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Making The Most of Bell Services at Disney's Deluxe Resorts
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One in a Million Cruise
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A 'Magic' Time In The Mediterranean
A Wrap-Up From DCL's Inaugural Mediterranean Cruise
DCL: Not Just for Kids!
Spa Villas Review

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Four Parks in One Day
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Scary Places (Halloween)
Playing "Millionaire"
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A Day With Allie
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Disney's Hollywood Studios
Monorail System
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A WDW Veteran's First Trip to Disneyland
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Keys To The Kingdom Backstage Tour
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MurderWatch Mystery Theatre
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Party For The Senses
Artist Point
1900 Park Fare Dinner Review

Making Magic

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Magic of Slowing Down
Unexpected Treasures
Wishes Fireworks Cruise
Backstage Tours
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Pal Mickey
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Hidden Mickeys
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Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida: The "Other" Florida

By Maureen Austin, PassPorter Guide and Co-Owner of Grand Getaways Travel

It might surprise visitors to Tampa to learn that this buzzing central city was once a quaint Indian fishing village. Famous explorers Ponce de Leon and Hernando de Soto began incredible journeys of adventure and discovery here -- and you can do the same!

Located just little over an hour's drive west of the Walt Disney World Resort, the Tampa-St. Petersburg area has wonderful attractions and charm to offer you on your next visit to Florida. Tampa is not only one of the most culturally and ethnically rich communities in the Sunshine State, it also has stunning natural beauty beyond compare.

Tampa offers a chance for everyone in the family to go wild! Check out Busch Gardens Tampa. Combining fascinating animal experiences and some of the country's best thrill ride coasters, this is sure to be a must do for the entire family. If you are planning a visit to Sea World in Orlando, inquire about a combination ticket. Sea World and Busch Gardens are both Anheuser Busch Adventure Parks and you may be able to save some money by buying a multi park pass. Visit http://www.buschgardens.com and http://www.seaworld.com for more information.

Don't stop with Busch Gardens. Tampa has several other wonderful attractions worthy of a visit. Take a dive down near coral reefs without getting wet at the Florida Aquarium. Among the many fantastic exhibits in this state-of-the-art facility is a coral reef. As you progress through the exhibit you encounter different depths and see how the landscape changes. You can also find more than 5000 species of animals. The Florida Aquarium loves your kids - there are plenty of hands on experiences for the wee ones. Visit http://www.flaquarium.org for more information.

Take a relaxing stroll among flowers indigenous to Florida and the butterflies that love them at the University of South Florida's Botanical Gardens. The gardens are open daily and will provide some much needed relief to your soul as well as your pocketbook - admission is completely free! Get more information from the Botanical Gardens' website at http://www.cas.usf.edu/garden.

If warm sand beaches and the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico are softly calling your name, you'll find them an easy drive from Tampa in St. Petersburg and Clearwater. Fort De Soto Park was recently named a top beach in the U.S. This particular area boasts 900 unspoiled acres and 7 miles of pristine beach. In addition to restrooms, concessions and other amenities at the beachfront, you can also take advantage of the park's biking and skating trails. There are many other parks and beachfront areas to discover and they all can be seen at http://www.floridasbeach.com.

Also be sure to leave time in your itinerary to visit what is probably the most culturally diverse area in Tampa as well as Florida. Ybor City offers an incredible district full of shopping and dining as well as nightlife and history. This lively area became home to the cigar industry when in the 1800's a man by the last name of Ybor brought his cigar manufacturing company to Tampa and offered jobs to thousands of immigrants from all cultures, who worked side by side.

If there is a sports lover in your family, Tampa is sure to please. Tampa is home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, in addition to other spectator sports across the area. Golf enthusiasts will definitely find their bliss. Tampa hosts several major tour events including the PGA's Verizon Classic. Tampa offers courses that will be up to par for the novice or the advanced player.

To list and describe all that Tampa has to offer you on your vacation would have us all reading here for quite some time. Instead, visit the Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau site at: http://www.visittampabay.com where you can also find excellent information on accommodations, restaurants, shopping and much more. Be sure to visit Orlando's neighbor for a change of pace and fantastic vacation memories!

This article appeared in our March 6, 2005 newsletter -- subscribe to our popular newsletter today for free!

Related Articles:

St. Augustine, Florida

Miami, Florida

Pensacola, Florida

Space Coast, Florida

Key Largo and Islamorada

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Updated 01/22/07

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