Visit Tampa's Urban Life and Natural World

Welcome to Tampa! Not many people choose to travel to Tampa. People usually head to South Florida- Miami or Central Florida to Orlando. Why not take a stop in Tampa? Tampa both offers an interesting downtown experience as well as a wealth of wildlife and nature both on land and in the ocean!

If you find yourself traveling in the Tampa area or are looking for a vacation with beach, city, and state parks, Tampa should be your next destination.

On the outer edges of the Tampa city limits are a group of state parks that have some wonderful hikes and variety of wildlife to see. The trails take you through beautiful swamps and woods. Lettuce Lake is a haven for bird watchers and reptile lovers. Yes, there are snakes and alligators! The flora, as well, is pretty spectacular!

Downtown Tampa has much to offer for adults and kids. The downtown has restaurants, cafes, sporting events, parks, a river, shops, and museums. There is an old movie theater, The Tampa Theater. It mostly plays old favorite films. There is a bookstore called The Old Tampa Bookstore. L'Eden is a sweet little cafe that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The owner, Gerard Jamgotchian, French-Armenian, is also the chef. He and his wife are very friendly with their patrons and have created a comfortable spot to enjoy a meal.

Take a walk along the river on the Riverwalk. It will take you from Channelside to the downtown- around and over- to The Heights. Along the walk you can visit the new History Center, The Forum (hockey stadium), and there is a water taxi to take you along the river. The Family run- Columbia Restaurant- is a fabulous Cuban place to eat. There are 4 different locations. The original is in Ybor City. My mom swears that the new one, beside the river, is the best one yet!

Bayshore Drive is in the area, a nice long strip of sidewalk along the ocean, that makes for beautiful bike rides or paths for rollerbladers. If you head back towards Channelside you can take the trolley! The trolley will take you past the aquarium and heads towards Ybor City. The aquarium has a wonderful display of wildlife, great shark exhibition, and a touch and feel tide pool. They have large fish tanks. One that reaches from floor to ceiling. They have sting rays, ducks, penguins and other birds. They have turtles and alligators as well. Pet tanks and animal shows makes this an interactive and educational stop on your tour. You can also take a boat ride out into the ocean to view dolphins! Ybor City, the old cigar factory town, has shops and theaters and nice farmer's market on the weekend.

Davis Island and Harbour Island are in walking distance to downtown. On the other side of the of the river, on Davis Island, is Chez Brice. This is a wonderful little bistro! Harbour Island has Cafe Dufraine and That's Amore. Two great little eateries.

Soho and Hyde Park are two areas also close to the downtown that have shops and great restaurants. My parents recently went to my favorite sushi shop in Soho, Water and

saw Derek Jeter! You never know who you will see in Tampa- Baseball-landia. Inkwood

Bookstore is a little independent shop with a great variety of books and frequent authors who visit and give readings. Byblos- a Lebanese restaurant is a great place to grab bite. It has a great ambiance, friendly service and delicious food.

There are great beaches in the Tampa Area: Apollo Beach, St. Petes Beach, and Clearwater Beach. All beautiful, large, and sandy beaches. Great for long walks, dips into the warm sea, and spectacular sunrises and sunsets. In Apollo Beach you might stop by an unusual wildlife sanctuary next to an electrical plant. This sanctuary is the home of many Manatees. Here you can see them in their water habitat as well as visit a small museum. Here you will learn information about the Florida Manatee, conservation and ways that you can help preserve their habitat and help them to survive. Afterwards you may decide to eat at a locally owned Tampa eatery, called Circles.

Clearwater Beach in Pinellas County is not far at all. There are many restaurants right along the beach over looking the ocean. Grab a She-Crab soup. It is rich with flavor and a specialty in this area.

St. Petersburg is close by as well. Filled with beautiful beaches they also have a museum dedicated to Salvador Dali. Take the afternoon and go to a pub for some fish and chips or Indian food. Very good. Very British!

Take a chance on Tampa. Come to the other side of Florida and check out all that it has to offer. Wishing you travel smiles.

Next Stop: Montreal! Take a Food Tour

I just got back from an amazing vacation to Montreal. Montreal is a charming place to visit in the summer or winter! There are many parks, museums, and wonderful places to eat! If you have a week or even a weekend- you can take yourself around this city and literally eat the world!

My favorite neighborhood to visit in Montreal is the Plateau! Below you find a detailed food tour of a "mock long weekend" of culinary places to visit!

Enjoy!

#1 If you drive/fly into Montreal on Friday night, you may need a place to chill out and have a drink along with some delicious food- Laika is your joint! Each day Laika has a new menu, "menu du jour", which has three to four main dishes the chef creates! There is a disco ball and a little turntable in the corner spinning music. The place is filled with young Canadian Hipsters- often during the days with their laptops and backgammon boards. Check out their website and menu.

#2 Saturday morning you may decide to wake up late and have a delicious brunch. Resevoir is one of my favorite spots. They too, each day, have a new menu written up on their chalkboard. Brunch fills up quickly there, so don't wait around too long. It resides on one of Montreal's most charming streets- Duluth, filled with shops, restaurants, and beautiful arichetecture. In the morning you can have "Thon rouge saisi, courgettes, padano et estragon"- That's right, get your French on! Resevoir is a cool place at night too- fish and chips and a homemade beer (they brew their own!) makes for a fun night here too. In the summer the roof is open!

Spend the day in the plateau, shop on St. Denis, St. Laurent, Mont Royal, Laurier, St. Viateur, Bernard. Great French book shops, furniture stores, galleries, clothes, shoes and jewlery to be had.

#3 Saturday night- you should definately check out- 786- Pakistani food in the neighborhood just north and west of the Plateau, Jean Talon. This resaturant is known for its reasonable prices, large portions, and friendliness to children and families! My family always gets an order of Dahl Mash (Lentils), Butter Chicken, Sarsoon Ka Saag, and a Lahori Fish. Yum yum delicous! I always leave super happy! Must be the chilis in the food! Get ready for super spicy!

#4 Sunday morning- head to Chinatown and get some Dim Sum! We frequent- Ruby Rouge- on the second floor of a mini mall! Huge ballroom space- they allow you brunch/lunch with leisure! This will get you close to the old city. It is a fun place to stroll- go iceskating in the winter and take a boat or bike ride in the summer!

#5 Sunday night- what about visiting the neighborrhood- NDG for some Korean! Hwang Kum. My sister and I have spent a great deal of time looking for some delicious- tofu soups and bool koki! Hwang Kum is one of our favorites. Super small, but super delicious.

#6 Monday Morning- you might feel like brunch- at Beauty's- a jewish delicious diner or you may decide to pick up a coffee and croissant at one of Mont Royal's many boulangeries. Another possible option is lunch at the famous Schwartz- always a line and always long- even in winter. The smoked meat and cole slaw are super yum! A true Jewish deli.

During the day, visit a museum, the botanical gardens or go to the Biodome! Great visits during the day to be had!

#7 Don't eat too much at lunch/brunch- save up for a delicious sushi meal for dinner! Tri Express is my favorite all time sushi place- so far in life. The chef/owner is a creative chef with sushi and has some special rolls and souces that he uses to make your mouth feel like its dancing! It is small, small and is just east of Marquette on Laurier. If you don't eat raw fish- there are great dishes cooked as well, a red snapper and black alaskan cod! If you get some rolls- get number 48- LE FAVORI DE TRI- either tuna or salmon or yellow tail. If you like pieces of sushi- definatley try the "ebi a la tri".

#8 Tuesday may be your last day and you still have so many choices- middle eastern at Rumi, The Outdoor Market in Jean Talon. I suppose I would be remiss if I didn't give you a taste of the Canadian/Quebecoise cuisine- a place to eat, "poutine"! Poutine is a dish consisting of french fries topped with fresh cheese curd, covered with gravy and sometimes additional ingredients. Maamm Bolduc certainly has some delicious choices of poutine to have and share amongst eachother.

There is much to be enjoyed here in Montreal- but this culinary tour of The Plateau will surely leave you filled to the rim with food and happiness! Please post your favorite places to brunch, chill, and eat in Montreal! Happy travels to you!