TRAVEL IDEAS “Starry, Starry Nights” On Florida’s Space Coast (NAPSA)—Atrip to Florida’s famous beachesis terrific for people who want to soak up the rays, but what happens when the sun slips below the horizon? The answer can be found during “Starry, Starry Nights,” four months of nighttime space, nature, sports and shoppingactivities. Every evening May through August, the beaches closest to Orlando host hundreds of free or practically free happenings from dusk to dawn. Meanwhile, oceanfront accommodation prices slip as low as $59 per night. Featuring Atlantic coast cities Titusville, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and Palm Bay, the Space Coast defies gravity and summer boredom for every age and attitude with nighttime notables: * Star-Studded Stargazing— Admire unobstructed views of the galaxy above amid lush pine and winding boardwalks at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Scrub Jay Sanctuary. * Galaxy Glimpses—Spy a comet crash on Jupiter or learn the legend behind the Pleiades or the “summer triangle” constellations in July at Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory. Get lost in space inside a threestory Iwerks “Discovery Theater.” *Sea Turtle Sightings— Guided by the Sea Turtle Preservation Society at the second largest nesting site in the world, witness endangered 300-pound sea turtles lumber from moonlit oceans to oat-covered dunes to deposit a legacy of leathery eggs. * Pier Parties—Step out over the Atlantic for stargazing parties on the famous Cocoa Beach Pier. * Animal Encounters—At dusk, kayak where dolphins play, Florida’s Space Coast offers a variety of activities that light up the night. eagles soar and alligators lurk along St. Johns River. Twilight brings a chorus of herons and scrub jays. At Brevard Zoo, flashlight-guided tours reveal glowing red eyes from nocturnal owls, bats and monkeys as restless panthers roar in the distance. * Moonrise Horseback Rides— Map the stars during guided horseback rides along miles of protected wilderness trails with guides from Ace of Hearts Ranch. * Constellation Cruises—Sail away on evening river excursions, dinner cruises or extended ocean adventures from Port Canaveral and area marinas. To experience out-of-this-world “Starry, Starry Nights” on Florida’s Space Coast, call (800) 93-OCEAN (9386-2826) or visit www.space-coast.com May through August to register to win one of four family vacation packages.
