48 Hours in Fort Myers

Located about three and a half hours south of the Villages of Citrus Hills, Fort Myers offers everything a traveler could want from a South Florida town along the Gulf Coast.

Between the local wildlife, outstanding food, and history that is unique to the area, there is more than enough to keep you busy over a weekend trip to Fort Myers.

If you’re looking to plan your next 48-hour getaway, these are a few ideas we would recommend for exploring Fort Myers.

Day One - Burgers, Boats, Southern Food, and Ghosts

Assuming that you are going to be hungry when you first arrive in Fort Myers, our first stop is going to be Fat Katz for a delicious lunch. This fun and friendly gastropub goes all out to class up the typical sports bar favorites like burgers, cheesesteaks, and salads. Don’t skip the hummus dip!

Once we have our bellies full, the next stop on our Fort Myers getaway will be the History and Eco River Cruise from Pure Florida Fort Myers. This 90-minute cruise will get you out on the Caloosahatchee River where you can see tons of local wildlife, as well as unique views of all of the most popular Fort Myers attractions.

For dinner on our first night in Fort Myers, we are heading to Fancy’s Southern Cafe for one of the best southern-style meals you will find anywhere. This amazing restaurant plays all of the southern hits like Fried Okra, Fried Green Tomatoes, Chicken-N-Waffles, and Country Fried Steak in an upscale, white-tablecloth atmosphere.

After dinner, the plan is to head back out into the city to participate in the Haunted History of Fort Myers Walking Tours. These 90-minute tours leave at 8 pm on most evenings and take guests past some of the most famously haunted spots in Fort Myers.

Day Two - Wildlife, Crab, History, and Steak

After staying out late with the ghosts on our first night in Fort Myers, we are going to kick off day two by getting back out in nature at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. You can spend as long as you want exploring the trails that lead off of the 1.5-mile raised boardwalk here, and you can expect to see a wide range of South Florida wildlife as you venture through the preserve.

Now that we’ve worked up an appetite at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, we’re heading to Trap House Krab and Seafood for a unique lunch that will blow your mind with flavor. You pick your combination of seafood here, and everything is served in similar aluminum take-out pans topped with the most amazing garlic butter sauce you’ve ever tasted.

You can’t come to Fort Myers for the first time without visiting the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, so that is where we are heading next. This gorgeous campus offers a collection of historic buildings surrounded by award-winning gardens, which is what makes this one of the most popular tourist destinations in Fort Myers.

Our second dinner in Fort Myers is going to take us to El Gaucho Inca, which serves Peruvian and Argentinian style dishes that will completely blow your mind. Definitely start with the Trio Ceviche, and then just order whatever meats and sides look most appealing to you from there. You will not be disappointed!

If you are looking for a nightcap following the meal, you can take a quick ride up to The 86 Room in the River District for a craft cocktail with a classic speakeasy-style vibe. The drink menu is always changing here, but feel free to ask for your favorite!

Day Three - IMAG, Crave, and Shopping

The IMAG History and Science Center is the first stop on our last day in Fort Myers, and you definitely don’t have to be a kid to enjoy everything that this place has to offer. With 60 different exhibits, live shows, a massive aquarium, and 3-D movies, there really is something for everyone to enjoy here.

We like to finish up our 48-hour getaways with a fantastic brunch option, and one of the most popular places for breakfast and brunch in Fort Myers is Crave. There are plenty of options to choose from on their locally sourced menu, but the best place to start is always going to be their selection of twists on Eggs Benedict.

Before heading back home, we are going to make one last stop in Estero to check out the shopping at Coconut Point. There are more than 100 unique shops to explore in this open-air mall, so you can grab plenty of souvenirs to remember your 48-hours in Fort Myers.

After spending 48 hours taking in all that Fort Myers has to offer, you will have just barely scratched the surface of what is possible in this fun South Florida town. So don’t think twice about planning what will surely be the first of many quick getaways to Fort Myers!

10 Reasons Why Retirement is Awesome!

1. You get to decide what to do every day. Unlike the predictability of your former life (work, dinner, TV, sleep, repeat), now you get to decide each day’s structure.

2. There's time to give back. Many retirees find it enormously rewarding to volunteer their skills to worthy charitable organizations, whether it's the Lions Club, animal shelters, the food pantry or a community college.

3. Travel, travel, travel. Almost everyone's bucket list includes a trip to some special place, from the Pyramids or the Great Wall of China to the Grand Canyon.

4. Catch up on TV and movies you've always wanted to see. Maybe you were too busy with your career and kids to follow some of the great directors like Alfred Hitchcock, Woody Allen and Robert Altman. Now you have time to go on Netflix, Amazon or even borrow CDs from the library.

5. You can still work part time. Just because you're retired doesn't mean you can't work part time. A lot of people carry over assignments from their old company, while others parlay their personal interests into a moneymaking venture.

6. Spend more time with family and grandchildren. Spending time together helps to form lasting connections between family members. Relish the opportunity of this time to create deep and wonderful memories that last a lifetime.

7. You can sleep whenever you want. Retirement isn’t about sleeping, it’s about recharging when you need it, not just when you can fit it in.

8. Senior discounts are yours for the asking! Take advantage of your age and experience with substantial savings. Google “Senior discounts” to get an idea of what’s available.

9. There's no pressure, no stress and no problems. It's the freedom that retirees appreciate so much: Freedom from the pressure to get ahead at work, get your child into college and keep up with the neighbors.

10. You now have the time to do nothing. Finally, there's time to enjoy the pleasure of sitting on the back deck and soaking up the atmosphere, reflecting on your life and enjoying the cool breezes across your face

January Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

It’s a brand new year here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, and our friends at the Activity Center are already planning to make sure that 2020 is the best one yet for all of our residents.

Whether you are looking for exciting shows, fun social events, fantastic learning opportunities, some serious competition, or just a great meal, there is something for everyone happening around our community this month.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the activities and events you are going to want to put on your personal calendar in January of 2020.

Big Show Series

The Big Show Series will be rocking and rolling into 2020 starting with “Shadow of the 60s” performing at the Activity Center Auditorium on Thursday, January 16. This tribute to the Motown super groups will feature some of your all-time favorite classic tunes from The Temptations, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder.

Thursday, January 30 will be a night to celebrate the music of Linda Ronstadt when “Love is a Rose” hits this stage for the second Big Show Series performance of the month. This one will feature Paula Hanke and Peggy Ratusz singing all of Linda’s greatest hits.

Social Events

The social events for January will kick off with a trip to Winter Springs for the Scottish Highlands Games on Saturday, January 18. In addition to some pretty wild competition, this event will also feature beer, wine, and whiskey tastings, as well as highland dancing and plenty of food vendors, so it will make for a great way to spend an afternoon with friends.

Tasty Trivia Tuesday will be celebrating its 15-year anniversary in the Hampton Room on January 21. The appropriate theme for this month’s questions will be “Fifteen,” and the dinner menu will feature Boursin-Stuffed Chicken Breast and Sliced Sirloin in Mushroom Sauce.

On Thursday, January 23, the Hampton Room will be hosting a Disco Fever Dance Party. Break out your best bell-bottom pants and prepare to get funky with Groove 41 performing live disco hits throughout the entire evening.

There will be a group trip to Giraffe Ranch in Dade City on Friday, January 24 that will leave at 9:45 am and return around 3:30 pm. This will be a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with a number of giraffes in a safari-meets-zoo environment. The trip will also include a stop at Cracker Barrel for lunch.

Another trip that you won’t want to miss out on this month will be Publix Aprons Cooking School in Tampa on Tuesday, January 28. This month’s menu will include Grilled Chicken with Apples, Bacon, and Gorgonzola along with Balsamic Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and a Peach Cobbler with Vanilla Gelato.

Art & Education

This month’s educational opportunities will feature a six-week Internet for Dummies course that kicks off on Sunday, January 12. The first class is free to attend, which is a perfect reason to stop by the Activity Center and check it out.

Doc Talk will be back in the Activity Center Auditorium on Tuesday, January 14 at 1 pm. This month’s speaker will be Dr. Shalesh Kaushal, and the topic will be retinal disease and overall eye health.

Our friend Gayle Cohen will be back in the Garden Room for another Lunch & Learn session where she discusses the healing power of music on Friday, January 17 starting at 10:30 am. This month’s menu will feature a Grilled Chicken Wrap with Potato Salad and a Warm Apple Crisp Dessert.

The Activity Center Auditorium will be hosting a Travel Seminar called “Explore South Dakota” on Wednesday, January 22 at 6:30 pm. This free seminar will break down everything you need to know about an upcoming 7-night trip to the Black Hills that is currently being planned for October of 2020.

On Saturday, January 25 there will be an AARP Smart Driver Course teaching defensive driving tactics at the Activity Center. Participating in this course could earn you a discount on your car insurance and save you a lot more than the price of admission.

Golf & Tennis

Our local golfers are going to be out in full force throughout the month of January with the Men’s Ringer Tournament Major Event happening at Skyview on January 13 and 14. Then the Citrus Hills courses will be hosting the New Year’s Open on January 4, the Ladies’ Winter Invitational on January 10, and the Ladies’ Citrus Cup Championship on January 17.

Anyone looking to start off 2020 by improving their golf game should make a point to attend the Free Golf Seminars with PGA/LPGA Teaching Professional Mary Slinkard. She will be working with beginner golfers this month on January 6, 7, and 8. Then she will be back to work with intermediate golfers on January 13, 14, and 15.

Skyview Tennis Center will be hosting its monthly Free Beginner Tennis Clinic on Tuesday, January 14 at 11:30 am. This is always a great way to introduce yourself to the local tennis community and meet neighbors that you can play with on a regular basis.

Dinner Specials

Skyview Restaurant will be pulling out all the stops to kick off 2020 with a Steak & Lobster Fest Dinner on January 4, a Soft-Shell Crabaganza on January 18, and an Asian Buffet Night on January 23.

Then their biggest event of the month will be the Taste of Rome Wine Dinner on Tuesday, January 14 that will feature five different courses of food and wine pairings.

The big event at the Tiki Bar this month will be their Karaoke Night, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, January 7 from 6 pm to 9 pm.

BellaVita Spa and Fitness

If you happen to find any quiet time for yourself in between all of the action happening around our community this month, make sure you don’t forget to make an appointment at Bella Vita Spa. They will be featuring an Aromatherapy Facial and a Luxurious Jelly Pedicure throughout the entire month of January.

With all of these exciting activities and events happening all over the community this month, there is no reason not to get out and enjoy everything that the Villages of Citrus Hills has to offer. Make sure that you put all of your favorite events on your calendar so that you don’t miss out on the fun!

Experience the Tampa Craft Beer Scene

With a brewing history that dates all the way back to 1896, beer has always been a big deal in Tampa. But even the biggest craft beer enthusiasts have been pleasantly surprised at the amount of growth the Tampa craft beer scene has logged over the past decade.

Whether you are a passionate craft beer enthusiast or just a regular beer drinker looking for a good time, the craft breweries that are popping up all over Tampa offer local residents a great way to explore the city in a unique way that changes in flavor each and every day.

If you are just getting your feet wet exploring the craft beer scene in Tampa, these are the five powerhouse operations that should be first and foremost on your list.

Angry Chair Brewing

Founded on the principle that everyone has an “Angry Chair” that they wouldn’t mind getting away from for a bit, Angry Chair Brewing is a 1,900 square foot operation that is best known for their unique stouts.

Attached to the brewery is a 1,000 square foot taproom that features 16 taps pouring their latest creations. If you are looking to try a little bit of everything, you will be happy to learn that they offer 5 oz pours of anything on the menu. They are open every day of the week, but the hours do vary slightly from day to day.

Brew Bus Brewing

Brew Bus Brewing originally started as a party bus tour company that offered transportation for patrons looking to hit multiple breweries over the course of a day. After struggling to choose which local brewery to feature most prominently, they eventually decided to create their own.

The taproom at Brew Bus Brewing is open every day and features 20 different beers on tap.

Whether you are looking for crazy-hopped IPA’s or just a mellow pale ale, there is something for every palate here...and each beer has its own hysterical name.

Brew Bus Brewing also offers a full menu in their taproom, and they still run public and private bus tours to other breweries on a regular schedule.

Cigar City Brewing

Since opening its doors in 2009, Cigar City has quickly grown to become one of the most popular craft breweries in all of Florida. Much of that growth has been driven by their fantastic Jai Alai India Pale Ale.

The tasting room at Cigar City Brewing is designed to look and feel like the quintessential neighborhood bar, and you can grab a pint and a cigar here any day of the week between 11 am and 8 pm. Cigar City Brewing also offers full tours every day at 12 pm, 1:30 pm, 4 pm, and 5:30 pm.

Coppertail Brewing Co.

This brewery is named after an imaginary monster created in the mind of the owner’s daughter. The creative five-year-old’s impossible creation seemed to fit right in line with the story of a talented home brewer looking to make a career out of his hobby by going up against the monsters of the beer industry.

The four core beers that Coppertail is known for are its Free Dive India Pale Ale, Dependent Pilsner, Night Swim Porter, and Unholy American Trippel Ale. You can find those beers along with plenty of other seasonal options being poured and served along with delicious food in their beautiful taproom every day of the week.

7venth Sun Brewery

After earning a degree in Fermentation Science from Oregon State University and logging time working for Anheuser-Busch and Sweetwater Brewing, Devon Kreps decided that it was time to create her own brewery. That idea would lead to the founding of 7venth Sun Brewery, which officially opened its Dunedin facility in 2012.

7venth Sun Brewery is best known for its unique variations of Florida Weisse beers, but you can always find a full selection of brews available at their taproom in Tampa, which is open later than most breweries every night of the week.

While these five breweries certainly represent the best of what the Tampa craft beer scene has to offer, they really just scratch the surface of one of the fastest-growing craft beer markets in the entire country.

Don’t miss out on your chance to check out some of these incredible breweries the next time you head down to The Big Guava.

7 Inexpensive Destinations for Flights Out of Orlando

Because it is “The Theme Park Capital of the World” and one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country, Orlando is notoriously easy to get to from just about anywhere in the country.

And while that is already a huge selling point for anyone looking to host visitors here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, it also offers a wide range of crazy cheap flights that residents can jump on for a quick getaway pretty much any time they want.

So, if you’re looking for something other than the weekend getaways here in Florida we’ve written about to plan your next trip, here are seven destinations that you can fly to on the cheap this year.

New York City, New York

Manhattan Bridge in New York city

While most domestic cities have direct flights to Orlando, there is an astounding amount of international air traffic that flies to Disney World by coming through New York City. And for that reason, you can always grab a quick flight to New York City for as little as $130 round trip.

There is an endless amount of sightseeing to do all over the city, so start with one of those popular double-decker bus tours and feel free to spend your time at any location that excites you.

Chicago, Illinois

The Chicago River

Chicago is another major hub that is constantly scheduling flights to and from Orlando, and that means that you can shoot up there for a weekend trip for about $140 round trip.

One of the best things about visiting Chicago is that you can take the train right from the airport to your hotel, so you don’t even have to worry about paying for a taxi or Uber.

Denver, Colorado

Rocky Mountains

The gorgeous views of the Rocky Mountains that you will see in Denver are a stark contrast to what we are used to looking at here in Florida, and you can grab a round trip flight to visit the mountains for as little as $116 right now.

If the great outdoors isn’t really your thing, there are still plenty of things to see and do right in downtown Denver to keep you busy for a fun-filled weekend in the Mile-High City.

Memphis, Tennessee

Beale Street

Memphis is an iconic destination for barbecue lovers around the country, and Florida residents can hop on a direct flight to get there for about $150 round trip.

Not only is Memphis known for great food, but there are also a lot of fun sightseeing options here including a plethora of Elvis-related attractions.

Dallas, Texas

“Jerry’s World”

Another fantastic destination for barbecue lovers is Dallas, and you can find round trip direct flights heading that way for $131 right now.

In addition to the food, this is also a popular trip for Cowboys fans making their annual pilgrimage to the breathtaking AT&T Stadium, better known by locals and fans as “Jerry’s World.”

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Old San Juan

While many of these destinations are heading to the north, there are also plenty of flights out of Orlando that head south into the Caribbean. One of the best ways to see the islands without a passport is a quick trip down to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Round trip flights to San Juan can cost as little as $173, which is a crazy cheap way to start any Caribbean getaway.

Las Vegas, Nevada

The Las Vegas Strip

Round trip flights from Orlando to Las Vegas usually come in just under $200, and when you combine that with all of the discounted hotel rooms and fabulous amenities in Sin City, it can actually be one of the cheapest getaways you will find anywhere.

And you don’t even have to be a gambler to enjoy a trip to Las Vegas. With all of the things to see and do at each casino, all of the fantastic restaurants to choose from, and all of the amazing shows, you can actually spend an entire weekend there without ever even touching a slot machine.

No matter where you plan to go, having such close access to Orlando International Airport is a huge advantage for residents here at the Villages of Citrus Hills.

Make sure that you are doing the most to take advantage of this great nearby amenity.