homecoming

After returning to the same island, the same street and, usually, the same beach house for a few years now, it feels a bit like coming home on both ends of our trip. It wasn't always so. Vacations used to be about exploring. Months spent researching dusty corners of the Internet looking for secret hideaways and unspoiled gems. But after driving from Munich to Umbria in a heatwave, with a nursing 4-month old and catastrophically wrong Mapquest directions to this place, we needed to find an easier way to vacation as a family.

Florida. Such a simple and obvious choice that I'm a little embarrased. I'm unapologetically anti-Disney World (non-stop manufactured kid-tertainment is not for me. That's a trip reserved for indulgent Aunties and Grandparents.) so the other Florida was something of a revelation. And now I'm positively evangelical about the sunshine state. Or rather parts of it. Here's why you should go:

There are lovely homes like this

And this


But most look something like this rather adorable cottage, where we stayed.


With embroidered curtains covering a sunny kitchen window

And a weathered door with seashell carvings


You can have pancakes here for $1.50 and watch dolphins in the bay.


And see a sunset wedding any night of the week.


And end every day pretty much the same way.


Oh, and the flip flops-only decree? Absolutely spot on.