Kilty Larkin’s

When we hear a name like Pembroke Pines, Florida, we might think most immediately of a sleepy, squeaky with crickets and frogs retirement community. Well, we’d be partially right. Pembroke Pines, Florida is highly accessible as a community for older citizens—with emphasis on activities, services, and events such as antiques and collectibles shows, university classes, and advanced facilities at such places as The Southwest Focal Point Senior Center. But in the same respect, this sizeable municipality in Broward County is home to thirty-somethings (the average age at Pembroke Pines being 36.5), kids, families, and individuals, living in apartments, single-family homes, dorms, and other swellings, as well. In other words, the city of Pembroke Pines, Florida brings with it multiple meanings of the phrase, “a place to settle.”

The tenth-largest city in the state, Pembroke Pines, Florida has a population of 137,427. The average temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees; and the average income is between 40k and 60k, while the average real estate value is in a range of $100,000 to $200,000.

A number of schools and colleges are established in Pembroke Pines, Florida, among them Bright Beginnings Pre-school, Chesterbrook Academy, Charter Elementary School, Charles W. Flanigan High School, Keiser College, and Florida International University.

The arts thrive in Pembroke Pines, Florida, with an arts festival held annually in the River of Grass Arts Park on Sheridan Street; seasonal theatre; and artist shows, art competitions, and themed exhibits year round at the Glass Gallery on Pines Boulevard.

The Pembroke Parks and Recreation Center is home to sports, activities, and events for residents of all diversities and specializes in programs for people with disabilities, for example, offering everything from wheelchair basketball, bowling, and adult socials, to Special Olympics games and arts and crafts.

International cuisine is an understatement in this city, where at almost any hour one can find a bagel, a donut, a burger, Cuban food, Mexican food, Japanese food, and a range of meals and deals—from pizza to poppers, from ice cream to Italian ices.

Health care and fitness programs abound here, as do sports and entertainment venues. After a day on the greens at the Family Golf Center, your group can hit the many fine shops, take to the coast to Dania, Golden, or Sunny Isles Beach, take in a concert at the famous Sportatorium, or take a short jaunt to find entertainment galore in Fort Lauderdale, less than fifty miles away by I95.

From youth programs and summer camp to creative writing and dance and gardening classes to basketball and Bingo… Pembroke Pines, Florida is no slouch in the world of places to live, vacation, play, and/or stay—for anyone of any age.

Your kids want to go to Disney World. They have been driving you crazy with their pleading. Meanwhile, you want to experience a warm, tropical island. Life has been pretty stressful and you want to spend some time relaxing on a sunny beach. How can you please everyone? It’s easy! Plan a Disney cruise vacation. Everyone is happy. The kids meet some of Disney’s most popular characters. You get to visit the Bahamas. Finally, everyone get to spend a few days at Disney World.

With a seven-day Disney cruise vacation, you begin your vacation by spending either three or four days at all of the Walt Disney World theme parks. Travelers get to experience the wonders of Epcot Center, MGM Studios, Magic Kingdom, and Animal Kingdom. Guests stay at one of the Walt Disney World popular resorts. This is only the first part of your Disney cruise vacation. The fun has only begun!

The remaining three or four days of your Disney cruise vacation is spent aboard one of Disney Cruise Line’s cruise ships. This portion of your Disney cruise vacation begins at Port Canaveral. You will board a Disney cruise ship where delicious buffets, live entertainment, fun activities, and plenty of other luxuries await. The cruise ship sails to Nassau in the Bahamas. You get to spend a full day in Nassau. You can sunbathe on the gorgeous beaches, partake in some water activities, go shopping, or do some sightseeing. That evening, you board the ship and set sail for Castaway Cay.

A Disney cruise vacation includes a trip to Disney’s private island Castaway Cay. Castaway Cay is modeled after Peter Pan’s Neverland. Children love the wide array of tidal pools. Teenagers love the ìteens onlyî beach where they can sunbathe or do some snorkeling. Adults love the pristine beaches. All areas of Castaway Cay are supervised, so parents can have some alone time while their children go off and have fun!

To go on a Disney cruise vacation, effective in December 2006, travelers will be required to carry a valid passport. The passport must be shown when entering the Bahamas, boarding your ship, and reentering the United States.

Rates for a Disney cruise vacation are very reasonable and include your activities, meals, and accommodations. Airfare can be requested for an additional fee. Taxes and airport surcharges are not included. It’s an economical way to take your whole family on an unforgettable vacation.

When it comes to booking a cruise you can handle the details yourself by visiting one of the online travel sites. If you’d prefer to leave the details to someone else, a travel agent can handle everything so all you need to do is enjoy the cruise.