Sunshine Matters

One of the ways VISIT FLORIDA provides visitors to the Sunshine State with valuable travel planning information is through the VISITFLORIDA.com Insiders program. Now in their fourth year of providing a bevy of content for activities and attractions that make Florida unique, the nine VISITFLORIDA.com Insiders all share a passion for touting the beauty of their state. 

The Insiders, who interact with online communities through blogs and engage in social networking on sites such as Facebook and Twitter, offer visitors a look into their own unique perspective on what they love about living and playing in the Sunshine State.

Beaches & Adventure Insider Lauren Tjaden dubs herself an adventure addict, sports fan and dedicated beach bunny—but don’t forget journalist. Whether looking to leap out of a plane, enjoy the Florida landscape from above in a hot air balloon or just experience some waves and rays by the seashore, keeping up with Lauren allows travelers to find the perfect activity to satisfy the thrill seeker in all of us.

Whether it’s catching a basketball game or watching their favorite baseball team gear up for the season during spring training, VISITFLORIDA.com Sports Insider Sam Jordan is the sports enthusiast’s go-to guy. From working the NFL sidelines to taking in a Little League game, he never leaves home without his foam finger and face paint. Sam shows visitors the big games, cool venues and hidden treasures of Florida’s sports world.

Home to the World Golf Hall of Fame, the Sunshine State boasts several championship golf courses and Golf Insider Tim McDonald shares the information travelers need to prepare for a day on the links. Throughout his career, the journalist and self-proclaimed “golf nut,” has written about nearly every golf course Florida has to offer.  McDonald’s philosophy has always been “work less, golf more.”

Outdoors & Nature Insider Kevin Mims is not a journalist; he’s a Florida native, runner, hiker, biker, kayaker and explorer who likes to write. But Kevin doesn’t just wander through the woods; he also volunteers every year to teach kids about plants and animals. Kevin boasts that he has more than 30 years of life experience exploring Florida’s rural outdoors. Visitors can keep up with Kevin’s videos, articles and blogs to see where he’s headed next.

Claiming to have spent more time on or under water than he has on land, Terry Tomalin was the natural choice for the gig as the VISITFLORIDA.com Boating & Fishing Insider. An avid angler, scuba diver and boater, Terry travels from one end of Florida to the other with one goal: to be on the water, every day. Follow Terry’s blog to learn all his tips for boating and fishing in Florida.

Hilda Mitrani, the Off the Beaten Path Insider for VISITFLORIDA.com, explores all of the unique, unusual and little-known jewels the Sunshine State has to offer. A native Miamian of Cuban-Spanish descent (just like Florida), Hilda loves getting off the beaten path to discover the unexpected Florida every chance she gets. Travelers are invited to come along with her as she explores the Sunshine State’s unusual and unique spots.

From the best outlet shopping to visiting some of Florida’s most famous museums, Shopping & Smart Travel Insider Dalia Colon knows the latest. Having worked as a fashion and entertainment journalist, Dalia has the inside scoop on the best trends in town. Whether the destination she’s suggesting has been in the Sunshine State for five days or five decades, she’ll help visitors do it up in style and under budget.

For those whose idea of a relaxing Florida vacation includes a trip to the spa or shopping in high-end boutiques, Dining, Entertainment & Luxury Insider Kara Chalmers will point them in the right direction. Kara helps visitors experience the créme de la créme of Florida, from its finest dining and entertainment to its most luxurious spas and resorts.

The Sunshine State is no stranger to the family vacation and VISITFLORIDA.com Family Insider Jill Martin helps families traveling to the Sunshine State enjoy an awesome experience. Jill and her family of Florida natives discover the best places to eat, sleep, ride, shop, swim, snorkel and even zip line across the state.

VISIT FLORIDA’s Insiders provide an invaluable resource to travelers who enjoy getting the “inside scoop” from locals who really know their stuff.  To take a first-hand look at all the content the Insiders post, go to VISITFLORIDA.com and click on the Insiders link.