Being residents of the sunshine state for the month of April, Mitch and I were able to travel a little bit around the state. We took a number of day trips out to different beaches and the neighboring cities to Tampa. Our adventures brought us to the little greek town of Tarpon Springs. You really feel like you jet-setted to the Greek islands. Tarpon Springs has the highest percentage of Greek-Americans and is full of Greek history and culture. For a little town Tarpon springs has so many things to do!
Tarpon Springs is about a 45 minute drive from Tampa, 50 minute drive from Clearwater, and an hour drive from St Pete Beach. It is the perfect distance for a day trip if you are looking for something else to explore in Florida.
Sponge Docks
We started our morning out at the Sponge Docks. Tarpon Springs is famous for the sponges that grow in the water which are a natural and more effective alternative to the synthetic sponges we use. There are different tours that let you go out to see people dive for them and the pier is lined with many boats that have harvested them. We did not go on the tour because they seemed a little touristy and we just explored and talked to the guys on the boat ourselves.
These sponges are SO SOFT. We left with 2 different ones. They can be used for so many different things. Of course cleaning – I have been using the little one to remove my make up and wash my face and let me tell you, it has made a difference in my skin. But these sponges come in all different shapes and sizes. My grandma uses a bigger sponge as a vase, and next year when we are back in Florida, I am totally picking myself up a bigger one to use in our New Orleans house.
Mom and Pop Shops
This was probably the coolest part of Tarpon Springs. The main drag is lined with mom and pop shops. They are full with Floridian, Greek, and Tarpon Springs goodies. It was fun to walk around and look at the gift shops. All of the shops of course sell sponges, but they also sold the most amazing smelling soaps.
Mitch and I went off the main drag and into a little shop owned by the most adorable Greek woman. She told us stories of growing up in Greece while we smelled all of her soaps. It took us 30 minutes to decide which one we wanted to bring home. We chose a honeysuckle soap, which smells SO heavenly. We also purchased a sponge from her. She helped us pick out the “biggest and fluffiest” sponge that Mitch had his eye out for.
We liked supporting the off the beaten track shops where we knew our money was going to help the community and not be a touristy trap.
Baklava
At this point of the day, after shopping and looking around it was time for a snack. We passed a little bakery which the most delicious looking display. I spotted it right away, my favorite Greek pastry, and marched my little booty right in. Baklava is a sweet dessert pastry made of layers of filo filled with chopped nuts and sweetened and held together with honey. So basically a gooey, sticky, glorious mess. We ordered two and sat on the little patio soaking up the sun and watching the world go by. It was very pleasant.
Wine at the Docks
We stopped at Wine at the Docks because we heard through the grapevine (get it wine pun) they offer free wine tastings, so we wanted to take full advantage. They indeed do offer a free wine tasting and it was wonderful. Mitch stuck to the reds, and I went straight for the fruity whites. From a pineapple pear Pinot Grigio to a black raspberry Merlot they were all quite tasty. The lady even let me try a key lime pie wine and a watermelon wine which made my heart so happy. I love all things watermelon. I loved the different fruity flavors and would definitely pick up a bottle or 2, of 7 if I went back.
Lunch at Dimitri’s on the Water
By now we were starving and ready for some authentic Greek food. I will have to give a shout out to my grandparents who are Florida residents for this restaurant. I asked my grandma before heading to Tarpon Springs where we should eat. She said that whenever they are in Tarpon Springs or feeling Greek food they always go to Dimitri’s on the Water. My grandma never lets me down when it comes to food, so off we went to Dimitri’s and it did not disappoint one bit.
We enjoyed a Greek beer called Mythos, saganaki (flaming cheese), and traditional Greek cuisine on the patio over looking the water. It was a beautiful 78 degree day with the sun shining and if you closed your eyes I could practically pretend that I was back in Greece.
Tarpon Springs is a great day trip town. It is cute, quaint, and there’s ton to explore. It is a little town, but with mighty character. I loved the Greek influences and we will definitely be back to purchase more sponges and eat more baklava.
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