We’re back from the land of gated communities, a Walgreens on every corner, and fashion challenged men wearing sandals and white socks.
Now, lest you think I’m not a fan of ‘The Sunshine State’, it’s also a nature lovers paradise, with miles of unspoiled, pristine beaches, wildlife at every turn, and magnificent sunsets.
I thought it would be fun to give you all the highlights and ‘best of’s’. You know, like Trip Advisor! And I know you’re on the edge of your seats waiting for more details than I gave you in these posts here, here and here. ;).
(If you’re new here or if you haven’t read any of those posts, you may want to check them out.)
We left on December 22, and after two stops, one in Delaware and one in North Carolina, we arrived in chilly, rainy Charleston on the 24th in time for Christmas Eve. I was so annoyed I hadn’t brought a winter coat. It was freezing! But no matter. Once we ended up at dinner, all was right with the world. Which brings me to my first ‘best of’:
BEST RESTAURANT
CHARLESTON GRILLE
Charleston Grille is the quintessential southern restaurant. High ornate ceilings, architectural details galore and impeccable service all topped off with a pianist and jazz singer situated a few feet from us (our table was situated just beyond the white drape). A fabulous place for any special occasion, or just perfect if you simply feel like a splurge.
We spent Christmas day at Magnolia Plantation, another must see if you’re in the area, then after taking a carriage tour of Charleston the morning of the 26th, we headed to Savannah for three nights where our stay was highlighted by…
BEST TOUR
Savannah Ghost Tours
Do you believe in ghosts? If I didn’t before, I certainly do now. Did you know Savannah is the country’s most haunted city? Did you also know that many spirits are not visible to the naked eye, but become visible through the lens of a camera? We went to a couple of the places that ranked very high for paranormal activity, and while I was about to take a picture, I saw a fairly large white, translucent orb pass very quickly in front of my lens and disappear up the stairs. We heard many interesting stories about the history of Savannah and why it’s so haunted. Definitely something to consider doing if you’re into that sort of thing.
We left Savannah for St. Augustine on the 29th where it was still cold and windy, but that didn’t stop us from celebrating New Years Eve outside, with the help of outdoor heaters and a band that was good enough to keep us moving and warm ;).
January 1st brought us to Lake Worth, where we were happy to finally unpack everything and get settled. It didn’t take us long to discover this next place!
BEST ICE CREAM SHOP
KILWINS
I’m sure some of you are familiar with Kilwins. They seem to be in several areas that we visited, but have you tried their hot fudge?! Don’t let the picture fool you. It’s hidden beneath all that whipped cream. Trust me. I hold them personally responsible for the five lbs I gained on this trip.
Since we were in Lake Worth for a while, we had plenty of time to explore the surrounding areas. We took the hour drive to Miami and visited a mansion that was recommended by the person we rented the house from.
BEST MANSION TOUR
Located facing picturesque Key Biscayne, my picture (the second one) does not do this place justice so I grabbed one from their website. Think ‘Downton Abbey’, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what the inside of the house is like. And don’t get me started on the grounds!
Now here is a twist for you. Here’s one place I DO NOT recommend you go to. If you’re ever in South Beach and are looking for a place to eat or have a drink or two, stay away from Ocean Avenue, or to be more specific, La Baguete. I won’t go into details, but you can go here to see my review (and my reviews of tons of others places. I got a bit carried away with Trip Advisor while we were away) and go here to see the reviews of MANY others who were sucked in
We also took the 10 minute drive north from Lake Worth to Palm Beach and visited one of the prettiest hotels I’ve ever seen.
BEST HOTEL
Our next stop was Key Largo, where we did a day trip to the Everglades and I was able to get some great wildlife pictures.
In case you’re wondering, this wasn’t taken with a telephoto lens. I was pretty close, but with so many tourists around, they don’t seem to care. Did you know they can move up to 30 miles an hour?? That’s ok. I can do 31.
We also did a glass bottom boat tour (can you say seasick?) and took a short drive to Islamorada just south of Key Largo to visit Theatre of the Sea.
BEST FAMILY FRIENDLY ADVENTURE
After Key Largo we spent a week in Englewood (near Venice) in an RV camper trailer located about a ten minute car ride to the beach.
BEST BEACH EXPERIENCE
ENGLEWOOD BEACH SUNSET CELEBRATION
I told you a little bit about this in this post, but in case you missed it it is a popular gathering of drummers, dancers and hula lovers and it’s just a whole lot of fun, but not nearly as much fun as Fisherman had catching this monster! It took nearly a half hour just to reel him in, and boy, did we stuff ourselves with his catch that night! :/
Our next stop was in Madeira Beach for a week where we had a unit just steps from the beach, but it was way too cold to enjoy it. Of course, as soon as we left it warmed up. We then went to Sanford to visit a friend and do some RV shopping, after which we headed home, but not before getting stuck in some white knuckle driving conditions in North Carolina. This has been an unusual winter for most of the country. I hope it is just a fluke and not a trend…
In other news…
We arrived home to find a leak in one of our bathrooms originating from a skylight and our refrigerator has checked out for good, but it’s good to be back and sleeping in our comfy bed and catching up with everyone. After we’re finished with the humdrum tasks that come along with not being home for two months, we’ll get busy planning next year’s adventure, which hopefully will be in an RV and for three months instead of two. We saw one that we liked, but it was a bit more than we wanted to spend. We’re going to keep our eye on it via their website, and if it comes down in price we’ll make an offer. Fingers crossed!
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Dewena says
Doreen, I vote you for the best travel guide! What a trip, and by the way, you both are so beautiful out celebrating New Year’s Eve! I am an incurable armchair traveler and this post rivaled my favorite PBS travel shows. I’m sending the link to my daughter and sisters who live in FL. You never know, they might have been planning to go to La Baguete!
Welcome back home and I hope you find the RV of your dreams soon for the next big trip.
Dewena
Cecilia says
Hi Doreen,
Glad are y’all are back safe and sound. Your trip all sounds wonderful (except the one place! Wow, I read the reviews…that’s terrible).
Lol, I laughed when I saw the monster fish…yep, that was feast worthy, haha. Oh the unexpected things that come up while we’re away…yikes. I hope the frig wasn’t too bad (more empty than full).
Good luck with the RV. And it is a crazy Winter – here we are in March and expecting more freezing weather! Uh, I thought this was January weather! I am actually looking forward to Summer this year!
Have a great week!
Hugs,
Cecilia
Nana Diana says
Thanks, Doreen. I felt like I was right there on the trip with you. I am just sorry it was so cold for you. FL is the home state of my heart-Lived there until I met my hubby, got married and moved to the Midwest. We met in Ft.Myers and at one point in our marriage we settled in Palm Beach Gardens (across the intracoastal from Palm Beach). I have eaten at The Breakers several times. It is spectacular, isn’t it?
I have always wanted to take that tour of Haunted Savannah. Magnolia Plantation is another great place to visit.
Glad you are home- sorry about the leak and fridge. It’s always something, isn’t it? xo Diana
Lavender Dreams says
It sounds like a dream trip. You went places I would love to visit! We were so happy to retire in FL….there’s so much to do here. Enjoy your week my friend. Hugs, Diane
Brenda Kula says
I wish I could have a chance to get nature photos like that. I doubt I’ll ever be able to travel, but it’s fun to see where you two go.
Brenda
Donna says
So fabulous my friend! Looks like romance was in the air…beautiful pictures. You are so talented…glad you had some warmth. Picked a good time to do it.
Denise says
Thanks for allowing me to travel along with you on your wonderful journey. As I sat snowbound in New York, you took me to beautiful sunny skies, blue water, flora and fauna, and on and on. Even though I wasn’t actually with you, you gave me many moments of respite from this bleak winter. Thanks! xxD
andi says
That is the biggest damn fish I’ve ever seen in my whole life. I love all your pics! But wait. You only gained 5 pounds? Clearly you were doing something wrong.
-andi
Jane says
I love this post…it’s a nice round up…the best of the best of your trip. Love the wildlife pics! It’s hard to believe such birds exist. I love seeing pics of you and hubby, too.
Welcome back to the real, cold, harsh world! Ha! All the best settling back in!
Jane x
kelly says
You are SO lucky to have gotten to spend so much time visiting all of those pretty places! I loved seeing pictures of your and your hubby so happy. It was a good idea to travel somewhere warm during the winter months. good luck with your search for the perfect RV. My parents have one and enjoy traveling in it too. it’s nice that y’all can go away for long stretches of time like that. an RV will be a nice way to travel!
tammy j says
i’d swear that ally-gator is smiling at you. that’s her name. ally. she just lays there like a great lounge lizard.
she does work for the state of florida you know. she’s on their retirement plan.
on her last day she gets her pick of any tourist she wants at her retirement party. ally-gators don’t like cake.
i have enjoyed every minute of your vacation! i feel very glamorous actually!!! and that takes a lot of doing!
i even got a higher blood pressure for you over that STUPID and TERRIBLE la baguette. we have two in town. i wonder if they’re related. ours are pretentious. and food only so-so … but not with the sky rocket prices.
i’m glad you’re back safe and sound. and now have the energy to deal with what went wrong while you were away!!!
XO♥ you take absolutely BEAUTIFUL pictures!!!!
Jemma says
Doreen,
Cutest couple ever!! Ya’ll look like you are enjoying yourselves sooo much, made me smile from the inside out to see these pictures. Thank you for sharing these travel tips too, you know when you travel you just don’t know if the real story is being told, but with you we know that what you say is spot on. I really feel like I have gone on a vacation. I will say this I am ready for one, this weather in Dallas is for the birds this year-I need sunshine!!
Gorgeous blooms….love flowers…
xxxxx-
Jemma
Vicky Hunt says
I am happy to hear you made it home safely. Your trip recap was a pleasure to read. So much good information here as well for anyone planning to visit some of the same places. You and your hubby look so nice all dressed up. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you will get a great deal on the RV you want. Have a lovely week!
Blessings, Vicky
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
Some amazing pictures of the wildlife! I really enjoyed going away from windy rainy Brittany thanks to your posts!
Poppy says
You’re back! To what, is another story; but dusting and cleaning and washing and shoveling surely will be a breeze, since you are refreshed and re-energized, able to take on mountains…of snow, that is, if need be!
Well, I, for one, feel extremely relaxed and rested after following you around on this amazing trip, especially when you’ve highlighted the best of the best. Like that strawberry sundae – in my 50 years, (this month to be +1), I have never, EVER seen such a display of cold, sweet and scrumptious satisfaction! Along with all the other #1s, they all add up to infinite memories that forever will be with you.
BUT, you forgot one last ‘best’: Fisherman and his House Honey: the best looking couple in the south!
Thanks for sharing!
XOXO
Poppy
carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
Great food, drinks, romantic cities, ghost hunting, touring mansions, nature…
I could totally hang with you folks. My kind of fun time!! Hope all the headaches are solved now that you’re back home. Not fun to come home to those kind of headaches (appliances going kaput and leaks – ugh!).
Fingers and definitely crossed on the RV!! I want to hear about those adventures!! Keep us posted lovely Lady.
xo
Danni@SiloHillFarm says
What a great recap! My sister who is a travel agent is always trying to get me to take that ghost tour! Maybe I’ll just do it! Your pictures are lovely and glad you made it home safe and sound!
Jan Tanis says
WOW…it looks like you had a terrific trip! I’ve been reading your posts about it!! While doing that, I saw an email notice pop up here that said you’d left a comment for me on my blog…and I read it and saw you found me at Jemma’s! She’s so sweet. What a coincidence that I found you and you found me today!! Or is it a coincidence? Nice to meet you! I’ve added you to my Blog Roll.
Hugs,
Jan ♥
rue says
Good God woman… you crack me up!! “Did you know they can move up to 30 miles an hour?? That’s ok. I can do 31.” HAHAHAHA….. I spit my cocktail out on that one!
I’m sorry some of the trip was so-so, but it sounds like most of it was great. I hope you get the RV you want 🙂
xo,
rue
cathy@my1929 Charmer says
What an amazing trip your both had. I’m so freaking jealous since It’s like pulling teeth to get Mr. C out of the house. Actually it isn’t since he has dentures, ha aha. Your photos are gorgeous, and when i can get Mr. C to travel I’ll surely not visit the spots you didn’t like.
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
Doreen, I so enjoyed this post! Love your writing style:) You cracked me up with that fish picture! I was in Charleston in the summer, and we spent the day at Magnolia, and did the carriage ride. What a great city! I’ve always wanted to go to Savannah, but you’ve scared me, haha, with that white sphere story. I was lucky enough to stay at the Breakers once on a business trip – gorgeous! LOVE LOVE LOVE your bird photos! Welcome home – the weather stinks, but at least you missed most of it.
Doreen says
Thanks Amy! So funny that you stopped by ’cause I was actually thinking about you today and was going to try to pay you a visit too. Lots of catching up to do!
How nice that you got to stay at The Breakers! I believe it was modeled after the one in Newport which I wrote about a few months ago. As we were leaving we stopped off at their amazing herb garden and I ‘stole’ some herbs. Shhhhhhh….
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
I’ve followed along on your trip and this recap was great as well 🙂
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
What a recap and I must say that I have been to many of your destinations…the Breakers is awesome!…the Charleston Grill superb..love both Charleston and Savannah….looks like you had a wonderful time and good for you two to travel and enjoy yourselves!
Sue says
I love reading about your tip and everywhere you visited and seeing the photos. It was such an epic trip. Did not know about the villa and so exciting your next adventure will be in an RV.