Travel |

January 6, 2017

The Best Things to Do in Tampa

With such a wide variety of attractions and activities, Tampa is a destination that can appeal to just about everyone. From theme parks to museums, here are some of the very best things to do in Tampa.

Busch Gardens
Florida is famous for its theme parks, and Tampa definitely does not fall short in this category. Busch Gardens is the main theme park here, and prides itself on being the ultimate adventure park for the entire family. From thrill rides to roller coasters, including the tallest dive coaster in the world, to gentle, child-friendly rides and animal attractions, the options here seem almost endless. Busch Gardens is also home to Adventure Island, which is a 30 acre tropical water park that features a variety of water adventures.

Safari Wilderness Ranch
For those who want to experience the magic of the Serengeti without ever having to set foot outside of the country, the Safari Wilderness Ranch is the perfect place to visit. This 260 acre reserve will appeal to any animal or nature lover, with either safari or camelback tours to choose from.

Tampa Riverwalk
The Tampa Riverwalk is definitely a must-do for those visiting the city, as this 2.5 mile pedestrian walkway will take you through some of the very best of Tampa’s attractions. From the Florida Aquarium to Kiley Gardens, there is a wide range of attractions and cultural landmarks to be found here. For those who want to stop for a bite to eat, the Sail Pavilion is a 360 degree bar that offers fantastic views of the waterfront, while Ulele is considered to be one of the top restaurants in the country, serving up dishes that have been inspired by Florida’s original natives.

Mike Focus / Shutterstock.com

Museums
When visiting a new destination, it is always a good idea to spend some time learning more about its history and culture, and Tampa has some great museums available at which you can do exactly that. The Tampa Bay History Center features over 12,000 years of Florida’s history, and is a great starting point, before moving on to the Tampa Museum of Art, where you will find pieces ranging from ancient times to the modern day. The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts will appeal to anyone interested in photography, while the Glazer Children’s Museum is guaranteed to keep any young visitors entertained. The Henry B. Plant Museum is another must-visit, not only for the incredible building that it is housed in, but also for the way in which its exhibits beautifully document early tourism in Florida.

Public Parks
With plenty of sunshine throughout the year, it comes as no surprise that Tampa boasts some gorgeous public parks that are a joy to explore. Highlights include the Bok Tower Gardens, which are also a National Historic Landmark, Lettuce Lake Park, Ballast Point Park and Cypress Point Park, the latter of which has a large number of hiking trails.

There is so much to do in Tampa, and if you are only visiting for a short period of time, you need to plan your days extremely carefully so that you do not miss out on anything. From the adrenaline-pumping fun to be had at Busch Gardens, to the history, culture and art at the many Tampa museums, this is a city that offers up an endless array of things to do.

Lifestyle |

January 4, 2017

| OROGOLD

Tampa Bay Nightlife

Night life in Tampa
Tampa is famous for having some of the hottest nightlife in Florida, and there are a huge variety of options to choose from. Whether you are in the mood for a sophisticated cocktail or a freshly brewed pint, here are some of the Tampa Bay nightlife highlights.

Czar
While Czar is known for being quite the hipster destination, it has enough else to offer that still makes it worth a visit. The décor style at Czar has frequently been likened to a merger between Banksy and South Beach, as you will find everything from glitzy chandeliers to Soviet iconography to retro vinyl booths. The selection of vodka-based drinks on the menu here is most definitely impressive, as are the indie rock acts that have taken the stage here in the past.

Dunedin Brewery
Fitted out to look just like a Scottish Highland castle, the Dunedin Brewery is known for its award-winning beers, as well as their impressive rotation of seasonal brews. With a view of the massive brewing vats, visitors can sample a range of beers at the brewery, and enjoy some toe-tapping live music at the same time.

Cru Cellars
If you tend to prefer wine to beer, then a visit to Cru Cellars is a must for you. Voted as the best wine bar in Tampa for three years in a row, Cru Cellars places a strong emphasis on wine, with over 25 different wines available by the glass, giving you the opportunity to spend the night tasting your way through them. There are tantalizing small plates and artisanal cheese platters to choose from if you start to feel peckish, as well as the spacious Wine Garden to provide some natural scenery.

Ciro’s Speakeasy and Supper Club
Ciro’s Speakeasy and Supper Club has frequently been voted as the best cocktail bar in the Tampa Bay area, and this title is most definitely well-deserved. This 1920’s style speakeasy takes their prohibition-era theme extremely seriously, with everything from a discreet entrance to an attendance password that you need to call ahead for on the day. Specialty cocktails are the highlight of the menu here, with the talented bar staff making use of original and truly unique concoctions. For those who are after a meal as well, the chefs are happy to create a custom meal paired with your cocktail, or there are also a few intriguing small bites that you can sample at the bar, such as the black truffle popcorn.

Jackson’s Bistro
Located right on the waterfront, the sophisticated Jackson’s Bistro is known for being a favorite amongst many celebrities, and, once the sun sets on a Friday night, this elegant eatery transforms itself into a pulsating nightclub. This is a club that manages to cater to just about everyone, with Top 40 songs on the patio, house music in the restaurant area, and retro tunes in the lounge. While there may be everyone from stilt walkers to fire eaters to professional dancers making an appearance, the ambience here manages to stay sleek and sexy, making Jackson’s Bistro a popular choice for a Friday night out.

Tampa Bay offers an incredible diversity of nightlife, and this is one of its top attractions. From sleek wine bars to late night clubs, these are some must-visit venues the next time you are in the area.

Events |

September 7, 2015

| OROGOLD

Christian Fashion Week

FashionFiles / Shutterstock.com

Originally founded by four creative entrepreneurs from Tampa, Florida, the first Christian Fashion Week was held in 2013, showcasing the work of eight American designers. The founders realized that, when it came to the church’s views on fashion, there was a warped belief about modesty that doesn’t actually appear in any scriptures. The organization hopes to educate the public on this, while also being activists for some of the critical issues that are often ignored within the industry. They decided that the best way to do this was through fashion shows, showcasing designers from all over the world, and it is this passion that has helped Christian Fashion Week to grow to what it is today.

Changing the Fashion Industry
Christian Fashion Week hopes to affect change in certain areas within the fashion industry. In addition to advocating for contextual modesty, they also stand for affordable and sustainable fashion, as well as ethical labor practices. The movement also advocates for the responsible use of natural resources, trying to bring awareness to the fact that the textile industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world. The topic of ethical fashion is one that has been debated many times in recent years, and CFW hopes to promote the idea that there are many ethical options when it comes to creating high fashion.

CFW 2015 – The Designers
The eleven designers that showcased their work at CFW 2015 were diverse, but each extremely talented, making for a dynamic and fascinating show. Tatjana Sladojvec and her brand Noka Posh showed a collection inspired by dance, while Kirsten Warner’s collection combined her two big passions in life – figure skating and fashion. Angel Myers had a fabulous plus sized collection, while Viji Reddy is an award-winning artist that creates the most exquisite handmade textiles. Julia Chew, a CFW veteran, was also at the event, presenting a one-of-a-kind Xiaolin garment created especially for the show. While the designers that were chosen for the show all have modesty as one of their core values, the organization emphasized that their main priorities were making sure that each brand paid extra attention to human rights and environmental issues. Modesty was something that the organization advocated for in their first two years, but have since then grown weary of the unsupported bias against short hemlines and form fitting garments, believing that God is likely to have more important issues on His mind.

While Christian Fashion Week’s annual designer showcase has received plenty of attention and praise, the future is currently shaky for the organization. They, unfortunately, dubbed their 2015 fashion week as their final season, as they need financial support to continue on in the future. If you would like to know more about how you can help, OROGOLD suggests contacting them through their website.