While this restaurant was not on my list to review, it is hard to ever turn down an opportunity to see an intracoastal waterway sunset in St. Augustine, FL. Since this was an unplanned trip, this review will be short and sweet. Recently, my beloved and I stopped in at Aunt Kate’s for a quick bite for dinner while we were in the area. The reason it wasn’t on my list was that I could tell from mixed reviews and the menu that it wouldn’t be a good fit for what I typically look f

Upon leaving Sarasota, we once again stopped in Apollo Beach to enjoy lunch at another coastal restaurant before bringing our winter getaway to a close. Circles Waterfront Restaurant was established back in 1998. For years it has been serving the community and faithful visitors some of the best surf and turf dishes Florida has to offer. Most everything on their menu is made to order. If the seafood is not local, then it is flown in overnight. Even their beef and chicken are r

The iconic attraction that Sarasota is most known for is The Ringling. It is mostly identified as a circus museum, but to my surprise, it was so much more than that. The Ringling is the full estate of John and Mable Ringling, the famous Barnum and Bailey owners and circus entertainers of the early 1900s. Situated on 66 acres, the property consists of the Circus Museum, the home and gardens of John and Mable, a Museum of Art, and the Historic Asolo Theater. I must admit, I hav

We have finally arrived to my first accommodation review. When looking for a place to stay in Sarasota, I came across this interesting hotel concept that immediately caught my attention. They refer to themselves as a boutique hotel, an a la carte brand. A boutique hotel is a small, stylish hotel that focuses on personalized service. So, what is the name of this one-of-kind hotel? Kompose. The first Kompose Hotel opened it’s doors in Sarasota in 2020. They have since added loc

While summer is the most desirable season for most people to visit Florida, there are many unique events and attractions that just can’t be experienced during the summer months. One of those such events is the annual migration of manatees that flock to warmer waters during the winter months. One of the best places to see these gentle giants corralling together is the Tampa Electric Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach, Florida. Hundreds of manatees have been gathering here

Located on Clapboard Creek in Jacksonville, about 10 miles from the beaches of Huguenot Memorial Park and Little Talbot Island State Park, is a laid-back restaurant that serves fresh local seafood and a variety of other casual dining favorites. Palms Fish Camp is an “Old Florida Cracker” style fish camp that includes indoor and outdoor dining. With a public boat ramp on the property and floating dock, boaters have a great opportunity to tie up for lunch or dinner. The rest

After a disappointing visit to Casa Marina Hotel for brunch, I decided to give brunch a try at another popular Jacksonville Beach restaurant. This time I was headed to Refinery. This upscale restaurant features an ocean bar, pub, entertainment lounge, and an elegant upstairs dining room. They serve Euro-American fare. The ocean bar is their outdoor option giving direct access to the ocean air and view of the beach dunes. The First Street Pub offers a surprising touch of

Situated just off the intracoastal waterway in St Augustine on the San Sebastion River lies a laid-back seafood restaurant called Grouper Shack. This eatery sits in a small marina with its own dock allowing for casual boaters to stop in for a quick bite to eat. It is secluded amidst the marsh grasses and tree line in a peaceful and relaxed setting, yet you can see far and wide if you are there for lunch. Grouper Shack is an informal dining experience. You place your order

I love the city of St Augustine. There is quite the variety of things to see and do there. With its unique character and the allure of its old-world beauty, it is no wonder this old city is the gem of Northeast Florida. It is a water lover’s playground with its miles of beaches, intracoastal waterway, rivers, and inlets. It has a diverse and vibrant food scene that is growing in recognition. Located in Villano Beach, Cap’s on the Water is one of the many St Augustine hot

For the first time in 10 years, there has not been a single hurricane that has made landfall in the U.S. this season. Only Tropical Storm Chantal formed out in the Atlantic off the coast of Florida and made landfall in South Carolina back in early July with minimal impacts. While Florida has been spared so far this year, the east coast has experienced significant beach erosion, flooding, and some structural damages in the last 2 months along many areas such as Jupiter Inlet

I have a confession to make. I have lived in Florida most of my life and never realized there were 12 coasts. Obviously, growing up in Northeast Florida, I knew we were referred to as the First Coast, primarily due to the city of St. Augustine. Then there’s naturally the aptly named Space Coast for the Kennedy Space Center region that I am familiar with. Of course, there’s the well-known Emerald Coast for their beautiful turquoise green waters and hugely popular vacation d