Florida Favorites: Featuring Travel Blogger Ashley Vaccarino

In a new blog series for VISIT FLORIDA, I’m interviewing travel bloggers to find out about their favorite things about the Sunshine State.

Next up in the series, I chatted with Ashley Vaccarino of ArriveChic.com to find out where she likes to stay, dine and play in Florida. Unsurprisingly the Florida local has more than just a few welcome recommendations of how to truly enjoy this sunshine state. From what might be considered some of the best italian restaurants jacksonville fl, by locals to where is a good place to escape the high heat in summer there is a lot that may be discovered through reading further! A native Floridian residing in Miami, Ashley is a travel and fashion blogger who has visited 21 countries. She’s been featured by the Huffington Post, TravelFashionGirl.com and made various TV appearances.

Here are Ashley’s Florida Faves:

Stay: The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne

I love the Ritz-Carlton on Key Biscayne because it’s just across the Rickenbacker Causeway, only 15 minutes from the heart of Miami; but once you’ve arrived, you feel as if you’ve escaped to a luxury island resort far, far away.

Check-in for a relaxing weekend of full-service spa treatments, beach cabana lounging, and margarita sipping…or bring the kids for a weekend of fun splashing in the zero entry kids pool, building castles in the sand or visiting the nearby Miami Seaquarium.

The Ritz-Carlton on Key Biscayne is especially gorgeous and festive during the holidays when they decorate the lobby with huge gingerbread houses, nutcrackers and breathtaking floral displays.

The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne

Dine: Barton G, The Restaurant

Barton G is classic in Miami and never disappoints. The popular Liquid Nitrogen Martini “smokes” right in front of you. On my last visit, my liquid nitrogen martini, the Sin-Sation, also had fresh spray roses.

Their extravagantly playful presentations, like fried chicken served in a decorative tin chicken and lobster pop tarts served in a toaster, have a major “wow” factor, making it the perfect spot for big group dinners or to entertain out of town clients, but the best part is the exceptional food and great service.

Play: The Viceroy Miami Infinity Pool

On the 15th floor two-acre pool terrace at Viceroy Miami, you’ll find Florida’s longest infinity pool, which is 300-feet long and seems to drop right off the edge of the building into Biscayne Bay.

The views are stunning and because of it’s length, you almost feel as if you’re in a private pool. Endless day beds, cocktail service, and complimentary frozen grapes poolside make for quite a happy day in the sun. There’s a DJ poolside on the weekends and the restaurant, 15th & Vine, is just steps away with tasty bites for lunch.

Connect: To connect with Ashley, check out her website: ArriveChic.com. And follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

In Case You Missed It: Check out my interview with Charles McCool of McCool Travel.

Know any travel bloggers who would love to share their favorite things about Florida? Email Kara@KaraFranker.com.

Want more travel tips from VISIT FLORIDA’s Entertainment & Luxury Insider? Follow Kara Franker on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

This post originally published on VisitFlorida.com.