A Different Kind of Relaxing Vacation

Early on Tuesday morning, you can go on a nature tour given by a naturalist familiar with the sea life, the islands, the many birds and animals of the area, and the vegetation that is threatened in the fast growing life of the surrounding community.

Next, you must drive the five miles to Tarpon Springs, a historic Greek community, see the Sponge Exchange with authentic Greek food, music, and art that make this area unique. Don't miss Hellas Restaurant, Bally Hoo restaurant, and the famous Pappas Restaurant.

You cannot miss the Caladesi State Park beach with a ferry ride to the isolated island that bears all the marks of the number 5 beach in the USA, with lots of shells, white sands, and no commercialization.

An alternative is to visit Clearwater Beach that has all the amenities of a public beach and all the shops and restaurants to boot.

You are only two hours from Orlando and Walt Disney World, 40 minutes from Ybor City of Tampa.

You can't miss with this vacation spot.

Quick Tips:

I suggest that you get a weekly pass to Dunedin Beach that will allow you not only to get to the beach but access to the Caladesi State Park number five rated beach, which requires an additional ferry charge of /adult.

Route 19 to Clearwater, Largo, and St. Petersburg will provide a wide variety of restaurants and a shopping mall.

If you go across the Courtney Campbell Causeway (Rt. 60) toward Tampa, you can get to the new International Plaza Mall off Spruce St. or continue onto Interstate 4 East and you can easily access the famous Ybor City of Tampa.

Best Way To Get Around:

The best way to get around is by car. The main roads are Alternate 19 and Route 19.

Crystal Beach is a small and quiet community off Alternate 19 and can be an easy walk to the main areas of interest there. Bicyle/walking paths are also available that gives a good opportunity for exercise and touring the local area.

Boating and kyaking are available in nearby areas, which some people use to access Caladesi State Park island.

Best Things Nearby:
Tarpon Springs' Greek community life with historic sponge exchange docks, Greek restaurants (don't miss the Greek salads), dress, souvenirs, sponges, shells, and Greek art are all available at reasonable costs.

Caladesi State Park and Dunedin Beach are within 4 miles driving and offer top rated clean and beautiful beaches (Caladesi State Park Beach is rated number 5 in the US).

Clearwater Beach with its soft white sand and warm water beach (88 in July) is about 10 miles away and worth the drive.

Best Things About the Resort:
This is a unique experience of relaxation in a very comfortable, well kept, clean and spacious unit with a carport to drive your car under the house for protection. The units have a roof top loft to view the area with lounges to rest and relax. In addition to a pool and a hot tub outside the club house, there is also a pier leading out into the St. Joseph Sound with all the vegetation natural to the area and birds of many varieties in easy view and sometimes a manatee and dolphins. The pier extends a 100 yards out and gives one a sense of peace and a breataking view of sunsets and sunrises. The area provides a compatibility with the historic environment of the quiet community of Crystal Beach, maintaining a protection for turtles, butterflies, birds and animals that make this a naturalist's dream to relax and enjoy. It offers an appreciation for a restrained and enviornmentally conscious person on retreat from the hectic life of the city.

Resort Experience:
I am profoundly surprised at how much that I have enjoyed the simple things of this resort and community. One can rest with the sounds of nature, the visual beauty of the St. Joseph's Sound, the picturesqe sunset/sunrises in an adequately provided quarters and courteous management and supporting staff.

• Unit Type: 3 Bedroom
• Activities: Good
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent