7 weekend florida road trips

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FEATURE // ROAD TRIPS
THE
ROAD
7 WEEKEND FLORIDA ROAD TRIPS
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AS FLORIDIANS, WE’RE LUCKY: WE LIVE IN A BEAUTIFUL STATE. SO TAKE TIME THIS
SUMMER TO EXPLORE IT. NO NEED TO CONSULT TRIPADVISOR – WE’VE RESEARCHED,
PLANNED AND TRACKED DOWN THE HIDDEN GEMS TO PREPARE SEVEN ITINERARIES
FOR YOU, OUTLINING WHERE TO STAY, WHAT TO EAT AND WHAT TO SEE.
SO PACK YOUR BAGS, GET IN YOUR CAR AND JUST ESCAPE.
BY HEATHER CARNEY AND JENNIFER TORMO
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SUMMER 2014
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FEATURE // ROAD TRIPS
W HAT TO PACK
Castillo de San Marcos
Comfort is key for strolling St. Augustine’s
historic monuments and shops. Stay cool in a
cami, breezy skirt and espadrilles.
FO R TH E HIS TORY B U F F
ST. AUGUSTINE
GET THERE: Take Interstate 95 north for four hours
to land in St. Augustine, just south of Jacksonville.
Kate Spade New
York Music Notes
Metro Watch; $175;
bloomingdales.com
Travel to this city in northern Florida for
historic charm and “Old World” European
flair – cobblestone streets, forts and all.
CHECK IN:
Usually, you’d be hard-pressed to find a hotel in
Florida that’s older than a few decades. Enter the Casa
Monica Hotel in St. Augustine, a hotel with more
than a century of staying power – it was built in 1888
and restored in 1999. Guests can opt for a suite with
a Jacuzzi and a private, walk-out balcony overlooking
the historic district and Matanzas Bay. Make sure to
peruse Grand Bohemian Gallery, the hotel’s on-site art
gallery (95 Cordova St.).
SUMMER 2014
Most tourists to the middle part of the state head
straight to Orlando. Good – you’ll want to keep Tampa
all to yourself. This city is a cultural gem, and it gets
better daily, with rapidly growing food and arts scenes.
NET-A-PORTER.com
Stella McCartney Faux Leather
and Suede Backpack; $1,523;
mytheresa.com
Ohne Titel print skirt; $379;
farfetch.com
Casa Monica Hotel
Valentino Ethno Bondage
Leather Espadrilles; $1,095;
mytheresa.com
GiGi New York Iris Medium Travel
Journal in embossed python leather; $67; giginewyork.com
EXPLORE:
Don’t leave without a tour of Castillo de San Marcos
– it’s popular for a reason. The monument site consists
of 20.5 acres and includes a walled, stone and mortar
defense line that weathered numerous attacks during
the colonial wars. Take a tour of the fort to learn
about its durable history and to see stunning views of
Matanzas Bay (1 S. Castillo Drive). In the mood for
more history? Sign up for a tour of Flagler College,
the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, built by millionaire
developer Henry Flagler in 1888. The campus showcases Spanish Renaissance architecture and houses
the largest collection of in-use Louis Comfort Tiffany
stained glass windows (74 King St.). Peruse antique
shops on San Marco Avenue or take a short drive to
shop at the St. Augustine Premium Outlets (2700
State Road 16) and St. Augustine Outlets (500 Outlet
Mall Blvd., Ste. 500).
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TAMPA
Tibi Silk crepe de
chine camisole; $160;
Photo courtesy of FloridasHistoricCoast.com.
EAT:
Stroll through the Historic District to find Michael’s
Tasting Room, an intimate, romantic Spanish-inspired
tapas restaurant. Executive Chef and Owner Michael
Lugo changes the menu monthly using the freshest
ingredients to create dishes like the marinated mussels
and the Moorish Quinoa Paella. Live guitarists perform on Friday and Saturday nights (25 Cuna St.). For
a casual lunch and afternoon beer, stop by The Backyard at Meehan’s – Island Café and Tropical Bar.
Try the perfectly seasoned island wings (20 Avenida
Menendez). For something cool after a trek through
the historic city, check out The Hyppo for gourmet,
fresh fruit ice pops (48 Charlotte St.).
F OR T HE F OODI E
Aromaflage insect repellent
and fine fragrance; $65;
aromaflage.com
Hermès Leica M9-P Edition
camera; leica-camera.com
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GET THERE:
The journey will take between three to four hours by car. Get there via
Interstate 75 or Florida’s Turnpike and Interstate 4.
CHECK IN:
Foodies will fall in love with the brand new Epicurean, a boutique-style,
food-themed hotel in Tampa’s SoHo district. With cooking and mixology
classes at the hotel’s Epicurean Theater, a fine wine store, chocolate and
pastry shop, and world-class restaurants, guests will never go hungry. Just
six months old, the hotel has already achieved the AAA Four Diamond
distinction (1207 S. Howard Ave.).
EAT:
The Cuban sandwich is such a local staple that the mayor declared March
Cuban Sandwich Month and there’s an annual Cuban Sandwich Festival
in Tampa. Locals heatedly debate where to find the best one, but Michelle
Faedo’s On the Go food truck’s sandwich has won top honors at the festival
twice (813.784.6933). Make a reservation for a classy night at Bern’s Steak
House, one of the most revered steakhouses in Florida. In addition to sublime steak, the menu boasts a selection of artisanal international cheeses
and 7,000+ wines. Be sure to tour the wine cellar, kitchen and head upstairs
to the dessert room after dinner. (1208 S. Howard Ave., Hyde Park).
EXPLORE:
Tampa has so much art and culture to offer. It has 143-times more zoos and
aquariums per capita than New York City, according to a WalletHub study.
Take in the sights at the Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa Bay History
Center or The Florida Aquarium. Afterward, unwind with a drink and a
tour of Cigar City Brewing, an award-winning craft beer brewery (3924 W.
Spruce St.). In the evening, see a flick at the beautiful and historic Tampa
Theatre, built in 1926 (711 N. Franklin St.). The next day, put on your
suit and drive to Fort De Soto Park, which in the past 10 years has been
crowned the country’s top beach by both TripAdvisor and Dr. Beach (3500
Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde). Before leaving town, animal lovers will
want to stop by Big Cat Rescue – one of the world’s largest wildlife sanctuaries of its kind – for a glimpse at the 150+ exotic cats (12802 Easy St.).
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FEATURE // ROAD TRIPS
Boca Raton Resort & Club
F OR TH E N AT U R E L OV E R
SANIBEL & CAPTIVA ISLANDS
Nature reigns on neighboring islands Sanibel and Captiva, where you
won’t even find a stoplight. Travel here for a relaxing weekend of bike riding, bird watching and beach lounging.
4
SPECTACULAR
GET THERE:
It’s about a two- to three-hour ride to Sanibel Island via State Road 80 or I-75.The
Sanibel Causeway toll is $6 round trip. Captiva Island is just to the north of Sanibel,
accessible by bridge.
When planning a summer vacation, consider looking a little closer to home.
South Florida boasts some of the country’s top luxury hotels. These are the places
you’ll read about in national travel glossies – and they’re also the places you’ll
drive by on your daily commute. How lucky are we to live here?
CHECK IN:
South Seas Island Resort, on the tip of Captiva Island, offers laidback luxury with a
seaside golf course, marina, spa, wildlife sanctuary, water sports, and dolphin, shelling and sunset cruises (5400 Plantation Road). Casa Ybel Resort occupies 23 acres
along the Sanibel Island beach and features a spa and plenty of children’s activities
(2255 W. Gulf Drive).
Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa
To put it simply, the Eau is what dreams are made of. The beachfront resort captures the charm
and beauty of Palm Beach paired with incredible amenities, like the stunning 42,000-square-foot
spa. This summer, the resort offers AquaNuts, a weekly summer camp for kids featuring Go-Pro
videomaking, modeling and photography, spa treatments, surf lessons and more. (100 S. Ocean
Blvd., Manalapan)
EAT:
The restaurant locals and tourists alike rave about is Sweet Melissa’s Café in Sanibel.
The seafood is fresh and the dishes are flavorful. Entrees come in full or smaller
portions, which is great because you’ll want to try everything on the menu (1625
Periwinkle Way). For fine dining, the historic Old Captiva House – open since the
1930s – is a must (15951 Captiva Drive). The quirky Bubble Room Restaurant
in Captiva offers up the most unique dining experience. Open since the 1970s, it’s
known as the restaurant that hosts Christmas year-round and is decorated with three
floors worth of toys. Every meal is served with sticky buns and gooey, cheesy bubble
bread, but it’s the cakes that the restaurant is revered for. Don’t leave without trying
the signature orange crunch cake (15001 Captiva Drive). Keylime Bistro, famous for
its Key lime pie, is also worth a trip (11509 Andy Rosse Lane).
EXPLORE:
About one-third of Sanibel is occupied by J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife
Refuge, a 7,000-acre gem that is ideal for bird watching and kayaking (1 Wildlife
Drive). For those intent on photo-documenting their trip, the Sanibel Lighthouse
makes a pretty picture and offers nearby hiking trails and bird watching (mysanibel.
com). Sanibel is known for the “Sanibel Stoop” – it’s a world-renowned spot for
shelling, home to more than 250 types – and The Bailey-Matthews National Shell
Museum celebrates that (3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road). The island shops are stocked
with unique local treasures – stop by Jungle Drums gallery (11532 Andy Rosse
Lane, Captiva) and She Sells Sea Shells (1157 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel). Head to
the shell-scattered Alison Hagerup Beach Park in the evening – it’s the best spot to
watch the sunset (14790 Captiva Drive).
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STAYCATIONS
Boca Raton Resort and Club
This spot’s roots date back to 1926, when Addison Mizner opened it as the Cloister Inn. It was
eventually renovated into the iconic, 356-acre, 1,041-room resort it is today. The Boca Resort
offers a 50,000-square-foot, Natura Bissé spa, access to a half-mile of private beach and a taste of
South Florida’s historic luxury. (501 E. Camino Real)
PGA National Resort & Spa
This Palm Beach Gardens resort is home to five of the top golf courses in Florida and is famous for
hosting the annual Honda Classic Golf Tournament. PGA National offers great restaurants, a spa
and even its own food truck. The hotel also hosts several family events in the summertime, including a summer concert series and a two-day Independence Day celebration featuring glow-in-thedark golf, a 5K, pool party, golf cart parade and more. (400 Avenue of the Champions)
Pelican Grand Beach Resort
The boutique-style hotel on Fort Lauderdale beach is uber-romantic, offering a zero-entry pool
with lazy river, oceanfront dining, and beachside suites that allow guests to wake up to the sounds
of rolling waves. Guests will fall in love with the resort’s quaint, Southern style. Be sure to relax in
a rocking chair on the hotel’s giant porch. (2000 N. Ocean Blvd.)
Kayaking offered by South Seas Island Resort
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W HAT TO PACK
FEATURE // ROAD TRIPS
From Duval to the beach, you’ll fit right in
wearing a kaftan, bikini and sporting tousled
waves. Don’t forget the sunscreen.
>>
Illesteva Leonard
Sunglasses; $177;
barneys.com
Fendi Maxi F colour-block bikini;
$333; matchesfashion.com
This Gulf city blends a casual lifestyle with
sophistication to create a beach scene brimming with
culture and the arts.
THE FLORIDA KEYS
Oscar de la Renta Embellished silk kaftan; $1,990;
NET-A-PORTER.com
Travel to this archipelago of 1,700+ islands where the drinks are good, the culture
is rich, the nature is abundant and most importantly – the living is easy.
CHECK IN:
The uber-adventurous will want to check out Jules
Undersea Lodge, an underwater hotel only accessible
by scuba diving (51 Shoreland Drive, Key Largo). If
you’re looking more for R&R, The Moorings Village
and Spa in Islamorada, about 80 miles north of Key
West, is your spot. The resort features 18 cottages on a
former coconut plantation. The one- to three-bedroom
homes are steps from private, white-sand beaches (123
Beach Road). Continue on to Key West to check into La
Mer Hotel & Dewey House, a charming, oceanfront,
19-room bed and breakfast (506 South St.).
EAT:
Grab an early lunch in Islamorada at M.E.A.T. Eatery &
Tap Room for divine burgers and freshly smoked meats
(88005 Overseas Highway). Get dinner in Key West. The
tapas and wine at Santiago’s Bodega are sublime – try
the sangria, skewers, quesadillas and bread pudding
(207 Petronia St.). Finish the night with drinks at the
Speakeasy Inn’s rum bar (1117 Duval St.). The next
morning, relax over an al fresco breakfast at the artsy
Blue Heaven. Try the homemade pancakes – choose
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SUMMER 2014
SARASOTA
Photo Courtesy of Visit Sarasota County
F OR THE AD V E N TU R E R
GET THERE: Take U.S. 1 south and just drive. In two
to three hours you’ll hit Islamorada; about an hour
later you’ll arrive in Key West. Enjoy the view from the
Seven Mile Bridge. Watch out for Key deer crossing
the roads – they’re endangered, and police officers are
always on the look-out for speeders.
F OR T HE FA M I LY
from banana, pineapple, pecan or blueberry (729 Thomas St.). Later, head to Better Than Sex dessert restaurant – the drinks and dishes live up to the restaurant’s
name (926 Simonton St.).
EXPLORE:
On the drive down to Key West,
stop at Bahia Honda State
Park and Beach for hiking and
snorkeling and arguably the
best beach in the Keys (36850
Overseas Highway). Once in Key
West, head for Mallory Square
and grab a “Green Thing” cocktail
at Mr. Mojito’s bar cart to sip
as you watch the sun set. At
nightfall, sign up for a ghost tour,
a – non-gimmicky, we swear –
walking tour of the island and its
history (hauntedtours.com). On
day two, wake up with Barefoot
Billy’s action-packed, two-hour,
Sloppy Joe’s Bar on Duval Street
26-mile Jet Ski tour. Spend the
rest of the day exploring Duval
Street and the island’s shopping – head to Key West Island Bookstore for an impressive and eclectic selection
of books (513 Fleming St.) and Kino Sandal Factory
for handcrafted leather goods (107 Fitzpatrick St.). At
night, have a drink at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, which has been
a Key West staple since 1933 (201 Duval St.).
gulfstreammediagroup.com
Karl Lagerfeld Color-block
matte-leather sandals;
$315; NET-A-PORTER.com
Mansur Gavriel bucket bag
in black with flamma; $495;
mansurgavriel.com
Oribe Apres
Beach Wave and
Shine Spray; $39;
oribe.com
MARC by Marc Jacobs
Baker Analog Watch
with Leather Strap,
water-resistant; $175;
neimanmarcus.com
Coola Organic Suncare
Collection Sport SPF
30 Citrus Mimosa
Sunscreen Spray; $32;
coolasuncare.com
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GET THERE: Follow I-75 for three hours through the Everglades, and then
north along the Gulf Coast to arrive in Sarasota about three hours later.
CHECK IN:
For a secluded resort-feel try the The
Resort at Longboat Key Club just off
the coast of Sarasota. Guests can enjoy
private balconies, eight restaurants and
lounges, golf and water sports (220
Sands Point Road). Or, for a city hotel
The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota Spa
with a relaxed, resort vibe, stay at The
Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota that overlooks
the Sarasota Bay and the downtown
waterfront (1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive). It’s just around the corner from the
city’s restaurants, shops and downtown area.
EAT:
Try the Jack Dusty at The Ritz for a hand-crafted cocktail and great views
(111 Ritz-Carlton Drive). Stop by the Artisan Cheese Company downtown for a small lunch (and a fresh cup of coffee) while perusing the store’s
selection of specialty cheese, gourmet jams, nut butters, oils and vinegars
and pastas (1310 Main St.). Make the short drive to Siesta Key for Ophelia’s on the Bay, a local, romantic favorite that blends American, Asian,
Italian and Floridian cuisine to create outstanding seafood dishes (9105
Midnight Pass Road).
EXPLORE:
Spend a day at Siesta Beach on Siesta Key, a white-sand haven that has
a reputation as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The fine
white sand at this beach is composed of 99 percent pure quartz, meaning it
stays cool even on a hot, sunny, summer day (948 Beach Road). Block off
a few hours to visit The Ringling, Sarasota’s famed circus and art museum
formerly owned by John Ringling of the Ringling Brothers (5401 Bay Shore
Road). Take a tour that includes the history of the tented circus, a walk
through the rose garden, views of sculptures, baroque paintings, galleries
and more. Also, if your visit falls on the third Friday of the month, attend
the monthly Art Walk that takes patrons on a stroll down the artsy Adams
Lane (1938 Adams Lane).
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FEATURE // ROAD TRIPS
W HAT TO PACK
The beach at The James Royal Palm hotel
F OR TH E ART S & C U LTU R E EN T H U S I A S T
Stay stylish but cool in a floral shift dress. Pair
it with sunnies, metallic sandals and a tote
during the day. Amp it up at night with a red
lip and strappy stilettos.
MIAMI BEACH
Take the short drive south to Miami for a creative, energetic and thriving
international metropolis that’s always heating things up.
Spektre Memento Audere
Semper sunglasses; $140;
matchesfashion.com
Lipstick Queen Velvet Rope
Catch Miami
lipstick; $50; lipstickqueen.com
Michael Kors
Nail Collection
in Femme
Fatale; $18;
michaelkors.com
GET THERE: Take I-95 South until bright lights from the Magic
City appear on the horizon.
CHECK IN:
If there is one city in Florida to associate with art, it’s Miami. The
James Royal Palm is an ode to that. The hotel is decorated with
a selection of pieces created specifically for the property, has an
Artist in Residence program and often partners with local art institutions to produce events and programs for guests. The historic
hotel was built in 1939 and renovated in 2012, and was soon after
named one of the “Hottest New Beach Hotels” by Travel + Leisure
(1545 Collins Ave.).
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
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SUMMER 2014
EAT:
Feel free to lounge in before grabbing brunch at Yardbird Southern Table & Bar. If there’s one place that lives up to the hype, this
is it. The cozy restaurant consistently serves up good, Southern
food like Mama’s Chicken Biscuits, the fried green tomato BLT,
and the macaroni and cheese. Save room for one of Yardbird’s
strong, specialty cocktails (1600 Lenox Ave.). When you’re ready
for dinner, head to Catch Miami. The cuisine by Top Chef winner
Chef Hung Huynh will blow your mind. The seafood shines
here – you can’t go wrong with the octopus, sushi or crispy whole
snapper – but you will absolutely want to save room for a Key lime
donut for dessert (1545 Collins Ave.). Later, find your way to Foxhole Bar (look for the red light marking the door), for a late-night
cocktail that doesn’t involve strobe lights, a dress code or a cover
charge (1218 14th Court).
Catch Miami’s crispy whole snapper
Yardbird Southern Table & Bar’s macaroni and cheese
Garden-print silk shift dress;
$402; matchesfashion.com
Tory Burch Davy Metal-
lic-Leather Sandals; $367;
mytheresa.com
EXPLORE:
Shop and peruse fine art, fashion and food at the flourishing
Miami Design District that includes designers Marni, Dior,
Céline and more (3841 NE Second Ave.). Rest over lunch at Egg &
Dart (4029 N. Miami Ave.) or grab coffee and a scone at Michelle
Bernstein’s Crumb on Parchment (3930 NE 2nd Ave.). After
lunch, drive to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, the stunning Miami
estate of agricultural industrialist James Deering that has become a
National Historic Landmark (3251 S Miami Ave.). Spend the next
day at the nearby new Pérez Art Museum Miami, a contemporary,
modern art museum that features world-renowned exhibits and
architecture, as well as stunning views of the Biscayne Bay (1103
Biscayne Blvd.). End the day with a cocktail or light bite at the museum’s waterfront restaurant and bar, Verde (1103 Biscayne Blvd.).
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Rebecca Taylor Enchanted
Kate Spade New
York Holly Street
Clear Francis; $258;
couture.zappos.com
Sophia Webster Lacey Strappy
Metallic Sandal, Rose Gold;
$695; neimanmarcus.com
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FEATURE // ROAD TRIPS
FO R TH E B E ACH B AB E
NAPLES
Plan a quick trip to Southwest Florida for picturesque
sunsets, Gulf views, pristine beaches, and
sophisticated relaxation.
GET THERE: Fill up the gas tank before making the tranquil twohour drive across I-75. Watch out for gators lurking in the canals that
flank Alligator Alley.
CHECK IN:
Spend the weekend at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort where turquoise
water beckons guests out of their hotel rooms and onto the beach.
The resort, situated on 6.5 acres of private beach next to Vanderbilt
Bay, offers a laid-back luxurious escape that exudes classic, Old Florida with blue cabanas, rock-waterfall pools, a beach fire-pit, a tiki bar
and more. Unwind at the exotic SpaTerre or play a round of golf at
the 18-hole Bob Cupp golf course (9891 Gulf Shore Drive).
EAT:
For the best beachfront dining, make a reservation outside at LaPlaya’s Baleen. Try the fresh tuna tiradito with a light avocado mousse,
shaved grapes, taro chips and pineapple salsa, and splurge on the rich
and decadent broiled lobster risotto with black truffle (9891 Gulf
Shore Drive). The next night, drive 15 minutes south to watch the
sun dip below the horizon at the Naples Pier (25 12th Ave.
S.). Then, meander along Third Street South or up Fifth Avenue to find a place to dine. We like Barbatella (1290 3rd
St. S.), Sea Salt (1186 3rd St. S.) and The Mangrove Cafe
(878 5th Ave. S.). Before driving back across the Alley, stop
by Sunburst Café, a Costa Rican-inspired breakfast joint
that serves great coffee and even better homemade Nutella
muffins (2340 Pine Ridge Road).
EXPLORE:
If the beach isn’t enough, make the 30-minute drive to seek
solitude at Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Here,
along a winding, 2.25-mile boardwalk visitors find a gentle,
pristine wilderness that dates back more than 500 years.
Walk thought pine flatwoods, wet prairie, around a marsh
and finally into the largest, old growth Bald Cypress forest
in North America, where the trees tower 130 feet into the
sky. The forest is also home to hundreds of alligators, otters,
white-tailed deer and red-bellied turtles (375 Sanctuary
Road W.). For boutique shopping, walk along Fifth Avenue
South and for high-end brands head to the Waterside
Shops (5415 Tamiami Trail N.) for Kate Spade New York,
Tory Burch and Saks Fifth Avenue.
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SUMMER 2014
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort
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