Southeast - Vacation in Florida - Bradenton area/Anna Maria Island/Other in area.

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DnvrFox
02-26-11, 06:18 PM
My wife (73) and I (71) are looking to a one week mid April vacation in FL on the gulf coast. My wife is recovering from a total knee replacement. But, we hope by mid-to-late April she will be able to do some mild bicycle riding - hybrid - on a rental on trails and the like. No busy roads - maybe 10-15 miles. We will likely rent a condo for a week.

Some thoughts:

1. Due to the above, we need a reasonable priced non-stop flight from Denver, which seems to limit us pretty much to Tampa and Orlando (except Miami, where we don't want to go). SW airlines ahas a $139 fare to Tampa and the same back.

2. We have stayed in St Augustine before and Orlando and wanted the Gulf Coast this time.

3. We have been checking out Anna Maria Island as a possibility. Or the Bradenton area?

4. I love to swim, and we want to be right on the gulf.

Any other suggestions around the St Petersburg/Sarasota area?

ANy feedback GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks so much.

GinsengSulivan
02-26-11, 08:12 PM
Hey DenverFox, Check out Siesta Key... It is one of the nicest beaches on the gulf. It has this white sand that doesn't get hot in the summer. If you are looking for something more relaxed, you may prefer Casey key or Anna Maria. I find Sarasota to be nicer than Bradenton in general.

As for biking... Check out the legacy trail. It is a 10 mile rails to trails bike path that runs from south sarasota to venice. It runs through a state forrest and has some bridges over water. It is a really nice, easy ride.
DnvrFox
02-26-11, 08:54 PM
Thanks - I'll check it out.

Anyone else?

kjc9640
02-27-11, 06:21 AM
DnvrFox, +1 on the Legacy Trail, my daughter and I have ridden it several times. If you were to choose South St Pete you could ride Ft Desoto or the Pinellas Trail. At Ft DeSoto you could ride and swim at the same time + tour the old fort. If you didn't mind a little drive I would suggest that you try the Withlacoochee Trail. From St Pete it is about a 1 Hr and 20 min drive give or take a little. It is by far the best trail in FL IMO.
DnvrFox
02-27-11, 06:24 AM
DnvrFox, +1 on the Legacy Trail, my daughter and I have ridden it several times. If you were to choose South St Pete you could ride Ft Desoto or the Pinellas Trail. At Ft DeSoto you could ride and swim at the same time + tour the old fort. If you didn't mind a little drive I would suggest that you try the Withlacoochee Trail. From St Pete it is about a 1 Hr and 20 min drive give or take a little. It is by far the best trail in FL IMO.

Thanks. Likely, transporting the bicycles in a rental car will be a challenge, unless there are rentals right on the trail..
kjc9640
02-27-11, 01:28 PM
DnvrFox the VABI connects to the south end of the Legacy Trail and adds more mileage to the ride. It is on both sides of the Intercostal waterway. Very nice ride but no shade. http://www.vabi.org/map.htm

I do not know of any bike rentals in that area but I am sure there are some. If you ride the Pinellas trail Bicycle Outfitters is a good source for rentals and they are right on the trail. The West Orange Trail (Orlando) has reantals if you come this way.