Adventures in Paradise by Nanette Wiser
Planning your summer vacay?
You can hop over the bridge to enjoy a weekend in Tampa, discover pet-friendly resorts and restaurants here and in Sarasota or drive to Vermont for some Ben & Jerry’s and cool mountain air.
PET FRIENDLY RESORTS
Fur-baby and you need a respite? Check ahead on pet regulations (size, breed) and whether a deposit or non-refundable fee is charged. Some hotels offer treats on check-in, doggie meals and concierge assistance in locating nearby pet services.
In Pinellas County, check out pet-friendly hotels for visiting family and friends including The Sirata Beach Resort, Alden Suites, Hyatt Place St. Petersburg, Treasure Island Beach Resort, Treasure Island Ocean Club, Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach, Postcard Inn on the Beach, Beach House Suites by The Don CeSar and main hotel, newly refreshed. For coffeehouses/restaurants, if there is a patio and your pet is on a leash, chances are its dog friendly in DTSP and the Gulf Beaches; call ahead for the rules. Be sure to stop by The Dog Bar in downtown St. Pete for some drinks and dog-friendly activities.
Head over the bridge to Sarasota for some pooch-perfect R&R at Holiday Inn on Lido, Lido Beach Resort, the Ritz-Carlton, Hotel Indigo, Aloft, Gulf Surf Resorts on Casey Key and Turtle Beach Resort and Inn. Like St. Pete, dogs are welcomed at more than 40 restaurants for dining outside on a leash. Check out The Old Salty Dog, Owen’s Fish Camp, Bijou Café, Patrick’s 1481, Mattison’s City Grille, C’est La Vie, Café L’Europe, Libby’s Brasserie and Columbia.
MOUNTAIN HIGH
Our publishers love to get away from the summer heat to Colorado, so we wanted to find an East Coast drive or fly retreat in addition to typical getaways such as Tennessee or North Carolina. Head to Brattleboro Vermont whose hip, boho-chic downtown district and bucolic surroundings, #LoveBrattleboroVT is “one of the best small towns in America,” with lots to do including events at the Vermont Jazz Center, New England Center for Circus Arts, and Asian Cultural Center; hiking and nature trails; to antiquing and shopping and artisan experiences (pottery and jewelry making) as well as farm-to-table dining. For May and June, the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center is showing two, new, not-to-be missed exhibits – Jennifer Mack-Watkins: Children of the Sun, and Kenny Rivero: Palm Oil, Rum, Honey, Yellow Flowers exhibits at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (now through June 13). Brattleboro truly offers something for everyone with more than 1,000 events each year – including the Harris Hill Ski Jump, Brattleboro Literary Festival, Brattleboro Brewers Festival, Retreat Farm Food Truck Round-Up, monthly First Friday Gallery Walks, and many art, film, music and dance events – the town is always humming with energy.
TAMPA LUXE LIFE
The Epicurean Hotel is a just-over-the-bridge vacay where you can spa, dine elegantly, sip exquisite wines, listen to live music and hang with the hip Champa crowd that flits here, Eddy V’s and The Meat Market. It’s the place for connoisseurs of life to come and indulge their appetite at the restaurant (a mélange of beautifully presented Indian, Mediterranean, Asian and other cuisines), the lobby bar (for brunch) or rooftop bar for artisan cocktails and divine snacks overlooking Tampa, especially the Montenegroni (Bombay, Campari, Aperol, Dolan Sweet, Montenegro).
As a Marriott Bonvoy property, you earn rewards and it’s an ideal retreat for exploring the museums and nightlife of Tampa’s SoHo and Ybor City. (epicureanhotel.com/explore/) The Epic Staycation gives you a special rate on accommodations plus 20% off at Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar and EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge. (Valid thru 6/6/2021; Promo Code 7JL)
The luxurious 137 guest rooms and suites are a blend of urban chic and comfort. Guests will enjoy butcher block style cabinetry, luxurious rain showers, personal artisan pantries stocked with premium liquors, locally crafted beers and wines. We love the Epicurean events and food/wine pairings, especially the Sunday Bend, Bubbles and Brunch, where you can recenter and restart with poolside yoga, a complimentary glass of Champagne or Ketel One Botanicals cocktails and enjoy all day pool access and brunch at Élevage. On Mother’s Day weekend they will host a plant class and brunch. A good gift for Mother’s or Father’s Day? The Spa Evangeline pampers your skin and palate with flavors of relaxation including fresh fruit scrubs, buttery lotions and rich botanical oils infused with herbs to help relieve stress and leave you feeling invigorated. www.EpicureanHotel.com, 1207 S Howard Ave, Tampa, 813.999.8700