TRAVEL & DINING

Florida doesn’t exactly scream “Christmas” to most people. We’re the Sunshine State—kids run outside in shorts on Christmas morning, zipping around on new scooters, spraying each other with water guns. Snow? Not a chance. Sure, we decorate, but our neighborhoods aren’t dotted with cozy, snow-covered cottages. We have fir trees, but you won’t spot many reindeer. Fireplaces? Only if you count barbecue grills or those patio fire pits. Our Christmas cards usually star Santa in sw

Right after World War II, in 1945, Ted Peters and his family decided it was time for a fresh start. Ted joined forces with his stepbrother, “Red Hot,” who’d already made his way down to Florida from upstate New York. Together, they dove straight into the fish business. Ted worked at the Fisherman’s Co-Op over in Madeira Beach, Florida, and something caught his attention. Most folks stashed their fish smokers out back, hidden away like some kind of secret. Ted thought that was

The Kapok Tree Inn wasn’t just a restaurant—locals and tourists saw it as a real escape, a place with its own kind of magic right in Clearwater, Florida. For decades, people came for the grand, Roman-inspired setting, built in the 1950s around a massive Kapok tree that had stood since the late 1800s. Inside, you’d find twelve different dining rooms, each one lavishly detailed, where the food was simple but elegant. The Kapok offered something you couldn’t get anywhere else. L

Cruises are all the rage—there’s something for everyone these days. Families pile onto Disney ships, adults escape on Virgin Voyages, parties run through the morning hours, but what about seniors? Turns out, American Cruise Lines has it covered. Their Grand Florida Coast trip, which stops in Key West, is a popular pick for older travelers. They design these cruises with seniors in mind: think first-class comfort, a slower pace, plenty of ways to relax. If you’re 55 or older,

A delightful look at old Florida. The more things change, Ponte Vedra Inn & Club stays the same.   As you fight the snarling traffic along the I-95 corridor from Jacksonville, it’s impossible to imagine that just a few miles on the east coast sits a slice of heaven known as Ponte Vedra.   With every mile you drive, you get the feeling that you are cruising back in time, to a more graceful, genteel Florida. A place for the refined traveler, it’s a place where the ladies are do

Discover the flavorful world of Fort Myers, Florida with "Worth Tasting Weekends" After years of building a loyal readership, renowned food columnist and culinary travel expert Stephen Fries is finally offering food enthusiasts the chance to join him on his acclaimed gastronomic journeys. For years, fans of Stephen Fries have followed his flavorful journeys with one recurring wish: “I wish I could be in your suitcase!” That wish has now become a delicious reality. With the

Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber Margaritaville at Sea just dropped the big news: their shiny new flagship, “Beachcomber,” is going to call PortMiami home starting in 2027. If you’re even halfway into basking in the sun, steel drum beats, and a “five o’clock somewhere” vibe, this lineup is straight fire. So, here's the deal: Once 2027 hits, this beast of a ship is rolling out 4- to 8-night runs cruising all over the Eastern and Southern Caribbean. We’re talking St. Maarten (