The Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach has seen a great deal of success in the cleaning and de-oiling of over 140 sea-turtles since the BP oil spill crisis.

In fact, their perseverance is what prompted PCB Mayor Gayle Oberst to present Gulf World Marine Park director, Melanie Secret Holmes-Douglas, with a proclamation for her round the clock work. The proclamation officially names August 19 as “Melanie Secret Holmes-Douglas Day,” according to several sources.

Currently, the Gulf World Marine Park is the only de-oiling facility in North Florida, say state officials. This newly built facility contains “large tubs for cleaning the animals and a tented triage area to treat the turtles when they first arrive, including administering glucose and fluids, if needed,” reports the Walton Sun.

Right now, you may be asking yourself, “how did the state of Florida come up with the funds to build this magnificent facility?” The answer is- they didn’t. BP shelled out the bucks for the long list of equipment the facility required in order to provide proper care for the (BP) oil covered sea-turtles- justice prevails!

The Gulf World Marine Park’s de-oiling facility still has 60 turtles under rehabilitation, but “the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released 23 rehabilitated turtles back into the wild last Wednesday at Cedar Key, 11 of which were de-oiled at Gulf World, said Holmes-Douglas in the Walton Sun article. And, in July, 19 turtles were transported from Gulf World to Sea World’s (Orlando) Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, where they also joined in on the de-oiling and cleaning process.

As PCB Mayor Oberst said, “We live in such a wonderful community. . .  We are a resilient bunch of folks, it’s comforting to see how we come together as a community.”

The iTrip.net family couldn’t agree more.

“Star Wars” is back in Orlando once again-but this time, it’s a celebration commemorating the “Star Wars” saga and their fans.

In short, the “Star Wars” celebration is the official Lucasfilm event, which celebrates all things “Star Wars”; it is produced by fans, for fans. “Star Wars” celebrations (or conventions) are equivalent to the red carpet post show parties for Hollywood elitists in the eyes of fanatics-they feature cast and crew celebrities, fans, a diverse array of costumes, music, live entertainment, autographs, and panels. According to their website however, “it’s mainly friends who gather to have fun and celebrate their love for the saga. From fans who first experienced “A New Hope” in theaters to kids just discovering “Star Wars” through “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.”

The fifth annual celebration of “Star Wars” will be taking place August 12-15, 2010, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. It will mark the 30th anniversary of “The Empire Strikes Back,” and it will also be honoring the “continuing televised adventures of the animated series ”Star Wars: The Clone Wars.”

Special guest hosts will be “the man,” George Lucas himself, Jon Stewart, and Warwick Davis. The autograph guest list is too lengthy to list, but we’ll give you a sneak peak at some of the most popular “Star Wars” celebrities attending this year’s celebration.

Mark Hamil, (Luke Skywalker) Carrie Fisher, (Princess Leia) Anthony Daniels, (C-3PO) and Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) are just a few of the ”Star Wars” cast members guests will see in attendance.

There will also be a long list of events to partake in, including the highly anticipated hour long interview between comedian Jon Stewart and Lucas, the creative mind behind the “Star Wars” saga. This is the main event of the day, and fans will have the chance to submit their questions for Lucas and Jon via the event section of the website before the celebration begins on August 12, 2010. If you plan on attending this year and would like your question to be answered during the interview, head over to the website as soon as possible!

This event is one of the hottest of the summer, and tickets are selling quickly- so get your tickets reserved, come on down, and let iTrip.net take care of all of your Orlando vacation rental needs.

As expected, the grand opening of  Universal Orlando’s “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” was a smash hit with its impassioned “muggle” fans.

Thousands of frantic Potter fanatics stood in line for hours last Friday waiting to get into the much-anticipated theme park, and according to an article by USA Today,  Universal Orlando spokesman Tom Schroder counted at least 5,000 heads- all of whom were camped out in front of the park the night before the grand opening. The line was so long in fact, that it coiled all the way into Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure Park, where the “Wizarding World” is located. Various media outlets reported that on Twitter and other forums spectators joked about the line by calling it “Harry Potter and the Endless Line.”

Fans were more than willing to wait however, they had already waited six long years for this magical moment, so what’s a few more hours, right? And besides, they had Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and a few other Potter superstars eager to greet them at the mini-park.

By opening day, the number of “muggles” seemed to have tripled. Aerial photos of Universal Orlando revealed thousands of people in the area, leading Robert Niles, editor of ThemeParkInsider.com, to guesstimate figures in the tens of thousands.

Opening day was indeed a smash, but don’t fret if you missed it, the “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” is still ripe for the picking. We all know there’s more than 10,000 Potter fans, so for the rest of you out there- come on down to Orlando and experience what its like to be a part of the “Hogwarts” family.

iTrip.net has several dreamy, convenient Orlando vacation rentals for you to choose from, all you have to do is book your favorite location and you’ll be ready to become a part of “Wizarding World” history.

Without a doubt, Florida is one of the most frequently visited vacation destinations in the world. And, not surprisingly, Orlando is ranked the #1 cities to visit in 2010. Orlando steadily attracts tourists who are looking for both value and substance in their vacation.

Whether it’s your first time visiting Orlando or your 10th, there is always something new and exciting to investigate. Orlando may be known as the “theme park capitol of the world,” but there are an endless number of activities available outside of the theme parks as well.

Rest assured, families, business executives, friends, couples, and retirees alike will find themselves inundated with the superfluity of Orlando area attractions awaiting them right around the bend.

Walt Disney World has long been the top attraction in Orlando, hosting a large variety of activities for both children and adults. Four theme parks, (EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studio’s, and Animal Kingdom) two water parks, (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon) and 22 different themed resorts will be sure to keep families visiting Orlando full of frenzied fun for days on end.

Then there is the infamous La Nouba Cirque du Soleil, perfect for the fan of anything boasting eccentricity. A circus of sorts, the Cirque du Soleil is a show with acrobatics, music, dancers, mimes, cyclists, and trapeze artists.

Still, for others, there are “Saturday Nights in Old Town,” featuring free rock concerts and classic car-cruising. And a day trip to Daytona Beach, the “World’s Most Famous Beach”, can be a perfect addition to your Orlando area vacation.

If you’re looking for more, and perhaps a less conventional means of fun, you can always check out “209 Things to Do in Orlando”.

One thing’s for certain, you’ll never see a dull moment when visiting Orlando.

ITRIP.NET CLOSES OUT 2009 WITH A STRONG PRESENCE IN 10 MARKETS

Plans for 10 New Markets in 2010

Despite the tough economic climate faced by many businesses in 2009, iTrip.net, a full-service, web-based vacation rental system has grown its presence both online and in the markets it currently holds, including Destin, Panama City, Orlando, South Walton Beach and Perdido Key in Florida, and Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica.

The founders of iTrip.net, Steve Presley, Kathy and Todd Morrison, and Thomas Bissmeyer, who have over 20 years of combined experience in managing vacation properties, have created a unique rental management system, which they have coined “Vacation Rental Management 3.0.”

This property owner-centered system has revolutionized the traditional vacation rental marketplace by offering property owners and travelers alike the benefits of online booking, flexibility in rental periods and rates, hand-picked properties in order to ensure the highest quality standards, full-service maintenance of properties, reduced commissions and fees, exclusion of “rotation” practices, and the benefit from a large group with overage bookings.

The future is bright for iTrip, which has plans to expand to new markets in 2010, based on the changing needs and interests of both travelers and rental property owners.

For more information, testimonials, and resources for travelers and property owners about iTrip.net, please visit the company website, http://www.itrip.net, or contact Steve Presley at (615) 476-0902.

Now is the time of year when most folks start thinking about a winter getaway to someplace warm and relaxing.  The nights are cold, and snow will cover the ground before we know it.  Why wait until after the holidays?  Why not start a new holiday tradition with a trip before the new year?  Here are a few ideas from iTrip for a quick jaunt this December:

Holiday Shopping Spree

Why not do your holiday shopping while enjoying some warm weather?  It’s not too late to head to Orlando to shop for everyone on your list this year!  Orlando has plenty of first-class shopping available at its top-notch shopping centers and local retail merchants.  On iTrip, you can find a quality, worry-free rental property to meet all your needs.

De-Stress

The holidays can be a stressful time of year for us all.  How about a quick getaway to Destin / Sandestin or Panama City Beach to relax before the whirlwind of parties, dinners, and family gatherings that the end of December brings?  iTrip offers unique and serene accommodations close enough for you to take advantage of sandy beaches, clear ocean waters, championships golf courses, and world-class spas.

Just read some of our testimonials to see what folks are saying about iTrip, and you’ll see how quick and easy it is to find the perfect rental for your Florida getaway this December!

No matter what kind of vacation you are taking, you’ll find what you need on iTrip. Thinking of a relaxing beach vacation in Panama City or Destin? A condo overlooking the beach would be the perfect place to call home base. Or is Orlando more your scene – exciting amusement parks, five-star restaurants, and vibrant nightlife that you can walk to from your chic downtown pad? With iTrip, you’ll be able to tailor your search to whatever your needs might be and find a fantastic vacation rental. Why look anywhere else?

Let’s face it, vacations are amazing, but the planning can be a headache. Especially when it comes to finding great rental accommodations – that’s the last thing you want to worry about. On iTrip, it’s easy to find exactly what you’re looking for. That will give you more time to shop for new vacation clothes, right?