FLORIDA

We've been to Orlando several times. We often think, we'd try something new but we end up doing the same things. After you've done Disney, Universal, Seaworld, even Gatorland,you kinda don't want to do them again (unless you have kids).

Each time we did go, there are several places that we go to. We stay at Parliament House of course http://www.parliamenthouse.com with three bars, a pool, 2 stores, a restaurant and a theater house, its the complete package for a weekend getaway. No nude sunbathing allowed though but we witnessed several people try to do it. Remember, Orladno is family friendly and there's hardly any place that we went to that gets too risque. Sunday nights is best at Parliament where all the tourists and locals converge to Party till dawn.

Savoy is an enjoyable bar. Kinda pricey for drinks but nurse that baby and just watch gorgeous men wearing next to nothing. Full moon Saloon is our favorite. Its a leather bar with a huge patio. As hot as Florida may get sometimes, men here take their leather seriously. So all year round, there are people in harnesses and chaps and sometimes a police officer's uniform.

For a good meal, Friend's is a great place and has big servings (bigger for Twinks but just right for us bears/cubs). The waiter there can give a lowdown on where to hang out during whatever night you're in town.

Bottom line is, Orlando offers some great alternatives if you're tired of the touristy stuff. There so many other men to see and even more to ride.

We went to Tampa during the winter of 2007. We stayed at the Suncoast resort http://www.suncoastresort.com. It was a fun resort complete with Leather bar, dance club, and piano bar. There was also a restaurant, a clinic, an antique show, a leather store and a novelty store. The hotel clientele are mixed gay and lesbian but the grounds become very cruisy at night, mostly gay men but we were propositioned by a swinging couple as well. This the perfect place to get some sun, eat, and get drunk without worrying how to get home. The staff is very nice and would suggest tons of things to do while you're there.

If you decided that St. Petersburg is too small for you and want mroe things to do, you drive over to Tampa to take in culture (the Dali Museum is a must) or catch a baseball game with the Devil Rays. If that's not enough, check craigslist or the local gay guide for this guy that offers a boat tour off the coast. Its very affordable ( at $25 for a 3 hour ride) and he's very open to anything from nude sunbathing to orgy on his boat (we refused these, um, offers).

The night life is just has happening with a handful of bars for us leather/ bear/ latinos. Of note is 2606 [/urlwww.2606.com]...I'm telling you, it was like watching Caligula, the whole second level..well, was very active and there's tons to see and do (again, we just watched..as if we didn't see this enough back at our hotel)

Times flies when you're in these parts of Florida. Its less flashy than Miami and more down to earth. The crowd runs the gambit from average to hot to not.

Overall , we'd come back here just to go to the nude sun bathing section (it was too cold during our visit). Maybe next time we get more than an eyeful..)