Halki Visitor

If you’ve long been planning to go to Greece but need to put it off for a few years yet still want to experience some of the great culture that you long for, you may want to consider a trip to a stateside destination that is a lot more affordable Tarpon Springs, Florida. What? You ask. Yep, Tarpon Springs, Florida, the one US city most noted as having the highest percentage of Greek-Americans than any other in the country; and with that demographic comes amenities and attractions that are truly representative of that culture. The reason for the dense Greek population can be attributed to the city’s proximity to the coast since its sponge industry (dating back to the mid-1800s) reached its peak thanks in part to the experienced divers from Greece who were brought over to help the Gulf of Mexico economy flourish. As a matter of fact, at one point in Florida’s history it was its sponge industry that was considered the state’s largest even surpassing its citrus production. The area (near Tampa Bay) is now home to a plethora of Greek restaurants and ethnic shopping experiences, including the Halki Greek Market offering some of the country’s finest natural olive oils and goat’s milk based soaps. Also of note is the Viking Fleet which offers half, full, and multi-day fishing trips so you can experience the waters the same way the (more…)