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Palm
Beach Florida Vacation Highlights
Palm Beach is not just exclusive residential enclaves of millionaire's winter beach houses, nor is it only about shopping for wildly expensive designer labels in exclusive boutiques. The region has a lot more to offer than just a peek at the lifestyles of the rich and famous.
Palm Beach is a popular destination for scuba divers as they can reach the off shore reef using guide boats operating from the local marinas. As with nearly all Florida beach destinations, Palm Beach offers lots of opportunities for water sports such as sail boating, jet-skiing, kayaking, water skiing, para-sailing and fishing. The luxury mansion commissioned by Henry Flagler (a railroads and oil baron) as a wedding present to his third wife is now the renowned Flagler Museum. Referred to as the "Taj Mahal of North America", the mansion has 55 rooms furnished with European antique pieces in a variety of styles and themes. The mansion is set in magnificent grounds, the highlight of which is Mr. Flagler's restored, private railroad car. The Norton Museum of Art, first opened in 1941, is now world famous for its permanent collections and the quality of its traveling exhibitions. The display featured the art collections of Ralph and Elizabeth Norton and now houses a French collection that contains works by Cézanne, Degas, Gauguin, Matisse, Monet, Picasso, Pissarro, and Renoir. The permanent exhibits also contain paintings by Warhol, Hopper, Pollock and O'Keefe. A family favorite, especially for younger children, is Playmobil Fun Park with its replica castle and themed play areas such as a medieval village, a western town and a fantasy doll house. Over 1,300 animals are kept at Lion Country Safari and range from elephants, wildebeest, ostriches, chimpanzees, antelopes, American bison, buffalo, flamingos and many other unusual species. The 500 acre animal preserve is divided into simulated geographical regions that range from the East African Serengeti to the American West. The park has an un-caged environment for the animals and humans move through the park via motor vehicle following a viewing loop road. Other park attractions include an amusement park with a carousel, paddleboats, mini golf and a popular baby animal nursery. The park provides a great family day out. The Lake Trail runs the length of The Island on the Intracoastal Waterway side and is a popular scenic biking route that offers views of some of the mansions and grounds as well as views of downtown West Palm Beach. ------------------------ About the Author - Terry Hely specializes in travel destination guides that provide valuable planning resources for holiday makers. Find out more about Palm Beach vacations from his page at http://www.go-florida.net/palm-beach.htm |
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The
city is synonymous with excellent beaches, boating and diving combined
with great golf and tennis. There are over 1,100 tennis courts and more
than 150 golf courses within the Palm Beach County precincts. Two golf
courses that are open to the public are Palm Beach Public Golf Course on
the island and Emerald Dunes Golf Course in West Palm Beach.