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
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