For most Floridians, swimming pools are synonymous with cannonball contests and the squeaky plastic of neon pool floats, but for Olympic swimmer and Green Cove Springs native Caeleb Dressel, chlorinated waters translated into a world of 5 a.m. wake-up calls, rigorous training regiments and the chance at Olympic gold. Dressel’s first experience with swimming started […]
The one thing that visitors to Martin County notice immediately is the region’s sheer beauty. Vast and largely untouched, the destination’s 22 miles of idyllic beaches with warm water are complemented with more than 100,000 acres of pristine parks and one of the most bio-diverse lagoon ecosystems in the Northern Hemisphere. Seems like we’re not the only […]
When a bright red “V” pops up in an undeveloped lot in Northeast Florida, the locals know what’s coming. The bold letter, which looks like it belongs on the chest of a comic book superhero, denotes the latest location of a V Pizza, the beloved local restaurant chain that started in Jacksonville. To some, the […]
Situated only 10 minutes from the Orlando International Airport, this idyllic community began as a hub for avid golfers, but it has evolved into one of the most innovative and fastest-growing places in Central Florida. Stay Lake Nona Wave Hotel: Technology meets luxury at this new Lake Nona gem. Treat yourself by booking a Well+ech […]
Close your eyes and think of Orlando. What’s the first thing that comes to mind? For the majority of people, it’s visions of tourists donning Mickey Mouse T-shirts or Wizarding World of Harry Potter robes. While the attractions are intrinsically woven into the fabric of Central Florida, there are multiple facets to the area—more Michelin than […]
This time of year, when many places in the Sunshine State can feel like a hair dryer on full blast, one needs a respite, something beyond what a dip in a backyard pool or a dive into the intracoastal can provide. One needs the chill of clean mountain air as a reminder of how to […]
Twenty one miles of uncrowded beaches in South Florida sounds like an impossible dream, but the golden sands of St. Lucie make that utopia a reality. And, what’s more is that all of St. Lucie’s beaches are free—no admission or parking fees. Public preservation protects nearly half the coastline, boasting more public beach access per […]
Chaos reigns. Hunkered down inside a rented Ford sedan in a downtown Punta Gorda parking garage, two young men brave the elements as all hell breaks loose around them. It is Sept. 28, 2022, and Hurricane Ian is blasting against Charlotte Harbor amid a terrifying landfall. Within the tenuous shelter of the car, the perspective […]
A salty southern breeze drifts through the window, opening the shutters and carrying a lively mix of Spanish and English voices. Across the street, a bright orange flamboyán sways under a royal palm and the afternoon sun illuminates the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Merced. Enjoy the scene from painter Miguel Pou y Becerra’s […]
