Kathy and I enjoy driving around Florida, visiting the many fascinating smaller historic towns along the way... we never know what we will find. For example, do you know where you can find a massive reproduction of Vincent Van Gogh’s famous painting, The Starry Night? His famous but eccentric work – with its swirling orange-white stars and clouds clustered against a blue dawn sky – was painted while he was confined to an asylum. The original is a mere 38 x 92cm (29 x 36”) and that’s what makes this Florida reproduction incredible. It’s the size of a two-storey house located in Mount Dora...but more about this later! But first, let me provide an overview of Mount Dora and then I’ll share the best way to explore the town’s treasures. We have to agree with USA Today, which named it “the most picturesque town in all of Florida.” Known locally as “the New England town of the South,” a stroll along the covered walkways and alleys in the downtown area may evoke memories of the narrow shopping lanes and period architecture of places such as Rockport, Massachusetts. What makes Mount Dora particularly endearing is that many of its businesses are locally owned. This provides a strong sense of community and friendliness of which you become very aware as you meander its downtown streets, admiring the brightly lit shop windows and stopping occasionally to chat with the owners. Oh, and there are no parking meters! All cars may park for free at the curbside in front of the shops...now that is a convenience rarely seen in other towns. There’s something here for everybody – enjoy browsing for fashions, shoes and antiques and delight in the art galleries which rub shoulders with the occasional museum. There’s not a big-box store in sight. Restaurants to suit all budgets are everywhere, many nestled among some of the town’s historic buildings. Our favourites include The Goblin Market, Let’s Do a Maine Lobster Roll FLORIDA’S “New England” 20 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
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