Category Archives: travel

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

Back In Florida After I-10 Continental Journey

Posted on July 8, 2018 by floridatraveler

I have returned on a long business trip to the Pacific Coast with most of my driving on the new Southern version of Route 66 – arduous 2,460 miles from Jacksonville I-95 to Santa Monica Pier.  It is too bad … Continue reading →

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Rating The New Stuff At The Big Parks

Posted on June 22, 2018 by floridatraveler

Summer months mean the huge influx of family vacationers to Orlando’s big vacation destinations.  For many Floridians the arrival of grandchildren means that despite the heat, humidity, and thunderstorms also means a trip to the parks. If it has been … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, dining, disney, disney springs, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, mcbobleonard, music, Recreational Experiences, Restaurants, travel, Universal Studios, Walt Disney World, wdw | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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

LOW KEY FLORIDA SUMMER BEACH VACATIONS

Posted on May 16, 2018 by floridatraveler

There are no longer slow and busy tourist seasons for the entire State of Florida.  Each of the four quarters gets about one-quarter of the tourist trade. But the visitors destinations and mode of transportation vary.  Right now Southeast Florida … Continue reading →

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My Annual Walt Disney World Restaurant Awards

Posted on May 10, 2018 by floridatraveler

The summer family vacation season is soon arriving and that means the largest percentages of newcomers to Walt Disney World.  Most writers like to give awards at the end of the year but in the Florida food game a lot … Continue reading →

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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

Gone Florida Attractions: Miss Them or Did They Suck?

Posted on April 22, 2018 by floridatraveler

As a historian I have a great appreciation of the story and evolution of Florida tourist attractions.  Since I was a small child, my family’s annual visits to the Sunshine State brought memories of experiences at Florida attractions – some … Continue reading →

Posted in attractions, circus, conservation, dining, environment, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, mcbobleonard, Restaurants, small towns, travel, Walt Disney World | 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