Trip with me and my husband on our adventures together!
A travel guide to help you with tips, places to visit, good global eats and anything else that comes with taking a trip away…. let’s start the trippin’!
A couple of weeks ago, I took a solo trip (yes, this is Trippin’ It With One Vega ya’ll) to good ole’ sunny Florida. I haven’t been to the Sunshine State in god knows how many years, so I was really excited to venture out. This trip was a couple of firsts for me….1. traveling alone for the first time in over 20 years and 2. my first trip on an airplane since even before the pandemic. So you can imagine my nerves were in full gear when I arrived at the airport. (Side note: because it was a domestic flight, I didn’t have to arrive crazy early…prob about two hours before departure just in case but the process was super quick since I did an early check in the night before. And you MUST wear your mask throughout the airport/flight. The flight attendants on Jetblue are really strict on that, so don’t mess around with the masks unless you have a legitimate reason not to wear one).
My partner in crime, my traveling companion, the other 1/2 of our duo, aka my hubby, had to work for the five days I was away but agreed that I needed some time by myself where I could relax, unwind and literally just chill. So, I chose to visit a hip, artsy, fun, creative place and went to Sarasota, aka the Circus City https://www.visitsarasota.com/. Bonus….my mother rented a place in the Rosemary District of Sarasota (right smack in the middle of everything), so I saved big on accommodations. 
Win Win for me! I love anything and anywhere that is super creative, so it was only right that I would travel here too. I mean the decorative & colorfully painted bikes & pianos on each corner alone, I was fascinated with, nevermind the tons of street art every which way you looked.
The day I was leaving, there were severe thunderstorms in several parts of FL, so all flights going there were delayed. To keep busy and my anxiety at bay, I read from one of my inspirational books to get my mind calm and kept reassuring myself that I can face my fear with ease. Finally, after four loooooonnnnngggg hours, we were on our way. Someone that struggles with anxiety especially when flying, I was actually shocked at myself for sticking it out rather than taking an uber straight the hell outta there after an hour of waiting lol. I was super proud of myself…..like I said this was HUGE for me, my self growth & my self journey. Kudos to me! Ok, back to Sarasota.
Because of the long delay in my flight, I arrived in Sarasota Sunday night rather than the afternoon. So, I extended my trip to Thursday instead of Wednesday. I needed that extra beach day in my life, if you know what I mean. Sunday was a wash since I arrived so late but the next day was all about exploring all that Sarasota had to offer…..but first beach please!
You gotta start your day off right with a hearty meal; amiright? One place that is worth mentioning and literally right across the street from where I was staying (walking distance is always a plus in my book) was The Overton http://theovertonsrq.com/. From avocado toast, to espressos to your typical bacon and eggs go to, you can find healthy and tasty dishes at The Overton for whatever you fancy. What I extremely liked about this place along with their appetizing food, was their open air atmosphere. It was nice to feel the breeze in the shade while chowing down on your first meal of the day. For those extra hot days though, make sure you catch a table under the several umbrella seats so you are not melting away with your food lol. Avocado toast is a must as well as the breakfast plate to really start your day off right. They also serve lunch and dinner which looks equally appetizing. Best part, they serve liquor so you can get your drink on any time of day.
Another breakfast place to check out in the downtown area within walking distance is Willow’s Càfe https://www.willowscafesrq.com/. Here you can get biscuits & gravy, shrimp & grits and eclectic omelettes for that daring egg lover at heart. Serving sandwiches and salads too, it’s no wonder they are a staple breakfast & lunch spot in the neighborhood. 
The closest beach to downtown is Lido Beach. It is literally right over the John Ringling Causeway (yes, that is named after the Ringling Brothers, hence why one of Sarasota’s nicknames is Circus City). Talk about soft, white sands and warm, clear water. No wonder why they are known for being one of FL’s pristine beaches. OMG, I was in heaven! Plenty of parking in the free parking lot right next to the entrance of the beach or you can get lucky with a spot on the street adjacent to the beach. On a Monday, it was not super crowded at all which was nice….very peaceful and relaxing. Perfect way to spend the day in the sun IMO. After a couple of hours in my zen like state, it was time to explore. If you visit Sarasota, Lido Beach is one you don’t want to miss. I didn’t see any food vendors nearby beachside so I suggest bringing some snacks to hold you over. But don’t worry. Just a short distance drive up ahead, you will have plenty to choose from for whichever palette you are craving.
Want to get some shopping in and maybe a bite to eat? Only a four minute drive from Lido Beach is St. Armands Circle https://starmandscircleassoc.com/ where boutiques and eateries line both sides of the street. Plenty to buy and a variety of places to eat from. The best is literally just walking up and down, window shopping and enjoying the beautiful scenery. People flock the streets and the musical sounds of open doors and windows from bustling restaurants echo up and down the circle.
What I did notice automatically being in my first ‘crowded’ area from stepping off the plane, was that some people wear masks, some don’t, some stores mandate it while others don’t require it. It is honestly whatever you are comfortable with. Coming from the Northeast where masks were still mandated in public, I wore mine and kept my 6 ft distance as best I could.
There is paid parking on the street and plenty of spots opened to choose from as well as a parking garage around the corner. I would assume that on a Friday or Saturday night though, this was a happening place so I would get there early if you wanted a spot close to the action. Like I mentioned before, there are tons of boutiques and shops for everyone’s liking. You can find stores like Lilly Pulitzer & Tommy Bahama to your typical t-shirt beach store selling knick knacks and souvenirs. I went into a store called Destination Florida….just follow the addictive aroma of waffle cones being made (the store is right next to the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream shop) to grab some gifts to bring back home. Worth a stop in if you are looking for that beachy souvenir for a loved one or friend. Reasonably priced and friendly staff would def make me go back.
Need a little cold sweet treat from all that walking around in the warm sun? Then head on over to Le Macaron https://lemacaron-us.com/; you guessed it…a macaroon and gelato bar. I’m always down for some delicious treats! The decor is super cute and fun and makes for the perfect photo opp for all my influencers out there. And of course the macaroons and gelato are exceptionally yummy! Def check them out if you are in the area. If you are looking to walk along the water’s edge, then head on over to the Waterfront Park on 10th Street. Sit on the numerous benches to watch the sunset or take a walk along the path around the Van Wezel grounds which is adjacent to the park. Btw, if you are looking for concerts or a show, Van Wezel https://www.vanwezel.org/ on N Tamiami is the place to go.
After enjoying the walking path along the water’s edge, you might want to continue your walking straight on through to the center of downtown http://www.downtownsarasota.com/ …where I mentioned before…the Rosemary District. There, you will find more stores to shop at and more eateries to eat at. The boutiques here are more upscale with a heftier price tag. These are the stores that I call ‘splurge shops’. A lil bit different from the beachy gifts shops in St. Armand’s Circle but definitely worth a walk through. One store in particular that I absolutely adored and bought one of my fav shirts there (a summer 3/4 sleeve holey sweater with Mickey Mouse on the front and back and the Gucci ‘G’ all over) was Darci, https://shopdarci.com/. This boutique was affordable and had the trendiest and fashionable clothes around. If you are a die hard fashionista like I am, you will LOVE this place.
Other places worth mentioning for eats and attractions that I visited in the downtown Sarasota area are: Wicked Cantina https://wickedcantina.com/on N Tamiami for AMAZING authentic Tex-Mex dishes. The nachos are a heaping overload of your favs all on top of a bed of tortilla chips. You really can’t go wrong here. The Taco Salad is another yummy dish to counterbalance the ‘healthy’ part of your meal.
If you are looking for that perfect burger, Patrick’s 1481 http://patricks1481.com/ is the place to go. Known as the best burger in town as well as Sarasota’s own “Cheers”, the locals & tourists alike couldn’t be happier with the ambience, the live music for the outdoor patio, (I suggest making a reservation or get there early for those patio street seats) and the comfort food favorites everybody enjoys. There $5* burger plate is a MUST. It will not disappoint. They were jammin’ in there for a Tuesday night…. I mean, the place was PACKED. Reservation is a must if you want to get a table inside or out.
Mattison’s City Grill https://mattisons.com/mattisons-downtown-sarasota-restaurant/ is literally right in the middle of all the ‘action’ and within walking distance of everything. The menu is a combination of American, Mediterranean, Italian, Asian & Caribbean. The food was good, the atmosphere was chill and the service was friendly. I really enjoyed the Artichokes Esther-Style and the Greek Salad with Lamb Chops. The glass of Pinot Grigio that I had with my meal, hit the spot. 
And you know me and my sweets lol. There’s a sweets shop on Main Street in downtown (a few doors down from Patrick’s) that specializes in Italian coffee drinks and pastries called Sorrento Sweets https://www.sorrentosweets.com/. Growing up in an Italian bakery myself, I felt right at home. All my fav desserts from Italian cookies to Lobster Tails to gelato, I couldn’t walk by here and not go in. Grab a nutella gelato and a cappuccino to go, sit on their outside table and enjoy the outdoor live music from Patrick’s a few doors down. Cappuccino in one hand, gelato in the other…sounds like the perfect way to end the night if you ask me.
A place I really wanted to check out but it was closed due to the pandemic, was the Whimsy Museum http://www.whimsymuseum.org/. I was able to walk the grounds and take some fun pics. Again, looking out for my fellow influencers out there….you def want to check out the grounds. Although, you can’t go inside, you are more than welcome to walk around outside where fun and whimsical statues will be the perfect backdrop for your insta photos. Just sayin’. Their website still says closed due to the pandemic🙁 Hopefully the next time I visit, they will be open because I really want to check the inside out.
Although my visit to Sarasota was shorter than a week, I was able to check out the majority of things in the area. Next visit, I will definitely be checking out Venice Beach, about a 30 minute drive but worth it. I heard this specific beach is known for it’s ‘black sand’, just like in Santorini, Greece. Not able to go to Greece atm, so I’ll take the next best thing. On my next trip too, I def want to venture out on the outskirts of Sarasota to see what else that area offers. All in all, I loved the location, right in the middle of everything, I loved how stores and restaurants were a walking distance and I loved all the creative art of the murals & the statues. It was worth the trip and one for the books. Plus, I learned A LOT about myself, from the moment I was up in the air to the moment I touched the ground. Yes, it was def a much needed lil getaway. Sometimes, you need that to rediscover yourself.
Hope you enjoyed what I shared with you!! If you are visiting and have questions, don’t hesitate to ask me with either a comment below or send me an email! Check back for my next trip adventure!!!
