By Nanette Wiser
Searching for a no-fly summer travel vacay? Whether you’re planning a stylish staycation at the beach or glamping at Fort DeSoto Park Campground, there’s an adventure for every taste. On our tour list is Savannah, Memphis, Nashville, Asheville, Vero Beach, Cocoa Beach, St. Augustine, the new Peppa Pig Theme Park next to Legoland, Coconut Grove, paddling South Walton or the Apalachicola River and shelling Sanibel.
STAYCATION RumFish Beach Resort by TradeWinds on beautiful St. Pete Beach is offering Florida residents 15% off* the best available rate, Sun.-Thurs. until Dec. 26, with rates starting at just $239. A visit to the TradeWinds always includes lots of wonderful value-added items with the Resort Amenity Fee (additional), including the all-you-can-ride High Tide Slide (located at Island Grand), Surf WipeOut and Zing Ray Zip rides, beach cabana for two, Wi-Fi, self-parking, fitness center, campfire s’mores, Touch Tank Experience, and beach games, such as volleyball, bocce ball and cornhole. There are also tennis courts, mini-golf, a Family Pirate Show (Tuesday and Saturday nights), Magic Show (Monday and Friday nights), Dive-In Movies, and paddleboats along the waterway at Island Grand. www.TradeWindsResort.com
ANNA MARIA ISLAND My happy place starts with morning yoga at the Pine Ave. public beach and renting a bike from Lazy Turtle Beach Rentals. The picturesque Anna Maria Beach Cottages all have a kitchen. Enjoy the heated pool, a picnic area with charcoal grills, beach chairs and umbrellas, bikes and a laid-back vibe, or meander over to The Waterfront Restaurant or The Sandbar for cocktails, seafood and awesome sunsets. Breakfast at Ginny & Jane E’s or The Waffle Press. www.annamariaisland.com
KEY WEST Margaritaville Beach House Key West is calling all Florida residents with an exclusive offer of up to 30% off, in addition to the new Summerzcool three-day minimum stay package with up to 25% off a three-night or more stay, including a $100 credit to the property’s signature Tin Cup Chalice Bar & Chill restaurant per stay. Sitting oceanfront along Smathers Beach, the resort features 186 spacious suites, a lagoon-style pool, and lounging hammocks plus poolside entertainment, daily refreshments, a 24-hour fitness center, kids’ activities, lawn games, and easy access to beachfront fun. The resort is just one mile from Key West International Airport, and provides complimentary shuttle service to the airport, Duval Street, and the Downtown Seaport Harbor. www.MargaritavilleBeachHouseKeyWest.com (Subject to availability June 1-Sept. 30)
CHARLESTON Southern charm, culture and history buffs will swoon. Book a stay at the beautiful bed and breakfast 86 Cannon, shop the local boutiques (Hampden), enjoy seafood at The Grocery, Southern dishes at Fig, brunch at Butcher & Bee and a daiquiri at The Ordinary. On Saturday, meander to Marion Square for the Charleston Farmers’ Market brimming with delicious delights, crafts and live entertainment. May 27-June 12 is the premiere Spoleto Festival, with 150 performing arts events in 10 venues. June 11-19 is the Low Country Juneteenth celebration and education about Gullah History, arts and culture. www.charlestoncvb.com
FLORIDA FOLK FESTIVAL Spend Memorial Day weekend in White Springs May 27-29 in its 70th year on the banks of the historic Suwannee River at Stephen Foster Cultural Center State Park. Tap your toes to 300 performances by Florida’s greatest folk and roots artists, as well as folk, blues, gospel, country, Latin, jazz, bluegrass, Caribbean and zydeco music. There are traditional crafts (split rail fences, henna tattoos), square dancing and good eating (blue crab burritos, Jamaican patties, shrimp gumbo).
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