Florida Travel Fanatics

Clarke & Heather
  • 4.9 (13)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Hey there! We’re just a couple of Florida locals who can’t stop exploring (and eating our way through) this awesome state. On Florida Travel Fanatics, we share our best Florida travel tips, vacation ideas, hidden gems, theme parks, beaches, and, of course, where to find the most amazing food in Florida. Heather’s a chef, so you know we take our eats seriously — from seafood shacks to fine dining to hidden local favorites. Want the best things to do (and taste!) in Florida without the stress? We’ve got you covered — plus some sweet discounts and insider hacks. Pack your bags and come travel (and eat) Florida with us!

  1. 12/31/2025

    63 : How to do a long weekend family trip to Marco Island

    Send us a text We recently made a long weekend trip to Marco Island, Florida, on the southern end of the Gulf Coast.    In this episode we'll share our experiences and give you some ideas about how you can visit Marco Island and tips on restaurants, fishing, lodging, weather, beaches, etc.  We'll also share our experiences at two Tampa Michelin rated restaurants, Clarke's day at the Dunedin Celtic Music and Craft Beer Festival, a trip to the Florida Aquarium, positive changes to TSA's airport security lanes, and some suggestions for winter activities here in Florida. Take our survey on Florida Digital Travel guides:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LTV5ZXQ Our Links  : Subscribe to our Newsletter www.FloridaTravelFanatics.com Our YouTube Channel Instagram Twitter Monthly $$ contribution to help support our Podcast Join our Facebook Group Email  :  contact@FloridaTravelFanatics.com Olivia's Italian Restaurant in South Tampa Street Light Taco in South Tampa The Florida Aquarium in Tampa Dunedin Scottish Arts Foundation Tampa's Gasparilla Pirate Fest Central Florida Scottish Highland Games Florida RV Supershow Marco Island Historical Society Davinci's Italian Restaurant in Marco Island Tigertail Beach, Marco Island (00:00)  Introduction (01:06) What in the Florida have we done lately ?   (12:23) Florida Travel News (18:44) Florida Travel Tips (22:08) Main Topic : Marco Island Trip Support the show

    35 min

  2. 10/01/2025

    62 : Florida Storm Watch 2025 : September Hurricane Update

    Send us a text The Atlantic Hurricane Season is tricky, especially here in Florida.   We're 2/3rds of the way through the peak of this years season, and it's been quiet but odd.   Join us as we explain it,  and as usual we've got some great Florida restaurants to talk about !   A BBQ brisket sandwich on a donut !   And a Michelin recommended English restaurant in affluent South Tampa.    Take our survey on Florida Digital Travel guides:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LTV5ZXQ Our Links  : Subscribe to our Newsletter www.FloridaTravelFanatics.com Our YouTube Channel Instagram Twitter Monthly $$ contribution to help support our Podcast Join our Facebook Group Email  :  contact@FloridaTravelFanatics.com Playalinda Beach Canaveral Seashore - our IG Reel Third Culture Kitchen    our IG Reel Smoke and Donuts, in the Milk District Orlando Bellows Film Lab, in the Milk District Orlando    our IG Reel Orlando Beer Festival in the Milk District in November Weatherman Denis Phillips Facebook Page (00:00)  Introduction (01:13) What in the Florida have we done lately ?   (17:01) Florida Travel News (22:46) Florida Travel Tips (26:27) Main Topic : Hurricane Season 2025 Update September Support the show

    36 min

  3. 07/17/2025

    61 : Couples’ Escape: A Laid-Back Long Weekend in Fort Myers

    Send us a text Join us as we recap our wonderful 37th anniversary getaway to Fort Myers, Florida! In this episode, we share tips for planning a Florida road trip—even when the weather’s a little unpredictable. Hear about our stay in the historic Altamonte neighborhood, just ¾ mile from downtown Fort Myers with walkable access to restaurants, breweries, speakeasies, and more. We explore the Sanibel Causeway, visit Bowman Beach and charming Captiva, cruise through Fort Myers Beach and downtown Naples, and celebrate the 4th of July with $2 oysters and fireworks. Plus, hear about our coastal crawl up Florida’s Gulf Coast through Nokomis, Casey Key, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Coquina Beach, and Holmes Beach. If you’re planning a Fort Myers vacation, Gulf Coast beach trip, or Florida road trip itinerary—this episode is packed with helpful insights and local favorites ! Our Links  : Subscribe to our Newsletter www.FloridaTravelFanatics.com Our YouTube Channel Instagram Twitter Monthly $$ contribution to help support our Podcast Join our Facebook Group Email  :  contact@FloridaTravelFanatics.com OCC Roadhouse.    Our IG Reel  Largo Central Park Performing Arts Center Dunedin Highland Games   Our IG Reel Downtown Fort Myers River District Edison & Ford Winter Estates Izzy's Fish & Oyster Restaurant  Our IG Reel 86 Room Speakeasy  Our IG Reel Downtown House of Pizza Coastal Dayz Brewery Support the show

    38 min

  4. 03/28/2025

    60: How to enjoy the St Pete Grand Prix IndyCar Series Race !

    Send us a text The IndyCar Grand Prix of St Petersburg is something we enjoy every year, and we can't recommend it enough.   Downtown St Petersburg Florida comes alive with incredibly fast cars (up to almost 200 mph) and highly skilled drivers.   In this episode we'll talk about it in detail, and let you know how you can enjoy attending this race.   Our Links  : Subscribe to our Newsletter www.FloridaTravelFanatics.com Our YouTube Channel Instagram Twitter Monthly $$ contribution to help support our Podcast Join our Facebook Group Email  :  contact@FloridaTravelFanatics.com Florida Man Games Website Florida Man Games promo video (watch this!!)  SOF (Special Operations Forces) Demo video from 2024 (incredible!) Tampa's Bay's "Bay Area Renfest"  Key West "Southern Most Air Spectacular" Airshow AirDotShow in Fort Lauderdale AirDotShow in Cocoa Beach AirDotShow at Orlando Sanford Airport Michelin Guide for Florida Restaurants St Pete Grand Prix website Oak and Stone Restaurant Downtown St Pete Craft Beer and Artisan Pizza (00:00)  Introduction (02:16) What in the Florida have we done lately ?   (09:05) Florida Travel News (18:40) Florida Travel Tips (22:29) Main Topic : How to enjoy the Grand Prix of Saint Petersburg Florida Support the show

    37 min

  5. 02/25/2025

    59: How to Use a Travel Agent to plan your next trip !

    Send us a text We love travel planning, and have never considered using a travel agent.  Why would we ?  You can do everything online, right ?   Well, we recently had a conversation with our good friend Chance Williams, a travel agent.  He opened our eyes to the value of using a travel agent, and we learned that most travel agents don't charge you anything for their services.   And they have access to information, bookings, discounts, etc.  and special access only for travel agents with airlines, cruise lines, hotels, resorts, etc.   In this episode we interview Chance and he explains how it all works, and how a travel agent can book a trip for you, or validate and improve on a trip you've already put together.    Buckle your seatbelt and learn, just like we did !   YouTube Video Podcast version of this episode Chance Williams contact info :   832-725-8666 info@bonnechancetravel.com Chance.EvoTravel@gmail.com Our Links  : Subscribe to our Newsletter www.FloridaTravelFanatics.com Our YouTube Channel Instagram Twitter Monthly $$ contribution to help support our Podcast Join our Facebook Group Email  :  contact@FloridaTravelFanatics.com Krewe of St Yago Knight Parade, Ybor City Tampa Orlando Solar Bears Hockey Team SS United States Conservancy Website Grand Prix of Saint Pete Indy Car Race Weekend Tampa Bay Area Renaissance Festival (00:00)  Introduction (01:17) What in the Florida have we done lately ?   (08:40) Florida Travel News (13:08) Florida Travel Tips (19:05) Main Topic : How to Enjoy professional and college sports in Florida Support the show

    1h 4m

  6. 02/08/2025

    58: How to enjoy Florida during the Winter season!

    Send us a text Winter is a great time to be in Florida !  In this episode we'll talk about winter activities, travel suggestions, and give some locals tips on how to maximize a winter trip to Florida.     Bring a sweatshirt !  Our Links  : Subscribe to our Newsletter www.FloridaTravelFanatics.com Our YouTube Channel Instagram Twitter Monthly $$ contribution to help support our Podcast Join our Facebook Group Email  :  contact@FloridaTravelFanatics.com Instagram Page for Nosey Goat Coffee Shop in downtown Tampa "Eating at a Meeting" Podcast page Knight's of Saint Yago Pirate Parade in Ybor City Tampa Florida's Grapefruit League Spring Training Baseball games Our Podcast episode on Kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboarding in Florida Our Podcast episode on Bike Riding in Florida Our Podcast episode on Hiking in Florida Our Podcast episode on how to enjoy Florida Manatees VisitFlorida.com landing page for Winter Activities (00:00) Introduction (00:54)  What in the Florida have we done lately ?   (10:30) Florida Travel News (16:37) Florida Travel Tips (20:37) Main Topic : How to Enjoy professional and college sports in Florida Support the show

    33 min

  7. 12/17/2024

    57: How to Enjoy a Long Weekend Trip to the Florida Keys, Part 2

    Send us a text We recently spent a long weekend in the Florida Keys !   This has been a Bucket List trip for us for quite awhile, and we had an amazing trip and we're glad to share it with you !   There's a lot to talk about, so we're splitting this into two episodes.   In this second of two episodes, we'll talk about the trip back from Key West and and overnight stay in Islamorada, as well as a fun stop we made in the Everglades on our way back to our home in Tampa. Our Links  : Subscribe to our Newsletter www.FloridaTravelFanatics.com Our YouTube Channel Instagram Twitter Monthly $$ contribution to help support our Podcast Join our Facebook Group Email  :  contact@FloridaTravelFanatics.com Mel's Hot Dog Restaurant near Busch Gardens Tampa Tampa Citipass (great price on 5 major attractions in Tampa) Local Miami news story about the new Publix with boat dock in Hollywood Beach VisitFlorida.com article about Holiday Boat Parades in Florida FloridaRambler.com comprehensive list of Holiday Boat Parades in Florida Trans Siberian Orchestra website Ragged Edge Resort and Marina, Islamorada Mangrove Mike's breakfast cafe, Islamorada History of Diving Museum, Islamorada Clyde Butcher's Everglades Photography Gallery Support the show

    37 min

  8. 11/26/2024

    56 : How to Enjoy a Long Weekend Trip in the Florida Keys, Part 1

    Send us a text We recently spent a long weekend in the Florida Keys !   This has been a Bucket List trip for us for quite awhile, and we had an amazing trip and we're glad to share it with you !   There's a lot to talk about, so we're splitting this into two episodes.   In this first episode, we'll talk about the 8 hour drive from Tampa to Key West, including lunch in Key Largo.   We hope we can give you some tips and ideas for your own Keys trip !!  Our Links  : Subscribe to our Newsletter www.FloridaTravelFanatics.com Our YouTube Channel Instagram Twitter Monthly $$ contribution to help support our Podcast Join our Facebook Group Email  :  contact@FloridaTravelFanatics.com PayByPhone parking app ParkMobile parking app Key Largo Fisheries Market Cafe and Marina AirBnb for 1019 Varela Street in Old Town (amazing!) Oasis Restaurant First Flight Restaurant Faustos Grocery Store Frenchies Cafe Hemingway Home & Museum Support the show

    38 min
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4.9
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Hey there! We’re just a couple of Florida locals who can’t stop exploring (and eating our way through) this awesome state. On Florida Travel Fanatics, we share our best Florida travel tips, vacation ideas, hidden gems, theme parks, beaches, and, of course, where to find the most amazing food in Florida. Heather’s a chef, so you know we take our eats seriously — from seafood shacks to fine dining to hidden local favorites. Want the best things to do (and taste!) in Florida without the stress? We’ve got you covered — plus some sweet discounts and insider hacks. Pack your bags and come travel (and eat) Florida with us!

Information

  • Creator
    Clarke & Heather
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Florida Travel Fanatics
  • Show Website
    Florida Travel Fanatics