –

Though some claim that there are certain days, Tuesday afternoon for example, is the best time to buy tickets, there really is no set day or time that tickets are cheaper. It all goes up and down based on demand.

However, you are able to see which dates are cheaper on any given route. For example, looking at a month view with prices will help you identify cheaper days for a particular route, depending on the season and demand.

I will say, however, that airlines will increase the price as less seats that become available- but there are always special cases where you can get a great deal at the last minute, one week and less prior to flight, as airlines want to sell the last few seats.

– Take Advantage of Search Engines –

Search engines are great for comparing prices between different airlines. The downside is that they often add hidden fees as part of taking a cut from the airlines they advertise.

Helpful Tip: Stick to sites that charge low or no fees like Skyscanner, Hipmunk, and CheapOair, to name a few.

– Find Deals –

Sign up for various airfare alerts to keep track of deals and discounts. Airfare Watchdog is an amazing resource that will alert you for cheap flights on a specific route you’re interested in.

You can even set it to alert you for any flights departing your city whatsoever! Just be sure to pounce when there’s a deal because they tend to sell out quickly.

– Social Media –

More and more airlines are taking advantage of social media to spread their web-only fares, promos, and two-for-one deals. Make sure to subscribe to their email lists and follow them on Twitter and Facebook to get the most up-to-date offers!

– Consider Extra Fees –

Before purchasing, make sure to weigh in all the end costs and extra fees. Some airlines charge low fares than charge extra for certain seats, meals, luggage, extra legroom, etc.

For example, if Airline A sells a ticket for $150 and Airline B sells the same for $200, but you end up buying seats and paying for checking luggage on your Airline A trip, you will end up spending more than the other flight in the end.

Be very thorough when purchasing tickets!

– Try Different Combinations –

Taking the most direct route to your destination can often be one way to pay top dollar for your flight tickets, so when it comes to saving money try to look at alternative routes with one or two stops along the way.

Sometimes booking one way flights on different days will end up being cheaper than a round trip journey. I always look to see if it would be less expensive to book two different legs to my destination rather than just one, and maybe use the stopover to explore a new destination.

Don’t know your return date? Generally, nonstop oneway flights are more expensive than the one way of a roundtrip flight. If you don’t know your return date, consider purchasing a roundtrip flight then paying the change fee of $200-300 to change your date.

Helpful Tip: If you’re going to take two flights on separate days, try to buy these on the same ticket, even if it’s not roundtrip.

– Check Alternate Airports –

Airlines often have lower fares for less popular airports, so if flights into your target airport are too pricey, take a look at nearby, smaller airports.

Look into flying into Orange County instead of LAX, Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami, or Baltimore instead of Washington DC, etc.!

READ NEXT: How to Find Cheap Accommodation Around the World

 

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Highlights from my Holiday Cruise with Crystal Cruises

I recently returned from my first ever cruise with Crystal Cruises where I celebrated Christmas on board and rang in the New Year off Copacabana Beach in Rio. It was one of the most incredible experiences in my travels – especially since I got to share the cruise with my mom!

Here are some of the highlights from my Holiday Cruise with Crystal Cruises!

Celebrating the Holidays On Board

Without a doubt, one of the most memorable experiences on board Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Symphony was getting to spend Christmas at sea.

The entire celebration was filled with holiday cheer and delicious food. I’ve never seen a Christmas spread so extravagant! Ice sculptures and giant gingerbread houses decorated the ship and we filled our bellies with a holiday feast.

Read more about Christmas at sea on the Crystal Cruises Blog!

Speaking of Food…

The best thing about my cruise on Crystal Cruises was the food. I still dream about it. There are two specialty restaurants on board Crystal Symphony: The Silk Road and Prego. We ate at The Silk Road four times during our cruise! Imagine all you can eat Nobu sushi and asian food. It was heaven!

In the dining room, the dinner menu changes EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. I have no idea how they manage to reimagine a two page menu with options like slow-cooked, shiraz-braised, oxtail ragout and gnocchi in a burnt sage butter sauce every night. Even the casual dining options, like breakfast in the Lido Café and lunch at Trident Grill, were delicious.

I would literally recommend Crystal Cruises for the food alone. But, of course, the cruise gets even better.

Destinations We Traveled To

Since our cruise was a “Brazilian Holiday Cruise” we spent our 15-days on board and exploring various destinations along our route from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!

San Juan, Puerto Rico

We boarded our cruise in San Juan but spent a few days prior exploring the beauty of Puerto Rico. My mom and I both fell in love with the colorful buildings of Old San Juan.

Scarborough, Trinidad & Tobago

My mom and I spent our day in Scarborough on individual adventures. I went scuba diving and got to get up close in personal with all kinds of sea life including 3 sea turtles!

Fortaleza, Brazil

Based on multiple recommendations I received on Instagram, my mom and I decided to go to Latin America’s largest waterpark, Beach Park, in Fortaleza!

Recife, Brazil

We decided to take a ten minute drive from Recife and spend our morning in the town of Olinda. The small town is famous for their Carnival celebration and is lined with beautiful buildings.

Salvador da Bahia

One of our favorite port days was in Salvador! We explored the Historic Center (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and spent the rest of our day sampled local food and soaking up the sun on Barra Beach.

Rio de Janiero, Brazil

Along with getting to ring in the New Year off the coast of Copacabana Beach, we spent a day in Rio. Even with cloudy weather, we made the most of our day and visited Christ the Redeemer and the Botanical Gardens.

Buzios, Brazil

My favorite destination of our Brazilian Holiday Cruise was Buzios. We spent the first day of 2016 on Brava Beach where we enjoyed a delicious lunch of local fish, organic vegetables, fresh oysters and a bottle of rosé.

Getting to Travel with My Mom

And last, but definitely not least, I couldn’t have picked a better trip to bring my mom on for her first ever trip outside of the U.S.. The cruise offered a luxurious travel experience where we could spend quality time together both on and off the ship.

I can’t actually say I had ever had 15 days of alone time with my mom!

As you can see, I had the most incredible trip aboard Crystal Cruises’ Brazilian Holiday Cruise!

If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury cruise experience, I can confidently say there’s nothing that compares to Crystal Cruises. If you have any questions about my experience on board, please comment below and I’ll be sure to answer!

READ NEXT: Aboard Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Symphony

 

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How to Take Amazing Travel Photos as a Couple

Over the last (almost) 3 years we have taken our fair share of pictures with each other. Whether we are shooting one another or ourselves as a couple, we have a number of tricks we employ to make sure that we have cute and memorable photos of our adventures.

Check out our best tips for taking amazing travel photos as a couple!

Avoid the Selfie Stick

First off, nothing screams, “I’m a tourist, please take my wallet,” more than a selfie stick. Europe’s most popular cities are all too over saturated with selfie stick salesmen. Yes, you will see pictures of us using a Go Pro pole every now and then, but that will generally be at the top of a mountain where there aren’t many humans to ask to take a picture of you.

Plus, if you are trying to take good pictures there is a huge difference here.

Using a selfie stick means you’re going to likely be using the front facing camera on your phone which has a lower number of megapixels than your standard phone camera. A Go Pro is a bit different, considering you use the one and only front lens.

Just ask someone to take the picture for you and strike up a conversation with them. We have made a number of friends who we still keep in contact with just from asking a stranger to take a picture for us.

Ask the Right Person

If you walk up to the person with the disposable yellow and black camera (do people still use these? honestly, no idea…) and ask them to take a picture for you, don’t expect to get a great picture out of it.

In a touristy destination it is incredibly easy to find someone with a professional camera. This person is much more likely to make sure to get a few good pictures of you than the disposable camera guy.

Back to point one – don’t ask the person with the selfie stick. They don’t want you to talk to them anyway.

 Invest in Decent Equipment

This doesn’t mean you need to spend $1000 on a camera because we definitely don’t own a $1000 camera. If you have an iPhone or even one of the newer Androids you’re likely to have a pretty good number of megapixels in your phone camera which can actually produce a great photo.

Full disclosure on our equipment:

• iPhone 6 and 6s
• Go Pro Hero 3+ Black
• Canon Rebel T3i

Some of our older pictures were even taken on an iPhone 5s!

Take Your Time

It’s easy to rush a picture when you’re excited or tired from traveling. Take a few minutes to relax and take a look at your surroundings. Don’t be afraid to take 10 shots of the same thing either!

Our Dropbox folders have about a combined 20,000 pictures and you can see on our Instagram accounts that we have posted less than 1,000 combined over the last few years!

Be Yourselves

Some of our favorite pictures together are from moments where we were joking around, laughing, or simply doing something we love. Forced pictures will look exactly that…forced. Have fun with it! Be goof balls!

Do Something Different

Sure, when you go to Florence you’ll definitely want a picture in front of the famous Duomo or on the beautiful Ponte Vecchio. When you’re in London, of course you’ll want a picture with Big Ben. But don’t be afraid to spice it up!

Do something you haven’t seen 1,000 times on travel Instagram accounts. Whether that means capturing the picture from a different angle or simply doing something different in the picture. Don’t go to Pisa and pretend to be saving the Leaning Tower from falling over. Just don’t. Be creative!

Know How Lighting Affects a Picture

Certain times of day are better for taking pictures than others. Generally mornings and evenings will offer the best lighting (and less tourists at attractions).

Taking a picture with the sun behind your object will likely silhouette your object, so if that’s what you’re going for then great, but if not make sure to shoot with the sun behind you so that it lights up whatever you’re shooting.

Take (and Share) Pictures of Each Other

Don’t be afraid to let your love for one another be known. People want genuine and real posts, so chances are if people are following your Instagram and Facebook journey they will support you and your love as a couple.

Follow us on Instagram to see the shots!

@Michael_J_Gallagher & @Alexandra_Carson

Do you use any of these tricks when traveling with your significant other? Let us know in the comments below!

READ NEXT: How to Pack in One Suitcase as a Couple

 

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Visiting Universal Studios Resort

When I had some free time in Florida, I really wanted to visit Universal Studios and explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Universal Studios Resort in Orlando is home to two major theme parks, an entertainment district, water park and world-class hotels. I was able to stay at a on-site hotel, in the heart of the excitement, and within walking distance to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk.

Here is my guide to visiting Universal Studios Resort in Orlando!

Where to Stay

If you’re traveling with kids or as a family, you will definitely want to stay on-site at the Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. The resort puts a retro twist on the 50’s and 60’s with two huge pools, a lazy river, an on-site bowling alley, fitness center and lots of fun for all ages.

In addition, you get early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the theme park opens and complimentary transportation to both theme parks!

If you’re looking for a more luxurious stay, spend a weekend in style at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, a luxurious Italian-style hotel on resort grounds. Book views of the garden or the riviera bay, or splurge for special Club Level rooms with complimentary breakfast and admission to the fitness center.

The concierge will also throw in priority seating at select restaurants, unlimited skip-the-lines access to all rides and early park admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Luckily for you, hotels offer guests free water taxi or shuttle bus service to the parks.

Visiting Universal Studios Florida

It’s all about fun and thrill at one of the biggest movie-based theme park in the country. There are eight themes: Hollywood, Production Central, New York, San Francisco, World Expo, Springfield, Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone and- of course- Diagon Alley.

Enjoy an action-packed weekend alongside Optimus Prime in Transformers: The Ride, battle the evil Lord Farquaad with Shrek, and swing high on skyscrapers with Spiderman.

Learn all about movie-making in behind-the-scenes shows, and grab your souvenirs and snacks at themed shopping and dining. Don’t forget the heart-stopping rollercoaster Revenge of the Mummy!

Visiting Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Next on the list of theme parks are the Islands of Adventure, seven distinct themed areas that celebrate worlds of books, comics and myths. Here you’ll find Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, Marvel Super Hero Island, The Lost Continent, Seuss Landing and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

These rides, though more geared toward children than the Universal Studios park, are fun for all ages!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Universal’s fun-packed tribute to Harry Potter actually includes two awesomely-themed areas: Diagon Alley and Hogdsmeade. Take a ride on the Hogwarts Express and explore Diagon Alley!

Wander through the streets of Hogsmeade and slurp down butterbeer at the Leaky Cauldron. Delve into the inner sanctum on fun rides like Escape from Gringotts and the Forbidden Journey through Hogwarts Castle. Just make sure you line up early, waiting times at this popular park can be over 2 hours!

Read Next: The Muggle’s Guide to Visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

CityWalk

The CityWalk is where you’ll find all the dining, drinking and shopping venues at the resort, and find awesome souvenirs from the Universal Store.

Try spicy shrimp at the Bob Marley—A Tribute to Freedom Jamaican restaurant, and down fresh avocado and fish tacos at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville.

Don’t miss a Blue Man Group production at the Sharp Aquos Theater, or dance all night at the Red Coconut Club!

Wet ’n Wild Orlando

Wet ’n Wild is Orlando Studio’s water park, that packs a wallop of eighteen slides and attractions. There are four areas to choose from, depending on your preference: Super Thrills, Kid’s Thrills, Group Thrills and other attractions.

With everything from drag races, body coasters, plunges, free falls, to toboggan rides, waterfalls, and lazy rivers- there’s something for all ages!

When to Go

The parks at Universal Studios like to dress up for the holidays, whether rain or shine!

Come over in the winter for Macy’s Holiday Parade and Grinchmas, or during Mardi Gras when the streets are bursting with live concerts, parades and cuisine straight from New Orleans.

READ NEXT: 24 Photos to Inspire You to Visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

 

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