Travel & Recreation

Travel & Recreation

Latest coverage, analysis and business news from Tampa Bay Business and Wealth.

Music City revisited

In early October 2021, Ketch Secor looked out across the sold-out crowd at the Grand Ole Opry and launched into his best Roy Acuff impression. Mimicking the fabled “King of Country Music” and Grand Ole Opry empresario, Secor lowered his voice to a gravely baritone and bellowed Acuff’s advice, dutifully observed by every performer who’s … Read more

A luxury resort along an iconic stretch of Bahamian beachfront celebrates 70 years

By Randi Aileen Press and the Lifestyle Magazine staff The muted pink sands along the Atlantic Ocean side of Harbour Island—a 3-mile stretch that, in some places, extends as wide as 100 feet—are notoriously cool to the touch. No matter the tropical temperature in the Bahamian resort town, some 50 miles east of Nassau, beachgoers … Read more

Summertime holidays are easy and close by at Hilton Head Island

Some say it’s South Carolina’s Lowcountry sultry, salt air and hazy sun-filled afternoons that captivate holiday goers. Others claim the magic of indigenous Gullah cultural and culinary charms as a primary draw for visitors. Still, others point to an almost endless string of sporting pursuits from kayaking, fishing and sailing to golf, tennis and cycling … Read more

Editorial: Following the Bolts on the road to Raleigh (PHOTOS)

Sports fans who have been missing the roar of the crowds are buying tickets again, and those of us with travel lust are checking airline schedules and happy to travel to see our beloved teams play. Post-pandemic, weary bodies, and minds are craving an adventure. Before you could say “GO BOLTS,” I secured tickets to … Read more

Ready for a road trip? AAA reports gas prices in Florida on the decline ahead of Memorial Day weekend

Florida gas prices are declining as more than 2 million Floridians prepare to travel for Memorial Day. AAA is forecasting that the majority of those (1.9 million Floridians) will take a road trip of 50 miles or more. Floridians are currently paying an average price of $2.87 per gallon. That’s 2 cents less than a … Read more

Norwegian Cruise Line debuts new class of ships

By Sean d’Oliveira As the cruise industry beckons to restart business, Norwegian Cruise Line began taking sales for a new fleet of cruise ships called Prima Class. The new class of ships is the first redesign of its fleet in nearly 10 years, according to the company. “Despite not having sailed in more than a … Read more

The Power of Travel: Visit Tampa Bay and Visit St. Pete/Clearwater celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week

In association with U.S. Travel Association, Visit Tampa Bay and Visit St. Pete/Clearwater are celebrating the Power of Travel, with destinations across the country, during this year’s National Travel and Tourism Week, May 2 to May 8. “As we continue toward tourism recovery, we recognize that our progress is thanks to the hundreds of partners … Read more

Greece opens to American tourists; France likely next

With newly vaccinated, jet-setting Tampa Bay area residents anxiously waiting to see when the world—especially Europe—would reopen for travel, it’s welcome news that Greece has removed its COVID-19 travel restrictions. Consider this a “pre-opening” as the official reopening date is May 14, but travelers from the European Union, the United States, Britain, Serbia, Israel and … Read more

Hillsborough County’s general aviation airports are soaring

The travel industry took a hit in 2020 while stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions meant people were not going anywhere, or at least, not going as far as often. “This year has been a year like no other, but we have since rebounded,” says Brett Fay, Director of General Aviation at the Hillsborough County Aviation … Read more