While some of our nation’s gift givers are busy ordering the latest trendy frigid-weather presents – Capes? Pettable faux fur outerwear? (Is feather knit truly pettable?) we who live with summer in our souls remain in a sunshine state of mind when it comes to giving gifts. 65% of travelers are dreaming of a warm coastal getaway. We are here...
While “extreme” and “relaxing” will never live in the same sentence in our world, we found it fascinating that this is an actual thing. It happened in England, this Extreme Relaxing Competition. Good for them, to put so much importance on relaxing that it’s become a contest…. But whew, that sounds like pressure! Ready, set, RELAX!!! Relaxation is the #1...
And we found the perfect bungalow for your home base. When you hear “This town has undergone an amazing transformation into a vibrant beach destination,” you absolutely want to go to see for yourself, right? This happened for us, so we went to check out Pompano Beach for ourselves. And for you! Transformations spark curiosity and excitement: How did they...
It’s the beyond that will call to you. At Marrero’s Guest Mansion you’ll be in the ideal vantage point to experience Duval Street and beyond. You’ll take a right out your front door for Duval Street – a half block away! And Mallory Square is just a ten-minute walk. Go left for the path less traveled. Once you’ve gotten your...
There may be few ‘best-kept secret’ lodgings in Key West anymore, but there will always be hidden gems. With five million visitors a year on this seven square mile island, how can anything be a secret? But we’ve found a hidden gem – an oasis, really – you may not know about: Winslow’s Bungalows. Winslow’s Bungalows, Est. 1856, is part...
You know why we fiercely champion non-chain hotels, right? Our mission all along has been to stay, dine, drink, and shop at small businesses. The big guys don’t need our dollars, our input, or my long-form articles raving about how cool and unique they are. (Because to be honest, they often are neither of those.) Small boutique hotels, bungalow-style clusters...
You read that right. Beaches, Bars & Bungalows travel blog is now also a TV SHOW. Who knew when we began eleven years ago, showing you the coolest under-the-tourist-radar coastal towns in Florida to put on your next-visit list, that our mission to champion locally owned small businesses would blow up, in the very best way possible. Into a beautiful,...
There is no other destination in all of Florida quite like Cedar Key. With a population of less than 800, maybe 12,000 visitors a year, and a remote location at the end of one long road, this small town isn’t on everyone’s travel list. And that’s the beauty of Cedar Key. Visitors vacation here for kayaking, fishing, observing nature, strolling...
Immediately captivating, with fresh additions of contemporary and a whole lot of conviviality – Apalachicola. Old world charm plus new world cool. This town boasts an award-winning Main Street association and the friendliest residents. Apalachicola might even mean “the land of friendly people,” but that also may be a tiny twist of the Hitchoti Indian words, a gentle mash-up by...
And you thought America’s oldest settlement was St. Augustine. Pensacola has been drawing thoughtful attention lately, and for good reason. These days travelers are seeking fewer hot-spots lauded by mainstream trend-forecasters (which sounds to us like a horrible job.) Under-the-radar towns rich in history and brimming with bigger city amenities are coming to the fore. More of us are looking for experiences...
