The Sunshine Sabbatical (A Florida Travel Blog)

Florida is going through a repulsive real estate saga that threatens the fragile ecosystem of a beautiful state that is very dependent on the people living in it. Otto’s High Dive is what happens when you develop with a plan and a willingness to maintain the natural beauty of the Sunshine State.

Juno Beach is one of those cozy quiet Florida beach towns full of beautiful sights, even if shuts down early when compared to the likes of Tampa Bay and the Miami Zone. Here is my recommendation on how to spend a full day there.

The Monroe is a wonderful venue of great food and drinks, but potentially suffering from the ongoing lack of activity within the empty and aesthetically lifeless Creative Village

One of my favorite experiences in the diverse and energetic Downtown Toronto is a multi-story gastropub with such an engaging personality, its impossible to leave the venue without a smile.

Clermont’s Citrus Tower is a delightful old-school Floridian attraction that has relaxed vibes, good coffee, and a vantage point of the Sunshine State that clearly displays its past, present, and future—-the good and the bad.

Spent a day and a half in one of Florida’s crown jewels of the West Coast. Sarasota is a fun mix of great food, great vibes, top-notch beaches, and beautiful scenery that can warm the coldest of hearts.

Located in the middle of a busy but beautiful Brooklyn neighborhood is an absolute gem——a gem that is also impossible to duplicate in other regions of the United States that lacks the foresight and desire of building walkable communities.

I once insulted Hainan chicken, which took me on a journey towards a small eatery in a small market serving some of the biggest flavors in all the Sunshine State.

I spent 30 hours in the beautiful, historic, and delightful Downtown St. Augustine and here are all the places I visited and ultimately recommend.

Sunnyside (Flower) Cafe every week has an uphill battle for economic success despite its quality. I argue it doesn’t have to be this way.

Bucee’s stores are becoming so big that they need to be built out of town because of the space needed. To me, that’s a problem, regardless of how good those brisket sandwiches can be.

The battle against A.I. doesn’t have to be a difficult one if we’re collectively willing to understand the risks and understand the importance of places like these.

One of the brightest stars in the culinary sky above Central Florida, Susuru is a dazzling array of sights, sounds, tastes, alcohols, and experiences confined to a modern American version of an izakaya space.

Mecato’s Bakery is the latest instance of Latin Americans gifting Central Florida their talents of producing incredible desserts.

A Fall 2023 visit to Maitland Art Center revealed a beautiful and necessary display of Americana life through photographs and intimate audio.

Central Park is amazing, crucial, groundbreaking, essential (an unfortunate example of displacement of Black Americans), and overall the example of green space that all major cities must follow if we plan on continuing as a functioning and breathable country moving forward.

The Edge in New York City is more than a tourist trap, its a reminder and a representation of all the success, potential, and variety created by immigrants within the boroughs and nearby areas.

Montreal’s ability to entertain and delight tourists and locals despite the harsh weather remains a marvel that’s worthy of visiting. That being said, if you’re going to the Botanical Garden, its best to experience it far far away from the wintertime.

This beautiful church that is a cornerstone of the diverse and vibrant Montreal can also come off as hollow considering that recent attitudes North America has held against migrants and those seeking help and a better life.

Montreal has an impressive array of hidden coffee shop gems scattered throughout the city that serve as refuge during Canada’s coldest and harshest days. Cafe Pista is one of my favorite examples of this delightful phenomenon.