TAKE ME AWAY - Visit St. Pete/Clearwater

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THE GREAT THING – well, one of the ideal things about Tarpon Springs – is that it’s
nestled into a nice piece of the coast, near Clearwater Beach and by Dunedin and
Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands. This makes for a multicultural, mega fun day trip,
long weekend, or even full week of vacation worthy. You can reach out and touch
Greek history through the music, through the food, and the sponge diving industry.
And, you’ll never forget the majesty of two of Florida’s most revered islands that are
right next door - Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands..
CLEARWATER BEACH Between sand dunes and the heated pool, with cabanas
to offer and tennis courts and a large playground across the street, the Palm Pavilion
Inn is a family-pleaser. Quiet and quaint – and extremely affordable with rooms
running from $135 a night from May through February – you’re steps from the Palm
Pavilion Grille, with food and music nearly around the clock.
The bubbly atmosphere and fresh seafood and affordable menu items make for a
perfect girls’ or guys’ trip, couple’s getaway, or family beach vacation. Everyone will love
the fresh from the ocean seafood, chicken or salmon sliders ($7.99 or $9.99), cup of
shrimp and crab chowder ($3.99), grouper wraps or good burgers with an ocean view.
With everything to offer oceanfront, and a heated pool, the Palm Pavilion Inn feels secluded
but it’s actually a block away from cafes, clothing shops and more. Spend the first night
dining and walking the beach!
HONEYMOON & CALADESI ISLAND STATE PARKS A short drive through
Dunedin and you’re at the beautiful beaches of Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands. As
soon as you enter, you’ll easily understand why they are the most visited state parks in
Florida. And, why they capture top honors on many a favorite beaches list.
With cafés on both beaches serving casual fare, you can only reach Caladesi Island
State Park by boat. Fortunately ferries leave Honeymoon Island every hour from 10
a.m. until an hour before sunset ($14 round-trip adults/$7 per child).
Once Hog Island – a continuous landmass before a hurricane divided it in two in
1921 – it later became known as Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island. Each island
has its own nature trails. Bring binoculars because summer brings big populations of
birds – more than 500 species! You’ll see families of bald eagles, nesting great horned
owls, and feathery osprey as well.
Oddly, these gorgeous beaches don’t have an overcrowded feel. Instead,
Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands have a feeling of vast, unfettered nature and
beautiful blue seas. Even with a Ranger Station, Nature Center and Café, these Gulf
beaches have a private-island feel. Beach umbrellas and kayaks are available for rent,
and there’s a private pet beach, too.
Sunbathe, swim, collect shells or enjoy the nature trails. Whatever you spend the
day doing, you too will cast your vote for Honeymoon and Caladesi after a day on
their beaches.
DUNEDIN Whether you spend a day in the waterfront community of Dunedin, or
a few hours dining after a day on the beach, this town has the perfect prescription for
family togetherness and family fun. With frequent art festivals, shops full of whimsy and
wares, homemade ice cream and New York Pizza among other delights, it’s a great
place to walk around and window shop. With a pretty little park, a free history museum –
that explores its orange industry origins – it’s a colorful bustling place with the sense of
the good life in a small Gulf town.
TARPON SPRINGS Tarpon Springs
is nothing short of idyllic and smothered
with Greek charm. Bordering the Anclote
River, it’s been home to Greek immigrants
and their generations since the early
1900’s. This mini-Greek mecca has a
history that’s steeped in custom and
excels at sharing it with you.
Drenched in the his tor y of hard
working Greek immigrants who migrated
to Tarpon Springs for the rich sea sponge
population, there are many original
docks still in existence. Crews of 12 would
go out for two to three months, donning
nearly 200 lb. diving suits, getting paid
for only the sponges that they brought up.
With a lifespan of up
to 6 years of use, there
are 4 types of sponges
that come from Tarpon
Springs: wool, finger,
vase, and brown tube.
Seventy percent of the
world’s sponges come
from Tarpon Springs.
With iron shoes, two layers of canvas,
copper and brass, sponge diving was an
intense career choice. From the islands of Aegina, Hydra, Kalymnos, Symi and Halki,
men made their way to this part of the Americas to dive for sponges in what is now known
as the sponge capital of the world.
Through fun and food, you’re family can learn first hand the hows and whys of Greek
tradition in the culturally rich town of Tarpon Springs. It’s a treasure trove of sea excursions;
sponge diving reenactments, Greek goodies – including sea sponges – and history. The
streets are lined with fun cafes, ice cream shops, sponge wares, and memories.
Take a trip with 88-year old Captain George Billris and his crew (George has spent
70 years in the sponge diving industry), on the St. Nicholas and learn about the legends
of this sponge diving capital. Divers will reenact what brought thousands of Greek men
to the Gulf more than one hundred years ago.
Then get to tasting your Greek dishes at any of the dozens of restaurants or bakeries
by the docks. With names like Hellas, Mr. Souvlakis, Mykonos, Mama’s, and Yianni’s, they
serve up family-style flavors. You’ll enjoy Mediterranean favorites like Taramasalata –
Greek caviar (pureed salmon roe with lemon), Moussaka – eggplant and minced meat,
Saganaki – a flame cheese delicacy, and Skordalia – a garlicky potato spread.
There are places for the kids to play, like the Tarpon Springs Aquarium – where they
can pet baby sharks and enjoy an eel encounter, and jump around on Puffy’s Playground.
Or take a walk along the Spring Bayou, just a block or two away, where perhaps you’ll
see a manatee or two. If you’re there on a weekend, slide over to downtown Tarpon
Springs – right off a beautiful bayou and take in a Flea Market, or visit the vintage/
antique stores that dot the historic downtown.
There are many more beaches between Honeymoon and Clearwater Beach, but
whatever brings you to this colorful area just off the tip of Tampa Bay, you must take the
time to tour Tarpon Springs. And, if you choose the first Saturday of the month, you’ll get
a bonus of a Greek festival, complete with music and dancing. You’ll be saying, “Opa!”
for days!
palmpavilioninn.com
floridastateparks.org
spongedocks.net
stnicholasboatline.com
tarponspringsaquarium.com
visitdunedinfl.com
visitstpeteclearwater.com