Anna Maria Island Adventure
Our recent spring break was spent on Anna Maria Island near Sarasota...It was a peaceful sunny week away from the cold St. Louis weather we left, although quite cool (mid 60's) for this time of year...The last 4 days warmed up to high 70's and we enjoyed plenty of sunshine and swimming after that. Flew into Tampa and drove about an hour to the house...We rented a beautiful 3BR house that backed up to Tampa Bay between the Rod "n" Reel Pier and the Anna Maria City Pier.
We took advantage of the cool start and made our road trips to Sarasota to the Ringling museums..For those of you who ever venture to Sarasota, the trip to this estate is well worth it...The beautiful Ringling (summer) home, situated on Sarasota Bay, has been restored and is absolutely beautiful...We took a guided tour through the house, named Ca d'Zan, and a tour through their art museum and of course, the circus museum, both sights to behold...Great history behind all of it and even the kids enjoyed it immensely.
We also visited the Mote Marine and Aquarium which was quite fun. Visited Siesta Key Beach one day but spent most days on the lovely beaches of Anna Maria (Manatee Beach)...took bicycle rides, walks to the ice cream shop and watched lots of basketball games as the college finals were on TV while there. We happened upon the best restaurant of the trip and if you are in this area, it is a "must" -Ooh La La Bistro...very, very good food and we experienced no other like it all week...The amberjack (fish) we had for dinner was our first and it was wonderful.
Anna Maria is a quiet little beach town but charming and friendly...no fast food places (thank goodness), just good old fashioned relaxation, which we all needed!
Back to cold, unpredictable weather in the Lou and our regular daily grind.
Did I mention I'd rather be in St. Barths?
Bev
Our recent spring break was spent on Anna Maria Island near Sarasota...It was a peaceful sunny week away from the cold St. Louis weather we left, although quite cool (mid 60's) for this time of year...The last 4 days warmed up to high 70's and we enjoyed plenty of sunshine and swimming after that. Flew into Tampa and drove about an hour to the house...We rented a beautiful 3BR house that backed up to Tampa Bay between the Rod "n" Reel Pier and the Anna Maria City Pier.
We took advantage of the cool start and made our road trips to Sarasota to the Ringling museums..For those of you who ever venture to Sarasota, the trip to this estate is well worth it...The beautiful Ringling (summer) home, situated on Sarasota Bay, has been restored and is absolutely beautiful...We took a guided tour through the house, named Ca d'Zan, and a tour through their art museum and of course, the circus museum, both sights to behold...Great history behind all of it and even the kids enjoyed it immensely.
We also visited the Mote Marine and Aquarium which was quite fun. Visited Siesta Key Beach one day but spent most days on the lovely beaches of Anna Maria (Manatee Beach)...took bicycle rides, walks to the ice cream shop and watched lots of basketball games as the college finals were on TV while there. We happened upon the best restaurant of the trip and if you are in this area, it is a "must" -Ooh La La Bistro...very, very good food and we experienced no other like it all week...The amberjack (fish) we had for dinner was our first and it was wonderful.
Anna Maria is a quiet little beach town but charming and friendly...no fast food places (thank goodness), just good old fashioned relaxation, which we all needed!
Back to cold, unpredictable weather in the Lou and our regular daily grind.
Did I mention I'd rather be in St. Barths?
Bev