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I know this has been asked before but here we go -
We have only spent one day at Clearwater but we are busy planning next years holiday and fancy 1 week Orlando and 1 week Gulf coast, but have no idea where to stay.
Which area would be the best with 3 daughters age 17, 15 and 12. They all like the beach, but not everyday so need other things to do.
Husband is a golfer so golf courses are a must. Shopping, and are things more expensive on the Gulf coast. Plenty of restaurants to pick from, nothing fancy just ribs, steaks, burger etc. Boat trips, and wildlife, can we really sit on the beach and watch dolphins?
How long to drive from Orlando and would it be best to fly to Tampa or Orlando.
We have looked back through previous posts but so many different places are mentioned we don't know where to begin.
Any suggestions please[msnsmile2]
mollymolly
29-04-2007, 19:14
I could be said to be biased [msnwink] ...but I think Rotonda West is an ideal base for a Gulf Coast holiday.
There are several beautiful beaches from 10 - 30 mins away, sailing or fishing on the Gulf, canoeing or fishing in the canals, 5 different golf courses just on the doorstep with many more in the area, parks & play areas, cycling tracks, shopping malls at Port Charlotte, Sarasota and Ellenton Outlet Mall. I actually get all my designer bargains at Marshalls in Charlotte - so I don't agree that shopping is more expensive.
There are many places to visit including Busch Gardens, the Everglades, Sunsplash Waterpark etc ( I'm sure Andrew will come up with a helpful list).You can make your holiday as quiet or as busy as you want. The choice is yours!
As for airports we have guests who like to fly direct to Orlando & drive down (2.5hrs) while others fly into Tampa (1.5hr), Sarasota(1hr) or Fort Myers (1hr). There are lots of options. Have a look on OV as many of the owners put suggestions & information with the details of their homes.
Happy hunting!
Bernadette
florida4sun
29-04-2007, 20:09
We lived there for 5 years and spent a lot of weekends in the Rotunda area, lovely!
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Sally D
I know this has been asked before but here we go -
We have only spent one day at Clearwater but we are busy planning next years holiday and fancy 1 week Orlando and 1 week Gulf coast, but have no idea where to stay.
Which area would be the best with 3 daughters age 17, 15 and 12. They all like the beach, but not everyday so need other things to do.
Husband is a golfer so golf courses are a must. Shopping, and are things more expensive on the Gulf coast. Plenty of restaurants to pick from, nothing fancy just ribs, steaks, burger etc. Boat trips, and wildlife, can we really sit on the beach and watch dolphins?
How long to drive from Orlando and would it be best to fly to Tampa or Orlando.
We have looked back through previous posts but so many different places are mentioned we don't know where to begin.
Any suggestions please[msnsmile2]
[/quote]
andrewmckay5
29-04-2007, 22:23
Hi Sally,
Take a look at the Gulf area on the forum. There are several threads with lists of things to do.Like Bernadette I am obviously quite biased about the Rotonda area but there are several Orlando owners without a vested interest who talk very highly about the Rotonda area.Equally some prefer Naples etc. A big plus with Rotonda though is the choice of accommodation.
Rotonda is built around 4 golf courses so your husband should be happy and here is some info on the Beaches ( quite a long piece I'm afraid and the psrking costs may be out of date.)
[msnsmile2]
andrew
Beaches
You must drive way off the beaten path to find the beaches of Charlotte County. That keeps them more natural, less trodden.
BLIND PASS (MIDDLE) BEACH
941-316-1172
Route 776
Mid-island on Manasota Key
Facilities: Rest rooms, showers.
Sixty-three acres of lightly developed shoreline attract those drawn more to seclusion than to the sports and activities of Manasota Key's other beaches. Low dunes edge wide salt-and-pepper sands. Next door you'll see one of the island's first buildings, known as Hermitage House. From the parking lot you can follow a nature boardwalk trail into the mangroves.
CHADWICK PARK BEACH
941-475-6606.
2100 N. Beach Rd.
Englewood
34223.
Route 776, south end of Manasota Key at Englewood Beach.
Facilities: Picnic areas, restrooms, showers, volleyball, basketball, food and beach-rental concessions.
Parking: 25C per hour.
Many refer to this simply as Englewood Beach. A popular hangout for the local youth, it is nonetheless a well-maintained and policed area: No alcohol, dogs, glass, surfboards, or motor vehicles are allowed. The beach was widened in 2001 to combat severe erosion. Several resorts, shops, rental shops, and restaurants huddle around the area, which keeps activity levels high.
DON PEDRO ISLAND STATE RECREATION AREA
941-964-0375
Barrier Islands GEOpark
PO Box 1150
Boca Grande
33921
South of Palm Island, accessible only by boat.
Facilities: Picnic area, restrooms, boat docks.
Admission: $2 per boat or family arriving by ferry.
Secluded beach at a 129-acre island getaway. Once separated from Palm Island and Little Gasparilla, Don Pedro Island is now connected to the two to form one long, lightly developed barrier
island. Don Pedro, the most natural component, is toward the southern end.
LIGHTHOUSE BEACH, GASPARILLA ISLAND STATE RECREATION AREA
239-964-0375
Barrier Islands GEOpark
PO Box 1150
Boca Grande
33921.
Along Gulf Blvd
Boca Grande
Gasparilla Island
Facilities: Picnic tables, restrooms.
Parking: $2 per car.
Marked by a historic lighthouse with a museum inside, the park edges the deepwater tarpon grounds of Boca Grande Pass. Its plush,
deep sands encompass 135 acres, although in some parts the beach gets quite narrow. The view of oil tanks tends to intrude upon the feeling of awayness. Swimming is not recommended because of strong currents through the pass. A historic chapel in the same park is under restoration.
MANASOTA BEACH
941-316-1172.
North end of Route 776
Manasota Key
Facilities: Picnic area, restrooms, showers, lifeguard, historical marker, boat ramps.
A lively sunning and shelling venue connected to Venice's Caspersen Beach about 1 1/2 miles to the north. It also has a reputation — but not as pointed as Venice's — for shark's teeth.
PORT CHARLOTTE BEACH PARK
941-627-1628.
4500 Harbor Blvd
Port Charlotte
33952.
At the southeast end of Harbor Blvd.
Facilities: Picnic areas, restrooms, showers, concessions, volleyball, basket-ball, tennis courts, playground, horseshoes, boatramps, fishing pier, swimming and kiddie pools.
Swimming Admission: $2.68 adult, $1.61 ages 3-15 (phone: 941-629-0170)
Parking: 25C per hour.
A highly developed recreational center that sits on Charlotte Harbor along a manmade beach this is a good place to go if you (or the children) like to keep busy at the beach. A boardwalk runs along the beach and connects to the fishing pier. It looks across the way at Punta Gorda and feels more like a beach at a
Hi Sally,
I have to agree with everyone, Rotonda West does offer you the best of both worlds, great beaches, golf courses abound, a large mall in
nearby Port Charlotte.
Also close to Sarasota & Fort Myers both of which should keep you older girls happy.
Lynne
We have stayed in Rotonda, Cape Haze and Port Charlotte (they are all in the Englewood area). You will find lots of homes on this site in this area, just have a browse and see which ones you like best:)Not only can you watch the dolphins from the beach, there is a villa on this site where you can watch them from the balcony[clap][clap]
We have stayed in Rotonda, Hudson and Clearwater (in hotels) [msnsmile2]
We spent the best week ever on Captiva Island. I simply couldn't recommend it highly enough. I'll see if I can figure out how to put photos on a post to give you a flavour of it.
OK, I think I've worked out how to put the pictures in, so here goes...
Captiva is a really beautiful island. This picture was taken from the roof of our villa
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/2007430112941_tmpphpaLYCaC.jpg
And this is the villa (most of the rentals look something like this)
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/2007430113235_tmpphpnfFWQU.jpg
This is the roof, where Alison spent most of her time
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/2007430113412_tmpphpkvulKU.jpg
And there was a great view all round
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/2007430113544_tmpphpP1qOSH.jpg
We had our own palm trees
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/2007430121123_tmpphpDpwbEk.jpg
This is the main street
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/2007430113654_tmpphpFywvNI.jpg
And this is the signpost to every street on the island.
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/2007430113832_tmpphp49KLkP.jpg
These next few are the shops
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/200743011401_tmpphp3t7gWK.jpg
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/2007430114034_tmpphp166qha.jpg
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/2007430114233_tmpphpSfJ3OB.jpg
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/2007430114424_tmpphpNzOalf.jpg
If you're looking for something to do, you can hire a speedboat...
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/2007430114524_tmpphptCJfrf.jpg
And go to Cabbage Key, where there's a great restaurant which is only accessible by boat
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/200743011492_tmpphp6xUrIA.jpg
Or find your own deserted island to get a beach all to yourself
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/200743011501_tmpphpy9roSN.jpg
For eating out, I would recommend The Bubble House
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/2007430115135_tmpphpD2hAVm.jpg
Where they pride themselves on huge portions, so we had to bring our desserts back to the villa, as we'd just had too much to eat...
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/2007430121431_tmpphpDPWlyK.jpg
Or perhaps you'd prefer this place..
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/200743011541_tmpphpcJjYix.jpg
Which looks like this round the back..
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/2007430115523_tmpphpmUhaQK.jpg
It's great in the evenings
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/200743011562_tmpphpNARgdy.jpg
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/200743012133_tmpphpsuMWzB.jpg
Or, during the daytime, nowhere is more than a couple of hundred yards from this type of scene..
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/200743012246_tmpphpKteGDW.jpg
Or this, where you can rent a jet-ski, or go paragliding etc...
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/200743012332_tmpphpHaSUvd.jpg
If you like fast food, you won't find a McDonald's/Burger King or KFC etc; this is all there is...
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/20074301256_tmpphpTYruq8.jpg
We went on a guided tour these things...
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/200743012642_tmpphpiPRrgS.jpg
And all the properties look like this
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/Tonish/200743012745_tmpphpp8lcGM.jpg
Honestly, if you've never been, you should go. It's just not like any other part of Florida I've ever been to.
WOW what fantastic photos, I really must go now.
Thank you all so much for the info, we are busy looking at where to stay, so many lovely places.
We thought about doing this last year, 1 week Orlando and 1 week Gulf Coast, but never did but it will be for sure next time, all the family agree[clap][clap]
WOW...Thanks for the photos, they are wonderful and really give you an idea of what Captivia Island is really like.
Sally, we did 2 weeks in Orlando at our villa and then nearly a week in a 2 bed condo at Indian Shores, this is just a bit further on from Clearwater and is a great location. There are plenty of lovely places to eat and some great beaches to visit along the Gulf Rd.
I'm sure wherever you stay in the Gulf you will have a great time...Now I must find some more info on Captiva[msnwink]:)For our next visit[msnwink]
Albert the Frog
30-04-2007, 18:08
Great photos- I'm starting to daydream again now..............
Katys Grandad
01-05-2007, 12:58
Captiva is a great place and I know it pretty well. (I had lunch there yesterday!). If you think it looks good now, you should have seen it before it was devastated by Hurricane Charley. Even so, the property rental rates are staggering.
However, there is very little to keep children of the ages mentioned above occupied there. I'd leave it until you can go without the kids - try 1 of the Gulf Coast villas at a fraction of the cost of a similar property from the good people above. You can still do a day trip to Captiva during your stay.
How far is Captiva from somewhere like say, Rotonda[?]
We don't won't to go too far down and have been looking at villas around the Rotunda area, but are happy to travel around the area once we have arrived.
WOW the photos are totally awesome, i want to go now[msnsmile2]
Mizzy
CarolAnn
01-05-2007, 13:45
I have a friend who regularly goes to Captiva, have to confess, your pictures sure make it look inviting. I will be having strong words with her when I see her, as to why she didn't buy a vacation home there, instead of half a Stately Home in Dorest [msnoo] Not been to it and not likely to either...What WAS she thinking[msneek]
andrewmckay5
01-05-2007, 13:45
Sally,
Rotonda is an easy 21/2 to 3 hour drive from the Disney area. Literally from the I4 you turn left, right, left and then right into Rotonda.
Captiva looks fantastic but for just a week there is more than enough to keep you occupied within a few miles drive of Rotonda.
andrew
CarolAnn
01-05-2007, 14:51
That makes sense Andrew. I am never sure about a week anywhere. Do you think a week does the Rotonda justice really? From everything I read now, I am sure 2 weeks would be just perfect [msncool]
I agree Carol, one week is not going to be enough, but it is getting harder and harder going away with the girls school/college. I have even thought maybe just going to the Gulf Coast for 2 weeks but we can't not go to Orlando, so a week in each it will have to be. 2 weeks in each would be nice though[msnwink]
Hi Sally
We have taken a couple of day trips to Sanibel which is by Captiva,
packed up the cooler, took the chairs & spent the day. Takes about 2 hours maybe a bit less from Rotonda to Sanible. As Andrew says
there is more than enough in the local area to Rotonda to keep you amused.
Stump Pass beach is equal to any of the Sanibel ones & is about 15mins away.
I know wherever you choose you will not be disapointed, have fun deciding.
Lynne
andrewmckay5
01-05-2007, 19:20
You can do justice to Rotonda in a week although 2 weeks is great and we have been fortunate to spend 3 weeks the last 2 Christmas's [msnsmile2]
There really is as much or as little to do as you require. We have guests or have spent a really enjoyable week in Orlando say they and their children have had a perfect time spending each day by the pool and just going out to eat in the evening.Others spend a day by the pool, a morning at the beach and then lunch at a beach side restaurant and then maybe the next day at Babcock or on a visit to Sarasota or Venice.Hiring a boat for the afternoon etc etc
One thing for sure you will have a very relaxing time.
A puely unbiased opinion as you can tell:D
andrew
mollymolly
01-05-2007, 21:19
Why not base yourself at Rotonda and spend a couple of days up in Orlando. From Rotonda you can also reach Busch Gardens, the Everglades and Miami is a 3 hour drive away. There are lots of options.[msnwink]
Bernadette
Thought would add my comments. We loved Rotunda and so enjoyed our time there - totally different to the Orlando area, plenty of wildlife and much slower pace. We are spending a couple of days in Sanibel this time (wish it was a couple of weeks) so the photos of Captiva really made me long for October to come. Especially with this lousy summer of ours. I can't wait. Andrew has given you some really good information and you will have a great time and I too loved Stump Bass Beach and Boca Grande and Gasparilla - saw turtles and iguanas there.
Lisi
Tonish, thanks for those great photos, you've made us want to go to Captiva next trip! We really don't know that coast but we're definitely keen to explore it now :D