[28.06.2007] We came to Roy's Restaurant almost by accident as it stood on the corner at Bayshore Village directly opposite our hotel and it was the venue for our first dinner after arriving in Naples. We were so delighted with our experience that we made a point of returning before the end of our stay. Once inside, the interior lighting was quite subdued but we were welcomed by an cheery "Aloha" from the greeter who showed u [more]

[25.06.2007] "Brand new Inn only three miles from airport offers outstanding dining." (1) I am not usually minded to write reviews about hotels where I have stayed only as a transient. However, a recent series of niggles and annoyances have made me put pen to paper to draft what will hopefully be a timely reminder and gentle warning for future unwary fellow travellers. On our current trip to Florida (I am a frequent visito [more]

[23.06.2007] "Caribbean Chic - Naples Only Downtown Waterfront Boutique Hotel" (1) We came away from the Bayfront Inn on Fifth with mixed feelings. I am not sure what the term "boutique hotel" is supposed to conjure up (bijou residence, fripperies and lace, individually tailored, designer labelled bedrooms?) but this renovated concrete box of a Comfort Inn is not it. It is clear that they have had a renovation recently and it [more]

[27.10.2006] It is said that Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer searching for the Fountain of Youth, was the first European to land on the mainland of America in the vicinity of Tampa Bay and named the area (he thought it was an island) the "land of blossoms". Don Cortez and the conquistadores who followed him were searching across the Caribbean and Central America for Inca gold. Tampa Bay is a huge natural and safe harbour. Today [more]

[12.09.2006] My screen name should give an indication that although I come from the UK side of the pond, I have some predilection for the Sunshine State. I have spent many happy holidays in and around Walt DisneyWorld (WDW) in Florida. My first visit was back in 1980 and this year marked my thirty second return. During that time I have seen, done and worn most of the T-shirts and have also explored many of the bits that one-time [more]

[11.09.2006] We arrived at the meeting point at ten to nine on what was already promising to be a hot July day. Casually signposted between the exit ramp from the Monorail station and the already busy ticket booths, the first flush of the day's visitors to Epcot were already traipsing through the bag check and milling around the turnstiles without giving us a second glance. We exchanged nervous glances with others seated on the c [more]

[08.09.2006] Imagine, if you will, the bald cypress trees reaching far above your head. Between the branches you see glimpses of the turkey vultures wheeling high against the clouds, the red-shouldered hawk soaring, the graceful flight of the swallow-tailed kites. If you are lucky you may catch sight of the Barred owl perched in the high branches or flashes of brilliant red as the male Northern Cardinal flits over the ground look [more]

[27.08.2006] No visitor to Downtown Disney in Walt DisneyWorld (WDW), Florida over the last couple of years could have failed to notice the major new resort complex which has been taking shape on the opposite bank of the lake. I have been a frequent visitor to Walt DisneyWorld (WDW) and Florida for 25 years and the family was amongst the first members of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC). We have always stayed 'on property' and this [more]

[27.08.2006] The family took annual holiday in DisneyWorld, Florida (WDW) in July this year. With the benefit of multiple visits to the vacation capital of the world over the last 25 years, I took the opportunity to sketch a couple of new articles for these pages as I dodged the regular hour or so of inclement weather in the afternoons. I sat on the balcony overlooking the lake and Downtown Disney Marketplace with my trusty l [more]

[20.08.2006] Forsaking my usual Floridian haunts temporarily, I made two trips to San Diego and Southern California in the Autumn of last year. As the second visit was part conference and part vacation we thought that we would 'push the boat out ' and stay at the Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel which has to be one of the most striking edifices in the region. San Diego is known as the home base for the US Pacific fleet and is onl [more]