GULF COAST: Villas and best areas?

[neo's white rabbit]

Hi

Thinking of staying on the Gulf in Oct to co-incide with my DS and mine's birthdays.

Looking at a either the Venice/Englewood/Rotunda area or possibly Homosassa. I know there's the possibility of Manatees in Homosassa but then there seem to be some great beaches and towns in the Venice area. (we're not golfers!)

Anyone stayed in either? Anything that makes one area stand out more that the other? We want a fairly quiet time with the opportunity to do a few fun things with DD 11 and DS 9 while we're there.

If anyone has stayed in a villa they can recommend please PM me a link if you have one.

As always, thanks in advance

 

[richard3330]

Hi ,

I haven't stayed at any of the places you mentioned but we have rented a fantastic villa in NewPort Richey on our second to last trip, which backed a lake - we regularly saw alligators sun bathing on the lawn near by!

Clearwater was only about 20 minutes away (There is tons to do at Clearwater - Dolphin boat trips, the great pier, lots of shops, etc.) and the stunning Caladesi and Honeymoon Islands are also near by with some breathtaking beaches and wildlife. At Caladesi we saw many dolphins in the sea, very close to the wonderful white sandy beach and there was also a wonderful bird sanctuary with many rare birds.

You can drive on to Honeymoon Island which is a pebble beach - but there is fantastic shelling. Then you can take one of the regular boats off to Caladesi Island. On the boat trip dolphins bow-ride the waves and it takes about 10 minutes and is very cheap. On Caladesi Island is a shop and barbecue restaurant/cafe and then you walk across one of the big wooden bridges to the beautiful beach.

I don't know if this was the sort of information you wanted, but thought I would post anyway! If you have any other questions I will try and help.

Richard.

 

[neo's white rabbit]

Thanks Richard, that's exactly the type of info I'm after!

We're staying a few nights in Clearwater next month as part of our Orlando trip.

If you have link to the villa you stayed in or the site for booking I'd appreciate it.

On a beautiful summer's like day like today it makes me all the more keen to be there So, now we're off to the beach - no dolphins in Brighton unfortunately...

 

[Netty]

We have booked to stay in a villa in New Port Richie, never been to the gulf coast before! We rented our villa from www.villas2000.com that was recommended by someone on this site -sorry can't remember who!

 

[neo's white rabbit]

Originally posted by Netty
We have booked to stay in a villa in New Port Richie, never been to the gulf coast before! We rented our villa from www.villas2000.com that was recommended by someone on this site -sorry can't remember who!

LOL I think that may have been me as I've recommended that site a lot here as we're using them for our trip to Orlando next month

 

[Hilary]

We've stayed in Port Charlotte, which is not far from Venice / Englewood, but a little further up the estuary of the Peace River.

We visited the Fishermen's Village at Punta Gorda just across the river where there were boat trips for dolphin-spotting etc., and we took a 'nature cruise' up the river and saw many birdsand alligators. We saw dolphins from the waterfront restaurant here, and also from the beach on Boca Grande island.

Boca Grande has great shelling (we're not beachy people, but we enjoy the beach if we've got something to do, like shelling! ), a few up-market shops and a couple of places to eat.

There was also a very nice, but very quiet, park nearby (Ponce de Leon Historical Park) with a wonderful wildlife sanctuary tucked in the corner - we really enjoyed this, but it depends what your family like to do!

Our villa was in a very residential area, backed on to a waterway andis one I would very happily return to. We booked it through Something Special (sorry, don't have a link to a site for them).

We're gradually working our way down the Gulf Coast as we really love the complete contrast from Orlando - first time we stayed in Crystal River, then Port Charlotte, then Cape Coral - next year we're aiming for Naples

Have fun planning.

 

[neo's white rabbit]

Thanks Hilary.

I think I may go the route of booking the flights for Tampa and then see if we like the Clearwater area when we're there next month and decide on a area for a villa after we get back.

I feel like a child in a sweet shop with so many lovely sounding locations along the Gulf Coast to choose from!

 

[MickeyMcMouse]

I haven't stayed at any of the places you mentioned but we have rented a fantastic villa in NewPort Richey on our second to last trip, which backed a lake

Another vote for New Port Richey or Hudson (right next door) were we have stayed many times.

A great place to relax after a mad week at WDW.

David

 

[neo's white rabbit]

Thanks David.

 

[richard3330]

Sorry, I don't have a link for the villa as we booked it through Virgin Holidays.

Newport Richey and Hudson are both lovely and are brilliantly situated so near to everywhere. If you are thinking of doing a 2 centre with Orlando then you can leave Busch Gardens to the second/third week if you don't have time to squeeze it all in, as NPR isn't as far compared with Orlando.

Richard.