Gazing out at a deserted pier watching pelicans diving into a shimmering azure ocean, it made me realise a re-think of Florida is long overdue.
The British spends thousands of pounds snapping up property in the entertainment magnet that is Orlando and heading straight for Disney World, but we should be making much more of the sunshine state.
Mickey Mouse is a world-class attraction and a must-see, but there is so much more to discover in Florida. Just a couple of hours’ drive away from Disney are the Gulf Islands, an oft-overlooked retreat. Anna Maria Island is the barrier between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay and boasts sugar-white powdery beaches stretching for seven miles along the coastline.
The island comprises three very different cities – Anna Maria City, Holmes Beach and Bradenton which are connected by a network of bridges and a first-rate, reliable trolley system.
Each city has a wide variety of restaurants, boutiques and galleries and the friendly laid-back locals are always keen to point you in the right direction. There’s something instantly calming about this west coast hideaway where I found white sands, stunning views and charming beachfront houses. Shabby chic seems to rule: the beach is dotted with shack-like cottages which are deceptively luxurious on the inside.
This tropical spot is an excellent one for beachcombing, nature-watching, and sampling fine dining and shopping.
If upmarket eateries appeal, Anna Maria Island is dotted with smart restaurants serving up typical ‘Flori-bbean’ fare such as the delicately-flavoured speciality of grouper fish followed by the mouth-wateringly sweet Key lime pie. To my delight the Euphemia Haye restaurant in Longboat Key even has a hayloft hideaway, crammed full of the famous pie alongside a whole host of other tempting puddings which make their way onto its award-winning dessert display.
But there’s always a new place to forget the diet and I discovered, apparently just like Robert De Niro did as his framed testimony and autograph show, the Beach Bistro in Holmes Beach.
It is the perfect place to try out its signature bouillabaisse while watching a glorious sunset from the huge windows. The following day was spent at Ellenton’s Prime Outlet mall, where I found many of my favourite American brands, such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Banana Republic and bargain branches of Gap and Nike.
No trip to Florida would be truly complete without saying hello to Mickey, but there are plenty of pleasant surprises in Disney World for lovers of fine food and more grown-up entertainment.
Of course the place is packed with fast-food joints for a quick meal for park visitors but they have become much healthier and offer fruit and salads for kids and adults alike. And I used those options, plus the calories I had burned up walking round the parks and screaming on the rides, as justification to sample more fine dining, Disney-style.
Situated in the Grand Floridian resort is Citrico’s, where the best of the Mediterranean meets the USA. Epcot is a great park in which to discover food from around the world. It features 25 international market places serving tapas-sized portions regional specialities from Argentina to Turkey.
The thought of being treated like a Hollywood star always appeals to me and I found all my diva demands were more than catered for at the Brown Derby in MGM studios. This elegant eatery is an authentic replica of the longstanding Tinsletown landmark and the waiters make sure you dine like a celebrity.
An excellent base to tour round the parks is Disney World Resort’s Boardwalk Hotel. It is another step back in time as this resort is inspired by the 1930s elegance of Atlantic City comprising a promenade around a picturesque lake and near, yet another entertainment complex.
In the evening Jellyrolls comes alive as two pianists do not so much tickly as thrash the ivories to within an inch of their lives. Audience members can request any song from country favourites to hardcore rap and they both expertly bash out rollicking renditions of absolutely anything.
There’s plenty to do once you’ve watched the spectacular night-time firework displays at the parks, providing you still have the energy. Pleasure Island is the place to go and it has a huge choice of night-clubs and bars all open until the early hours. Mannequins Dance Palace is a camp club which has a slightly nausea-inducing huge rotating dance-floor, which pulsates to trance and techno. Talking of camp, my favourite was the disco-tastic 8 Trax, where the 70s and 80s are brought to life as the dance floor stays still but the crowd get down to the Bee Gees, Donna Summer and the Village People.
It is hard to wander around Disney World and seeing the cartoon favourites and magical princesses without experiencing more than a partial thaw in English cynicism. So why not order an appletini cocktail and take inspiration from the laid-back Gulf and go with the flow?
Sarah Chapman flew with British Airways to Tampa from London Gatwick and returned via Orlando. British Airways flies to Florida from all the major UK airports, including Manchester. Flights start at £200 per person and are available on the website www.britishairways.com.
Sarah stayed at the Tortuga Inn, Bradenton, a self-catering resort with private beach. Hotel rooms cost from £68 per night based on two people sharing; two-bedroom condos start at £200 per night. More information on the website www.tortugainn.com.
