We at Travel Off Course love not visiting Southwest Florida, but reporting on it too. I suggest, who would not want to holiday in one of America’s most beautiful destinations?
This side of Florida is the reverse of the remainder of the Gulf’s notoriously brackish waters westward of Alabama, changed with tones of Caribbean hues and grainy white sand.
That’s why you’ll find Clearwater and Siesta Secret duking it out every year in a fight for the crown of being called America’s top beach. That being stated, you should not sleep on either of these beautiful beach towns’lively next-door neighbors, whether it’s one of my favorites, Nokomis, or another stunning hideaway off the traveler path. being hyped by Southern Living as a prospective new holiday hotspot.
All around the Tampa-St. Pete’s region has various white-sand trips well worth going to, but the word is dripping out on the appeal for Dunedin this summertime.
Clearwater’s Less-Crowded Alternative
Regularly ranking as one of not only Florida’s finest beaches, however the whole nation, Clearwater draws a crowd every summer season– and rightfully so. Clearwater is a lively beach town that measures up to the name.
Beachgoers delight in pristine waters and shining white shores, however have ended up being accustomed to sharing space. Dunedin(pronounced”done-EE-din” )on the other hand, offers more down-home appeal, surprising culture, stunning beaches and even paradisal islands in its own right.
Being a stone’s toss from Clearwater, Southern Living believes Dunedin should be on more Florida tourists’ radars.
It’s only 5 miles from the crowds of Clearwater, making for a calmer vacation to
prevent shrieking kiddos and that one guy with a metal detector who constantly appears to be in the method. Dunedin’s Stunning Islands Are Must-Visits There’s no rejecting Clearwater and Siesta Key boast stunning shores, but there’s no argument to support that they’re unspoiled.
That’s one of numerous reasons why you must go to Dunedin’s spectacular islands, ff not entirely for the eye-popping drive alone throughout the sparkling Dunedin Causeway, which reaches Honeymoon Island.
In its prime time, Honeymoon Island saw newlyweds flock here for their cozy beachside homes to, let’s just state, strengthen their marriage … Nowadays, it is among the couple of places throughout the record-breaking Sunlight State that feels untouched by the masses, with sprawling, wide-open beaches and linked trails to explore.
In fact, Southern Living hypes up Honeymoon Island’s serenity a lot that they state, ‘do not be amazed if you see more wildlife than people’.
Honeymoon isn’t the only slice of paradise to have a look at. Neighboring Caladesi Island State Park levels up said peacefulness as it’s just reachable by boat (a ferry runs in between both islands).
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Easy chair on Caladesi Island in Dunedin, Florida”/ > It’s highly recommended to bring sunscreen as the most shade you’ll discover is a kayak ride through lavish mangrove forests.
There aren’t numerous places to hang out besides the beach, however Cafe Caladesi is open every day from 10:45 am to 5 pm. Cultural Style & Charming Streets: Discover Downtown Dunedin is truly distinct. Not many towns will you see Celtic flags proudly waving outside of Boston.
There’s a strong sense of community here, and it reveals through long-held customs, such as The Dunedin Celtic Music & Craft Beer Celebration (November 22).
Most significantly, oranges may catch your eye and that’s no mistake. Dunedin is proud of its citrus roots, where you’ll see paintings of bright oranges illuminating the rooms of local organizations and homes, too.
Do not stress, however– it’s not just orange concoctions on supper menus around here, whether it be regional dive bars, seafood shacks, or a handful of upscale dining alternatives.
For one, Southern Living advises Eli’s Bar-B-Que, a simple hole-in-the-wall whipping up succulent slabs of meat and all the traditional Southern fixin’s.
Simply down the block feels a bit more local to a seaside town– neither Pleased’s Bayou Bites or Lucky Lobster Co. will disappoint.
However, perhaps Dunedin’s the majority of underrated aspect is the beer scene. There are adequate breweries dotting the small townscape, such as rightfully named Dunedin Brewery and HOB Developing Co.
. One location Southern Living did not point out was the top-rated Meranova Guest Inn, a grand option to overpacked resorts this time of year.
Sam Sears Sam, our Lead Writer & Reporter based in San Diego has checked out 36 nations and written over 1000 posts with a concentrate on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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