Category: Florida

Destinations, Florida, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

A Lazy Beach Getaway in John’s Pass, Florida, and Everything I Packed

Michael’s answer to where he wanted to go for his birthday was the same as last year: “The beach.” “Are you sure?” I asked. “Absolutely,” he replied, and off I went exploring both of Florida’s coasts on Airbnb. I compiled a short list of places to stay, and he chose a small studio in John’s …

Destinations, Florida, Travel, Travel Tips, USA

10 Things Everyone Should Know Before They Visit Florida for the First Time

Flamingos standing in and around water

“it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.”

Destinations, Florida, Travel, USA

The Gulf Coast’s Cultural Haven: A Day Trip Guide to St. Petersburg, Florida

Boats bob along in a marina in St. Petersburg, FL

At the start of the year, Michael and I resolved to visit one Florida destination each month. After a year of fun trips, we still felt like we barely scratched the surface of all the Sunshine State has to offer, and trying to choose the twelfth and final Florida destination for our monthly trips was …

Destinations, Florida, Style, Travel, USA

A Bit of France in Florida: Attending the Pétanque Amelia Island Open

standing under petanque sign

I first encountered the sport Pétanque (also called Boules) when I was researching for my very first trip to France back in 2014. Upon arrival, I witnessed the cutthroat nature and unshakeable camaraderie of the players Michael and I saw in the parks of Paris and so were inspired to attend the largest tournament in …

Destinations, Florida, Travel, USA

Small-Town Florida: A Day Trip to Mount Dora

Alyssa stands in the Modernism Museum in Mount Dora

You could say Mount Dora lives up to its “festival city” nickname, with so many events on the calendar. And indeed, a festival is how Michael and I found ourselves in the city one beautiful October morning as part of our mission to visit a different Florida destination each month. The Mount Dora Craft Fair …

Destinations, Florida, Style, Travel, USA

Miami Beach Photo Diary

Alyssa walks along Miami Beach

My “year of Florida travels” continues! …sort of. Michael and I savored our only weekend at home during the month of September, which meant we needed to squeeze another Florida destination somewhere else on the calendar. Thankfully our flight to Europe was booked out of Miami, and who am I to deny these perfectly-aligned circumstances? …

Destinations, Florida, Travel, USA

Wild Florida: Tubing on a Natural Lazy River at Ichetucknee Springs State Park

Alyssa tubes along the Ichetucknee River

Ichetucknee. Most children in North Florida know how to pronounce this word long before they can read, as tubing the crystal-clear river is a rite of passage in this part of the state. Crowds flock to this natural spring and river during the summer months to take a break from Florida’s intense heat. Depending on …

Destinations, Florida, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: A Packing List for Jacksonville, Florida

Downtown Jacksonville from Fuller Warren Bridge at Night

On Monday I shared what we did during our weekend in Jacksonville, Florida and today I’ll share my packing list for the weekend away. As a refresher, this trip took place over a weekend in July (i.e. smack-dab in the middle of the hot, sticky, sweaty Florida summer) and included a trip to the zoo, …

Destinations, Florida, Travel, USA

36 Hours in Jacksonville, Florida

Alyssa stands in a bamboo garden at the Jacksonville Zoo

It was surfing that brought Michael and me to Jacksonville one weekend. Not what you expected, right? Perhaps a sporting event or convention or family or something, but not surfing. Yet there we were on a recent Saturday, standing on the beach in our swimsuits and wondering what we’d gotten ourselves into. This post contains …

Destinations, Florida, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: Destin, Florida (30A) Packing List

A Basket Backpack with sunglasses and sandals

A real-life packing list for Destin, Florida (30A)