OFTIG 2013 - (Page 44)

ACTIVE St. Johns River, courtesy of West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority PADDLING AND SWIMMING Clients looking to get out on the water can visit one of the many springs, rivers and lakes in Florida to go paddling, swimming and tubing. “Florida is a paddler’s paradise, and there are so many great places to paddle,” says Kevin Mims, VISIT FLORIDA Outdoors and Nature Insider. Charlotte Harbor features almost 200 miles of the Charlotte Harbor Blueway Trails, totaling 53 trails for kayaking and canoeing. The trail is also a segment of the Florida Circumnavigation Saltwater Paddling Trail, a 1,515-mile-long sea kayaking trail that includes every type of coastal habitat in Florida. Great for both beginners and Travel agents looking to send their clients somewhere new in Florida will appreciate Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands. In addition to being a great value destination,... [we] boast uncrowded beaches. experts, the Charlotte Harbor trails are one of the most — Jennifer Huber, Tourism Public Relations Manager for the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau paddle perfect for beginners, with the option of a 4- or 6-mile popular activities in the area, according to Jennifer Huber, tourism public relations manager for the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau. “Travel agents looking to send their clients somewhere ‘new’ in Florida will appreciate Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands. In addition to being a great value destination, we’re conveniently located between Fort Myers to the south and Sarasota to the north, yet still boast uncrowded beaches,” Huber says. “The area offers a variety of accommodations ranging from comfortable and independently owned resorts to familiar brand names to a variety of rental condos and homes, all of which are perfect retreats after a day of taking advantage of our good nature.” Tallahassee is another great paddling destination that appeals to both beginning and experienced paddlers. Mims says a good place to paddle is on the Wakulla River, an easy trip. He recommends using T-N-T Hideaway (tnthideaway. com) for kayak and canoe rentals. T-N-T also runs a Full Moon tours. The Clewiston Inn (clewistoninn.com) in downtown over the Wakulla River tour, taking paddlers down the river Clewiston is a National Historic Site originally built in 1926 and a while the sun sets and moon rises. For clients staying in the great option for clients looking to spend the night in the area. region, suggest Hotel Duval (hotelduval.com), part of the One destination that attracts many visitors is Falling Waters Marriott Autograph Collection, the only boutique hotel in State Park in Washington County, home to Florida’s highest Tallahassee. Or, recommend a historic property in Monticello, waterfall. One of the park trails takes visitors past a butterfly near Wakulla Springs, such as The Daffodale House Estate garden to see the native and migrating butterflies, and then down (daffodaleestate.com), dating back to 1897 and offering ghost to the waterfall sinkhole to view the waterfall. This is just one of tours and tea parties, as well as a 3-acre camellia garden; or the many draws the county has to offer visitors. “Washington the 1872 John Denham House (johndenhamhouse.com), a County is full of small town charm and Southern hospitality. It 13-room Victorian mansion built by a cotton trader who shipped is full of ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, nature and goods back and forth from New York. cultural heritage tourism, and year-round festivals and special In Taylor County, the Steinhatchee Landing Resort events,” says Joel Pate, chairman of the Washington County (steinhatcheelanding.com), about a 1.5-hour drive from Tourist Development Council. “There is literally something Tallahassee on the Gulf Coast, provides upscale rental cottages offered for everyone. That’s why so many people who live here and can arrange fishing charters for clients interested in a say they wouldn’t live anywhere else.” retreat that’s a bit more hidden. Taylor County is also one of the 44 Official Florida Travel Industry Guide | 2013 40-51_2013_Active.indd 44 VISITFLORIDA.COM 1/18/13 9:59 AM http://tnthideaway.com http://www.clewistoninn.com http://www.hotelduval.com http://www.daffodaleestate.com http://www.johndenhamhouse.com http://www.steinhatcheelanding.com http://www.VISITFLORIDA.COM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of OFTIG 2013

OFTIG 2013

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