December 2024

Community Rallies In Support Of Angelina’s After Fire Forces Closure

 [[{“value”:” An outpouring of community support for one of SoWal’s oldest and most-loved restaurants reveals a heartwarming and loyal community spirit in South Walton. Angelina’s Pizzeria & Pasta in Seagrove Beach is temporarily closed while a rebuild begins from a devastating fire in the early morning hours of September 12th. “}]]  SoWal.com  Read More


Spirits Of The Season Sip & Shop At Hotel Effie Dec 21

 [[{“value”:” Hotel Effie Sandestin, Autograph Collection invites you to join them at the Spirits of the Season: Sip & Shop. Hosted in the elegant Juniper 6 Ballroom, this elevated 21+ holiday event invites you to unwind, indulge and embrace the festive spirit in style on Saturday, December 21 from 3–6 PM. Purchase your ticket today and let the spirit of the season shine. “}]]  SoWal.com  Read More

30a.news

9 Reasons You Should Visit Sarasota, Florida

 [[{“value”:” If you’re looking to pick your next vacation destination, then look no further than Sarasota, Florida. This Southwest Florida coastal town has culture, beauty, and an abundance of vacation rentals so you can enjoy your stay in style. Here are just a few reasons to fall in love with Sarasota, Florida. 1. Sarasota is in a prime location  You’re about two hours from Orlando if you want to hit the theme parks, 90 minutes from ritzy Naples, and about an hour from Tampa. 2. Sarasota’s beaches are award-winning.  Ever heard of Siesta Key? Not only is “Siesta Key” the name of an MTV reality show, but Siesta Key Beach also has been named as a #1 beach by both Dr. Beach and TripAdvisor and a #11 beach in the world by TripAdvisor. You can credit its quartz sand and turquoise water for these high honors. 3. If you enjoy the arts, you’ll never run out of things to do. Sarasota is sometimes called the Cultural Coast because it has so many theaters, art galleries, and museums.  4. Speaking of museums, Sarasota is home to The Ringling.  The Ringling is a world-class museum with European and Asian art as well as a circus museum. Why a circus museum? As you may have guessed by its name, The Ringling was the former property of circus magnate John Ringling. He and his wife Mable owned Ca’D’Zan, which also is part of The Ringling campus. It’s a must-see. 5. One of Florida’s most... Read More

7 Must-See Museums in St. Pete, Florida

 [[{“value”:” Vanessa Caceres St. Petersburg, Florida, has plenty of sunny beaches to enjoy, but did you know that the city also is home to several unique museums? If you stay in a vacation rental in St. Pete, make sure to check out a few of the city’s famed museums. Here’s the skinny on St. Petersburg’s museums: The Dalí  The Salvador Dalí Museum is home to more than 2,400 artworks, including 96 oil paintings, 200 watercolors and drawings, and other items. Fans of this Spanish avant-garde artist will marvel both in the art and the building itself, which has a modern look that reflects Dalí’s unique style. The Dalí Museum is located very close to St. Pete’s waterfront, so you’re in a prime spot to explore other parts of the city. The museum frequently has travel exhibits from other well-known artists, such as Pablo Picasso. The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art You may be staying in Florida on the U.S. East Coast, but you can feel like you’re out west when visiting The James. That’s because this 26,000-square-foot gallery features the personal collection of American Western art from Tom and Mary James. Much of the art focuses on American Western history and American Indian cultures, but you also will find some interesting wildlife photography. Museum of Fine Arts Art lovers, take note. You’ll find your muse at St. Pete’s Museum of Fine Arts. The museum’s collection covers 5,000 years of art history and has more than 20,000 works. It... Read More

Things to do in Myakka River State Park in Sarasota

 [[{“value”:” Vanessa Caceres If you’re staying in a vacation rental in the Bradenton Beach, Sarasota, or Siesta Key area, don’t forget to add Myakka River State Park to your vacation to-do list. This massive park is home to literally thousands of alligators, all waiting for their close up—from a safe distance, of course. Myakka River State Park is 58 square miles large and combines prairies with wetlands and pinelands. Running through the park is the Myakka River, perfect for boating, kayaking and fishing. Myakka River State Park was developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and was one of eight state parks in Florida developed by the CCC. Previously, the land for the park was owned by Bertha Palmer, a businesswoman from Chicago who pursued cattle and pig ranching on the land. Fast forward to today, and one major draw for Myakka River State Park is the many, many alligators that call it home. When the weather is warm, you can see alligators swimming along in the river or sometimes sunning themselves not far from shore. Keep your distance, of course, and use the closeup function on your camera phone or a telephoto lens on a nice camera to snap some nice shots. During Sarasota’s busiest season, it’s not uncommon to find tourists speaking several different languages stopped in clumps to gaze at gators and snap pics to share with others.  Another great way to learn about the park is with its boat and tram rides. The... Read More

Ultimate Guide to the 15 Best Beaches in Florida 

 [[{“value”:” Florida is one of the most popular destinations for beach lovers and so we created one of the most accurate guides for the best beaches in Florida.  With countless miles of white sandy beaches there are many to choose from and we want to help you know where to find the best Florida beaches. Be sure to bring your sunscreen and a good book because the Sunshine State does not disappoint when it comes to having a relaxing time on the beach.  How did we come up with this list of Best Florida Beaches? We sourced this list from locals, tourists, and our own experience being Florida travel experts.  1. Siesta Key Siesta Key was rated the #1 best beach in Florida by Trip advisor in 2015 and 2017 and rated #5 on the best beaches in the world. This beach boasts some of the whitest and finest sand you will ever see in the world. The sand is described as some to seem like flour and this sand stays cool on your feet, even in the summer months.  Along with great sand is also a great shoreline. There is plenty of room for everyone and the water stays shallow longer, making this a one of the best beaches in Florida for kids.  Siesta Key Beach. Credit: Visit Sarasota County 2. Clearwater Beach This fun family friendly beach is consistently in the top when talking about the best beach in Florida. The fishing pier, the aquarium, and frequent entertainers... Read More

Best Places To Eat In Disney World

 [[{“value”:” You can’t go to Disney and not experiment with the food! Let’s break down some of the top places to get a bite to eat, and what food & drink you should be looking for on the menu during your next Florida Vacation and Disney trip. Disney Springs The place where food and drink is plentiful. First and foremost, if you’ve never had cookies at Gideon’s, get ready to have your life changed. The cookies & cream are my favorite. Here’s a tip for you, though: Order ahead. Not just a few hours in ahead, at least 24 hours in advance. If you know anything about my last name, you know it’s Irish. If you’re like me and love Irish pubs, Irish food, and history then checkout Ragland Road. Get a beer flight, sip slow on a glass of whiskey, or grab a Kopparberg Strawberry & Lime cider from Sweden. For an appetizer, get the Whiskey BBQ Lollipop Chicken. It’s covered with roasted corn and bacon crumble. Plates of fish & chips whirred past my table, and boy did they look good. But the hottest menu around our dinner table was the Worth the Wait Beef Sandwich. The beef had been braised for 12 hours and was served with sautéed mushrooms, crispy onions, garlic aioli and smoked cheddar on ciabatta. I ate the Serious Steak, but I can’t recommend that to anyone. The sirloin was average, the mashed potatoes tasted like instant potatoes, and my wife took one bite... Read More

Top 6 Things To Do In Destin, Florida

 [[{“value”:” If you’re like me, a beach getaway is exactly what you’re dreaming of. Florida comes to the top of mind. Specifically, Destin. Some of the best things to do in Destin are family friendly activities and events. So while I’m sitting here and actually praising the fact it’s 32 degrees today (it was negative 7 yesterday), let’s go through the top things to do in Destin! Things To Do In Destin Crab Island The first time I saw Crab Island, we were driving over the Destin Bridge into Destin. I asked “Wow, what are all those boats doing there?” My father-in-law said “That’s Crab Island.” Known as a “Sandbar hangout spot,” Crab Island is only accessible by boat. This place is for boat lovers, because there’s not a shortage of those. Feel free to paddle, swim, drink a cold beer, and relax. Try some food from floating restaurants or mobile food boats. Jet ski, catamaran, parasail Destin is the perfect place to let your adventurous side shine. There’s no shortage of jet skis, catamarans, parasails, and pontoon rentals. Goofy Golf Need a relaxing night? Head over to Goofy Golf. Technically, you’ll be in Fort Walton, but a quick 15 minute drive will get you there. Play 18 holes on a vintage mini golf course and snap a selfie by the big green dinosaur. Fireworks On Thursday night, head to Harbor Walk Village and see some fireworks. Walk the Pier Before you head to Goofy Golf, catch a gorgeous sunset... Read More

Top 10 things to do on Captiva Island, Florida 

 [[{“value”:” Looking for a low-key vacation with an ‘Old Florida’ vibe? Skip the high-rise hotels and congested beaches. Unwind and get away from it all on Captiva Island, Florida.  This quaint island is a quick drive from Fort Myers. It’s a beloved vacation spot for visitors looking to ditch the winter blues for beach hues.  Here’s our list of the top 10 things to do on Captiva Island:  1. The Beach It might be obvious but you can’t visit this tropical island and not hit the beach. One reason Captiva’s beaches are so special is the sand. It’s powder-soft and fluffy as a cloud. Grab that beach read you’ve been saving and stick your toes in the sand. Emerald-colored sea oats and sparkling, aquamarine waters make this idyllic island the epitome of relaxation.  When you finish reading, grab a bucket and go shelling. There’s a reason Captiva (and Sanibel) are consistently ranked as top shelling beaches in the United States. You’ll find more than 250 types of shells along the island’s shore.  2. Lunch at The Green Flash  Captiva’s beaches are a big draw but the bayside of the island is just as spectacular. For panoramic views of the bay, grab lunch at The Green Flash. Feast on fish tacos while enjoying views of Pine Island Sound as birds and boats skim by.  Why do we insist you head here for lunch, and not dinner? Because you’ll miss the sweeping bayside views if you get here after sunset. Reserve a... Read More

RSS
Follow by Email
Instagram