Amy Shepherd Dow 2016-12-16 01:13:13
Ponte Vedra Beach SOCIAL BUZZ Suzanne Rowan Kelleher on Sanibel and Captiva islands: The famous shell-strewn beaches on these two islands are among the most beautiful in all of Florida. There are no amusement parks, no traffic lights, no billboard-lined highways, no glaring neon and no tracts of high-rise condos. Instead, you’ll find a laid-back vibe, terrific restaurants, chic shops and 15 miles of drop-dead-gorgeous beaches. Suzanne Rowan Kelleher is the Family Vacations Expert at About.com. family-travel-expert-advice.com minitime.com Florida Beach Getaways: 5 Styles Search {Beaches} at VISITFLORIDA.com In Florida, land of the endless coastline, it’s not so much where you want to beach as it is how you want to beach. You could spend a lifetime visiting beaches and still not get through them all. But rest easy, there’s a stretch of shore tailor-made for you—whether your style is floating in the gentle waves or blasting over them in a water jet pack. Here are five beach styles to inspire your next trip. 1 Relaxation & Luxury There's no shortage of luxe retreats in the Sunshine State, but Ponte Vedra Beach's Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa just might set the standard. Leave your private villa only to soak in the lagoon pool, indulge in hydrotherapy at the spa or golf on a championship course. For dinner, the resort's 619 Ocean View restaurant is tops, but locally, there's the always delicious Aqua Grill. Sun-N-Fun Lagoon EAU Palm Beach Resort & Spa offers private garden villas within the Eau Spa, alongside an exclusive beach and your own poolside cabana. Take a yacht cruise from nearby Riviera Beach to admire stately West Palm. A Florida beach getaway has something for everyone, from towering water slides to underwater adventures and luxe spa pampering. Naples Naples Grande Beach Resort is just a hop and a skip from shopping on Fifth Avenue South and offers a natural and organic spa. From nearby Marco Island, enjoy a moonlight cruise or air tour. Not-to-be-missed: a chic Italian dinner at Marco Beach Ocean Resort's Sale e Pepe. 2 Adventure & Exploration Adrenaline junkies, take note of South Walton's streak of 16 sugarwhite beaches, the perfect launching pad for adventure. Rent a hydrobike at Santa Rosa Beach and navigate the surf like never before, go stand up paddleboarding at Grayton Beach or, for real thrills, cruise along Miramar Beach in a Klear Kanoo. Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National Park; South Walton Beach Be a part of Cocoa Beach's storied surf history with a high-energy lesson from Sandy Beach Surfing, or try your hand.and legs.at wind or kite surfing. Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort Prefer to be underwater? The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary's Shipwreck Trail is the ideal dive scenario with nine historic wrecks on the route. Key West Eco-Tours offers sailing, snorkeling and kayaking excursions, while Key Largo's Dolphins Plus plunges you right into their habitat. 3 Family Friendly Bringing your kids to the beach? Fort Myers' shallow shore has no undertow, making it perfect for kids. Where to stay? Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina caters to the whole family. Kids can enjoy Florida’s resort camps and splashy attractions while adults can relax on a romantic escape. Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Destin For adults, there's the upscale atmosphere, the spa and even grocery delivery. For the little ones, the resort's Kids Camp includes the Octopool, a fishing camp and a splash pad. Set up a beach scavenger hunt, and then head to Lakes Regional Park, where you'll find a splash fountain and a mini-train ride. Destin is renowned for its familyfriendly beach vibe, with The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin, Jolee Island Nature Park and Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park close by. Stay at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, where you can arrange for a beach bonfire. S'mores, anyone? 4 Romance Old Florida nostalgia or Southern charm? Tough choice. Anna Maria Island's quaint beach scene includes cute villages like Pine Island Avenue Historic Green Village and Bridge Street. You'll find funky boutiques, mom-and-pop ice cream shops, and the Body & Sol Spa & Wellness for couples' treatments. Stay in one of Pineapplefish Island Rentals' colorful waterfront homes, rent an island scooter, or head straight to foodie paradise: The Sandbar for sunset drinks and seafood or Beach Bistro for an award-winning meal. Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina, Fort Myers Gracious Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort sits on quiet Fernandina Beach, offering a multitier pool and so many restaurants you'll have no reason to leave. The hotel can arrange romantic activities like horseback riding on the beach, twilight cruises or a couples' massage. 5 Weekend Escape If you're traveling on a lark, jet on over to Miami to experience Florida's vibrant multi-cultural epicenter. Sample South Beach's fresh approach at SLS Hotel's Hyde Beach, an 8,000-square-foot adult playground that includes pools, innovative dining and, of course, a beach. Take one of the city's Art Deco tours when you're not busy soaking up the social scene. Riverwalk, Fort Lauderdale In Fort Lauderdale, the Pillars Hotel is an intimate, elegant and unfussy spot on the Intracoastal with its own dock for the area's famed water taxi, which you'll want to ride. Or, you can walk nearby Beach Boulevard for nightlife and entertainment. Postcard Inn Beach Bar, St. Pete Beach St. Pete Beach's Postcard Inn on the beach is an ode to nostalgic surf culture. PCI is positioned right on the shore and puts you close to everything, from watersport outfitters to open-air bars. Ride the huge inflated High Tide Slide set up on the beach or try the JetLev water jet pack experience available at nearby TradeWinds Island Resorts. Art Deco District, Miami Beach EXPERIENCE A TIME LAPSE OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA BEACHES Scan this page with your phone to watch a time-lapse video overview of northwest Florida beaches. Download the free Layar App. See full instructions on pg. 12. What's Your Ideal Beach Scene? By Lauren Tjaden Search {Beaches} at VISITFLORIDA.com This questionnaire will help you find a beach with the vibe you’re looking for. Complete the sentences with the choices that best describe you. I WANT MY BEACH GETAWAY TO FEATURE: A. Dining, shopping and nightlife–everything from breweries to boutiques. B. Great restaurants with local flavors and creative cuisine. C. Experiences that immerse me in the outdoors and nature. WHAT MOST APPEALS TO ME IS: A. A vibrant, fun destination with live music and dancing. B. A city I can appreciate for its food as well as its beaches. C. A pristine beach without high-rises or chain restaurants. MY IDEA OF A GREAT DAY AT THE BEACH IS: A. Soaking up rays and when the sun goes down, enjoying a bustling nightlife scene. B. Starting the day with a rich espresso, discovering a tiny café with amazing grouper sandwiches and toasting the sunset from a table overlooking the beach. C. Going on a dolphin eco-tour, hunting for seashells and watching a bald eagle search for fish. OF THE FOLLOWING THREE ACTIVITIES, I’D MOST LIKE TO: A. Go to a lively concert on the beach. B. Dine on the water at an award-winning restaurant. C. Watch a mother sea turtle nest on the beach at night. IF YOU GOT: MOSTLY A’S, YOU’RE A NIGHT OWL To say a sleepy destination isn’t your style is an understatement. You want your beach to come with plentiful nightlife, whether it’s a band and beer at a local dive, live music at a swanky club, or laid-back cocktails at a beach bar. Consider a visit to: Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Daytona Beach, St. Pete Beach or Pensacola Beach MOSTLY B’S, YOU’RE A FABULOUS FOODIE You believe a vacation should leave a good taste in your mouth, literally. Whether it’s flaky pastries at a café, casual beach fare in a bistro or fine dining in an oceanfront restaurant, Florida beaches offer a smorgasbord of diverse choices. Consider a visit to: Delray Beach, Naples, Siesta Key/Sarasota, Holmes Beach or South Walton MOSTLY C’S, YOU’RE NATURALLY PERFECT The beach is host to an abundance of wildlife and that’s what you find most beautiful about it. Whether it’s dolphins arcing out of the waves, shells scattered across the sand or ospreys overhead, the sights and sounds of nature are what soothe your soul. Consider a visit to: St. George Island, Cape San Blas, Boca Grande, or Sanibel and Captiva islands Tie-breaker: If you’re torn between beach scenes, try the Florida Beach Finder on VISITFLORIDA.com to find an even more precise match. Fishing Villages & Dockside Destinations By Sarah Walch Search {Fishing Villages} at VISITFLORIDA.com Only a few working waterfronts remain in Florida, and visiting one is like stepping back into a much simpler time. Explore the independent spirit of these authentic and still-operational fishing villages from around the state. Fishing festival at Cortez Historic Fishing Village Cortez Historic Fishing Village Located at the north end of Sarasota Bay, this village on the National Register of Historic Places has fought hard to maintain its heritage, which visitors will discover at the Florida Maritime Museum in the old schoolhouse. Ship models and shells are among the collection. Not-to-be-missed eats include the village’s famous smoked mullet and dock-to-table waterfront dining at the Star Fish Company and Cortez Kitchen. February is the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival with outstanding seafood, music and local artisans. Apalachicola Located in North Florida at the mouth of the Apalachicola River, this quaint stop is a U.S. Historic District famous for its oysters–considered by many to be the world’s tastiest. Try Papa Joe’s Oyster Bar & Grill for shucked-to-order oysters, or Owl Café for second-floor waterfront views. The grand Gibson Inn, with its wraparound porch and restaurant, Gormley’s at the Gibson, is a local gem. Downtown, swing by the Old Time Soda Fountain, and then search for local tupelo honey. Boat tours get to the source of the area’s buzzed-about seafood, and the Oyster Brewing Company serves up tasty brews. Tarpon Springs Tarpon Springs Northwest of Tampa, this waterfront town was once known as the “sponge capital of the world” after it was discovered by Greek sponge divers. For a time, sponges were a larger Florida export than citrus. Now, Tarpon Springs has a higher percentage of Greek Americans than any other city, and the culture proves it. Along the riverfront, Dodecanese Boulevard is lined with shops and restaurants including Mama’s Greek Cuisine, Hellas and Mykonos. Take a boat tour to learn about the town’s history from the water.
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