SeaDream Yacht Club – Caviar, Champagne and barbecue
All SeaDream Yacht Club voyages in the Caribbean include a signature Champagne & Caviar Splash beach party. Chef Elton Tabaj and his galley team transport the five-star cuisine from the yacht to the beach. Passengers are served a sumptuous beach barbecue, cooked to perfection. All guests don bathing suits and the captain participates in an informal day with Robinson Crusoe. In fact, be prepared to get soaked. You arrive at the island via a Zodiac boat that transports passengers from the yacht directly to the white sand beach. I attended the White Bay Beach Party on Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands during a recent cruise. What a great way to spend a winter afternoon! And the best part? Skip the high resort prices and book the intimate cruise with only 150 passengers.
Paris is always a good idea
The Olympics may be over, but we still can’t get enough of the French. A recent report by GlobalData announced that France is on track to become the most visited country in 2025, with 93.7 million international travelers expected to visit there.
Delta Air Lines offers several options while traveling from Tampa to Paris. I usually stop in Atlanta to connect with Air France for a seamless experience. I recently discovered a “secret” and luxurious way to get to Europe. Friends rave about the 10-year-old French boutique airline called La Compagnie. The flights only depart from Newark Liberty International Airport, but it’s definitely worth the trip to New Jersey. Once on board, the aircraft offers 76 seats, all of which convert to flatbeds. It’s a business class airline experience to Paris, Milan or Nice. And the food is fantastic.
For the ultimate Parisian culinary experience, secure a table at Le Jules Verne. Located at the top of the Eiffel Tower, the view from this world-famous restaurant is spectacular. Check the calendar and be sure to book 90 days in advance and be prepared to pay in advance ($500 deposit is the norm for a table for two). When you factor in the benefit of skipping the long entrance line and the overall unique opportunity to dine at the Eiffel Tower, the experience is well worth the price. Perched at a height of 410 feet, you’ll even have your own private elevator to the restaurant. The dress code, a smart outfit and no shorts or sportswear, is strictly enforced. Jackets are mandatory for men.
Closer to home, Travel + Leisure magazine recently named St. Petersburg for the best food city in the USA. We found a small slice of Paris in St. Petersburg. When you check in at the newly renovated Vinoy Resort, you will be staying on Friday and Saturday from 15-17 invited to meet the new pastry chef Armand Berger and taste free champagne and snacks from Lottie, the new pastry shop located in the hotel pastry shop. lobby.
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Tropic Ocean Airways celebrates Jimmy Buffett Day
Tropic Ocean Airways is the largest commercial amphibious airline and is ready to entertain all Parrotheads. To celebrate Jimmy Buffett Day on August 30, they’re launching an epic package with Baker’s Cay Resort, a nature-inspired luxury resort on the Overseas Highway in Key Largo. Inspired by the legendary singer-songwriter, this unique tour offers a fun adventure over Labor Day weekend and includes a one-way Tropic Ocean Airways seaplane adventure for two departing from the Sheltair Terminal at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and landing at Baker’s Cay Resort. The three-night waterfront king guest room package is valid from August 30th to September 2nd only. It includes free roundtrip transportation to Miami International Airport or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
The Resort at Longboat Key Club
Having more space is a priority for families. Almost three out of five guests say that being able to accommodate all their family members in one place is a major deciding factor when booking a holiday. Some of the most popular destinations near the water for families this summer are Melbourne, Australia and Nassau, Bahamas.
We already live in paradise with a variety of resort options just a short drive away, no passport required. We spoke with Diane Lopez, the director of resort operations at The Resort at Longboat Key Club near Sarasota, where the gulf waters are beautiful, the beach cabanas are huge, and the suites are magnificent. The two-bedroom suites overlook the pool and Gulf of Mexico, with a living room with a queen sleeper sofa, a full kitchen, a washer and dryer, and a private balcony. Don’t miss Latitude’s restaurant for delicious menu options at the resort, offering both “land” (a 16-ounce rib-eye steak) and “sea” (spiked lobster curry) with Ed Geyfman as executive chef. Great to find that a children’s dinner menu is available. Adults will love checking out the resort’s Tavern & Whiskey Bar with over 100 different types of whiskey.
Sport is the key here on the key. Briana François is director of racquet sports, tennis and pickleball and says there are eight new pickleball courts at the resort. They have classes almost every day. The resort store supports local women-owned vendors. Peaceful tip: Check out the many treatment rooms and new sound therapy beds in the spa. Cheating encouraged!