In recent weeks though I have noticed the rates start to reverse in the opposite direction though. I have seen prices fall as low as $1,100 roundtrip between Florida and Tokyo which is not too far from the standard rate of travel before the war. What is causing this drop in prices? Maybe more jet fuel is being made elsewhere or could it be that we have finally hit the demand destruction that Twitter users won’t stop talking about.

I am not sure, but if I find out I will report back.

ZIPAIR Returning to Orlando International Airport with flights to Japan

In other news, ZIPAIR is coming back to Orlando in August with flights to Japan! Here are the details (translated from Japanese): ZIPAIR will operate three round-trip six charter flights between Narita and Orlando in August 2026. In February ～ March 2026, they operated the first-ever direct charter flight from Japan to Orlando, and after receiving many passengers on board, they have decided to resume operations in the summer of 2026.

ZIPAIR will operate charter flights between Narita International Airport and Orlando International Airport, offering a total of 6 flights across 3 round trips. Flights are scheduled for August 8, 2026 (Saturday), August 13, 2026 (Thursday), and August 18, 2026 (Tuesday).

Outbound flights will depart Narita in the morning and arrive in Orlando in the morning, while return flights will depart Orlando in the afternoon and arrive back in Narita the following afternoon. Detailed flight schedules will be announced at a later date. More information can be found on the special site at https://www.zipair.net/air/charter/orlando/index.html.

Tickets will be available through two sales channels: travel agency sales in the form of package tours, and airfare-only sales through the ZIPAIR website. Package tours from Japan through Jalpack Co., Ltd. went on sale on May 15, 2026 (Friday) at 2:00 PM and can be purchased at https://www.jal.co.jp/jp/ja/intltour/ame/zipair_charter_wdw/. Airfare-only bookings via the ZIPAIR website are scheduled to open in mid-June 2026, with specific dates and times to be announced at a later date.

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience. I write the food and travel blog Carlos Eats (https://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines on numerous topics.

This year’s announcement had a virtual element to it and parties were held around the state instead of at a fancy soiree. It’s a sign of the times I guess? Tampa has grown fast throughout the pandemic and seems to be hitting a wall now as the economy slows down and unemployment begins to rise in Florida. There is certainly still potential and growth in the area. Rising food and labor costs (not to even mention gasoline) are probably not helping as well.

There were new Michelin Gourmand selections announced, according to Creative Loafing Tampa, including Bar Terroir, The Briskette Shop, Fat Beet Farm and Kitchen and Bakery, and Kinjo. Lilac is still listed in the guide as recommended although it no longer has a star.

To be honest I don’t view this as a bad thing, but maybe some time for reflection on where Tampa’s restaurant scene has evolved to. The fine dining element is still pretty obtuse for the area and the quality of restaurants is not matching Miami or Orlando in quality. There is work to do.

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience. I write the food and travel blog Carlos Eats (https://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines on numerous topics.

It’s no secret that wait times at Hagrid can easily soar to 100 or even 200 minutes. I have waited over 3 hours in the past in the standby line and it was this that brought me and my family to make the decision to upgrade to a Universal Premier Annual Pass. After all, the lines for other rides rarely pass 30 minutes and the park has lost interest as Epic Universe has taken most of the interest from Universal Orlando and Island’s of Adventure with the exception of Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike. This is a common experience across passholders.

The fundamental problem with this ride is the capacity for riders versus the interest for parkgoers and this continues to not be solved by Universal Orlando Resort. Some people speculate is just a scheme to make people pay for Universal individual Express Passes for Hagrid’s.

This disappointing development was poorly communicated and was first posted about by theme park reporters and bloggers without any communication from Universal themeselves. Once has to wonder where the PR, Marketing, and Customer Support teams were in the middle of this decision since they will now be left to field the backlash.

Some theme park bloggers are supportive of the move and champion Universal prioritizing the average park visitor. You have to wonder both what the theme park was thinking and why they made this change with such little planning. They had to know people would discover the change.

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience. I write the food and travel blog Carlos Eats (https://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines on numerous topics.

With Orlando one of the top travel destinations in the United States, it makes sense for the tourism bureau to be seeking to assist those with planned trips in and out of the area.

Full information is available at visitorlando.com/spirit.

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience. I write the food and travel blog Carlos Eats (https://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines on numerous topics.

DANIA BEACH, FL – Spirit Aviation Holdings, Inc., parent company of Spirit Airlines, LLC has shut down after failed talks at a bailout with the federal government.

All Spirit flights have been cancelled, and Spirit Guests should not go to the airport. The shutdown follows the Company’s extensive and comprehensive efforts to restructure the business and pursue transactions to strengthen Spirit’s financial position and create a sustainable path forward.

Despite the Company’s efforts, the recent material increase in oil prices and other pressures on the business have significantly impacted Spirit’s financial outlook. With no additional funding available to the Company, Spirit said they had no choice but to begin this wind-down.

“For more than 30 years, Spirit Airlines has played a pioneering role in making travel more accessible and bringing people together while driving affordability across the industry,” said Dave Davis, Spirit’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

“In March 2026, we reached an agreement with our bondholders on a restructuring plan that would have allowed us to emerge as a go-forward business. However, the sudden and sustained rise in fuel prices in recent weeks ultimately has left us with no alternative but to pursue an orderly wind-down of the Company. Sustaining the business required hundreds of millions of additional dollars of liquidity that Spirit simply does not have and could not procure. This is tremendously disappointing and not the outcome any of us wanted.”

He continued, “We are grateful to our relentless Spirit team for their tremendous effort during our restructuring,” Davis added. “They have tirelessly provided a safe, affordable and award-winning option to
the traveling public.”

Spirit will automatically process refunds for any flights purchased through Spirit with a credit or debit card to the original form of payment. Guests who booked flights via a travel agent should contact the travel agent directly to request a refund. Compensation for Guests who booked flights using any other methods, including a voucher, credit or Free Spirit points, will be determined at a later date through the bankruptcy process.

Guests can visit https://spiritrestructuring.com for more information about Spirit’s wind-down process.

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience. I write the food and travel blog Carlos Eats (https://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines on numerous topics.

• DalMoros Fresh Italian is reopening in Downtown St. Petersburg at 204 1st Ave N on the Jannus Block, steps from Jannus Live, on May 1, 2026
• New expanded menu includes fresh pasta, new sauces, salads, and Italian-style Panino sandwiches
• Open late on weekends — until 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday — perfect for Jannus Live crowds
• Grand opening celebration includes a “Pasta Cutting” at noon, free tiramisu, pasta giveaways, and a free pasta card for the first 100 guests

ST. PETE, FL – DalMoro’s Fresh Pasta To Go is reopening in Downtown St. Pete today next to Jannus Live at 683 Central Ave. The foundation of the DalMoros experience remains its build-your-own pasta format. Guests choose from a selection of fresh pasta shapes, pair them with one of the restaurant’s homemade sauces, and watch their meal come together in minutes and served in convenient to-go boxes.

This location will expand the menu to include more than pasta including sandwiches, salads, and more and have longer hours on weekends until 2:30 a.m., perfect for those looking for a quick option while partying on the weekends.

For those unfamiliar with the brand, DalMoros traces its origins back to Venice, Italy, where the concept was born in 2012. The St. Petersburg location was the brand’s first foothold in the United States when it opened in 2021, and it holds a special place in the chain’s American story. Since then, the brand has expanded across Florida and into Massachusetts, with ambitious plans for additional cities including Philadelphia, New York City, Austin, San Antonio, and Washington, D.C.

The Italian restaurant chain will celebrate its grand opening with a special “Pasta Cutting” at noon, followed by the official opening.

“We’re back and better than ever, with a fresh new look, while preserving the same family‑friendly Italian experience our guests have always loved,” says David Caruso of Dalmoros Fresh Italian.

“Along with our fan‑favorite dishes, we’re excited to introduce new menu offerings, including some new sauces, salads and a major focus on Italian-style sandwiches called Paninos, which feature traditional Italian meats and cheeses, but with a Dalmoros twist! Our new St. Pete location reflects how much we’ve grown in this community—with a larger footprint and a prime location near Jannus Live, we’re able to welcome even more guests as we continue to expand. It’s also especially meaningful because St. Pete is home to me and my growing family.”

DalMoros Fresh Italian is located at 204 1st Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Hours are Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–9 p.m. and Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–2:30 a.m. For more information, visit dalmoros.us or follow @dalmoros.us on Instagram.

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience. I write the food and travel blog Carlos Eats (https://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines on numerous topics.

What’s changing at CityWalk:

• Universal Legacy Store returns in late April, replacing the Epic Universe Preview Center, which closes April 13
• Five Guys replaces the Burger King Whopper Bar, with the CityWalk location closing April 21
• Category 10, a live music and dining venue from Luke Combs and Opry Entertainment Group, opens at a new waterfront location in 2027

Universal Legacy Store returning to CityWalk, replacing Epic Universe Preview Center

The Universal Legacy Store is set to return in late April with exclusive retro merchandise and photo opportunities inspired by Universal Studios Florida attractions and films from Universal Pictures including E.T., Jaws, Back to the Future and Universal Monsters. The Universal Legacy Store will take the place of the Universal Epic Universe Preview Center, which will close effective April 13 to make way for the new experience. The return signals Universal’s push to merchandise its classic IP alongside the new Epic Universe opening.

Five Guys replacing Burger King Whopper Bar

Burger King Whopper Bar is being replaced with Five Guys and their made-to-order burgers and fries concept. The CityWalk Burger King location will close on Apr. 21. Five Guys currently has over 1,300 locations around the world and 1,700 under development.

Luke Combs’ Category 10 coming to CityWalk in 2027

Country music star Luke Combs and Opry Entertainment Group are planning to bring the popular entertainment venue to a brand-new waterfront location where guests can enjoy live music, food and spirits, and more in 2027 at Universal Orlando Resort’s CityWalk. The Southern concept menu includes burgers, steaks, ribs, salads, wings, fried pickle chips, fries and more. The venue will make Universal one of the few theme park destinations with a major country music entertainment brand — a notable differentiator as competition in the Orlando market intensifies.

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience. I write the food and travel blog Carlos Eats (https://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines on numerous topics.

Here is a look at what’s coming:

Easter Brunch at Driftlight Steakhouse

$60 per person

April 5 · 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. · Driftlight Steakhouse

If Easter brunch is the main event in your family’s holiday, Driftlight delivers with an all-you-can-eat spread of gourmet selections designed to hit every preference at the table. Whether you’re loading a plate at the buffet for the third time or nursing a Bloody Mary over good conversation, you’ll find plenty of reasons to linger.

Easter Brunch Buffet at Riverwalk Terrace

$56 adult · $28 child

April 5 · 6:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. · Riverwalk Terrace · Tampa Marriott Water Street

The Riverwalk Terrace pulls out the stops for Easter with an enhanced buffet experience featuring a prime rib carving station and an expanded dessert selection that should not be underestimated. With family-friendly pricing and a setting that looks out over the river, it makes for an effortless holiday morning.

Spring Renewal Salt Glow at Spa by JW

$325 + 20 percent service charge

Mon – Thu, all of April

April 1 – 30 · Monday – Thursday · Tampa Marriott Water Street

Available throughout the month, this Elemis full-body salt and botanical exfoliation treatment is the spa’s effort to give everyone a restart. Treatment focuses on circulation, hydration, and restoration. Book Monday through Thursday for availability.

Yappy Hour

Every Monday

Mondays · Anchor and Brine

One of Tampa’s top riverwalk terraces is offering the perfect weekly experience with your canine friend. Anchor and Brine’s Yappy Hour brings chef-crafted bites and thoughtful touches.

May 2026

Spill the Tea — Mother’s Day Edition

May 9 · 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. · Beacon · JW Marriott Tampa Water Street

The tea experience gets its most elegant treatment of the season for Mother’s Day, with a live electric violinist elevating the ambiance overlooking Tampa Bay. Be sure to secure well before the weekend.

Mother’s Day Brunch at Driftlight Steakhouse

$60 per person

May 10 · 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. · Driftlight Steakhouse · JW Marriott Tampa Water Street

Driftlight’s Mother’s Day breakfast buffet is crafted with the occasion in mind with a wide spread of thoughtfully prepared dishes designed for a morning of celebration. It’s a natural choice if your Mother’s Day tradition includes good food, good company, and the option to return to the buffet as many times as you see fit.

Mother’s Day in Bloom

May 10 · JW Marriott Tampa Water Street Lobby

Stop by Flor + Palma in the JW lobby on Mother’s Day to design your own complimentary bouquet. Follow the hotel’s channels for updates and plan to pop in if you’re already at the property for brunch or tea.

Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet at Riverwalk Terrace

$56 adult · $28 child

May 10 · 6:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. · Riverwalk Terrace · Tampa Marriott Water Street

The Riverwalk Terrace rounds out the Mother’s Day options at Tampa Marriott with an enhanced buffet featuring carved meats and seasonally inspired pastries. An à la carte menu is available until 9 a.m. for early risers who prefer to order off the menu before the full buffet opens up.

Reservations for most events can be made directly with the restaurants or through the hotel. Given how quickly these occasions fill, booking ahead is the move.

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience. I write the food and travel blog Carlos Eats (https://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines on numerous topics.

• Kaya Orlando is a Michelin-recognized, James Beard-nominated Filipino restaurant in Orlando’s Mills 50 neighborhood, helmed by Chef Lordfer Lalicon
• The menu reimagines classic Filipino dishes with modern technique — expect familiar flavors approached in unexpected ways
• Must-order food: the Kare-Kare Filipino Oxtail, a lighter reinterpretation of the traditional stew served with a self-mixed peanut sauce and garlic rice
• Must-order cocktail: the Otso Otso, a cachaça-based drink with pandan, coconut water, koshihikari rice milk and shio goji that showcases genuinely inventive bartending
• Reservations strongly recommended — the restaurant fills up fast and walk-in seating is limited
• One of Orlando’s most exciting dining experiences and a compelling case for Filipino cuisine’s place in fine dining

ORLANDO, FL – Kaya Orlando, the award-winning project in Orlando’s Mills 50 neighborhood, has familiar Filipino food dishes all with a twist driven from Chef Lordfer Lalicon, who has decades of restaurant experience and has all the right components for a successful gourmet Filipino restaurant.

I’ve been meaning to go since they opened, but was lured out recently when they featured an Australian wagyu special (which was subsequently and sadly sold out when I arrived). The restaurant is in a bungalow house that when packed feels like you are dining in someone’s home kitchen or pop-up. For this last-minute visit I snagged a seat at the bar after calling to see if there were any spots available.

I know how hard Filipino food can be to succeed in, covering a project years ago that failed in the space. The hard part with Filipino food is this conflict between purists who want traditional food and people who will let chefs innovate. The Philippines has thousands of islands and ways of cooking and there can be this dynamic where the chef is sharing a family recipe that is still foreign to others. Despite powerful voices like Anthony Bourdain proclaiming Filipino food the future, the road hasn’t been as clear for many chefs and restaurateur paving their way. Kaya’s menus shows a focus on the core cuisine, while giving space for growth. Kaya shows that when chefs are allowed to innovate they can truly create something special.

I was impressed with the flow at the bar. The bartender, Daniel, walked me through the innovative menu that feature a variety of classic and inventive cocktails as well a variety of wine and beer options. The Ube, That’s Good features ube-infused vodka, falernum, banana du brésil, angostura bitters. It’s unique and has a really strong ube flavor. It’s hard to capture Ube well and I think the cocktail does it well. It comes close to matching the pure root flavor versus the more taro-like powders you will find nearly everywhere today (heck ube is even at Starbucks).

My favorite drink was the Otso Otso featuring cachaça, rosé vermouth, pandan, coconut water, koshihikari rice milk, shio goji, poblano liqueur. It’s probably the first time in my life that I have enjoyed cachaça and the rice milk and shio goji really made it shine as well as the pandan. These flavors don’t often interact with each other on a menu, but it works. Cachaça has this really grassy flavor and the other ingredients soften it and make it palatable. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a unique flavor that showcases exemplary mixology.

Back to the food, I had to make another choice with the wagyu sold out and I eventually settled on an order of lumpia and Kaya’s version of Kare-Kare Filipino Oxtail. The lumpia pieces were big and full of flavor and filling.You only receive three but it is quite enough.

The Kare-Kare was not what I expected at all with the oxtail cooked more like a smoked brisket and a sweet potato puree with a side of garlic rice. It was delicious and surprisingly filling despite being a smaller plate of food. I was impressed with the overall sauce and meat mixture of peanut sauce and shrimp that you mix yourself at the table that has a nutty texture without being too thick. I would recommend it. It’s clear the chef spent time thinking about how to capture the essence of Kare-Kare in a different way. Kare-Kare is normally this really thick sauce and stew, this one is lighter while still diving deep into the flavor of the meat.

This level of intentionality and focus from the chef to the bar to management makes it easy to say how Kaya caught the eye of Michelin and the James Beard Foundation. Kaya sources approximately 90 percent of its produce from Central Florida farms, serving a hyper-seasonal menu based on farm availability.

The atmosphere at the restaurant has a jovial environment with friendly staff and customers who seem to be enjoying themselves. Service was quick for both food and cocktails and the restaurant has a good flow to it overall despite being busy the entire evening. It’s nice to see everyone in their natural elements. Everyone at Kaya seems to be genuinely happy to be there. Service is automatically included, but that doesn’t stop staff from being top-notch.

I highly recommend Kaya.

Kaya Orlando 618 N. Thornton Ave., Orlando, FL 32803 Mills 50 District (407) 627-9117 kayaorlando.com

Hours Tuesday–Thursday: 5:30–9:30 PM Friday: 5:00–10:00 PM Saturday: 9:30 AM–12:00 PM (brunch) | 5:00–10:00 PM (dinner) Sunday: 5:00–8:45 PM

Reservations Recommended, especially on weekends. Book via Resy at kayaorlando.com or walk in for à la carte seating at the bar.

Follow Instagram: @kayaorlando

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience. I write the food and travel blog Carlos Eats (https://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines on numerous topics.

• Savor Sarasota 2026 runs June 1–14, offering prix-fixe menus at restaurants across Sarasota County, including Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch.
• Diners can enjoy two-course lunches for $25 and three-course dinners for $45 at participating restaurants during the 21st annual culinary promotion hosted by Visit Sarasota County.
• Restaurant registration is open now, with an early deadline of April 1 for additional marketing opportunities and a final deadline of May 20.

SARASOTA, FL –  The 21st Annual Savor Sarasota returns June 1 through June 14, 2026. Registration is open now for the prix-fixe dining promotion.

Participating partner restaurants will offer exclusive chef-curated prix-fixe menus featuring a two-course lunch for $25 and a three-course dinner for $45 per person. There will be optional enhancements such as wine pairings, curated flights, and upgraded dishes.

Locations covered will include the barrier islands of Longboat, Lido, and Siesta Keys to the downtown corridors of Sarasota, Venice, and Englewood, as well as inland communities, such as Lakewood Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis, and North Port.

Photo credit: Rod Millington

“I have watched Savor Sarasota grow from an idea into one of the most robust culinary celebrations that happens annually, and it never gets old,” said Erin Duggan, President and CEO of Visit Sarasota County.

Duggan continued, “Twenty-one years in, the energy around this promotion is as strong as ever; last year alone, the campaign generated 1 billion media impressions and an impressive $1.2 million in revenue for participating restaurants. Our restaurants always step up and make Savor Sarasota their own, and I cannot wait to see what they bring to the table this June.”

Early registration is strongly encouraged for restaurateurs. Restaurants that sign up by April 1 will be considered for additional marketing and PR opportunities, such as media outreach and promotional features throughout the campaign. Menus and registration must be submitted by April 24 for inclusion when the official Savor Sarasota website launches on May 1. The final registration deadline is May 20.

Savor Sarasota is open exclusively to Visit Sarasota partners. Restaurants can register before their menus are finalized, but a completed registration, finalized menus, and photos are all required to be listed as a participating partner restaurant.

For more information and to register, visit visitsarasota.com/savor-sarasota.

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience. I write the food and travel blog Carlos Eats (https://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines on numerous topics.