Englewood
Englewood is known as the "Gem of the Sun Coast", and is a community set comfortably
on an area straddling two counties, harboured by several small islands and magnificent
beaches in a tropical setting. Englewood is a beach community that thrives on its
cultural events, nature parks, beaches, fishing, boating, and so much more.
Located on the beautiful Lemon Bay, off the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, Englewood
is just a short 85 mile trip away from metropolitan Tampa Bay, 90 miles north of
Naples, 50 miles north of Fort Myers, and only 35 miles south of Sarasota. Englewood
is easily accessible from U.S. Route 41 or Interstate 75.
Englewood has 4 beaches on the barrier island of Manasota Key. Manasota Beach and
Blind Pass Beach both offer a variety of amenities. Manasota Beach boasts 14 acres
of gulf front beach and sand dunes with special areas set-aside for sheltered tables,
barbecue pits, boardwalks and bathhouse facilities. Blind Pass Beach is ideal for
swimming, fishing and has more than 60 acres of nature trails. There's a docking
area for boaters on the Intra Coastal Waterway. Englewood Beach is the most popular
beach on Manasota key. Parking cost 75 cents per hour. There are no lifeguards,
but picnic tables, showers and restrooms are provided. There's no concession stand,
but there are many places for food nearby.
Englewood Beach offers recreation areas, boardwalk, picnic tables, and concession
stands as well as conveniently located nearby restaurants, shops, and nightclubs.
Walking south from Englewood Beach is Stump Pass Beach; a narrow strip of beach
that offers anglers a great place to fish.
Venice
Venice is approximately 2hours drive from Orlando and is rightly famous for its
beaches.
Beautiful white sand, clear turquoise waters and beautiful natural vegetation all
combine to make this one of the most outstanding parts of coastland in the US. The
historic and picturesque town of Venice, and the pleasant seaside community of Englewood,
are ideal for those looking for a beach holiday in a lovely area combining a good
range of attractions and entertainment with a laid-back atmosphere not found in
some of the bigger cities.
Venice is a relaxing town, south of Sarasota and offers a gentle pace of life and
attractive holiday villas with pools. Most of the villas we feature are within a
10 - 15 minute drive to the beach with supermarkets, shops and restaurants close
by. Some of our villas are in more exclusive areas such as Lemon Bay and the beach
is a short walk, but be prepared to pay that bit more for the privilege.
Shopping & Dining
Downtown, with its historic buildings and palm tree lined roads, is a great place
to shop or just to wander. The range of specialist shops and boutiques are great
for buying unusual gifts and souvenirs. If you're looking for bigger shops, Sarasota
and Port Charlotte both have large malls and outlet stores.
If you're looking for something to eat, Downtown offers some good snacks during
the day. In the evening, head for the restaurants along the beach or along the Tamiami
Trail (Route 41). Sharkey's Beach Bar in Venice is a popular place in the evenings,
offering great cocktails and music - a perfect place to watch the sun set.
Beaches
Whether you prefer a wild, undeveloped stretch of sand or a beach with every possible
amenity, you're certain to find it here. Choose one of several lovely beaches within
the Greater Venice area, or venture slightly further afield to one of the keys,
the white sandy islands that line the coast. As well as all the usual beach activities
and watersports, the area offers beachcombers a chance to search for prehistoric
sharks' teeth - more are found here than almost anywhere else in the world.
The main municipal beaches include Caspersen Beach, North Jetty Park, Nokomis Beach
and Venice Beach itself. Manasota Key is the largest of the offshore islands, and
offers beautiful beaches in a relatively undeveloped location; ideal if you're looking
for a break from town.
Sports & Outdoors
The range of watersports on offer is impressive - the reef just off the shore of
Venice Beach is popular with divers, and North Jetty Park is regarded as one of
the best surfing beaches on this coast. Sailing is also a popular pursuit and it's
also a great area for fishing.
Port Charlotte
Port Charlotte is a peaceful Floridian community approximately 45 minutes south
of Sarasota on Highway 41, the "Tamiami Trail". The town juts out on the junction
of the Myakka and Peace River. Although it is a popular residencial and retirement
community, the location on the busy Tamiami Trail, and it's close proximity to the
famous Englewood Beach and Mannasota Key, approximately 25 minutes away, offers
holidaymakers the chance to relax in peaceful
Hudson / Newport Richey
Just North of Tampa and only 2.5 hours drive from Orlando is the Hudson / Port Richey
& Newport Richey area .
These homes are well planed and stylishly laid out communities, ideal for the frst
time visitor who wants a nice modern home with a pool at a low rental price giving
superb value for money. Quiet area with little man-made entertainment, but with no
shortage of McDonald's, Popeye's, Burger King, Ponderosa restaurants or jeans and
sneaker shops and outlet malls such as you find in Orlando.
Pretty, intimate beaches and not as numerous compared to others on the Gulf Coast.
This should be no problem in the summer as they will not be crowded.
Lively centres of Tampa, Clearwater and St Petersburg are about an hour's drive
away as is the world famous Busch Gardens Wildlife Park, Adventure Island water
park and Tampa Aquarium.