Even in west central Florida the advent of fall is obvious. While the weather remains warm and the breezes are only slightly less balmy, a hint of shadows foretell the oncoming change in seasons. Fall is a wonderful time to visit as the “high season” is still months away, providing visitors with great bargains on airfares, accommodations … and their pick of their place on the beach!

As Mother Nature begins to go dormant to the north, west central Florida continues to bloom, especially at Largo’s Florida Botanical Gardens, one of the Clearwater area’s unexpected surprises, a lush oasis situated in the midst of busy Pinellas County. Part of the Pinewood Cultural Park campus, the gardens feature Florida native and tropical plants, themed gardens and a variety of wildlife.

Pinewood Cultural Park is but one of 31 parks and facilities scattered over 4,100 acres maintained by the county for the enjoyment of visitors and residents alike.

In addition to classes and hands-on workshops taught by Master Gardeners from the University of Florida / Pinellas County Extension, The Florida Botanical Gardens offers a large number of nature and wildlife tours, as well as special events:

Beginning in November and continuing through April each Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm, the Florida Botanical Gardens will host Market in the Park. In addition to locally grown produce and other foods, educational programs will be available.

Pinewood Cultural Park lights up the nights in December with Seasonal Sensations. With extended hours into the evening for ideal viewing the more than 425,000 lights strung throughout the gardens, Seasonal Sensations is one of Pinellas County’s premier holiday light events. Pinewood’s Heritage Village and Gulf Coast Museum of Art are also included in this annual celebration.

Activities include craft fairs; ornament making stations; storytelling; music and much more! Admission to Seasonal Sensations is free. For more information about Seasonal Sensations and Pinewood Cultural Park, visit www.pinewoodculturalpark.org.

Florida Botanical Gardens, located at 12520 Ulmerton Road in Largo, is open 365 days a year, from 7 am to 7 pm. The Welcome Center and Botanical Bounty Gift Shop are open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

For additional information call 727-582-2100 or visit www.flbg.org.

Great Things Come in Small Packages

Three of Clearwater Beach’s small lodging properties – the Monaco Resort, Tropical Breeze Resort and the Royal North Beach – have recently undergone major renovations and are ready to show off their new looks.

The Monaco Resort, just one block from Clearwater Beach, completed renovations earlier this year and is welcoming guests to enjoy its motel rooms, efficiencies, and one- or two-bedroom suites with a private pool, spa and shuffleboard court. Updates include new furniture in every room or suite, new kitchens and baths, fresh paint inside and out and wireless Internet service. Additional renovations include new air conditioning units, new hot water systems, doors, windows and roofs, and landscaping. Guests will also enjoy a patio with BBQ area and a Jolley Trolley stop right at the front door.

Fall and winter rates at the Monaco Resort range from $55 a night for two in a motel room to $985 for a week in a two-bedroom suite that sleeps six. For additional information on the Monaco Resort, located at 648 Poinsettia Ave. N. in Clearwater Beach, call 727-443-6954.

The Tropical Breeze Resort is finalizing renovations, all of which should be completed by the end of December. Located bayside and only 100 yards from the beach, the resort offers guests a variety of motel rooms, efficiencies and two-bedroom suites along with personalized attention and courteous hospitality. Updates will include new furniture in every room or suite, new kitchens and baths, fresh paint inside and out and wireless Internet service. Additional renovations will include new air conditioning units, new hot water systems, doors, windows and roofs, and landscaping. Guests at the Tropical Breeze Resort will also enjoy a patio with BBQ area and a Jolley Trolley stop at the front door.

Rates at the Tropical Breeze through the winter range from $60 a night for two in a motel room to $1,018 for a week in a two-bedroom suite that sleeps six. For additional information on the Tropical Breeze Resort, located at 333 Hamden Drive, or to make reservations, call 727-442-6865.

For more than a year, the Royal North Beach underwent extensive renovations before reopening earlier this year. Each of the rooms on the property, known for its affordable luxury accommodations, is uniquely decorated in various themes, such as an Art Deco room, a beach-themed room and a Tuscan room, among others. With a minimum of 600 square feet, rooms feature full kitchens with granite countertops, wood and tile floors, and pillow-top beds. It’s just a 15-second walk to the beach, and only a bit further to an assortment of shops, restaurants and Pier 60.

Fall and winter rates at the Royal North Beach range from $109 per night for a 600-square-foot, one-bedroom unit that sleeps four to $1,150 for a large 1,100-square-foot two-bedroom unit that sleeps 10. For additional information about Royal North Beach, located at 657 Mandalay Ave., call 888-BEACH-23.

Meanwhile, the luxury Sandpearl Resort is now open for business and progress on Hyatt’s Aqualea Resort continues! Also, Phase II of Beach Walk - the northern end of S. Gulfview Blvd. - is nearly completed. There is very little street construction and none on the north beach.

For more information on “Billion Dollar Beach” including current updates on road construction and parking information visit www.billiondollarbeach.com.

Dinner and a Cruise

In July 2006, StarLite Cruises acquired the Calypso Queen, formerly known as the Show Queen. For the past year or so, StarLite Cruises has been upgrading the Calypso Queen, and it’s now ready to set sail for lunch and dinner year-round from the Clearwater Municipal Marina. The Calypso Queen is just one of the many recreational options available at the marina.

According to Jocie Rivera, director of sales, StarLite Cruises, the exterior and interior of the Calypso Queen have been totally redone, including new appointments throughout the interior and all new paint inside and out.

“The exterior of the Calypso Queen was hand-painted by a local artist,” said Rivera. “Each little flower is hand-painted, which is really neat.”

The menu on the Calypso Queen has stayed the same as it was in its Show Queen days, but the quality of the food has been upgraded. Buffets on the lunch and dinner sailings include three cold salads, fruit, two to three main entrees, two sides, a vegetable and rolls. A full bar and beverages, as well as dessert, are available in addition to the buffet.

The Calypso Queen sets sail every day throughout the year for lunch and dinner cruises, except Christmas and New Year’s. The lunch sailing, including buffet, is $19.95 per person, plus tax and gratuity, and the dinner sailing is $29.95 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

For additional information on the Calypso Queen and to make reservations, call 727-462-2628.

Dive with the Sharks … or Swim with the Fishes

The Florida Aquarium in Tampa has two exciting programs that allow guests to get up close and personal with its resident sharks and fishes: Dive with the Sharks and Swim with the Fishes.

Certified scuba divers 15 and older are invited to don mask, tank and fins and take the plunge into Shark Bay, a 93,000-gallon saltwater exhibit within the aquarium. Designed to dispel the myths that surround sharks, the program also promotes conservation of these fascinating creatures.

The first part of the Dive with the Sharks program is an educational presentation. And then it’s time to dive in! Accompanied by two dive masters, guests will be immersed with shark species from around the world, including sand tiger sharks, zebra sharks, nurse sharks and black tip reef sharks. Family and friends can view the entire experience from the Sea Hunt gallery.

All guests need for this incredible experience is a facemask, bathing suit and towel – everything else is provided by the aquarium. Dive with the Sharks is $150 per person and includes aquarium admission for the diver, an adjustable shark dive hat and a photograph of the diver during the experience.

For those who may not be certified scuba divers – or just not into sharks – there’s Swim with the Fishes, a program open for kids and adults ages six and older. This unique program teaches the basic concepts of scuba and provides an opportunity to experience a simulation of a 60-foot dive in the Dry Tortugas off the coast of Key West.

Participants wear a small scuba tank, regulator and a flotation device that enables them to stay on the surface, much like snorkeling, while still experiencing the thrill of diving. And then it’s off into the 500,000-gallon Coral Reefs Gallery salt water tank for a 30-minute swim. The reefs are teeming with life, including more than 1,700 animals representing about 65 species, all native to Florida.

Guests only need a bathing suit and towel. Cost is $75 per person and includes aquarium admission for participant plus one guardian/adult companion; group rates are available.

The Florida Aquarium is located in Tampa’s Channelside district. For program times and days, and for advanced reservations for Dive with the Sharks and Swim with the Fishes, call 813-273-4015.

Are You Joking?!

The National Comedy Hall of Fame is now open at John's Pass Village & Boardwalk. The museum is officially recognized as the only comedy hall of fame museum in North America by such organizations as the Library of Congress, the American Association of Museums, the Smithsonian Institute and the Los Angeles and New York Friars Clubs.

The museum’s organizers began thinking about creating a comedy hall of fame in 1989. It wasn’t until the New York Friars Club lent its support that the plan gained traction; shortly afterward, Abbott and Costello, and Laurel and Hardy, became the first inductees in 1991 and 1992, respectively. The founders then began accumulating items and creating displays while scouting possible sites all across the country before finally securing the Madeira Beach location, primarily due to its popularity as a tourism destination.

The museum contains over 450 artifacts representing over a century of comedy and every medium in the industry including vaudeville and theater, radio, stand-up, television and film. The museum also includes a research library and gift shop.

For more information, call 727-398-5761 (toll-free 888-2-GIGGLE) or visit www.comedyhall.com.

This Airport Has Wings

USA3000 Airlines announced new non-stop service from St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport to Cincinnati International Airport beginning December 18. Flights depart every Tuesday and Thursday, and fares are as low as $69 each way plus all applicable taxes.

A recent Tampa Tribune article hailed the airport’s explosive growth and popularity, especially with local travelers who appreciate the airport’s convenience and the airlines’ low fares. With 66 weekly departures to 21 U.S. destinations, passenger traffic is up 75 percent from 2006.

USA3000 also flies into St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport from Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Newark, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and St. Louis.

To make a reservation on USA3000 Airlines call 1-877-USA 3000 or visit www.USA3000.com. For more information about the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport and additional flight information, visit www.fly2pie.com.

The fall calendar is jam-packed with fun things to do. Below is an overview of a few key events; be sure to check the events calendar at www.visitclearwaterflorida.com for even more!

Marine Max Clearwater Jazz Holiday Presented by Mercedes-Benz
This four day, open air, waterfront and free live jazz festival features four days and nights of internationally renowned jazz from Oct. 18 to 21. This year’s line-up is stellar and includes George Benson, Peabo Bryson, Arturo Sandoval and Natalie Cole. Held in Coachman Park in downtown Clearwater’s waterfront, food and drinks are available. For additional information, visit www.clearwaterjazz.com or call 727-461-5200.

Frenchy’s 2007 Stone Crab Festival
Frenchy’s, a favorite among locals and visitors alike for its fresh seafood and casual atmosphere, presents its annual Stone Crab Festival weekend Oct. 19 – 21 with great food and live music. For additional information, visit www.frenchysonline.com or call 727-446-3607.

Bud Light AVPNext Volleyball National Championships
The Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) is comprised of the best men's and women's pro beach volleyball players in the U.S. and arguably, the world. The organization's main goal is to deliver to its fans the experience of an amazing athletic contest - surrounded by an unforgettable beach party! With that said, it’s time to hit Clearwater Beach and watch as top male and female doubles teams compete for $3,000 in cash prizes. The tournament is Oct. 20 and 21. For more information, visit www.eevb.net or call 631-728-0397.

Annual Country Jubilee and 30th Birthday Celebration
More than 125 craftspeople will display their wares at this annual festival on Oct. 27 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm at Heritage Village in Largo. The day also features pioneer and Victorian craft demonstrations, live entertainment, historic house tours and food. In honor of Heritage Village's 30th birthday, guests will also be able to meet descendants of pioneer families and special guests of each historic building who have come “home” for the party. The event is free. For more information, visit www.pinewoodculturalpark.org or call 727- 582-2123.

Frida Kahlo: Through the Lens of Nickolas Muray
The Gulf Coast Museum Of Art presents “Frida Kahlo: Through the Lens of Nickolas Muray” beginning Oct. 27 and continuing until Jan. 26, 2008. The show features photographs of famed Mexican artist Frida Kahlo by Nickolas Muray using the Carbro technique. The exhibition, making its premiere at the Gulf Coast Museum of Art, tells the story of Kahlo’s life and her relationship with Muray as seen through his camera lens.

Trick or Treat!
Every Saturday night from 8 pm to 10:15 pm., the historic - and some would say haunted - Belleview Biltmore Resort conducts Ghost Tours during which guests learn of the hotel’s many amazing stories and experience real parapsychology. The resort also hosts a classic All Hallows Eve for the entire family on Oct. 30 and 31. For more information, visit www.belleviewbiltmore.com or call 800-237-8947.

2007 Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3
Be a spectator as more than 1,800 athletes from around the world compete in the Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3. Competitors have earned the right to compete in this event by qualifying at one of 22 Ironman 70.3 events held around the world. The week-long event culminates on Nov. 10 with a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile run. The race starts and finishes at Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach. Each age group winner in Clearwater will qualify for the 2008 Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 event with a professional prize purse totaling $100,000.

The 2006 inaugural event was one of the most popular and successful in Clearwater’s history! For more information, visit www.ironman.com/worldchampionship70.3.

Holiday Fun
The holidays are just around the corner and the Clearwater area is a magical place to spend them. Special events include the annual Christmas under the Oaks arts and crafts fair in downtown Clearwater’s Coachman Park; the annual five-day Festival of Trees in Clearwater; Seasonal Sensations at Pinewood Cultural Park; and Clearwater’s Holiday Parade and Downtown Festival. The press kit section of the online press room includes a Holidays backgrounder with details about these events and more.

CLEARWATER BEACH GULFVIEW RESORT AND SUITES - TOURISM DIVISION PARTNER

A seemingly endless supply of sun, a mild and temperate climate, world-renowned beaches, nature-based attractions and wide-ranging recreational and cultural activities make Clearwater, Florida, one of the country’s most popular vacation destinations. Its proximity to St. Petersburg, Tampa, Sarasota and Orlando make it an ideal “home base” for daily excursions. Come on down and put yourself in our shoes for a while!

Visitors seeking additional assistance with their Clearwater travel plans can contact the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce: 1130 Cleveland Street, Clearwater, Florida 33755; info@clearwaterflorida.org; 888-425-3279 (toll free) or 727-461-0011. More information, as well as comprehensive lists and descriptions of accommodations, restaurants, nightlife establishments and shopping options, can be found in the free Official Visitors Guide or at www.visitclearwaterflorida.com.

Footprints is published quarterly by the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the City of Clearwater. Upcoming issues include Winter (issued December 2007) and Spring (issued March 2008).