32 - North Shore News — Sunday, January 30, 2000 =F RAVEL ——_ st guaranteed Fun in the sun alme Multi-national origins add variety to Florida’s west coast Toni Dabbs Contributing Wri DOES sun, sand and surf sound like a sure cure for the winter woes? Then St. Petersburg might be just what the doctor ordered. No, not the city in Russia, but its namesake on Florida’s west coast. Florida’s St. Petersburg/Clearwater area is noted for its beautiful Gulf of Mexico beaches and its near perfect climate. It has an aver- age temperature of 23 C and 36] sunny days per year. In fact, the Guinness Book of Records credits St. Petersburg with the mast consecutive days of sunshine—768 from February 9, 1967, to March 17, 1969. These attributes alone could convince a shivering Canadian to throw a swimsuit in a suitcase and kead south. But the St. Petersburg/ Clearwater area has much more to offer, due in part to its multi-national influences. St. Petersburg owes it name to Peter Demens (origi- nally Petrovich A Demensheff}, a Russian immi- grant who built the smail gauge Orange Beit Railroad in the area during the early 1900s. Legend has it that Demens and another city founding father drew lots to decide who would name the new commu- nity. Demens won and named it after his birthplace in Russia. Like the Russian city, Florida’s St. Petersburg has become a cultural capital, with six museums in the heart of its downtown. : St. Petersburg Museum of History contains artifacts, documents and photographs . related to the city’s develop- ment. It also houses a replica of the aircraft that conducted the first-ever scheduled com- mercial passenger flight from St. Petersburg to Tampa on Jan. 1, 1914. The Florida International Museum paid hornage to the city’s origins when it opened in 1995, with the Treasures of the Czars exhibition from Moscow’s Kremlin Museums. It currently festures the world’s largest private collec- tion of United — States .. President John F. Kennedy memorabilia, but even that has a Russian connection —a telegram from then Soviet President Nikita Khrushchev. Another town along the old Orange Belt Railroad line was settled by Scottish mer- chants. When petitioning the government for a post office, they combined the names of two cites in their mother country — Dundee and Edinburgh — and called their new community Dunedin. 1.0. Douglas House, home of one of those mer- chants, now serves as a bed and breakfast. It is the oldest house in Dunedin and the first to be constructed of sawn lumber. The original Orange Belt Railroad station, dating from 1889, has become the Dunedin Historical Museum. Each spring, the town cel- ebrates its hentage by hosting Highland Games. Competitors from throughout the United States and Canada participate in Scottish band contests, dancing, piping, drumming and traditional athletic events. North of Dunedin is a town with the character of a Greek fishing, village. Tarpon Springs became America’s sponge capital in the early 1900s, when Greek sponge divers came to harvest the rich and sizable sponge beds in the Gulf of Mexico. The sponge — industry remains an important part of the town’s economy. St. Nicholas Boat Line offers a 30-minute cruise through the historic sponge docks, with commentary on the history of sponge diving and the differ- ent kinds of sponges plus a demonstration of diving and harvesting. Opposite the docks are rows of white build- ings trimmed in Mediterranean blue — shops selling sponges and Greek clothing, crafts, recordings and food. One of the businesses is Mykonos, 2 restaurant that can make diners believe they’ve been transported . to the tiny island of the same name in the Aegean Sea. Saganaki (flaming Kefalograviera cheese) is a popular appetizer, and the Pastitsio (ground beef and macaroni mixed with grated cheese and baked in a creamy sauce) wins praise as an entree. All dishes are pre- pared from scratch daily. Elsewhere in town is St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, built in 1943. Patterned after St. Sophia’s in Constantinople, it features a low dome, .Grecian marble interior, icons and stained glass windows. The church is the centre of the Festival of Epiphany each January 6, one of the largest Greek celebrations held out- side Greece. In addition to a Greek Orthodox religious ser- try remains an important part of the town’s economy. vice, the festival includes the blessing of the sponge fleet and Greek music, dancing and food. Information to help plan a visit is available from St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention . and Visitors Bureau, 14450 46th St. N., Suite 108, Clearwater FI. 33762, phone (813) 464- 7200 or (727) 464-7200, fax (727) 464-7222, e-mail , Web site . If you go: Airports: St. Petersburg/ Clearwater area beaches are just a 30-minute drive from’ Tampa International Airport, which is served by Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines and United Airlines, among oth- ers. Airlines that land at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport include Canada 3000 and Royal Air. Accommodations: Beach- front condominiums over- looking the Gulf of Mexico are available at daily, weekly and monthly rates through JC Resort Management Inc., 17200 Guif Blvd., North Redington Beach FL 33708, phone (800) 535-7776 or (727) 397-0441, fax (727) 397-8894, e-mail jcresorts@aol.com, Web site http://www jcresert.com. People who prefer a hotel might want to try the North See Region page % ONE WAY'RATES BETWEEN NORTH VANCOUVER AND: Meals Think winter's too cold, too barren and too long? Then catch a ride on Canada’s most spectacular rail route and discover just how exciting winter can be. With special pricing on trips 150 miles or longer each way, it’s time for you to experience the coolest winter wonderland you've ever seen. For information and ieservations contact BC Rail at 1-800-663-8238. Regular Sate $196.00 $117.60 B.L,D Quesnel} 163.00 97.80 B,L,D Williams Lake 133.00 79.80 BL 100 Mile House 110.00 71.50 BL 67.00 43.55 B Be Breakfast LeLunch D=Dinner Prince George Lillooet Ask about our 5 day packae. From just $1,195 per person (based en double occupancy), it includes 2 nights in Jusper and trips on Via Rail. CARIBOG PROSPECTER PASSENGER TRAIN wew.berail.convberpass é see TRAVEL MUST BE COMPLE.LED BY APRIL 10, 24) 2 DAY ADVANCE PURCHASE REQUIRED, RATES INCLUDE GST. OFFER NON REFUNDABLE. PRINCESS CRUISES ON SALE AT BCAA FEBRUARY 7-12 ONLY! > EXPERIENCE GRAND CLASS CRUISING!® © Affordable private balconies © Flexible 24-hour divina © More entertainment options “Do what you went, when you wani.” Princess CRUISES’ Wes uae tain a cre, 01 Uw lane Bat us! ALASKA CRUISES FROM $1,232 °°Ncnuise onc Select May Departures EUROPEAN CRUISES FROM $2, 958°?Ncause omy Select May Departures photo Toni Dabbs THE sponge docks of Tarpon Springs are now used more by shrimpers than spongers, but the sponge indus- QUESNH rue Tal ROD MLE Ht EXER NORHEVANCORATR