Readers join FT+L's Weekend of Discovery

Weekend of Discovery

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This past weekend the staff of Florida Travel + Life hosted the magazine’s second Weekend of Discovery, an opportunity for our readers to join us on a quintessential Florida experience. Checking into the Daytona Shores Resort & Spa on the Atlantic Ocean, we toasted the end of the workweek with cocktails around the fire pit—and keeping with the resort’s tradition of making s’mores, we roasted marshmallows over the flames with our newly made friends.

Saturday early risers hit Daytona’s hard-packed sands for a wake-me-up beach walk and a chance to watch surfers ride the waves. The afternoon found us plying the waters of the Intracoastal in a taxi en route to neighboring New Smyrna Beach, where a wine and art walk was in progress. On the main drag Flagler Avenue we stopped in Ta’ Da’ gallery to admire local artist Nancy Wadolton’s fusion-glass mobiles that hang from the ceiling resembling jellyfish.

The evening commenced with dinner at Azure, the hotel’s signature restaurant, where views of the full moon interrupted dinner for a photo op. Highlights from the wine-paired, four-course meal prepared especially for us included a herb-seared rack of lamb with the creamiest porcini risotto, paired with Serego Alighieri Bello Ovile 2005, a food-friendly Italian red wine. Wrapping the meal was the chef’s version of tiramisu, served in a martini glass, accompanied by a delightfully sweet King Estate Oregon ice wine.

On Sunday some of us set off on an eco-tour of the barrier island’s backwaters while others climbed the 203 steps of Florida’s tallest lighthouse, the 175-foot Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse. As a send-off, those who wanted pampering indulged in massages, guaranteeing that we left totally relaxed. After all isn’t that what a weekend is for?

Watch the magazine and Web site for the next Weekend of Discovery and book early.

Tags: Azure | Daytona Beach | Daytona Shores Resort & Spa | Weekend of Discovery