TOUR Wife Travels: Having fun in the Orlando sun

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Hello and welcome to TOUR Wife Travels! My name is Erin and I am the wife of PGA TOUR player Jimmy Walker. My husband and I make it a point of exploring every city we visit, whether it's our first visit or our 10th, and finding new places to eat, shop, stay and explore has become our hobby. And now, TOUR Wife Travels would like to share those spots with you. If you ever find yourself in one of our "TOUR Stop Cities," I want to give you the insider information on all the places the pros, their wives and kids enjoy while they are in town.

Walker

I graduated from the University of Colorado in 2003 with a B.A. in Journalism and I am very excited that I am finally able to put my education to some use while traveling with my husband.

Jimmy and I met in 2004 in my home state of Utah, where he was playing a Nationwide Tour stop and I was a tournament volunteer. I am an avid sports fan and thought that volunteering would be a great way to see the pros in action. I had absolutely no intention of meeting, dating, then marrying a golfer but six years later it obviously was meant to be.

I don't travel on TOUR every week, as I am also a competitive horseback rider that takes me around the country, but I promise to give you as many fun and useful tips as I can when I am on the road. Visit my site tourwifetravels.com and follow me on Twitter @tourwifetravels for all up to date tidbits from me and other golf families.

Jimmy was pretty disappointed about missing the cut in Tampa because he loves the golf course, but the great thing about golf is there is always another week. And this week we are in Orlando for the Arnold Palmer Invitational at famed Bay Hill Club and Lodge. It's been 6 years since we have had the privilege of playing this tournament and we are really excited to be back.

Another reason we were excited for the week (and for the delay in posting the blog) is Jimmy was picked to host the GOLF CHANNEL's Inside the PGA TOUR show and the lil' one and I got to tag along. After the crew spent about 2 seconds with our nine-month-old son it quickly transitioned into the "Mclain Walker Show," and Jimmy and I were off the hook. The whole day was truly first class, and we were reminded how truly privileged a life we lead on TOUR.

EAT & STAY.

As soon as you drive through the gates of the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando you immediately get the feeling you are in for something special. When Steven Spielberg was consulting on Universal Orlando Island of Adventure Park, he suggested each of the three hotels on the property has a special theme to make them unique. And are they ever! The Portofino transports you from busy Orlando to the beautiful Italian Riviera. With everything the Portofino has to offer, in the ultimate role reversal your kids will have to drag you kicking and screaming away from the hotel.

While filming Inside the PGA TOUR, we were treated to a fabulous lunch at one of the Portofino's charming restaurants. Sitting in the sun at Trattoria del Porto, overlooking the "piazza," you really feel as you could be in Italy. With eight different bars and restaurants, the dining options at the Portofino offer enough variety to keep everyone happy.

The Loews Portofino Bay may be located in Orlando and look Italian, but it is an amazing world-class resort that couples looking to get away and families of all size can enjoy.

SHOP & PLAY.

After our fabulous lunch at the Portofino, we took a boat from the hotel straight to Universal Orlando Island of Adventure theme park. The idea behind Island of Adventure is that each aspect of the Park is centered around a "storytelling theme." From Dr Seuss to Harry Potter, you will be amazed at the attention paid to every small detail at both Universal Orlando Parks.

With rides, shows and shops to please every age, Universal Orlando Resort maybe be the "other park" located in Orlando, but I can assure you, the Parks are second to none and should not be missed.

GOLF.

Although it may be hard to tear yourself and your loved ones away from the theme parks in Orlando, Arnold Palmer's tournament at Bay Hill is pretty great excuse to do so. With all the golf heavyweights scheduled to play, it's a tournament that commands attention and respect must be paid to the challenging course. Fast greens, water on most holes and with wind usually a factor, Bay Hill is a perfect for spectators looking to get their fill of everything great golf has to offer. Be sure to check out the tournament if you are ever in Orlando during the week of Bay Hill.

For the 50 other weeks a year when the PGA TOUR is not in town, golfers can get their fix at Orange County National. Located in nearby Winter Gardens, every other year OCN is the site of the dreaded PGA TOUR National Qualifying Tournament and for 10 years running was voted as one of Golf Digests "Best Places to Play."

Orlando is a great city with so much to do and see, be sure to plan accordingly. Our whole week has been a wonderful experience, and we can't thank the Golf Channel and Universal Orlando Resort enough for our memorable day. Be sure to watch Inside the PGA TOUR this Tuesday evening (3/29) on the Golf Channel to get a great look at Universal Orlando Resort and our life on TOUR.