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’!
Time to go to Oviedo 🍊
O-vee-a-doe, how I say it, or O-vey-doe, how the locals say it. Either way, Oviedo is a lil city in central Florida suburbia about 20 minutes from Orlando. Just recently, my in laws retired there, so we wanted to visit them and see where their new home was gonna be. On the flip side too, my sister has a rental property in Naples which we wanted to spend a couple of days by ourselves and knew by doing so, we would be taking a mini 4 hour road trip to the west coast of Florida to do so. We were so ok with that and were ready for our lil adventure. Booking our flight to Fort Myers rather than to Orlando International airport brought down our airline costs substantially, since we were not flying into touristy Disney World. We also rented a car at the Fort Myers airport as well, obviously, so we would have a means to get around on our own. Plus, hellloooo, mini road trip. We were ready for our vacation to come!
Finally, the day arrived and we headed out to the airport early, since our flight was at 8 in the morning. We gave ourselves enough time, around two hours or so, since we were flying domestically. Airports are strict on the whole mask wearing while inside, on the plane and deplaning. Don’t mess around without one unless you have good reason on why you can’t wear one. It makes traveling quicker and faster for you to get to your destination too. So, just do what you are supposed to do so you can get on with your vacation. We boarded the plane, flew for a lil less than 3 hours and arrived in sunny Fort Myers. Now, for our road trip!!
I loved how convenient everything was located within the RSW airport in Fort Myers, https://www.flylcpa.com/. Super easy transaction from getting our luggage to where we had to go to get our rental car. We used Thrifty, https://www.thrifty.com/, because it was budget friendly and the representative was really nice, even upgrading us to a bigger economy sized car. We headed out to the parking lot where the cars were (literally right next to the rental cars area), chose our car for the week and were on our way to Oviedo!
On our road trip, I saw a different side of Florida than I had always envisioned. I don’t know if it is me, but I always thought of FL as beaches, and city life like in Miami Vice or something. Boy, was I surprised to see nothing but cattle ranches, wild boars that actually jumped out onto the road as we were driving, pastures and armadillos. Maybe it was my naivete, but this was our scenery for about 2 and a half hours until we reached civilization lol. Finally, there’s some life around here besides the cattle, bull and horses on the side of the road. We finally reached the Orlando area where we passed by SeaWorld, Epcot Center, Disney World and Universal Studios. We kept on driving cuz at this point, we were famished and just wanted to get to our final destination to see the ‘rents.
We finally arrived at the 3 hour and 45 minute mark and were blown away with what a cute lil city Oviedo was. There were strip malls with shops and restaurants, nail salons, barber shops & fast food goodness. Everything in walking distance to where we were staying. My in laws rented their place at a really nice complex called Oviedo on the Park https://www.cityofoviedo.net/511/Oviedo-on-the-Park. Turning into the complex, there were townhomes that looked like brownstones in Boston or in Park Slope. Several eateries like Panera Bread and Starbucks lined the streets around the complex. I was amazed how a tiny suburban area resembled that big city feel. I loved it right away. It was like our home away from home.
After the townhouses, you had the rental properties which was where my in laws were staying. Their place was so nice! My in laws and our nephew met us at the door and we were ready to take a walk around the area and catch up with them. They showed us all the amenities including their community pool, game and movie room, and main area of the complex. The pool is basically where we lived at for the majority of the week. It was awesome!!! Because people were at work during the day, we had it all to ourselves. A resort like pool and a hot tub, several areas for lounging….some with tvs, ping pong tables and a whole outdoor kitchen for grilling to entertain. It was so relaxing and chill and exactly what we all needed.
The complex encircles the Center Lake Park, which features a dog park, swan boat rides on the water, walking paths, a kids sprinkler ‘cool off’ area’, a dock, a kids park, an area for lounging to enjoy the scenery and the sun, giant checkerboard for playing, and a vendor that sells ice cream treats and cold drinks. The vendor also sells food that you can purchase to feed the many fish, turtles and birds that habitat the lake. Just to walk around the whole lake is relaxing & peaceful.
There was a restaurant right across the Park called De La Vega https://delavegabar.com/. How convenient since we were starving!! Serving up authentic Latin dishes with a side of tequila or rum is an awesome way to spend a day/night out. Best part, they had live music, literally a one man band who played EVERYTHING from Salsa, Pop, Rock R&B etc. It was nice just listening to him sing while we were eating our delicious food. This was literally right across the street within the rental complex!
My in laws bought a house in Sanford in which they are waiting to move into but we decided to go check it out as well as the area. We came across another little strip mall (I guess FL is known for these) that had amazing delicious Puerto Rican food, you know, like your local cuchifrito spot, called Coqui https://www.coquirestaurant.com/. They serve pernil, rice and beans, yucca, steak and onions, and of course, your usual empanadas like beef and chicken as well as your not so ordinary ones like pizza. All are a must try. You will be in fried goodness heaven lol. You know if you have cute lil grandmas cooking your food in the kitchen, the food is gonna be out of this world! No wonder why they were written about in the local newspaper for ‘Best Puerto Rican Food in the Orlando area.’
In the same strip mall, there’s a shop called K.I.T or Keep It Tight https://keepittightfl.com/, that sells trendy & hip clothing for that fly, fashion forward person. Their pieces are one of a kind & original. Super friendly & helpful staff that will help you up the game on your wardrobe. From shirts, to hoodies, to matching sets, to accessories, I’m sure you will find something there that you will like. Apparently, they just recently started selling kids clothes too, so if anything, check them out for your little ones!
Although it was nice hanging with the fam for the week, it was time to head back to enjoy a couple of days by ourselves at my sisters spot in Naples. Road trip! We headed out early on Friday morning to drive the 3 hour and 45 minute ride to the west coast. We arrived at her place at around 1 ish after stopping at the nearest Publix to grab some things for the house for the two days that we were going to be staying there. Her rental property is located in a desirable neighborhood because you are close to everything. Although the beach is several blocks away, you still get that city feel ten minutes down the road. You got the chill atmosphere of beach living with the excitement of city living. I absolutely loved it because you were able to experience the best of both worlds!
Since we arrived in Naples mid afternoon and because we were tired from all that driving lol, we decided to eat a quick lunch at the house and chill by the pool for a couple of hours before we grabbed a bite to eat for dinner. If you want nightlife, outdoor dining, entertainment and to people watch, then head on down to 5th Avenue. About a 10 to 15 minute drive from where we were staying on the 90th streets, near Vanderbilt Beach. 5th Avenue aka Downtown Naples, is like a lil mini extravagant Little Napoli. Walking down the street, from the musicians playing the accordions and singing their hearts out, to the arched marble architecture, to the mini piazzas, to the mouth watering Italian cuisine, one would feel like they are legit, in a city in Italy. Hence, the name Naples. Lamborghinis, Porsches, Maseratis, and even golf carts for those who just came from a round, line both sides of the street from beginning to end. It screams luxury. And while you are at it, take a ride to the street adjacent to 5th Avenue and you are looking at houses that look like they came straight out of the Godfather movie. No bullshit. I was in awe at the grandiosity of it all. Totally different from the modest, suburban neighborhoods we were just visiting a few days prior.
Hungry and can’t decide on what to eat after strolling up and down the street? Check out AQUA restaurant https://aquafifth.com/ at the beginning of 5th Avenue if you are coming from Tamiami Trail. They have live entertainment everyday and also have a nightclub/lounge that stays open late for that night owl looking to party. The food was pretty good and the guy playing his keyboard was not bad either. We went on a Friday night so they were pretty busy but were able to get a table with no reservations. One thing I would make note of, is that the bar is literally right next to the tables in the dining room as well as a small dance floor which can be fun and rowdy all in one, so if you are trying to have a romantic dinner, I suggest sitting inside their half enclosed patio or grab a table outdoors in the front of the restaurant. For apps, we had a dozen oysters and fried calamari. For dinner, I had the Mussels Fra Diavolo over Linguine and my husband had the Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna. Everything was plentiful, generous and delicious.
Need some sweets after dinner? Then check out the numerous gelati & ice cream stores like Regina’s that have yummy flavors like Birthday Cake & Cotton Candy. Sit down on one of their outside tables or walk to the lil piazza where you will hear the popular sounds of a violinist playing top 100 hits. And if you are a fashionista like me, who is always looking for the BEST backdrop for that perfect insta worthy pic, then check out the #ArtAveto5th. A walkway from a parking lot to fifth avenue that has graffiti art murals done on metal canvases that are attached on the faux greenery walls. I was loving the vibe so much, you know I had to have a mini photoshoot there!(Check out my post ‘The Writings on the Wall…..or My Shirt? in the FASHION & STYLE DIARIES). If you appreciate art and creativity and have an eye for those type of things then you will enjoy this little artistic pathway.
Since we experienced 5th Ave on Friday, we decided to venture out a little more on Saturday. Woke up late & had breakfast at Skillets https://www.skilletsrestaurants.com/, a local spot serving up breakfast and lunch favorites including what they are known for….their skillets! Hands down, the best skillet breakfast I’ve ever had. I mean, it’s their name for god’s sake, it better be good! Your typical comfort food meal to start your day. And yes, you will probably need a nap after too lol. I had the Bacon Avocado Skillet that was rich and creamy and all the yumminess. My husband had the Breakfast Burrito. The best breakfast EVER.
We were told that Naples Pier is really pretty and since it was only like a 20 minute ride from us, we decided to go check it out. It was beautiful. People were walking up and down the pier, fishing and hoping to catch something big, and the beachgoers that were getting in the last sun rays before sunset. It was picture perfect and although there were tons of people all around us, when we reached the tip of the pier and overlooked out into the ocean, it was just my husband and I enjoying each other, the moment and the scenery. If you are afraid of heights or are afraid of water, I suggest you check the pier out near the beach. Another insta worthy pic for your gallery.
We wanted to see the sunset from the pier but since we were earlier than when it was and because there were so many people around, we opted to head back to Vanderbilt Beach to check it out there. Floridians are very relaxed people. Everyone who goes to the beach make it an all day affair, going home once the sun sets. And then you also have the people like us, who specifically go to the beach with beach chairs, some hard seltzers and snacks and wait for the golden hour to show face. So calming, so peaceful, so magnificent. Florida has some pretty sunsets, let me tell you.
We decided for our last night in Naples, we would head on over to Miramare https://miramarenaples.com/, based on a suggestion of one of our friends. Authentic Italian cuisine with a table overlooking the Venetian Bay all while an accordion plays you those classic Italian hits in the background. The perfect way to spend the last night of our vacation. I wish we arrived there a little earlier so we could have enjoyed walking around the shops that were in the plaza where the restaurant was. That will be for next time we are there for sure.
For starters, we had the Mozzarella di Buffala plate with Prosciutto & a Ceasar Salad to split. For my entreé, I had the Spinach Ravioli Alla Vodka and my husband had the Linguine with Clam Sauce dish. For dessert, we shared the Créme Brûlée. The excellent blend of fresh ingredients to saturate our palettes. With views of the bay, stomach satisfied and the friendly but intimate ambience, I highly recommend making a reservation and going there if you visit Naples.
And sadly, our vacation was coming to an end. We woke up early on Sunday, finished packing and fixing the house up as we left it. My husband went to go get us breakfast sandwiches at Skillets for take out and after we ate, since we had an hour to spare, I sat outside poolside, catching my last hour of Florida sun before heading home where the temperature was already starting to drop. Uggghhh, back to reality in a few hours.
It was time to head out to the Fort Myers airport and because we had to drop the car off, we decided to give ourselves at least three hours to do so. The drop off for the car was super easy. Just follow the signs to where the drop off is at, leave the keys in the car and be on your way to your airline. Side note, because we took a road trip in Florida, make sure you pay the tolls as you go when crossing though city lines. We had a SunPass (like MA EZPass) which we kept using while we drove the car every which way and received a bill in the mail a couple of weeks after our return, for all the tolls we accumulated. We knew that was going to happen but didn’t know they would add a $10 administration fee to every $1.25 transaction. We ended up with a hefty toll bill and actually only paid half of that, but still for something that would have cost us $50 bucks altogether, cost us way more, so just make note of that when renting a car. I wish our nice rep at Thrifty explained that to us, but lesson learned for our next visit. All in all, it was a very relaxing, fun and chill vacation we needed, to end the summer off right!!
I hope you liked what I shared with you and you enjoyed our experiences! Since our families own property in Naples and the Orlando area, we will be visiting frequently, so check back on ‘Trippin It With The Vegas’ for any new adventures, sights, eateries and places we go to when we go back to Florida!
