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Chinsegut Wildlife and Environmental Area Trails

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Both the Big Pine Tract and the Chinsegut Nature Center have several hiking trails, including the "Prairie to Pines Trail" which connects the two properties by winding through a variety of landscapes. The trails on the Big Pine Tract are open year-round and those at the Nature Center are open by appointment (352-754-6722), Friday and Saturday from 8 am - 2 pm, and during during special events and other programs. White-tailed deer are abundant and frequently wander by the Nature Center. The Pinewoods treefrog sounds out its morse-code-like tapping from high in the trees. Turkeys are found among the oaks and pines and sometimes roost in the cypress fringing May's Prairie.

Amenities:
  • Designation
  • Geographic Trail
  • Trail Information
  • Length of Trail (in miles) 9.8
  • Unpaved

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Cocoa Beach would be the closest to Orlando. It’s on the Atlantic side and only about 55 minutes away. It's also home to the Kennedy Space Center. Daytona Beach or New Smyrna would be about a 75-minute drive. If you seek Gulf coast beaches, head to St. Petersburg/Clearwater Beach (less than two hours). The beaches are beautiful and there is plenty to do for families – we love Pier 60 in Clearwater.

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Great back road drives are all over the state and a book that’s recommended often is Jan Godown Annino's Scenic Driving Florida. Also, check out VISITFLORIDA.com/driving_tours, which offers articles, videos, blogs and photos on roads, attractions, parks and museums. Until then, a few of my favorites are:

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On the southwest coast, in Naples, just north of the Ten Thousand Islands and the Everglades, you have a can’t-miss selection. The Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club is renowned, as is the Ritz-Carlton Golf resort. The La Playa Beach Resort and the Lely Resort are also terrific golf resorts.
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We posed your question to Chelsea Auffarth, spokeswoman for Orlando Premium Outlets. See below for her response.

Happy shopping (and saving)!

From Chelsea:

While every day is a sale at our centers, outlets do have seasonal sales. Please see below for our 2011 sale calendar. Orlando Premium Outlets offers over 300 stores in the Orlando area which offer savings of 25 percent to 65 percent everyday with additional sales throughout the year. You can visit the Sales & Events page of our website to view our current in-store promotions.

It’s no secret that shopping is a top activity for travelers and vacationers. While kids of all ages enjoy the thrills of Orlando’s theme parks, savvy shoppers enjoy the thrill of finding the finest designer brands at savings at the area’s two incredible outlet centers – one serving the area near Walt Disney World and the other serving the area near Universal Orlando Resort.

Located close to Universal Orlando Resort at the north end of International Drive is Orlando Premium Outlets - International Drive, featuring 180 designer and name-brand outlet stores, including: Baccarat, Betsey Johnson, Coach, Cole Haan, Dooney & Bourke, J.Crew, Jack and Janie, Judith Ripka, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, Lalique, Last Call by Neiman Marcus, The North Face, Pearl Izumi, Perry Ellis, Polo Ralph Lauren, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, St. John, Thomas Pink, True Religion, Vince and much more.

Located only one mile from Walt Disney World on Interstate 4 at exit 68 on Vineland Avenue, Orlando Premium Outlets - Vineland Avenue features 150 designer and name-brand outlet stores. This beautiful, Mediterranean inspired village offers area visitors a chance to purchase some of the finest designer brands at great savings. The impressive list of stores includes A|X Armani Exchange, Barneys New York Outlet, BCBG Max Azria, Brooks Brothers, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Coach, Cole Haan, Diesel, Dior, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Hugo Boss, J.Crew, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, LeSportsac, Lucky Brand, Marni, MaxMara, Michael Kors, Nautica, Polo Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tag Heuer, Tod’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Tory Burch, Wolford, Zegna Outlet and much more. 

In addition to these two high end outlet centers, shoppers should save time to stop by a third area center, located just south of Orlando Premium Outlets - International Drive. Orlando Marketplace features 40 designer and name-brand outlet stores that have impressive savings on such brands as Calvin Klein, Coldwater Creek, Nine West, Reebok, Sketchers, Van Heusen and more.

To save even more, shoppers can log onto www.premiumoutlets.com/vip to sign up for the VIP Shopper Club. There is no cost to join, and shoppers will receive additional exclusive savings and discounts. 

For additional information, log onto the website, www.premiumoutlets.com/orlando.  

2011 Calendar:

Presidents’ Day Sale: Friday-Monday, Feb. 18 - 21
Friday, Feb. 18: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 19: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 20: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 21: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

Easter: Sunday, April 24
10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Memorial Day Weekend Sale: Friday-Monday, May 27-30
Friday, May 27: 10am-11 p.m.
Saturday, May 28: 10am-11 p.m.
Sunday, May 29: 10am-9 p.m.
Monday, May 30: 10am-11 p.m.

July 4 Summer Sale: Thursday-Monday, June 30 - July 4
Thursday, June 30: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Friday, July 1: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Saturday, July 2: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday, July 3: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Mon, July 4: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

Labor Day Weekend Sale: Friday -Monday, Sept. 2 -5
Friday, Sept. 2: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 3: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 4: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 5: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, Nov. 24 - Center Open

After-Thanksgiving Weekend Sale featuring Midnight Madness: Friday - Sunday, Nov. 25 - 27

After-Holiday Sales: Monday, Dec. 26 - Monday, Jan. 2

Q: Do you have a list of luxury resorts and hotels?

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Absolutely. If you’d like to compare resorts and amenities, take a look at this page that covers all things Florida luxury. You can search listings or browse content by articles, blogs, photos and videos.

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