Author Archives: floridatraveler

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About floridatraveler

Emeritus Professor of History and travel and textbook writer M. C. Bob Leonard makes the Sunshine State his home base. Besides serving as content editor for several textbook publishers and as a college professor, he moderates the FHIC at www.floridahistory.org

The Schooner Freedom Is A Trip Back to the Civil War

Posted on August 3, 2014 by floridatraveler

  There are a lot of ships in Florida offering a cruise from the largest fleet of luxury ocean liners to replicas of pirate ships, but in Saint Augustine, visitors can take a relaxing day or romantic sunset cruise on … Continue reading →

Posted in civil war, florida history, Historic Buildings, Recreational Experiences | Leave a comment

Florida’s Most Forgotten International Airport Is Booming

Posted on July 28, 2014 by floridatraveler

  If you saw the 1992 film Passenger 57 starring Orlando’s Wesley Snipes, you probably view the Orlando-Sanford International Airport in Sanford as a backwater country airport.  You would be very wrong. The Airport, owned by the international firm of ADC & … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida parks, Historic Buildings, Walt Disney World | Leave a comment

Florida’s Most Expensive Thrill Ride Costs $4,950 plus tax

Posted on July 22, 2014 by floridatraveler

Summertime across the USA is the time people hit the thrill rides at amusement parks and beaches.  Florida has its share of traditional fun rides, but there is one experience offered in three locations that might be the the most … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida sports, Recreational Experiences | Leave a comment

Florida Island Vacations Only Via A Ferry Boat

Posted on July 14, 2014 by floridatraveler

Florida Island Vacations Only Via A Ferry Boat.

Posted in Florida parks, Historic Hotels & Inns, Recreational Experiences | Leave a comment

Florida Island Vacations Only Via A Ferry Boat

Posted on July 14, 2014 by floridatraveler

  There are hundreds of island resorts in Florida, but very few of them are only accessible by ferry or private boat.  Our choices here show the strange diversity of the remaining unattached island vacation choices. FOR THE VERY RICH: You can … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida parks, Historic Hotels & Inns, Recreational Experiences, Restaurants | 1 Comment

Best Florida Snorkel Spots Outside the Florida Keys

Posted on July 8, 2014 by floridatraveler

  Some Florida visitors believe you have to go to the Florida Keys and even rent a boat to snorkel in Florida.  While it is true, Florida’s shoreline limits snorkeling locations, there are plenty of opportunities to snorkel off Florida … Continue reading →

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The Best Florida Lighthouses To Visit

Posted on June 30, 2014 by floridatraveler

It’s summer in Florida and its the time the native Floridians really hit the beaches. Popular attractions are some of Florida’s surviving 30 lighthouses which are open to the public, thanks in part to groups like the Florida Lighthouse Associations. … Continue reading →

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Florida’s First Controversial Film Is 100 Years Old

Posted on June 21, 2014 by floridatraveler

The Florida Enchantment (1914, Vitagraph Company), Florida’s first controversial motion picture was distributed across the nation one hundred years ago. Variety announced that “The picture should never have been put out.” Virginia Woolf loved the movie. The film, based upon … Continue reading →

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St Pete’s Home Shopping Network Started With 112 Can-Openers

Posted on June 15, 2014 by floridatraveler

In 1977 Lowell “Bud” Paxson, owner of WWQT 1470 AM Radio in Saint Petersburg had a problem – an advertiser dropped out leaving the station with 112 avocado green-colored can openers. Paxson assigned his top on-air personality Bob Circosta three … Continue reading →

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Ride And Drop Bike Riding Comes To Tampa and Orlando

Posted on June 8, 2014 by floridatraveler

Central Florida has recently joined a popular trend of recreational biking: bike sharing where people rent the use of bikes by the hour or have a monthly membership and pick up the bikes at hub locations thanks to a unique … Continue reading →

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