Doing Dalí
THE Best Beaches
Dolphins, Kayaking, Kid’s Fun
WINTER, STAR OF DOLPHIN TALE. See The Movie, Then Visit Winter at home in clearwater. A S P E C I A L S u pple m e n t T o T h e O C TO B E R 2011 I ss u e O f
ST PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER
no longer a
secret
Uncover All Of St Pete/Clearwater’s Charms
Rosemarie Payne Director Leisure Sales, USA & Canada Rosemarie@VisitSPC.com
To help you get started on your exploration of the St Pete/ Clearwater area, we’ve counted down the top 10 experiences Canadians have to have. Here goes:
10 9
Enjoy a classic grouper sandwich from Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, Clearwater Beach.
Take a sunset sailing cruise from Dolphin Landings, St Pete Beach.
Mary Haban Senior Manager, Public Relations Mary@VisitSPC.com
Welcome to St Pete/Clearwater, one of the best-kept secrets on Florida’s West Coast. With 56 kilometres of award-winning beaches, world-class art and culture, and an abundance of outdoor activities, it’s no wonder our little piece of paradise is a favourite getaway for Canadians. Each year, hundreds of thousands of Canadians flock to our area to partake in a vast array of relaxing and invigorating options, including fishing, boating, dining, golf, museums, outdoor adventure, and visiting the ever-popular Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training home in Dunedin. We are honoured to host tourists from all across the beautiful country of Canada and recognize the importance of providing the most accurate and timely information to keep you apprised of new and exciting developments in our area. We’re proud to showcase just a few of the places and spaces that make our area so special. It is our hope that you and
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your family, friends, significant others, and relatives will choose St Pete/Clearwater as your next vacation spot. Having lived and worked in this beautiful destination for decades, we hope you will enjoy St Pete/Clearwater as much as we do. Whether you’re celebrating a special milestone, or creating new memories, there’s no doubt about the allure of this gem on Florida’s West Coast. And we know once you visit, you’ll feel exactly the same way. For more information, www.VisitStPeteClearwater.com; Canada Toll Free: 800-345-6710
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Visit the historic Greek Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs.
Find irresistible shopping in Gulfport’s quaint artists’ haven.
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And Then…
There Was Light
Savour four days and nights of free jazz at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday in Coachman Park.
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Put on your walking shoes and explore downtown St Pete’s new Dalí Museum, Chihuly Collection, Museum of Fine Arts and more!
Few cities hold a world record for their sunshine, unless you’re St Petersburg. Are you wearing your sunglasses? If not – put ‘em on. Beginning in 1967, Mother Nature showered the city with 768 consecutive days of sunshine, earning it a well-deserved place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Nicknamed the “Sunshine City”, St Petersburg still averages 361 sunny days every year. And for more than 75 years, St Petersburg’s Evening Independent newspaper gave copies away for free on days the sun did not shine.
Inside
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Surreal & Serene
St Pete’s Cultural Offerings Soothe The Soul & Stimulate The Senses
Experience romance with a massage for two at the Safety Harbor Resort & Spa.
Kidstuff
Pick your favourite beach in St Pete/Clearwater, grab your beach bag and chair and spend the day writing all those “wish you were here” postcards for your loved ones back in Canada.
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Sports fans can cheer on Grapefruit League action during Spring Training and hit the links on over 50 golf courses in St Pete/Clearwater.
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Tons & Tons Of Fun For Your Junior Travellers
Make A Splash Get Out, Get Wet In St Pete’s Deep Blue Seas
Game On Get In On The Action Or Watch the Pros In St Pete
Treasure Hunt
Go biking on the 64-kilometre Pinellas Trail and stop to explore the unique communities along the way.
Hidden Shopping & Dining Gems Only The Locals Know
Home Away From Home Grand Ladies, Superior Small Lodgings & Condo Rentals Fit The Bill
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ST PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER
The visitors’ centre at Weedon Island Preserve adheres to Native American traditions and helps decipher the mysteries of the area’s ancient people.
The new Dalí Museum, with its huge permanent collection, has elevated St Petersburg into the highest art circles.
surreaL
&
serene
St Pete’s Cultural Offerings Soothe The Soul & Stimulate The Senses
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Canadian Traveller 48
We may as well start at the beginning. And for the St Pete/Clearwater area, the beginning is located at Weedon Island Preserve. This low-lying peninsula consists of tidal marshes, pine scrub forests, incredible views of the Bay and ancient Indian mounds dating back more than 3,000 years. The preserve was the ancestral home to the Weedon Island People who gathered molluscs and shellfish in the bay. The pottery, tools and debris they left behind have taught scholars much of what they know about Florida’s ancient peoples. For visitors, however, the attraction is serene hiking trails, boardwalks and mangrove-lined kayaking canals. A great, free visitor’s centre sits on the property and features exhibits on the ancient people and their land. Also on display are the architectural finds unearthed by Smithsonian Institution excavations in the 1940s. Native Americans helped design the centre and it adheres to their traditions. For example, the building is aligned with the cardinal directions with its entrance facing east, towards the rising sun. Fast forward to some more recent history. During the 1920s the Florida land boom was in high gear and tourists began flooding the area in large numbers. Two of the largest hotels built during that decade are still with us, and painted pink like they were the day they were built. They are downtown St Petersburg’s Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club and St Pete Beach’s Loews Don CeSar Hotel. They’re sometimes called The Pink Ladies, The Grande Dames, or in the Don’s case, “Godzilla in a Prom Dress.” Pop in for a drink at one of the historic bars, you might just run into movie stars and professional athletes. From presidents to personalities, they’ve all been coming here since both grand ladies opened.
Museums & Galleries As if the gorgeous beaches, seafood and climate weren’t enough, St Petersburg has
The Chihuly Collection features the outlandish oversized glass sculptures of Dale Chihuly, including the spectacular Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier.
The Pink Ladies, like the Loews Don CeSar Hotel, have welcomed the rich and famous for almost 100 years.
Each year the Florida Orchestra performs more than 100 concerts including a Beach Goes Pops concert directly on the sands of St Pete Beach.
now reached world-class art circles with the new Dalí Museum. Its permanent collection of Dalí’s work is the world’s most comprehensive, including 96 oil paintings among its 2,100 pieces. The striking facility was designed by architect Yann Weymouth, who assisted with the recent renovation of the Louvre Museum in Paris. His design is intriguing, showcasing a liquid-like glass canopy pouring from a square concrete box. In an architectural illusion, the building appears to be resting on a giant boulder transported from Dalís homeland of Cadaques, Spain. The Chihuly Collection in downtown St Petersburg features the outlandish, oversized glass sculptures of studio glass pioneer Dale Chihuly. His sculptures usually make visitors stop and stare. For example, the collection includes the spectacular Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier, which unlike most modern art looks exactly like its title! Next door, the Studio & Hot Shop at the Morean Arts Center conveys just how all of this was made. Sit comfortably and watch artists manipulate the furnaces and kilns to make new art every day. Even better, you’ll have a chance to work side by side with them to produce your own blown-glass piece! Don’t leave downtown without visiting the Museum of Fine Arts, featuring 4,000 objects, including works by Cezanne, Monet, Gauguin, Renoir and O’Keeffe. Exhibits also showcase Asian, Greek and Roman antiquities. The MFA Café dishes up gourmet salads, soups, sandwiches with a great view of the downtown waterfront. The great thing about the arts in St Petersburg is that the major museums are all within easy walking distance of each
other. Parks and green spaces adjoin the water, so while you’re strolling from one museum to another you’re looking out to the yacht basin, soaking up the sun.
Live Performances Conclude a day at the museums with live music or a show. Jannus Landing in downtown St Petersburg is an intimate outdoor concert venue featuring all kinds of modern acts. This is a great place to catch heavy-hitting musicians in smaller places, so leave the binoculars at home. The Mahaffey Theatre, located adjacent to the Dalí Museum, produces shows ranging from ballet to acoustic artists. St Pete is also home to The Florida Orchestra which performs more than 100 concerts annually. Shows include classical masterworks, pops and choral performances. If dinner theatre is your passion, try Ed Fletcher’s Early Bird Dinner Theatre with its off-Broadway productions and buffet dinner. Guests
are permitted to bring their own wine to enjoy with dinner. Feeling a bit more casual? Check the art-deco themed Beach Theatre in St Pete Beach. Its opening night was June 15, 1940. Saturday nights at the theatre often feature a Rocky Horror Picture Show event, and occasional Big Lebowski parties – complete with White Russian cocktails. After any of these shows, loosen your tie and kick your feet up at The Brown Boxer, a Clearwater Beach pub and grille known for its live music. It’s casual, dog-friendly, and still frequented by its “founder” and namesake Hoot the Dog. Owned by Philadelphia ex-pats, they focus on northeast US specialties like cheese steak sandwiches, Italian sausage and draught domestic beers. It’s a great way to unwind and remember all the valuable cultural insights you picked up during the day! For more information, go to www.VisitStPeteClearwater.com
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Hit the high seas on Captain Memo’s Original Pirate Cruise and enjoy face painting, treasure hunts, yummy snacks and more.
Kidstuff
Visit Clearwater’s most famous resident, Winter the Dolphin, along with sea turtles, sharks, sting rays and otters at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
Tons & Tons Of Fun For Your Junior Travellers
By Andy Schrader From two to twenty, it doesn’t matter what age children you’re toting. The St Petersburg/Clearwater area offers affordable attractions your kids will write (or blog) home about. For generations of vacationers, family bonding has meant fishing piers, miles of beaches and shore-side ice cream shops. And now the offerings have expanded to include saltwater-sliding waterparks, surfer-inspired paddleboarding, and a brand-new pedestrian park on the water where teenagers can see and be seen. Young kids love to play “treasure hunt” on the beach using a hand-scrawled map and some trinket buried under the sand. (The Dalí Museum also has its own “treasure hunt” available for kids where they find hidden objects in the paintings.) For prime playgrounds, try Constitution Park in Redington Shores. It’s located just south of 183rd Avenue on Gulf Boulevard. Or look for Hurley Park in Pass-A-Grille Beach. It’s got swings, jungle gyms, basketball courts, and pavilions and showers to cool off. On the hottest of hot days, trek to the free Cypress Forest Park “sprayground” in Oldsmar, a halfhour northeast of Clearwater next to Brooker Creek Nature Preserve. The park features a huge play area on a rubberized non-skid surface. It’s filled with kid-friendly fountains and misters, plus burbling “springs” that may actually keep your toddler still for 10 minutes.
Animal Friends Clearwater’s most famous resident, Winter the Dolphin, is even more famous thanks
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to the recent Hollywood hit Dolphin Tale, starring Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jr and Ashley Judd. It chronicles how Winter was rescued and rehabilitated when her tail had to be amputated after she became entangled in a discarded crab trap. Today she swims with the help of a prosthetic tail, hand-crafted by a team of scientists. See the movie then visit Winter and her dolphin friends at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Besides dolphins, the aquarium also features sea turtles, sharks, sting rays and otters. Another must-see is the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary in Indian Shores to get an up-close look at seabirds, shorebirds and predators like hawks and ospreys. This avian hospital and rehabilitation centre cares for more than 10,000 birds every year. The Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St Petersburg also has an aviary as well as a butterfly garden, lakeside trails, boardwalks and an education centre.
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Travelling with a four-legged friend? There are two beaches that allow pets in the area – Fort De Soto Park’s Paw’s Playground and Honeymoon Island State Park. Both doggie beaches are teeming with tons of fun for everyone.
Beach Attractions Visible from far down the beach, the threestorey “High Tide Slide” at the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort in St Pete Beach acts like a beacon for thrill-seeking kids. They slip for more than 60 metres down the slide and come out right next to the adjacent wave-tossed water park called Splash Island. It features oversized trampolines and rafts, plus a giant see-saw for up to 10 people. Make reservations ahead of time if you know you’ll be visiting. Pier 60 is the connections hotspot, the place to wear your coolest pair of sunglasses and chill in the sand. The Beach Walk Promenade sits directly behind the sand: a wide, open sidewalk for biking, walking and
skateboarding that runs the length of the beach. Check out the “Sunset Celebration at Pier 60.” Patterned after the highly successful festival at Mallory Square in Key West, it features unique craftsmen, artists and entertainers performing two hours before sunset and two hours after sunset. Fort De Soto Park was recently named “Best Family Beach” by Parents Magazine. It’s got great amenities like showers, changing rooms, barbecue grills and picnic tables. Eleven kilometres of wide bike paths and several nature trails – including a special-needs barrier-free trail – offer endless opportunities for fun. Bring your binoculars to watch for osprey and pelicans in the air and plodding gopher tortoises on the ground. There’s a cool fort leftover from the Spanish-American War that was just renovated. Kids love to run and yell inside, their shouts echoing off the walls of the century-old fortification. Fort tours are offered Saturdays and nature tours on Saturdays and Sundays. If you’ve got older, athletic kids, they might enjoy seeing Fort De Soto from a different perspective – by walking on the
water. SUP (Stand Up Paddleboards) combine paddling’s tranquility with surfing’s adrenaline thrill to create a brand new sport that’s simple to learn. A stone’s throw across the sparkling blue/ green waters from Fort De Soto Park, you’ll find an undiscovered gem – Egmont Key. Accessible only by boat or ferry service, this rustic island is distinguished by its 150-yearold lighthouse. What most people don’t know is it has some of the most amazing snorkeling excursions you’ll ever find. Dolphin Tours are also available throughout St Pete/Clearwater. Many times the boats can entice the dolphins to surf in their wakes, affording a great photo opportunity.
Culture For Kids For custom-designed kid spaces try some of our specialized children’s museums. Great Explorations: The Hands-On Museum in St Petersburg is an inexpensive way to spend an afternoon. The climbing wall, tennis ball launchers, robot lab, play kitchens and even a veterinary clinic with stuffed animals to treat ensure they’ll be pooped by day’s end. Next door is
S t. p e t e r s b u r g c l e a r w at e r
Sunken Gardens, St Petersburg’s oldest living museum with lush gardens, endless waterfalls and a butterfly garden. St Petersburg’s Science Center of Pinellas County makes a great rainy day escape. Learn about Florida fish and shells at the marine touch tank. Also check out the planetarium, the live alligator exhibit, and the small observatory which offers planetwatching events on selected nights. Finish your day with a different kind of heritage in the old Greek fishermen’s village of Tarpon Springs. Kids love the boat tour, which leaves from the historic sponge fishing docks. The cruise includes a narration of the history of sponge diving and a diving exhibition – complete with a real sponge diver wearing an ancient brass helmet. You’ll be back just in time for a sugar-fueled walk through the shopping district, courtesy of authentic Greek pastries like baklava and diples: rolled fried dough dipped in honey and topped with cinnamon and sugar. For more information, go to www.VisitStPeteClearwater.com
w w w. Vi s i t S t P e t e C l e a r w a t e r. c o m
Treasure Island, Florida Get away. Get it all. • Free Parking • Free Internet • No Resort Fee • Free Private Club Membership • Free Beach Area Transportation • Guest Laundry • Sundeck and Gaming Area • Kids Eat Free Breakfast (restrictions apply) • Two On-Site Beachfront Restaurants
10650 Gulf Blvd. Treasure Island, FL 33706
(727) 360-5531 www.bilmarbeachresort.com 51 Canadian Traveller
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Make A
Splash Get Out, Get Wet In St Pete’s Deep Blue Seas
Visit St Petersburg/Clearwater
By Andy Schrader You’ll find every kind of beach experience you can imagine, from secluded tranquility to first-rate people-watching.
There’s no getting away from it. Anywhere you go in St Pete/Clearwater you’ll be surrounded by water. The peninsula where the cities lie is bounded by the Gulf of Mexico on one side and Tampa Bay on the other. No matter your destination you’ll have to cross a bridge to get there. So look sharp to the left and right and you’ll probably find someone kiteboarding, windsurfing, fishing, or jet skiing.
Fishing Most of the big bridges feature amazing fishing landings. The largest is the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. Here you can drive your car far out onto the bridge and fish from your tailgate. That’s handy if you’re travelling with kids because your comfortable car seats (and snacks, and probably a 12v outlet for their portable gaming systems) can stay right there with you. You can fish from the St Petersburg
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(north) approach or the Bradenton (south) approach. Another popular spot is Clearwater Beach’s 320-metre long Pier 60. Its bait shop offers supplies and advice on what’s biting. Other options include the Redington Beach Long Pier, downtown St Petersburg’s municipal pier, and the Gulf and Bay Piers at Fort De Soto Park. There’s nearly 1,000 kilometres of coastline on the peninsula so usually it’s just a matter of cruising along until you find the right spot. Most fishermen are gunning for Spanish mackerel, although Red Drum and Speckled Trout are also popular. Tarpon is the state’s top game fish, in season from March to October. They’re called “Sideliners” by local fishermen because of their black side stripe. Arguably the most delicious fish in the Gulf, they have achieved a bit of a cult status because they’re so protected – you can neither buy them nor sell them, and don’t bother looking for them in a
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restaurant. May through July is the best time to fish for them but you’ll likely need a boat to reach the proper spots. Charter trips can be arranged through a variety of vendors in the area. For the ultimate budget option, try shoreline fishing on the beaches. Your best chance is in the summer, particularly at dawn or dusk. Bring a spinning rod with a 12-pound test line plus some basic artificial lures like a top-water plug and gold spoon.
Beaches Award winning beaches. It’s our claim to fame. The St Pete/Clearwater area is home to more than 56 kilometres of stunning white sand and sparkling blue waters. Did we mention our picture perfect sunsets? Or dog-friendly beaches? One of the most pristine barrier islands is also one of the best kept secrets in our area: Caladesi Island State Park. Accessible by boat, or ferry (kayak if you’re really feeling
S t. p e t e r s b u r g c l e a r w at e r w w w. Vi s i t S t P e t e C l e a r w a t e r. c o m
Beso Del Sol Resort Dunedin, Florida
Top right: Paddlers sliding along designated kayaking trails in local parks and preserves are rewarded with close encounters with bird and animal life. Top left: Get your engine racing with adrenaline adventures like windsurfing, kiteboarding and speed boat rides on local waterways.
adventurous) you can spend the day exploring nature trails, sunning on a stunning stretch of sand, and kayaking the lush mangrove tunnels. The beach was named America’s Best in 2008 by Dr. Stephen Leatherman, a well regarded coastal geologist who ranks more than 650 beaches annually. Since then, many have learned what we already know… just how amazing this intimate island really is. The Caladesi Connection transports visitors across the vast waters of the Gulf into this luscious paradise. Once on the island, you can dine at the quaint café, or bring your own cooler of goodies. The ferry departs daily from nearby Honeymoon Island State Park, which has a popular dog beach. The sand on these beaches, and all others in the St Pete/Clearwater area, is made from quartz. Over thousands of years the quartz was atomized and brought south along ancient rivers that no longer exist. It’s different from the coarse, dark sand found on the Atlantic coast and in the Keys – that’s made from bits of shells and coral. This sand is softer, whiter, and more comfortable, because of its cloud-like feel and the fact that its thermal-energy retention is reduced. Translation: you can walk on it in summer.
Watersports Kitesurfers and windsurfers congregate most often at the bright yellow Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which links the St Pete peninsula to the southern mainland. Howard Park by Tarpon Springs is also popular. Surfers will want to head to Sunset Beach – provided there’s an east wind and
a good low pressure system off the coast. If you’re looking for some horsepower, parasailing and jet skis can be rented from a variety of vendors in the area. You’ve got two options for boat tours: screaming or serene. Fans of the former will appreciate the dual twin-turbocharged engines of the 22-metre long Sea Screamer, billed as the world’s largest speed boat. The boat tops out at around 56 kph and leaves a giant “rooster tail” of spray behind it, so plan on getting wet. It leaves from Clearwater’s Municipal Marina. For something a whole lot quieter, rent an electric boat from the Electric Marina in downtown St Petersburg. They’re as easy to drive as a golf cart and since they lack a noisy engine you’ll be able to sneak up on that pelican (or dolphin) you’ve been eying. This is one super toy where the batteries are finally included. Kayakers can enjoy face-to-face encounters with wildlife. The lush mangrove kayak trails in Caladesi Island State Park are a good place to start a paddling adventure. Wood storks, bald eagles and the West Indian manatees are spotted along the kayaking trails in Weedon Island Preserve and the trail in Fort De Soto Park glides through mangroves, sea bass beds and oyster bars. Want something truly unique? Sign up for a KaYoga expedition: kayaking + yoga on a pristine beach. Following a day out on the water, try the Starlite Dinner Cruise with locations in St Petersburg and Clearwater. Enjoy continental cuisine, live entertainment and the best views from the water. Lunch cruises are also available, although the sunset tour is definitely the most romantic. For more information, go to www.VisitStPeteClearwater.com
The newest resort in delightful Dunedin is just minutes from Clearwater and St. Petersburg, and features cozy studio, one- or two-bedroom suites with kitchenettes.
› › › › › › › › › › ›
Two Waterfront Pools Hot Tub Barbecue Grill Fitness Center Bike Rentals Boat Slips Fishing Pier Free Parking Wi-Fi Marker 8 Tiki Bar Wedding & Event Planning Services
Call to make your reservation at (727) 734-8851 or toll-free at (800) 331-2548. Visit us online at www.besodelsolresort.com. Official spring training resort of the Toronto Blue Jays!
1420 Bayshore Boulevard Dunedin, Florida 34698 D
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800.331.2548 • 727.734.8851 www.besodelsolresort.com Marker 8
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Game On
Get In The Action Or Watch The Pros In St Pete
Visit St Petersburg/Clearwater
By Merle Rosenstein
Duffers and pros can play 50 courses, including The Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, site of the PGA Tour’s Transitions Championship.
Throughout the year St Pete/ Clearwater hosts world-class sporting events. You can watch the action or get into the game. Your choice. The Professionals St Pete/Clearwater is known as a favourite spring training spot for major league teams. The Toronto Blue Jays have trained in Dunedin since 1977 and the Philadelphia Phillies have held spring training in Clearwater since 1948. Visitors can catch players working out from mid-February until early April. The American League East Division champs, the Tampa Bay Rays hit
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home runs at Tropicana Field beginning April 1 each year, and the 2003 Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers battle other NFL teams at Raymond James Stadium starting in September. Get your hockey fix at the St Pete Times Forum where the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning play through April.
Speed Demons The Honda Grand Prix of St Petersburg rolls through town every spring with an actionpacked, three-day event featuring the IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights and the American Le Mans Series.
Making Waves In October, 15-metre boats with F-16 jet canopies and 4,800-horsepower engines race 225 kilometres per hour during the
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Super Boat National Championship, a free event that starts at Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach.
Tee Time The St Pete/Clearwater area boasts more than 50 golf courses, including the famed Cooperhead Course at the Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club. With its long, narrow fairways twisting through piney woods, lurking lagoons and upsweeping bunkers, it’s no wonder the PGA selected this jewel to host the Florida swing of its tour. Each year, the Transitions Championship is played here, and plenty of celebrities and cameras are on hand to catch all the action. Another choice for avid golfers is the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club. Located on the waterfront in downtown
St Petersburg, the Vinoy Hotel opened in 1925 and attracts Hollywood stars, great chefs and golf pros. The Vinoy Golf Club is three kilometres away on Snell Island. The Loews Don CeSar Hotel on the Gulf of Mexico at Pass-A-Grille Island has playing privileges for its guests at the nearby Isla del Sol Yacht and Country Club, a course with palm trees, water hazards and bunkers. The staff at the Don can also help golfing guests book tee times at any of the other fine courses in the St Pete/Clearwater area. To the north, the Belleview Biltmore Golf Club in Clearwater, designed by renowned golf architect Donald Ross, has small, crowned greens, long par 3s and subtle use of bunkers and water.
S t. p e t e r s b u r g c l e a r w at e r w w w. V i s i t S t P e t e C l e a r w a t e r. c o m
experience hyatt regency clearwater beach resort & spa. Enjoy 20% off daily rates at a world-class resort; steps from Clearwater Beach, offering fully equipped kitchens, private balconies and spectacular views. Worldclass amenities include Shor Seafood Grill, pampering Sandava Spa, Hyatt StayFit™ Gym, air-conditioned pool cabanas, Camp Hyatt for kids , plus deluxe indoor/outdoor function space for business or events. For reservations, call 727 373 1234 or visit clearwaterbeach.hyatt.com and reference offer code LECRCC. Hyatt. You’re More Than Welcome.
Tennis Anyone? In St Pete/Clearwater, many resorts are equipped with tennis facilities and some offer lessons by pros. The Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club boasts a 12-court tennis complex. The Sheraton Sand Key Resort, overlooking the sparkling Gulf of Mexico, offers tennis, while the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, 32 kilometres northwest of Tampa International Airport, has tennis instruction on 11 Har-Tru courts. For more information, go to www.VisitStPeteClearwater.com
727 373 1234
clearwaterbeach.hyatt.com Offer valid through 12/30/12 at Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach. All hotel reservations are subject to availability and must be made in advance using offer code LECRCC. Offer is not valid with groups/conventions and may not be combined with other promotional offers. Rate is based on double occupancy and standard room accommodations. Room tax and resort fee not included. Additional guests may be subject to additional hotel charges. Additional charges apply to room type upgrades. Promotional blackout periods may apply due to seasonal periods or special events, and normal arrival/departure restrictions apply. Hyatt reserves the right to alter or withdraw this program at any time without notice. The trademarks Hyatt Hotels & Resorts® and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. ©2011 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.
If You're Not Barefoot, You're Overdressed!
CWA29050.01_Ad.indd 1
9/20/11 3:48 PM
Honda Grand Prix
Below: The Honda Grand Prix of St Petersburg rolls through town every spring with the IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights and the American Le Mans Series. Bottom: Baseball fans head south in the spring to catch Grapefruit League action with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Visit St Petersburg/Clearwater
Fully Equipped, Spacious Condominiums • Complete Kitchens • Free Internet & Long Distance • Heated Pool
• BBQ Grills and Fishing Dock • 75 Steps to the Beach
STEPS AWAY FROM THE BEACH-RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET! 19417 Gulf Boulevard Indian Shores, Florida 33785
Call toll free: 800-996-5303 www.barefootbeachresort.com
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The top shopping treasures come from the sea in Tarpon Springs, but you’ll also find great Greek food and unique antiques.
Treasure Hunt Hidden Shopping & Dining Gems Only The Locals Know
Visit St Petersburg/Clearwater
By Merle Rosenstein Taking time out from the beach to refuel and recharge is essential. Nothing energizes a shopaholic more than a standout session of retail therapy and fantastic food. Retail Therapy
Fantastic Food
Whether it’s picking the perfect bikini for the beach or selecting souvenirs for folks back home, visitors will find it all in St Pete/Clearwater. The variety of malls, flea markets, souvenir shops, antique and specialty stores and boutiques will impress even the most seasoned shopper. Here are a handful of shopping hot spots: • Beach Drive in downtown St Petersburg is a diamond and pearl shopping destination with old and new jewelry stores.
Whether it’s a mid-afternoon snack on the waterfront or a full-course meal at a high-end restaurant, dining in St Pete/ Clearwater is a real treat. Will it be seafood on the beach or ethnic eats downtown? Here are some tempting suggestions: You can’t say you’ve been to St Pete/ Clearwater without trying a grouper sandwich. Locals stand by Frenchy’s family of restaurants. The Hurricane Seafood Restaurant, on Pass-a-Grille Beach, offers sensational views of the Gulf, live music and dancing in a casual atmosphere. On nearby Tierra Verde, Billy’s Stone Crab Restaurant features sweet scallops, Gulf Stream mahi mahi, fresh Florida flounder and stone crabs fresh from the ocean. Relax and listen to live music at the rooftop bar. The Island Way Grill on Clearwater Beach serves up Rim/continental/island cuisine including lollipop conch fritters and bamboo salmon. Over at the Palm Pavilion Bar & Grill they have been serving up free sunsets along with steaks, seafood and chicken since 1926. And locals swear by their great kids’ menu. St Pete/Clearwater has a myriad of ethnic restaurants started by immigrants to the area. Three restaurants stand out among the mix. Both locations of the Columbia
• The Crislip Arcade, built in 1926, has eight galleries. The architecturally interesting arcade features Cuban floor tiles, tall ceilings with iron chandeliers and a huge iron gate. • Gulfport features art from recycled glass, hand-made goat’s milk soap, elaborate painted kites on offer in this colourful waterfront district. • Historic Corey Avenue, St Pete Beach’s main street, has an eclectic assortment of independent stores offering everything from beads to Christmas ornaments to top-notch cigars and custom jewelry. • Tarpon Springs’ top treasures come from the sea. In the historic downtown area, visitors will find gourmet delights and antiques stores.
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Restaurant (on the fourth floor of The Pier in downtown St Petersburg; Sand Key in Clearwater Beach) prepare traditional Spanish dishes. (Insider tip: The 1905 salad is amazing.) Mykonos Restaurant, a family-run establishment in Tarpon Springs is known as an authentic Greek dining spot. Moon Under Water, a mix of Indian and British foods is a pub-style restaurant overlooking the busy downtown area and Straub Park. The restaurant offers curry dishes, salads and shepherd’s pie. For more information, go to www.VisitStPeteClearwater.com
Many local restaurants like The Hurricane Seafood Restaurant offer sensational views and amazing seafood.
S t. p e t e r s b u r g c l e a r w at e r w w w. V i s i t S t P e t e C l e a r w a t e r. c o m
All Suites Resort Located directly on the Gulf of Mexico
Get a Suite for the price of a room Relax in our tropical paradise. Combining amazing comfort with the magic of the Gulf beaches. • Suites with fully equipped kitchens • Private balcony or patios • Tennis, playground, volleyball • Cookout deck with gas grills • Cabana Beach Bar • Grab & Go Gift Shop • Two heated pools, Two Jacuzzis • Free parking and No Resort Fees Located on thirteen tropical acres of privately owned white beachfront directly on the Gulf of Mexico, the Sirata offers 382 rooms with 170 suites. Enjoy three beachfront pools, water sports & cabanas. There are three casual eateries: Compass Grille, Rum Runners Bar & Grille and Harry’s Beach Bar, a locals institution. Lobby Lounge is open late for an intimate setting. Relax in a hammock and enjoy the views. Sunsets are complimentary.
Offering Great rates through WestJet, Transat & Thomas Cook or book with us direct.
Imagine… It’s all here. 5300 Gulf Boulevard • St. Pete Beach, FL
1-866-843-0673 • www.sirata.com Independently owned and operated. Not affiliated with any other hotels or resort properties.
5900 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach 800-237-2530 • 727-360-5957 www.AldenBeachResort.com info@aldenbeachresort.com
57 Canadian Traveller
OCTOBER 2011
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ST PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER
Home Away
from
home
Grand Ladies, Superior Small Lodgings & Condo Rentals Fit The Bill
Visit St Petersburg/Clearwater
After the day’s beach adventures, or artistic explorations, it is always nice to have a comfortable place to come home to. And the St Pete/Clearwater area has something for just about every taste and budget, from world-class resorts to family-friendly properties. Settle into a Superior Small Lodging retreat, stow your luggage at a downtown hotel, or unpack at a kid-pleasing beach motel.... The options are endless.
Seaside luxury at the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa.
The area is home to many types of properties, from historic to luxury to quaint and cozy. Two of the grandest are also the most historic, including the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club and the Loews Don CeSar Hotel. Both “Pink Ladies” as they are affectionately known, debuted in the 1920s and have been the epitome of elegance on the local skyline. Today, the Vinoy offers guests a private marina, 18-hole golf course and 12-court tennis complex along with a great waterfront location and 361 rooms and suites. The Don CeSar has 340 rooms and suites and hosts more than 400 weddings a year at its wonderful beachfront location. Both ladies are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa represents a more modern vision, with 250 rooms and suites perched between the Gulf of Mexico and the Intracoastal Waterway. The property is the centrepiece of Clearwater Beach’s Beach Walk. “Delightful, serene, indulgent…” are just some of the words guests have used to describe their stay in one of the area’s local Superior Small Lodging properties. Boasting exceptional quality and personalized service, these properties are subject to the most rigorous onsite inspections in Florida and proprietors make special efforts to provide extra attention to the details and quality of their guest’s stay. Choose from beautifully appointed boutique hotels, spectacular beach cottages, elegant, spacious villas or romantic B&Bs. These properties can be found in Gulf and bayfront locations, authentic small towns and downtowns or just off the beaten path. Vacation condo rentals are also very popular. The Condo Alliance of the Tampa Bay Beaches provides visitors with numerous vacation rental choices, from full-service condo-hotels to well-appointed resorts. This network of more than 20 resort condominium management companies has come together for the first time to ensure high quality accommodations and consistent standards of excellence among its member properties. For more information, go to www.visitstpeteclearwater.com
St Petersburg/CLEARWATER – A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE OCTOBER 2011 ISSUE OF CANADIAN TRAVELLER Published 12 times a year by
Printed in Canada
14
OctoBer 2011
Contents © 2011 by ACT Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. ISBN 1207-1463 Canadian Traveller 58
201-2080 Hartley Avenue Coquitlam, BC Canada V3K 6W5 Tel: (604) 699-9990 Fax: (604) 699-9993