Top 12 Florida Beaches for Your Perfect Winter Getaway

A Dozen Of The Best Florida Has To Offer

Get a jump on Summer and get in some serious beach time. There’s no better time for sun on the beach than Florida in the Spring with its hundreds of miles of sandy beaches lined with palm trees and lapped by crystal turquoise waters. If you’ve been dreaming about a Florida beach vacation here’s some tips on what consider.

Floridas best beaches

First, Florida is not all hot tropical weather all the time. The state has three primary temperate zones:

  • A sub-tropical zone with mostly warm winter months that includes the Florida Keys, Miami through Palm Beach on the Atlantic coast and Marco Island up to Tampa on the Gulf. High season is Winter.
  • A moderate zone with cool evenings and nights through the Winter months that stretch from the sub-tropical zone north for 50 to 100 miles on both coasts. Can at times see very cool days.
  • A mild temperate zone with a climate stretching through Northern Florida that can see average winter days in the 50° to 60° range and where frost is not uncommon. These are popular Summer beaches

The Panhandle – This piece of Florida is a popular vacation destination but its season actually runs from Spring to Autumn because of its mild temperate zone location. Also because there are no major airports nearby it is often a summer driving vacation destination for Southeastern families and Spring Breakers.

Destin

Destin Beach

A stretch of Florida coast heading east from the Alabama line that features some of the cleanest, whitest sand in the whole world, gorgeous Gulf waters and frequent sunshine. Centered on Destin this stretch of Florida coast is one of the state’s most affordable beach areas. Along with stretches of resort hotels and beach communities Destin also offers some remarkable state park beaches like June White Decker Park and Crystal Beach. Again season runs from Spring to Fall.

Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach’s 27 miles of beautiful white sand Gulf beaches offers a range of accommodations. Because of its resort vibe and wide selection of activities and restaurants it’s a popular Spring Break destination and a Summer family vacation destination.

The Treasure Coast

The best moderate Winter beaches are mostly found on the central East Coast and include wildlife refuges, long barrier island beaches, the Space Coast all within easy driving distance of Orlando.

Merritt Island

Daytona Beach

Famous for its wide expanse of white sand beach Daytona also draws Spring Break crowds, a biker week and the famous Daytona 500 race. It also has the advantage of the theme parks of Orlando only an hours drive away. If your looking for a bit more action than just lounging on the beach this city has a lot to consider.

Merritt Island

The unincorporated “town” of Merritt Island is located on Florida’s largest island and is adjacent to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and also serves as the home of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center with its launch activities and the popular Visitors Center. Located on the north end of a stretch of coast that includes Palm Bay, Melbourne, Titusville, Vero Beach and Hutchinson Islands there’s a lot to take in.

Clearwater

The coast from West Palm Beach south to Miami includes the beautiful beaches of the Fort Lauderdale area, the excitement of Miami’s South Beach with incredible diving and sport fishing just offshore.

Ft. Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale

Ft. Lauderdale

Located on a strip of land south of Boca Raton and North of Miami between the Florida Everglades and the Atlantic Ocean, it includes towns like Pompano Beach, Hollywood and Dania Beach. This area draws Winter vacationers to its warm weather, white beaches and crystal clear waters all packaged with the excitement of a major metropolitan city.

Miami and Miami Beach

Miami Beach

This world class city has a decidedly Latin vibe with its famous South Beach, incredible resort hotels and magnificent beaches. You could spend a month here and never run out of things to do.

St. Petersburg

The Florida Keys draw boaters, sport fisherman scuba divers and snorkelers to its warm clear waters. Hundreds of islets, islands and quays (keys) stretch south from Miami to Key West. But, if you are looking for fantastic beaches this isn’t what you are looking for with only a few small exception:

Key Colony Beach

Located just east of Marathon this small town features one of the best beaches in the Florida Keys. The beach stretches for less than a mile in front of a row of classic beach motels but you are only minutes away from the attractions of Marathon, Islamorada and only about 50 miles from iconic Key West.

Naples

Florida’s Southern Gulf Coast includes another hundred plus miles of fantastic beaches. After crossing through the Everglades from Miami on the Gulf Coast you’ll discover a number of famous islands and beach resorts. Starting in the south is Marco Island, farther north is Sanibel and Captiva and in between is the upscale beach town of Naples. Traveling north along the coast are great beaches at Sarasota, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Dunedin along with stretches of sany barrier island beaches.

Naples

Wall to wall with golf courses, gourmet restaurants and fancy boutiques, Naples is a seriously upscale Florida beach town. While the luxury resorts and fancy restaurants can make Naples seem a bit expensive there are moderately priced accommodations to be found and luckily, the beautiful beaches are free to enjoy. Watch for the frequent dolphins swimming near the beach and visit Naples’ iconic fishing pier.

Sanibel Island

Great beaches and one of Floridas best places for shelling. Shell hunting there even has a name – the Sanibel stoop. Like its sisters, Marco and Captiva, Sanibel has a laid back feel that benefits from its sense of being off the beaten path. Perfect choices if you are trying to just get away.

Tampa Bay Clearwater Beach

Vero Beach

Another major metropolitan center is Tampa Bay with its string of white sand beaches the area also offers major attractions like the Florida Aquarium, Busch Gardens, the Dali Museum and some of the best Sunsets anywhere. At Clearwater Beach’s Pier 60 watching a breathtaking sunset is a popular pastime. The 1,000-foot pier with its lights draws anglers here at night to fish.

When the cold gets you down and your dreams start drifting to tropical climes, remember Florida has an antidote for cold and snow just waiting for you.

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A Day in Hong Kong

On a recent South China Sea cruise we spent only a day in Hong Kong. While it is not enough time to do much we managed to hit a few highlights. Our first impression of the city as we sailed into port is one of rolling hills and countless skyscrapers. If you are cruising in, the ship will probably dock at the new cruise terminal that was once the site of the international airport in Kowloon.  Across Victoria Harbour is

HK2
Nan Lian Gardens

Hong Kong Island and the central business district with Victoria Peak standing above it. The first suggestion is to get yourself oriented as to where you are and what locations you would like to visit. Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive and the subway (MTR) is easy to use. You can find a number of official maps here .

Going up to Victoria Peak is one of the cities highlights. There is a Peak Tram that leaves from a station near Hong Kong Park and the Government Center but by the time we got to the tram the wait to buy tickets and catch the tram was several hours. We’ve been told that the tram is an experience in itself but from our experience we would recommend getting to the tram lower terminus early in the day and if you’re staying in Hong Kong for a few days don’t miss going up at night. We shared a taxi with another couple up and back for less than 25 Hong Kong Dollars (US$5) each person and the view is well worth the effort. I can imagine what it looks like at night with the city glowing below you but even in the day it is spectacular.

HK5
Business District
Nan LiamGardens

We started the day with a free bus ride to Plaza Hollywood which is a large mall with exhibit space, a movie theatre and a couple hundred stores. Leaving the Plaza we walked a couple of blocks over to the Nan Lian Gardens (look for the elevated highway and walk under it). The park is a classic style Chinese garden and is beautiful with flowers, water falls, Koi ponds and pagodas and completely surrounded by high rise buildings (admission is free). Afterwards we walked back to Plaza Hollywood to its MTR Diamond Hill Station where we caught a subway. We used the subway to get to the business district at the Central Station. The MTR is easy to figure out with well designed maps and ticket machines with English language options. The trains and stations are modern, clean and well marked. From Central MTR station we walked to the Lower Peak Tram Terminus. The area features numerous skyscrapers and upscale shopping with the alleys between buildings filled with market stalls selling everything from food to inexpensive clothing.

HK6
           View from Victoria Heights

One of the surprising things we learned is that while Hong Kong is a wealthy, vertical city with high rise buildings and skyscrapers everywhere, there are lower income neighborhoods where high rise apartments average only a dozen square meters. We were told that it is common to have them furnished with triple-decker bunk beds. When you realize this you begin to notice laundry hanging out of windows all the way up to the higher floors.

Hong Kong High Rise

If we weren’t running short on time we could have taken the MTR back to the Cruise Terminal but we used our remaining Hong Kong dollars to take a taxi. We would recommend changing money and using credit cards in Hong Kong as US dollars are not readily accepted.

Our ship sailed out of Victoria Harbour as the Sun began to slip behind the skyline marking the end of a great visit, but we are convinced that this city deserves a number of days to spend exploring.

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Still Casually Shooting Birds

We’ve never been serious bird watchers, but like almost everyone we find the variety and character of these creatures fascinating and we’re always open to the opportunity of photographing them. Traveling the world and experiencing them in different environments just adds a new dimension to our travels.

The featured image is of a great egret that is also known as the common egret, large egret, great white egret, or great white heron, and is a large, globally distributed egret and a common sight in Florida.

Here we call them parakeets but in Australia’s Blue Mountains they’re Budgerigars and it’s amazing to see them flying around everywhere.

Hooded Merganser are interesting water birds found in the Eastern U.S. These were discovered on a lake in the Georgia mountains.

The photograph here is of a male Common Eider, the largest duck in the northern hemisphere. This one was found in Norway.

These flamingos were an unusual sighting in Antigua but are supposed to be common on the sister island of Barbuda in the West Indies.

It’s a blue-faced honeyeater common to Australia

The Roseate spoonbill primarily found in coastal areas of Florida this photograph was taken in the Everglades.

Photographed at Iguazu falls in Argentina it’s a Plush Crested Jay a very common resident.

Photographed under the Sydney Harbour Bridge this Rainbow Lorikeet, is a species of parrot native to Australia. 

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A Sunset Celebration

A couple of miles outside Calama in Chile’s high dessert is a long cliff with a view of two mountain ranges off in the distance. There is nothing there save the view over and across the high dessert and the mountains at the horizon. As evening approaches people begin to gather along the cliffs edge. They come by the hundreds, senior citizens, families with children, young couples holding hands and a mix of tourists and locals and they gather for only one reason; to watch the Sun set.

It is almost an instinctive pull that gathers people together at sunset and it occurs all around the world. From Marine Drive above the beaches in Mumbai, India to Key West, Florida and here in Chile’s high dessert. It is a moment that brings people together to celebrate the end of another day.

Back at the cliffs edge in Chile the last rays of the Sun vanish behind the distant mountains leaving only a glow filling the distant horizon, and wave of applause rolls through the gathered crowd. In that moment hundreds of people share a common and universal sense of mindfulness that arises from just being present in the moment. 

Crowds gather along Marine Drive in Mumbai, India to celebrate the end of another day…

Sunset at the Mallory Square celebration in Key West, Florida

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Exploring Florida’s Incredible Springs

A Dozen of Florida’s Natural Springs and Recreation Areas

Postcard of DeLeon Hotel 1920’s

People have been vacationing in Florida for a very long time and it’s the beaches and weather that first attracts them, but once here many people discover that the state has a lot more to offer. Long before the theme parks took center stage many visitors and Floridians alike flocked to the states unique natural fresh water springs. Even today locals who know still take advantage of these remarkable places.

Characteristically these springs see tens of thousands of gallons per minute of crystal clear water gushing out of the Earth, usually at a constant 72°F. Most locations have a large pool of water sitting above the spring outflow, called a spring head. Beneath the pool is usually a cave opening at depths that range from a few feet to over fifty feet. Water from the spring head flows down a course that then empties into a river or stream. Wildlife, just like people, are attracted to these springs and often you will see impressive numbers of birds as well as manatees that usually spend winters in these springs, along with alligators, otters and much more.

Spring Head Outflow At DeLeon Springs

To understand why Florida has so many of these incredible fresh water springs we need to look at the states geology. The Floridian peninsula is a plateau of porous (karst) limestone that sits atop bedrock known as the Florida Platform. Because the state is relatively flat, much of the rainwater doesn’t flow out through river valleys like in most states but sits on the surface in swamps and lakes and soaks down into the ground. This water flows into the karst limestone and into extended systems of underwater caves found throughout the state and this becomes the aquifer supplying the water used by residents. In low-lying areas the pressure from the underground water gushes out of caves producing Florida’s remarkable springs. These springs are more common in North-Central Florida because the aquifer is closest to the surface there.

Years ago many of the state’s major springs were on private property and were commonly developed into popular tourist venues. The glass bottomed boats of Silver Springs and the mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs were famous Florida attractions a hundred years ago. As the interstate highways pulled traffic from states back roads, family driving vacation gave way to air travel and the theme parks of Orlando and Tampa became travel destinations in their own right, old Florida attractions couldn’t compete and began to close.

Silver Springs

The state of Florida stepped up and came to the rescue, partly to expand recreational offerings through the state park system but also to protect the incredible natural environments associated with these beautiful natural springs. If you are going to visit Florida don’t miss the opportunity to explore a Florida spring or two. If you live in Florida and haven’t taken advantage of these wondrous places – what are you waiting for?

The Best Of Florida’s Springs

1. Wakulla Springs State Park

Located just 15 minutes south of Tallahassee, Wakulla Springs State Park is the deepest freshwater spring in the world. Wakulla Springs has been the location of a number of Hollywood movies like “Creature from the Black Lagoon” and “Tarzan”. Swim, dive off the high platform, stay in the famous original hotel on site and take river cruise while you’re there. GPS location 465 Wakulla Park Drive, Wakulla Springs FL 32327

2. Ichetucknee Springs State Park

One of the best places in Florida to take a tube float trip. Float or kayak down the spring-fed river or hang out at head springs pond. While there take a hike to Blue Hole Spring, another great spring located inside the park. GPS address: 12087 S.W. U.S. Highway 27, Fort White FL 32038

3. Fanning Springs State Park

Located on the Suwannee River, Fanning Springs is an inviting source of cool, clear crisp water that has attracted people for thousands of years. Reached from U.S. 19 along Florida’s Nature Coast. A favorite location for launching a kayak or canoe, Fanning Springs flows into the legendary Suwannee River offering great paddling opportunities. It is only a short distance from Manatee Springs State Park located just a few miles north of Fanning Springs in Chiefland. GPS location: 18020 N.W. Highway 19, Fanning Springs FL 32693

4. Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Three Sisters Springs

Homosassa Springs is one of the best places in the state to see manatees. Visitors can get close to the animals on the springs floating observatory. Black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, American alligators, and river otters can also be observed in the park. Visit Lu the Hippo while there, one of Homosassa’s most famous residents. So famous, in fact, that he was granted special Florida citizenship in 1991 by Gov. Lawton Chiles. Only seven miles away is Crystal River’s Three Sisters Springs, one of the most magnificent springs in the state. Usually the largest gathering of manatees in the state. Take a tour boat, kayak or paddleboard or walk the Three Sisters Springs boardwalk. Homosassa Springs GPS address: 4150 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa FL 34446

5. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

Blue Springs

The mermaids have been entertaining guests here since 1947 and the tradition continues during several regular performances a day year round. Also, in the summer the park’s Buccaneer Bay attraction, with water slides and a beach add to the appeal. The park also rents kayaks for paddling on the Weeki Wachee River, one of the most beautiful paddling trips in the state. Rent from Paddling Adventures, the park’s concession. GPS Address: 6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee FL 34606

6. Wekiwa Springs State Park

Wekiwa Spring’s crystal clear spring waters was Central Florida’s first tourist attraction that included a bathhouse and hotel opened in 1870. The spring head pond is only about four feet deep and is great fun for the whole family. The park includes over 25 miles of hiking trails, there are canoe or kayak rentals, where you can paddle down the Wekiva River for about a mile to Weikva Island, Florida’s best outdoor bar where you can tie up and enjoy lunch or a drink. Weekends and holidays can be very crowded so you need to get there very early. GPS address: 1800 Wekiwa Cir., Apopka $6 per vehicle.

7. Blue Spring State Park

This spring near Orange City is the largest on the St. Johns River. A popular location for manatees it is not open for swimming but there is a visitors center, settlers home exhibit and a nature tour boat. GPS location: 2100 W French Avenue, Orange City FL 32763

8. Rainbow Springs State Park

About two hours north of Tampa in Dunnellon is what is claimed to be Florida’s most beautiful state park. Hike the parks nature trails with man-made waterfalls and swim in the head springs or tube down the lazy Rainbow River. GPS location: 19158 S.W. 81st Place Road, Dunnellon FL 34432

Wekiwa Springs

9. De Leon Springs State Park

Another grand old resort location this spring park features The Old Spanish Sugar Mill restaurant where you cook your own pancakes right at the table. Located just north of DeLand, home of Stetson University, and 30 minutes from Daytona. The old resort hotel is gone but there is a nice museum, nature trails, a boat tour and swimming in the head spring with a depth of 30 feet. GPS location: 601 Ponce de Leon Blvd., De Leon Springs FL 32130.

Old Spanish Sugar Mill Restaurant

10. Madison Blue Spring State Park

Just south of the Georgia state line this is a great place to swim with crystal clear 72° water in a limestone formation on the bank of the Withlacoochee River. About 82 feet wide, 25 feet deep, with a 150-foot spring-run merging with the river. Voted the #1 swimming hole in the country by USA Today. Nice woodlands surround the spring with nature trails and facilities. Perfect picnic spot and a great way to escape the summer heat. There is also an extensive underwater cave system for those certified in cave diving. GPS address: 8300 NE State Road 6, Lee FL 32059

11. Silver Springs State Park

Silver Springs near Ocala is one of the oldest attractions in Florida and Florida Parks and Recreation operates it much as it was 100 years ago. There’s no swimming at the park, but gliding along over the springs in a glass bottom boat is actually a great experience. The park features a number of nature trails along with a restaurant and museum. GPS address: 1425 N.E. 58th Ave., Ocala FL 34470

12. Juniper Springs

Clear 72° water at the spring head surrounded by palms and oaks in Ocala National Forest, this is one of the Florida’s oldest and most inviting recreation areas. Operated by the National Park Service it’s off SR 40 West of Ocala inside the Ocala National Forest Recreation Area. The use fee is $6.42 per person on week days, $10.70 per person weekends. Overnight parking $12 per vehicle. Camping $22 per site at the Juniper Springs Campground.

13. Ginnie Springs

Ginnie Springs is rated as one of the clearest and most beautiful springs in the state. It’s perfect for swimming, tubing, snorkeling and diving. Unlike all the other Florida springs Ginnie Springs is still a privately operated attraction. Adults (Sunday – Wednesday)$14.02. Adult Summer Rate (Thursday – Saturday)$19.40. Children ages 6-12 $3.73. Children 5 & under Free. GPS address: 7300 NE Ginnie Springs Rd, High Springs, FL 32643

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River Cruising and the Romantic Castles of the Rhine River

 

The Middle Rhine and the Gorge is home to over forty castles

The “Middle Rhine” is one of four sections (High Rhine, Upper Rhine, Middle Rhine, Lower Rhine) of the river between Lake Constance and the North Sea. The upper half of the Middle Rhine (Rhine Gorge) from Bingen (Rhine-kilometer 526) to Koblenz (Rhine-kilometer 593) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (designated in 2002) with more than 40 castles and fortresses from the Middle Ages along its banks along with many picturesque wine villages. The lower half from Koblenz (Rhine-kilometer 593) to Bonn (Rhine-kilometer 655) is also known as “the romantic Rhine”.

Probably the best way to see the historic Middle Rhine with its vineyards and castles is by spending a day on a river cruise. You will find a good selection of available cruises HERE.

At Rhine-kilometer 655 the river takes a sharp bend around a rocky promontory with flags flying from its summit and a large statue at river level commemorating the legend of Loreley . Parts of the legend date back to the middle ages and involve the dangerous waters and the sound the river makes flowing past the rock. Lorelei, Lore Lay or Loreley, refers to a large rock on the bank at a narrows of the Rhine River near Sankt Goarshausen, Germany. The rock is associated with a legend of a beautiful maiden who threw herself into the Rhine in despair over a faithless lover and was transformed into a siren who sang an irresistible song attracting boatmen to their destruction in the rivers currents and rocks.

A good map showing the castles along the Rhine in this area can be found HERE.

The highlight of the day was a visit to Marksburg Castle. The original name was Burg Braubach, the Marksburg Castle sits atop a high hill overlooking the Rhine River. Marksburg Castle is most famous as the only castle on the Middle Rhine to avoid destruction or serious damage thru its over eight hundred year history. The Marksburg Castle came under serious attack in 1945, when it received artillery fire from American forces attempting to dislodge Nazi forces inside the castle. Damage even then was minor.

The castle came under attack and seige a number of times but was never captured or destroyed.

In 1135 the castle and half the town of Braubach were the property of the Archbishop of Mainz, a member of the house of Eppstein. His family owned the castle until 1283. The last Eppstein to have claim to the castle married Eberhard von Katzenelnbogen and when she died the castle became the property of the Counts of Katzenelnbogen until 1479.

With the death of Count Philipp the Elder in 1479, the county of Katzenelnbogen passed to the Landgraves of Hesse through a benefactress, the daughter, who was married to the Landgrave Phillip II. The Marksburg Castle was attacked a number of times during the 30 years war and during Louis XIV’s campaigns again in the 17th century.

Another interesting aspect of this castle is that it was used as part of the foundation for the early video game Castle Wolfenstein where players hunted Nazi’s inside an old castle.

Since 1900, The Marksburg has been home to the Association for the Preservation of German Castles (Deutsche Burgenvereiningung) and along with tours offers exhibits of armor, a dungeon with implements of torture and rooms furnished with typical period pieces.

Cop

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