7 nights of Sustainable Luxury in St. Pete & Clearwater from £1,915pp!
Price includes return flights from London Gatwick, 7-day hire of a Chevrolet Bolt or similar, 7 nights room-only stay in 3 Palm Florida Green Lodging rated The Don CeSar in a Luxury King Bed Room, ATOL protection, and a FREE £192 donation to the charity of your choice.
Wait – how is this Sustainable if it includes flights?
The bottom line is that any flights powered by conventional aviation fuel are not environmentally sustainable. The carbon emissions are real and there is currently no way to stop that emission. There is a long-term vision of sustainable aviation fuel, electric aircraft and hydrogen-powered flight but that is perhaps decades away. If you choose to fly on your holiday then our objective is to help you mitigate the emissions by making better choices: looking at the aircraft to choose modern fuel-efficient places, flying non-stop to reduce the number of take-offs and landings, flying economy to avoid heavier bigger ‘footprint’ premium seats; all of which don’t stop emissions but they are better than the worst decision. Then, when it comes to the journey in-destination, our travel experts offer smart choices about when to travel to reduce over-tourism, the means of travelling around, the choice of place, stay and activities that support a more sustainable experience from an environmental, social and economic sustainability perspective. Find out more about travelling to Florida sustainably here.
St. Pete & Clearwater
St. Pete & Clearwater, located on the sun-drenched peninsula on Florida’s west coast, is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west and Tampa Bay to the east. Boasting 35 miles of award-winning white-sandy beaches, sparkling blue waters, exotic nature trails and stunning hotels, it is the perfect place for a family or couples holiday – all ages will love this diverse and eclectic holiday destination! Find out more about St. Pete & Clearwater’s greener choice activities, restaurants, hotels, and more here!
The Don CeSar
The star of The Don CeSar’s sustainability efforts is Winnow kitchen food-waste technology, which uses artificial intelligence, a scale and cameras to identify which items in the kitchen are being discarded. Based on this information, it determines menu items that don’t sell and also recommends changes in portion sizes, limiting overproduction and reducing waste.
Other green features:
- Exterior lighting designed to protect sea turtle hatchlings from being misdirected away from the Gulf
- Electric car-charging stations
- Parking lot pavement that’s environmentally friendly
- Sensors that turn off office lights when rooms are empty
- A system that cleans and reuses water from laundry machines
Florida Green Lodging Designation: 3 Palms
Additional Green Certifications: Tripadvisor GreenLeaders Silver Level
Reigning over St. Pete Beach since 1928, the 4* Don CeSar is a landmark pink palace that has hosted celebrities including F. Scott Fitzgerald and enjoyed cameos in several movies and television shows over the years.
Suggested Itinerary
Day One
Arrive at Tampa Airport and pick up your EV hire car, before heading to the stunning shores of the Gulf Coast.
Check into the Don CeSar, one of the destination’s greener choice hotels – and then get acquainted with the Clearwater Beach area and the plethora of things to do there. We suggest a leisurely walk along the boardwalk to Pier 60 to check out the artisan producers creating various arts and crafts and street performers drawing in the local crowds. Then head south to check out the various beachside bars and restaurants and ponder the menus to see where you’d like to dine during your stay.
In the afternoon, head to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Florida’s Marine Life Rescue Center. Focused on the mantra of rescue, rehab & release, the facility is a working marine animal hospital doing amazing work to support the local wildlife. The animals still at the facility are there because they have been deemed unsuitable for release. Enjoy the evening at a beachside restaurant such as Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill or Palm Pavilion, featuring fresh produce and seafood from the local waters.
Day Two
Head north to explore Honeymoon Island State Park – a natural four-mile barrier island with plenty of local wildlife including eagles, gopher tortoises, and armadillos. Discover the nature centre to learn more about the wildlife in the park. Take a short ferry from Honeymoon Island over to Caladesi Island, and take a 1-hour or 3-hour kayaking tour amongst the mangroves, or simply relax on the beach and enjoy the crystal clear ocean waters. Enjoy a picnic or BBQ back at Honeymoon Island at one of the two covered picnic pavilions next to the nature trail.
Spend the afternoon dolphin spotting on a Little Toot Dolphin Adventure Tour. Learn more about the local marine life and watch them chase the boat wake. We recommend a sunset tour for the best views! Have dinner at Clear Sky Café, which has a great mix of options for all tastes and dietary requirements.
Day Three
Take a drive down to Fort de Soto Park and join a Bay E-Bikes Tour of this fascinating area. Be sure to pack sunscreen! For those who like a quieter beach, be sure to take a dip here. Have lunch at Love Food Central Café in downtown St. Pete, a 100% vegan and gluten-free restaurant serving fresh and colourful dishes from 11-4 pm. Spend the afternoon at Sunken Gardens St. Pete, St. Pete’s oldest living museum, which is a botanical paradise amid the bustling city. Taste test some local brews paired with laid-back bar bites at Oak & Stone St. Pete for dinner.
Day Four
Start the day with a yoga session on the beach – either self-guided or with a professional teacher – to get you feeling refreshed for another day of exploring the destination. Join a mural tour with Florida Craft Art in downtown St. Pete, or design your own tour by simply exploring the city’s streets. Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and plenty of water to keep you hydrated. Discover the many fascinating murals in the downtown area.
Have a healthy lunch at Pacific Counter on Central Ave, known for its super fresh poke bowls. Create your own adventure at Fairgrounds St. Pete, one of the newest art galleries in the area created in collaboration with local mural and installation artists. Have dinner at the Cider Press Vegan Gastro Pub in the Grand Central District.
Day Five
Spend the morning exploring the new St. Pete Pier, a vast waterfront venue that opened in 2020. There’s plenty for the whole family! Think independent producers, musicians, bars, restaurants, play areas, lawns, and a splash pad. Take a walk along Beach Drive in St. Pete and opt for an outdoor dining venue to make the most of the region’s glorious sunshine.
Discover the region’s incredible museums this afternoon. St. Pete is home to the Salvador Dali Museum, featuring the largest collection of Dali works outside of Spain. Another local favourite is the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, a private collection of Thomas James opened to the public in 2018.
Day Six
Take this morning to be at one with the beautiful beaches of St. Pete/Clearwater. With a beach suited to every mood, pick a spot to suit you and park up for the morning. Take a walk, splash in the water, go snorkelling – whatever you fancy! Check out the variety of great water sports, cruises and waterfront dining at John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk. Shop for classic Florida souvenirs, enjoy fresh seafood at a waterfront restaurant and get out on the water on a nature cruise or Jet Ski rental.
If you can, catch a sports game while in the destination – it’s home to Tropicana Field for baseball (home to the Tampa Bay Rays), Al Lang Stadium for soccer (home to the Tampa Bay Rowdies), and for American football the Raymond James Stadium is just 30 minutes from St. Pete (and home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers). Have dinner and watch the sunset from one of Clearwater or St. Pete’s rooftop restaurants and bars.
Day Seven
Discover the destination’s unique aquatic and upland ecosystems at Weedon Island Preserve, a 3190-acre natural area. Visitors can plan an independent visit, or choose to join a guided tour, nature hike, or kayaking expedition. Take a picnic to enjoy whilst at Weedon Island Preserve – park up along the shoreside and watch the glistening water while the birds surrounding you sing.
In the afternoon, head to the Florida Botanical Gardens and relish the natural wonder of Florida while enjoying a walk through 150 acres of formal gardens, scenic landscapes, and native habitats. Freshen up following your morning in nature and get ready for the journey back to the UK!
Price correct as of 22/03/2024
