Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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with a stop for lunch at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. The tour costs $45 for
adults and $40 for children 12 and under. The full-day tour (10am-5pm) of both Tampa
and St. Petersburg gives a good overview of the two cities and the beaches; this tour costs
$75 for adults and $65 for children. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in
advance; passengers are picked up at major hotels and various other points in the Tampa/
St. Petersburg area. The company also books bus tours to Orlando, Sarasota, Bradenton,
and other regional destinations (call for schedules, prices, and reservations). The center
is located on the ground floor of Boggs's bed-and-breakfast, the
Swiss Chalet Bed and
Breakfast,
which has been refurbished and enjoyed by many repeat customers. The
breakfasts are delicious, a major draw in addition to the fact that guests who stay in the
B&B may purchase a special ticket that gives them unlimited access to Busch Gardens
and Adventure Island during their entire stay. Rates range from $179 to $199 a night
with 10% discounts to seniors and veterans. Transfers to and from Tampa International
Airport can also be arranged, therefore eliminating a rental car and parking charges.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES & SPECTATOR SPORTS
BIKING, IN
LINE SKATING & JOGGING
Bayshore Boulevard, a 7-mile-long prom-
enade, is famous for its sidewalk right on the shores of Hillsborough Bay and is a favorite
with runners, walkers, and in-line skaters.
The route goes from the western edge of
downtown in a southward direction, pass-
ing stately old homes in Hyde Park, a few
high-rise condominiums, retirement com-
munities, and houses of worship, ending at
Ballast Point Park. The view from the
promenade across the bay to the down-
town skyline is matchless. (Bayshore Blvd.
is also great for a drive.)
FISHING
For charters, try
Captain Jim's
Inshore Sportfishing Charters,
512 Palm
Ave., Palm Harbor (
&
727/439-9017;
www.captainhud.com), which offers pri-
vate sport-fishing trips for tarpon, redfish,
trout, and snook. Rates are $350 to $625 for two anglers. Call for schedule and reserva-
tions. Rave reviews have come in for
Capt. Gus's Crabby Adventures
(
&
813/645-
6578;
www.crabbyadventures.com), whose 4-hour boating, eating, and eco-experience
includes interaction with live blue crabs, stone crabs, and all the living creatures of the
bay including manatees, dolphins, laughing gulls, pelicans, herons, egrets, and osprey.
Gus instructs guests on how crab traps are pulled and baited. Guests also learn to grade,
clean, steam, and eat blue crabs and stone crabs at the Bay Chop Villa, an open-air,
waterfront shack and gazebo overlooking a Zen rock garden. Parties of two cost $300,
with additional passengers $50 each. Boat leaves at 8am and 2pm.
GOLF
Tampa has three municipal golf courses where you can play for about $30 to
$35, a relative pittance compared to fees at privately owned courses here and elsewhere
in Florida. The
Babe Zaharias Municipal Golf Course,
11412 Forest Hills Dr., north
of Lowry Park (
&
813/631-4374
), is an 18-hole, par-70 course with a pro shop, putting
greens, and a driving range. It is the shortest of the municipal courses, but its small greens
Cruise Control
The
Port of Tampa
(
&
800/741-
2297
or 813/905-7678; www.tampa
port.com) is home to four cruise
lines and a changing cast of ships
that travel the Caribbean and Latin
America. At press time, the players
were Celebrity Cruise Line, Royal
Caribbean Cruise Lines, Holland
America Cruise Lines, and Carnival
Cruise Line.
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