OFTIG 2013 - (Page 45)
VIVA FLORIDA
During the post-war boom,
Florida was the fourth most
populous state in the nation
Are your clients looking for something more off the beaten
path? Suggest taking a guided kayak tour out of Blue Spring
State Park in West Volusia, which is also a manatee refuge
where more than 300 manatees gather from November to March.
“The numerous blueway trails along the St. Johns River
provide miles of unspoiled natural beauty teaming with wildlife
to observe from canoes and kayaks,” says Renee Tallevast,
executive director of the West Volusia Tourism Advertising
few places in Florida where your clients can harvest scallops.
Authority. Visitors can also enjoy the river from on board a river
A fun family activity, scalloping can be done along the entire
cruise, learning about the nature of the area along the way.
coastline at areas like Keaton Beach, Hagen’s Cove and
“Four river tour boat companies provide access and
Steinhatchee. Scallop season runs July 1 through Sept. 10 and
excursions that reveal interesting tales of the river’s history and
all your clients need is a snorkel mask, fins (or water shoes), a
ecology with sightings of alligators and manatees along the way,”
mesh bag to hold the scallops, and access to a boat.
Tallevast says. St. Johns River Cruises (sjrivercruises.com)
Also in North Florida, Mims recommends paddlers take
offers wildlife and nature cruises, as well as guided kayak tours
a trip on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail because it is
and rentals, and Blue Heron River Tours (blueheronrivertours.
“one of the most well-developed paddling trails anywhere, with a
com) offers daily 2-hour eco-nature tours.
network of developed river camps about every 10 miles or so.
“This is a great place for a family that wants to spend
“Taking a river cruise or kayaking or airboating on
the unspoiled St. Johns River is about as ‘off-the-beaten-
a few days on the water. It’s especially scenic on the upper
path’ as you can get,” Tallevast says. “Our multi-use trails
section of the river,” he says.
meander through shaded canopies of wild habitats where
An Irresistible
Attraction.
KE
Y
LA
RG
O
Between our rich history and endless activities, your clients will find
whatever they’re drawn to in The Florida Keys.
fla-keys.com 1.800.fla.keys
ISL
KEY W
EST
VISITFLORIDA.COM
40-51_2013_Active.indd 45
BIG PINE KEY & THE LOWER KEYS
MARA
THO
AM
OR
AD
A
N
2013 LO1 • Annual
MCTG-8142 Official Florida Travel Industry Guide| Official Florida Travel Industry Guide
45
1/18/13 10:00 AM
http://www.sjrivercruises.com
http://blueheronrivertours.com
http://www.fla-keys.com
http://www.fla-keys.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of OFTIG 2013
OFTIG 2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/oftig/oftig2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/oftig/oftig2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/oftig/2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/oftig/oftig/2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/oftig/oftig_2011
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com