The best beach town in Florida? Clearwater!

 I recently came across the following article from USA TODAY contributor Laura Bly:

What do volleyball players, a crippled but plucky dolphin named Winter and Hulk Hogan have in common?

They're all claims to fame for Clearwater Beach, the Gulf of Mexico barrier island resort community that USA TODAY Travel readers crowned the best beach town in Florida.

Readers voted online on 10 nominations submitted by "Dr. Beach" — aka Florida International University professor and coastal expert Stephen P. Leatherman. Nearly 30,000 votes were received, and Clearwater was a clear winner with more than 25% of the tally, followed by Siesta Key, Cocoa Beach and Sanibel Island.

Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater spokesman David Downing admits to an all-out campaign for victory, from concerted appeals to the tourist bureau's 137,000 Facebook fans and 8,500 Twitter followers, to hiring a plane that trailed a "VOTE CLEARWATER AS USA TODAY'S #1 BEACH" banner over the Gulf on a postcard-perfect, 80-degree day.

The findings of this article from USA TODAY are something I have been saying since my first visit to Clearwater Beach many years ago: It’s awesome!

Next to Key West, Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach is the best place in Florida to see the sunset. In the spring and summer, Pier 60 is the place to be. Local vendors, artists, and street performers have something for everyone, from original crafts to exciting acts. And if you like to people-watch, well, grab a seat and enjoy! People gather at Pier 60 from all over, locals and tourist alike just enjoying the warm sunshine and cool ocean breezes.

There are some great places to stay. The Sheraton Sand Key Resort is my top pick. This property right on the Gulf of Mexico is well-maintained. There is an onsite restaurant serving local flavors, and it’s just a short walk or drive to many of the local attractions. Their service is great, the rooms spacious and comfortable. The nightly stay can be a bit pricy in the summer or during a very popular spring break, but in the fall some great rates are available, and you will find the fall/winter weather is very inviting. Check out Sheraton Sand Key Resort for a great stay!

From Raleigh, Clearwater Beach is about a 12 -14 hour drive but well worth the trip. With some advanced planning, you can find inexpensive flights to the Tampa Bay area. Southwest Airlines has a number of direct flights from RDU to Tampa. Other airlines such as Delta, AirTran, and US Airways fly into Tampa with stops for direct connections in Atlanta or Charlotte. Another option is to fly into Orlando; it’s a very simple one-hour drive to the Clearwater Beach area. And if you would like to make an overnight stop at Disney, SeaWorld, or Universal Studios, you might as well—you’re right there.

Central Florida is a wonderful place to spend a weeklong vacation, and Clearwater Beach is one of its hidden treasures. If you’re ready to check it out for yourself, give us a call! Agape Travel can help you make all the arrangements you need for a wonderful and memorable Florida vacation.