Travelsmartplanet

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Wherever you are in New Zealand, you are never far from a beach or birds. Here, the birds are the only ones enjoying Eastern Beach.

During this year’s holiday season, families will be able to enjoy a festive drive through experience at Daytona International Speedway. The “World Center of Racing” will be transformed with hundreds of light displays into a holiday spectacle, a 1.5 mile long Magic of Lights, using the latest in LED and digital animation technologies specifically designed for this iconic venue.

Experience the holiday spirit drive-through from the comfort of your own car. At every turn, and in every direction, the magical route is overflowing with spectacular light displays and animations. Be transfixed when Santa’s team of reindeer cross in flight above your vehicle, see the sweetest 200-foot long Candy Cane Lane, a delightful Snowflake Forest and even more festivities.

Magic of Lights is a fun and memorable family entertainment. To commemorate the season of giving a portion of every ticket to Magic of Lights benefits the Florida Hospital Foundation.

Location: Daytona International Speedway, 1801 West International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Dates: until Dec 31st, 2018
Hours: every night from dusk – 10 pm
Tel: 330-441-4255
magicoflights.com/daytona
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: daytonabeach.com

The Miami Beach Kizomba Festival (MBKF) marks its 5th year of bringing people together from across the globe to celebrate African culture, music and dance.

Kizomba is a slow, sensual dance and musical genre originating in Angola in 1984, a more modern music genre mixed with African rhythm and usually sung in Portuguese.  Kizomba means “party” in Kimbundu, and that is just what you are going to get at this festival.

Not to mention outstanding workshops, world-class dance instruction and lessons, unforgettable music concerts, live musicians and performing artists, superstar DJ’s  and sunrise beach parties, night parties, and pool parties.

MBKF takes place at the iconic Eden Roc Hotel, August 22-27, with live performances by Yola Semedo and Jennifer Dias. You can choose between a Party Pass, Weekend Pass or Full pass. If you like dancing, join the celebration at the Miami Beach Kizomba Festival, a great atmosphere of people from all over the world partying all night under one roof.

For Tickets:  Buy Now

Location: Eden Roc Miami, 4525 Collins Ave, Miami, FL 33140
Dates: Wed, Aug 22 – Mon, Aug 27.  2018
Time: various – see schedule
Tel: 914-226-9554
thembkf.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: miamiandbeaches.com

Love ocean sports? Why not soak up the beach vibe as Daytona Beach hosts the Pan American Masters Championship – the largest ocean swim competition to be held in Daytona Beach to date.

Swimmers from all over the world – from youth to adult and novice to Olympian – will descend upon the white sand beaches and the inviting waters of Daytona Beach to compete in the Open Water (1.5K and 5K).

Starting and finishing at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, check out the map and schedule for the best vantage points along the coast to watch the event. Admission FREE.

Discover Daytona Beach, where you have a 500-foot sandy backdrop to unplug, unwind and reconnect with one another.

Location: Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, 100 North Atlantic Avenue Daytona Beach, FL 32118
Date: Sun, Aug 5, 2018
Time: Starting at 7am
2018panammasters.com
For Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: daytonabeach.com

Take a Sunset Kayak Tour at Sebastian Inlet State Park for a memorable exploration the Indian River Lagoon, home to brown and white pelicans, herons, egrets, osprey, bottle-nosed dolphin and manatee. 

Or maybe you’d prefer the Full Moon Kayak Tours,  available on June 29, June 30,July 27, 28 and Aug 25. Under the light of the full moon, join an adventure, glow sticks in hand, through the grass flats and explore the Indian River Lagoon. After the tour, relax and enjoy Smore’s and refreshments at the Marina.

Included in these tours: a kayak or paddle-board, safety vests and safety instructions.

Location: BG’s Bayside and Marina, 9502 S. Hwy A1A
Melbourne Beach Florida, 32951 – Located inside Sebastian Inlet State Park
Date: Sunset Tours: weekly – Sun, Wed, Thur, Fri, and Sat, Full Moon – usually only once a month,  Please check schedule
Time: Sunset Tours – 7pm, Full Moon – 7:30pm
Tel: 321-724-5424
bgsurfsidegrillandadventures.com/sunset-tours
Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitspacecoast.com

elebrate the 10th anniversary of Kites Against Cancer as the sky above Hampton Beach becomes filled with kites of all colors as friends and neighbors gather to honor and remember loved ones affected by cancer.

This inspirational family event kicks off with Zumba® at 11:00 a.m., followed by kite flying and decorating, face painting, raffles, refreshments, music and more.

Special kites available the day of the event. Participants are encouraged to decorate or personalize their kites in memory or in honor of a loved one. Kites will fill the sky as a sign of hope and support for those affected by cancer. Event proceeds benefit programs and services at Exeter Hospital’s Center for Cancer Care.

Unable to attend?  Show your support with a virtual kite and still be part of this special event. With your $10 donation towards a virtual kite, your loved one will be honored and remembered.  Their name will be added to a large kite, which will be flown during the event.  Click here to purchase a virtual kite. 

Location: Hampton Beach (at the Oceanfront Pavilion), Hampton, NH 03842
Date: Sun, May 20, 2018
Time: 11-3pm
Tel: 603-580-6668
unitedinwellness.org/events/kites-against-cancer/
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: portsmouthnh.com

Held on the white sands of Fort Lauderdale Beach Park in a beautiful oceanside setting, Tortuga Music Festival is a 3-day, multi-stage music festival featuring some of the biggest names in country, rock and roots music.

Tortuga Music Festival brings like-minded fans together for an unforgettable beach weekend experience that pairs music with meaning to raise awareness for marine conservation.

The Academy of Country Music named it the Festival of the Year in 2017 when more than 100,000 folks attended, including fans from all 50 states and 22 countries. Friday headliners are Florida Georgia Line, Snoop Dog and Lee Brice. Saturday’s biggies are Keith Urban, Dwight Yoakam, Kim Moore and Shaggy. Sunday’s featured acts are Eric Church, the Brothers Osborne and Cheap Trick.

Tortuga Music Festival works hand in hand with the Rock The Ocean Foundation to increase public awareness about the issues impacting the world’s oceans and to support scientific research, education, and ocean conservation initiatives.

Over $1,000,000 has been given back to the Conservation Village partners as a direct result of ticket sales and donations from Rock The Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival.

Check out the lineup here, and learn more about ocean conservation and how you can help. All ages welcome,  children 6 and under will receive free general admission.
Single-Day & 3-DAY Passes On Sale click here

Location: Fort Lauderdale Beach, 1100 Seabreeze Blvd. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316.
Dates: April 6-8, 2018
Time: 12pm – 10pm daily
Tel: 512-674-9300
tortugamusicfestival.com

For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: sunny.org

Dubbed the “World’s Largest Motorcycle Event,” Bike Week is a 10-day event filled with high-octane street festivals, concerts, motorcycle races, bike shows, rallies, manufacturer showcases and more.

Established more than seven decades ago, nowadays over 500,000 motorcyclists make it an annual pilgrimage. Motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world enjoy spring riding in Daytona Beach along historic Main Street and Beach Streets, Scenic A1A Highway or through the best of old Florida, the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop.

There will be celebrating at Daytona International Speedway, Bruce Rossmeyer’s Destination Daytona, the U.S. 1 corridors in Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach, and at Riverfront Park in downtown Daytona Beach.

With so many events taking place, use the calendar below to make sure that you don’t miss anything.

OFFICIAL BIKE WEEK CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

Location: Various
Dates: March 9 – 18, 2018
Times: various
Tel: 386-255-0981
officialbikeweek.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: daytonabeach.com

Every winter, throughout the months of January and February, the Jekyll Island Authority hosts a beach treasure hunt known as Island Treasures.

The origin of the event dates back to the early 1900s, when fishermen used glass floats as markers on their nets. Occasionally, the floats would break loose and wash ashore for lucky beachcombers to find and keep. Collecting the rare, highly sought-after glass floats became a hobby in the 1950s.

On Jekyll Island, the tradition continues with the annual Island Treasures event. Artists from across the country are selected to create one-of-a-kind glass floats. Colorful hand-crafted glass floats or globes, similar to the ones once used on fishing nets, are created by glass artisans from across the country.  New for this year, treasure hunters will now hunt for clear, plastic globes that can be exchanged for a handmade glass float at the Jekyll Island Guest Information Center.

Island Treasures are hidden daily, always  in plain view and public spaces. The treasures will never be placed in the dunes, marshes, animal habitats or private property. And, each weekend, double the number of globes hidden around the island.

Inside each plastic globe,  lucky treasure hunters will find a card with instructions to take the globe to the Jekyll Island Guest Information Center. Each card will have a number that corresponds to a real, handcrafted Island Treasure. Hunters will be limited to one glass float per household per year, increasing everyone’s chance to find a glass float. Hunters will also receive a certificate of authenticity and artist biography for their one-of-a-kind float. The Guest Information Center will be open daily, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

This Island Treasures event is FREE and lots of fun for all ages and as a bonus you get to explore this beautiful island.

Location: Jekyll Island Guest Information Center, 901 Downing Musgrove Causeway
Jekyll Island, GA 31527
Date: until Feb 28, 2018
Time: Open daily, 9 -6pm
Tel: 912- 635-3636 or 1-877-4-Jekyll
jekyllisland.com/signatureevents/island-treasures
For Regional accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: jekyllisland.com, goldenisles.com

Raise funds by diving into the frigid Atlantic Ocean in New Castle, NH to benefit the thousands of animals that will turn to the NHSPCA in need of warmth, nourishment, medical care and love this year.

Are you willing to freeze your tail off for the animals? Join the New Hampshire SPCA’s 8th Annual Doggie Paddle Plunge. Take the plunge for New Hampshire homeless animals. Register, raise funds, and dive into the frigid Atlantic Ocean alongside hundreds of other animal lovers on February 24th in New Castle.

Don’t want to freeze but want to support the animals? Register as a Virtual Plunger for $15 and raise funds without diving. Or make a donation to one of the many excited Plungers to help them reach their goal. No matter what you choose, you’re supporting animals in need.

Funds raised will help the New Hampshire SPCA continue its lifesaving mission. Now this is a cause worthy of freezing your tail off. Four-legged friends can watch from the beach but no doggie plungers permitted.

Location: New Castle Great Island Common, 301 Wentworth Rd, New Castle, NH 03854
Date: Saturday Feb 24, 2018
Time: 10am – 2:30 pm
Tel: 603-772-2921
nhspca.org/Doggie-Paddle-Plunge
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: portsmouthnh.com