Road Trips SOUTH RE GION ➒ Palma Sola Scenic Highway It’s only 4.5 miles long, but this route is a case of quality over quantity. The highway passes through Manatee County along some of the getaway spots beloved by locals, including Bradenton and Anna Maria Island. A bicycle-and pedestrian-friendly sidewalk spans the entire north side of the highway, so a car isn’t the only way to make the voyage. Visit in November to marvel at SandBlast, a festival of sand sculpting competitions and workshops that’ll have you looking at the beach in a whole new way. Start o bright and early at Palma Sola Causeway Park, a recreational area that’s a hit with animal lovers. Not only is this one of the area’s few dog-friendly beaches, but visitors also can go horseback riding through the surf. You’re welcome to B.Y.O.H., or make a reservation with the company Beach Horses for a horse surfi ng tutorial. They’ll meet you in Palma Sola Bay with a horse and teach you how to ride the horse while the horse is swimming. If that idea doesn’t blow your mind, then the view of the sun rising over the Gulf of Mexico certainly will. As the day heats up, take refuge in the mid-sized town of Bradenton, which o ers a mix of natural wonders and more modern attractions. Explore the shaded wetlands of Robinson Preserve via bike or kayak. And leave plenty of time to cool o inside the South Florida Museum, a complex that also houses Bishop Planetarium and Parker Manatee Aquarium. From Bradenton, cross over to Anna Maria Island (see Main Streets), a laid-back beach town that’s a favorite among Floridians. For an extra-special treat, take a charter from Anna Maria Island out to Egmont Key, a national wildlife refuge that’s accessible only via boat. (There’s also a ferry that leaves from Fort De Soto Park, about a 36-mile drive north of Anna Maria). This tiny island preserve is a haven for seabirds, gopher tortoises and folks just looking to slow down. Bring your own drinking water and sundries because there are no stores on the key—which is just the way visitors like it. Hunt for seashells and explore the 19th-century lighthouse. ð MAIN STREETS Pine Avenue on Anna Maria Island Anna Maria Island’s Pine Avenue begins on a quiet Gulf beach and passes through quaint and eclectic restaurants and shops leading to Bayfront Park, where fishermen can overlook the stunning Skyway Bridge over Tampa Bay. The island itself is home to vintage cottages, circa-1960s shopping plazas, retail shops and seafood restaurants – all of which are best explored by bicycle or golf cart. Anna Maria Island PHOTOS: BILL SERNE; LARA CERRI AND TED MCLAREN OFFICIAL FLORIDA VACATION GUIDE 4 29
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