The Sunshine Sabbatical (A Florida Travel Blog)

Disney’s Boardwalk area features a slew of dining options, lounges, places to relax, and hidden treats. I provide a list of places and food items I personally really enjoyed.

Jupiter Beach is a delightful beach town with tons of natural diversity ranging from beaches to parks to preserves. But for a simple visit to this beautiful region, here is my simple itinerary for enjoying a great afternoon by the ocean.

One of Florida’s many treasured secrets adored by locals, Lake Alfred’s signature attraction is a slew of wonderful stores supported by a picnic-coded restaurant that transforms weekend backyard classics into seriously good food.

Mount Dora is a delightful classic Florida locale with a charming downtown next to a beautiful chain of lakes. This is a sample itinerary on how I spent an entire afternoon there.

The Mills Market has become a delightfully tasty example of a place that should (but doesn’t) exist in Downtown Orlando as a highlight of the city’s understated diversity.

One of the most impressive parks in the entire Sunshine State, Bonnet Springs is the final result of an amazing transformation from abandoned railyard to an urban green space that helps put Lakeland on the map.

Clearwater has a touristy stretch that is guaranteed a good time for all who visit. However, if you want to visit the beach city and engage in a different kind of experience, I have three spots that are perfect for everybody.

Epic Universe had all the opportunities imaginable to become a Disney-threatening, world-class park. Instead, its a mirror reflection of America’s shortcomings in spite of potential.

Mazzaro’s Italian Market is the rare market that is so good, it might even convince you to switch cities just so you can be permanently closer to the energy, variety, and quality that is found here on a consistent basis.

Third places are disappearing all over the country, especially in Florida where real estate has become a source of foreign investment income. Austin’s Coffee’s journey highlights its importance to a population losing options for community socializing.

Winter Park is a superb mix of classic Florida nature with quality restaurant and shopping options. Here is how to spend a full day in Winter Park without having to drive beyond a one-mile radius.

The Florida Aquarium is a delightful display of Florida’s beauty, diversity, and fragility within all her waterways and paths towards the ocean and beyond.

One of my favorite destinations in all of South Florida, the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk is miles of options, beautiful ocean waters, nice sandy beaches, and enough delightful walkability to make the rest of the Sunshine State jealous.

In the final chapter of my series about the massive Renniger’s Flea Market, I discuss the potential future of a green space that used to belong to artists, and might someday bring them back to the area with a bit of love and determination.

Renniger’s flea market is massive but just half the story. The nearby antique store is like stepping into a giant time capsule of a world that used to exist, managed and maintained by a delightful assortment of vendors offering centuries of items and relics of the past.

One of the largest flea markets in all of Florida is a giant adventure through the different corners of Americana, where pretty much anything you can think of is likely for sale here.

I write about an awesome Mills 50 bar representing a lesser-known spirit with an elongated history of banishment, and how absinthe’s history is repeated with the current controversies surrounding marijuana.

The best new restaurant from 2025 is a Hawaiian diner that perfectly blends quality traditional flavors with great diverse platters that stretches beyond the Pacific Ocean

The Tides Seafood Market features my favorite meal of 2025. But places like this are constantly threatened by greedy people willing to sacrifice Florida’s environment to make a few bucks.

Epcot’s success can be tied to its international festival events. But what if we can elevate the party to include the rest of the park and include even more countries?