“The next best thing to jetting to St. Barts, Miami, or Cabo is getting lost in a book that takes you there. Herewith, ten tomes that offer tropical settings and enough sun-drenched drama to make Jay-Z’s yacht look boring. The only thing you’ll miss is a tan.

1. “The Sweet Life” by Mia King. The bulk of this charming novel takes place on Hawaii’s Big Island, where Manhattan wife and mom Marissa has been unexpectedly relocated. Though her tale is punctuated with sunsets, tropical flowers and charming local customs, the sweetest

thing about the book — aside from the list of Hawaiian recipes in the back — is the lesson she learns about motherhood, marriage, friendship and life.

2. “The Beach” by Alex Garland. Pick up this 1996 cult thriller for a dose of nonstop action set in paradise, and you’ll be transported to a gorgeous, unspoiled lagoon on a remote Thai island. Just don’t expect to relax: the story has enough twists and turns and thought-provoking themes to get even a holiday-hungover heart pumping.

3. “Fool’s Paradise” by Steven Gaines. Why do celebs head to South Beach for wild New Year’s parties? According to this dishy new expose, it’s because the town is “a place where people get away with things they’d never get away with any place else.” Expect true tales about mobsters, models, Madonna and a healthy dose of scandal.

4. “Islands in the Stream” by Ernest Hemingway. It wouldn’t kill us to put down our US Weekly and pick up some Hemingway, and what better way to get our smart on than with a classic set in the islands? The novel starts in the Bahamas and ends in Cuba, but the protagonist (brooding, macho, and complex) and the plot (death, war, and even a little Nazi-hunting) make this way more than your typical beach book.

5. “The Last Song” by Nicholas Sparks. The setting of Sparks’ latest bestselling tearjerker — Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina — might not be the tropics, but the coming-of-age tale is so chock full of summer romance and beach town drama, you’ll see why Miley Cyrus fell for beau Liam Hemsworth on the set of the big-screen adaptation. That comes out this spring, by the way. ” (via  cnn.com) by  Linley Taber

Pointswizard.com Spin: Click here to read all of Your winter staycation reading list

As the temperatures cool down and the holiday season rolls around, be sure to drop by Orlando this winter for all the fun seasonal attractions at Orlando theme parks .

This city has got all others beat when it comes to gearing up for the holidays, and with Walt Disney World , Universal Studios, and SeaWorld all within easy driving distance, the only hard part is deciding which park to go to!

At the Disney parks , Christmas is hands-down the most magical time of the year. The highlight of the season is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which lights up the Magic Kingdom with beautiful decorations, holiday parades, and an awe-inspiring fireworks spectacular. As snow falls on Main Street USA and the Cinderella Castle lights up with 200,000 icicle-like lights, you won’t help but be filled with holiday cheer. Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies to the sounds of Christmas carols, and catch one-of-a-kind holiday shows with your favorite Disney characters for a party that will leave you feeling very merry indeed.

From November 28th through December 30th, visitors can enjoy the season with a little international flair when the Holidays Around the World comes to Disney’s Epcot. In this incredible holiday celebration, the World Showcase comes alive with food, fun, and entertainment from around the world. Listen to the wonder of the Candlelight Processional, as celebrity narrators, an orchestra, and a mass choir put a special spin on the Christmas story. And at nighttime, the sky comes alive with a special holiday edition of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.

And that’s not all; be sure to catch the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. From November 28th through January 4th, the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights brings its holiday symphony of blinking lights, sparkling snowflakes, and twirling carousels. And from November 28th through January 4th, catch Mickey and his friends in their holiday safari costumes as they parade to the sounds, sights, and smells of the holiday season. Though Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party requires a separate Disney ticket, all these other Disney attractions can be enjoyed with regular admission.

But Disney isn’t the only place for holiday fun; there are also great Orlando attractions during the holidays at SeaWorld Orlando . Don’t miss Shamu’s Christmas Miracles, a merry holiday show with your favorite Orca and live musical performances. There’s also The Polar Express Experience, which takes its riders on an incredible journey into the North Pole. And to top off your day at SeaWorld, check out the Makahiki Christmas Luau, a South Seas holiday celebration filled with Polynesian cuisine and ancient holiday traditions of the Pacific Islands. Best yet, all of these attractions can be enjoyed with a regular SeaWorld ticket.

Finally, let’s not forget about all the holiday parades and shows at Universal Studios Orlando. From December 6th through January 1st, enjoy Holiday Cheer You Can Only Hear Here, a holiday celebration featuring the wintry wonderland of Grinchmas along with a live musical version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at Universal Islands of Adventure . There’s also the annual Macy’s Holiday Parade, which fills the streets of Universal with balloons, floats, marching bands, colorful performers, and more. And with the Mannheim Steamroller live in concert on December 6th, you’ll be kicking off the season with great tunes. Everything is included with a regular Universal Studios ticket – no extra spending needed!

To enjoy all the seasonal attractions of these parks and more, it’s easy – just visit OrlandoFunTickets.com for all your discount theme park tickets, and you’ll be on your way to a heaping helping of holiday fun.

Pointswizard.com Spin: Thanks to OrlandoFunTickets.com for the info

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