Amazing Luxury Homes

Who ever said you cannot have the best of both worlds? Living the lifestyle you always dreamed of while still being in touch with the real world is possible in Sarasota, Florida. The paradise lifestyle, paired with a city life full of all the modern amenities you need, equals the good life. If the big city amenities with a small town feel, where you can enjoy the white sandy beaches on the weekend and the theater at night sounds like your cup of tea, then you might want to learn more about Sarasota real estate.

Sarasota Florida is known around the world by having one of America’s most beautiful beaches. Crystal white, soft, gorgeous sand with majestic sunsets and clear warm waters is what first takes visitors breathes away when they come. Although not something to be overlooked, the simple truth is Sarasota offers much more to residents, it offers the Sarasota lifestyle. The lifestyle consists of beautiful weather, scenery, food, wine, art culture, fashion and much more! Here are a few things out of many to do in Sarasota:

· Explore what the city is known for! Breathe in the warm ocean air, while sitting and watching the beautiful sunset on Siesta Key. There is a reason so many people travel to see the beaches. Not only does the location of Sarasota create beautiful beaches but it also offers you opportunity to experience and learn about the coastal and environmental sea life. Mote Marine and Myakka State Park are two places where you will be sure to have some hands on and up close fun with environmental and sea life in Sarasota.

· Immerse yourself in all the art and culture Sarasota has to offer! The Ringling Museum of Art established in 1927 by John and Mable Ringling sits on 66 acres on the Sarasota Bay. The museum offers galleries of European paintings as well as Asian Art, American paintings and contemporary art. Also located on the estate sits the amazing Ca d’Zan Mansion, also known as the House of John which was renovated in 2002. Sarasota also holds a strong focus on performance art through the Circus, Ballet, Asolo Theatre and also van Wezel which is a magnificent performance hall located on the bay.

· Treat yourself to great wine, good and fashion! A great place to do this is St. Armand Circle. This roundabout is famed for its great wine and dinning as well as some of the best places to shop in the area. You will never be more than a step away from great food and fun times.

Sarasota is a beautiful place to vacation but the perfect place to live. If you can see yourself living the Sarasota lifestyle, contact a Sarasota realtor to check out of this could be your everyday.

Bradenton Beach’s Scenic Highway boasts a relaxed tropical charm that is highlighted with narrow, winding streets, white sugar soft sandy beaches, a soft gulf breeze, abundant wildlife, and a wide mixture of buildings, with rustic, historic, and contemporary shops and homes along the way. If you want to extend this glorious road trip, you can take the scenic route, traveling from St. Armand’s circle in Sarasota up the 12 miles of beautiful Longboat Key to Bradenton Beach.

Once you’ve made it onto Bradenton, you can settle in at one of the great Bradenton seasonal rentals that are available. Then, you will obviously want to check out the beach. IT is known for having great, cozy beaches, with secluded spots covered in dunes and sea oats. In some places like the end of Manatee Avenue, you can get a great view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The two most popular beaches in Bradenton are Cortez and Coquina beaches. Located on the Gulf side of the area, they are managed by Manatee County and have numerous access points available to the public. Cortez beach is located on the northern end of the island, and is the less popular of the two (which is good if you want to get away from it all). Coquina beach lies at the southern end of the city and has plenty of amenities, including public washrooms, a picnic area, and also a snack bar. Lifeguards are also there to supervise you and your family as you play in the waves. You can also make your way over to the bay side of Coquina, which is popular for those with personal watercraft.

If you want to get even closer to the marine life that you see from afar on the beach, you can check out the Parker Aquarium at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton, which is the largest natural and cultural history museum on the Suncoast. Besides featuring displays on local maritime traditions, turn of the century medical equipment, and early Spanish exploration dioramas, the Parker Aquarium is also home to Snooty the Manatee as well as two other manatees. The Parker Manatee Aquarium is the second stage of a rehabilitation clinic that works to rehabilitate manatees. At the South Florida Museum, you can not only become closer to marine life but also the stars, as the Bishop Planetarium offers a multipurpose, all-digital domed theatre with one of the most advanced projection systems in the world. You can make a day or two days of this great museum location.

So grab your car, put the top down, and head on over to Bradenton, where you will find a ton of things to do and enjoy with your family.

There are many things to do if you are staying on a vacation rental in Boca Grande, but fishing is a clear champion of activities there. Boca Grande is a little slice of paradise, a charming and historic village that can be one of the most beautiful and relaxing places you’ll ever visit with its tropical palms, brightly colored hibiscus flowers, and vibrant teal waters. On land, you’ll find plenty to do with shops and dining establishments, tennis courts, basketball courts, rollerblading and walking trails, and of course the white sandy beaches, but the real fun comes when you hit the water.

Check out Gasparilla Inn Marina or Whiddens Marina for a location to drop off your boat. Gasparilla Inn Marina even offers dry boat storage, although there is a waiting list, and has several full-time mechanics on duty as well as a well stocked part department in case your boat runs into any trouble. Whiddens has the distinction of being on the National Register of Historic Places, and features fuel, live bait, ice, and beverages for its customers, and also allows boat rentals through Captain Russ’ Boat Rentals if you do not have your own seafaring vehicle.

While there are plenty of fish in the sea, there are some that frequent the areas around Boca Grande. They include tarpon, snook, cobia, pompano, goliath grouper, king mackerel, amberjack, barracuda, blacktip shark, blackfin tuna, bull shark, bonito tuna, mangrove, mutton and yellowtail snapper, redfish, red grouper, and seatrout. Tarpon, snook, and goliath grouper are some of the most popular targets right off of Boca Grande.

Tarpon, especially, are popular. They are considered the King of all costal game fish as they display insurmountable strength and speed, and will jump through the air in an effort not to get caught, making them a highly entertaining and accomplished catch. Boca Grande and nearby Gasparilla Island are known as the Tarpon Capitol of the World. You can go out on a boat in order to catch these fish in the deep water or settle in near the beach, where pods of tarpon are known to stay near the waves. Or, if you are feeling adventurous and visiting during the summer, check out the “Hill Tide” which occurs during the new and full moons of May, June, and early July in the shallows near Boca Grande Pass. Crabs and in turn tarpon are lured into the shallow waters, reachable by the beach for boatless fishing.

So join the marine adventures as one of the popular Boca Grande things to do. You’ll have time to relax at the beach or enjoy one of the dining establishments in the evening, but the fish and the stories they can bring to your children and grandchildren are only available if you get out there and join the adventure.

Anna Maria Island is considered to be one of the northernmost keys associated with Sarasota, located just south of Bradenton Beach. It is known for having some of the best beaches to get away from it all. A secluded spot to get away from it all, the beaches on Anna Maria Island are covered with sea oats and rolling dunes. Check out the tip of Anna Maria Island where you can get a view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

If you need a change from relaxing on the beach, check out the Historic Bridge Street at Bradenton Beach, located on the island. The Bridge Street Merchant Circle strives to make this the best shopping location, transforming it from a previously notoriously bawdy beach bar district. Businesses in this area that are members of the merchant circle add a touch of class to the area. The Back Alley features not only a combination of unique gifts and local art but also a tiny coffee shop. The Island Bazaar gift shop sells quality beach related products, including brands like Reef and Costa Del Mar. The Sailor’s Knot Clothing Company offers not only women and men’s apparel but also jewelry, gifts, home décor, and more, and was listed in Southern Living magazine as a favorite place to shop.

For food and drink, check out a number of places. The Beachhouse Restaurant is perfect for dining with the family as kids can play on the beach while you enjoy tropical drinks, and the Bridgetender Inn and Dockside Bar offers not only fabulous food but also great entertainment and a breathtaking view. Rotten Ralf’s can be visited by boat or by car, and has a relaxed atmosphere. The Sun House Restaurant is an ideal location for gatherings where you get a unique experience at sunset, as a gong is rang, a song is sung, and “green flash shooters” are passed out to all guests.

For a little fun, you can check out the Fish Hole, a unique miniature golf course themed like an old Florida fishing village. Or, relax at the Island Wellness center, with beach massages in tiki huts as well as climate controlled indoor treatment rooms, and yoga sessions available in both. If you want to get to know the island a little better, Segs by the Sea offers Segway tours and rentals, electric bikes, beach cruiser bikes, and even stand up paddle board rentals.

Clearly, no matter if you want to dine, relax, explore, or shop, Anna Maria Island has something for you to enjoy! Anna Maria properties for rent come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so book one today and start enjoying the beauty of this island.

Don Pedro Island State Park is one of the many outdoor attractions available to those who are visiting and staying a Palm Island vacation rental or anywhere in the Sarasota area. Don Pedro Island is one of the four islands strung together that are collectively known as Palm Island. It is a 129 acre barrier island across the Intercoastal Waterway from Cape Haze, located right in between Knight Island and Little Gasparilla Island. It is only accessible by boat – whether you take a ferry to the island or your own private one is up to you, as there is a dock with access via private boat or kayak as well.

The Don Pedro Island State Park itself features mangrove forests, dunes, and white beaches. There are plenty of opportunities to see the local wildlife while visiting Don Pedro Island. Some of the animal species that can be seen include the West Indian manatee, gopher tortoise, southern bald eagle, American oystercatcher, and various tern, including the least, royal, and sandwich. You can also learn more about the animals, natural environment, and the history of the island at one of the interpretive exhibit programs given by the park’s rangers.

Those who visit Don Pedro Island State Park can also participate in a wide variety of outdoor activities. They include boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking on nature trails, scuba diving, and snorkeling. There are pavilions that are available to rent for events or on a first come, first serve basis. For all your picnicking needs, there are also restroom facilities, tables, and grills that are available on the island.

Palm Island resort is located on Palm Island, Florida, a small string of islands on the west coast of Florida, equidistant between Tampa and Cape Coral. Accessible only by ferry, Palm Island Resort is located on the main Knight Island, and features one, two, or three bedroom villas with an “old Florida” architectural feel with today’s comforts and conveniences. Rental Properties in Palm Island are a hot commodity for those living in Florida that want to get a week or even a month away from their regular lives, as well as for those traveling here from anywhere within the United States or even the world.

There are many different types of vacation villas available for rental properties in Palm Island resort. The Island Villas look over the white sand beaches, with access to the beach and water right at your back door. The Island Bay Villas are two bedroom villas, located right next to the docks, and perfect for boaters visiting the area. The Mainland Marina Villas are one bedroom condos on the main land in Harbortown, which are very popular as well with boating and fishing enthusiasts. Island Cottages are duplex style condos, which have three bedrooms and direct access to the beach and water, which are perfect for families or larger social gatherings. Finally, the private homes are great for family reunions, wedding parties, and tennis clubs, with a limit of four week holidays and holding indoor and outdoor entertainment rooms. If you decide you do not want to stay on the island but still want to enjoy the amenities of the Palm Island Resort, you can pull in at the Marina. The marina offers full marine service and haul-out facilities, a heated outdoor pool, gas barbecue grills, kitchen facilities, a pavilion area, private restrooms and showers, washer/dryer facilities, electric, water, and cable TV, dry storage facilities, waste pump-out station, free wi-fi, and nearby golf courses.

Palm Island Resort is a great location to visit and create some great Floridian west coast memories.

Palm Island is located off the west coast of Florida, south of Tampa and St. Petersburg just west of Sarasota. As it is equidistant between Florida’s western hub of Tampa and St. Petersburg and Southwest Florida’s city of Cape Coral, it is easily accessible by Interstate 75 and Palm Island vacation rentals and homes a hot commodity for many Floridian tourists to visit along with visitors from out of the state or even out of the country. There are few cars and even fewer roads on this island, as you have to take a ferry over to even get there. Only those who are living or vacationing on the island take their cars over, though, as there are no parking lots but instead only private residential parking locations. To get from place to place on this little piece of paradise, people will often take golf carts, ride bikes, or even simply just walk.

Palm Island is actually made up of four interconnected islands. Knight Island, home of the Palm Island Resort, is what people generally think of when they say Palm Island. Don Pedro Island is south of Knight Island, and is filled with private homes and vacation rentals, but no stores, restaurants, or other commercial properties. Little Gasparilla Island is located to the south and is only accessible by boat, as the only sand road between the two islands is private property and accessible only to residents with a gate key. Much like Don Pedro Island, there are no stores, restaurants, hotels, or high-rises located on this island. Furthermore, there are no paved roads and no cars. Finally, Thornton Key is an uninhabited preserve with no beaches, which is very rarely visited.