ANN'S HOUSE...A QUAINT, COZY DUPLEX... STEPS TO THE GULF OF MEXICO

Thanks so much for sharing your Florida home with us--was wonderful to be back in the house that my mom and dad had stayed in for so many years. The kids all enjoyed listening to to past stories with Eileen and Marlene. Everything was great!!

We knew the location of this quaint home and were fortunate enough to be a andble to book it for the times we wanted - this year was our 4th stay at this property our 12th vist to Anna Maria Island. A most convenient location, a very comfortable "home from home", and helpful owners. It is spacious and comfortably furnished - not as inhibitingly over-smart as some are ! We can thoroughly recommend the property which we have shared with friends both from the UK and from California --they all loved it. An unanounced benefit here is that you can park your car all day in the cool shade of trees.
There is so much to see and do on AMI and the surrounding area, so be sure you grab the 2 local Newspapers as soon as you arrive and visit the information centre just across the way. Look out for local community events such as markets, festivals and the local theatre. Keep up your fitness by joining the Community Centre and look out for weekly Yoga on the Beach (near the Sandbar Restaurant) . Great dining at the Sign of the Mermaid (and especially good deals on breakfasts) and the Pasta Night (Wednesday) at the Bagel Shop has the best Greek Salad anywhere. If you love bargain hunting there is a brilliant shop just before the local Convenience Store and we always find some holiday clothes and other items at the Roser Thrift Shop near the City Pier (the restaurant at the end of the pier is another good place to eat). Near the Mote Aquarium a local Water Ski Display Team goes through its paces each Sunday in the early afternoon (something we don't see much in our colder climate). Pick up local maps for both their information and the discount tickets.
Don't overlook nearby Preserves and the Manatee Village (Bradenton) . Visit, relax and get sand in your toes.
P.S. Don't forget to ride bikes - the locals are very accommodating , motorists and pedestrians give you plenty of space and are wonderfully civil (we find that, when cyclinin the UK, we are often resented). If you are there for 3 weeks or more, consider buying at one of the cheap Superstores : it could be cheaper than renting and the Roser Thrift could boost their funds by selling it when you leave.

We've been staying at this wonderful place for many years now and from the very first time we've felt at home. This place - only two min walking distance from the beach without having to cross a road - is cozy, comfortable, spacious, quiet, clean ... and offers all the amenities you would expect from an upscale rental home. Being on the very laid back, old Florida style island makes you feel a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of many a vacation destination you might know. This place is AWESOME. We'll be back - for sure!