Inside Florida: Spirited DeLand

De Land has risen from its "Deadland" reputation.

This town of 30,000 (34,000 when Stetson University's students are in residence) has largely been by-passed since I-95 and I-4 made reaching Orlando and points south easier and faster to reach.

What has been happening in our absence is a remarkable success story. During a recent visit I discovered a DeLand that has
• the oldest downtown association in the state
• a walkable downtown filled with interesting architecture
• three state parks
• 50 events a year downtown from a Mardi Gras dog parade to an ice cream walk with a unique flavor created for each merchant to serve to strollers
• a Halloween party that attracts 4,000 downtown

When artist Erica Group painted a blank wall visitors and locals loved photographing themselves with it, inspiring the Wings project.

• art projects galore: painted wraps on utility boxes, a sculpture walk sparked by Museum of Art DeLand  and a wings project to come.

Faces of current residents stand in for the first snowbirds to vacation in DeLand based on an 1890s photograph.

• An intriguing history merging Henry DeLand, John B. Stetson, Thomas Edison and Chinese immigrant Lue Gim Gong, preserved by the West Volusia Historical Society and depicted by eight regional artists in a 15-stop Historic Mural Walk
• a growing variety or restaurants downtown with cuisines from three continents (Thai, Latin Fusion, Italian, American). Breweries, bakeries, candy, doughnut, coffee and wine shops, too.

Even the alleys are interesting.

A sense of humor also pokes out.

DeLand has a number of firsts to claim. It had one of the first electrified house in the country, the first power plant in Florida, the first electric light power and ice company in the state, the oldest continuously operating printing company in the state.

it also lays claim to the Skydiving Capital of the World. Here is where the tandem skydive was conceived and developed as well as the Accelerated Freefall Program that teaches beginners to be skydivers at Skydive DeLand.

Across the street is the Naval Air Station Museum. Founded in 1995 on the site of the WWII DeLand Naval Air Station and dedicated to the sacrifices and valor of the men and women who worked there, it honors all veterans.

Restoration in progress of a Vietnam era medical helicopter.

Developed and run  by volunteers, it includes everything from a pilot's license signed by Orville Wright to restored and being restored planes, a Vietnam era PT boat and a Korean era jeep. Even a wedding photograph of Al Capone's nephew, the white sheep of the family. Everything comes with a fascinating story that dedicated volunteers are eager to tell.

In a very short time visitors realize there is a spirit of community here. Newcomers have become part of the town. Young entrepreneurs are welcomed by customers open to new ideas. It's not a can-do attitude, rather a we-are-doing-it pride.

Swimming area at De Leon State Park

About those state parks. I visited two. De Leon Springs State Park, six miles away, features a large, spring-fed "swimming hole," rental canoes, kayaks and pedalboats, a boat ramp and dock.

However, even those immune to the pleasures of nature will like the  Old Spanish Sugar Mill Grill and Griddle House. You and your group make and customize your own pancakes Early American style with unbleached flour or the house's five stone-ground flours. Order any toppings you want and in no time pitchers of batter, bowls of fruit and syrups arrive. Wait staff ready the griddle that runs the length of the table and you are cookin'. It's fun so arrive early; everyone else thinks so, too.

The Blue Spring  of Blue Spring State Park.

Six miles in the other direction from DeLand is Orange City and Blue Spring State Park.  This is a favorite of manatees and their fans. According to Park Services Specialist Darrell Thomas, the lovable mammals broke records for attendance last year when 488 gathered here for the winter. During peak time you can check for yourself on the manatv.org. A boardwalk makes it easy to get to the spring.

We spotted one stay-at-home manatee.

Both parks are extremely popular and often hit their maximum capacity, so plan to arrive early in the day.

Adult barred owl.

Want to let someone else handle the water craft?  The best river tour I've ever taken was with St. Johns River Eco Tour. Based at Highbanks Marina in DeBary, 12 miles from DeLand, the tours take in the St. Johns, its flora and fauna. Owner Doug Little and captain W.E. Dooley helmed the Naiad. Among a host of other things, we learned three rivers and 300 springs feed the river and that at one time 150 steamboats a month were taking passengers and cargo up and down the river. That all alligators can jump the length of their tails.

Juvenile barred owl isn't sure what to do with his fish.

In addition to gators we saw egrets, anhingas, limpkins, purple gallinules, a red shouldered hawk, a swallowtail kite, a female osprey on her nest, red bellied cooters, a pair of barred owls and their offspring.

I barely touched the surface of what there is to see and do in West Volusia County and look forward to returning soon, After all, what's not to like about DeLand?

Scoop up Scallops and a Deal

Scalloping season runs from July to Sept. 24 this year and the Plantation on Crystal River is offering guided and unguided tours along with accommodations. 

The guided package starts at $695 for mid-week stays for two. Included:

• Two-nights stay in garden or water view deluxe room

• Guided scalloping tour with masks, snorkels and fins

• Souvenir bag filled with mesh scalloping bag, scallop recipes and water

• Chef-prepared cook-your-catch  from the day's harvest of scallops or fish from lunch or dinner, served with two sides

• Breakfast daily 

The unguided package begins at $350.

If you choose not to take advantage of a package, you can still have your scallops cooked. For $14.95 the chef at West 82° Bar & Grill will prepare shucked scallops during lunch or dinner in scampi, au gratin, sauteed or Chef's choice and provide two sides.

For details, plantationcrystalriver.com or 800-632-6262.

Golftoberfest?

 That is what they are calling Golf Advisor Getaway, a buddy trip at Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro, GA, midway between Atlanta and Athens. Oct. 21-24 are the dates when golf buddy foursomes can join travel guru Matt Ginella of Golf Channel for an immersion into luxury golf and sporting lifestyle.

 Each participant receives three rounds of golf, private group dinner parties, daily breakfast and lunch, with optional experiences at the Reynolds Kingdom of Golf (club fitting, presentation by TaylorMade head of Research Design and Engineering) and the resort's new Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds with sporting clays, shooting stands and archery. That's in addition to access to lake activities, swimming, tennis and fitness facilities. 

Accommodations range from private rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, to shared  four-bedroom National Club Cottage or three- or four-bedroom Lake Club condominium. 

 Registration is limited to 72. Prices are $2,649 with condo accommodations, $3,449, rooms at the Ritz-Carlton.

Contact www.golfadvisor.com/getaways/reynolds-lake-oconee.html

WellsWorld on the radio: Bid your way to adventure

See Rome, Paris, London or Istanbul the Rick Steves way.

Ride across Canada and back with deluxe accommodations from Via Rail.

Stay at the Peabody Memphis and star as its Honorary Duck Master.

Rick and the other members of the 60-year-old  Society of American Travel Writers have once again assembled a stellar list of travel treats and adventures for the annual Travel Auction and you are invited to participate.

Food lovers
Cook books, giant Texas steaks, a food writer's flavorful guide to the flavors of New Orleans and an evening's stay, a five-course dinner and breakfast for two at Paul Kitching Michelelin-starred 21212, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh.

Marcliffe Hotel

 Speaking of Scotland, golfers can choose from the 5-star Marcliffe Hotel with rounds at Royal Aberdeen and Trump International or 5-star Lochgreen House Hotel overlooking Royal Troon. Better yet, combine them.
 

Go to sea for six- to-eight days in the Caribbean with Carnival Cruise Lines or the Atlantic Ocean off Maine on a Windjammer cruise. 


Safari in south India, spend a week in Tobago or a weekend in Trinidad or get away to condos in Destin, FL. or Orange Beach, AL.

Branson

Closer to home, river raft in West Virginia or South Carolina, wellness spa in Texas, hit the speedway in Indianapolis, relax in Santa Fe or spend a week with air, lodging, rental car and show passes in Branson, MO.

Sample the sights and lobster flavor of this year's 2-nation vacation that the Good Girls in the Badlands took and blogged about (www.goodgirlsinthebadlands.com) with stays in Portland, Maine; St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick and at Digby Pines in Nova Scotia.There's also a whale watching cruise you can add.

Bidding continues until 11:45 p.m. EST  Nov. 8, which means you can buy for holiday gift-giving.
http://events.readysetauction.com/satw/2015 

CruiseStay

Cruising out of Fort Lauderdale? Rodeway Inn & Suites offers free shuttles to and from the port plus parking at its secure hotel site with discount packages available beginning at $60 a night. www.rodewayfll.com.

No Single Supplement Safari

Lion World Travel offers four nights in Cape Town, South Africa, and three nights at Bakubung Bush Lodge during its nine-night safari package for $3,299 per person.

The two departure dates - May 5 or Aug. 18, 2016 - include round-trip economy air fare from New York, transfers, welcome service, accommodations at the Commodore Hotel in Cape Town, a tour of the Cape area, Djembe drumming session, seven breakfasts and five dinners and six game drives in the Pilanesburg Game Reserve.

For details and reservations, 800-387-2706 or www.lionworldtravel.com

Cruise Calculator

We all see deals on cruises but just how much will it actually cost you to go on one?

The just announced, FREE, Cruise Calculator will help you figure it out. Fill in the actual prices on tickets, taxes, parking, airfare, port excursions (you can find out from you travel agent or the line's website) or use the calculator's estimates and the site does the rest.

Try it, http://cruisecalculator.net. I think you'll like it.

Maritimes, Maine and more

Snowbirds head south in the winter, southerners return the favor in the summer. Try these destinations I recently visited in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Maine.

Nova Scotia. 

Liscomb River.

Get away from it all. Liscombe Lodge Resort & Conference Center offers cabins or rooms, all with great views, a dining room that serves delicious food with views a bird watcher will love, heated pool, marina and a friendly staff. A two-hour drive from Halifax will put you amid trails galore. En route you will pass folk artist Barry Colpitts' eye-catching house and workshops. Nearby, Sherbrooke Village recreates an 19th century river town.

Halifax

Have it all. Halifax offers dramatic history, a bustling downtown, memorable food colorful wharf, scenic trails and outdoor recreation. Don't miss the Maritime Museum or the Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 a short walk away along the waterfront. Westin has nicely renovated the historic Nova Scotian Hotel which is well located for exploring the city.

Lobster and scallop boats at Digby Harbor.

Scallop capital of the world. You will find lobster, too, from the fishing fleet at Digby. The town is quaint, there's a fun walking tour with "Admiral Digby" and it is surrounded by a plethora of little towns, coves, bays and places to visit. To the north, Annapolis Royal is a charming town with a Historic Garden for strolling, excellent restaurants and a ghost tour that many enjoy. To the south, the Acadian Center, Rendez-vous de la Baie, and the tallest wooden church in North America. All are on the famous Bay of Fundy complex. Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa, a haven for visitors since 1929, is an elegantly comfortable home away from home from which to explore it all.

Ferry across the Digby Gut to....

New Brunswick

Kingsbrae Gardens.

... where we made a beeline to The Algonquin Resort in St. Andrews-by-the-Sea. Opened in 1889, this commandingTudor-style hostelry added a golf course in 1894, and is an ideal spot from which to explore the wonderfully named Passamaquoddy Bay area. You could spend a day roaming beautiful and welcoming  Kingsbrae Gardens, and don't miss waiting for the tide to recede for the drive to Minister's Island or sign on for a whale-watching excursion.

Maine

Lucky Catch's Capt. Tom measures a lobster to see if it is a keeper. It wasn't.

Time and rain limited exposure to Portland but it has become a foodie magnet with 300-plus restaurants, most chef-owned and/or independent, for its population of 66,000. The Public Market is a co-op of dealers in delectibles, Dean's Sweets (try a Needham) is a chocolate lovers paradise, Gritty McDuff's is the city's first brew pub, handsomely packaged oils and balsamics attract cooks to Vervacious and Vena's Fizz House is the hot headquarters for flavored bitters and bartending secrets. A highlight was a trip on the Lucky Catch lobster boat with its hands-on lesson in catching lobsters. Follow that with a stop at Fort Williams Park and the Bite Into Maine food truck, a locals' pick for best lobster roll.

Nubble Lighthouse at Cape Neddick.

Ogunquit is the quintessential Maine coastal town and nearby Perkins Cove will remind you of the fictional Cabot's Cove of "Murder She Wrote." Treat yourself to a lobster roll crawl and definitely include stops at Lobster Shack, the oldest restaurant in Perkins Cove; Jake's Seafood (the full-bellied clams are great here, too) in Wells, and Shore Road Market & Restaurant,www.shoreroadrestaurant.net.
Walk it off with a jaunt to Nubble Lighthouse at Cape Neddick. If you can snag a ticket, by all means catch a performance at the famous Ogunquit Playhouse. Perfect headquarters for it all, although you won't want to leave it, is the venerable Cliff House Resort & Spa overlooking the rocky waves and crashing waves.

Maine Lobster Festival

 Celebrate the crustacean July 29 to August 2, 2015, in the towns of Rockland and Camden, located in Penobscot Bay.

This year's festival expects to serve up 20,000 lbs of Maine Lobster and 1,700 lbs of Cabot butter. Special entertainment includes a Lobster Parade on Saturday, August 1 complete with lobster floats and a marching band. www.mainelobsterfestival.com .

 Family Fun in the Fjords

Kids Sail Free in Patagonia
Book a three- or four-night all inclusive trip through spectacular Patagonian waters in December 2015 with Australis by Oct. 31, 2015 and one child (age 17 or under) per adult comes along for free. Rates per adult for the three-day cruise are $1,895; $2,298 for the four-day.
www.australis.com.

Jekyll Island Idyll

Book a weekend getaway for two at the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel, Jekyll Island, GA, Aug. 2-Sept. 1, 2015, and accommodations plus a five-course dinner for two with a bottle of signature wine are $250 a night.
www.jekyllclub.com

Dolphins frolic in Jacksonville's St. Johns River.

 Win a Vacation for Two to Jacksonville, FL

Like to share your vacation photos with friends? Bask in a a bit of green-tinged envy? Have we got a contest for you.

One lucky person will be the winner of Visit Jacksonville’s interactive summer postcard contest “Vacations Should Be Shared.”

Five easy steps does it. Create it, Post it and Win it!

1)  Go to www.VisitJacksonville.com  and click on the contest logo or go to www.visitjacksonville.com/vacations-should-be-shared.
2)  Choose your postcard theme: Beachy, Artistic or Ticket.
3)  Customized your postcard with Visit Jacksonville’s memory-worthy #OnlyInJax images.
4)  Add a message to your postcard. Tell us why you would love to win a vacation to Jacksonville.
5)  Then share your postcard on social media, ask your friends to vote and start packing your bags!

The “Vacations Should Be Shared” contest will run from July 22 until August 23 and winners will be announced August 25. All the postcards generated during the contest will be available for public voting on Visit Jacksonville’s website. The postcard with the most votes will be the grand prize winner of a vacation for two to Jacksonville. A second and third place postcard will also be selected for prizes.
For more on the prizes and the rules of the “Vacations Should Be Shared” postcard contest go to www.visitjacksonville.com/vacations-should-be-shared.
 

Relive "Born Free," Royal Redo on St. Simons Island, The Big 5-0 and more radio goodies

George Adamson and friend.

Elsa's Legacy

What: Born Free Safari in Kenya celebrating 30th anniversary of the book and film Born Free with its star, Virginia McKenna.

When: October 22-31, 2014.

Where: Elsa's Kopje, where the lioness was reintroduced to the wild; bush breakfast by Elsa's grave in Meru National Park where her genetic offspring roam. Joy Adamson's Camp, where Penny, the leopard, was reintroduced to the wild in the Samburu region.
Tortillis Camp, the luxury lodge locale of Born Free Foundation projects within the Amboseli plains; known for its elephants and expert Cynthia Moss' research center.

Cost: $6,3345 per person (based on double occupancy) includes accommodation at the three camps, all internal flights, conservation and park fees, game drives, bush walks, meals and sundowners, membership in Flying Doctors Society, laundry and airstrip transfers. International flights separate.

Contact: www.chelipeacock.com, info@chelipeacock.co.ke.

Pool areas, King and Prince.

New Look for King and Prince Beach Resort

"No indoor pool, new restaurant, totally renovated lobby" pretty much sums up the winning new look for this popular historic resort.

Lobby, King and Prince.

T

Join the wildlife at King and Prince Golf Club.

Golf? By the way, greens fees at the golf club on the island's north end are $115, but resort guests play for $79 (lower with specials). Take a virtual flyover tour of the beautiful course at http://www.kingandprince.com/golf-flyover-tour.aspx.

Tip: Pro shop stocks the best selection of women's golf gear and apparel I've ever seen at a club, including golf sandals so good looking you can wear them out to dinner!

Win a Golden Isles Getaway

What: 4-night stay in a boutique cottage for four guests, $250 toward food and drinks at top restaurants, 12 passes to top attractions.

How: Be at least 21 years old and enter at http://www.goldenisles.com/contests?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=GOLD-1610+Contest+Focused+Email&utm_content=GOLD-1610+Contest+Focused+Email+CID_bb6a02f5db082a029dc50c135cb55aa4&utm_source=Email%20Marketing&utm_term=Enter%20Now.

Hi-Ho, Rockin' New Ride at Disney

We fell in love with Walt Disney's version of the seven dwarfs now try their ride. The new Seven Dwarfs' Mine Train has its grand opening May 28 in New Fantasyland at Walt Disney World.

We have it on good authority that it is a winner, more enjoyable than gut-wrenching.
www.disney.com

Mission 50

What: Mission Inn Resort celebrates its 50th anniversary of continuous family ownership by honoring 50 couples with free vow renewals.  

When: November 23, 2014.

Where: La Fontana Courtyard, Mission Inn Resort, Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida.

Cost: Selected couples receive free vow renewal with champagne toast, rose petal drop and Sunday Brunch at La Hacienda at $31.99 per person.

Apply: www.missioninnresort.com/gvrc

Hot Luxury Deals at Boulders Resort

What: Discounted rates for rooms (as low as $99 a night), golf, spa, shopping at posh resort with couples, golfers' and family packages.

Where: The Boulders, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona.

When: May 26 to September, 2014.

Example: 
TRULY BOULDERS PACKAGE includes:
·        Nightly accommodations in a private Casita
·        A daily $15 per adult breakfast credit
·        Parking – Complimentary valet or self-parking
·        20% off spa services at the Waldorf Astoria Spa and unlimited access to the facility and fitness classes
·        Complimentary golf club rentals/shoes
·        Complimentary tennis racket rental
Package starts at $159/night based upon double occupancy.

 www.TheBoulders.com

Seasons Travels

My gift to you

You'll drool at divine hotels, you'll get itchy feet and you'll jump to get away when Tablet runs special rates.

It's one of my favorite travel sites, www.tablethotels.com.

Historic holidays

Take a special guided Christmas Tour of the House of the Seven Gables in Salem, Massachusetts, or one of the historic Adams house in Deadwood, South Dakota.

If only you knew about it. Now you can.

What: The History List, www.thehistorylist.com was launched last year as a way to help historic sites, historical societies, preservation organizations, history museums, house museums, living history sites, reenacting groups, and other history organizations get the word out about their history-related exhibits, reenactments, walks and talks, author appearances, celebrations, and more.  

Introduced first in the Boston area, The History List has grown to be the largest list of history-related events taking place across the country. 

Check it out next time you're heading out of town.

James Turrell's Skyspace "Joseph's Coat, Ringling Museum of Art.

Ringling in the solstice

 Looking for something different? Dance into the Winter Solstice and celebrate the second year of Joseph's Coat, the James Turrell Skyspace at "Greet the Light," a special event Saturday night, Dec. 21, at the Ringling Museum of Art courtyard in Sarasota, FL. 

Activities start at 7 p.m. and include
Music by DJ Imminent
LED Illuminated Furniture
Fire Dancers
Food and Drink Specials
The Joseph's Coat program in the Turrell Skyspace.
http://www.ringling.org/events/greet-light-winter-solstice-celebration
Tickets are $15 so go for the weekend and splurge on a nice place to stay.

Last minute gifts for travelers

• Exchange $20-$30 into the currency of their next destination.
• A pack of compression bags. They don't last long with travelers' frequent opening and closing and this time of year are invaluable for packing bulky sweaters and jackets. Make sure they compress manually; no one packs vacuum cleaners.
• A book, fiction or nonfiction, e or printed, set at a future destination.
• Travel-sized toothpaste, contact lens solution, deodorant, hairspray, especially for those prone to last-minute departures.

Remodeling specials

The historic King & Prince Beach and Golf Resort on St. Simons Island, GA, is refurbishing its lobby area which is a good time to find special room rates, as in under $100. For example...

Georgia Golf Resort, King & Prince, St. Simons Island, GA.

What: Winter Golf Package starts at $129 per night and includes room and tax plus one round of golf for two players per night.

Fine Print: Subject to availability on bookings until Feb. 13, 2014 (excluding holidays).
www.kingandprince.com 1-800-342-0212.

Skiing at Beech Mountain, N. C.

Resolve to ski

What: Celebrate Learn to Ski and Snowboard month with a package deal at North Carolina's Beech Mountain.

The Deal: A ski or snowboard lesson, ski or snowboard equipment rental including a helmet for safety, a full-day lift ticket, one-night's lodging based on double occupancy.

How much? $101 per person.

Who? Offer open to anyone age 8 or older.

When: January 1-31, 2014.

Fine Print: Lesson package available Monday through Friday with lodging available Sunday through Thursday nights.

1-800-468-5506

Participating lodging:
4 Seasons at Beech, www.beechgetaway.com
Beech Mountain Chalet Rentals, www.gobeech.com
Charlie's Beech Mountain Rentals, www.mrbeech.com
Guest Quearters, http://www.fredsgeneral.com/Guest%20Quarters.html
Pinnacle Inn Resort, http://pinnacleinn.com