Florida is a great destination for houseboats! On St. Johns River you can cruise for a whole week even up to Jacksonville starting from "Holly Bluff Marina" near the city of DeLand.
A family company which run this business for more then twenty years and earned all the experiences in this field.
We tried the experience for a week-end, unfortunately the first day we had some rain, but this was even a better occasion to live the houseboat comfort, hanging out, cooking and truly having lots of fun!
This is the perfect kind of relaxing vacation you can have with the whole family. We had with us even a baby girl who was so excited to be on board together with two other friends.
The "Southern Belle" is a fantastic boat with top notch features. It's really a floating apartment which despite its size can approach the river's banks almost everywhere.
In some period of the year (winter) you even watch the Manatee at the Blue Springs State Park
A magnificent natural environment that can be considered the essence of the Central Florida
Fishing is a great opportunity along the cruise because this region has an incredible variety of species
The southern spirit is everywhere around here. You can relax under an old charming porch of a traditional colonial and historic house right inside the State Park.
When hungry we have the pleasure to cook our own meal on board of the houseboat. The first day we made a nice "Brisket" (corned beef) with its veggies around. No it wasn't St. Patrick day and we aren't Irish but we love it!!
The dining room is incredibly big and over its roof you could even have a party with lots of friends!
In the evening we approach to the "Swamp House Riverfront Grill" where you can eat everything southern style, including blackened or fried gator and Jambalaya Florida Style with Fried Green Tomatoes.
The day next we get on board our friends and we do a smooth cruise in a sunny and warm winter day making a very nice BBQ brunch all together.
We spent the rest of the Sunday drinking and relaxing doing birdwatching and exploring the beautiful St.Johns river most secluded areas.
We finally return to Holly Bluff Marina where we rented the houseboat totally satisfied of this enjoyable kind of vacation and we certainly recommend it to everyone cause it worth every single dollar! Better if you do as a family reunion or with friends, but if you are a couple there are smaller a nice boats as well.
article and pictures by Luca Centoni
