Category Archives: Historic Hotels & Inns

FLORIDA’S FABULOUS VICTORIAN HOTELS: OPEN OR NOT

Posted on September 4, 2021 by floridatraveler

The history of Florida Is much longer than its attraction as a major winter destination. Prior to the post-Civil War Era, visitors had to enter Florida by coastal steamboat and outside of some mid-size hotels in Saint Augustine, there were … Continue reading →

Posted in bed&breakfast, florida history, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, Historic Hotels & Inns, mcbobleonard, small towns | Leave a comment

Florida’s Often Undervalued Gem: Charlotte Harbor

Posted on October 16, 2018 by floridatraveler

Recently I attended a convention in Punta Gorda, the town where my family first moved to Florida in the 1960’s. The waterfront devastated by category 4 Hurricane Charley in August of 2004 has not only been rebuilt, it has been … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, conservation, dining, environment, extreme sports, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, Historic Hotels & Inns, keys, mcbobleonard, Recreational Experiences, Restaurants, small towns, travel | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Favorite Florida Bed and Breakfast Places

Posted on August 31, 2018 by floridatraveler

When it comes to staying in a great vacation spot at a value place, Florida’s top bed and breakfast houses are a great choice for couples of all ages.  The breakfasts alone at many of these places beats anything you’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, bed&breakfast, Florida Food, florida history, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, Historic Hotels & Inns, mcbobleonard, Recreational Experiences, Restaurants, Tampa | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Underrated and Often Forgotten Great Beaches of Florida

Posted on August 12, 2018 by floridatraveler

Florida has one thousand miles of coastline and miles of terrific beaches, but some beaches are actually underrated and almost forgotten by a majority of tourists and even Floridians.  Why is that? Sometimes, there are few large resorts advertising the … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, conservation, environment, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, Historic Hotels & Inns, keys, mcbobleonard, museums, Recreational Experiences, small towns, travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Forgotten Coast Is A Unique Florida Vacation Spot

Posted on July 15, 2018 by floridatraveler

When visitors, snowbirds, and residents travel around Florida, they are confronted with Chamber of Commerce produced symbols: Miami is in the Gold Coast; Clearwater is on the Sun Coast; St Augustine is the First Coast; Fort Pierce is the Treasure … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, conservation, environment, Florida Food, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, food, Historic Hotels & Inns, mcbobleonard, museums, Restaurants, small towns, travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Favorite Seafood Spots In Southeast Florida

Posted on June 12, 2018 by floridatraveler

My New England heritage might be why I enjoy visiting seafood restaurants across Florida and with the longest coastline of any state other than Alaska there’s a lot of waterfront for restaurants to locate. Here are some great places for … Continue reading →

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West Volusia: The Other Side of Daytona Beach

Posted on June 4, 2018 by floridatraveler

When you mention Volusia County to tourists and even most Florida residents, their first images are of the hard packed sands of Daytona Beach and the Daytona 500 Speedway.   If you ask “What else is in Volusia?” – some will … Continue reading →

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US 19: On The Nature Coast Trail

Posted on May 27, 2018 by floridatraveler

When you hug the Gulf Coast going north from Saint Petersburg toward Tallahassee, you take US19 into the Nature Coast.  I used to go that route when I drove to Florida State University as a graduate student and back then … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, dining, diving, environment, extreme sports, Florida Food, florida history, Florida parks, Florida sports, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, Historic Hotels & Inns, keys, mcbobleonard, Recreational Experiences, Restaurants, small towns, travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Restaurants That Really Represent The Best of Florida

Posted on April 29, 2018 by floridatraveler

One of the favorite pasttimes of both Florida residents and visitors is going out to a restaurant.  Rather than visit the chain spots – many of which got their start inb the Sunshine State – I suggest looking for places … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, beer, dining, disney springs, Florida Food, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, food, Historic Hotels & Inns, mcbobleonard, panama city, Restaurants, small towns, Tampa, travel, Walt Disney World, wdw | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Off The Interstate: US 17 Along the St. Johns River

Posted on April 13, 2018 by floridatraveler

Florida is the cruise capital of the world today and the three largest cruise companies are headquartered in Southeast Florida.   Even one hundred seventy years ago, taking a Florida cruise was a major part of Florida’s first tourist industry. Only … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, conservation, environment, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, food, Historic Hotels & Inns, mcbobleonard, museums, Restaurants, small towns, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment