As fall approaches, the color of Florida continues to shine with opportunities for enjoyment set in stunning lodgings, sparkling beaches and spectacular meeting areas. Don�t be left out in the cold, Florida is within reach for a rewarding business trip or a relaxing vacation. The Travel Industry Association reports that more than two-thirds (68 percent) of U.S. adults took a leisure or business trip of at least 50 miles away in 2003. Fit Florida in your fall with the following (listed north to south):

STATEWIDE � An eight cents per gallon tax break at the gas pump throughout the month of August from Florida leaders will allow travelers to go home with a little more change in their pockets. Take advantage of the opportunity to fill up for less and consider a road trip throughout Florida. Whether the interest is in a beachside rendezvous, a paddle down one of Florida�s rivers or streams, or even a ride through one of the many parks and trails, you can get there with a full � and cheaper! � tank of gas from Florida in August. To learn about all of the places that you can �Travel on a Tankful,� visit www.FLAUSA.com.

PENSACOLA � The retired aircraft carrier USS Oriskany will be laid to rest 22.5 miles off the coast of Pensacola in September to become the world�s largest artificial reef. This historic ship set records in gunnery marksmanship during the Korean War and was one of the Navy�s most heavily used aircraft carriers during the Vietnam War. www.oriskanymemorial.com

OCALA � The Appleton Museum of Art is proud to announce the opening of a prominent American sculptor�s first traveling exhibition on Aug. 28. Focusing on horses, artist Deborah Butterfield�s exhibition will include rarely seen examples of life-size horses made of sticks, mud, straw and metal and bronze castings. The exhibit will run from Aug. 28 through Jan. 2 and includes a celebration of the release of the first academic survey of the Montana artist�s work. www.appletonmuseum.org

ORLANDO � Fans of Walt Disney Pictures� film �Lilo & Stitch� will find out what Stitch was like before his big film break. Walt Disney World�s new attraction, Stitch�s Great Escape will open this fall and will be located on the former site of the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter in Tomorrowland. www.disneyworld.com

ORLANDO � Fear will be taken to new levels as Universal Orlando unleashes its famous "scream team" across both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure as Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) runs for 18 select nights, October 1-31. HHN will include seven all-new haunted mazes; bigger, more intense scare zones; a Halloween parade; specially-themed shows; hundreds of specially trained "scareactors" and a "haunted" cornfield now being grown on one of Universal's back lots. www.halloweenhorrornights.com

IMMOKALEE � Seminole Casino is blowing out bingo in favor of an expanded poker room. The casino is expanding its poker playing area to 4,200 square feet. Twenty-eight tables with eight seats each will now be available. The casino will offer a no-limit tournament with just one re-buy every Wednesday and Thursday beginning at 11 a.m. Free transportation is available for the weekday tournaments along with free continental breakfast for participants. www.theseminolecasino.com

PARADISE COAST (Naples Area) � The Greater Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitor Bureau has recently launched an enhanced visitor information web site. The site continues to add new sections and features on a regular basis. Log on to browse accommodation choices, attractions and to request a free Official Visitors Guide to the Paradise Coast. www.ParadiseCoast.com

NAPLES � New fascinating exhibits at Caribbean Gardens: The Zoo. Panther Glade allows visitors to get up close to America�s large cat as well as the two rare and beautiful Indochinese Tigers. The Zoo also has a new multimedia show, Serpents: Fangs & Fiction, to educate guests on the positive impact of these misunderstood reptiles. www.napleszoo.com

EVERGLADES CITY � The Everglades National Park is in the process of upgrading its boat tours, visitor center, gift shop and canoe and kayak rentals at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center. New amenities will be in place fall 2004. www.nps.gov/ever

GRASSY KEY � Dolphin Research Center has a new program, Trainer for a Day, that takes people behind the scenes, down on the dock and right into the lagoons for the ultimate experience. Trainer for a Day includes several interactions such as a Dolphin Encounter structured swim, playtime, painting a Dolphin Art t-shirt with the dolphin plus giving signals to the dolphins and reinforcing their behaviors. www.dolphins.org

JACKSONVILLE � The Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant is in the process of extensive hotel renovations with each of the property�s 24 oceanfront rooms and suites, exterior landscaping and fine dining menus. Chef Aaron Webb�s new Beach Cuisine is served daily for lunch, dinner and private parties. A sampling of dishes are enticing new comers and longtime fans to dine outside in the oceanfront courtyard of the grand dining room. www.casamarinajax.com

TAMPA � Saddlebrook Resort has announced an $8.5 million redecoration of all 800 rooms and suites at the resort. All of the room upgrades are expected to be completed by fall 2004. Each room will have new furnishings with a tropical theme. www.saddlebrook.com/rooms.html

NAPLES � The Lemon Tree Inn recently renovated its 35 guest rooms to add a tropical island touch to the boutique hotel�s charm. Located within walking distance of downtown Naples shops and restaurants, the Lemon Tree offers excellent value with Old Florida ambiance. www.lemontreeinn.com

NAPLES � The Registry Resort & Club, a Naples landmark for 17 years, recently emerged from a $30 million transformation with stylish new guestroom d�cor and Luna, the resort�s stylish new nightclub. Caf� Chablis, the resort�s all-day dining venue, was renovated with new furnishings and fixtures. www.registryresort.com

MARCO ISLAND � The Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort has launched an expansive upgrade and renovation project for the hotel to enhance guestroom, lobby and restaurant d�cor. A new spa is planned for 2005. www.marcoisland.hilton.com

CORAL GABLES � The Biltmore Hotel is in the final stages of an $8.5 million, top-to-bottom renovation of its 280 guest rooms and suites. Fresh off a $1.5 million refurbishment, the 18-hole, par 71 Biltmore Golf Course has reached new heights aesthetically with 10 acres of new Bermuda grass from tee to greens plus a new irrigation system. Also new are high-tech carts, fully renovated locker room facilities and the latest maintenance equipment. www.biltmorehotel.com

MIAMI BEACH � Eden Roc, a Renaissance Resort & Spa, has announced new upgrades to the property for 2004. Guests in need of their daily dose of caffeine will be pleased to find that the nearest Starbucks is just an elevator ride away. www.edenrocresort.com

ISLAMORADA � Renovations which included room upgrades, a new spa and more at Islamorada�s Islander Resort are completed. The resort has 114 new or freshly remodeled rooms with kitchenettes and screened porches. The resort�s two heated pools � one fresh water, the other saltwater � and a new spa offer guests the opportunity for a variety of poolside activities. www.islanderfloridakeys.com

KEY WEST � The construction of the new conference center at the Doubletree Grand Key Resort in Key West began its first stages this fall and is expected to be completed by September 2004. The resort will offer more than 8,000-square-feet of meeting space in addition to its many existing amenities. The new conference room will come with two separate adjustable �air walls� that will allow the room to be divided into three small break-out rooms. www.grandkeyresort.doubetree.com

JACKSONVILLE � This fall the Sawgrass Marriott & Beach Resort will apply final pre-opening touches to the 20,000-square-foot Spa at Sawgrass. The spa features 19 custom treatment rooms, a fitness center, a juice bar with energizing drinks, a full-service nail salon and a retail shop. Surrounded by 15 acres of winding lagoons, moss-draped water oaks and giant magnolias, certified massage and neuromuscular therapists relieve post-golf tension and pamper non-golfers with techniques only available at The Spa at Sawgrass. www.sawgrassmarriott.com

NAPLES � Deesse European Spa, Salon Wellness Center is opening this October in The Inn on Fifth. Deesse offers all ranges of hair styling, therapeutic massage, manicure, pedicure, customized facials, sauna, steam, acupuncture and therapeutic touch. They will also offer custom blended makeup artistry and fitness such as Gyrotonic, Yoga and Pilates. Deese will sell complementing products for skin, body, beautification and well-being. www.naplesinn.com

MADISON � Come join Yogi Bear, Ranger Smith and his family for the annual Thanksgiving Weekend at Jellystone Park Nov. 24-27. The campground community will be bringing side dishes, while Ranger Smith will be cooking the turkey. On Friday, Nov. 26, a father and son hunt is planned while the mothers and daughters search out the sales or just enjoy the natural surroundings of the campground. www.jellystoneflorida.com

FERNANDINA BEACH � Step back in time to 1864 at Fort Clinch State Park Sept. 4-5. Watch living historians perform the daily activities of soldiers, blacksmiths, laundresses and hospital stewards. Performances also include a black powder artillery demonstration. www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch/

AMELIA ISLAND � The Ritz-Carlton presents several events in time for fall. Spend Labor Day weekend at the New World Cuisine Festival of Food & Wine. On Sept. 3, experience an Ultimate Lobster Barbecue and enjoy an evening of great food, choice wines, entertainment and good company on Sept. 4 for $59 per person. Enjoy the jazz, ocean breeze and soul food on Sunday, Sept. 5, for $45 per person. www.ritscarlton.com

ST. AUGUSTINE � The spirits of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum summon all young ghosts, goblins and witches for a night of safe trick-or-treating. Venture out to the lighthouse from 6 p.m. � 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 29 for a ghostly Halloween experience especially for children ages 3 to 12. There will be a pirate graveyard, a scarecrow garden and plenty of doors for children to knock on for treats and surprises. http://www.staugustinelighthouse.com

DAYTONA BEACH � In its 12th year, Biketoberfest is an international event that attracts motorcycle enthusiasts from throughout the U.S. and Canada to the Daytona Beach area. Festivities include charity rides, street festivals, concerts and expos. Biketoberfest is a family-oriented event that takes place at different locations throughout the Daytona Beach area Oct. 21-24. www.biketoberfest.org

ORLANDO � The Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) showcases the contemporary art collection of New York residents Jim Cottrel and Joe Lovett from July 24 through Oct. 31. More than 70 works are highlighted in the exhibition, including watercolor, acrylic and oil paintings, metal, marble and wood sculpture, mixed-media works, pastel and charcoal drawings, etchings and photographs. www.OMAArt.org

ORLANDO � SeaWorld�s Halloween Spooktackular is lurking for spirited frights and family-friendly delights this Halloween. This will be a ghoulishly good time for kids of all ages and takes place during three weekends this year: Oct. 15-17; 23-24; and 30-31. Gaggles of ghastly goodies and safe Halloween fun await everyone, such as thrilling new shows, ghostly activities and unique Halloween-themed entertainment. http://www.4adventure.com/seaworld/fla/swfse/

UMATILLA (near Orlando) � A one-of-a-kind festival, the 6th Annual Black Bear Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. � 5 p.m. is a free day-long event that features educational opportunities, unique wildlife experiences, special children�s activities, tours to the Ocala National Forest, and traditional Southern entertainment and food. www.flblackbearfestival.org.

LAKE COUNTY � The annual Lights of Lake Festival will provide a sparkling setting for the holiday celebrations of Lake County as millions of lights adorn the city beginning Nov. 26. The festival�s special events offer seasonal treats such as holiday music concerts, vibrant storefront decorations, parades, petting zoos and even man-made snow to spread holiday cheer. www.lakecountyfl.com

LAKELAND � Family Day at the Polk Museum of Art is an annual community event with entertainment, food, art workshops and more. This year�s theme is �Playfully Picasso,� in celebration of the Museum�s exhibition Picasso: 25 Years of Edition Ceramics, on display from Sept. 18 through Nov. 28. www.PolkMuseumofArt.org

ST. PETERSBURG � The Pier will have its first annual Washington Mutual Sand Sculpture Contest Sept 27-Oct. 3. Visitors can watch as Team Sandtastic sculptors pack, pound, mold and carve 100 tons of sand into a spectacular representation of the inverted Pier. www.stpetepier.com/event.php

YBOR CITY � The Columbia Restaurant will kick off its 100th anniversary with a variety of events leading up to the year-long celebration in 2005 including the cleaning and installation of a 1870�s chandelier, food tasting of a classic 70-year-old dish, with its updated preparation, and the unveiling of the Columbia�s 100th Anniversary logo. www.columbiarestaurant.com

DELRAY BEACH � October 2004, Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens begins a celebration of the century-old connection between Japan and South Florida. It is here that a group of young Japanese farmers created a community intended to revolutionize agriculture in Florida. While most of the colony had left the area by the mid 1920�s, one settler remained - George Sukeji Morikami. He donated his land to Palm Beach County with the wish to preserve it as a park and to honor the memory of the farming colony they named Yamato, an ancient name for Japan. The Morikami will celebrate The Yamato Colony Centennial through May 2006, 100 years after George Morikami arrived. www.morikami.org

WEST PALM BEACH � Travel through the 12th and 20th centuries this October through January as the Norton Museum of Art presents Masterworks of Chinese Painting: In Pursuit of Mists and Clouds. This remarkable exhibition that draws on the superlative collections made by world-renowned Chinese Art historian James Cahill. Works spanning nine centuries include more than 60 paintings in all the traditional Chinese formats -hanging scrolls, fan paintings, hand scrolls and album leaves. www.norton.org.

# # #

For additional information, contact: Paul Kayemba (850) 488-5607 ext. 311 paulk@VISITFLORIDA.org.