TRAVEL
Longboat Key Club & Resort: Paradisiacal Perfection By Nalini Leilani lorida is dotted with some of the best vacation spots within the United States; the endless array of beachfront destinations makes it difficult to choose a spot to escape to. What can only be described as miles and miles of beaches and opportunities to escape from reality, Longboat Key makes this decision easy for us. The beaches at Longboat Key are an obvious must-see; Coquina Beach adjacent to Anna Maria Island is a traveler’s favorite. Cannons Marina is a barrier island nearby that features a slew of watersport options for people of all ages and levels. You can rent a boat, water skis, or tubes for a day, week, or month on the water. There are also options for shelling, biking, fishing, and rollerblading nearby. Tennis and golf enthusiasts find Longboat Key particularly appealing and revel in the top-notch country clubs. There are state parks nearby: Myakka River State Park and Oscar Scherer State Park. Myakka River State Park is one of the oldest state parks in Florida, and also one of the biggest. One can go camping, canoeing, kayaking, picnicking and fishing or explore the wetlands and forests. Both span thousands of acres that are rife with natural landscapes perfect for family fun. Whether you seek to learn about the various plants and birds that inhabit these lush lands, or meander about for hours, there is something to do for people of all ages. The parks and the area itself is a representation of the rich natural treasures that Florida is known for.
t Resident September 2013
For those who seek an evening out on the town, Sarasota is just a drive away and has many bars, restaurants, and cultural activities to choose from—the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, Asolo Theater, and Ringling Museum, to name a few. The Longboat Key Club and Resort is a particularly desirable retreat along the twelve miles of beaches that make up this vacation hotspot in Florida. Nestled on the southernmost end of Longboat Key between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it is truly a magnificent sliver of the best that the area has to offer. Sports options, beaches and pools, and ultra-luxurious guest rooms make this the go-to for travelers. Longboat Key Club has earned Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play” award for its miles and miles of greens overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. If you’re a seasoned player, this is your spot. If you’re a beginner, you can opt for a professional golf instruction session and an 18-hole round on the phenomenal course. Even if golf is not your cup of “tee,” you can grab a freshly squeezed juice and light meal at Spike ‘n Tees, the open-air restaurant overlooking the golf course. The nation’s sports authorities equally esteem the tennis courts at Longboat Key Club. The 20 Har-Tru tennis courts were named by Tennis Magazine as one of the “Top Tennis Resorts” in the United States for 2012 and the “Number 1 Tennis Resort” on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Professional tennis lessons are also available. After your match, unwind