With more than 455 Years of history, there are innumerable ways to experience the storied past of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches. The City of St. Augustine boasts more than 25 intimate inns and historic boutique hotels with a wide range of options. Two new hotels opened this past year: the Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown, which was built to replicate the historic San Sebastian Hotel of the 1800s and the Homewood Suites by Hilton, which is located on the banks of the San Sebastian River. Boutique hotels and inns have gone techie! Guy Harvey Resort St. Augustine Beach is the latest lodging property in the area to offer contact-free guest services and mobile keys ensuring safe and secure on-site experiences. At The Local Inn, checking in is anything but vintage at this mid-century 21-room inn located near Anastasia State Park and historic downtown St. Augustine. It is all digital, even the bicycles. The Bayfront Marin House B&B was among the first to achieve this digital trend with their in-room digital concierge “Angie,” programmed with information about Bayfront Marin House and important area information. Fun times can be had by the sea at the Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort, one of the few Embassy Suites Resorts in the chain, which recently completed a new wing adding more than 40 rooms to the resort. The Collector Luxury Inn and Gardens is now offering private lessons to guests to learn the art of craft cocktails. Also, with every two-night stay booking The Collector provides guests a $25 gas card to help fuel their St. Augustine adventure. Other hotels set to open in the months ahead include the Hilton Garden Inn St. Augustine Historic and the Hyatt Place Resort on Vilano Beach.   Learn and explore A new water shuttle service, Dolphin Bay Scenic Water Shuttle, provides daily shuttle services across the Matanzas Bay between St. Augustine Municipal Marina and Vilano Beach.  The shuttle provides visitors with a scenic trip across the bay while learning more about the area’s natural environment and historic culture. Enjoy magic and mind reading experiences in a boutique showroom at the Casa Monica Resort & Spa. Indulge in a complimentary cocktail in the opulent Cobalt Lounge before being ushered into the Magic Hideaway, where Master Magician Bill Abbott will host an intimate performance of sleight of hand. This summer visitors to the oldest city will be able to enjoy participating in an architectural tour with Genteel & Bard walking tours.  St. Augustine’s newest tour will provide participants with a guided walk-through history, focusing on the architectural beauty and the stories behind some of the area’s most significantly important buildings.  The guides on these tours wear a microphone so you can hear loud and clear through your complimentary souvenir earbuds. There is more magic: Take a night time kayak adventure that showcases a natural phenomenon, bioluminescence created by billions of jelly combs and dinoflagellates in the night-time waters of Guana Lake.   The local outfitter GeoTrippin Adventure Company offers an exclusive night-time paddle on the lake where paddlers can experience this fascinating show on select dates throughout the year.   Sports facilities As home to the PGA Tour, TPC Sawgrass, host to The PLAYERS Championship and the World Golf Hall of Fame, St. Augustine l Ponte Vedra Beach has often been referred to as the golf mecca. The latest news is that The PXG Women’s Match Play Championship, an event on the East Coast Women’s Pro Golf Tour, returns to the World Golf Village October 30-November 6 Now America’s fastest growing sport, pickleball is also taking the sports stage on Florida’s Historic Coast.  To accommodate this easy to learn and a fun competitive sport, courts all over the area are adapting to accommodate play and competitions. The Yards at Ponte Vedra Beach is a one-of-a-kind sports complex for golf, tennis and more, with an emphasis on pickleball.   All is well on Florida’s Historic Coast Great retreats and pampering moments help keep your getaway to St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches refreshing.  The spas at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort, the Casa Monica Resort & Spa and several of the day spas in the area have provided rejuvenating experiences for visitors. Now there are even more opportunities for visitors to experience a healthful retreat. The Bayfront Marin House Inn St. Augustine offers summertime guests a new Wellness Retreat Package where at check-in the refreshing begins with champagne and chocolate covered strawberries to prepare for the in-room couples massage.   Tasty new experiences Walk the streets of St. Augustine and you can find lots of tasty cool treats. Tedi’s Ice Cream, which has been a favorite on St. George Street since the 1960s, along with modern treats like Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops, the eclectic Peace Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches on Aviles Street, Cousteau’s Waffle and Milkshake Bar and Mayday Handcrafted Ice Cream on Hypolito Street - each offers yummy hand-crafted cool tastes. Mayday Handcrafted Ice Creams, named in honor of some innovative Americans who served our country in World War II, have opened their ninth Mayday location (Midtown). There are great new food tour offerings here, too. The St. Augustine Experiences Tours has added two new tours: The St. Augustine Historic Tour, focusing on history and architecture, and the new Dining at Twilight, an evening culinary experience t. And The Tasting Tours has also added some really fun themed tours including the Shiver Me Timbers Swashbuckling Cocktail Tour and the St. Augustine Sangria Stroll.   Getting here in 2022 is even easier Florida’s Historic Coast remains an easy access drive destination.  There is also great air service available via Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), approximately 50 minutes north of St. Augustine and Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) approximately 50 minutes to the south. Both airports are served by all major airline carriers.

  It’s no secret to us that Florida has an incredible and diverse dining scene worth celebrating, but following the inaugural edition of the MICHELIN Guide Orlando, Miami and Tampa, MICHELIN Guide inspectors have given 118 Florida restaurants, representing 35 cuisines, their global stamp of approval. Besides bestowing stars on an impressive 15 restaurants, the guide also singled out 29 restaurants for Bib Gourmand honours and recommended an additional 74.   What’s a Bib Gourmand? “Bibs” are given to restaurants that offer “good quality and good value.” This means that in the U.S., diners can get two courses plus a glass of wine or dessert for less than $49 – a great recommendation for clients looking for a special treat on a budget.   For delicious bowls of “finely tuned” ramen, head to Ichicoro Ramen in Tampa (Bib Gourmand), enjoy world-class steaks, tapas-style small plates and great views of the Walt Disney World fireworks at Capa, Four Seasons Orlando (One MICHELIN Star), and for refined plates of classic French cuisine, visit L’Atelier de Joël Rubuchon, in Miami’s Design District (Two MICHELIN Stars).   Explore beyond Orlando, Miami and Tampa, and gastronomic delights continue with independent restaurants and bars serving the very best of Florida’s fresh produce, including unbeatable seafood and Florida’s famous citrus fruits.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an authorization for Visit Florida, extending its life as the state –funded destination marketing organization through October 1, 2028. The proposed budget for 2022-2023 includes $50 million to fund Visit Florida’s marketing efforts. It received $80 million for the current fiscal year, which included $30 million in federal stimulus money. The agency has been applauded for its efforts to accelerate the tourism recovery during and the Covid-19 pandemic.

  Tourists continue to flock to the Sunshine State to make vacation memories that will last a lifetime. With world-class theme parks, pristine beaches, an array of child-friendly attractions and stunning parks and trails to explore the great outdoors, Florida is the ultimate family playground holiday destination. There is so much to see and experience in the Sunshine State; family fun is everywhere.   Here is just a sampling:   Winter haven: The world's first Peppa Pig Theme Park has partnered with The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to earn its accreditation as a Certified Autism Center (CAC) since opening in February 2022. IBCCES is working with the Peppa Pig Theme Park to conduct staff-wide autism sensitivity and awareness training and make more tangible updates to the in-park communications. The extended commitment will require the Park to continue ongoing staff training past its grand opening to ensure that team members have the requisite knowledge, skills, temperament and expertise to interact with all families and children with learning difficulties specifically for those with Autism. In addition to staff training, IBCCES conducted an in-depth review of the new Park to develop a detailed Sensory Guide. This guide features a review of every attraction by providing insight into how a child with sensory processing issues may be affected by the five senses. Special offers and vacation packages are available https://www.peppapigthemepark.com/florida/places-to-stay/vacation-packages/.   CENTRAL FLORIDA: Situated in the heart of Central Florida, the dramatic, 260-acre landscape of Safari Wilderness sets the scene for an unforgettable family adventure. Located halfway between Tampa and Orlando, this family-owned, working ranch offers an up-close encounter with herds of roaming exotic animals — and now, guests can stay a little longer. Safari Wilderness recently launched an accommodation option with ten beautifully appointed safari tents. Throughout the property, located within the Green Swamp, the second-largest wilderness area in Florida (after The Everglades), guests can enjoy close-up encounters with wildlife, local waterfowl and upland birds. In addition, overnight guests have the exclusive opportunity to experience organised sundowner safaris, bird watching safaris, and mountain bike excursions.   DESTIN-FORT WALTON BEACH: Families looking for the ultimate, fun-filled getaway should look no further than Destin-Fort Walton Beach. Signature sugar-white sand beaches, vibrant emerald-green waters, and warm weather set the scene for an unforgettable escape with endless activities for all to enjoy. Families can enjoy educational and adventurous experiences, from exploring marine wildlife at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park to stargazing and camping at Henderson Beach State Park. Along with 20 miles of coastline, plus protected bays and bayous, the best way to explore Destin-Fort Walton Beach is on, and in some cases, under the water. The destination's expansive ocean areas and beaches make water-based adventures welcoming and possible for every family member. Think kayaking over the stunning crystal-clear water, endless shelling, surf lessons, and perhaps a family-friendly dolphin tour on the Southern Star Dolphin Cruises.   CRYSTAL RIVER: Meet our gentle manatees, tackle some incredible fishing, explore lakes and rivers, hike through unspoiled forests, go scalloping, or explore our parks and attractions. However you enjoy Crystal River, Homosassa, Inverness, and Floral City, your family will leave with great memories and a desire to return soon.   Whether walking the boardwalk at Three Sisters Springs, dining along King's Bay or during a Manatee Tour, encounter Crystal River and Homosassa's most notable locals, the manatee. Families can book a tour to swim alongside manatees in their natural environment or a kayak tour where they can spot their noses when they come up for air. It's an unforgettable experience best enjoyed with loved ones in the Manatee Capital of the World.   ST. PETE/CLEARWATER: St. Pete/Clearwater's record-breaking 361 days of sunshine per year greet families with the perfect place to make long-lasting vacation memories. Fun in the sun is guaranteed at St. Pete/Clearwater, as host to some of the nation's top beaches (including St. Pete Beach, recently named the #1 beach in the U.S. according to TripAdvisor). Fort De Soto Park's North Beach is much-loved for its family-friendly features. Venture beyond the pirate ship-themed playground onto the beach to find a tidal pool perfect for little feet to wade in. Visitors will also find bike rentals for the park's six-mile paved trail (including surrey bicycles that seat up to eight!), a mile-long beach, and a fishing pier.   Curious kiddos can come face to face with St. Pete/Clearwater's aquatic ecosystem on Get Up and Go Kayaking's tour of Shell Key Preserve. This crystal-clear kayaking adventure takes guests through the mangroves to see a wide variety of fish, including snook and sheep fish, and many diverse birds nestling in the trees. Paddle by the bird sanctuary where guests commonly see Great Blue Herons, Pink Roseate Spoonbills, and Anhingas swimming alongside the kayak!   Kids will be fascinated by rescued marine life at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, former home to beloved late dolphin Winter from the "Dolphin Tale" movies. Be sure to stop by Winter's memorial and exhibit to learn more about her rescue, prosthetic tail, and personality. And, kids will delight in visiting rescued dolphin Hope, star of "Dolphin Tale 2," and her friends PJ and Nicholas.   AMELIA ISLAND: As generations of visitors have discovered, Amelia Island is a special place for families–a destination full of exciting activities to be enjoyed together, creating lasting memories. Favourite family pastimes on Amelia include river cruises, nature programs, fishing, jet-skiing, kayaking, hiking the trails of Fort Clinch State Park, horseback riding on the shore, Segway Safaris, and of course, miles of gorgeous beaches. Fort Clinch is one of the best-preserved 19th-century forts in the country, where daily tours with period reenactors depicting garrison life bring the fort to life. Sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing are popular on the park's beach. Hikers and cyclists can enjoy a six-mile trail through the park and view some of the tallest dunes in Florida. Self-guided nature trails provide opportunities to learn about and observe native plants and wildlife. Two full-facility campgrounds and a youth camping area provide overnight accommodations for a family adventure.   Kids of all ages enjoy taking an exciting Segway tour of Amelia Island with Kayak Amelia or Omni Amelia Island Plantation. Kayak Amelia offers excursions through Fort George Island, one of the most ecologically and historically significant places along the nation's East Coast. The Omni Amelia Island Plantation also offers daily Segway tours at Amelia's Wheels. Guests can enjoy one of several Segway tour options, including tours through the maritime forest to the beach or discovering wildlife around the resort.   MARTIN COUNTY: Tucked away along South Florida's enchanting Atlantic Coast exists an idyllic slice of paradise called Martin County. A true hidden gem of the Treasure Coast, with more than 20 miles of uncrowded beaches and over 100,000 sprawling acres of parks and conservation lands. A magnet for multigenerational getaways, this is a place for unwinding and reconnecting.   Tired of entertaining the kids yourself? No problem! The Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast offers a variety of spaced-out attractions and events for the kiddos! The kids can do it all from being a supermarket manager, mechanic, firefighter, veterinarian, or doctor for the day! Not only can your kids spend the afternoon learning and exploring the museum, but they can also participate in the museum's ever-changing calendar of events. For example, the museum hosts special Sensory Friendly Days for children with Autism. These days, the museum limits the number of guests and modifies its lights, sounds, and other aspects to create a safe and inclusive environment. As a result, it's one of the most popular spots for curious little ones (and big kids, too!).   To learn more about all the child-friendly adventures waiting to be discovered in Martin County, check out the Kids By Kids video series.   JACKSONVILLE:  This popular city has plenty to offer and entertain all ages, from the littlest to the teens, from interactive museums and endless outdoor activities to one of the nation's largest sweet shops. Families with kids, teens and adults of all ages will have a blast in Jax. One of the highlights is exploring the most extensive Urban Park System in the U.S. Jacksonville's outdoor attractions extend beyond its 20 mile beaches and include 450 city parks, seven state parks and two national parks, plus dozens of unique gardens and an arboretum. The 80,000 acres of parks provide plenty of room for visitors to safely social distance outdoors with activities such as eco-tours at Kingsley Plantation and Kayak Amelia, one-of-a-kind hiking at Betz Tiger Point, where visitors can catch a glimpse of dolphins and rare birds and biking the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail, famous for its populations of hawks, storks and kingfishers.   To find out more and travel inspiration for your future Florida gateway, head to VISITFLORIDA.com.

State tourism-marketing agency Visit Florida is hiking rates for its tourism-marketing partners. It will be the first rate increase for 15 years, it says It will implement the changes over the coming months. Currently, partner fees generate about $1.2 million a year. The new fee structure is projected to increase that to about $1.75 million. Rates are based on annual revenue, and will rise from $395 to $1,500 a year to $475 to $1,795 a year. A new fee structure will be implemented for accommodation businesses based on room count

by Graham McKenzie The capital of Florida is somewhere that you shouldn’t bypass if you are touring the sunshine state. I last stayed in Tallahassee almost 25 years ago when I was invited to watch Florida State take on the might of Georgia Tech at College Football. Things have changed! Yes, a lot of the city is dedicated to government and education but out of that has sprung lots of discoveries, positive development and a few surprises along the way. A relatively new area of development is Cascades Park where I was staying at the AC Marriott and was the original site for the Capitol. Originally Pensacola and St Augustine were the oldest and biggest settlements in Florida, but the elders thought that both were too far away from the centre.  Romantic legend would have it that both cities sent a man on horseback, and they ‘bumped into each other’ at the waterfall in Tallahassee and decided that this was as good a place as any to run the government. From thereon Tallahassee has been the capital and nearby the waterfall was the site for the Capitol building. Today the area has been regenerated and cleaned up after many years of neglect.  A modern take on the waterfall now exists (Cascades) flowing into a lake which itself has hiking trails around it, an interactive fountain, restaurants, plus an amphitheatre where concerts are regularly held. The area also serves quite nicely as a drainage point for storm waters. It’s modern but  nice. Further afield lies activities to keep amused such as golf. I played at the super friendly and none too challenging Southwood Golf Club which was designed by Fred Couples. I went zip wiring at the Tallahassee Museum which despite its name is a fifty-two-acre wildlife and adventure park with a café that sells one of the best BLT sandwiches known to man. The supreme activity however which is a must-see wherever you are in your tour of Florida is a visit to the Edward Ball Wakulla Springs Park, part of the network of state parks. In short it is magnificent. It has one of the largest natural springs in the country which in turn is part of the famous Florida Aquifer system of water. Every day on average 200–300 million US gallons of freshwater emerges from the spring and gives rise to the River Wakulla. The water is around the 70f temperature all year round and in winter is enough to attract manatees which can be seen quite easily from the riverbank. These fertile conditions also attract alligators and a massive variety of birdlife. You can hike for miles, cycle, observe or, like me, take a boat ride down the river. As I was early, and it was freezing cold I had the privilege of being solo on the boat but was guided by Tom the skipper. Meandering down the river with its overhanging trees, Spanish moss, eerie quiet and mist rising from the warm water in the winter’s air I was informed that in the past it had doubled up as a location for the filming of Tarzan and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Neither emerged from the undergrowth but the experience was Hollywood-like.  The park also has accommodation and had I allowed myself more time it would have been dedicated to Wakulla Springs. Food is an important part of capital life and given the proximity to Georgia and Alabama much of the influence is Southern. Indeed, this could also be said of the way people ‘tork’. If somebody starts addressing you with ‘Bless your heart’ beware because they think you are as somewhat stupid.. Equally you may hear the occasional ‘DADGUMMIT’ which is as strong an expletive as you are likely to hear in polite company. Getting back to food, another amazing discovery for me was boiled peanuts. How come I have never had these before?  Basically, they are what the British would call Monkey Nuts, boiled for several hours in salty water. Sounds awful but they are delicious. You bite through the exterior and as you do so you get that tang of saline, next you get through to the nut which has been softened to an al dente state but, and this bit is important, without the horrid brown skin that one normally has to spit out in cowboy fashion. Ideal with a few beers whilst watching sport. I ate at two superb restaurants that made a feature of local, traditional and seasonal. It’s the new Floridian way of cooking. Both were purveyors of ‘mah tee fan pee-nuts’.  Table23 and Food Glorious Food are establishments I would highly recommend as you should make time in your touring schedule to Visit Tallahassee, capital of Florida. Graham’s visit was organised by Visit Florida

Recent data showed Florida tourism continues its stellar recovery with 30.8 million tourist visits in the fourth quarter. It marked an increase in the pre-pandemic fourth quarter in 2019. The vast majority were domestic travelers - 29 million. The 1.5 million visits from overseas is still 42% down from 2019. Overall, it is the second successive quarter to top pre-pandemic levels. Estimates show about 122.4 million people visited the State in 2021.

New outdoor adventures, nature experiences, cultural and culinary events top the list of what's new in Florida's Paradise Coast this year. Located in Southwest Florida, Paradise Coast offers visitors 30 miles of sandy beaches, miles of outdoor adventure - on and in the water and access to acres of natural wilderness. Comprising three distinct areas, including Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades, visitors will enjoy several new openings and experiences this year. New wellness experience Meditate with Wolves at Shy Wolf Sanctuary: Shy Wolf Sanctuary is a refuge for animals that were not accepted by government animal services, wildlife rehabilitators, or zoos. Far more than a rescue, Shy Wolf educational and therapeutic programs focus on animal encounters to create a healing connection with humans. This year, the Sanctuary offers Meditate with Wolves; a unique opportunity to meet and connect with the animals under guidance of trained experts to offer different approaches to meditation, energy healing, yoga, and relaxation techniques. Outdoor Adventures Night Walks at Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary: The sanctuary, located in Naples, has added a new guided walk to the line-up of experiences. The Blair Audubon Center's 2.25-mile boardwalk meanders through pine flatwood, wet prairie, freshwater marsh, and the largest old-growth bald cypress forest in North America. Several days a week, skilled Boardwalk Naturalists will be available to answer questions and point out sights and sounds of the swamp for curious visitors. Cultural and Culinary Events BRICKLIVE Supersized Creatures Exhibit at Naples Zoo: Showcasing larger-than-life toy brick sculptures, a new traveling exhibit, BRICKLIVE Supersized Creatures, features more than 30 brick-built sculptures of nature's 'small and mighty' species magnified into towering works of art. Guests will see a 12-feet-tall tarantula, a five-feet-tall praying mantis, and a four-feet-tall honey badger. The sculptures will be featured throughout the Zoo for guests to enjoy now until 17 April. Everglades Seafood Festival: The famous Everglades Seafood Festival, held every February in the historic Everglades City, is set for 11-13 February. For over 50 years, people come from all over to hear great live music, eat seafood, and browse among the craft booths while the kids enjoy the carnival rides. Free to attend for all ages. Accomodation Four Seasons Beach Club to Break Ground In 2022: Construction for the newest luxury hotel along Florida's Southwest coast is scheduled to begin in early 2022. The 216-room resort will complement luxury residences as the first Four Seasons property on Florida's Gulf Coast. Resort amenities will include indoor and outdoor lounges and restaurants; a beachside garden with outdoor pools, cabanas and an event lawn; upscale retail stores; an event ballroom; and multiple dining experiences with views of the Gulf of Mexico. Florida's Paradise Coast is accessible to holiday-makers from various ports across the UK and Ireland with several services recently reinstated and new routes launched for 2022. A non-stop service from Dublin (DUB) to Orlando International (MCO) with Aer Lingus operates three times weekly and from Manchester (MAN) to Orlando International (MCO) operating four times weekly. Visit www.paradisecoast.com for more information.

by Graham McKenzie If you drive North from Miami on I-95 for just two hours and then take a small turn right you will come to the area known as Florida's Treasure Coast which in itself is comprised of three separate local counties, St Lucie, Martin and Indian River. Alternatively, you can drive the 134 miles along the Florida Turnpike from Orlando International airport and once again arrive in around two hours. It's a destination that is very accessible. To say that it is a contrast to Miami is an understatement. Whilst Miami maybe the city that never rests Florida's Treasure coast is all about relaxation, gentle exercise, wildlife and food. No giant rollercoasters either but genuine warmth, hospitality and a commitment to community tourism. There is little doubt that the locals are pleased to see you and show off what they enjoy every day of the year. The dedication to this area spirit can be seen in almost every restaurant, attraction and hotel. My opening evening was spent at Kai Kai Farm. Here the owners have developed not only an organic farm supplying the local area but also a thriving events business around it. It was my immense pleasure to be a guest at a five-course gourmet dinner using produce from the farm. Before the meal you are treated to a tour of the farm by one of the owners Diane showing why certain plants are grown next to each other to maximise pollination and minimise damaging insects. The meal itself was less farm to table and more hand to mouth as the vegetables and fruit were picked a matter of minutes before the meal was prepared. Was it any good? What do you think? Kai Kai though reflected a wider attitude within the area and that was one of community cooperation and a desire to go back to basics to build back better in this post pandemic world.  Kai Kai themselves run a market each weekend when they invite other local suppliers to sell their wares and they also participate in a Community Supported Agricultural Program whereby the produce they gather is delivered to residents who sign up. You can see this throughout the areas product offerings from a visitor perspective with other fine if not so grand examples of local fresh food, restoration, sustainability and a care for the environment. One notable shout out must be made for Crabbys Seafood Shack in downtown Stuart for their broiled Shrimp and Cheese Grits plus a pint of Ocean Republic Beer brewed a matter of yards away. Stuart, the central town of the area, houses the Florida Oceanographic Society which is committed to the preservation of the marine environment that surrounds Martin County. A magnificent set up is designed to help injured marine life back to health but also, and probably more importantly, educate as to how the environment is affected by everyday actions and ways to improve the current situation which is one of delicate balance. Right across the road from the Marine Centre is the unbelievably good Elliot Museum which, outside of Detroit, has one of the best collections of vintage American cars I have seen. Currently is also houses a special exhibition about the infamous Ashley Gang that terrorised Florida in the early part of the 20^th Century and self-styled themselves as the 'Swamp Gang' as they located themselves and often avoided detection within the Everglades. I however was there for a completely different reason: the Sound Meditation facility housed within the building. Deena Rahill, a qualified sound meditation professional, takes you through a process whereby for an hour you submerge yourself into a bath of noises, echoes and vibrations.  In complete darkness and with your eyes closed you allow this heady mixture to flow over you and reenergise the parts of your body and mind that need it. Yes, I was sceptical as well BUT it worked! I came out feeling totally relaxed and very quiet in my thoughts. Stuart is also home to a community owned golf course with big ambition. Left for many years without investment it is now the subject of a development program that fits in with all the local desires to maintain and improve the local ecosystem but also to become a championship standard course that would be fit to host professional tournaments. Sailfish Sands is home not only to a 18 hole Championship course but also a reversible 9 holer whereby on alternative days you can play the same fairways but, yep, the other way round. Unique and fun it is used very extensively for beginners and those who want a quick fix. May the fores be with you. All of these developments, food, marine life, museum, meditation and golf are made with the local resident in mind but of course we as visitors  get to enjoy them as well and for the days we are there we can 'live like a local'.

Graham McKenzie visited Floridas Panhandle and found a gem.  

In a Nutshell

The drive from the south along the Gulf Islands National Seashore Road is like a fairy-tale ride as you become surrounded by the whitest of sand edged by the blue water of the ocean within a stone's throw either side. The experience is so unique It is something everybody should try to enjoy at some point in their life. For beach goers, wind surfers or plain old pleasure seekers this is Nirvana. The magical route, the J Earle Bowden Way, leads to one of the most interesting destinations on the Gulf Coast which couples national attractions with a small-town feel - Pensacola.

Why your clients should go

Pensacola is a little off the beaten track as far as the majority of UK visitors are concerned but is well worth the effort as it just that little bit different. For a start it is the panhandle's  westernmost city and is in the Central Standard Time Zone so for the majority of the year it is 6 hrs behind the UK which, for intellectually challenged travellers such as I, can cause surprise. Secondly it has some of the best beaches on the entire continent made up of the famous gulf sand that is so fine you could rub it all over and use it as a cosmetic exfoliant. When your feet hit the golden white particles, they are so delicate they emit a squeaking sound as if to protest at your presence.

What to see and what to do

The National Museum of Naval Aviation is situated in Pensacola which is hardly a surprise given that it is the base, and has been since 1914, for almost anything that goes on within US Naval Aviation. The training school boasts some incredible alumni including John Glenn and Neil Armstrong who are perhaps better known for their activities outside the earth's atmosphere. Within the museum more than 150 aircraft and spacecraft are on display. Given that its mission is to "to select, collect, preserve and display appropriate memorabilia representative of the development, growth and historic heritage of United States Naval Aviation" it's hardly surprising. Fascinating is an understatement.

Just across the bay you will find some military heritage of an older vintage with Fort Pickens. Designed by a Frenchman it was originally planned as a defensive outpost after the war of independence. After this the Union army took ownership during the early stages of Civil War and despite many attempts by the Florida Militia coupled with the resources of the Confederate army it remained under their control. It stayed in military use right until the end of the second world war shortly after it had been rearmed as a deterrent to German U-Boats. The entire area surrounding the fort is a haven for birdlife and it is common to see osprey at close quarters alongside other species that would be unique and new to the eyes of  a rank amateur British ornithologist.

One of the outstanding aspects of the Pensacola area is the ability to be active and I don't mean just jogging. Kayaking, snorkelling, cycling and hiking are just a few of the things you can do. All of them are generally completed under a blue sky within striking distance of white sand and blue water which adds to the sensation of freedom.  I went for a short walk around Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park which has the additional benefit of an elevated boardwalk that allows easy viewing of rare plants and animals, including turtles, without disturbing the eco system. For those that are keener to stretch those legs just a wee bit more a day hike across to Perdido Bay beckons. The access, openness, and ease with which one can get about under your own steam, close to nature and feel away from the madding crowd is extremely praiseworthy.

Food and Drink

It would be easy to write a whole guide to the food and drink possibilities so I will restrict it to two of each.  Firstly drink.

A short cab drive from downtown Pensacola you can reach the state border with Alabama where lies one of the most infamous bars in the region - Florabama.  Built on the state line in 1964 it has over the years gained a reputation for fun, music, mullet toss competitions and a whole bunch of irreverent fun. If you go, and you should, make sure you have at least a sip of one their famous Florabama bushwhacker cocktails which is in essence an alcoholic milkshake. Second on the where to drink catalogue is Garden and Grain situated downtown adjacent to the historic district of the city which itself is full of older properties and independent retail outlets. Here the cocktail list is forever changing but the atmosphere is consistently friendly and fun. I highly recommend it as I do their very extensive range of Rums.

Fish, Fish and Fish is the order of the day in Pensacola. Like many coastal destinations in Florida, Pensacola benefits from a ready supply of fresh seafood and here they make the most of it. The Grand Marlin of Pensacola Beach restaurant is a fine example of how to prepare, cook and service fresh local ingredients from the ocean. Sophistication is the name of the game with elegant presentation but above all authentic flavours that complement the beachfront location.  Another flying the flag of fresh seafood is Red Fish Blue Fish, Here the atmosphere is less formal, but the food is still noteworthy. They make no secret of the fact that they do not use frozen ingredients as they do not own a freezer. The laid-back atmosphere extends to the outdoor seating where most is made of the views across the Santa Rosa sound. Excellent service that even in the land of high standards stood out as exceptional and friendly.

Where to Stay

As one could imagine there is a tremendous choice of accommodation. I stayed across the bay from downtown in the Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach. This is a no-frills functional hotel but as you could imagine is based right on the beach. In fact, it has a beach at the front and a beach at the back!  Rooms next April start from around $200 per night

Do Not Miss-

Water, water everywhere / Nor any drop to drink - well don't drink it, go to Garden and Grain instead for that, but do take a trip on the briny. There are lots of opportunities to do so be it a dolphin watch experience, fishing or just a cruise around the bay waters. I was lucky enough to take sail and given the nature of the waters and the prevailing winds it is an ideal location to break out your Sir Ben Ainslie persona. In fact, it was so good that one of Ben's America's cup rivals, American Magic from the NYC Yacht Club, was out testing a brand-new yacht. What a treat, as was Pensacola Graham was sponsored by Visit Florida, Hertz  and Visit Pensacola

A new offshore scuba diving and fishing destination, approximately 28 miles off the Atlantic coast of the Mayport area of Jacksonville, has been created by intentionally sinking two large ships to create an artificial reef.   “This unique vessel recycling effort provides an extended, alternate life for the ships while benefiting the ocean environment and creating a recreational attraction,” said Joe Kistel, reef project coordinator and underwater cinematographer at Kistel Media.   A retired Navy tugboat is now the Jimmy Dales Reef and a custom sailboat, that was never fully built, is the Greater Jax Kingfish Reef. The ships were sunk in an artificial reef permit zone known as Harm’s Ledge, where the seafloor depth is 90 feet. Given the size of the vessels, divers can reach the highest point of the new reef around 60 feet below the ocean surface.   These are the first ships to be scuttled off the Jacksonville shoreline since The Spike was deployed in 2009, and it is now a flourishing ecosystem. Jimmy Dales Reef and the Greater Jax Kingfish Reef were intentionally placed near The Spike in hopes that the vessels will create a similar ecosystem.   Countless natural and intentionally created reef sites lie off Jacksonville’s coast, forming an unexplored haven for fishermen and underwater adventurers. Divers can spot a variety of fish, including red snapper, Atlantic spadefish and seabass. Fishermen are most likely to catch snapper, cobia and greater amberjack near the reefs.   “We expect these new reefs to be swarming with a variety of marine life in a short period of time. The longer a ship is underwater, the more diverse the ecosystem it helps create becomes,” said Kistel. “It is going to be a great spot for divers to explore and fisherman to patiently wait to reel one in.”   The project took over two years to plan and execute. The vessels had to be prepared to an environmentally friendly state by removing plastics, fuel, lubricants, wiring and fiber glass insulation.  In addition, the vessels were modified to allow ocean water to fill the ships and enable sinking in a safe and controlled fashion. Camera mounts, for “Sink-Cams,” were also added to capture the climatic sinking moments from aboard the vessels.   More information about the numerous reefs off the coast of Jacksonville is available on the Visit Jacksonville website.   This project was made possible through the support and efforts of many individuals and local businesses including Mobro Marine, Jacksonville Marine Charities, Greenland Biomass and the North Florida Marine Association.   ###   About Kistel Media Kistel Media is a visual media content creation and consulting operation specializing in underwater and conservation outreach initiatives.