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THE JOURNEY IS THE DESTINATION

Tampa Bay At A Glance

So much to see and do!

Tampa Bay – the second largest metro area in Florida – offers a variety of treasures in the communities that surround its beautiful waters. From gleaming high rises and the rich Latin heritage of Tampa, to St. Petersburg’s European-style charm of café-lined streets along the nation’s most beautiful waterfront, and to Clearwater’s white sand beaches, Tampa Bay offers everything under the sun.

 

A visitor here can enjoy it all within a 45-minute drive from their hotel. Three bridges span Tampa Bay, and the drive yields a spectacular vista of all that is Florida: palm trees, gliding pelicans and dolphins paint a picture of a paradise where summer never ends. Thirty-five miles of some of the best beaches in the world border the Gulf of Mexico: from Clearwater’s pristine Caladesi Island to south beyond St. Petersburg and the expansive Fort de Soto Beach. Here, fresh grouper is king, and golden sunsets are the dessert to cap off a perfect day in the sun.

 

Just minutes away in downtown St. Petersburg, this resort city boomed while the big bands played and is now home to a thriving arts community. Seven arts districts, dozens of galleries, world-class museums such as the Dali Museum and the Chihuly Collection, and a rising curtain on a host of performing arts rival the best arts cities in the world. And, sandwiched between museums and galleries, is stylish Beach Drive, a European promenade with open-air cafés overlooking beautiful waterfront parks, Mediterranean-tiled towers and the masts of sailboats.

 

Tampa’s Busch Gardens is not only one of America’s most popular theme parks with heart-palpitating roller-coasters, but it is also home to one of the largest zoos in the United States. Downtown Tampa’s Riverwalk provides a linear path past the Tampa Museum of Art, Curtis Hixon Park and the city’s gleaming business district. And less than a minute away, the Ybor City Historic District, where former cigar factories transformed into restaurants and nightclubs and the smell of Cuban coffee seems to seep from the old hexagon block sidewalks.

 

From the shores of Tampa Bay, discover everything from 21st century cities embracing the future, to spine tingling roller-coasters, the crack of a Major League Baseball bat and the perfect place to nestle your toes in the sand. We invite you to explore and discover the treasures of Tampa Bay.

 

Come On Baby, Light My Fire:

Corona Cigar Co Is Smokin’ Hot!

The cigar industry in Tampa began in 1886 when Vicente Martinez Ybor, visiting from Key West, bought 40 acres of land and founded Ybor City. From that beginning and for more than 50 years thereafter, Ybor City became the “Cigar Capitol of the World.”

 

Today, Ybor City is home to just a handful of cigar makers, but it remains a popular destination for cigar aficionados. And that brings us to tobacco farmer and entrepreneur, Jeff Borysiewicz. Founder of Orlando’s prestigious Corona Cigar Company, Jeff Borysiewicz, chose Tampa’s Ybor City neighborhood as home to his fourth world-renown cigar bar. Corona Cigar Company can be found in Orlando, Lake Mary/Heathrow, Tampa, and the newest location opened late last year in Sarasota.

 

Borysiewicz’s Corona Cigar Company is now recognized as the global leader in luxury cigar

experiences and its ultra-premium cigar lounges and bars are simply off the charts.

 

You’ll find the best selection of the rarest and finest

premium cigars available anywhere in the world, including limited editions from famous international cigar makers that are exclusive to Corona Cigar Co. And get this: if you’re really a serious cigar connoisseur, Corona Cigar has one of the largest collections of extremely rare vintage, pre-embargo, pre-Castro Cuban cigars.

 

The Tampa location boasts over 5,000 square feet of humidified space, private lockers, multiple lounges both indoor and out, and an elegant full-service bar showcasing the most extensive collection of whiskies and small batch bourbons in Tampa. All in all, there are over 600 spirits on hand including rare pours like Johnnie Walker King George V blended Scotch whisky and The Macallan 62-year-old single malt Scotch. With one of the largest selections of small batch bourbon, the bar also serves several craft cocktails made with Corona’s Single Barrel picks that are the perfect pairing for a cigar, as well as tequila, rum, wine, and beer.

 

The real stars of the show are Corona Cigar’s exceptional handcrafted cigars and limited editions. Kick back with a Davidoff Corona Cigar Tampa Exclusive, FSG by Drew Estate, J.C. Newman The American, Army of Angel’s, Corona Dominican and Nicaraguan Anniversary, or savor special featured cigars from renowned brands like Padron, Montecristo, Arturo Fuente, Romeo y Julieta, and more. The stores also feature a big assortment of luxury cigar accessories including humidors, lighters, cutters and more.

You can find the newest Corona Cigar Co. in Sarasota at 22 N Lemon Ave (941-240-9711); as well as in Tampa at 4142 W Boy Scout Blvd (813-513- 75600); in Orlando at 127 Orange Ave (407-404-5344) and at 7792 W Sand Lake (407-248-1212); and also in Lake Mary/Heathrow at 1130 TownPark Ave in Colonial TownPark (407-333-3453).

For more info on any one of Jeff Borysiewicz’s smoking hot cigar emporiums, hit up coronacigar.com.

Grab Your Flip Flops & Salt Shaker –

Margaritaville at Sea Ready to Sail from Port Tampa

 

Get ready to float into island time in an entirely new way! Starting June 14, Margaritaville at Sea’s flagship, the Margaritaville at Sea Islander, will

sail four and five night cruises to sunsoaked stops in Key west, Cozumel, and Progreso.

 

The new, fully-reimagined ship, which spans twelve passenger decks with spacious balconies, boasts a whopping 1,100 staterooms outfitted with gorgeous custom

furnishings including Margaritaville’s signature bedding, pillows, and linens. In all, there are more than 700 Breezy Balcony staterooms, Grand Terrace Suites, luxurious Corner Suites, and ultra-exclusive Islander suites. The ship also features a soaring

14-story atrium with a unique nautical Margaritaville flip flop, as well as a lively atrium bar outfitted with three awe-inspiring multi-story floating margarita glass chandeliers.

 

But that’s just the beginning. The entertainment-packed cruise is guaranteed to  immerse you in the “Margaritaville Stateof Mind.” Exclusive innovations like a three-story poolside LandShark Bar at Sea, Margaritavilleinspired corn hole, Paradise Pickle ball, and challenging mini-golf course are flanked by new family friendly spaces like the Caribbean Amphibian Splash and Slide. Hungry? Flip flop on over to signature eateries like Cheeseburger in Paradise, JWB Prime Steakhouse, Rita’s Taco House, Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria, or the Margaritaville Coffee Shop

The Margaritaville at Sea can comfortably accommodate up to 2,650 adventure-seekers and the ship’s first available sailing is coming up on June 14. The four night trip departs from Port Tampa Bay and includes two days at sea with a stop in Cozumel, Mexico. The port’s cruise terminals are easy to navigate and provide a variety of unique and interesting activities just steps from the Margaritaville at Sea Islander.

For additional news, updates, and exclusive access to preview incentives on the Margaritaville at Sea Islander, visit and book now at MargaritavilleAtSea.com.

BTW: Don’t forget your salt shaker!

The Florida Orchestra

features Rick Steves

For the first time, celebrity travel expert

Rick Steves will join The Florida Orchestra

and Music Director Michael Francis in person

onstage as a guide to some of the most iconic sights and sounds of Europe. Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey with The Florida Orchestra will be March 16, 2024, at 2 pm and 8 pm at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg.

 

Both include a pre-concert talk with Steves one hour before the performance in the concert hall. Reserved-seat tickets are on sale now at FloridaOrchestra.org.

 

Breathtaking sights of Italy, England, France, Norway and more will fill the big screen as the PBS star shares personal stories and insight at each stop, matched with musical selections such as Beethoven, Elgar, Grieg and Verdi. Maestro Francis conducts.

 

Rick Steves, America’s most respected

authority on European travel, is a popular

public television host, a best-selling

guidebook author and an outspoken

activist who encourages Americans to

broaden their perspectives through travel.

 

Other top concerts this spring at The Florida Orchestra:

Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto

(Feb 23-25): Michael Francis conducts

Beethoven’s final and most heroic piano

concerto, featuring Beethoven expert

Javier Perianes. Program includes Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life) in the Hough Family Foundation Masterworks.

Disco Fever (May 3-5): It’s a Boogie

Wonderland featuring That’s the Way (I

Like It), It’s Raining Men, We Are Family, I

Will Survive, Staying Alive, The Hustle and

more. Enrico Lopez-Yanez conducts in the

Raymond James Pops series.

All tickets at FloridaOrchestra.org

Brioche Bread Pudding

From Award-Winning Bascom’s Chop House

Acclaimed Chef Tony Bonanno from the award-winning Bascom’s Chophouse in Clearwater also overseas all food and beverages services at the luxe Karol Hotel. Molecular Gastronomy is Tony’s specialty and his use of new and exciting methods are creating a big buzz with local foodies. Here’s one of our favorite recipes for bread pudding.

 

INGREDIENTS

1 Lb Brioche Bread -

diced into 1/2 inch pieces

2 Cups Heavy Cream

2 Whole Eggs

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon

1 Tbs Vainilla Extract

1 Tsp Nutmeg

1/4 Cup Golden Raisins

Brioche Bread Pudding

 

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange diced brioches on a cookie. Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until crispy. In the meantime, combine the remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat until fluffy.

Once the bread has cooled, mix both together. Pour into a greased 4x9 baking pan and bake for 40 minutes covered and another 10 minutes uncovered. Cool over night. To serve, warm in the microwave and add your favorite sauce or ice cream. Enjoy!

OTHER FLORIDA HAPPENINGS

MONTHLY

Every Third Friday Music Walk

River District, Fort Myers: From 6pm to 10pm there is a wide variety of live music throughout the streets of the historic downtown Fort Myers River District, including restaurants, art galleries and bars. For more information visit FortMyersRiverDistrictAlliance.com

 

Daily

Climb to the Moon

Ponce Inlet: Experience spectacular views of the sunset and moonrise at the top of Florida’s tallest lighthouse. The lighthouse

keeper will lead you on your journey into the past to discover the unique history of this National Historic Landmark. Reservations

are a MUST and limited ticketing up to 25 people. This is a rain or shine event. Takes place on the date of the full moon at Ponce

Inlet Lighthouse, 4931 S. Peninsula Dr. Call for times. Info: 386-761-1821 ext 10; ponceinlet.org.

 

April 19 - 28

42nd Annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration

Key West: This raucous annual event commemorates the founding of our Conch Republic. The celebration includes a ton of fun events,

including a big Kick-Off Party, Conch Republic Music Party, Boat Parade, Art & Craft Fair, Pirates’ Ball, Red Ribbon Bed Races, a wacky

“Drag Queen” Race,and much more. Info: 305-296-0213; conchrepublic.com

 

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