Miami Scenes Feature Cozy Feature Beaches and getaways

Escape to another world with a relaxing atmosphere that will help you relax and unwind this summer. Featuring some of the top places to see or experience this summer sharing the best beaches and getaways in Florida. Summer is here to read about the elite - Cozy beachfront cottages, intimate resorts and inns and smaller, low-rise condos also dot the shores but do not block the views. In fact, all accommodations measure three stories or less on the island.

Miami - 

The Bradenton Area Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key - located on Florida’s west coast

Once you are there, you will feel worlds away. It is where "old" Florida charm can still be found, flip flops are a way of life, and the speed limit does not exceed 35 mph. But while it is one of the few destinations in the state to have successfully preserved the characteristics of authentic Florida, it has also experienced major growth and development, making it the perfect place to escape to both relax and take advantage of all the modern luxuries expected from a top beach destination.   In the Bradenton Area, beaches including some of the world’s best, according to Conde Nast readers, are found on the idyllic barrier islands of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, offering 16 miles of sugar-white sand and low surf with convenient public access and options for those looking to play volleyball, snorkel, shell or enjoy some seclusion.

Cozy beachfront cottages, intimate resorts and inns and smaller, low-rise condos also dot the shores but do not block the views. In fact, all accommodations measure three stories or less on the island. 

The destination is also home to the city of Bradenton (one of the finest small downtowns in the region thanks to its rich art, culture and culinary scenes), award-winning dining options (known for their gulf-to-table menu items) and nature preserves (where visitors can explore and encounter the area’s thriving wildlife including sea turtles, manatees, dolphins, shore birds and more). 

And it wouldn’t be considered “Real. Authentic. Florida” without a commitment to preserving and celebrating the area’s deep-rooted history. From the site where De Soto came ashore and began his conquest and exploration of America, to the historic Fishing Village of Cortez, to historical parks and museums and more, the Bradenton Area features ample reminders of the South’s (and the nation’s) past.

The destination also has its own airport – Sarasota Bradenton International Airport – recently named one of the best and fastest growing airports in the nation, which continues to expand its direct flights, routes and airline providers and serves many top US hubs.

Easy to get to, but off the beaten path, and brimming with opportunities to experience Florida at its most real and authentic, the Bradenton Area is a hidden gem worth discovering and exploring again and again.

Credit: Clark Griffiths/ Vanessa Rodgers and Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau