Florida Travel Fanatics

Send a text

We recently made a long weekend trip to Marco Island, Florida, on the southern end of the Gulf Coast.    In this episode we'll share our experiences and give you some ideas about how you can visit Marco Island and tips on restaurants, fishing, lodging, weather, beaches, etc. 

We'll also share our experiences at two Tampa Michelin rated restaurants, Clarke's day at the Dunedin Celtic Music and Craft Beer Festival, a trip to the Florida Aquarium, positive changes to TSA's airport security lanes, and some suggestions for winter activities here in Florida.

Take our survey on Florida Digital Travel guides:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LTV5ZXQ

Our Links  :
Subscribe to our Newsletter
www.FloridaTravelFanatics.com
Our YouTube Channel
Instagram
Twitter
Monthly $$ contribution to help support our Podcast
Join our Facebook Group
Email  :  [email protected]

Olivia's Italian Restaurant in South Tampa

Street Light Taco in South Tampa

The Florida Aquarium in Tampa

Dunedin Scottish Arts Foundation

Tampa's Gasparilla Pirate Fest

Central Florida Scottish Highland Games

Florida RV Supershow

Marco Island Historical Society

Davinci's Italian Restaurant in Marco Island

Tigertail Beach, Marco Island

(00:00)  Introduction

(01:06) What in the Florida have we done lately ?  
(12:23) Florida Travel News
(18:44) Florida Travel Tips
(22:08) Main Topic : Marco Island Trip

Support the show

Send a text

The Atlantic Hurricane Season is tricky, especially here in Florida.   We're 2/3rds of the way through the peak of this years season, and it's been quiet but odd.   Join us as we explain it,  and as usual we've got some great Florida restaurants to talk about !   A BBQ brisket sandwich on a donut !   And a Michelin recommended English restaurant in affluent South Tampa.   

Take our survey on Florida Digital Travel guides:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LTV5ZXQ

Our Links  :
Subscribe to our Newsletter
www.FloridaTravelFanatics.com
Our YouTube Channel
Instagram
Twitter
Monthly $$ contribution to help support our Podcast
Join our Facebook Group
Email  :  [email protected]

Playalinda Beach Canaveral Seashore - our IG Reel

Third Culture Kitchen    our IG Reel

Smoke and Donuts, in the Milk District Orlando

Bellows Film Lab, in the Milk District Orlando    our IG Reel

Orlando Beer Festival in the Milk District in November

Weatherman Denis Phillips Facebook Page

(00:00)  Introduction

(01:13) What in the Florida have we done lately ?  
(17:01) Florida Travel News
(22:46) Florida Travel Tips
(26:27) Main Topic : Hurricane Season 2025 Update September

Support the show

Send a text

Join us as we recap our wonderful 37th anniversary getaway to Fort Myers, Florida! In this episode, we share tips for planning a Florida road trip—even when the weather’s a little unpredictable. Hear about our stay in the historic Altamonte neighborhood, just ¾ mile from downtown Fort Myers with walkable access to restaurants, breweries, speakeasies, and more.

We explore the Sanibel Causeway, visit Bowman Beach and charming Captiva, cruise through Fort Myers Beach and downtown Naples, and celebrate the 4th of July with $2 oysters and fireworks. Plus, hear about our coastal crawl up Florida’s Gulf Coast through Nokomis, Casey Key, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Coquina Beach, and Holmes Beach.

If you’re planning a Fort Myers vacation, Gulf Coast beach trip, or Florida road trip itinerary—this episode is packed with helpful insights and local favorites !

Our Links  :
Subscribe to our Newsletter
www.FloridaTravelFanatics.com
Our YouTube Channel
Instagram
Twitter
Monthly $$ contribution to help support our Podcast
Join our Facebook Group
Email  :  [email protected]

OCC Roadhouse.    Our IG Reel 

Largo Central Park Performing Arts Center

Dunedin Highland Games   Our IG Reel

Downtown Fort Myers River District

Edison & Ford Winter Estates

Izzy's Fish & Oyster Restaurant  Our IG Reel

86 Room Speakeasy  Our IG Reel

Downtown House of Pizza

Coastal Dayz Brewery

Support the show

Send a text

The IndyCar Grand Prix of St Petersburg is something we enjoy every year, and we can't recommend it enough.   Downtown St Petersburg Florida comes alive with incredibly fast cars (up to almost 200 mph) and highly skilled drivers.   In this episode we'll talk about it in detail, and let you know how you can enjoy attending this race.  

Our Links  :
Subscribe to our Newsletter
www.FloridaTravelFanatics.com
Our YouTube Channel
Instagram
Twitter
Monthly $$ contribution to help support our Podcast
Join our Facebook Group
Email  :  [email protected]

Florida Man Games Website

Florida Man Games promo video (watch this!!) 

SOF (Special Operations Forces) Demo video from 2024 (incredible!)

Tampa's Bay's "Bay Area Renfest" 

Key West "Southern Most Air Spectacular" Airshow

AirDotShow in Fort Lauderdale

AirDotShow in Cocoa Beach

AirDotShow at Orlando Sanford Airport

Michelin Guide for Florida Restaurants

St Pete Grand Prix website

Oak and Stone Restaurant Downtown St Pete Craft Beer and Artisan Pizza

(00:00)  Introduction

(02:16) What in the Florida have we done lately ?  
(09:05) Florida Travel News
(18:40) Florida Travel Tips
(22:29) Main Topic : How to enjoy the Grand Prix of Saint Petersburg Florida

Support the show

Send a text

We love travel planning, and have never considered using a travel agent.  Why would we ?  You can do everything online, right ?   Well, we recently had a conversation with our good friend Chance Williams, a travel agent.  He opened our eyes to the value of using a travel agent, and we learned that most travel agents don't charge you anything for their services.   And they have access to information, bookings, discounts, etc.  and special access only for travel agents with airlines, cruise lines, hotels, resorts, etc.   In this episode we interview Chance and he explains how it all works, and how a travel agent can book a trip for you, or validate and improve on a trip you've already put together.    Buckle your seatbelt and learn, just like we did !  

YouTube Video Podcast version of this episode

Chance Williams contact info :   832-725-8666

[email protected]

[email protected]

Our Links  :
Subscribe to our Newsletter
www.FloridaTravelFanatics.com
Our YouTube Channel
Instagram
Twitter
Monthly $$ contribution to help support our Podcast
Join our Facebook Group
Email  :  [email protected]

Krewe of St Yago Knight Parade, Ybor City Tampa

Orlando Solar Bears Hockey Team

SS United States Conservancy Website

Grand Prix of Saint Pete Indy Car Race Weekend

Tampa Bay Area Renaissance Festival

(00:00)  Introduction

(01:17) What in the Florida have we done lately ?  
(08:40) Florida Travel News
(13:08) Florida Travel Tips
(19:05) Main Topic : How to Enjoy professional and college sports in Florida

Support the show

Send a text

Winter is a great time to be in Florida !  In this episode we'll talk about winter activities, travel suggestions, and give some locals tips on how to maximize a winter trip to Florida.     Bring a sweatshirt ! 

Our Links  :
Subscribe to our Newsletter
www.FloridaTravelFanatics.com
Our YouTube Channel
Instagram
Twitter
Monthly $$ contribution to help support our Podcast
Join our Facebook Group
Email  :  [email protected]

Instagram Page for Nosey Goat Coffee Shop in downtown Tampa

"Eating at a Meeting" Podcast page

Knight's of Saint Yago Pirate Parade in Ybor City Tampa

Florida's Grapefruit League Spring Training Baseball games

Our Podcast episode on Kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboarding in Florida

Our Podcast episode on Bike Riding in Florida

Our Podcast episode on Hiking in Florida

Our Podcast episode on how to enjoy Florida Manatees

VisitFlorida.com landing page for Winter Activities

(00:00) Introduction

(00:54)  What in the Florida have we done lately ?  
(10:30) Florida Travel News
(16:37) Florida Travel Tips
(20:37) Main Topic : How to Enjoy professional and college sports in Florida

Support the show

Send a text

We recently spent a long weekend in the Florida Keys !   This has been a Bucket List trip for us for quite awhile, and we had an amazing trip and we're glad to share it with you !   There's a lot to talk about, so we're splitting this into two episodes.   In this second of two episodes, we'll talk about the trip back from Key West and and overnight stay in Islamorada, as well as a fun stop we made in the Everglades on our way back to our home in Tampa.

Our Links  :
Subscribe to our Newsletter
www.FloridaTravelFanatics.com
Our YouTube Channel
Instagram
Twitter
Monthly $$ contribution to help support our Podcast
Join our Facebook Group
Email  :  [email protected]

Mel's Hot Dog Restaurant near Busch Gardens Tampa

Tampa Citipass (great price on 5 major attractions in Tampa)

Local Miami news story about the new Publix with boat dock in Hollywood Beach

VisitFlorida.com article about Holiday Boat Parades in Florida

FloridaRambler.com comprehensive list of Holiday Boat Parades in Florida

Trans Siberian Orchestra website

Ragged Edge Resort and Marina, Islamorada

Mangrove Mike's breakfast cafe, Islamorada

History of Diving Museum, Islamorada

Clyde Butcher's Everglades Photography Gallery

Support the show

Send a text

We recently spent a long weekend in the Florida Keys !   This has been a Bucket List trip for us for quite awhile, and we had an amazing trip and we're glad to share it with you !   There's a lot to talk about, so we're splitting this into two episodes.   In this first episode, we'll talk about the 8 hour drive from Tampa to Key West, including lunch in Key Largo.   We hope we can give you some tips and ideas for your own Keys trip !! 

Our Links  :
Subscribe to our Newsletter
www.FloridaTravelFanatics.com
Our YouTube Channel
Instagram
Twitter
Monthly $$ contribution to help support our Podcast
Join our Facebook Group
Email  :  [email protected]

PayByPhone parking app
ParkMobile parking app

Key Largo Fisheries Market Cafe and Marina
AirBnb for 1019 Varela Street in Old Town (amazing!)
Oasis Restaurant
First Flight Restaurant
Faustos Grocery Store
Frenchies Cafe
Hemingway Home & Museum

Support the show

Send a text

In this special "double hurricane" episode, we'll talk in depth about Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which hit Florida within 13 days of each other.    We live fairly close to the Gulf of Mexico and experienced it first hand.   We didn't spend much time editing this episode because we wanted you to hear it within just a few days after Milton and hear our experience and perspective.   This episode was recorded just 6 days after Milton, which gave us time to see the aftermath first hand.   As we recorded this episode, there are still flooded roads and homes, thousands without power, and life is just starting to go back to normal here on the affected areas of Florida.   Our thoughts and prayers go out to all people affected by these storms, including people in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and especially western North Carolina.   

Our Links  :
Subscribe to our Newsletter
www.FloridaTravelFanatics.com
Our YouTube Channel
Instagram
Twitter
Monthly $$ contribution to help support our Podcast
Join our Facebook Group
Email  :  [email protected]

Support the show

Send a text

Sporting events are very popular in Florida, whether it's professional or college sports.   In this episode we'll talk about how you can enjoy Florida sporting events including football, hockey, baseball, basketball, soccer, golf, and auto racing.    No matter what time of year you're in Florida, there's always a sporting event to attend. 

Our Links  :
Subscribe to our Newsletter
www.FloridaTravelFanatics.com
Our YouTube Channel
Instagram
Twitter
Monthly $$ contribution to help support our Podcast
Join our Facebook Group
Email  :  [email protected]

Denis Phillips Facebook weather reports
Playlinda Brewing Company
Dixie Crossroad Seafood Restaurant
Miami Carnival
Florida Rambler blog post with Oktoberfest calendar
Daytona 500 info
Gran Prix of St Petersburg

(00:00) Introduction and hurricane update
(13:17) Florida Travel News
(13:40) Florida Travel Tips
(15:31) Main Topic : How to Enjoy professional and college sports in Florida

Support the show