Event

Tasting the Tropics

Program Highlights
2 Cooking Lessons!
1. Learn from a local El Salvadorian cook how to adapt some of her favorite South American dishes into healthier and yummy versions using local produce and products. Well lunch on papusas, plantains, tamales, mango ice cream, and tamarind tea.
2. Celebrate island cuisine with an interactive foodie workshop and meal. Experience the culinary fusion of the Caribbean as your hostsFood Docents, Sheila and Sherry--demonstrate French Poisson en Papillote, African Lady in Red, and Floridas darling, Key Lime Pie.

Explore Floridas Ancient Calusa Food and Culture at the Randall Research Center (link)
Artifacts of aboriginal Calusa Empire reside just steps from our lodge. Here, the fierce Calusas defended their territory from waves of Spanish invaders. Well tour this archeological site, guided by a master historian.

An A La Carte Food Tours exclusive! We've arranged a day with Donna Schneider, winner of the Martha Stewart American Made Award. Shell guide us through the award-winning tropical nursery that nurtures nearly extinct fruits--- uncommon, ugly, bizarre, and delicious.
A Day on Your Own. Design your own day of art, nature, shelling or sun-drenched relaxation. Here are some activities from which you might choose.
Art-Painting class at world famous Leoma Lovegrove Gallery.
Naturalist-lead kayak tour of the wildlife-rich, intercostal waterways of Matlache islands.
Narration of the history of Cayo Costa as you water taxi over for a day of shelling. Cayo Costa is a pristine island preserve, unchanged since Spaniards set foot on it 500 years ago.
Relaxing and uploading all-natural vitamin D at the pool and grounds of historic Tarpon Lodge.

Discover Matlache, the fishing village time forgot.
Matlaches funky and laid back atmosphere arises from the artists whove built a colony of creativity and frivolity reminiscent of 1950s Key West. Well tour the village to learn about its roots, meet the legends and ghosts and sample the specialties of 21st century Matlache. After meandering through shops and galleries, well meet up for an afternoon with Washboard Scotty, Matlaches version of island calypso.