Real stories begin in real life.
Some people collect passport stamps. I collect stories.
I’m Betsi Hill—a Florida-based author, travel journalist, destination storyteller, and founder of Ocean House Media Group, an independent media and publishing company focused on books, destination storytelling, tourism, hospitality, and intellectual property development.
For more than a decade, I’ve traveled throughout Florida, the Caribbean, and beyond, telling stories that help readers experience destinations more deeply. My work has appeared in regional and national publications, and I’ve published more than 550 articles across BetsiWorld and external publications exploring historic places, food and wine, cruises, charming small towns, Florida history, and the remarkable people who bring destinations to life.
My work blends journalism, personal experience, and destination expertise with a deep belief that the best stories are not simply about where to go—but why a place matters.
Today, my work is centered on Florida—its history, heritage, culture, communities, and the stories that make people fall in love with the Sunshine State.
- Author of Oldest St. Augustine: A Guide to Historic Treasures
- Creator of the Mama Lucille: An Unreasonable Woman fiction series
- Founder of Ocean House Media Group
- 550+ published articles across BetsiWorld and regional and national publications
- Florida-based author, travel journalist, and destination storyteller
- Areas of focus include Florida travel, regional history, food, wine, hospitality, tourism, publishing, and strategic storytelling
More Than Places—The Stories Behind Them
Whether I’m walking the centuries-old streets of St. Augustine, discovering an overlooked historic hotel, sharing a memorable meal in a small Florida town, or introducing readers to a family preserving generations of tradition, I’m always searching for the story behind the destination.
My journalism has always been about more than travel recommendations. It’s about understanding why a place matters, the people who shaped it, and the experiences that stay with us long after we’ve returned home. That same philosophy guides every story I tell—whether it’s journalism, nonfiction, or fiction.
Books & Stories
While journalism introduced me to remarkable places, books allow me to explore those stories even more deeply.
Oldest St. Augustine: A Guide to Historic Treasures
Published by Reedy Press, Oldest St. Augustine is a love letter to America’s oldest continuously inhabited European-established city. Rather than simply listing attractions, the book invites readers to wander through more than four centuries of living history, one story at a time, discovering the people, places, and moments that shaped one of America’s most remarkable cities.
Mama Lucille: An Unreasonable Woman
This is a forthcoming fiction series rooted in Southern women, reinvention, humor, and second-act life.
Entertaining Florida Style
Growing up, I learned that hospitality isn’t about perfection—it’s about making people feel welcome.
After years of entertaining family and friends, I’ve developed practical systems that make hosting relaxed, memorable, and remarkably low stress, whether it’s an impromptu dinner for friends or a holiday gathering. Entertaining Florida Style brings together those planning frameworks, recipes, traditions, and entertaining ideas that help people create meaningful gatherings without feeling overwhelmed.
Journalism Built on Experience
Long before I became a full-time travel journalist, Jim and I made an unconventional decision: we sold our home, moved aboard a 47-foot sailing catamaran, and spent four years exploring the waterways of the Eastern Seaboard and the Bahamas.
Those years changed how I see travel. Living slowly, arriving by water, and spending weeks—not hours—in destinations taught me that the best stories rarely appear on a list of “Top 10 Things to Do.” They come from conversations with locals, quiet historic streets, family-owned restaurants, hidden museums, and places many travelers simply drive past. That perspective continues to shape every article, every book, and every story I tell.
What You’ll Find Here
BetsiWorld is where my journalism, books, and storytelling come together.
Here you’ll discover:
- Florida destinations rich in history and character
- Historic hotels and memorable places to stay
- Food, wine, and culinary experiences worth traveling for
- Cruises and coastal adventures
- Travel tips built on real experience
- Behind-the-scenes stories from my books
- Speaking events, interviews, and media appearances
- The people, history, traditions, and experiences that make Florida unlike anywhere else
Whether you’re planning your next trip, looking for your next great read, or simply curious about Florida’s hidden treasures, I hope you’ll find stories here that inspire you to look a little closer.
Because every destination has a story. Every family has one, too. I’ve simply been fortunate enough to spend my career telling both.