Imagine retiring early and spending the rest of your life on a cruise ship visiting exotic locations, meeting interesting people and eating delectable food. It sounds fantastic, but surely it’s a billionaire’s fantasy, right?
Not according to Angelyn Burk, 53, and her husband Richard. They’re living their best life hopping from ship to ship for around $44 a night each. The Burks have called cruise ships their home since May 2021 and have no plans to go back to their lives as landlubbers. Angelyn took her first cruise in 1992 and it changed her goals in life forever.
“Our original plan was to stay in different countries for a month at a time and eventually retire to cruise ships as we got older,” Angelyn told 7 News. But a few years back, Angelyn crunched the numbers and realized they could start much sooner than expected.
“We love to travel and we were searching for a way to continuously travel in our retirement that made financial sense,” she said. They looked into deals they could find through loyalty memberships and then factored in the potential sale price of their home and realized their dream was totally affordable.
The rough math makes sense. If it costs the couple $88 per night to live on a cruise ship, that’s $32,120 a year. Currently, the average price of a home in Seattle, Washington—where the couple lived—is $958,027 which would come with a mortgage that costs around $50,000 a year.
Plus, on a cruise ship, the couple doesn’t have to pay for groceries.
The Burks are able to live their dream because they’ve spent a lifetime being responsible. “We have been frugal all our lives to save and invest in order to achieve our goal,” she says. “We are not into materialistic things but experiences.”
Angelyn says that cruising takes the stress out of travel. “It is leisurely travel without the complications of booking hotels, restaurants, and transportation while staying within our budget,” she told 7 News. The couple travels lightly with just two suitcases between them and if they need anything, they just buy it on the ship or in the next port.
One thing the carefree couple should be concerned about on their never-ending cruise is COVID-19. The coronavirus is easily spread in close quarters and a cruise ship that recently docked in Seattle had 100 people on board who tested positive for the virus. The CDC recommends that people get vaccinated before going on a cruise and that immunocompromised people should consult with their physicians before traveling.
Since leaving their jobs and the mainland behind, the Burks have been on a 50-day cruise around the Adriatic Sea, taking in the sights of Europe as well as a 51-day cruise from Seattle to Sydney, Australia.
The Burks really love cruising to Italy, Canada, Iceland and the Bahamas but their favorite is Singapore.
Looking to give it all up and go on a permanent vacation just like the Burks? Angelyn has some advice for those wanting to get started.
Warning: This post contains spoilers for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
When the Doctor Strange sequel landed last weekend, viewers nationwide could be heard flipping out over a bevy of Easter Eggy cameos. One sequence in particular had one treat after another. Our hero (Benedict Cumberbatch) winds up in an alternate dimension populated by not only Patrick Stewart’s Professor X, but also some alternate world versions of beloved superheroes. For example, John Krasinski stepped in as a (doomed) Reed Richards.
But had the film’s credited screenwriter had his druthers, the film would have featured a star markedly huger than the star of the eventually ending Jack Ryan. In an interview with Rolling Stone, scribe Michael Waldron said he wanted to a) include an alternate universe Iron Man, and b) he would be played by Tom Cruise.
The first was probably likely, though it might have been a bit too soon given Robert Downey Jr. only bid farewell to the role three years ago. As for getting Cruise, Waldron says he doesn’t think anyone bothered even reaching out to him, possibly because he was a little busy on one of the longest and most pandemic-delay-plagued shoots in Hollywood history: the next Mission: Impossible joint.
That said, it’s not like Cruise is above fun cameos or smaller, scene-stealing roles, especially if he gets to look nothing like himself. Speaking of the latter, had he been courted — and then accepted — it would have been a Tropic Thunder reunion, sort of, not quite.
In addition to making her solo debut with the bouncy “Have Mercy,” Chloe Bailey’s 2021 year was filled with impressive covers of songs by a wide array of artists. She took on Adele’s “Easy On Me,” Silk Sonic’s “Leave The Door Open,” Cardi B’s “Be Careful, Rihanna’s “Love On The Brain,” Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good,” and Drake’s “Marvin’s Room.” Fresh off releasing her second single as a solo artist, that being the provocative “Treat Me,” Chloe has found time to treat her fans to another cover. This time she takes on Capella Grey’s 2021 summer hit “Gyalis.”
Chloe’s rendition of “Gyalis” is a bit more than a cover and she remixes the song a bit so that it can be sung from a female’s point of view. While the original song’s lyrics read, “Fake like she asleep / Swear she tried to stay the whole week / I’m like “Oh, nah, she gotta go”, uh / Ask me her name, I swear I don’t even f*ckin’ know,” Chloe gives her side in the matter on the cover.
“He’s tryna fake like he asleep / Thought I didn’t hear him come in, please,” Chloe sings. “I’m like, ‘Oh nah, he gotta go’ / See you again? Oh no, baby that’s not what I want.”
Capella Grey showed love towards Chloe’s cover of “Gyalis” by reposting the video on his own Instagram page.
You can listen to Chloe’s cover-slash-remix of “Gyalis” in the video above.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
For the last couple months, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and cronies have been under fire for the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill, legislation he signed into law in late March that forbids instructors mentioning LGBTQIA+ issues through third grade. It’s to protect children, DeSantis, who was once caught on video bullying kids, claims. The bill has its critics, including The Walt Disney Company, the largest employer in the Sunshine State, with whom DeSantis and other right-wingers have gone to war.
It has some other critics, too: Florida students, who have protested the bill with walk-outs. Their attempts to speak out against it have even caused the delay of one school’s yearbook.
As per CBS News, a high school in central Florida had to postpone distribution of the year’s yearbooks because they have to manually censor images of students at a protest of the bill in March, which finds some holding rainbow flags and signs reading “love is love.” Reprinting 600 yearbooks would be a costly move, with a pricetag of $45,000. Instead, said images will be manually covered up with stickers.
Why go to the trouble to erase what was for many a major event of the 2021-2022 school year? Because district officials don’t want people thinking they or the school supported the walkout. A spokesman for the county’s school board pointed out they aren’t hiding all LGBTQIA+ content; a page dedicated to the Gay Straight Alliance Club will remain unblemished, as will photos of students at a pride march.
One of the yearbook’s editors-in-chief, Skye Tiedemann, slammed the move. “This really shouldn’t be happening because all we did as journalists was document what was happening at our school on our campus,” she told the Orlando Sentinel. “To have that covered up isn’t right. … This is censorship.”
A Seminole County HS is literally COVERING UP school protests against #DontSayGay in their 2022 yearbook.
This censorship is a direct result of the law these students were protesting. #WeWillNotBeErased in this so-called “free state”.
Florida representative Carlos G. Smith also torched the county’s decision, saying they were “literally COVERING UP school protests against #DontSayGay in their 2022 yearbook. This censorship is a direct result of the law these students were protesting. #WeWillNotBeErased in this so-called “free state”.
The latter is a reference to DeSantis, who at press conferences has referred to the state that punishes LGBTQIA+ teachers and attacks corporations that criticize them as the “free state of Florida.”
I’d never seen a green sky before living in the Midwest. I also didn’t know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning, and it took me a while to keep it straight. (A “watch” means the conditions are ripe for a tornado to form, a “warning” means one has been spotted.)
I learned that green sky spelled trouble, so when we saw ominous greenish clouds gathering one afternoon, we knew to turn on the TV. A tornado watch had been issued in our area, which then turned to a warning.
Then the tornado siren sounded outside. Time to take cover.
We didn’t have a basement, so my husband and I grabbed our 4-year-old and shut ourselves into our first-floor bathroom, the only room in our townhome without any windows. The wind began to howl, getting louder and louder until it didn’t sound like wind anymore. Imagine static blaring on a TV, only with more layers, both deeper and higher-pitched. The sliding glass door in our dining room rattled. Our daughter cried and I prayed. It lasted maybe five or ten minutes.
When the quiet returned and we emerged, we discovered the tornado hadn’t even come all that close to us. One had touched down a few miles away, in the middle of a field. No damage, no one hurt.
That experience was scary enough; I can’t imagine the terror of actually having a tornado on top of you, nor can I imagine being a storm chaser who actually runs towards those dark skies and raging winds.
Storm chasers provide a view of tornados that we wouldn’t otherwise get to see, but “extreme meteorologist” Reed Timmer’s hi-res drone capture of a tornado whipping through Andover, Kansas on April 30 offers a visual that even most storm chasers haven’t been able to provide. Tornado footage is usually somewhat grainy or fuzzy, even when the person with the camera is able to get close, but Timmer’s drone footage offers stunning detail.
No lives were lost in this tornado, which Timmer said was an EF3. (The Enhanced Fujita scale measures the intensity of tornados, and ranges from F0 (light damage—damaged billboards, some tree branches broken) to F5 (incredible damage—strong homes lifted off their foundations and disintegrated, trees uprooted and debarked). In this video, you can see roofs being lifted off of buildings like they’re made of cardboard. It’s incredible.
Watch:
Highest-res drone footage of the Andover, KS #tornado which has received a preliminary rating of EF3. Note how the tornado propagates via vortex dynamics and likely terrain. Incredibly, no lives were lost by this tornadopic.twitter.com/FJDBH8TAv6
Timmer then compiled his drone footage with additional footage taken from the ground and shared it on YouTube.
“Audio has been softened for the faint of heart,” Timmer shared. “Miraculously, no lives were lost from this tornado despite immense damage and nearly 1000 structures impacted.”
Seeing the tornado touching down from multiple perspectives is both terrifying and fascinating. Watching the funnel cloud form and meander in the sky before causing such immense destruction is strangely mesmerizing. What an odd phenomenon.
Seriously, storm chasers live on a whole other level than the rest of us. Watch:
Since the introduction of online gaming and social media, much has been made about the importance of real-life interaction. While the hand-wringing over young people losing valuable social skills isn’t entirely unwarranted, there can be a tendency for some to throw the baby out with the bathwater. While excessive gaming is associated with less sociability, there are social positives for many in the gaming world.
Real friendships can be—and frequently are—made through gaming. In fact, relationships forged through online gaming were a lifeline for many people during pandemic isolation periods. My 76-year-old mother plays World of Warcraft and has a group of friends she’s played with for years. They know about one another’s jobs and families and support each other in their real lives in addition to their gaming lives. I’ve seen how much these friendships play a role in her life and it’s very sweet.
A video of a surprise gaming friend meet-up perfectly exemplifies how real these relationships can be.
TikTok user @lunaanddiogi shared the video with captions that told the story.
“My boyfriend has had an online gaming friend for over 10 years he has never met,” she wrote. “At first I thought it was super weird. Then I got to know him over FaceTime.”
“He ended up being super cool so we planned a surprise weekend,” she continued. “He lives four hours away.”
As the captions appear, we see the boyfriend lying on the couch when there’s a knock at the door. “Someone’s here,” says the girlfriend. He sits up as she goes to the door and opens it.
“I heard you’re having a bad day,” said the gaming friend, as the boyfriend rose from the sofa in disbelief.
People loved the men’s reactions to meeting in person and how happy they were to be together.
“Brings good tears to my eyes,” wrote one commenter.
“I can confirm this is so cool and I’ve done the same except I flew from UK to LA to meet my friend was a BLAST for an experience,” wrote another.
“This is everything honestly,” wrote another. “Don’t let anyone tell you that your online friends aren’t real friends.”
At least one commenter shared that they met their husband through gaming. (My mom shared that marriages have happened in her gaming community as well.)
Online friendships might be new in the course of human history, but like pen pals before, people can form real connections with one another long-distance through the internet. Meeting people via the internet has to be done safely, of course, but human relationships don’t have to be limited by time and place. The bottom line is, when you find your people, geography is just a minor detail.
If you’re not familiar with Chef José Andrés or his World Central Kitchen (WCK), you’re about to find out why the Spanish chef has become a beloved example of the best of humanity.
Chef Andrés founded WCK in 2010, a nonprofit organization that runs toward disaster and organizes people on the ground to make sure that those impacted by disaster are fed. Since then, he and his crew have shown up in the aftermath of tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters, as well as places where communities have an immediate need for other reasons, such as viral pandemics and wars.
The idea for WCK came from Andrés and his wife Patricia, who decided that when people are hungry, you send in cooks. Not tomorrow, but today.
“Food relief is not just a meal that keeps hunger away,” Andrés shares on the WCK website. “It’s a plate of hope. It tells you in your darkest hour that someone, somewhere, cares about you. This is the real meaning of comfort food. It’s why we make the effort to cook in a crisis.”
It’s practically impossible not to fall in love with Chef Andrés when you hear about his dedication to helping people. The passion and sincerity with which he talks about changing the world is infectious.
Andrés joined director Ron Howard on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” to talk about Howard’s documentary film about the work of WCK. It’s called “We Feed People” and will premiere on Disney+ on May 27. Watch the trailer to get a glimpse of what Andrés has brought to the world.
Seriously, in love, right? The man just oozes selflessness and service. And it is genuinely infectious—evidenced by Ron Howard’s story of how his film crew kept getting caught up in being part of the operations by putting their cameras down to feed people, making it hard to get the film footage they needed to tell the story about the operations.
Colbert asked Andrés how people can help in their own way or collectively.
“Every one of you, you can become your own organization,” he said. “You don’t need to try to feed the world. You can do little things, such as helping an elderly couple in the supermarket, make sure that they can put their shopping in the back of their car. Maybe picking up a piece of paper to keep your cities clean.”
He gave examples of how musicians in Ukraine are playing on street corners, “bringing hope to people just by playing a song.”
He said that everyone has a talent that they can use to help others.
“We can all be part of not only feeding America and feeding the world, but believing in longer tables, not higher walls,” he said. “We can change the world if we really believe in it.”
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you, Chef Andrés, for reminding us what is possible and for serving as such a prime example of the difference one person can make.
At the end of 2020, DaniLeigh and DaBaby made their relationship official with intimate Instagram posts that they shared on their respective accounts. Almost a year later, any sign of that relationship continuing crashed and burned as the two artists engaged in a public and heated argument on Instagram Live. Things only got worse afterward, as just a few months later, videos on social media captured DaBaby and DaniLeigh’s brother engaged in a fight at a Los Angeles bowling alley. After staying silent about anything DaBaby-related for the past few months, DaniLeigh decided to speak out about their past relationship in a new interview.
In a sit-down with Angie Martinez, DaniLeigh discussed the “on and off” relationship she had with DaBaby. “It was toxic,” she said. “We had our really good times. We were in love. He had his little mess-ups and stuff, so we’d break up for a month and then get back together… We broke up a lot.”
The interview arrives after DaniLeigh released “Dead To Me,” a song that speaks about the “toxic energy” she experienced in a past relationship, presumably with DaBaby. In the song, she says, “You f*cking all these h*es/Thinking I wouldn’t know/You played me like a fool, lil baby/Got a b*tch thinking I’m crazy.”
His relationship with DaniLeigh is not the only controversial thing that DaBaby has been involved in as of late. He recently avoided charges for shooting a man who invaded his North Carolina home, but that came after he was charged with felony battery for punching a man during a music video shoot.
You can watch DaniLeigh’s interview in the video above.
When K-pop rapper BamBam performed at halftime of a Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers game this past April at the Chase Center in San Francisco, fans probably had no idea that BamBam’s “Wheels Up” (featuring Oakland rapper Mayzin) was the first song released on the Warriors’ new record label. But the collaboration is a testament to the wide range of music that the label, Golden State Entertainment, led by producer No ID as its creative and strategic adviser, will be releasing.
No ID will be “overseeing music production and helping the company develop its long-term vision,” of the diverse roster and overall operation, according to a San Francisco Chronicle report. “We are on the cusp of something truly special, and I look forward to discovering new ways to bridge the worlds of content, sports, entertainment and technology,” he told the Chronicle. Splashed on the front page of the Golden State Entertainment website is the statement, “Rooted in, while transcending, the world of sports & entertainment.”
Also on the label’s roster, are LA-via-Chicago rapper Juice and Chicago-based Kanye West collaborator Rhymefest. The venerable Georgia Anne Muldrow is also set to be both an artist and a producer for Golden State Entertainment. The label will focus on hip-hop and R&B primarily, but are taking a full-on “content production” approach that also includes documentaries and artist co-hosted events at the Warriors homebase at the Chase Center
The first album put out by Golden State Entertainment will to be a release from, Juice, featuring Chicago OG’s All Natural and produced by Muldrow. Juice told the San Francisco Chronicle that this is a unique scenario, indicating that, “The main advantage that stands out to me is being able to move at a faster pace than most traditionally established record labels. There is no red tape, bureaucracy or pressure to emulate our competitors. And there is established distribution behind the company that is constantly working with us to assist in furthering all of our creative vision.”
Florida has become world-renowned for its ability to generate both headlines and punchlines. Which can sometimes overshadow the fact that most of those jokes probably wouldn’t sting so much if it wasn’t such a beautiful place, capable of drawing millions of tourists and weather refugees every year.
With pristine beaches on the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, year-round vacation-ready weather, and varied biodiversity, the Sunshine State is one hell of a travel destination. Miami is a partier’s hotspot and food lover’s paradise, Orlando has Disney World, St. Augustine is the oldest city in the continental US, and Tampa offers eclectic neighborhoods and a metropolitan lifestyle. These tourist-centric towns are great, but as I discovered during my most recent Floridian experience, the less frequented locations have a charm all their own.
I spent a week exploring Fort Myers and all of its coolest offerings. To my surprise, the city has tons to share with travelers of pretty much all interests. Whether you’re a seafood lover, a nature enthusiast, a sports fanatic, or a history buff, this little seaside city situated along the Gulf of Mexico caters to a wide range of travel itineraries.
I’m sharing my guide on where to play, eat, and stay in Fort Myers, Florida below.
Now that Major League Baseball is back in full swing, sports fans can get excited about the upcoming season by visiting JetBlue Park in Fort Myers. JetBlue Park is the location of the Boston Red Sox’s spring training facilities. If you’re in town at the right time, you can catch a game and the first glimpse at some potential MLB rookies.
If you want to get a first-hand look at the action, book a tour of the property, which is a small-scale replica of the team’s iconic stadium, Fenway Park in Boston. During the tour, you’ll get to step foot on the warning track, check out the box suite views, take photos in front of the scoreboard, watch batting practice, and learn interesting facts about both JetBlue Park, Fenway, and of course the Boston Red Sox.
Book a tour or get tickets to the next game at JetBlue Park here.
Downtown Fort Myers
Chloe Caldwell
Downtown is the epicenter of the nightlife and restaurant scenes in Fort Myers. While “Downtown” consists of only a few blocks in the larger metropolis (just like you’d encounter in many other U.S. cities), it packs a lot of charm and vibrant places to explore into that compact (and walkable) package. It’s also where you’ll find all the best restaurants, bars, and hotels (more on this later).
The brick-paved streets and age-old buildings highlight the area’s historic influences, while the locally-owned boutiques and the monthly art and music walks bring the city’s eclectic and diverse community of artists and business owners to life. I happened to be in town on St. Patrick’s day, when the festive decor, endless supply of beer, live music, and the stampede of green-wearing Floridians proved just how lively Fort Myers can be.
To learn more about Downtown Fort Myers and its upcoming events, click here.
Edison Ford Winter Estates
Chloe Caldwell
History buffs and car fanatics alike will love spending an afternoon at the Edison Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers. It’s the site where famous inventor Thomas Edison and iconic car engineer Henry Ford lived and worked with their families during the winter season (just like Florida’s later century emigres, they probably figured why deal with the snowstorms of the Midwest when you can lounge in the sunshine year-round?). The inventors, friends, and eventual neighbors are essentially what put Fort Myers on the map in the first place.
When you visit the property, you can get a first-hand look at the fellow masterminds’ original inventions — from Ford’s first Model T cars to Edison’s laboratory, that’s still filled with his original materials. I recommend opting for a guided tour so you can dive headfirst into everything the estates have to offer. You’ll learn about more than just the celebrated inventors’ work. You’ll also hear about their families (especially about Edison’s wife, Mina, who took a liking to hosting summer parties and brunch with the gals), their everyday laidback lifestyles, their eccentric diet preferences, and more. Walking through the estates truly transports you right back into the homes of two of the early 20th century’s most prominent figures.
To learn more about the Edison Ford Winter Estates and book a tour, click here.
Sanibel Island
Chloe Caldwell
Sanibel Island is where nature lovers and beachgoers go to thrive. While it’s not within the city limits of Fort Myers, it’s only a quick 30-minute drive and a must during your visit. The little Floridian island offers some of the best shelling beaches in the world, so make sure to take a coastal walk and collect a handful of beautiful mollusk souvenirs between ocean dips and sunbathing. If you want to learn more about the area’s seashells (trust me, it’s more interesting than it sounds), make a stop at the National Shell Museum. Here, you’ll get insight into the ocean’s peculiar and diverse mollusk species (Fun Fact: Did you know that Octopi are a type of mollusk?).
Sanibel Island is also home to the J.N. ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge, which is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States. Between the waterside lookout decks complete with binoculars and the evergrowing mangrove trees, you’re sure to spot myriad critters, from crabs to birds, throughout the preserve.
To learn more about Sanibel Island’s many natural musings, click here.
PART II — WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
Fort Myers Brewing Co.
Chloe Caldwell
Beer enthusiasts need to make a stop at Fort Myers Brewing Co., which is the fifth-largest taproom in the entire state of Florida. It serves more than 10 original brews, from pale ales to lagers and stouts. Order the Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter for a boozy treat — there’s a reason it’s one of the brewery’s most sought-after seasonal brews.
Beer connoisseurs can also get a guided tour of the facility. You’ll hear all about Fort Myers Brewing Co.’s unique brewing process while sipping on a cold one along the way. While I’m not typically a beer gal, I loved getting a first-hand look at the brewing equipment and learning about just how much goes into making sure every can of beer is made right. Visiting Fort Myers Brewing Co. is fun and refreshing, but also a favorite among the locals, offering a chance to rub shoulders with some authentic Fort Myers residents. Plus, it’s right around the corner from JetBlue Park, so you can stop in for a few brews before or after a game.
Check out the Fort Myers Brewing Co. beer selection here.
Izzy’s Fish & Oyster
Chloe Caldwell
Fort Myers has fresh oysters aplenty, and Izzy’s Fish & Oyster has some of the best in town. I liked it here so much that I ended up coming back for a second meal on the last day of my trip. In addition to the must-have oysters (doused in lemon juice, hot sauce, and horseradish, of course), the menu offers a wide selection of seafood favorites — including a raw bar and sushi.
With appetizers like gator bites and cajun shrimp hush puppies, fresh greens (I ordered the beet and goat cheese salad — it was delicious), and mouthwatering entrees like lobster rolls, fried scallops, and a mahi-mahi sandwich, every seafood lover will have a field day at Izzy’s. The only downside of dining here is the dilemma of deciding what to order.
Get your seafood fix and view Izzy’s dinner menu here.
Ford’s Garage is a must for burger lovers and beer drinkers. Sticking to the recognition of Fort Myers’ most notable historic figures, the restaurant is decked out in all things Henry Ford. Sure, it’s a little kitschy, but I’m a sucker for a good theme. There’s literally an old Ford car hanging over the bar, the bathroom sink is made of a tire and a gas pump faucet, and even the napkins are made with rags you’d typically find at the mechanic.
As for the food, Ford’s Garage is a burger joint done right. It offers a selection of more than 10 prime burgers, as well as a few vegetarian options. If you’re feeling adventurous, order The Jiffy Burger (yes, like Jiffy the peanut butter brand). It’s made with American cheese, applewood smoked bacon, chopped romaine, and creamy peanut butter on a brioche bun, which is better than it has any right to be.
Between the 23 craft beer options, including the local Fort Myers Brewing Co. favorites, and the 79 canned or bottled beers, you’re sure to find a brew to your liking. If you’re in the mood for something stronger, order from the restaurant’s extensive cocktail menu. I recommend one of the signature “Ford’s Fusions” cocktails. I ordered the Backseat Driver, which consisted of Patrón Silver Tequila, Cointreau, pure cane syrup, lime juice, mint leaves, and club soda.
If you feel like dressing up and celebrating your time in Fort Myers with a fancy, French-inspired dinner, book a table at The Veranda. Long known among the community as the best spot in town (or at least the poshest), the restaurant makes for a lovely night of fine dining. The waiters are dressed to the nines in full suits, the wine list is extensive (complete with a $300 bottle of champagne), and the ambiance resembles a house from the Victorian era.
Aside from the elegance of it all, your meal at The Veranda will be an experience in and of itself. If you order the Ceasar salad to start, you’re in for a show. The waiter prepares it for you tableside, tossing all the ingredients together like a televised cooking competition. As for the main course, you can’t go wrong with the Pan Seared Jumbo Scallops, served with spinach and wild mushroom orzo and finished with a lemon beurre blanc.
While it’s hard to put the fork down, make sure to save room for dessert. The Veranda’s menu of sweet treats is worth every calorie. I ordered both the Florida Key Lime Pie and the Bailey’s Irish Cream Cheesecake, and I didn’t regret it for a second.
Browse through The Veranda’s full dinner menu here.
PART III — WHERE TO STAY
The Luminary Hotel
Chloe Caldwell
If you want a hotel that offers a slew of amenities and proximity to the heart of town, there’s the The Luminary Hotel. Having just opened in 2020, the property’s updated aesthetics and sleek design celebrate the stories of the city’s past, present, and future. Aside from the new, comfortable, and clean rooms, the hotel offers a rooftop bar, pool, large gym, and an in-house restaurant and coffee shop.
The best part is that it’s right across the street from downtown and alongside the marina, so you’ll be within steps of the action. Tip: If you can, book a room on one of the higher levels for gorgeous sunset views every evening.
To book your room at The Luminary Hotel, click here.
Uproxx was hosted for this story by Visit Fort Myers. However, they did not review this story. You can learn more about the Uproxx Press Trip policy here.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
