111 Places in Orlando That You Must Not Miss - by Susan Veness & Simon Veness (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Orlando's history goes much farther back than its theme park days. Explore the real city and the people and stories that create its unique character and charm.

Many people only know Orlando as the home of Mickey Mouse, Harry Potter, and immersive fantasy lands. It is packed with budget chain hotels, chain restaurants, and roughly a billion gift shops. Except the reality of Orlando is equally as enticing as these fantasy worlds, if not more!

Most of the most fascinating aspects of Orlando predate its theme park persona by decades.

111 Places in Orlando That You Must Not Miss reveals the city's true backstory and dramatic modern face, highlighting how the first settlers survived in the 1830s, and the area's role as the hub of Florida's 19th century citrus industry. Explorers will find out what's left of the city's front-line Strategic Air Force Base from the Cold War; and the iconic "gator mouth" that has swallowed up tourists since 1949.

Unearth the offbeat sites and hidden gems of The City Beautiful and discover all the ways it didn't begin - or end - with a mouse.

About the Author

Susan Veness is an international travel writer, solo author of three editions of The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World, plus Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World Trivia, The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World Planner, and Walt Disney World Hacks. Her eye for detail led her to become a contributor to a major unofficial Disney website and discussion forum, which she then parlayed into a job with the Brit Guide travel series as principal research assistant on their Orlando title in 2001, and later as editor for AttractionsMagazine.com. She has also contributed to a wide range of media outlets, from newspapers and magazines to online content. Simon Veness has been in the journalism business since 1981, and was the original founder of the best-selling Brit Guide travel book series with UK publishers Foulsham in the mid-1990s. He developed the Brit Guide to Orlando, which delves into Central Florida's lesser-known attractions as well as the major theme parks, and A Brit's Guide to Cruising. He has a long history of contributing travel-related features to newspapers and magazines, including The Telegraph, The Guardian, iNews, and The Independent. He has featured on BBC TV's Holiday program, various regional radio stations, and continues to provide online blogs and content for a variety of outlets, including AttractionTickets.com, Real Florida Adventures, and Debbie's Villas, often highlighting offbeat and off-the-beaten-track locations. Kayla L. Smith documented life as a teenager by taking Polaroid pictures. After purchasing her first DSLR, she discovered her love of photography and videography for capturing moments in people's lives in a way that would last forever. Today, her work has been featured in The New York Times, People Magazine, Orlando Weekly, and Click Magazine, and she has monthly articles in Wild + Free Magazine. She travels the country to photograph events, weddings, and family moments. Kayla lives in Orlando, and she draws her inspiration from God, who continues to expand her creativity, and also from the beautiful lives of those she loves. www.KaylaLSmith.com