DESTINATIONS THE US | FLORIDA
views AGENTS’
“There were so many fun experiences. The dolphin adventure
was great and we had a lovely beach afternoon in Clearwater. Even if it rains, you can still go to the beach because it’s so warm. There are hotels to suit everyone, from more local stays to bigger resorts. I think once clients have been once, they’ll want to return time after time.” Lauren Jackson-Heath, Independent Travel Experts
“St Pete- Clearwater is not somewhere I would have considered
before this trip. My favourite part was Clearwater Marine Aquarium; seeing dolphins being rehabilitated was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Both cities have their own appeal: St Pete is more laid-back, while Clearwater is livelier in the evenings. The Chihuly Collection and The Dalí Museum are great for temperamental weather.” Philipa Geary, Hays Travel
“The dolphin- watching cruise was a highlight. I knew it was a beach
destination, but I didn’t realise how nice the beaches were. And I didn’t know downtown St Pete was going to have such a quirky and artsy vibe. It’s a versatile destination.” Ben Walton-Guest, Travel Counsellors
44 13 NOVEMBER 2025
Gulf Coast, just 30 minutes from Tampa. They lure visitors with 35 miles of white sand, vibrant museums, fresh seafood and 361 days of sunshine per year – and I’m here with a group of UK agents to find out more.
SUMMER IN THE CITY Our introduction to the area is firmly on land, with a dose of culture at the Salvador Dalí Museum in St Pete. The Spanish artist’s surrealism is evident before we even step inside, with a 23-metre-tall glass structure known as The Enigma that envelops the building. Inside, a spiral staircase winds skyward past galleries of the artist’s work. We explore rooms of optical illusions, from melting clocks to paintings that pop out from walls, as well as galleries filled with Dalí’s sketches, sculptures and prints. The visit sets the creative juices flowing for our next stop, the Chihuly Collection at the Morean Art Centre, which is home to artist Dale Chihuly’s dazzling glass sculptures. In the huge gallery, strategically placed spotlights bring each piece to life. One is a cascade of blue glass twisting like an upside-down Christmas tree, another a constellation of marbled orbs, while a third resembles a cluster of rippling, multicoloured clams. After picking up a few glass souvenirs, we are back outside admiring even more art – this time, the 600-plus murals that adorn the city’s streets – on the way to St Pete Pier. Opened just five years ago, the peaceful boardwalk is full of locals jogging, rollerblading or
33We explore rooms of optical illusions, from melting clocks to paintings that pop out from walls
riding the shuttle buggy to our destination, Pier Teaki, a restaurant and rooftop bar at the end of the pier, where visitors can enjoy panoramic views over the city and sea.
DOLPHIN SAIL A 45-minute drive north brings us to Clearwater, which is hugged by endless white sand and transparent water that reflects its name. At the beachfront city’s marina, we board a two-deck boat for a Dolphin Exploration Tour in Clearwater harbour.
Anticipation among the agents is high, as the
excursion operator Tropics Boat Tours offers a 100% guarantee of seeing dolphins. As we enjoy chilled drinks with the sea breeze in our hair, we scan the waves with bated breath. Sure enough, we soon spot one playing in the surf near Pier 60, followed by a braver dolphin cruising gracefully in the wake of our boat. All in, we spy multiple pods of the mammals and their calves bobbing in and out of the waves. We learn more about the animals during a brief stop at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium rescue
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travelweekly.co.uk
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The Salvador Dalí Museum; the agents at Pier Teaki; dolphin cruise in Clearwater harbour PICTURES: Jimmy Fashner; Nicholas A Collura-Gehrt
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