Tampa - it's my kinda town ...

Advantages: An underrated treasure on Florida's Gulf Coast
Disadvantages: None really

...Think of Florida and you will no doubt think of sun, sea, sand and shrimp. Think of a destination in Florida and you will no doubt pick Orlando, Miami, Clearwater or maybe even Sarasota. I would like to welcome you to my favourite place in the sunshine state ? Tampa. You may have passed through this city on the interstate (I4/I275) on your way from DisneyWorld to St Pete Beach and never given it another thought. You might have visited on a day trip to its major theme park, Busch Gardens (see below) with a Florida Combination admission ticket (linked with SeaWorld and Cypress Gardens). Tampa is however off the tourist trail, having a metropolitan aura and previously a somewhat dubious reputation. That has all changed over the last ten years or so. Tampa is steeped in history. It lies in the natural harbour of Tampa Bay - a large...

Newfloridian 04.12.2002 (06.12.2002) · Read review
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Review of Tampa

I found Tampa and fell in love with it.

Advantages: Tampa is in Florida, the sunshine state.
Disadvantages: Avoid our rainy season. July - October.

...When we first moved to the states almost 15 years ago, we rented an apartment in Tampa, so that we could explore the area. We had visited the area previously but wanted to be sure that this was right for us. Tampa is a very large city and we lived on the outskirts of it, called 'Town and Country'. We found the roads to be really congested at peak times. Since then there has been a great deal of expansion, and new and improved highways. This was certainly needed. We would avoid going out until after the rush hour, the same too in the evenings. We explored many beautiful parks. Sir John Chestnut is one of the prettiest and largest in the area. It has a five mile wide lake as it's main feature. All day long people are trailering their boats, to set them on Lake Tarpon. We used this regularly before we purchased our restaurant. We...

Susie-34668 09.12.2002 · Read review
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Review of Tampa

Florida Aquarium, Tampa Bay

Advantages: Great location with lots of optional extras
Disadvantages: Can feel cramped and seemed expensive

...The aquarium was recommended to me by friends who own a motel on St Pete's Beach. They are always looking for places to suggest to their guests so we offered to go and try it out and report back to them. I'm glad to say that we had a great time... The aqaurium is located on Channelside Drive, Downtown Tampa and is open from 9.30 - 5pm every day. It was really easy to find and parking was no problem, there was the added bonus of it being located near the check in areas for the cruise ships so there were plenty of shops and restaurants around too. You can park at the aquarium, but that will cost you $5. The ticket prices were high, although I suspect that you could find coupons in the various tourist brochures. A general admission for an adult costs $17.95, children under 12, $12.95. An "eco-tour" ticket is available, but that...

angelak 26.04.2006 · Read review
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Review of Florida Aquarium, Tampa

Is Tampa my first or second home now.

Advantages: Only 4 International flights a week.
Disadvantages: Only British Airways has a direct flight.

...Tampa International Airport is one of my favourite airports. I must admit I love Raleigh/Durham as well. I came in there one time on an International flight, and couldn't believe how easy it was to get from immigration and customs, to my internal gate. I use Tampa, we call the airport T.I.A., several times a year. At least one of these flights is International. Let's start at the beginning. If I am going on my own, my husband leaves the car in the short term parking lot. This is a multi-story car park. We learned our lesson early, and always park on the top level. This way he can always find the car after my departure. If you park on any other level, remember to take the number with you. We then go down to Level 2, in an elevator, which is ticketing. Here all the airlines have their counters. The staff are always...

Susie-34668 26.02.2003 · Read review
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Review of Tampa Airport, USA (TPA)

WELCOME BACK MR C??., HOWYA DOING?

Advantages: A complete resort hotel for the business traveller, conference goer and dedicated vacationer
Disadvantages: None

...There are two reasons why we make Tampa our gateway to Florida: its airport (Tampa International in favour of the crowds of holidaymakers and queues that bedevil Orlando International) and this hotel. There are two Hyatt hotels in the city (the other one, the Hyatt Regency, is downtown) and we have stayed at both of them before. Including our most recent visit (July 2006) we have stayed at this one on eight occasions. I have been a member of the Hyatt Gold Passport scheme for a number of years and have been very impressed by the standards that are maintained in their premises both in Europe and the States. Founded in the mid 1960s on the West Coast of America the company's mission statement has been to create hotels that are more opulent, more spacious and more attentive to the needs of the business and discerning vacation traveller...

Newfloridian 14.08.2006 · Read review
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Review of Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, Tampa

home of the Buccaneers.....

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

...I drove through Tampa Bay on my way to St Petersburg during my stay at the lovely resort in 1990. I did not see the attraction of Tampa. It was nowhere near as nice as St petes. It is home to A losing football team (normally, last season was a fluke) a losing Ice Hockey team, the lightning and a losing MLS team!!!! Not a lot going for it in sport. There is some great nightlife though and is seen as the Miami of the West coast of Florida. Its only just over 1 and a half hours from Orlando so handy for seeing the attractions. It has its own airport too so there is no problem being stuck on buses to get to it. Home of Busch Gardens too!!!...

andycharger 15.08.2000 · Read review
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Review of Tampa

  Floridian fun!

Advantages: Great rides, animals
Disadvantages: Price

...While in Florida for a holiday with three of my friends, we decided to visit Busch Gardens to celebrate one of my friend's birthdays. We had done Orlando earlier in the holiday and after spending 10 days sunbathing we wanted something fun to end our time in the States. Busch Gardens did not disappoint. GETTING THERE: Busch Gardens is located in Tampa, Florida. The park is located off the I-75, one of the main roads n Florida. We were travelling from the south, near Sarasota and it took us about an hour. If travelling from Orlando as most people do it takes between an hour and a half and two hours. Once off the I-75 you just need to follow the signs as Busch Gardens is the major attraction in Tampa and is well signposted. There is plenty of car parking available and like Disney they have unemployed air traffic controllers...

tartlette83 03.10.2008 · Read review
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Review of Busch Gardens, Tampa

Bring out the big kid in you.

Advantages: Great fun, reasonable price, mind blowing coasters.
Disadvantages: YOU GET VERY TIRED

...On a recent trip to Florida Tampa bay, we were browsing through the leaflets the hotels splash around the place, and we came across Busch gardens, this looked perfect as I was not a great roller coaster fan, although I can cope with tame rides, my husband loves the wild ones. So this place looked perfect it would suit us both. Once we arrived at the park there was an extreme buzz surrounding the place, roller coasters were whooshing around and people were screaming and having a great time. I could not help but smile, the place was out of this world. The park entry was a little pricey at 90 dollars each, but with the dollar being so good at the time is cost a little over 45 pounds each, which it not bad as you can have a day out for that in the UK. Oh and you can return to the park free of charge with a year. You will be issued your own...

amberlevi267 24.02.2009 · Read review
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Review of Busch Gardens, Tampa

Busch Gardens

Advantages: read opp
Disadvantages: read opp

...Well having wanted to visit Busch Gardens on a number of occasions and unfortunately not being given the chance, I felt I had to visit the place during my recent visit to Florida. I had always heard mix reactions about the theme park, some complimenting it, whilst other simply saying it was not there thing. Nevertheless, I was still determined to visit it, at least once to squash the rumours and determine for myself whether this place was thumbs up or thumbs down. History of Bush Gardens Africa (Tampa Bay): Bush Gardens is the name of two of the biggest theme parks in America, one in Tampa Bay, Florida, and the other one in Williamsburg, Virginia. Bush Gardens is currently owned by Busch Entertainment Corporation. Busch Gardens Africa was first opened in 1959, and was a 340 acre African themed, safari park. The park was...

jaygami1986 30.04.2008 · Read review
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Review of Busch Gardens, Tampa

Out in the Busch

Advantages: Lots to see and do
Disadvantages: Bit Disorganised

...Following on from my SeaWorld review the next stop for us was Busch Gardens which is located in Tampa Bay. Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay is a family adventure park offering an array of attractions based on the African Continent. With thrilling rides, zoos, live shows and numerous shops. ~~~Location~~~ Busch Gardens is located one hour from Orlando via Interstate 4 West and just 30 minutes east of Tampa International Airport. Busch Gardens is located on the corner of Busch Boulevard and 40th Street. We were staying in the Lake Buena Vista area so we had to obtain the Busch Gardens Shuttle Express which operates daily round trip transportation from Orlando to Busch Gardens which is an approximate journey of about an hour. The transport is complimentary if you are in possession of a 5-park Orlando Flex ticket which I purchased...

KELLYLOUJ 19.05.2006 · Read review
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Review of Busch Gardens, Tampa