Central Florida

and Orlando
A Vacation Insiders Guide

MEET OLIVER AND RAYLSI BALLHATCHET

Contact Oliver and Raylsi:
US: +1-(888)-653-0293
UK: +44 203 287 7449
BR: +55 219 9974 3833

This Insider Guide is brought

to you by Oliver and Raylsi
Ballhatchet,
owners
of
Solterra Sunset, a luxury 6
bedroom villa in Florida's
Orlando. Think theme parks,
of course, but Oliver and Ray
will show you that this area
has way more to offer!

THOUGHTS FROM THE EDITOR

The lure of the mouse has ensured that there are
thousands of vacation rentals in the Orlando area. In
fact, if you head to HomeAway and search for "Disney
/ Orlando" you'll find over 11,000 rentals (Jan 2015). If
you narrow it to 6-bedrooms you still face over 1,800
different homes.
So how on earth do owners differentiate themselves in
such a competitive market? What does it take to stand
out from the crowd, just as Mickey does?!
Meet Oliver and Ray, a husband and wife couple who
have traveled the world, yet decided to own a villa in
Orlando. Why such a mainstream choice for world
travelers?
The reality is that they see past Disney, to an area which

E: andy@vacationinsiders.com
W: www.vacationinsiders.com

has so much more to offer. Great walking, huge local

sports teams, pristine beaches, culture, and so much
more. Oliver and Ray are owners who see Orlando
through a wider lens, and that's how they stand out!
So, if you're in search of that all-important balance
many families seek between high paced fun and restful
recharging, then you've found your villa. And, more
importantly, you've found the right owners!

ABOUT OLIVER, RAYLSI & THE REAL ORLANDO...

My wife Raylsiyaly and I have spent our lives traveling the globe. I grew up in Windsor, UK, where I
delivered the morning newspapers to Queen Elizabeth II. After University, the traveling bug took over
and I have since picked fruit in Australia, taught children in the Punjab, India and started a newspaper
in Cusco, Peru. Ray grew up in Venezuela, and spent time at high school in Washington DC. We met in
New York and currently live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a stone's throw from the amazing Ipanema beach.
When we decided to buy a vacation home, we wanted somewhere to bring our families together, such
a challenge with so many different preferences to cater for. Ray has amazing memories of the Disney
area as a child and many friends and family in Florida. I am a sports fanatic, my claim to fame is that
I've played cricket for two different international sides, Peru and Brazil. We wanted somewhere we
could indulge our passion for the outdoors, where we could bike and hike, where we could eat well
and shop for all those bargains we can't get in Brazil. We are delighted we chose Orlando.

We love our vacation home at the amazing Solterra Resort. I took some convincing with Central
Florida. I thought it was all about the theme parks. Boy was I wrong! Firstly, it turns out the parks are
incredible and not just for kids. But more important is the endless adventure you can have in the area.
Within an hour we can be sunbathing or surfing at the beautiful Cocoa Beach or being inspired at
Cape Canaveral. The opportunities to watch sport are abundant. For NBA there is the Orlando Magic,
for NFL the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and for football (ok, soccer!), the MLS's newest team, Orlando City.
And the walking trails in the area are second to none.
What we love most after a busy day enjoying all that the Orlando area has to offer is coming home
to Solterra Sunset, a peaceful haven where we can relax by our own pool having a BBQ with family
and friends. We are looking forward to creating many happy memories in our second home and
hope many others can too, people from all the countries we have visited and those we haven't got
to yet. We know how important it is to have a comfortable place to stay while on vacation, and are
determined to offer the best service in the area. I hope you enjoy this guide and Solterra Sunset.

5 EXPERIENCES YOU CANNOT MISS...

Winter Park

Bok Tower Gardens

Green Meadows Petting Farm

Sponge Docks

Solterra Resort

Winter Park, with its cobblestone streets and farmers market, is not
to be missed. Our friend and property manager Laurie used to buy
beautiful caterpillars there for her son, then raise and release them as
butterflies. Winter Park has yearly Film, Arts and Jazz Festivals. Take a
boat tour through a chain of lakes and indulge in Winter Parks boutique
shopping, bars and restaurants. Check out the 4 Rivers for BBQ. Winter
Park is just a 40 minute drive from Solterra Resort.

A 45 minute drive south of Solterra is Bok Tower Gardens. The Tower

itself sits atop Iron Mountain, at 298 feet, one of the highest points in
peninsular Florida. Walk the Pine Ridge Trail through the forest that
once covered millions of acres of the Southeastern U.S. Look out for the
gopher tortoise, landlord of the forest, who protects 350 animal species
living in its burrow. Near Bok tower is Spook Hill, where you put your car
in neutral and it goes uphill. Don't believe us? Check it out on YouTube.

Green Meadows Farm is a sweet petting farm just 20 minutes from

Solterra Resort. Learn about pigs, goats, turkeys, ducks, donkeys, Elmer
the Asian water buffalo and more! You can milk a cow and ride a train,
tractor or a pony. You can bring your own lunch to the picnic areas or
buy snacks at the General Store. There are plenty of seasonal events, so
check out the farm's website before you go. If you want a more upscale
animal adventure, Safari Wilderness is 30 minutes west of Solterra.

Tarpon Springs Florida, home of the historic Sponge Docks near Tampa,
is a lovely family day trip, 90 minutes away. This Greek community is
famous for its sponges and the best Greek restaurants outside Athens,
Greece. Visit the Aquarium, take a sightseeing cruise, fishing trip, or
even go sponge diving. We defy you to come away without a sponge or
some of the great wines, cheese, handmade soaps or lotions. Clearwater
Beach is 30 minutes away.

The first time we went to Solterra, we enjoyed the house so much that
we forgot to walk to the clubhouse for three days. What a mistake!
With tennis courts and a fantastic gym, huge pool with slide, cabanas,
volleyball and football, there is so much to do. There is even a log fire
for those cooler winter months. With your own private pool and games
room to enjoy, you will be tempted to never leave the house. Don't
make the same mistake we did!

CENTRAL FLORIDA'S SPORTING SCENE...

Baseball

Basketball

Raylsi's sister is called Raylim and their dad is a

Venezuelan baseball fanatic, so we just love that the
local MLB team is called the Tampa Bay Rays. They
play in the American League with the New York
Yankees and the
Boston Red Sox.
Tampa is just an
hour down the
road and you can
buy your tickets
from the club's
website.
The
baseball season
runs from late
March to October.

We love having an NBA franchise just 30 minutes

from Solterra Resort. From October to May, the
Orlando Magic play their home games at the Amway
Center in downtown Orlando, where you can
watch the game
from a table at
Jernigan's, a local
hot restaurant.
There is also
an indoor kid's
playground. For
tickets, visit the
special section
for tourists on
the website.

Soccer

American Football

A World Player
of the Year in
Orlando? You bet!
With the great
Brazilian
Kaka
playing in its
inaugural line-up,
the Orlando City
Soccer Club is the newest team in the MLS. The
new stadium, two blocks from the Amway centre
and open from the start of the 2016 season, is a 30
minute drive from Solterra Resort. Until then, the
team play at the Orlando Citrus Bowl, 35 minutes
away. The season runs from March to November.

The Super Bowl

winners in 2002,
the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers are
owned by the
Glazer
family,
who also own the
English
football
team, Manchester United. The NFL season runs from
September to January, with the Buccaneers usually
playing at 1pm on Sunday afternoons. You can
buy your tickets online. The Buccaneers' Raymond
James Stadium also plays host to Monster Jam, a big
truck show that is great fun to watch.

SOMETHING MORE ACTIVE...

Biking

Boating

Golfing

Whether you bring your own

bike or rent one, you will love
the trails. West Orange Trail
Bikes Co delivers road or trail
bikes for a reasonable fee or
you can collect and ride the 24
mile West Orange Trail starting
at their door.

You can't visit Florida without

seeing the Everglades. Boggy
Creek airboat rides, 30 minutes
away, gets you up close with
alligators and other wildlife. You
can canoe at Wekiwa Springs
National Park or paddleboard
at nearby Waikiva Island or at
Winter Park.

There are over 50 golf courses

within 20 minutes. Providence has
seasonal specials for $12.
Champions Gate offers two
Greg Norman-designed courses.
Check out Ridgewood Lakes,
Southern Dunes and Highland
Reserve. And Disney Golf courses
are just 15 minutes away.

THE FAMOUS FLORIDA THEME PARKS...

LOOKING TO ESCAPE THE PARKS?
The vast majority of visitors to Orlando come for the
theme parks and there's no denying they are world
class destinations that should not be missed. But be
sure to leave some time in your vacation for exploring
some of Florida's other charms and attractions.

A NOD TO PARKS...
Walt Disney World
Disney's
incredible
parks
are just 20 minutes from
Solterra.
The
Kilimanjaro
Safari in Animal Kingdom
has an impressive 100acre Savannah, with many exotic species. EPCOT
offers a multicultural experience, including a
snack tour around the world. The Twilight Zone
Tower of Terror at Disney Hollywood Studios is
one of the best attractions in the park. And Magic
Kingdom has the best shows in Disney, like the
New Years Eve light show and the Christmas day
celebration.

Universal Studios
Universal
Studios
is
30
minutes from Solterra up
the I-4. The diversity of
attractions
in
this
park
includes
everything
from
4D movie theaters, a special ride through the set
up of the movie Jaws, experiencing the incredible
special effects of a tornado in the Twister attraction
and of course a full immersion in the spectacular
Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Water Parks
There are many great water
parks within 25 minutes
of Solterra and Adventure
Island is only an hour
away in Tampa. Disneys
Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Island are two of the
best. For more adventure, Wet n Wild is the largest
water park in Orlando. Sea World Aquatica combines
water with beautiful animal themes. Next to Sea
World is Discovery Cove, an interactive educational
park where you can swim with dolphins.

Cape Canaveral
Oliver knew all the planets and
their moons by heart as a kid
and his Dad always promised
to take him to Cape Canaveral.
So imagine our delight to now
own a home just 75 minutes drive away. The U.S.
space program began at Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station, home to the Air Force Space and Missile
Museum, before operations moved to the Kennedy
Space Centre. Canaveral also boasts the historic
Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, Merritt Island National
Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore.
And if you leave early enough, you can spend some
time at the nearby Cocoa Beach.

Beach Time
What better way to recover
from the theme parks than
with a day at the beach. And
the best beach near Orlando
also happens to be the closest.
Just 80 minutes from Solterra Resort, Cocoa Beach is
a great place to play golf, do some water sports, go
deep sea fishing or take an extraordinary eco-tour
adventure on a kayak to get up close and personal
with Florida's awesome wildlife. Or you could simply
relax on the beach. On the other side of Florida, the
Tampa Bay area has some excellent beaches. Our
favorite is Clearwater.

Shop 'til you Drop

You will need to bring empty
suitcases to Central Florida,
such is the array of shopping
available. Two Premium Outlet
Malls, one at 8200 Vineland
Avenue, 20 minutes from Solterra, and another on
International Drive 32 minutes away, offer great
savings, especially if you join the VIP Shopper
Club. Florida Mall, 32 minutes from Solterra on
Orange Blossom Trail, is Central Floridas largest
mall. Orlando Outlet Shopping at Lake Buena Vista,
20 minutes away, offers coupons on its website.
Artegon Marketplace at 5250 International Drive, 30
minutes away, is an artisan mall, hosting galleries
to showcase local artists. The Mall at Millennia, 32
minutes from Solterra, has more luxury brands.

OLIVER & RAYLSI'S FAVORITE DINING...

Manny's Chop House

Just 20 minutes from Solterra in Haines City, Mannys fantastic steak

house is a laid back, fun and lively place with deals for every day of the
week, including their 4pm to 7pm happy hour. Mannys doesnt take
reservations but recommend you give them a call on your way and they
will work out a table for you. Manny's is famous for steaks and we still
havent tried the bacon wrapped filet with crab stuffed shrimp, but will be
ticking that box pretty soon.

T: (863) 3422-3910 | Reviews | Directions

Le Rouge Wine and Tapas Bar

Somewhere between high-end and casual, Le Rouge is a great option

if you want to share some tapas and have an evening out. Their salads
and wine selection are highly recommended and we love the live music
Le Rouge often puts on. The easy to use online reservation system is
also a good feature. The bar is located on W Sand Lake Road, one of
Orlandos most popular restaurant spots and very close to Universal
Studios.

T: (407) 370-0909 | Reviews | Directions

Famas Italian

A local friend of ours swears that Famas has the best pizza in
Orlando, and we don't disagree. It is a very casual Italian restaurant
that offers really good service and wonderful food, perfect for the
entire family. Their cheesy garlic bread is delicious and vegetarians
have various options here as well. Famas is on 5474 Central Florida
Pkwy very close to SeaWorld.
T: (407) 239-1500 | Reviews | Directions

Junior Colombian Burger

Love burgers? Then this restaurant is what you are looking for.
Burger fillings range from funky sweet sauce to crushed up
crisps. You wont resist trying them, but you should also check
out their hot dogs and empanadas. This place is very casual
and you wont need to make a reservation in advance. Only a
25 minute drive away from Solterra up the I-4 towards Orlando.
T: (407) 745-9216 | Reviews | Directions

OLIVER & RAYLSI'S TIPS ON WHERE TO STAY...

Orlando has a number of options depending on your needs. Below is Oliver and Raylsis very own
villa, along with a couple of other suggestions. Should those all be booked up feel free to drop us a
line and let us know. We're not a travel agency but will certainly try to lend a helping hand by offering
some tips to make your search easier!

Oliver & Raylsis Very Own...

Solterra Sunset is a peaceful cul-de-sac six bedroom villa with its

own pool and games room. The amazing Solterra Resort has a large
gym, tennis courts and huge pool and sits in the heart of the action,
20 minutes from the theme parks, 30 minutes from the airport and
surrounded by the endless beauty of Central Florida. The house will
sleep 14 (including crib), has two entertainment areas and comes fully
equipped with plenty of kitchen appliances, utensils, sheets, towels
and six TVs. See for yourself on www.solterraresortdavenportfl.com.

Oliver & Raylsi Suggest...

If Solterra Sunset is booked or you are coming with a larger party and
need an extra villa, our property manager Laurie also offers another
lovely six bedroom home sitting on a large lot with an extended
pool deck. The house comfortably sleeps 14 and has all the same
facilities and creature comforts as Solterra Sunset and of course
everything the resort has to offer. For more information, contact
Laurie Wahrenberger on +1 407 455 0090.

Oliver & Raylsi Suggest...

Solterra is only 20 minutes from the Disney Parks and a tranquil

retreat after a long day out. But if you would rather stay in the Disney
Village itself, and we must admit it is a lot of fun to do so, then Disney
offers a range of accommodation, from resorts to villas to hotels.
The Disney website is the best place to find the right accommodation
for you. With so many different themes and options, you will not
know which one to choose!

OLIVER AND RAYLSI'S Area Practicalities

Grocery Stores

House Practicalities

Orienting Yourself

The house is just five minutes

by car from stores like the huge
Publix supermarket, Walgreens
pharmacy, and 7-Eleven. If those
don't have what you're looking
for, then head left (see map) out
of Solterra Resort and you'll find
Target, Best Buy, Staples and
more. You should find all you
need not far from the villa but,
should you struggle, just ask!

The house has everything you

need for a comfortable stay,
including a fully equipped
kitchen and plenty of towels
and linens. There are extra
towels and crockery for the pool
deck and BBQ. You'll also find
a crib and high chair for young
children, plus a games room for
some added fun! If you have any
special requests please ask!

Solterra Sunset is located just

off the CR 54 Ronald Reagan
Parkway with good access
from both the main I-4 and I-27
highways. It is 30 minutes from
Orlando International Airport,
20 from Disneyworld, and 30
from Sea World or Universal
Studios. Heading west along the
I-4, the Tampa Bay area is an
hour away.

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