Travel Favourites – Florida

This new series features some of my favourite holiday destinations. So far we’ve visited DubaiDalaman in Turkey and BournemouthHarrogate and The Isle of Wight in the UK. This week, we’re back overseas to the USA and Florida:

Free Pie Wednesday

I’d known my friend, Jackie, since I was four years old; we met on our first day at primary school. I’d been all tearful, and scared to leave my mum, when she took my hand and off we ran in to school. Fast forward forty years and here Jackie was, asking if I’d like to go to Florida for her wedding. Would I? Too right I would!

Now, Florida is well-known for its theme parks – Universal Studios, SeaWorld and Disney, being the most popular. We spent many an hour enjoying those usual touristy trips, and there are plenty of memorable moments from them to cherish.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

But those aren’t the highlights from my stay. The wedding, of course, was special – seeing my oldest (don’t tell Jackie) friend walk down the aisle, in a glorious setting, looking utterly stunning, was wonderful. And simply having time together, relaxing and chatting was a real treat.

But it has to be the pie that stands out the most. I think Jackie would agree!

We stayed at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel, which was fantastic, but the breakfast was a little pricey and wasn’t a patch on the mountain of delectable delights offered first thing in the morning across the road at the Village Inn: pancakes; waffles, burritos; omelettes; French toast…the list was endless. We usually skipped lunch after that titanic feast.

One Wednesday evening we decided to try dinner there. And that’s when we fell in love with the pies. We had to walk past where they were displayed to get to our table. Our eyes were out on stalks. They had the usual cherry and lemon meringue pies, bursting with fruit and cream, in the most luscious-looking pastry cases, but it was the Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough pie, crammed with chocolate creations and other tantalising treats that had me drooling. And, on a Wednesday, the pie was free! Well, as long as you purchased dinner there, which seemed fair enough.  

The only problem was, the dinners were so filling, it was impossible to squeeze even a flake of pastry in. My heart sank at the thought of missing out on a sumptuous pie. But the waitress came to our rescue and let us take a slice of pie away to eat later.

The verdict? Heaven!          

Discovery Cove

31 responses to “Travel Favourites – Florida”

  1. My grandfather lived in Florida, and when he was alive, we would go there to visit him, and we did visit Disney World a few times (and SeaWorld once).

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’d love to go back and see Florida without the theme parks too. Lovely place.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. I think Discovery Cove would have been my highlight. Well, though, now that I think of that pie……Sounds like you had a wonderful and varied visit.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Judy. Discovery Cove was fantastic and we did swim with dolphins. But pie is pie!

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      1. I’ve always wanted to do that. Probably won’t, now.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Great trip, Esther! My family went to the Tampa Bay area several times, back in the 1960s, visiting aunt and uncle there.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. the Village Inn pies are to die for. We would go and just have pie. We would order a variety of slices and share so we each got to taste all of them. Great memories.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I’ve never tasted such lovely pies! Glad you enjoyed them too.

      Liked by 2 people

  5. nikidaly70 Avatar
    nikidaly70

    The pie sounds truly memorable, Esther! 😋

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It really was. we also went to some delicious ice cream parlours. Needless to say, I put on a pound or two during that holiday!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. nikidaly70 Avatar
        nikidaly70

        Always the sign of a good holiday! 😆

        Liked by 2 people

  6. A great piece, Esther (the writing not the pie!) Amazing how many memories link with food.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. That’s very true. Thank you for your comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. i would be stunned by free pie. Sounds delightful.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It really was. Thanks. John.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. So glad you enjoyed a bit of Florida. It can be intimidating what with so much to do and see, and oh, yes. the food!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for that, Annette. Yes, it really is a special place.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Florida sounds cool with the theme parks made me think of the Gold Coast

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I really would love to go back.

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  10. Lemon meringue pie sounds delicious. Florida isn’t too far away from Texas so we’ve been there many times. Last time was Key West, before that a beach north of Miami, and then I think we’ve been to Disney World and Universal Studios 6 times. Congratulations on your daughter’s wedding.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for your comment. Lucky you going so many times! Wonderful.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Clearly the food was very memorable 😀. Have you visited South Down in Brighton?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. No, I haven’t Robbie? Is it good?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I have booked a day trip from London. I’ll let you know 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Sounds delightful!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I really did enjoy it.

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  13. […] So far we’ve visited Dubai, Bournemouth, Harrogate, Dalaman in Turkey, The Isle of Wight and Florida. This week, we’re travelling to the Greek island of […]

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