12 Types of Tourists, and How to Identify Each Kind

Distant lands, faraway places, where dreams meet reality with unforgettable experiences. There are many different exciting ways to see the world. So which tourist type are you?

1. The Flip-Floppers

You know this kind: they can’t decide on anything: what to do, where to eat, or where to stay. They’re very relaxed and tend to go with the crowd, or with whatever the crowd says.

2. The Preachers

The preacher knows what’s best for you, even though you don’t! They tell you what to do and when to do it. They probably make great friends for flip-floppers, no?

3. The Bromads

The Bromads are groups of men who travel, forming bonds and discovering the world together. They’re frequently found traveling world tours or extended travel excursions.

4. The Turtles

These are often new backpackers who consider themselves to be travelers and not tourists. They’re often well-educated, young, and don’t have kids. Why are they called turtles? They carry just about all of their belongings in their backpacks.

5. The Flash-Packers
To them, money is no object. They have disposable income to go anywhere, see anything and go whenever they want. Lucky dogs.

6. The Thrift Drifters

Is that another item from the hotel gift shop? Go figure!
The thrift drifters need help in deciding where their money is best spent. In contrast to flash-packers, these tourists are more concerned about costs, but for them, staying in a vacation rental property in lieu of a hotel is a much better option to help save cash. They can enjoy much nicer amenities, and still go home with money in the bank. That is, if they can resist buying another trinket from the gift shop!

7. The Gap-Packers
They are probably classified as travelers who are “between” life’s different stages. Whether it’s between school and their first job or something else, they’re traveling as a way to experience life before it moves to the next phase.

8. The Lone Backpacker

They’re more inclined to prefer solitude, serenity and peace. Alone.

9. The World Weary

They’ve been traveling for quite some time, and they’re pretty tired of the going. They’re not phased anymore by the excitement of it, but they also don’t want to stop. They would rather stay in some lame hotel than rent a vacation home that they can stay and play in.

10. The Meanderthals

Personal hygiene is not so important. Neither is where they’re traveling to next. It’s all a toss-up for the meanderthals, and they like it that way.

11. The Hitchedhikers

That’s the married couple who are barely speaking to each other. Bored, would you say?

12. The Chic Packer

This is the female traveler who never leaves home without her heels, blowdryer, or nail polish: the incessant diva.

Tourists run a wide range of eclectic characteristics, as their choice of travel destinations briefly sets them apart from most of society during their escapades, with different food tastes, entertainment choices, and social skills, but they all share the same commonality: travel. But no matter what kind of traveler you are, staying in a vacation rental is a wise choice.

A Nature Experience in St. Petersburg

If you’re a nature lover and are planning a vacation to Florida, don’t forget to stop at Boyd Hill Park Nature Preserve in St. Petersburg. Used as a refuge for native Florida wildlife, the park includes 245 acres of natural Florida beauty. From gorgeous flowers and plant life to birds and other wildlife, Boyd Hill is sure to bring out the best in every nature lover.

Within the Boyd Hill Nature Park Preserve are five distinctly different ecosystems. A trail winds its way through and around each of these ecosystems, offering some of the most beautiful views of the native scenery that Florida has to offer.

The Hardwood Hammocks are clusters of hardwood trees that provide shelter for birds and other wildlife. The Sand Pine Scrub is especially interesting because it uses fires to regenerate. It is also one of the oldest habitats found in the state. The Pine Flatwoods cover much of the preserve and are clusters of pine trees. These provide shelter for many of the plants in the park, as well as shelter for the smaller species of wildlife. The Willow Marsh ecosystem is indicative of much of the land in Florida, and the ecosystem along the Lake Shore offers a unique look into another piece of Florida’s landscape.

Boyd Hill is home to numerous species of wildlife and insects. The park is home to many alligators, which are the biggest attraction. There are plenty of walkways and decks specifically used for viewing these reptiles. Smaller wildlife, such as rabbits, raccoons, and even snakes are plentiful throughout the preserve as well.

Seeing Alligators in St. Augustine

If you or a member of your family is a history or wildlife fan, then a family vacation to St. Augustine, Florida should be near the top of your list of vacation spots. One of the oldest cities in the United States, St. Augustine is filled to the brim with history and offers plenty of fun activities for you and your family. One of the most popular places to visit in the city is the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park.

Founded in 1983 by Felix Fire and George Reddington, the park isn’t just a place to see where a bunch of alligators are located. After thriving, relocating, changing ownership, and continuing to grow, the park became a place of research in the mid-70s. One of the largest expansions took place in 1993, and today the zoo is home to a wide variety of alligators and crocodiles.

The park includes numerous exhibits, such as a Komodo Dragon exhibit, as well as an exhibit for the largest alligator in the entire park, Maximo, who weighs a staggering 1,250 pounds. There are also various shows to attend. Visitors can watch the alligators be fed a couple times a day. There are also informational sessions where you can learn about the history of the park, as well as about the different species of alligators and crocodiles throughout the park. There are also the Florida’s Forest Friends and Rainforest Review shows, which showcase parrots and other exotic animal life that can be found throughout Florida.

If you’re looking for the perfect place to hold an event, why not consider having it here? The Conservation Center located on Anastasia Island can hold up to 100 people and is perfect for a luncheon or your child’s birthday party.

Vacationing in Luxury: South Beach

From stunning ocean views, celebrity watching, and gorgeous hotel accommodations, South Beach is sure to please the traveler seeking style. Let’s take a quick look at the view of a luxury hotel South Beach is most known for.

The modern design of the W South Beach is another designer masterpiece in the Starwood hotel family. Each of its 334 rooms offers an ocean view. Located in the heart of the sizzling nightlife of Miami, the W is a splendor of modern design. The hotel is reflection of the hip, sexy and eclectic mix of people and places that make up Miami. The W houses six bars that serve their signature cocktail menu all night long. A full service spa, fitness and business center is available. Enjoy rooftop tennis and basketball all while Fluffy awaits patiently in the room. The W South Beach is a pet-friendly hotel.

To experience the epitome of luxury, plan a stay at The Villa by Barton G. This high-fashioned boutique hotel is housed in the former Versace mansion. Ornately designed architecture stands in opulence alongside water fountains and mosaic floor designs. This gated hotel consists of ten suites, making it an exclusive destination. Each room contains an expansive Italian marble bathroom, separate living rooms, sitting areas, and more. Sitting in The Dinning Room is like being transformed into a palatial wonder of style. Afternoon tea is served in the Mosaic Garden daily. Amenities include personal British-trained butlers and Kindle e-readers with complimentary electronic newspaper delivery.

The Setai caters to visitors who desire a sense of calm with their luxury hotel. South Beach is filled with points of excitement to stimulate your senses. This hotel provides you with an oasis to recharge. Asian Art Deco gives this location an unmistakable modern appeal. Amenities include wireless high-speed internet, Lavazza espresso machines, Bose surround sound systems and more. Personal in-room spa treatments via the full-service spa are available as well as fitness facilities and 24 hour room service.

Spend Spring Break in Florida!

Spring break is a time to get away from the stress of school and in some cases, the cold winter weather. Many people opt for much warmer climates when that all-important week in March rolls around, with Florida being the most popular choice. If you’re planning your next spring break vacation and haven’t been to Florida yet, why not give it some thought? The state offers many different locations that will provide exactly what you’re looking for.

Key West is a great option for those who want a stress-free, laid back, regular spring break vacation. Take a trip to the Hemingway House or sample some of the best local dishes. Key West also provides some of the most popular locations for scuba diving and snorkeling, whether you’re an advanced diver or a beginner.

If you’ve got some extra money and want to spend your break in the lap of luxury, head to West Palm Beach. With beautiful beaches, amazing food, great shopping options, and some of the most pampering spa options in all of Florida, West Palm Beach is sure to satisfy your itch for something out of the ordinary.

One of the most popular destinations for those on spring break in recent years has been Tampa. This city offers a little of everything, regardless of what you may be looking for. Tamps boasts some of the most active nightlife in the state, has plenty of beautiful beachfront locations, and is only a short distance away from Siesta Key, which is considered one of the best beaches in the entire country.

Maybe you’ve planned your entire vacation already. Maybe you’re just planning to wing it. In any case, regardless of what you want from your spring break vacation, Florida offers a wide variety of options, ensuring that there will be a little something to satisfy everybody.

Daytona Beach for Families

It’s no secret that Daytona Beach, Florida has become a big party city in recent years, most popular with college students who visit on spring break in March and April. This fact shouldn’t  curb your ideas of taking a family vacation to the city, though. Contrary to popular belief, Daytona Beach has plenty of offer families, as well as college kids. If you’re planning a family trip to the city, take a look at the list below for some great family-centered ideas of what to do while visiting.

  • The Congo River Adventure Golf Course: This popular miniature golf course boasts a variety of holes—some inside caves, some uphill and downhill, and there’s even one hole where you must keep your ball from ending up in a river. You can even feed alligators before heading into the course if you want, and if that isn’t enough, kids can hunt for treasure as they play through the course.
  • Crabby Joe’s Deck & Grill: Located on the famous Sunglow Pier, this is the perfect spot to start the day with a good meal. While the menu is fairly standard (but include M&M pancakes), the restaurant décor is not. Wither mermaid-inspired themes and beautiful ocean views, Crabby Joe’s is a spot you don’t want to miss!
  • The Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station Museum: If you’re looking for a history lesson, this is a perfect spot. The light house is one of the oldest in the country and stands at 175 feet. You can take yourself on a tour of the inside and visit the building that surround the lighthouse. These are all original and include items that families used years ago. If you’d like to experience a bit of the natural habitat that surrounds the lighthouse, there’s a nature trail that you can wander down.

Family Fun With Harry Potter

If you and your family haven’t gotten enough of Harry Potter and his friends from the smash-hit series by J.K. Rowling or from the ever-popular Hollywood films, there’s another exciting experience available—The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure. As soon as you and your family step through the entrance gates, it’ll feel like you’re in an entirely new world.

This popular new “world” is meant for kids of all ages, as well as adults. Because of the breadth of what’s in side, there’s bound to be something for everyone. Here are a few of the attractions within the world:

  • Visiting Ollivander’s Wand Shop is a must for any visitor. The wait to get in can be lengthy, though, as only twenty guests are allowed in at any given time. In the gift shop, you can purchase the wands used by just about any character in the books and movies, including Hermione and Harry Potter himself. If you’d like, you can also buy the wands in a set, but be aware that they can be a bit on the costly side.
  • Hogwart’s Castle is the most popular section of this attraction, as parts of it are constructed from items used in the movie sets. You can walk through the Forbidden Journey and visit different rooms such as the Dark Arts Classroom, as well as Dumbledore’s Office. At the end of the walk is the chance to go on a 4-D ride.
  • The world wouldn’t be complete without rides, right? There are three main rides and the wait times can be lengthy, depending on how busy the attractions are when you’re visiting. There are rides available for every age bracket, including Flight of the Griffin for smaller children.

The WIzarding World of Harry Potter even has an exclusive restaurant, Three Broomsticks. You can sit inside or outdoors and the menu includes the typical restaurant meals. No soda is served here. Why not try some pumpkin juice or Butterbeer instead?