Organized Tours

When in the Tampa area, be sure to check out the Tampa Bay Visitor Information Center, 3601 E. Busch Blvd. (tel. 813/985-3601), opposite Busch Gardens, which operates guided bus tours of Tampa, Ybor City, and environs. Tampa native Jim Boggs will guide you through the city on 4-hour tours, which are given from 10am to 3pm daily, with a stop for lunch at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. The tour costs $45 for adults and $40 for children 12 and under. The full-day tours (10am-5pm) of both Tampa and St. Petersburg give a good overview of the two cities and the beaches; this tour costs $75 for adults and $65 for children. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance; passengers are picked up at major hotels and various other points in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area. The company also books bus tours to Orlando, Sarasota, Bradenton, and other regional destinations (call for schedules, prices, and reservations). The center is located on the ground floor of Boggs's bed-and-breakfast, the Swiss Chalet Bed and Breakfast, which has been refurbished and enjoyed by many repeat customers. The scrumptious breakfasts are delicious, a major draw in addition to the fact that guests who stay in the B&B may purchase a special ticket that gives them unlimited access to Busch Gardens and Adventure Island during their entire stay. Rates range from $179 to $199 a night, with 10% discounts to seniors and veterans. Transfers to and from Tampa International Airport can also be arranged, therefore eliminating a rental car and parking charges.