Wednesday 25 August 2010

Wonderful Wildlife

Palm Frog - photographed by Jafkins Family

Our Glorious Gulf Villa is situated on Florida's Gulf Coast in Rotonda which is a Deed Restricted community and is part of a Nature Conservation Area. 

It's the perfect location for attracting literally hundreds of different types of wildlife.  Nature enthusiasts, bird spotters and wildlife lovers will be in heaven!

Our Guests love to write to us to tell us what different species they have spotted either from the villa's private fishing dock, the local area or on the beach.  Here's just a handful of what has been viewed and photographed:-

Alligators, Anhingas, Armadillos, Blue Jays, Bobcats, Catfish, Cormorants, Cranes, Damsel flies, Dolphins, Double Crested Cormorants, Eagles, Egrets, Fireflies (lighting bugs), Frigate Birds, Frogs, Great Blue Herons, Great White Race, Green Herons, Ibis, Laughing Gulls, Little Blue Herons, Lizards, Mocking Birds, Northern Cardinals, Ospreys, Pelicans, Raccoons, Rays, Red Cardinals, Red Tanagers, Sand Hill Cranes, Snowy Egret, Terns, Turkey Vultures, Turtles, Water Snakes, Wild Hogs, Wilsons Plovers, Woodpeckers


View over 1,000 wild & scenic photos taken near our villa with this link:-

http://www.brettslattery.com/photos_weekly.htm

Tuesday 24 August 2010

Boca Grande Beach Info

As promised, here is the first of my Beach Blogs!


Not the closest beach to our villa but definitely a favourite amongst all our renters is Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island which is accessed by car via a toll bridge.

The beach here is often compared to some of the best Caribbean beaches and attracts beach-goers from around the world.

Expect to find miles of uncrowded bleached white sands, exquisite seashells and if you are lucky dolphins swimming. The best beaches are at the far south end of Gasparilla Island, located along Gasparilla Road where you will also find the Lighthouse & Museum . If you fancy a light bite then South Beach Bar and Grill is situated right on the beach front.

The town itself is like stepping back in time. Here you will find the charm of "Old Florida," where nobody hurries anywhere. The main mode of transport is golf carts and there is no need for traffic lights.  Don’t be fooled though...this is where the rich and famous love to spend time with many having their own beautiful real estate on the island.

For more info - check out this link:-  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boca_Grande,_Florida

ESTA Deadline

Thought you may find the below handy:-

Not sure if you are aware but travel to the USA now requires everyone to apply online for their own individual ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) to be entitled to enter the USA. You will no longer be able to travel using the current visa waiver program that you fill out onboard the aircraft.
 From September 2010 there will be charge of £25 to apply for each ESTA or renew an existing one.



Once approved, an ESTA is valid for multiple entries over two years – or until the holder’s passport expires.

To apply, click on this link:-
http://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html

Monday 23 August 2010

Glorious Gulf Villa


Glorious Gulf Villa

Our Glorious Gulf Villa is available for rent

Executive 5* luxurious waterfront villa
3 bed/2 bath - sleeps 6
Private and peaceful location
Nestled between Sarasota & Naples
Own heated pool and fishing dock
Contemporary design, luxuriously furnished
Affordable luxury - relaxation guaranteed!

Take our Villa Video Tour:-

November 2010 - All dates currently available @ just £565 / $850 per week

First Post

Hi everyone.  This is my first post on my new blog regarding Florida's Gulf Coast.

As a Gulf Cost villa owner for 4 years, I have a vast amount of information that I whould love to share with you.  Every week I will try and include new and interesting facts / guides / links etc not only regarding the Gulf Coast but also regarding our villa too.  I will also be encouraging previous Guests of the villa to write their own blogs on here too.

I hope you find the information on here interesting and useful and please feel free to contribute if you have anything interesting you would like to add.