*Did you know the 12 Days of Christmas are December 25-January 5 anticipating The Epiphany/Three Kings Day on January 6? Did you know the largest Epiphany celebration in the northern hemisphere is in Tarpon Springs? Join me on a podcast tour of Tarpon Springs with Dr. Vincent Huth to learn more, plan a trip, plan a new life. See links below post for your Travel Bucket List to his Must Sees, Must Dos, and Must Eats.
When a friend and fellow world explorer told me he’d decided not to retire on the southern coast of Spain or Ireland as he’d planned–that he, in fact, was moving to the Gulf of Mexico in the US, I was surprised. But with the enthusiasm of Ponce de León, he told me about discovering Tarpon Springs, Florida a Greek Village of 24,000 so relaxed and affordable that he’d changed his course. Thanks to Anastasios Papapostolou of GreekReporter.com for permission to use this video:
I love Greece, so on a road trip to Anna Maria Island with my friend, Traci, we stopped to check out his new home. We caught up with fresh salads and a seafood pizza from Jimmy’s (which I’ve longed for since) at a seaside picnic table minutes from his house.
The pines swayed in the ocean breeze on that hot July day as did boats tied to the sponge docks we walked past after lunch. Along the historic main street we strolled past Hellenistic statues and quaint Greek shops. We stopped for dessert at Hella’s Restaurant and Bakery which alone is worth the trip. Sorry, Italy, but a cone of their Banana Foster is the best gelato I’ve ever had!
I plan to return for more walking (and biking and boating) to drink in more of the natural beauty of parks, beaches, and lakes surrounding a European-style city center of Victorian homes. Though the ancestors of Epicurus make this a place to eat, drink, and be merry, we somehow left feeling lighter. As for Vince, it’s obvious perfect weather, performing arts, gorgeous cathedrals and a close community quickens the spirit. Away from the madding crowds, such a Florida find is a sip from the fountain of youth and a taste of nectar from the gods.
Tarpon Springs, Florida, less than an hour from crowded Clearwater or Tampa, was built by Greek immigrants in 1875 who made a quaint village on the Gulf of Mexico the sponge capital of the world. Today the city still has more Greek-American residents than anywhere in the US and the largest Epiphany celebration in the Western hemisphere. January 6 typically draws over 10,000 visitors to watch boys dive as their grandfathers did for a cross thrown into the ocean.
What to See in Tarpon Springs
- Epiphany Celebration–largest in the northern hemisphere
- St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
- Sponge Docks and St. Nicholas Boat Line Sponge Diving Exhibition Tour
- Craig Park
- Sunset Beach
- Fred Howard Park
- Tarpon Springs Performing Art Center
- Festivals: Tarpon Springs Fine Arts Festival
Vince’s Must-Eats discussed on Podcast
Nearby events and destinations Mentioned on Podcast
- Clearwater Sugar Sand Festival
- Tampa Bay Valspar Golf Tournament
- Kennedy Space Center
- USA Beach Running Championships in Cocoa Beach
- St. Petersburg, Florida
- Orlando, Florida