South of Sarasota on Florida’s West Coast lies unspoilt Manasota Key — a less well known stretch of glorious coastline, blessed with the beautiful waters of Lemon Bay and the Gulf, with dazzling beaches, turquoise seas and vivid sunsets.

With an average year–round temperature of 75°F and the sea nearly always in the 80’s, it is not surprising that those who have discovered one of Florida’s best kept secrets have not been in a hurry to tell others! This part of the Gulf Coast offers a wide variety of exotic plant and animal life. You will often see dolphins at play just off the beach or in the many waterways. Watch for the scores of markers on the beach which tell you where Logger–head turtles have struggled ashore to lay their eggs. You can stroll along the beach to collect shells, take a relaxed dip in the sea and watch the sun go down… A lifestyle for which the word idyllic was surely invented.

Venice
Just south of Sarasota along Florida’s white sanded Gulf Coast, Venice offers 14 miles of beaches and plenty of recreational opportunities, including swimming, sunbathing, fishing and boating. Shelling is also a favourite pastime, and fossilized shark’s teeth can be found in abundance by sifting through the sand. Golfers enjoy excellent courses in the greater Venice area. Venice also is a Florida Main Street City — its downtown graced by northern Italian architecture and beautifully landscaped boulevards.