CITY

St. Petersburg

Situated on Florida's radiant Gulf Coast, St. Petersburg caters to both beach lovers and culture vultures. With its seaside vibes and lively arts scene, the area has long been a draw for a weekend getaway, or a sunny vacation week or two. A fun mix of hip, urban and retro, old-Florida neighborhoods and attractions, visitors are never lost for fun things to do in this town. Additionally, the greater St. Petersburg area enjoys an average of 361 days of sunshine per year—Sunshine City, indeed.

TOWN

Celebration

Originally founded by The Walt Disney Company in the mid-‘90s, the master-planned community called Celebration was fashioned after historical American small towns, with civic buildings designed by world-famous architects like Robert A.M. Stern. 

Today, Celebration is a charming small town with tree-lined streets, captivating architecture and a welcoming mix of shops and restaurants. In fact, Celebration was named one of America’s 10 prettiest towns. The picturesque downtown is compact and walkable. The community features a diverse and interesting mix of housing, from grand estate-style homes to condos, all of which are situated on pedestrian-friendly streets. 

Visitors can learn a lot about Celebration by taking the self-guided walking tour, a horse-drawn carriage ride, a Segway tour or by renting bikes to ride through the scenic trails. 

Celebration is also home to many annual events such as Now Snowing during the holidays and Oktoberfest, which celebrates the beginning of fall. Be sure to check out the weekly farmers market every Sunday and the monthly art and wine strolls.

BEACH

Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach dazzles with impeccable beaches and inviting waters. Trip Advisor named it the nation's #1 beach in 2018. Caladesi Island, off the north end of the beach, was recognized as the nation's best by Dr. Beach in 2008. 

Besides the beaches, there is Clearwater Beach's inviting, small-town atmosphere. At Clearwater Marine Aquarium, you will find Winter the Dolphin, star of the "Dolphin Tale" movies. Winter swims with a prosthetic tail and the movies about her triumphs have struck a chord with adults and children who identify with the dolphin's struggles.

With Clearwater Beach attractions such as these, fine restaurants and family-friendly lodgings, as well as exciting beach activities, Clearwater Beach's many options will have the whole crew smiling. 

THEME PARK

Disney World

No destination on earth has more — or more iconic — theme parks than Orlando. At Walt Disney World Resort alone, you’ll find Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney’s Hollywood Studios® and Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, plus Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water parks. These Disney parks are wildly immersive. For the most part Disney attractions tell a great story that lives on with visitors long after the thrills of the rides have faded into memory.

Further, Disney seeks to entertain and educate, so not only do visitors get these amazing experiences that they remember for a lifetime, but after they leave there is almost always something about their visit that inspires them to learn more about a place they visited. For example, after people visit Expedition Everest (at least the way it used to be), how many of them will want to go back home and learn more about Nepal, and Mount Everest, and the legend of the Yeti? Or after experiencing Mission:Space and the surrounding pavilion, how many kids develop a deeper interest in becoming astronauts? In other words, Disney parks inspire people to do something, even after they leave the parks.

Let's face it, we all love other amusement parks and when we visit them we generally have a great time. But those visits don't inspire us to go beyond the theme park and learn something new, we just go there for a good time and leave. But because Disney tries to entertain and educate, visitors are often inspired to continue their park adventures even after the vacation has ended.

That's what Disney Magic is all about, and that's what keeps hundreds of millions of people returning year after year, generation after generation.

Of course, having boatloads of cash to invest in amazing ride and show experiences that are unparalleled at regional parks, adds a touch of magic as well!

TEMPLE

Wat Florida Dhammaram

Peaceful places abound in Florida but there are some temples offering a different type of meditation and inspiration. Wat Florida Dhammaram is a sanctuary and monastery where daily chanting and meditation practice welcomes the public.

The hidden temple is a Theravada Buddhist monastery of the Dhammayut-Nikaya sect of Thailand. The main temple, called The Uposoth, is 3,680 square feet. featuring an impressive entrance with small temples inside with different Buddha statues of varying sizes.

As you enter the venue you will notice sacred pilgrimage sites with constructed replicas of sites found in India in honor of Lord Buddha. The shrines are located in a park surrounded by live oak trees and a walkway to stroll peacefully. 

You can find a Buddhalila (walking Buddha), Mahabodhi Temple of Bodhgaya India and other replicas.

According to a Trip Advisor user, "Wat Florida Dhammaram is a very beautiful and peaceful location. You can go into the Thai Temples and see the magnificent decorations and Buddhas. The Monks are very friendly and willing to explain their religion to you and explain the items. It is well worth the time to see it. In October, they have a special food festival which is wonderful."

It is important to notice, this place is not a tourist attraction but a place to worship and meditate. 

Filipino Restaurant

Nipa Hut

The native house (NIPA HUT) has traditionally been constructed with bamboo tied together and covered with a thatched roof using nipa or anahaw leaves. A cool breeze comes freely, fresh, and very inviting. As has been said, “You haven’t tasted the real authentic native cooking if you haven’t eaten inside the NIPAHUT”.

Family-oriented dining place, also a multi-use facility for parties: Anniversaries, Baby Shower, Birthdays, Bridal Showers, Business Meetings, Christmas & New Year Eve Parties, Family/Class Reunions, Graduations, Job Promotions, Wedding Receptions, etc. We have a dance floor area, Karaoke for the music lover, and a schedule Live Band. We serve Beer (domestic, imported, and Philippine) and Wine.