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Winter Getaway

Lucia

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Lucia
  I thought you might like seeing what Winter looks like in central Florida.

(Yes, Steve thinks I am crazy for taking pictures of his feet!)

Last weekend Steve and I took a little breather and visited Tarpon Springs and
Clearwater Beach.  We started our weekend in downtown Tarpon Springs where
there are thirteen antique shops covering several blocks. Of course we had to go
in every one.  Our second stop was  the Sponge Dock area which is a small
Greek community famous for their  sponges.  They still dive for the sponges
and they are sold all of the world and at local shops.
I have lots of memories of visiting the dock area as a child.  I am sure it was
the great Greek food that kept my parents coming back.  The food is still
wonderful and the Greek pastries….fabulous!  The town has its share of tacky
 souvenir shops, but so did the towns we visited on our trip to Greece. 

 

See the chocolate roll pastry on the right….it was yummy!   I can also vouch
for the baklava.

 

The landscaping at the hotel was very pretty.

The next day we headed to Clearwater Beach for a seafood lunch and a
walk on the beach.  I’ll be back later to share those photos.

Thanks for dropping by and I hope to see you Wednesday night
for the Open House Party.

Lucia
Author
Lucia

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36 thoughts on “Winter Getaway”

  2. Ohhhh, we were in Tarpon Springs two years ago, we went out in the sponge boat tour, walked around the town, had lunch and had dessert from that very pastry shop!! I could go for one right now!

    I can feel the warmth, I'm in Ontario, it's blowing here tonight and cold! Lucky you!

  6. Oh! Sherry- Just rub it in…we are freezing in the cold and I have to see pictures of my beloved FL here…lol I am so glad you are having a good time- xo Diana

  11. Oh Sherry I just adore Tarpon Spings and Hellas! My absolute fave are their dolmades and baklava.
    We did take the boat ride one year with my parents and our kids, so much fun. Of course I loved Greece as well. We were in Athens 2yrs before the 04 Olympic games. Then we spent time in Santorini and on the little isle of Naxos as well. Thank you so much for sharing, brought back so many memories for me.
    OK Barbara

  14. What a fun day! It might get close to 80 degrees here this coming weekend. Say Wha???? Its January! But this is N.C. for ya! A day of shopping and sweets.. what could be better?

  16. I'm SO VERY glad that you got to have a "get-away"!
    I have never heard of that Greek enclave but it sounds like it is within a drive-able distance from my house and I may never get to the REAL Greece. Thanks for sharing the info and the great photos with us!

  19. Oh my, you just brought back memories, when my son was a few months old, we took him over to Tarpon Springs, for their annual greek festival (my husband's family is half greek) I do remember seeing all the ships with all the sponges hanging, it was really neat.

    I posted a while ago on my blog a recipe for Kourabiedes, here is the link:
    http://www.thevelvetdoorblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/my-big-fat-greek-cookies-kourabiedes.html

    hope you can stop by, and let me know if you do ever try them out. Have a great day.

  20. Memories here too Sherry, we spent a few vacations in the same area and I loved going down to the docks. I wasn't into antiques then but I'd be crazy over that many in a row now. We used to love a restaurant called Pappas, I read it closed and is now reopening as a market or something. Anyway…that was probably 30 years ago. I would love to be close enough to get to Florida for a midwinter break.

    Good news is I'm flying down on Friday :).

  21. I purchased some sponges online from Tarpon Springs and had them shipped to me in Canada. It's so nice to see pictures of where they came from. Thank you!

  22. that little town looks lovely…McG and I are looking for somewhere new in Florida to visit in March…can you email the name of the hotel you stayed at and whether or not you liked it…Ontario winters are too long and a good dose of sunshine and warm weather is just what we need

  27. Hi Sherry,

    I very much enjoyed your tour of Tarpon Springs and Clearwater Beach, especially, as the landscape, as well as the shops and lifestyle remind me so much of Greece! I'm presently in Toronto, where we've come so that my daughter can find work! Thanks for the pics and the pastas, the sweet kind, that is!

    Poppy xo

  31. Hi, Sherry. Great to know about Tarpon Springs! We go to Clearwater often, so we'll try to get to those antique shops! Have you tried Frenchy's on the beach in Clearwater Beach? Won't find a better view! Can't wait to see your Clearwater pictures! ~Zuni

  32. Very close to where I grew up. I recently visited Florida and was amazed at how many very good antique shops there were. I finally decided that many of the people who come from north to south decide to change their look.

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