Mention Florida and one immediately thinks of Orlando, conjuring up images of Mickey Mouse, exciting theme parks and a high-speed pace of life, but take a two hour journey by car from Orlando on the 75 South and you will arrive in a very different and far less known, ‘alternative’ Florida. On the South West coast you will find peace and tranquility and a distinct laid back, unhurried living, but like much of Florida there is no shortage of things to do. We fell under the spell of this area when we first visited and our passion for it has grown with each return trip. When you start your drive to Charlotte County you begin to relax, the pace of life slows down and you find time to enjoy all that this beautiful region has to offer.

The Gulf waters & beaches

The water plays a huge part in the lives of the local people, many owning their own boats and some offering small boats for daily rental or skippered boating trips for larger groups.

For those looking for water activities, there are a host of these on offer at some of the busier beaches such as parasailing, snorkeling, scuba diving and wave runner rental.

For the less energetic, take a stroll along one of the less populated beaches, such as Stump Pass on Manasota Key and collect fossilized sharks teeth washed up onto the sand. Maybe stay a while longer and enjoy the incredible sun sets that the Gulf coast is so famous for.

The Gulf waters present a totally different perspective of Florida and a boat trip will leave a lasting memory and provide some marvelous photographs to take home. The shallower waters of the intracoastal waterways that separate the land from the Gulf of Mexico in many places are home to the rare and endangered Manatee who share these waters with pods of dolphin and other marine life. Fish eating birds such as the Great Blue Heron and the less common White Pelican can also be spotted along with Osprey which are encouraged to nest in purpose built sites along the waterways; dozens of these birds can be seen while enjoying a boat trip. Pack a picnic, plenty of water and sun cream and spend a day exploring.

Such an outing, with or without a skipper, can open up opportunities to discover islands that are inaccessible by land such as Cabbage Key, Don Pedro Island and Cayo Costa. Or why not motor 20 minutes further down the coastline to Sanibel and Captiva Islands, which by car would take three times as long and spend some time indulging in ‘shelling’, a regular pastime of the islands inhabitants due to the unusual amount of pretty shells washed up onto the islands beaches from the Gulf of Mexico.

Fishing

Fishing is a very popular pastime for locals and holiday makers alike. As well as the Tarpon game fish attracting competitive international anglers and offering great sport there is also a wide range of large fish to catch in these waters. A fishing trip with a local expert can easily be arranged for the enthusiast.

Golf

The Gulf coast is any golf lover’s paradise. With Florida having over 300 days of sunshine and a winter average temperature of 75 degrees, it is easy to understand why.
Within a 15 – 20 mile radius of Rotonda there are approximately 30 courses, however, closer to home, Rotonda itself boasts 4 luxury courses offering challenging and enjoyable, quality golf in beautiful surroundings.

Shopping

Port Charlotte has its own covered full service shopping mall with a variety of national and local brand stores inside and if you travel a little further to the town of Venice, approximately 18 miles away there are 2 discount outlets, one in the north and one to the south. Between them they offer over 400 outlets!

If, however you are looking for a more leisurely shopping experience then the following may be of interest:

Fishermen’s Village is a waterfront shopping and dining complex that is an attraction in itself located right on the beautiful Charlotte Harbour waterfront. You’ll find unique gifts, clothing and nautical items as well as dining options, entertainment in the evening and special events. Across the street you will find the Visual Arts Centre with several galleries offering rotating exhibits and a gift shop featuring artistic cards and gifts.

The Harbour Inn Antique Mall and Tearoom is located on the waterfront where the Peace River meets Charlotte Harbour. Over 50 antique dealers buy and sell dolls, linen, fine china, silver, lace, postcards, art pottery, books, tools, furniture and much more.

Historic Downtown Punta Gorda offers a wide array of unique shopping experiences from a working pottery studio, gourmet restaurant and eclectic gift shops on colourful Sullivan Street to art galleries, European cafes and make-your-own-wine shops.

Placida is a charming waterfront fishing village just outside the causeway entrance to the island community of Boca Grande that is well worth a visit by those seeking an “off-the-beaten-track” experience. Placida is home to the renowned Margaret Albritton Gallery displaying fine art, crafts and clothing - tropical Florida at its best, as well as several unique gift shops and fresh seafood restaurants.

The Key Village Shops in Englewood provide waterfront shopping for clothing and gourmet food items with views of Lemon Bay.

Eating Out

Restaurants offering good food at great value are everywhere and you can benefit from friendly and attentive service while enjoying the spectacular sunsets from many of these. Pay a little more and sample some of the excellent cuisine that restaurants in Port Charlotte and Boca Grande have to tempt the pallet. Contact us for further information on restaurants.

Family fun

And finally, as well as all the above there is also, mini golf at Fish Cove Golf, safe and supervised skating at Capt Don Cerbone Memorial Skate Park, Swamp buggy Eco tours at Babcock Wilderness Adventures, 10 pin bowling at Bowland, Multi screen cinema at Fandango in Port Charlotte, kayak and canoe trips with Grande Tours, Inc., Rehabilitating indigenous animals and birds at Peace River Wildlife Centre, family entertainment at Pelican Petes Playland and much, much more.