Florida’s Gulf Coast is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, a fact that rightly earns it the nickname of ‘Florida’s Beach’. New Port Richey, a small city in Pasco County on the western coast of Florida, owes at least part of its popularity as a new home location to those stunning beaches nearby, but there’s far more to the equation than just the beaches.

New Port Richey is a largely residential with a vivacious, bustling downtown area that has been rejuvenated through the efforts of local businessmen and its strong city government. While the city’s location offers easy access to major metropolitan areas in the St. Petersburg / Tampa Bay / Clearwater area, there’s a great deal to see and do right in the center of New Port Richey. The local art gallery, Progress Energy Art Gallery, displays work by local artists, and features a monthly First Friday gallery opening of a new exhibit. In addition, the gallery has regular art auctions and hosts weekly events and daily gallery tours. Continue reading

St. Thomas has long been known as one of the best shopping destinations in the Caribbean. With numerous malls and markets catering to resort and cruise tourists, you can find almost anything you want at a great price in the island’s bustling capital – Charlotte Amalie. However, not all travelers are aware of the wealth of incredible locally-produced products available in St. Thomas. From folk arts and crafts to handmade food products and spices, there are plenty of ways to shop for the best products St. Thomas has to offer.

The best location to find Caribbean folk art and local products is the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative. Featuring the work of nearly 100 different locals throughout the year, the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative is the largest shopping center devoted to local artisans in the Virgin Islands. Conveniently located next to the tourist information office in central Charlotte Amalie, the Cooperative allows locals to sell their artwork and handmade products directly to the public from the former United States colonial courthouse. Continue reading