Section: Fun Features

Eagle Island, Georgia – The Naked Truth

There are no less than seven mirrors gracing the walls of my tiny home. Not due to vanity, but rather, insecurity – and – to create the illusion of space. Eagle Island Lodge has but one mirror. The expansive structure certainly holds its own stripped of......more

Free and Cheap Things to Do in Sarasota Under 5 Dollars *** By Elana Galerman

A down economy may mean a decline in spending, but it doesn’t have to equal a decline in fun. Sarasota has many ways for visitors to explore and make long-lasting memories, even without a lot of padding in their pockets. Let’s count the ways to have fun......more

New! Discounted Luxury Sailing in the British Virgin Islands

Blue Bayou Charters announces 10% off published charter rates! Sail the clear blue waters of the BVI in luxury at a fantastic discount. Travel with friends and it's a steal. Go off-season and you can't afford NOT to! A Dean 441 awash in rich American walnut, the vessel was designed for maximum interior space.......more

Sarasota’s Golf Resorts Entertain Non-Golfers

Gracious greens, softly undulating fairways, tranquil waters… it’s no secret that Sarasota’s resorts boast some of the lushest links in the country. Longboat Key Club and Resort, The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota and The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort offer gorgeous championship courses that challenge golfers from novice......more

Wiesbaden, a Fairytale Comes to Life *** By Maralyn D. Hill

Little did I expect my e-saver ticket to Frankfurt would lead to Wiesbaden. I was looking for a historic city with impressive architecture, parks, culture, good food and wine. Also, spas and some shopping would be nice. Of course, I only had three......more

VIDEO: Five Basics of Puerto Rican Music and Dance *** By Mark Chesnut

Puerto Rico is a hotspot for music lovers, thanks to its diverse musical and dance traditions. An excellent place to sample five important aspects in one night is at the Le Lo Lei Festival, a weekly performance, sponsored by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. This VIDEO......more

How to Open Wine with a Shoe

Great wine, no corkscrew? You don't need to know French to understand these instructions. But do they really work? Sommeliers and oenophiles, can you attest? Video Tutorial: How to Open a Bottle of Wine with a Shoe  After viewing this, I'm guessing that spike heels won't......more

Pack it In – and in, and in and in ….

My esteemed editor commented recently that since I travel so frequently, I must have some good packing tips to share. I’m guessing she assumed I’m one of those people that can travel for a weekend or a month with nothing more than a carryon. Oh honey.......more

Worship On Water… A Different Kind of Trip

The Novelty The inaugural Worship On Water (WOW) departed from Cortez Village, Florida, last Sunday. It was an historical event. Little did I know when I guiltily packed my tiny camera – leaving behind my larger conspicuous one (it is church, after all) – that there would......more

A Horse of a Different Color

They change color, twine their tails together and look more like mythical beasts than fish. Wondrous creatures, seahorses have enchanted children of all ages for centuries. Mote's Seahorse Conservation Laboratory provides the rare opportunity to get up close and personal with these quirky critters. Learn about......more

Taking “The Impressionists’ Route” to French River Cruising *** By Lou Freed

For an art lover, Canal & Company's seven-day autumn riverboat cruise on France's Oise River may be the perfect getaway for viewing the quaint villages and tranquil landscapes of France. It's a relaxing way to become immersed in the creations of the Impressionist artists, who glorified......more

Flying Gets Fresh: Virgin America Introduces New Seasonal Menu

Are you hungry? You will be after reading the new menu selections from Virgin America Airlines. Très gourmet. I want to fly somewhere just for one of their meals! Delicious details courtesy PRNewswire: Award-Winning Airline Offers New First Class Menu with Help of Famed Pastry Chef David......more

Without Prior Notice: Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country *** By Stacey Wittig

Do you like surprises? I do. When driving past the golf course at night, I am pleasantly surprised when dark, humped shadows turn into elk cows and calves grazing peacefully. I like the unpredictably of our Arizona sunsets. Would we so admire the hot reds, fuchsias and......more

Dining Discounts for Carrabba’s Amici Club Members

Want to be the first to know what’s cooking at Carrabba’s? Sign up for a FREE membership to the Amici Club and receive: Exclusive Offers: Receive valuable offers for complimentary menu items, special prix fixe menus and more. Flavorful Rewards: Be the first to learn about Carrabba’s delicious......more

Cruising the Amazon; A Journey of a Lifetime *** By Ralph Collier

Sell the farm, mortgage the kids, postpone the Botox treatments. Do whatever you have to do to get to the Amazon River in Peru - and five'll get you ten, the adventure of your dreams awaits in that part of the world.......more

Enchanting Sedona

Your Truth may not lie in crystals, astrology or past life regression, purveyors of which you’ll find in abundance in the quirky, New Age capital of Sedona, Arizona. But you are guaranteed to experience an overwhelming, maybe even mystical sense of exhilaration in the presence of......more

Sailing Sarasota

Sarasota is a sailor’s delight. Dolphins leap along side starboard and port, and manatees lumber in our tepid waters; exotic birds nest on mangrove islands and scamper along sandy beaches. Our picturesque gulf, bays and inlets are perfect for dropping anchor, and reveal the secrets of......more

Caribbean Rendezvous

The only sounds are the gentle lapping of waves against our boat, the soft hum of the engine, and the ubiquitous serenade of our seagull companions. The sea breeze sweeps the hair from my face with a cooling mist. Engulfed in the ineffable beauty of the......more

In Search of the Silver King

The old salt saying goes, “the bluer the water, the bigger the fish.”  It’s not just a catchy line, and nowhere is it more evident than Southwest Florida. With waters ranging in color from radiant turquoise to royal blue, the mighty tarpon has been migrating here......more

Birds of a Feather

What a hoot, so to speak, to be asked to write about where best to view Florida’s beautiful birds. Following The Great Florida Birding Trail led me to some unforgettable encounters and an eye-opening education. Previously, the only bird watching I had done was in my......more

A Christmas Tail

Our first “child,” an English Springer Spaniel named Teagan, was just two and a half years old when we had her put to sleep. It was one of the worst days of my life. She was a beautiful, enthusiastic and affectionate dog. But, shortly after she was......more

Don’t Just See the Circus, BE the Circus!

ANYONE can fly through the air with the greatest of ease at the Tito Gaona Flying Trapeze Academy - I’m uncoordinated, non-athletic, and let’s just say my muscles and cardiovascular system have been on vacation for about a year. Oh, and I just turned 50. But Tito......more

You Go Girl!

Move over, Hells Angels, biking ain’t what it used to be. Professional, fashion-conscious and headstrong, female motorcycle enthusiasts have emerged as a force to be reckoned with. Women’s clubs are sprouting exponentially with memberships mostly comprised of career women who refuse to take a back seat. According......more

Finding Nemo

If you liked Finding Nemo, you’ll love finding Mote. It delivers all the drama and color that captured your imagination in the fun fish tale, but here, it’s real. Colorful reef fish, toothy sharks and sensational sea turtles swim right before your eyes. You can actually......more

Forgotten Florida

Nestled amid the glitzy high-rises on Longboat Key lies Forgotten Florida; The Sandpiper Inn. An anachronistic single-story resort perched on the Gulf, the intimate enclave is a step back in time… to when innocence prevailed and nature ruled. I have a passion for wildlife, but also for......more

Romantic Anguilla

Once upon a time... Fairytales do come true. And sometimes, twice. Ten years ago, Patrick and I eloped to an obscure Caribbean island known mostly to the rich and famous. We agreed on Anguilla because neither of us had been there, and on Cap Juluca Resort for......more

Friend-Ship: Sailing the Islands of Abaco

“It’s not a glitzy vacation,” I warned my friend Tracey, a former party diva. “There are no nightclubs, no casinos, no scheduled activities.” Now a devoted wife and multitasking mother of two – three, if you count their therapy dog – Tracey was about to turn......more

Palm Beach, Florida

The minute you cross the bridge to Palm Beach you know you've entered another world, one of European-styled mansions, spotless palm-lined streets, long sandy beaches, and Worth Avenue. The rich and famous live and play in this exclusive city that oozes wealth, privilege and high-octane glamour......more

London and Paris: A Whirlwind Tour

We arrive in time for traditional afternoon English tea, unaware that The Dorchester was recently named London’s top tea venue by the Tea Council of Great Britain. I also admit I didn’t know this hotel was among the top ten in the world when I booked......more

St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine is rich in history, and in the late 1800s, "rich" was the operative word. It was a grand time of magnates, marvels and magnificent monuments... theatrical resorts, lavish architecture and conspicuous luxury.......more

Brunch Anyone?

Brunch (brunch) n. [Colloq.] a meal that combines a late breakfast and an early lunch According to Webster’s, “brunch” is a noun, but common usage suggests otherwise and we’ve been brunching for more than a century. Englishman Guy Beringer coined the portmanteau (combination of words) in 1895......more

Fresh, Not Frozen

Every Saturday morning, a farmers' market blooms along Lemon Avenue at Main Street. Colorful umbrellas and tents pop up before 7 a.m., the stands underneath bursting with organic produce, fresh cut flowers, beautiful bromeliads and orchids, homemade cookies and an imaginative array of arts and crafts.......more

Lite Bites

When you're hungry for quality but not quantity, savor a myriad of morsels at Sarasota's award-winning restaurants. Sampling hors d'oeuvres, antipasti or tapas is a playground for the palate and easy on the purse in any language.......more

Hot Dog Digs

The hot trend in travel is for resorts to cater to pets as well as their owners, and Sarasota overlooks no "de-tail" while leading the pack. In this pet-friendly paradise, every dog has its day, whether it's uptown, downtown, beachside or bayfront. Here's the scoop on......more

Cruising the Baltic Sea with Crystal

Everyone looks glamorous. It’s like being in a movie, and we are all stars. The Captain’s Welcome Reception is some combination of senior prom night and the scene from the film “American President” when Annette Benning joins Michael Douglas at the White House State Dinner. Fanfare,......more

St. Maarten: The Good Life

Sometimes, less is less. And I wanted more. Romance, fine dining, nightlife, shopping, a change of pace and culture. My husband, not so much. He craved quiet time, a sunny beach… and a really great massage, but then, so did I. We both needed to at......more

Ireland… Forty Shades of Green

Green has been fashionable for centuries. It is the color of nature; it soothes, refreshes and heals. A strong energy that attracts positive power, green represents honesty and truth. How fitting that Southern Ireland is blanketed in green, and according to a song by Johnny Cash,......more

Getting Personal in the British Virgin Islands

“There’s a spirit among yacht crews – a can-do attitude. If I were stranded in the Sahara desert and could choose 12 people to help get me out, I would pick 12 ‘yachties.’ I don’t know how they would do it, but they would.” ~ Tim......more

Lasting Impressions

Art appreciation may be subjective, but at The Bijou Café, the reviews are always unanimous. For more than 20 years the restaurant has elevated food to fine art status, presenting award-winning fare with universal appeal. In an industry with a national success rate of just 15......more

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Who’s the Boss?

“You've always got to remember, rock and roll's never been about giving up. For me, for a lot of kids, it was a totally positive force... not optimistic all the time, but positive. It was never, never about surrender.” ~ Bruce Springsteen DANCING IN THE DARK Live music......more

Nautical and Nice

There may be no better way to work up a healthy appetite than by spending a sunny day cruising our shimmering waters, inhaling the salty sea air and feeling the constant caress of balmy breezes.......more
  • Beautiful Sarasota, Florida

    Saturday, Sep 4
    Sunny
    Currently: 88˚F
    Feels Like: 97˚ F
    Hi: N/A˚, Lo: 76˚
    Sunny

    weather feed courtesy of weather.com - thanks!

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