David Kelly Consulting

“You should go to Orlando for your next vacation,” said my friend Gabriella.

“Nah,” I responded. “It was great to hit the theme parks when the kids were younger, but now they’re in college. I’m not sure there’s a lot to do there for us anymore.”

“No, you need to check out the other side of Orlando!” she explained.

It turns out that Gabriella was right. There is more than theme parks.

Just visit the Other Side of Orlando.

Disney and Universal began defining the Central Florida landscape about fifty years ago, forever changing our perception of the state’s rich interior. But quaint small towns like Mount Dora, Clermont, and Howey-in-the-Hills exude Florida country charm while embracing visitors and providing unique destination experiences.

For accommodations on our trip we chose a classic hotel in the middle of it all – Mission Resort + Club. This 500+ acre destination property sits in Howey-in-the-Hills, a city founded almost a century ago by land baron William John Howey and named for the area’s beautiful rolling hills, which he viewed as “Florida’s Alps”. In 1924, he built the Floridian Country Club, a hotel and golf facility that ultimately expanded to include freshwater fishing, a full-service spa, fine-dining restaurants, and a second golf course. It now stands as the Mission Resort + Club.

We chose the Club Suite – a luxurious two-bedroom space with an extensive screened-in double porch overlooking the plush El Campeón Golf Course. It was furnished lavishly, and its marble bathroom was remarkably spacious. The resort itself was enormous, yet our room was located mere steps from the resort’s pool and its three sumptuous restaurants – perfect for our stay.

For the first day of our trip, we chose the adult route. We played the beautiful Las Colinas golf course in the morning, enjoying the elevation change on each hole – rare for a Florida course - all while relishing the classic architectural splendor of the layout. It was no surprise when we discovered that the course is considered one of the finest championship tracks in the state.

To unwind from our morning exercise, we spent the afternoon at The Spa at Mission Resort + Club. A quick drive or shuttle run from our room, The Spa was the perfect spot for a tranquil respite following our busy morning. After a quick bite at Nickers Clubhouse, we relaxed our minds and revived our spirits with spa massages and treatments, all the while looking forward to the rest of our week’s journeys.

(Continue reading below photos).

Up early the next morning, we headed out for a tour on our own personal catamarans with our guide Grace of Catboat Escapes. We quickly realized that we were in for the ride of our lives.

This is not a lazy lake tour. Catboat Escapes’ personal jetboats are built to zip along at up to 35 mph. While that might not seem too fast at first, trust me - wait until you get on the water in one of these babies, open it up, and experience it for yourself!

We shoved off from the dock on the shores of Lake Minnehaha, one of three bodies of water in the Clermont Chain of Lakes. Sleepy shaded rivers link the expansive lake system, so we gently piloted our crafts past elegant homes and luxuriant landscapes towards wide open bodies of water where we could push the throttle to the max. During our leisurely trek between lakes, Grace filled us in on the local geography of the area, all the while quizzing us with Florida trivia.

It was fascinating to learn that we were traversing some of the highest points in the peninsula. Much of the water flow runs off the area, allowing the local ecosystem to maintain its pristine water quality. While exploring, we encountered a cove tucked into the corner of Lake Minnehaha that was populated by dozens of cypress trees, home to local osprey nests. It was pure Central Florida at its finest.

Of course, the real fun was opening up our jetboats. Grace led us to Lake Susan, where we pushed our throttles to the max and circled the lake countless times, racing and laughing, all the while spraying huge rooster tails out behind each boat. Catboat Escapes was a thrilling experience that we will always remember.

In keeping with our outdoor theme for the trip, we opted for a kayak tour of Rock Springs Run from Get Up and Go Kayaking. Our guide Ashley launched our little group out of Kings Landing near Wekiwa Springs State Park. Rock Springs Run is a designated National Wild and Scenic River, which is no surprise, as the waters we paddled were crystal clear and the verdant landscape was breathtaking.

Get Up and Go Kayaking features transparent kayaks, an inspiring choice that allows for guests on the river to enjoy a unique perspective of the local ecosystem. We paddled against a light current on the way out through scenic Emerald Cut, knowing that our efforts on the trip back would be aided by the water’s gentle flow. Along the way, Ashley pointed out birds, wildlife, and even fish below us as we took in the unspoiled Central Florida scenery.

We grabbed a couple breaks along the way, which allowed us to jump into the 70-degree water for a cool swim. Although it was summertime, the tree canopy shaded us throughout our two-hour trip, keeping us out of Florida’s sizzling summer sun. Ashley assured us that beginners and experts alike enjoy the Run, and she has hosted numerous return guests – no surprise, as the peaceful nature of our trip will surely call us back another day.

Small Towns Full of Big Life

Looking to spend some time exploring Central Florida’s charming small towns, we headed off to picturesque Mount Dora. This quaint community, tucked up against scenic Lake Dora, features a downtown scene replete with boutique shops, restaurants, and art galleries, as well as the antique stores that the area has been known for.

There is also a seemingly endless array of community special events that focus on arts and crafts, food, and music, topped off with the spectacular Light Up Mount Dora every November to kick off the holiday season.

Mount Dora’s Must Dos

· Olde Mount Dora Carriage Company – Take in all that this city has to offer on an electric “horseless carriage.” We hopped aboard for a 45-minute tour of Mount Dora – a trip that embraced both the history of the city and its scenic lake, park, and downtown areas. There is even a lighthouse on the lakeshore – the only inland lighthouse in the state.

There may not be a horse, but there is a tour guide, and Colleen entertained us with community tidbits and info. In addition to historic tours, they also feature trips that include dining options, romantic excursions, and even holiday-themed outings. Be sure to check out their “scareiage” rides for the Halloween season featuring spooky rock music, adult “blood bag” beverages, candy and more.

· Eden Abbey Brewing Community – Do not miss this one-of-a-kind craft brewery that is based on community and charity rather than corporate profit. In a nod to the European monastic breweries of old, Eden Abbey mills their own grains, purifies their water, uses no artificial additives, and brews in pure small batches. We could taste the difference in every sip.

This family-owned business specializes in giving back to its community with events such as local blood drives. It also features live entertainment, whether musical, magical, or trivial. We stayed all night and felt like family by the time we left.

· The Mount Dora Bistro – John Rossetti, proprietor of The Mount Dora Bistro, has designed his downtown restaurant to honor the French bistro concept that he loves. Whether you stop in for a Champagne High Tea, a Bistro Lunch, or a multi-course “host’s-table” meal, John and his team prepare unique plates that satisfy.

The Bistro’s menu specials change every day, embracing traditional French techniques, procuring the freshest ingredients, and adding a little bit of the chef’s fancy. We opted for the Beef Ribs Bourguignon and the Codfish Mediterranean with capers and olives. Both were stunning in their presentation and their flavor.

The French are famous for their desserts, and The Mount Dora Bistro did not disappoint. From traditional Bistro Beignets to the decadent Chocolate Fondue, we topped off our evening with the most delicious sweets imaginable.

Clermont’s Can’t Misses

Just a few miles south of Mission Resort + Club is the old Florida city of Clermont, a collection of gently sloping hills and picturesque lakes surrounding a bustling downtown market. We spent a day there and enjoyed a town that reminded us of just how inviting Southern hospitality can be.

· Clermont Main Street Farmer’s Market - Every Sunday, downtown Clermont closes off the streets and lines them with dozens of booths from vendors that feature fresh produce, arts and crafts, and more. Located largely on West Montrose Street, this blocks-long eclectic market successfully combines these street vendors with the full time brick-and-mortar businesses. Individual small shopping malls such as the Montrose Street Market and the Downtown Exchange blend seamlessly with distinctive shops such as Hometown Accents and Triangle Vinyl. For history buffs, be sure to visit the Clermont Historic Village Museum, an exhibit of notable buildings from the past.

· Cheeser’s Palace – For breakfast, brunch, lunch, or sweets, there is no place like Cheeser’s Palace in downtown Clermont. Renowned locally for almost twenty years of homestyle cooking, it called to us to visit and chow down on a breakfast like our grandmothers used to make.

Nothing says Southern cooking like shrimp and grits, and they were amazing. We also loved the Caprese Benedict - chunky fresh sliced mozzarella topped with tomatoes over a fresh croissant and slathered with hollandaise sauce. The lunch menu looked so tempting that we vowed to make a trip back.

· Showcase of Citrus – This vast 2,500 acre estate cultivates over 50 varieties of citrus. It features U-pick experiences, gem mining and more, all geared to great family entertainment. We took a ride on the monster truck adventure that cruised through the native woodlands and citrus groves. Our special animal food buckets allowed us to feed the onsite zebras, bison, and water buffalo – and we think that we might have even caught a glimpse of Bigfoot on the far horizon …

If you are looking for a vacation experience that is close to home but full of unexpected beauty, be sure to visit the Other Side of Orlando. Tell them Dave and Gabriella sent you!

ROUND UP

Mission Resort + Club

www.MissionResortandClub.com

Catboat Escapes

www.CatboatEscapes.com

Get Up and Go Kayaking

www.GetUpandGoKayaking.com

Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce

www.MountDora.com

Olde Mount Dora Carriage Company

www.MountDoraCarriageCo.com

Eden Abbey Brewing Community