Your top choice for compassionateIn-Home Care in Tarpon Springs, FL

The Greek Islands are a bucket-list trip, but if a budget-bending vacation isn’t in the cards this year, there’s somewhere a lot closer to home that can serve as the perfect stand-in. Tarpon Springs, Florida, located on the Gulf of Mexico just north of Tampa, could easily pass for Mykonos with just a tiny stretch of the imagination. The town got its start when sponge beds were discovered off its coast in the early 1900s. In 1905, Greek sponge divers were brought to the area, and the rest is history. The Greeks and the sponge industry built Tarpon Springs, and a century later, both have remained central to the town. In fact, Tarpon Springs has the largest percent of Greek Americans of any city in the U.S.

When you’re squeezing fresh lemon over your chargrilled octopus, while listening to the table next to you animatedly converse in Greek, you might forget where you are. And as you stroll along Dodecanese Boulevard watching boats flying Greek flags pull up to the dock, Florida may be the furthest place from your mind. Growing up, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Mamma Mia! were two of my favorite movies, mostly because I couldn’t get enough of the gorgeous Greek villages they took place in. So, when I had the chance to fulfill a few of my Greek vacation dreams right here in the South, I jumped at the opportunity. Here’s how to spend a dreamy weekend in Tarpon Springs, Florida.

The Best Things To Do In Tarpon Springs

Mimic the exhilarating shock of touching down in a foreign land and immersing yourself in a new culture by starting your Tarpon Springs vacation at the Historic Sponge Docks. This was once the center of Tarpon Springs’ booming sponge industry, and thousands of sponges were delivered to the docks by sponge boats each week. Today, sponge boats pulling up after a dive aren’t quite as common, but this is still the center of activity in town. Greek restaurants line the bustling streets, gift and souvenir shops sell sponges pulled fresh from the Gulf, and there’s always a line outside the many bakeries. Spend time browsing in the 30 specialty shops of outdoor shopping village The Sponge Exchange, take a picture with the sponge smiley outside of Sponge Diver Supply, and buy homemade olive oil soap at Lori’s Soap & Sponge.

If you’re curious to learn more about Tarpon Springs’ history and heritage, book a sponge diving boat tour with St. Nicholas Boat Line. You’ll cruise around the Anclote River, while owner and Tarpon Springs native George Billiris shares the history of sponge diving in Tarpon Springs and even sends a live diver (dressed in traditional diving equipment) to the ocean floor to retrieve a sponge. A 5-minute drive from the Sponge Docks, you can learn more about Tarpon Springs at two downtown landmarks, the Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum and Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, both of which are open to the public. After you visit the museum’s exhibits, take a stroll around Spring Bayou at Craig Park, which is located just outside the museum. The deep blue waters are the sight of the town’s annual Greek Orthodox Epiphany Celebration and cross-diving ceremony.

From the park, you can walk a few blocks and find yourself in the center of downtown Tarpon Springs. You won’t see as much Greek influence here, but in its place there’s plenty of charm and lots to explore including coffee shops, boutiques, and antique stores. For modern home goods, gifts, and local art, stop into Sunshine Supply Company, or get a hit of nostalgia at Replay Museum, where there’s a collection of 100 vintage arcade and pinball games that adults can play all day for $14.

If your idea of a Greek vacation involves a place in the sand and an uninterrupted view of the ocean, Tarpon Springs can deliver on that as well. Head to Fred Howard Park, a 155-acre natural area that’s popular for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and more. Take the mile-long causeway out to the white-sand beach at Howard Park Beach. Set up for the day and enjoy splashing around in the calm waters of the Saint Joseph Sound. If the Atlantic Ocean is calling you deeper offshore, you can take a quick ride to the neighboring town of Dunedin and join a boat tour with Parrotdise Express. The 4-hour excursion will take you to a semi-private island where you can snorkel to see colorful fish, rays, and seahorses. You can also dive for sand dollars, starfish, and shells in every shape, size, and color imaginable.

The Best Places To Eat In Tarpon Springs

The only thing that rivals the views in Greece is the food, and the same is true in Tarpon Springs. Here, you’ll find some of the most authentic Greek cuisine anywhere off the actual islands. For a crash course in all things Greek dining, put yourself in the capable hands of the Salivaras family, who own Mykonos and Dimitri’s on the Water. The brother-sister team of Koula and Dimitri took over the family restaurant business from their parents and are committed to serving fresh, high-quality ingredients and traditional recipes. You may have to wait for a seat at Mykonos, but it’s well worth it for the exceptional chargrilled octopus, dressed simply with a squeeze of lemon, and the flaming saganaki cheese. The portions here are huge, but if you’ve got a crowd, order the Lamb Fricassee, a caveman-sized lamb shank covered in sauteed endive and swimming in an egg-lemon-dill-sauce.

Across the street at Dimitri’s on the Water, you’ll find a more upscale dining experience with a view of the Anclote River and a menu of steakhouse favorites, as well as updated Greek specialties. Order the Whole Fish of the Day Plaki Style, you’ll get dinner and a show when a waiter will debone it for you tableside and drizzle it with creamy lemon sauce. There are dozens of other worthy Greek restaurants to check out at the Sponge Docks, but one that’s worth deviating from the tourist track for is Katerina’s Taverna & Grill. The traditional pork gyro, wrapped up with tomato, onion, tzatziki, and fries, is excellent, as is the Avgolemono (Greek chicken lemon soup).

For traditional Greek sweets, join the all-hours-of-the-day line at Hellas Bakery, where you’ll have the difficult job of choosing from overwhelming display of Greek pastries and desserts that stretch far beyond baklava. We recommend picking an array, but then snagging a box each of Melomakarona (Greek Christmas honey cookies) and Kourabiedes (Greek shortbread-style butter cookies) to take home.

Greek food is the ticket in Tarpon Springs, but you absolutely shouldn’t leave town without making a reservation at Rusty Bellies, a waterfront restaurant that started as a family fishing business and seafood market. Three generations and three decades later, a table at Rusty Bellies is one of the most sought-after in town. Most of the seafood served at the restaurant is brought in fresh everyday by the family’s own fishing and shrimping boats. The portions are gargantuan, and the freshness is unmatched. The menu features everything from seafood tacos and sandwiches to steak and chicken for the seafood averse. Order the E. Sea Rider (grilled shrimp skewers, sea scallops, and your choice of fish) for a taste of it all.

The best breakfast in Tarpon Springs can be found at downtown’s Toula’s Trailside Café. Located along the Pinellas Bike Trail, it’s a popular spot for hungry riders as well as locals looking for a hearty homemade breakfast or lunch. From sweet and savory crepes to Benedicts, stuffed French toast, and a Greek-inspired scrambler called the Bougiourdi (feta, tomatoes, sweet and hot banana peppers, basil, garlic), you’re guaranteed to leave happy.

If you want to celebrate your pseudo-Greek vacation with a tipple, Tarpon Springs has plenty of places to grab a pint (especially for its size). Options include Two Frogs Brewing Company, Brighter Days Brewing Company, Unrefined Brewing, Sponge City Brewing, and 5 Branches Brewing. There’s also Tarpon Springs Distillery, a retirement project of couple Barry and Lisa Butler that took on a life of its own once their spirits started winning awards. The small-batch artisanal spirits range from a hot and dirty gin distilled with green olives, juniper, coriander, and peppers to rye malt whiskey. The tasting room’s bartenders are endlessly creative, which means your cocktail could feature anything from the traditional Greek liquor ouzo (distilled in house) to aquavit.

The Best Places To Stay In Tarpon Springs

Though it’s got a big personality, Tarpon Springs remains a small town, so lodging options are somewhat limited. If you want to live like a local, there are several private rentals on Airbnb and Vrbo that can suit anything from a Big Fat Greek Wedding-style family reunion to a getaway for two. Another great option is The 1910 Inn. Located in a seafoam-painted Victorian home with stacked circular porches, the inn is hard to miss. Inside, the home’s been restored to its original glory and is filled with one-of-a-kind vintage pieces. Innkeeper Annie Samarkos is a Tarpon Springs native and perfect person to introduce you to her little slice of Greek paradise.

The annual Epiphany dive for the cross in Tarpon Springs has been a staple in the Greek community for generations, but 50 years ago, there was a plot twist that led to a double cross dive that many believe was a sign of what led a Tampa teen down a path to becoming a world leader in the Greek Orthodox Church.

FOX 13 recently discovered and restored a WTVT news film that tells an amazing story of the annual Epiphany celebration from January 1974.

FOX 13’s Lloyd Sowers recently watched the WTVT’s archival film with Father Jim Paris of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Clearwater.

In the video you can hear former WTVT reporter Ray Blush say, "It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day for the celebration, quite unusual because it’s normally cold and wet," as former chief photographer Jule McGee filmed on the edge of Spring Bayou.

File: 1974 Epiphany dive

The video shows the archbishop moments before he threw a cross into the bayou as a group of young boys waited in small boats to see who could retrieve it.

The generations-old tradition says the boy who comes away with the cross will enjoy a year of good luck.

File: 1974 Epiphany

Unknown to Blush and McGee at the time, and unknown to Sowers 50 years later, the film would reveal a tale of two archbishops. There’s the one who threw the cross and the one who caught the cross, as the old film explains.

Something unusual happened at that 1974 Epiphany. When the archbishop threw the cross into the bayou, it disappeared. The boys couldn’t find it. So, the archbishop threw a second cross.

Moments later, two boys held crosses above their heads. The second cross was caught in the air.

In the video you can hear Blush ask that boy, "Was it in the water when you caught it?"

"It was just above the water," he answered. "Because I have marks on my hands. You can see the marks on my hands."

Father Paris looked closely at the 50-year-old film.

"That’s him," he said. "It’s Nakitas Loulias."

Loulias was a local boy who was a student at the University of in 1974. As Sowers watched the interview with Nakitas, Father Paris revealed the plot twist.

"He’s now an archbishop," Paris shared.

"The boy who caught the cross tossed by the archbishop became an archbishop?" Sowers asked.

"He’s the Archbishop of Great Britain, Nikitas Loulias," Father Paris said with a smile.

It was an amazing treasure found on a forgotten piece of film. It was the only known film of the boy who caught the unusual second cross. Soon after that, he began a journey to one of the highest positions in the Greek Orthodox Church.

There was something else unusual captured by the WTVT news camera on that day.

Just before the archbishop tossed the two crosses into the bayou, a dove landed on the archbishop’s crown. No one had seen it happen before.

File: 1974 Epiphany

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Sowers asked Father Paris, "Was it a sign?"

"It was a very historical day, and this is a very historical piece of film," he chuckled.

As everyone walked out of the church, they had an appreciation of what new things we can learn from old film.

Two archbishops were connected by the toss of a cross at Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs.

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — In Tarpon Springs, the history, hard work, and heart that family businesses and sponge divers pour into the Greek community make the Sponge Docks the special place it is.

“We dodged a bullet again,” Bill Gresko, who began sponge diving 35 years ago, told ABC Action News.

Gresko and his friend, fellow sponge diver Muhip Goktepe, braced for Hurricane Idalia.

“We’re all freaking out beforehand because if Steinhatchee was here or Fort Myers was here, we’d all have lost our boats. And that’s our livelihood,” Gresko said.

“It’s scary, you know? It’s not good. But we’re okay,” Goktepe said.

Still, Gresko feels for the local family businesses, who spent Thursday cleaning up and salvaging what they could.

“I just feel for sorry for everybody that got flooded out,” he said.

Sunset Hills Elementary School secretary and her family loses belongings in Hurricane Idalia

Though street flooding is common on the Sponge Docks, with some areas flooded on Thursday from the daily high tide and rain alone, Emmanual Psomas told ABC Action News at Hellas Restaurant & Bakery, “It never gets inside.”

That changed with the storm surge from Hurricane Idalia. This was different.

Psomas is the General Manager at Hellas, a Tarpon favorite.

“The last time we flooded was the No Name Storm,” Psomas said. “This one had a name.”

From the No Name Storm in 1993 to Idalia in 2023 — both will be remembered.

PHOTOS: HURRICANE IDALIA IMPACT ON FLORIDA

“The sandbags were just submerged,” Psomas said, describing the impact of Hurricane Idalia.

Around 7:00 Wednesday morning, he said he walked through the water to look at the restaurant.

“It was just under my waist,” Psomas said of the storm surge.

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A post shared by Kylie McGivern (@kyliemcgivern)

Hellas plans to reopen on Friday.

At Katherine’s Linens & Gifts on the Sponge Docks, employee Debbie Thompson said there was four feet of water.

“It came up over,” Thompson said of the water. “It should have never come over the cash register area.”

It did.

ABC Action News spoke with Brent Barkway of Pinellas County Economic Development between his visits with businesses on the Sponge Docks.

“We’re just out talking to local businesses to see what kind of damage they incurred and let them know that we’re going to be submitting a report to the Governor’s office in hopes of possibly getting some state and federal funds available to help people in the area,” Barkway said.

“This is a family,” Thompson said. “Everything is tied into the business. If they can’t get it open, it’s like anybody else, they lose money.”

On Thursday, desperate to help clean up and prevent more damage, she stood outside of the family business, begging cars to slow down as they drove through fresh flooding from the high tide and more rain.

“They’re like my family. And I will fight tooth and nail to get it back,” Thompson said of the business, wiping away tears.

As of Friday, not all stores and restaurants have reopened. Please call ahead to check.

Visit FloridaDisaster.biz, a partnership between the Florida Department of Commerce and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, to complete a Business Damage Assessment Survey.

Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

TAMPA, Fla. — The wildfires in Greece have destroyed homes and triggered massive explosions at an Air Force ammunitions depot. Meanwhile hundreds of Tarpon Springs residents are currently in the country attending several huge family events. Johanna Gatzoulis is one part of the large group of Floridians and has seen crews fight to keep the flames at bay.

What You Need To Know

“I couldn’t smell it but I did see helicopters with water going back and forth to bring over to that area," Gatzoulis said. “And I know there was some deviation in Rhodes right now. That has been contained. I have friends that are there right now and they’re okay.”

The fires forced Gatzoulis to change her travel plans and spend most of her time in Kálymnos, an island about 80 miles southeast of Rhodes where much out of the fire is burning, but she’s not alone.

“Half of Tarpon Springs is probably here," she said. “We had a big wedding last weekend on the hottest day of the year. It was 111 degrees that day.”

More than 300 other Tarpon Springs residents are in Kálymnos too as guests of a prominent Tarpon Springs couple who tied the knot there.

“And a lot of them are still here," she said. “Because we had a baptism Friday and another baptism on Monday.”

Gatzoulis says the wildfires didn't impact any of celebrations at all, but the fact that authorities say some of the fires were set by arsonists has everyone in the country on alert.

“I used to live here in Greece and fires are very common in the summer," she said. “And it’s common they do this to clear ground. Some are by accident, but the majority of times it’s because arson.”

But she says there's no other place on earth she and the rest of her big Greek Tarpon Springs family would rather be now.

“It’s safe to be in Greece," she said. “It’s beautiful to be in Greece and to see friends and family and I know anyone one comes here will love this hospitality of Greece.”

A Pinellas-Pasco circuit judge will examine hundreds of text messages and emails to determine if the city of Tarpon Springs should have turned them over to former City Attorney Tom Trask.

Shortly after Trask resigned as city attorney in October, citing “baseless public attacks,” he submitted a public records request for city commissioners’ emails, text messages and other records that discussed his tenure.

The city’s initial response stated there were potentially 52,692 records that could be responsive from commissioners and staff, including 1,228 from Mayor Costa Vatikiotis and 42 from city Commissioner Mike Eisner. In November, Trask’s attorneys proposed key words to narrow down the results but requested the city provide the 1,270 documents from Vatikiotis and Eisner in the meantime.

In March, the city provided 878 total documents from Vatikiotis, Eisner and city Commissioners Panagiotis Koulias and Craig Lunt — fewer than the original count from Vatikiotis and Eisner alone.

Trask’s law firm, Trask Daigneault LLP, sued Tarpon Springs in late April, alleging city officials violated Florida’s public records law by causing unreasonable delays and manufacturing confusion as an excuse for their failure to turn over all records.

In a hearing Wednesday, Deputy City Clerk Michele Manousos testified that when she first submitted Trask’s records request to commissioners, Vatikiotis and Eisner identified 1,228 and 42 documents, respectively.

Manousos said the documents were provided to a contractor that the city hired to assist staff in gathering and reviewing documents. The contractor approved the release of 878 documents to Trask’s attorneys but did not indicate why several hundred were not included.

Andrew Salzman, an attorney representing Tarpon Springs, said the city turned over all records responsive to Trask’s request. But Colin Thompson, an attorney representing Trask, said the firm in November stated they wanted all the 1,270 records identified by Vatikiotis and Eisner, regardless of whether they were relevant.

Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge George Jirotka said he would examine the excluded records “in the interest of not embarrassing anybody,” a reference to exemptions that are allowed for sensitive information like medical records.

Attorneys on both sides agreed to the terms in an order written during the hearing Wednesday. Jirotka set a hearing for Sept. 22 to determine whether the city caused an unreasonable delay in its response.

Trask’s law partner, Jay Daigneault, has said the firm requested the records to piece together circumstances around “utterly false allegations” by commissioners about Trask’s handling of a controversial apartment complex proposal near the Anclote River.

In March 2022, a city election brought a majority of commissioners into office who opposed their predecessors’ approval of the project by the Texas-based Morgan Group.

Vatikiotis pointed to emails that showed Morgan Group representatives were coordinating with city staff on changes to the code years before submitting an application for the project. Eisner described it as “years of laying the foundation to ruin our city to make money for a few.”

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The commission voted to hire a special counsel to investigate the matter, a probe that is ongoing. Meantime, the city has not released building permits for the project.

Morgan Group attorneys recently stated in a letter they will pursue a lawsuit if the city does not issue permits.