Everyone knows about Orlando and Disney world but not everyone is familiar with Winter Park, Florida, a hidden gem just twenty short minutes away. To get to this city, you simply take I4 east from Orlando and get off at Fairbanks. You can take Fairbanks down to Park Avenue and make a left to find the cutest little town.

You can stroll along the avenue looking at shops, and eating in one of their fabulous cafes and restaurants. There is so much to choose from and the atmosphere is so relaxed. Sit in one of the wine bars and sip delicious local vintages while you munch on a cheese and fruit platter.

When you are done, you can wander over to the Winter Park village and see a movie at the AMC theater or wander over to the Beluga martini bar to socialize.

Do you prefer independent films? Go down to the enzian in Maitland, just another ten minutes away. Here you can watch carefully selected films while sipping on wine and munching on yummy entrees like Potato pizza with truffle oil or the standard big box of popcorn. They also have a nice dessert menu that includes warm chocolate chip cookies and the French dessert begniets. They are yummy.

If you enjoy museums there are plenty to choose from. There are art museums like the Polasky collection, which includes a sculpture garden, and the Orlando Museum of Art. Or within minutes you can go to the Orlando Science center. The exhibits there change periodically but are all amazing. They also have a planetarium that you can go to and look at the stars while listening to music. And let's not forget the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art which houses one of the largest collections of Tiffany lamps and glassworks.

On Saturdays you can head down to the Park Avenue area to enjoy the farmer's market. Get locally grown fruits and vegetables that are so fresh you will feel as if they literally just picked them. And once a year they hold an art festival that is jammed packed with fun. Come and meet the local artists and pick up a piece of art for your own collection.