Tag Archives: travel

November 28, 2025 · 10:14 AM

All is Aglow at Dazzling Nights By Sandra Carr

Take a seasonal stroll through shiny and sparkly scenery during the fifth annual Dazzling Nights at Harry P. Leu Gardens.

The fifth annual Dazzling Nights at Harry P. Leu Gardens. Photo by Sandra Carr.

The holly-jolly festivities began during the COVID-19 pandemic five years ago and has become a holiday tradition!

I had an opportunity to experience Dazzling Nights during the media preview on Monday night. It was my fourth time attending the Creative City Project and Memoir Agency’s electrifying extravaganza, which is presented by AdventHealth once again.

I thought it was nice the media was provided with commemorative gifts!

Dazzling Nights merchandise includes a light-up cup and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and yeti pins. Photo by Sandra Carr.

Another Dazzling Nights keepsake includes a snow globe with a photo holder. Photo by Sandra Carr.

This year, the mile-long jaunt is bigger and brighter, and includes 17 luminous locations. It’s also a wonderful way to get your daily steps while being in the holiday spirit!

“I am so excited for our guests to experience Dazzling Nights 2025,” said Cole NeSmith, artistic director and founder of Creative City Project. “Our team has been working for more than a year on this totally new and expanded holiday experience. One of my greatest joys is seeing friends and families come together at our events, and I know this year’s show brings even more awe, joy and excitement for us all.”

A silvery cascade of string lights invite you to enter the Crystal Waltz section. As you walk down the path, there are elegant chandeliers hanging in treetops and conveying romance. I imagined ghosts dancing underneath the elevated, sparkling, glass prisms like in The Haunted Mansion ride at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, which is my fave at the mouse house. I know it’s not Halloween but the spooky season is my favorite time of the year!

Twinkling lights greet you in the Crystal Waltz section entryway. Image courtesy of Sandra Carr.

Chandeliers provide a sense of sophistication at Dazzling Nights. Photo by Sandra Carr.

The Winter Solstice area was overflowing with light and a natural ambiance. Folks can gather and sit by lighted teepees or walk through a golden archway adorned with holly leading to three Christmas trees.

A decorative colonnade leads guests to three Christmas trees in the Winter Solstice section. Photo by Sandra Carr.

I enjoyed walking on circular lights that changed colors at the Holiday Hop! Some of the circles reminded me of the 1960s Mod Target!

Don’t be a square! Walk on circles of light! Photo by Sandra Carr.

Circular lights change colors at the Holiday Hop. Photo by Sandra Carr.

Next, was the Glowing Forest, which resembled a sparkling Sherwood Forest! I didn’t see Robin Hood wearing holiday regalia but I loved seeing the glistening trees and strings of sparkling lights shaped like a Christmas tree and illuminating the pretty poinsettias.

Travel on a well-lit trail in the Glowing Forest. Photo by Sandra Carr.

On Monday night, there was a waxing crescent moon, which you could see as you encountered the Under the Stars section.

The rose garden came alive while gleaming with star power and live entertainment!

The rose garden was gloriously bright Under the Stars. Photo by Sandra Carr.

The Joyful Journey continues through a sparkling, tiara tunnel, featuring a sea of lights!

The Joyful Journey was illuminating! Photo by Sandra Carr.

The Joyful Journey was like walking on the Yellow Brick Road in the “Wizard of Oz!” Image courtesy of Sandra Carr.

Child’s play! I enjoyed seeing kids playing with giant, inflatable balls in the Holly Jolly section and throwing balls into holes in the 8-Bit Christmas area. I love baseball and playing Skee-Ball! I have a good arm and have thrown baseballs to fried chicken at a concert in the past so I thought I would give it a shot! I threw a ball and got it in the slot on the second try! My aim was true!

Children were having a blast playing with balls in the Holly Jolly section. Photo by Sandra Carr.

Santa and his elves watch as families play games in the 8-Bit Christmas section. Photo by Sandra Carr.

The Cathedral was the Taj Mahal of Dazzling Nights! The colorful colonnade is an 80-foot long, immersive homage to ancient stained glass and favors a larger-than-life Lite-Brite!

The multicolored, lit temple was awe-inspiring as you walked through the archway. Photo by Sandra Carr.

Watch out for ape-like creatures gallivanting throughout the Crystal Kingdom Yeti Blast! Attendees can enjoy playing with yetis in the snow!

Play in the snow with cute and cuddly yetis! Photo by Sandra Carr.

Buy holiday merchandise created by local artisans at the Twinkle Market! Sweet treats paired with holiday and adult beverages are available to purchase in various areas at Dazzling Nights. Guests can also enjoy live entertainment nightly and made possible through the support of Massey Services.

Purchase homemade, holiday decor at the Twinkle Market. Photo by Sandra Carr.

The family-friendly event at Leu Gardens, located at 1920 N. Forest Ave. in Orlando, runs Nov. 28, 2025 through Jan 4, 2026 from 5:30-9:15 p.m. Online Dazzling Nights tickets are $31.50-$39.50 for adults and $29.50-$37.50 for ages 4-12 (prices include service fees plus tax). Children 3 and under are free. Please arrive 30-45 minutes before your reserved time. Wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately depending on the weather.

Shimmery snowflakes greet guests at Dazzling Nights. Photo by Sandra Carr.

George’s Cafe Serves Gourmet Grub Generously By Sandra Carr

Nestled along an oak tree-lined street in downtown Winter Park, George’s Cafe serves humongous, homemade sandwiches, salads and cookies with warmth in a cozy ambiance.

George’s Cafe serves breakfast and lunch in downtown Winter Park. Photo by Sandra Carr.

The eatery’s owner and namesake, George John Paul II, grew up in Orlando and decided to embark on a culinary career instead of priesthood after graduating from Bishop Moore Catholic High School.

His family has deep restaurant roots in Central Florida that began with a Holiday House, a buffet-style eatery, in south Orlando and later became a Hostess House.

After the Hostess House closed in 1989, Paul launched a new venture with his mom Leona Paul and friend Alice Eide called Classic Creations Catering in Winter Park.

After Paul’s mother passed away, he decided to open George’s Gourmet Cookies and Catering in the Center of Winter Park, a shopping plaza on the corner of Lee Road and 17-92, and later shortened the name to George’s Cafe after he relocated to the former Brandywine’s Delicatessen site near The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in downtown Winter Park in April 2020.

For the past five years, George’s Cafe has been a staple of goodness, attracting regulars, business professionals and Central Florida visitors to its charming sandwich shop.

During my visit, I ordered George’s Famous Homemade Chicken Salad Sandwich on multigrain bread with a small salad. The chicken salad is made from scratch with Hellmann’s mayonnaise and includes leaf lettuce, tomatoes and red onions. I opted for no tomatoes and red onions and added Swiss cheese. My side salad included Romaine lettuce, field greens, cucumbers, black olives, tomatoes and onions with balsamic vinaigrette dressing. My delicious and healthy lunch was filling but I made sure I left room for dessert by chowing down on a yummy, Original Chocolate Chip Cookie!

George’s Famous Homemade Chicken Salad Sandwich is made from scratch. Photo by Sandra Carr.

The Original Chocolate Chip Cookie is soft and chewy! Photo by Sandra Carr.

The fabulous fare is a family affair, including lunch selections like The Puddsy, a roasted, turkey breast sandwich, featuring the nickname of Paul’s dad; the meaty combo, The Pearl, is prominently titled after his mom’s middle name; The Abigail is a Reuben named after his English Bulldog; and the 1933 Salad includes the year his mother was born in the dish designation.

The 1933 Salad includes romaine hearts topped with smoked ham, Swiss cheese, Spanish olives, tomatoes and shaved parmesan cheese served with a special dressing and freshly baked bread. Image courtesy of George’s Cafe.

Besides the main attractions, superb sides include the baked beans and Leona’s potato salad.

All the moderately-priced, menu items are made with fresh ingredients and from scratch daily. The croissants are baked in house but other breads are bought.

Scrumptious lunch options are available at George’s Cafe. Image courtesy of George’s Cafe.

I was happy to hear Ronnie’s recipes have been replicated and live once again at George’s Cafe! The Jewish cuisine includes matzo ball soup, stuffed cabbage and other classics. My mom was a waitress at the legendary Orlando deli before she became a homemaker. I also used to dine at Ronnie’s when I was in college.

The gigantic cookies take center stage and are the signature sweet at George’s Cafe. Through trial and error and being inspired by a Food Channel episode, Paul created a cookie that wasn’t flat or greasy, and has been popular ever since he started his catering business nearly 40 years ago.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with bars, brownies and cookies at George’s Cafe. Photo by Sandra Carr.

The award-winning, gastronomic gathering spot’s dishes come from the heart.

“At George’s Cafe, you’ll find honesty and no gimmicks,” said Paul. “We have been serving the community for a long time and provide wholesome food with a human touch.”

Accolades include Orlando Sentinel’s Foodie Awards and Best Bets and Orlando Magazine’s Best Breakfast and Sandwiches Award.

The restaurant’s indoor decor is a mixture of colorful paintings, Beatles and Key West memorabilia and the canine of choice, the English Bulldog – all of Paul’s favorites things! Folks can also dine al fresco on the patio.

The Beatles have a front-row seat behind the bar. Photo by Sandra Carr.

George’s Cafe includes English Bulldogs and black-and-white pictures of Key West’s most famous literary resident, Ernest Hemingway. Photo by Sandra Carr.

The walls are decorated with vibrant, acrylic paintings by artist Jim Bronzo at George’s Cafe. Photo by Sandra Carr.

The Beatles are one of my all-time, favorite bands and I was thrilled to see the pictures of the Liverpool lads displayed in the restaurant! The Fab Four will be celebrated during A Very Beatles Day with Bryan Hayes at George’s Cafe on Saturday, Oct. 11 from noon to 3 p.m. during the 52nd Annual Winter Park Autumn Art Festival. The free concert is presented by The Modern Music Movement. Enjoy a marvelous meal paired with live music!

George’s Cafe is located at 505 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, Florida 32789 and serves lunch Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and breakfast during the weekends from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Beer and wine are available. The eatery can also cater your event.

Begin your weekend with a bountiful breakfast at George’s Cafe. Image courtesy of George’s Cafe.

ICEBAR Orlando Launches Epic Summer Sips and Delish Dishes By Sandra Carr

ICEBAR Orlando, the coolest lounge in Central Florida, is on a mission to make this summer epic with its beat-the-heat concoctions.

I enjoyed chilling out at the largest, permanent ice bar in the world, featuring more than 70 tons of hand-carved ice, while sampling cool cocktails and tasty treats during a media preview event on Thursday night.

The bold-to-be-cold establishment features an ice bar and the Fire Lounge. It’s kind of like having Heat and Snow Miser from the animated show, “The Year Without a Santa Claus,” under one roof but in this case, both bars play well together and get along beautifully.

The Fire Lounge at ICEBAR Orlando. Photo by Sandra Carr.

ICEBAR Orlando is joining in the fun by celebrating the opening of Epic Universe with its neighbor, the Universal Orlando Resort, when the new theme park opens on Thursday, May 22 and throughout the summer.

Epic Universe logo. Image courtesy of the Universal Orlando Resort.

“ICEBAR Orlando is always cold and fun and a great escape from the heat,” said owner Thom Kerr. “Our drinks are fairly unique and some have a dry-ice-type-of-experience. The ice bar also has a tiki theme, which is the perfect place to hang this summer.”

The savory soirée included five new specialty drinks in the Fire Lounge, which are the Cosmic Chill, Dragon Fury, Ministry Mule, Peach Royale Martini and Vampire’s Kiss.

ICEBAR Orlando’s new summer cocktails. Image courtesy of ICEBAR Orlando.

Since I was driving, I sampled some but not all the delicious drinks. The Cosmic Chill and Dragon Fury are fruity and fabulous and Ministry Mule is the ICEBAR Orlando’s terrific take on the Moscow Mule.

The most fun one in the bunch is the Peach Royale Martini because its presentation includes a smoke bubble on top. After the bubble pops, smoke billows from the glass.

The Peach Royale Martini with a smoke bubble on top. Photo by Sandra Carr.

The Peach Royale Martini with smoke billowing from the glass. Photo by Sandra Carr.

There are four other mystical martinis with the smoke-bubble effect on the menu, which include the Orange Drop, Very Berry Cosmo, Passion Fruit Fizz and Malibu Dream.

I’m a rum girl who loves sweet, tropical cocktails so I tried the Passion Fruit Fizz. The incredible ingredients include Bacardi rum, passionfruit puree, pineapple juice, triple sec, orange bitters and sour mix. The marvelous mixture was very yummy!

The Passion Fruit Fizz with a smoke bubble on top. Photo by Sandra Carr.

The Passion Fruit Fizz with smoke billowing from the glass. Photo by Sandra Carr.

The Arctic meets tropical in the ice bar this summer! The polar paradise is decked out with ice-carved tikis and a tiki-themed throne and colorful surfboards.

ICEBAR Orlando has a tropical theme this summer. Photo by Sandra Carr.

ICEBAR Orlando’s walls are adorned with colorful flowers and surfboards. Photo by Sandra Carr.

I’m striking a pose with a penguin on a tiki-themed, ice throne at ICEBAR Orlando! Image courtesy of Sandra Carr.

The 1,375-square-foot, air-locked ice bar features three new custom cocktails, which are the Banana Barrel, Obliviate Elixir and Galaxy Dream.

I ordered the Banana Barrel, which is a remarkable rum drink. The ingredients include Cruzan banana rum, RumChata and vanilla mix.

The Banana Barrel is marvelous and merry without the monkey business! Photo by Sandra Carr.

Bottoms up! The 18-degree bar also serves The Epic Shotski to four patrons on a skiboard. The shots include raspberry vodka, mango, pineapple, lemon lime soda and grenadine. I sampled the smooth, specialty shot and I’m happy to report it’s worth the ski trip!

I sampled The Epic Shotski with two polar pals at ICEBAR Orlando! Video courtesy of Sandra Carr.

I also paired some of my shaken-and-poured drinks with amazing appetizers and delectable dishes, including the Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken Flatbread, Cheesy Moon Bacon Sliders, shrimp skewers and steak tacos. I didn’t have a chance to try the Pizza Logs but other media guests loved them!

The Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken Flatbread has a kick and is the perfect pairing! Photo by Sandra Carr.

The Cheesy Moon Bacon Sliders were bodacious! Photo by Sandra Carr.

Kickstart your night with blackened, garlic shrimp skewers tossed in herb butter and served on a bed of spicy, pineapple salsa with avocado lime and sweet thai chili sauce or cilantro lime crema dressing on the side. Photo by Sandra Carr.

The twosome included steak topped with onions and an avocado spread and served on soft tacos. Photo by Sandra Carr.

Another way to get relief from the sizzling temps is with gourmet, liquor-infused ice cream. The small but mighty and packaged, boozy dessert comes in five flavors, which are the Espresso Martini, Strawberries and Rosé, The Old Fashioned, The Highland and Truffle and Coco Loco.

Strawberry is my favorite ice cream flavor so I selected the sensational Strawberries and Rosé champagne combination. This frozen delight is a sorbet and the healthiest option in the bunch. The bouquet of ingredients also include Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé bubbly and St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, which is a French liqueur made with hand-picked, fresh elderflowers and no artificial flavors.

The Strawberries and Rosé sorbet was scrumptious and sweet! Photo by Sandra Carr.

Experience these new bites and booze blends at ICEBAR Orlando now through Monday, Sept. 1. The summertime festivities will include a weekly challenge with giveaways, patio games and live, ice-carving performances. There will also be special parties all summer long, beginning Memorial Day weekend.

Attendees can watch live, ice-carving performances every weekend at ICEBAR Orlando. Photo by Sandra Carr.

All guests who present an Epic Universe ticket at the front door will receive complimentary admission into ICEBAR Orlando Sunday through Thursday and half-off entry ($10) on Friday and Saturday.

The ice bar excursion includes a thermal coat, gloves and complimentary photo with a specialty, digital-photo frame. Admission is $15 in advance online and $21 at the door.

Besides the munchy menu and innovative cocktails, the Fire Lounge also includes DJs spinning the beats and dancing and doesn’t charge a cover. Bottle and VIP services are available for an elevated experience or special occasion.

Happy hour in the Fire Lounge occurs Sunday through Thursday from 5-9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5-7 p.m.

ICEBAR Orlando is located in the heart of the tourism corridor at 8967 International Drive, Orlando, Florida 32819.

The ice bar and Fire Lounge are open Monday through Wednesday from 5 p.m.-midnight; Sunday and Thursday from 5 p.m.-1 a.m.; and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Ages 8-20 can experience ICEBAR Orlando from 5-9 p.m. and 21 or older close the joint after 9 p.m.

Learn more about ICEBAR Orlando’s history and other tremendous tidbits in my Savvy Scribe blog from February 2020.

Tag Archives: travel

All is Aglow at Dazzling Nights By Sandra Carr

George’s Cafe Serves Gourmet Grub Generously By Sandra Carr

ICEBAR Orlando Launches Epic Summer Sips and Delish Dishes By Sandra Carr

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