Michelle Valentine plays the rubboard with a Zydeco band; learns how to make and properly eat gumbo; explores Creole heritage and folklore; visits a historic shrine where a miracle occurred; helps bake a pecan praline pie; tours a brewery using local honey and vegetables; and enjoys fresh pizza paired with craft beer, immersing herself in the rich culture and flavors of the region.

Michelle Valentine tours a center dedicated to saving manatees; learns about Stanley the rescued bear and exotic birds at a wildlife sanctuary; digs for fossils and explores a fossil museum; enjoys fresh Florida seafood and a tropical cocktail by the water; and discovers the vibrant history of traveling carnivals at a unique museum, uncovering the hidden gems of this coastal region.