Fishing:
Fishing is also a very popular pastime for many visitors to Florida. The Gulf Coast attracts many thousands of Sports Fishermen from around the world to pit their wits against mighty game fish such as Tarpon, Marlin and Shark.
The Tarpon season between May and October is a major economy boost for many of the barrier islands. Boca Grande, just a 10 minute drive from Rotonda, plays host to “The Worlds Richest Tarpon Tournament” where thousands flock into Boca Grande Pass in their boats to try and claim the prize money of $250,000! Fishing piers are dotted along the Intracoastal Waterway with many tackle and bait stores in the local vicinity.
Shopping:
Englewood and McCall Road to the North of Rotonda is home to a vast variety of shops to cater for your every day requirements. Wal-Mart, Wynn Dixie and Publix are a short drive from the Belmont. Strip Malls along McCall Road provide all your other independent services including hair & beauty salons, antique shops, art galleries, clothing stores, toy shops and sports equipment.
A 10-minute drive across the Peace River towards takes you to Murdock Circle. Here you will find a huge air-conditioned indoor shopping mall with all the favourite American Chain Stores such as JC Penny, Bodines and Dillon’s. Many other smaller outlets have stores here and there is a big choice of eateries too.
Heading further South towards Fort Myers roughly an hours drive you will come across a huge designer outlet store, which attracts people from all over the southern state, looking for a bargain.
Local sight-seeing:
A ½ hour drive North of the Belmont towards Sarasota and you will arrive in Venice. This is a very up-market district with prices to match! The exquisite boutiques, galleries and outlets of Venice are always worth a visit.
Just over the Myakka River is the historic city of Punta Gorda. There are many art galleries, boutiques and antique shops along the main shopping street. Fisherman’s Village is also home to some very interesting local outlets.
Golf:
With 22 Golf Courses within 15 miles of our development in Florida, it’s easy to see why so many keen golfers love this unspoilt corner of the Sunshine State.
But it’s not all about quantity is it! If you expect high quality courses, well kept and challenging, you will not be disappointed! When you compare the quality of “municipal” courses in Florida with the usual hacked up, un-kept fields that they try and pass off as Golf Courses in the UK, the difference is, quite simply staggering!
Lets take Long Marsh Golf Club as a typical example. Situated within the community of Rotonda with our villa actually backing onto the course, Long Marsh is a challenging, beautiful course with lots of water hazards, sweeping bunkers, open fairways and beautiful greens like snooker tables. You have a choice of four tee’s ranging between 5257 yards and 7120 yards.
Designed by Ted McAnlis, this 72 par, 18 hole course is of a standard you would normally expect from a private (and expensive) club. Most of the year, you don’t even need to book a tee off time (it may be advisable though).
Depending on the time of year, a round at Long Marsh including a motorised Golf Cart starts from $25.00!
This is one of 33 local courses for you to play; we cannot review all of them! But rest assured, the standard will be just the same. We have included listings for the most popular courses; all the listed courses are within an hour of our villa, many within 20 minutes
Other Activities:
Nice children friendly beaches at Englewood, Theme parks etc., just ask for further details.
