Florida Island Voted No. 2 Most Gorgeous in America
One Florida island has been named the No. 2 best and most gorgeous island in America by travel experts. It’s appropriate, because it goes without saying that this state is simply beautiful in the summer, and that includes all of our lovely islands. Actually, you can enjoy Florida and its islands any time of the year, but summer just feels right.
Florida Island Voted No. 2 Most Gorgeous
The travel experts at TravelandLeisure.com have put together a tally of the best islands in America. They included only islands in the continental U.S., by the way. “It’s hard to wrap your mind around just how wide-ranging and varied the American experience can be, but this year’s list of the best islands in the continental U.S. captures it well,” they state. They add, “The islands here are a testament to just how much natural and cultural diversity our own backyard has to offer.” As for methodology, it was extensive, so you know that this tally is accurate. For the survey, Travel and Leisure asked readers to explain their travel experiences and share their thoughts on the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. More than 186,000 readers completed the 2024 survey. For the islands, the criteria included natural attractions and beaches; activities and sights; restaurants and food; people and friendliness; and value. Also, for each of those categories, residents were asked to give a rating of either excellent, above average, average, below average or poor. Let’s hope nobody got a poor rating.
So, which Florida island was voted one of the best and most gorgeous islands in America? According to the publication, it’s Amelia Island in Florida, which is No. 2 on their tally. Amelia Island is located right off the northeast coast of Florida. It’s a beautiful beach with that special Southern charm and is about 30 minutes from Jacksonville. Also, No. 5 is the Florida Keys, and No. 10 is Sanibel Island. If you’re wondering, No. 1 on the list is Golden Isles in Georgia, which counts Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons Island, Sea Island and St. Simons Island. One voter who was really impressed with this Georgia spot says that Little St. Simons is “truly a magical place. It’s wonderful to be able to unplug and connect with nature.” That really does sound lovely, and now I want to go there. No. 3 is Mackinac Island in Michigan. I’m happy to see all these spots get some love. Read below to find secret tips to save money on your next vacation, whether it’s to the islands or not.
Secret Tips to Save Money on Your Next Vacation
1. Try to Negotiate Your Lodging
Did you know that hotel fees can be negotiable? Fidelity.com points out that, “You may be able to negotiate the online price by calling a hotel directly, or asking if they have any discounts for students, government employees, or members of certain groups, such as AAA.” So, don’t settle for that price you see on your laptop. Try to do better. It’s a secret tip that can pay off bigtime.
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2. Get Smart with Your Lodging
Did you know some hotels that are virtually the same, including the same brand, can be cheaper just a few miles apart? As a general rule, hotels that are near the airport are more expensive. So, you can look at the hotels you want to stay at and their multiple locations in the area for the best rate. “Some hotels that are under construction may rent rooms at a discount, which is a great option if you can deal with the noise,” Fidelity.com points out.
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3. Snack Your Way to a Cheaper Trip
Going out to eat on vacation can be one of the most exciting things about the trip. But, if you want to save on cash, skip a few meals out and opt for healthy, hearty snacks. Pack (or buy at a local store) some protein-rich snacks, like protein bars and meal bars, and limit your dining out. You can still enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer, just not as much of it. This is a way to stay fit on your trip, too. A lot of people don’t think of this tip, so it’s a bit of a secret.
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4. Timing is Everything
You’ve heard it so many times in life: Timing is everything. That’s true for travel, too. Research to find the least-busy times to visit your destination. If you travel during those downtimes, you’ll save big. While this is a common tip, something people forget is that every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, be specific for your travel spot.
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5. Travel with a Friend
If you’re thinking of traveling solo to a place you’ve always wanted to visit, go cheaper by traveling with a friend. You two can share lodging fees. Also, sometimes there are more deals and discounts for those traveling with multiple people. I always do this when going to a big music festival, if it’s far away. I’ll usually meet my friend there, and we share lodging costs. It also makes the trip more fun.
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6. Find Free Spots to Travel
Look for some free attractions in your travel area. Chances are, they won’t be as packed as the big-named places, too. You can still visit some of the popular landmarks. But, if you add a trip to a national park or free museum to your itinerary, it will save you some cash.
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7. Max Out Your Memberships
Are you a member of any random groups? You might have travel deals just waiting for you. Check everything, from your college alumni membership to your credit cards, for travel discounts. You may be surprised what you find.
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8. Don't Get Picky
Say you just want to get out on a fantastic trip, but you don’t really have a place in mind. That’s actually a good thing. Take an hour to look at flight specials happening right now. If you aren’t picky on where to travel, chances are you’ll find a great rate on airfare and lodging somewhere. Once you find the most reasonable place to travel, then you can start looking at what to do when you’re there.
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9. Go Popular
This is a bit ironic, but often times, the most popular tourist destinations are also the cheapest. That’s because there is a lot of competition for all those travelers. So, big-named destinations like Orlando, Florida, or Las Vegas, Nevada, tend to have really good travel deals. Go popular, or go home.
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