By Hilda Mitrani It was the bridges that first intrigued me while driving through Jacksonville, considered the architectural gem of the South in the early 20th Century. Today the city's storied past enhances its position as a vibrant metropolis. The City of Seven Bridges, as it’s sometimes…
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Florida’s blessed with some great lakes, but none are so impressive as the greatest of all: Lake Okeechobee – Seminole for ‘Big Water.’ By Gary McKechnie At 730 square miles, Lake Okeechobee is the seventh-largest freshwater lake in America. Encircled by five counties (Okeechobee, Martin…
Read MoreTour a citrus plant, enjoy some orange picking or grab some souvenirs at one of these Florida orange groves. By Gary McKechnie There’s no perfume as sweet as the fragrance of citrus blossoms, and few sights are as beautiful as a citrus grove bursting with oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, and…
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By Florence Beth Snyder Arts and smarts fill the air at New College of Florida, where 800 of the most academically gifted students in Florida’s state university system study in breathtaking winter palaces built by the family behind the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus. Florida’s flagship…
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By Colette Bancroft It’s a glorious day to be out on the water, a sunny morning with fresh breezes and little jade-green waves rippling across Sarasota Bay. The Sarasota Bay Explorers eco-boat tour at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is more than a sweet ride, though. It’s an up-close way to…
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By Florence Beth Snyder “You'll love the person you become here,” is the motto of St. Leo University. “Here” is the university's residential campus in St. Leo, on the edge of Lake Jovita, a half-hour north and a world away from Tampa International Airport. Since 1889, when the Florida…
Read MoreFor visitors to Redland in Florida, the history and subtropical climate combine to create memorable experiences you won’t find anywhere else. By Bonnie Gross Visitors to Miami expect a big urban city with a sophisticated South Beach style. And all that can be found, in abundance. Few may realize…
Read MoreDiscover the secret world behind the gates of the most prestigious Ocala horse farms. By Lauren Tjaden The three young horses formed a semi-circle around me, leaning against the fence separating us. A bay colt pressed his whiskers into my ear, tickling me until I giggled…
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By Nicole Hutcheson There are some places that are better experienced by foot than by car. Downtown Fort Myers' historic district is one of those places. The area has the largest concentration of historic structures still standing in all of Southwest Florida. Clustered within a few miles of each…
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During the cooler autumn weekends, I love exploring Florida's many farmer's markets. It's a great place to find local fruits and artisan foods such as cheeses, jams, fresh baked goods and organic honey. One item I particularly love to hunt for at these markets is local honey, and Florida's got…
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