Just got back from an affordable escape to Florida's Gulf Islands. Here's the video to help you plan your own trip.
Anna Maria and Longboat Key are just off the coast of Bradenton. Here's the itinerary that you can follow too, with each spot marked on the interactive map:
STAY at the Tortuga Inn, a mini-resort nestled between Anna Maria Sound and the Gulf of Mexico. Our fresh, new two-bedroom, two-bath unit was like having our own beach condo that was immaculately clean (the innkeepers have a secret to that cleanliness, but I had to close my notebook when they told me). We walked across the tiny two-lane Gulf Drive to reach the Gulf beach, with provided towels tucked under our arms and beach chairs waiting for us on the sand. For real privacy, Tortuga has two detached cottages right on the Sound shore, offering a quiet view plus a gated pool and hot tub. tortugainn.com
EAT breakfast at Ginny's & Jane E’s at the Old IGA. It’s an island antique store mixed with a community café -- and a gift shop and a flower stand. Speaking of inspired mashups, I have four beautiful words for you: creme brulee French toast. That’s the house speciality, and it’s bigger and sweeter than even what you’re imagining right now. On the opposite end of that spectrum is the veggie frittata with spinach and zucchini but, alas, no creme. The French toast, bagels, quiches and frittatas are all baked right there in, yep, an old landmark grocery store. You don’t have to be a travel writer to be able to ask for Ginny as soon as you walk in the door. annamariacafe.com
Lunch is great at the Sandbar Restaurant, where the beach and the dining area blend together. We ordered the two most popular salads: the crab pasta salad, beefed up with whitefish and billed as an “old Anna Maria Island favorite,” and the coconut shrimp salad, with fresh mango and passion fruit dressing. Can’t go wrong, but my vote is for the latter. (I just wish my wife would have shared more of it.) sandbar-restaurant.com
Dinner became a long, luxurious evening at Euphemia Haye, the famous restaurant down Gulf Drive on Longboat Key. We ordered off a special tasting menu usually only available in the Haye Loft, the lighter fare/dessert lounge upstairs. As the centerpiece flambé station kept the scene lively in the intimate, 10-tables-or-so dining room, we enjoyed the signature Caesar salad and a generous portion of pate, made from scratch with veal and duck. The entrees were duckling and jumbo Gulf shrimp, followed up with the Southern pecan pie and apple walnut crumble. But the real highlight was sitting down with the wife of Chef Raymond Arpke, D’Arcy, for a nightcap of St. Germain elderflower liquer as we pored over Ray’s You Don’t Have to Be Crazy, But It Helps!” cookbook. In it, he reveals the recipes for his Caesar salad, that famous roast duckling and more. euphemiahaye.com
RELAX at the Acqua Aveda Salon & Spa. The first 15 minutes of my massage, I was still having the knots of day-to-day life rubbed out of me. Minutes later, my body and mind were fully on island time amid the scents of grapefruit and ylang ylang oil. When the masseuse said, “We’re all done,” I never ever wanted to move again. acquaaveda.com
LEARN more at the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau's website, floridasgulfislands.com.
