Welcome back to another episode of my podcast, Plan, Pack and Recap! Today I will be highlighting what you can look forward to here in Central Florida while giving you an idea of how the weather has been this month (tbh it’s been nice and cool, with daytime temps hitting 70, and nights cooling off in the 50’s, at times cooler). This weather will be staying on point through next month when it usually warms up for the influx of spring breakers. Typically this episode airs earlier in the month but while there have been some fun events happening, there’s still plenty to look forward to, as these cover the end of February through mid March but there will be more events covered in two weeks, stay tuned!

Each month, I will be sharing a snapshot of notable events or festivals in a ‘Best of Central Florida’ for a particular month, and this month I will be highlighting what’s going on end of February 2024, the big events in particular: The Florida Strawberry Festival through March 10th, plenty of Mardi Gras events at the theme parks, Seven Seas Festival at SeaWorld Orlando, Epcot is returning their Flower and Garden festival starting Feb 28-May 27th, and Daytona Beach Bike Week from Mar 1-10th.

I will always encourage you to research what fun options await you when planning your next Central Florida staycation, vacation or a few hours for the day in between your next adventure but I’m so glad you’re here.

You can always follow the podcast on Instagram at @withchrisandjess, or find all of our resources and links mentioned on our blog: www.withchrisandjess.blogspot.com

Next week, I will have another Reasons to Visit episode covering the Florida Strawberry Festival starting February 29th. Can’t wait to share more with you then!

Disclaimer: All episodes are of my opinions or experiences while traveling on a budget. Always do your research to make sure you can enjoy your experience fully based on your personal budget.

Welcome to another episode of my podcast, Plan, Pack and Recap series: Reason to Visit where I will be highlighting all the important details about a local Central Florida attraction or events to aid in your research so you can have a better perspective of what fun options awaits you when planning your next Central Florida staycation or vacation! I’m so glad you’re here.

Today’s episode is about sharing the very walkable entertainment attraction of Icon Park, anchored by the Wheel, which is about 40 stories in the air to give really good views. Parking is free, and it can be located near SeaWorld, Mall of Millenia and Universal Orlando. There are plenty of attractions within Icon Park such as Madame Tussaud’s, Sea Life Aquarium, the Starflyer which is next to Icon Park and is not included in the various passes of enjoying the particular Icon Park attractions. I will mention that there is an annual pass that adds additional benefits that can also be customized to meet your budget.

Stay tuned for a sneak peek of our next episode where I talk about the upcoming events here in Central Florida for the rest of the month and through mid March to give you some ideas!

Thanks for being here, and if you’d like to share some feedback in the Q&A box of any feedback from the episode today. Have you ever taken a ride on the Wheel at Icon Park or are there any particular attractions or restaurants that you enjoyed more?

You can find us on Instagram, @withchrisandjess or leave a voice message for the show:

https://anchor.fm/planpackandrecap/message

Have you ever been interested in sailing on the Allure of the Seas, which is one of the largest but very interesting cruise ships with Royal Caribbean? Today is a recap that includes a bit of everything from our 3 day cruise as well as perspective from my mom, for all first time cruisers. Come listen to what our favorites were and pick up a few new pro cruise tips for your next trip! You can always follow the podcast on Instagram, @withchrisandjess as we share our experiences with you to help plan your next getaway. Stay tuned for a sneak peek of our next episode for the second installment of our travel adventures with friends.

Welcome back to another episode of my podcast, Plan, Pack and Recap, I’m your host, Jessica and I’m so thankful you’ve stopped by.

Todays episode is a continuation of our Travel Adventures with some of my favorite people, sharing a bit more what this podcast covers on a weekly basis of various spots they’ve visited, where they’re hoping to explore and for all of our Central Florida visitors, some of their favorite spots to help make your next adventure even better.

Todays episode is a second part of chatting with my mom about helpful tips of traveling with kids, revisiting some nostalgic memories and also hearing all of the many places she’s hoping to see, including some shared interests. I also gave her the chance to ask me some questions. Stay tuned for a sneak peek of our next episode, covering the Sebring Soda Festival that starts the first weekend of April. Thanks for stopping by and look forward to chatting with you next week.

Welcome to another episode of my podcast, Plan, Pack and Recap series:

Today’s episode is a new series to piggyback off our usual Reasons to Visit episodes by highlighting some of my favorite travel spots that are outside of Central Florida by sharing the usual details of these spots in the event that you may want to visit on your next trip. For the first one, I wanted to share some fun alternatives to your next cruise that stops in Nassau. We experienced some good history and cocktails during our time visiting the John Watling’s Distillery and I think you’d enjoy checking this out too. But I also cover a public free beach, a historic landmark, a relaxing spot with the best views and more!

You can find us on Instagram, @withchrisandjess

and more photos on our blog: https://withchrisandjess.blogspot.com

Welcome back to another episode of my podcast, Plan, Pack and Recap! Today I will be highlighting what you can look forward to here in Central Florida for March 2024 as well as giving you a heads up on the weather, which it is sometimes warm and sometimes it’s a surprise, really watch the weather as it changes a lot! 😁.

I’m sharing a snapshot of notable events or festivals and I will be highlighting what’s going on in March 2024, the big events are that of the Central Florida Fair and the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City which started 2/29-3/10, Bike Week in Daytona Beach March 1-10, as well as some big names touring in Orlando this month like Tim McGraw, Olivia Rodrigo and Fall Out Boy to name a few.. I invite you to check events like basketball, hockey games, and be sure to check schedules at the Kia Center.

I will always encourage you to research what fun options await you when planning your next Central Florida staycation, vacation or a few hours for the day in between your next adventure! I’m so glad you’re here.

You can follow the podcast on Instagram: @withchrisandjess, or send a message at our website: www.withchrisandjess.com

Next week, I will have a new series starting called Traveling Reasons to Visit to share non local attractions and the first one is all the places we’ve stopped by while visiting Nassau to help you if you’re thinking of going.

Disclaimer: All episodes are of my opinions or experiences while traveling on a budget. Always do your research to make sure you can enjoy your experience fully based on your personal budget.

Welcome to another episode of my podcast, Plan, Pack and Recap series: Reason to Visit where I will be highlighting all the important details about a local Central Florida attraction so you can have a better perspective of what fun options awaits you when planning your next Central Florida adventure! I’m so glad you’re here.

Today's episode is about why checking out the main Florida Strawberry Festival event might be a great option to keep in our plans if you’re near Plant City, FL between Feb 29-March 10th. While you’re there, you can check some of the talented headlining entertainers including The Beach Boys on March 1, The Black Eyed Peas on March 2, Flo Rida on March 9th. Please note the admission cost of the festival is not free nor does it include the concerts. But if you pick up tickets from specific Publix grocery stores, you can find discounted tickets for the event and if your children are 5 or under, they will be free with a paid adult admission.

While you’re at the festival you can check out some of the relay races such as Deep Fried Strawberry Shortcake on a Stick Relay, Strawberry Spaghetti Eating Contest, Super Dog Mega Corn Dog Eating Contest, Strawberry Mashed Potato Pie Eating Contest and the Strawberry ICEE Throwdown which should be entertaining! Consider adding these historically significant places for people of color to visit while in Plant City, the Janie L. Bing Rooming House and the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center, the R.W Railroad Museum, Midtown and the Historic Downtown areas. Maybe history isn’t your thing but seeing 200 life size dinosaurs at Dinosaur World within Plant City might be, and it’s open daily as well as uncovering a life size stegosaurus skeleton or panning for gems and minerals or even having the best day ever when you enjoy a Dine with Dinos picnic lunch!

You can follow the podcast on Instagram: @withchrisandjess, or send a message at our website: www.withchrisandjess.com .

I'd love to know what Florida Strawberry Festival relay would be your pick! Or if you’d rather call in and leave a message for the show, here’s a link for you - it will stay confidential unless you specifically mention you’re okay if it’s shared in the future: https://anchor.fm/planpackandrecap/message

Next week, I will have a new series starting, Traveling Reasons to Visit where I start sharing about my various travels to give some new ideas for your next trip to Nassau in the Bahamas! Thanks for being here and excited to chat more with you next week!

Disclaimer: All episodes are of my opinions or experiences while traveling on a budget. Always do your research to make sure you can enjoy your experience fully based on your personal budget.

Welcome to another episode of my podcast, Plan, Pack and Recap. Today I am starting a new series where I chat about travel with some of my favorite people in my life who I love seeing their adventures whether it’s local or not, I’m so glad you’re here.

Today's episode is about talking with my best friend, Mel and we talked about how she loves to spend time with her husband especially when it involves Christmas lights, chocolates and indulging in those fun Starbucks seasonal drinks but also she loves to see all the whimsical decor in Winter Garden and their huge Christmas tree. We also discovered after years of friendship that we moved here the same year, and there’s so many different things to explore here in Florida, she shared a (new to me) app called All Trails, and some of the many nature inspired activities. St Augustine has become one of her favorite local spots. Lastly, she also shared some good tips for all first time visitors!

You can follow the podcast on Instagram: @withchrisandjess, or send a message at our website: www.withchrisandjess.com

Or if you’d rather call in and leave a message for the show: https://anchor.fm/planpackandrecap/message

Next week, I will have a new Reasons to Visit on all of the pertinent information on Icon Park as well as those gigantic swings you’ve seen while driving near Disney/I-Drive.

Disclaimer: All episodes are of my opinions or experiences while traveling on a budget. Always do your research to make sure you can enjoy your experience fully based on your personal budget.

Welcome to another episode of my podcast, Plan, Pack and Recap, this episode is slightly different as it focuses on a daily occurrence throughout Florida, hopping on a cruise ship and seeing the world. I am covering all of the different cruise port terminals within Florida to help guide you while you plan your cruise, as it all starts with where the cruise ship sails from. I’m so glad you’re here!

Today’s episode is about my favorite way to travel: cruising through highlighting the cruise terminals within Florida: Port Canaveral, Port Tampa, Port Everglades (Ft Lauderdale), Port Miami, and Jacksonville. I also share some pros and cons for each port as well as share some nearby attractions to give you additional options if you are not familiar with the area. Personally I love cruising out of Port Canaveral, but each one has some helpful points. Especially if you like to have extra options or discover you may have forgotten to pack important things!

Thanks for being here, and as always stay tuned for a sneak peek of our next episode where I share about a popular event coming to Orlando next weekend, MegaCon Orlando! Thanks for stopping by and I'm so excited to chat with you more next week!

You can find us on Instagram, @withchrisandjess

With Chris and Jess Website

https://anchor.fm/planpackandrecap/message

Welcome to another episode of my podcast, Plan, Pack and Recap series: Reason to Visit where I will be highlighting all the important details about a local Central Florida attraction or events to aid in your research so you can have a better perspective of what awaits you for your next adventure!

Today’s episode is about celebrating fandom of all things related to comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, gaming, or cosplay with MegaCon Orlando beginning Feb 1-4th at the Orlando County Convention Center. The best part about attending this event is that you can celebrate you4 favorite shows, characters and meet your personal heroes or you can get 3 friends included on a photo op to think back to that time when you all attended MegaCon together. Another highlight to this event is the chance to grab a unique gift for you or a loved one, meet a celebrity such as Paul Bettany from Marvel or Robin Wright from House of Cards/Wonder Woman franchise and many other amazing films. If you want to witness the event as a fan and an exhibitor, it’s the perfect way to showcase your original jewelry, buttons, sculptures, etc as it’s reported that over 160,000 fans attend this event which is incredibly impressive especially for small businesses.

Stay tuned for a sneak peek of our next episode where I share a candid conversation with my best friend, Melissa in a new series, ‘Adventures with Friends’ but so grateful you stopped by!

Thanks for being here, who would you love to meet celebrity wise at MegaCon? I share a few of my favorite characters on our instagram, you can follow our podcast @withchrisandjess or leave a voice message for the show: https://anchor.fm/planpackandrecap/message