VillaDirect Vacation Homes

01/05/2024

𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 - 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆

Just in time for your New Years resolutions - it's National Keto day today! So you can stack up your plate with lots of protein and fat - a good breakfast fry-up is a must!

A Keto diet is the short name for a Ketogenic or low-carb diet (like the famous Atkins diet). The idea is that you get more calories from protein and fats rather than from carbohydrates. After about 4-5 days on this diet, your body runs out of the blood sugar that it can use quickly and goes into a state of ketosis, which then breaks down the protein and fat for energy, making you lose weight. It's a short-term diet that focusses on weight loss rather than other health benefits.

Whatever your New Years resolution is for 2024 - we hope that you're having a great start to the year and that you'll come and stay with VillaDirect Vacation Homes real soon!

01/03/2024

𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 - 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀

𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘀

If you're staying in one of the VillaDirect Vacation Homes and you go out for a walk - be sure to look up into the overhanging trees when you walk! When the temperatures drop to 40F (4.5C) or below - you might see a "Falling iguana" alert on your local TV weather channel... we've had them the last 3 years as a new kind of weather alert to keep us awake when there's no hurricanes 😆. The cold weather makes the large lizards go into a state of hibernation, and they fall from the branches that they sometimes sit on! 🦎

They're not native and are regarded as an "Invasive" species - but they're certainly abundant - and are moving northward up the peninsular each year. They are thought to have been "stowaways" on Cuban cargo ships in the 1940 and 50's and have rapidly established themselves in Southern and central Florida. In Miami and the southern state areas - they're a BIG Problem and

Green iguanas feed on a wide variety of vegetation, including shoots, leaves, blossoms and fruits of plants. Green iguanas can live on the ground, in shrubs, or in trees in a variety of habitats including suburban developments, urban areas, small towns, and agricultural areas. They are excellent swimmers, tolerating both salt and freshwater and can submerge themselves for up to four hours at a time.

Green Iguanas - which are sometimes pink, brown or black - can grow up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) long and the males can weigh up to 17lbs (7.5Kg). Females weigh in around half that.

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled.

01/01/2024

Happy New Year from VillaDirect

All of the team at VillaDirect Vacation Homes want to wish our customers, clients and staff a happy, healthy and peaceful 2024.

Thanks for all of your custom and your patronage. We look forward to hosting you again soon!

12/31/2023

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗘𝘃𝗲

If you're here in Orlando and staying at one of the VillaDirect Vacation Homes - there are so many places to see the special firework displays tonight and to welcome 2024 and celebrate its arrival!

12/29/2023

𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 - 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆

Friday 29th December is 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗲𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆!

Pepper Pot is a thick and spicy soup (some would call it a stew) that is an American staple dish, especially in the southern regions of the United States. It's the perfect dish for this time of year and for enjoying when it's colder outside.

What is Pepper Pot? Well, it contains twelve different ingredients. Now that we know the ingredients for the Pepper Pot it's easy to make your own. Just get a crock-pot or slow cooker. The ingredients are four cups of water, four tablespoons of chicken bouillon powder, two medium grated potatoes, two medium sized carrots which are also grated, two finely chopped celery stalks, one finely chopped onion, one and a half cups of finely chopped green, red, or yellow peppers, one half cup of all-purpose flour, two teaspoons of salt, one teaspoon of pepper, one more cup of water, and finally, six cups of milk. Just leave it to bubble and simmer till it thickens and the meat marinades in the soup (best overnight)!

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆
Pepper Pot Soup has many, many variations to it. But the soups true origins began on December 29th of 1777 during the Revolutionary War, the Continental Army had been experiencing an exceptionally harsh winter during the battle of Valley Forge. The soldiers were low on food because the farmers in the area had gone and sold all their supplies to the British Army for cash. Christopher Ludwick, the baker general of the Continental Army, gathered whatever food he could scrounge together to feed the cold and frail soldiers.

The chef was able to find scraps of tripe, meat, and some peppercorn. He then mixed the ingredients together with some other seasonings and created the hot, thick, and spicy soup we now know as pepper pot soup. It quickly became known as “the soup that won the war.”

12/27/2023

𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 - 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀

While flamingos may be the pink bird that everyone associates with Florida, they’re far more common in the Caribbean islands - apart from the pink plastic ones that are in many lawns! In fact, we’re still trying to figure out whether they’re native to Florida or if, like many human residents, they took a trip here and liked it enough to stay.

Florida does have a native bird known for its pretty pink plumage — the roseate spoonbill.

Roseate spoonbills get their name from their uniquely shaped beaks, which they use to scoop prey from the water. Like flamingos, they get their distinctive coloring from snacking on crustaceans and sleep standing on one leg. Unlike flamingos, they can be seen in the wild throughout Florida, usually in mangroves or marshes.

If you're staying at VillaDirect Vacation Homes - it's unlikely that you'll get to see one in the wild - unless you take a trip out for a day to the mangroves or Everglades.

12/26/2023

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗞𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗮𝗮

Today is the start of Kwanzaa - a week-long celebration. It’s more of a marathon of a holiday - and (unlike Christmas in the states) it's not a "one-day sprint".

The annual holiday is observed in many nations with populations of African descendants. This event celebrates the indelible mark left by their rich contributions to culture and achievements. All of the team at VillaDirect Vacation Homes wish all of our guests that are celebrating Kwanzaa the happiest time gathering with friends and family during the celebration this week.

12/25/2023

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁

Thanks for all of the guests who stayed with us during 2023 or have booked for 2024 (or beyond!).

All of the team here at VillaDirect Vacation Homes would like to wish you all a wonderful holiday season, full of family, fun, food and joy.

12/24/2023

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗘𝘃𝗲

This is what Christmas eve looks like here in Kissimmee at 7:15 this morning.....

We hope that your family are all gathering - the food is prepared - the stockings are filled a - and that you're all ready for a fabulous Christmas. If you're staying in one of the VillaDirect Vacation Homes for the holidays - we all hope you have a terrific stay!

12/23/2023

SeaWorld at Christmas!

If you're staying in Orlando at VillaDirect Vacation Homes - be sure to come and experience SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. It runs through until January 2.

Enjoy live shows, dazzling lights, and festive fun – all included with your park admission!

12/22/2023

𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 - 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆

Today's a "twofer"! This day marks two different "Foodie" celebrations - so there's lots to eat 🥳. Here in the USA - we love our food - and so we have lots of "National Days" all year round to celebrate our favorites.

Today is 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆 (we'd never heard of it either!) - when you're meant to Invite a few friends to participate in a cookie exchange event in honor of the day. Have fun baking up some batches of cookies ahead of time and then have each guest package them up in bundles of six or twelve cookies for each person to take home with them. This type of cookie exchange can be done at work or at school as part of the normal day. Or it can be made into an after hours party that includes hors d’oeuvres, wine and some fine Christmas music. We're not sure about this one - we think that the cookies would get munched long before the exchange! 😆

Friday 22nd December is also 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗡𝘂𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘆 - who knew?!? The question is whether to choose butter or cream cheese. This day comes with all sorts of delicious options that can be based on personal preference. But the most important thing on this day is that Date Nut Bread can be enjoyed - just before the festivities!

12/20/2023

𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 - 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆

Do you think the Black headed vulture is uglier than the Turkey Vulture (see photo of the vulture with the red head)? When you're staying at one of the VillaDirect Vacation Homes - there's a good chance you could see both flying above here in central Florida.

Florida has both of these birds all over the state, but there are more of the red-headed species. They live for around 10 years - weigh-in at 2.5 to 4.5lbs (around 1-2Kg) and have a wingspan of around 5ft (1.5 meters) when fully grown.

Like the Turkey vulture, these are a carrion bird and are a vital part of the food chain, reducing possible disease and removing dead animals from the environment.

The black vulture, also known as the American black vulture, Mexican vulture, zopilote, urubu, or gallinazo, is a bird in the New World vulture family whose range extends from the southeastern United States to Perú, Central Chile and Uruguay in South America.

Where Turkey Vultures are described as lanky birds with teetering flight, Black Vultures are compact birds with broad wings, short tails, and powerful wingbeats. The two species often associate: the Black Vulture makes up for its poor sense of smell by following Turkey Vultures to carcasses. Highly social birds with fierce family loyalty, Black Vultures share food with relatives, feeding young for months after they’ve fledged.

12/18/2023

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?

VillaDirect Vacation Homes recommends that you look at 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝘄𝗼 - a 4th floor 3 bedroom vacation condo - that's just the perfect base for a stay that's close to Walt Disney World.

Less than 1 mile from Disney's World Drive - this fantastic 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘁 condo overlooks a lake and is the perfect retreat for a family vacation - sleeping up to 6 guests. The resort clubhouse is a short walk from the condo and offers a family-friendly vibe, with a water park, games, and lots more to enjoy.

Check out the 3D tour below.

Family-sized 3 bedroom condo in Windsor Hills close to Walt Disney World in Orlando.

12/15/2023

𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 - 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆

December 15th is 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝘂𝗽𝗰𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆.

Lemon is one of our favorite flavors in cakes and sweets, and this day offers the perfect excuse to enjoy a sweet treat with that distinctive twist of citrus. Adding lemon flavor to cakes can give them a refreshing kick, and when made into the miniature treat of a cupcake, it’s especially tasty.

That’s why lemon cupcakes deserve their own day!

12/14/2023

𝗛𝗼-𝗵𝗼-𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱

While it may not be the highest attraction on your bucket list - we'd recommend a day trip to Gatorland Orlando to any of our guests staying in one of the VillaDirect Vacation Homes over the holidays.

The crowds are "manageable" and there is a whole day of fun to everyone - it's not just Gators - there's all sorts of wildlife to see and fun things for the family to enjoy.

12/13/2023

𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 - 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀

If you're staying in one of the VillaDirect Vacation Homes - and you're looking out across your sparkling, clear pool to the garden and bushes behind your pool - you might see a flash of yellow and black flying by.

The Mynah bird isn't a native to Florida - they're originally from Asia - but they've established themselves through central and southern parts of the state and are now thriving and a common sight and sound. If you have a Mynah in captivity from an early age - you can train it to "talk" and mimic human speech.

This brown and black bird is in the same family as the starlings and readily makes its habitat around people, buildings and cities.

Mynah birds are omnivorous. In the wild, they eat a huge variety of fruits, insects, larva, amphibians, lizards, small snakes, eggs, baby birds, baby rodents, and they scavenge for garbage occasionally. Mynah birds are not seed-eaters in the wild.

Keep a lookout for these friendly birds during your stay.

12/12/2023

𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗

LEGO Santa is coming to town 🎅

Holidays at LEGOLAND is here - and LEGO Santa 🎅 needs your help by using LEGO bricks to build toys and gifts to fill the bag 🎁

If you're in town with children and staying at one of the VillaDirect Vacation Homes - be sure to make time to visit LEGOLAND Florida - it's a great day out!

12/11/2023

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆

𝗧𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 is one of our popular VillaDirect Vacation Homes that's nestled in the fabulous ChampionsGate resort - just a short hop from Walt DisneyWorld - this family-friendly resort pool home is waiting to give you a great vacation.

This fantastic 8 bedroom home has oodles of space - and so much inside to enjoy. There are 2 games rooms to enjoy, with fantastic, full-size arcade games, table games like pool and air-hockey - PLUS a full, family sized cinema to enjoy your favorite movies.

Take a tour of the property by clicking on the link below.