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florida is well known as as both a vacation and retirement destination, and as you might expect, is home to many excellent golf courses. In this article, we will review some of beautiful public golf courses in florida, and what they offer.

1. When most people think of Orlando, they tend to think of the area's many tourist attractions, including the walt disney world Resort (which is actually in nearby Lake buena Vista), SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Studios florida. The city is also home to Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club and Lodge, which has been rated as having one of the best 100 public golf courses in the country by golf Digest. As well as excellent golf, the facilities include a 70 room lodge, a spa, a salon, a fitness center, a pool and tennis courts.

2. and 3. Ginn Hammock Beach Resort, located in Palm Coast, which on the Atlantic Coast of florida near St. Augustine, offers two interesting golf courses: "The Conservatory golf Course" and "The Ocean Course". The Conversatory features undulating greens that very unusual for golf courses in the state, and in fact has the highest slope rating of any golf course in florida. The Ocean Course is a signature design by Jack Nicklaus, and has six holes that are right on the Atlantic Ocean - it is also generally considered one of the best public golf courses in the country, and beginning this year, 2007, will be home to the new Ginn Championship, which will surely become one of the biggest events on the PGA Champions Tour.

4. TPC at Sawgrass is a world reknown golf facility in Jacksonville, which is home to the PGA Tour's THE PLAYERS Championship. There is more than one course at the TPC at Sawgrass, but surely the highest rated is the Stadium Course, which is one of the very best golf courses in the country. The Stadium Course has recently been renovated and improved, so as to offer an even better golf experience, all year round.

5. and 6. world Woods golf Course which is in Brooksville, offers two excellent golf courses: "Tom Fazio's Pine Barrens" and "Rolling Oaks". It is also home to a high quality golf practice facility and driving range, which is sure to help you improve your game.

For contact details of 100 excellent public golf courses in the usa, and a detailed guide to family-friendly golf vacations in the usa, please visit http://www.guide2golfvacations.com/

For a guide to improving your golf fitness, please visit http://www.guide2golffitness.com/

If you have a golf web site, click the "Affiliates" link at the bottom of the page to earn great commissions promoting either of these guides.

Napa Valley: The Home of Californias Wine Country Everyone likes a good wine tasting tour. The question arises: Where are we going to go and how reachable are the wineries from one another? Few regions in the US boast a better environment for vineyards and the subsequent wine manufacturing than california.

When you think of California's Wine Country, you're thinking about Napa Valley and Sonoma county, situated just north of san francisco and the Bay area. Father Junpero Serra, a Franciscan missionary, first brought wine to the state of california when he began the first vineyard in san diego in 1769. In the years that followed, wineries began to creep farther north along with establishment of spanish missions. The wine industry really began to take root after the Gold Rush of 1849, when Count Agoston Haraszthy established Buena Vista, the first premium winery in the area. In nearby Napa Valley, Charles Krug introduced Riesling grapes in 1861.

The Charles Krug Winery is still in operation but is now run by the Peter Mondavi Family. The area's wine industry continued to flourish over the next century but failed to receive international recognition until the mid-1970s. The Stag's Leap Winery put California's wine country on the map after it squeezed out a victory over world-renowned Mouton Rothschild in a competition in paris in 1976. By the mid-1980s the wines from Napa Valley were considered fit for royalty, Quail Ridge Vineyard's 1981 Chardonnay was served to the late Lady Di and Prince Charles at the White House.

In the last two decades California's wine country has continued to grow and now the region is home to hundreds of wineries and vineyards. Millions of people visit Napa Valley and Sonoma county every year to imbibe the Chardonnays, Cabernet Sauvignons, Pinot Noirs, Merlots, and Zinfandels the area is now famous for.

California's central coast is known for gentle, green hills and deep valleys (you may have even seen a landscape shot of the Napa Valley as the default wallpaper on Windows XP). The Napa Valley is to the east of Sonoma county and is typically warmer in the summer, resulting in a better yield of Cabernet Sauvignon. Sonoma County's slightly cooler weather typically brings in better Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Despite the hotter weather father south, Paso Robles, near san Luis Obispo, has established an American Viticultural area that has become one of the fastest growing winery regions in california.

Napa Valley and Sonoma county
The better-known wine country of central california is, of course, in Napa Valley and neighboring Sonoma county, which are home to over 280 wineries. This beautiful area, with its gentle rolling hills, is a great place to tour around. Virtually every winery offers tours and wine tastings, they vary in price between $5 and $20 and are usually open daily - be sure to check with the individual winery for exact hours. To check out other vineyards and wineries, planning is a must, simply because of the sheer number. Keep in mind that this area is also very scenic (in case you're traveling with a non-wine drinker). For fans of the 1980s television show Falcon Crest, this area was the setting for the fictional Tuscany Valley. Most of the wineries offer free public tours from mid-morning to late afternoon, but many of them require some sort of advance reservation.

california wine production truly started in Sonoma county at the Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery, which started off as part of the Sonoma Mission set up by the spanish in 1824. The Seabstiani Vineyards produce a wide assortment of wines and appellations such as Zinfandel, Merlot, Pinot noir, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon. Tours of the Sebastiani Vineyards are available, as is wine tasting, for a small fee.

Located on the Carneros Estate, the oldest winery in Sonoma county is Buena Vista. In addition to being a state historical landmark, the Buena Vista Winery was started by Count Agoston Haraszthy and is the headquarters for the U.S. branch of the Knights of the Vine. There are tours offered which only cost about $15 per person as well as a $5 tasting fee. The Green Hungarian is a particular selection of the wine produced by the vineyard.

Another unique winery, the Carmenet Vineyard, create wines using exclusively French techniques, such as malo-lactic fermentation, and by stacking their wines in a natural cave. Tours of the Carmenet Vineyard are by appointment only and their in-house wines, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and Merlot are available for tasting.

More about Napa Valley and other areas in california of interest to wine aficionados can be found on http://www.TripCart.com the internets leading travel planning guide.

When considering investment properties, first of all, it must be determined that it is profitable and a good idea to purchase rental properties. Lets talk about this aspect. Owning rental property produces rental income which, if after expenses are deducted produces a profit, would be viewed as a good investment. Add to this the possibility that property has the potential to increase in value over time and you have some solid reasons to purchase investment properties.

If the rental income is paying more than the monthly mortgage amount leaving some excess for home repairs, it is possible the home could be paid off entirely by renters. At some point in the future, this same home can be sold with the seller receiving the full value of the property. Sounds like you cant go wrong in owning rental properties. But is this true? It all depends on whether the investor has thoroughly completed their homework.

If you are presently considering an investment in rental properties, be sure you do some thorough research. Its important for the property investor to gather adequate information before committing to rental property ownership. Searching the internet, reading real estate publications, attending seminars, and speaking personally with property investors is a great beginning that will place you on the road to making a wise, informed decision. Starting up a business is a little like real estate investment. Knowing the facts and putting time into the purchase gives you a much greater chance of success. Doing your homework can prevent disastrous property investment decisions. Why a Real Estate Investment in Florida? There are many issues that need careful consideration before making a final decision on property investment. These include the location of the property, Are you interested in an urban or rural location? What is the condition of the property, how much maintenance will be required to keep it in good working order? What are your financing options? What do taxes run on that particular piece of property in that location? How will you select tenants?

These are all vital questions that could determine the success or failure of your venture. Lets refer to the first and probably most important of questions to ask regarding property investment. What location will you choose? In searching for the best possible location, it is important to look at trends among renters. The American population continues to grow with a gain of about one person every 14 seconds. Where are all these new people coming from? An increase in our own population and immigration account for this strong growth. With this in mind, it is safe to say there will be a continued need for housing in the future. Concerning the immigration population, California, New York and Florida lead the list, in that order, in new residents. What a potential pool of people to pull from! Looking at the cost of real estate purchase in these three states, a real estate investment in Florida ranks among the most reasonably priced. Along with the strong immigration growth, Florida is a hot tourist destination, making it an ideal location for the purchase of rental property.

Real Estate Investment in Florida Where is a Good Choice?

Along with having the 3rd highest rate of population growth, the high tourism rate is definitely a great reason for a real estate investment in Florida. With its year-round temperate climate and vast array of attractions, both natural and created, it is the ideal location for family holiday vacations. Families and singles return again and again to enjoy the delightful holidays Florida offers. Deciding where to purchase your real estate investment in Florida may be a difficult decision. Tourists in Florida are searching for sun and fun. A real estate investment near the beach, from Key West in the south to Jacksonville in the north and east from Daytona Beach to Fort Myers would offer good returns on your investment. Beach lovers will pay top dollar for rentals near the ocean. Lets consider Central Florida as a wise real estate investment. Walt Disney world has made Orlando the 3rd favorite tourist destination for overseas travelers. Only Los Angeles and New York City rank higher. With its resplendent and numerous lakes, tropical landscaping and modern, clean skyline, Orlando, the largest city in Central Florida, has aptly earned its title of The City Beautiful. Along with the biggest drawing card of all, Walt Disney world, theme parks such as Universal Studios and Sea world, have made Orlando one of the largest markets in the world for tourism. 2.6million international travelers flocked to Orlando in 2004, according to the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, a 12 percent increase from 2003.

Real Estate Investment in Florida Where in Central Florida?

Having established the fact that Central Florida is a hot tourist market, it would stand to reason that a real estate investment in Florida, particularly the Central Florida area, would make good business sense. But how would one go about locating a desirable area and property for this investment? A beginning search would lead you to researching properties listed with the major real estate companies or visit craigslist.org in your area. Deciding which type of property is important. Do you prefer a single family residence, a townhouse or condo? Keep in mind that townhouse and condo purchases may offer onsite property management services. Will your real estate investment in Florida purchase be in a new development, or in an established, older area? Purchasing rental property in a new development often offers pre-construction prices which can be substantially lower than prices post construction. Are you available to manage the property, or do you wish to employ a property management company to take care of the details of property upkeep, record keeping and renter booking? Doing it yourself can save you 6 percent and more of the cost of rent, but can end up costing you if you dont know what you are doing. If you do not plan on living in close proximity to your rental property, it would be wise to consider spending some extra dollars to employ a property management company. This will save you headaches and time, your own time for property maintenance and the time it takes to locate renters.

Real Estate Investment in Florida Consider Davenport, Fl Considering a real estate investment in Florida, just 5 miles southwest of Disney you will discover the quiet, quaint town of Davenport, Fl. Its central location yet off the beaten track give it an appeal all its own. Davenport, Fl is only 2 square miles in size. With its small town appeal, it is an attractive rental option for tourists. Davenport, FL is under 30 minutes from Universal Studios, Sea world, Disney world and other Orlando attractions. It is just one and hours from Kennedy Space Center and within an hours drive to Tampa (home of Busch Gardens) and Cocoa Beach. After a hectic day at the major tourist attractions, what a welcome respite it would be for renters to lodge in this quiet location which is surrounded by orange groves. Convenience is another drawing card with a Super Wal-Mart, open 24 hours a day, just nine miles away. Kissimmee is just a short drive with its spectacular nightlife entertainment options such as Arabian Nights and Medieval Times. Family oriented Kissimmee attractions, Green Meadows Farm and the Silver Spurs Rodeo are also nearby. The small town environment of Davenport, Fl offers a quiet stay that is near all the most popular attractions, including theme parks, family spots and great shopping and dining, located not far from the Florida Mall, outlet malls and the Orlando Mall.

Bimini Bay, Davenport, Fl

Located in Davenport, Fl in close proximity to Walt Disney world, is a brand new development, Bimini Bay. On 80 acres, 360 three bedroom two bath townhouses are ready for purchase. The Davenport, Fl townhouses are turnkey ready with fully equipped kitchens, appliances and all that is needed to set up house including linens. There will also be 360 fully equipped one bedroom apartments. The planned amenities include a resort pool, two movie theatres with stadium seating, a major chain restaurant, a large Club House, a pool, lazy river, water slides, exercise room, tennis and volleyball courts along with many other features. The best part about an investment in a townhouse at Bimini Bay, Davenport, Fl is that the property maintenance aspect is taken care of for you. The investor reaps the benefits of ownership such as property appreciation and the ability to stay in the purchased property for a minimal fee without the headaches of property management. The onsite management team takes care of maintenance, markets the property and secures renters. The investor receives the same rental income each month, making this a low stress investment. At the beginning of this article, there was discussion on managing rental property yourself or obtaining a management company for this purpose. Purchasing property at Bimini Bay ensures the on-site management will handle all the issues of property management, while allowing the investor the advantage of a steady income along with the benefit of using the property.

Lisa Carson
Real Estate investment in Florida Expert
http://www.biminibayresortinvestment.com
Offering the only Guaranteed Monthly Rental program in Orlando Florida for Florida investment Properties