Trips

[Cowboy]

What about the Everglades? Another idea is to look up the Florida Guide section on the Orlando Villas home page for some detailed suggestions.

Mike and Kath

[Ruth]

I have to second the suggestion of Manasota Key and Boca Grande beach which is close by. I was at Manasota Key yesterday and the beach was beautiful (photos below):







<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by lewisp
Also try heading down to Manasota Key on the Gulf Coast (near Sarasota). Takes around 90-120 mins. If you want to experience "Natural FLorida" its great. Beautiful state beach, toilets/showers/BBQ area/life guard. White soft sands and the most amazing wildlife. We have been loads of times our kids ask to go there every time we visit. We were told about this place by the Turtle Rescue centre in Sarasota. Manasota Key is famous for the amount of sharks teeth you can find and pick up along the shoreline. It took us an hour to spot the first one but then our kids found about 400 of them whilst we were there for the day. Theres also a really big tortoise that lives near the BBQ area and we have seen him every year for the last 5 years. You will also see shoals of dolphins in the sea, they come in really close. Havent seen any sharks though but we tend to stick to the shallows. This beach is just lovely, thoroughly unspoilt and no commercialism. You need to take a picnic and plenty of drinks as there are no shops.
[/quote]

[Ruth]

We are staying in a villa at the coast and I have just spent half an hour watching a group of manatees playing right by the villa where we are staying. I got the children out of bed to watch them. It was a magical experience. Pity my camera batteries were dead In fact, as I sit here typing, I can still see them through the balcony doors[8D] Apparently the dolphins come right up outside too, they can be so close you can hear them, I hope I get to see that before we leave

[rosie]

Oh Ruth, what wonderful pictures, thanks for posting them [msnsmile2]

It sounds fantastic, I think I can feel a trip there coming on [msnwink]

[Cruella DeVilla]

Cool Ruth, go get some more batteries!!!

[Mo Green]

I feel quite 'homesick' Ruth ........8 weeks and I shall be there[laugh]

[Ray&Sarah]

Lovely photots Ruth, looks well worth a visit.[msnsmile2]

[sunny guy]

Thanks for some great ideas.I was actually just wondering if it's ok to take the hired minivan out of Florida.? We booked from the link on this site.

[Badger]

You can take hire cars out of state, that's no problem. Just don't get any ideas about going to Mexico with it!!

[Ruth]

We saw a huge tortoise right by the road today, about a foot long. It was lovelyMy batteries are now charged and rearing to go