Savannah Craft - Island Real Estate Blog

March 14, 2020November 13, 2020

Enjoy a Family Fun Day at Mixon Fruit Farms in East Bradenton

Looking for a fun family day outing? Tired of hanging out on Holmes Beach? Well then head over to Mixon Fruit Farms in East Bradenton (about a 30 minute drive).

Explore their groves, check out their gift shop and market, enjoy some of their delicious ice cream, or grab a bite to eat at the Groveside Cafe.
I suggest doing all of the above!

Mixon’s also shares a portion of the groves with Wildlife Inc. Here, they provide care and shelter for injured animals like birds, reptiles, and more. They offer a wildlife refuge tour where you can meet the animals and see them up close and personal.

There is also a beautiful pavilion here that can be rented out for events and weddings. So if you or someone you know if planning the big day, you might want to have them check this place out!

Last but not least, make sure you place your order and have some of Florida’s famous citrus shipped home for you. From their grove to your door. It’s like shipping sunshine!

Address:
2525 27th St E
Bradenton, FL 34208

Savannah Craft

March 6, 2020November 13, 2020

Need a Drink? Check out The Doctor’s Office (Bar) in Holmes Beach.

If you’ve never had a drink from The Doctor’s Office, you are missing out! No silly, it’s not an actual doctors office but a craft cocktail bar here in Holmes Beach that’s called the “Doctor’s Office”. This place is seriously awesome! And the cocktails are amazing!

Actually for more than 50 years, this space was the Island Doctors’ office. Now though you wont find a medical doctor on duty, just some fantastic local bartenders. A few of my favorite cocktails from here are The Bee’s Knees, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and The Nightingale.

Along with drinks, The Doctor’s Office also features some small plated food options. There’s artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, maple bacon, and the BEST Chocolate Budino (pudding) that’s topped with sea salt. It’s delectable.

The Doctor’s Office is open everyday of the week, from 5PM – 11:45PM. If you plan on closing the bar down… make sure you pick a great place to stay. Island Real Estate Vacations has some great locations within walking distance. You can’t wrong with Blue Lagoon 4 or Harrington Bungalow 5 which are perfect for a family and friends trip.

Address:
5312 Holmes Blvd. #B
Holmes Beach, FL 34217

Savannah Craft

February 27, 2020November 13, 2020

Get Your Breakfast on at Paradise Bagels, Cafe & Catering on East Bay Drive

Located a few doors down from the Island Walgreens, Paradise Bagels is a great little cafe to stop at for some breakfast. Obviously, you can get a pretty darn good bagel from here. They are New York style water bagels, and they have a selection of 18 different bagels to choose from that are freshly baked.

They also offer muffins, bakery items, and Deli made sandwiches, salads, and soups.

Paradise Bagels serves breakfast and lunch 365 days a year! They are open Monday – Saturday from 7AM – 2PM, and open Sundays from 7AM – 12:30PM.

Address:
3220 E Bay Dr
Holmes Beach, 34217

Savannah Craft

February 22, 2020November 13, 2020

For Your Shipping, Scanning, & Printing Needs, Head Over to Island Mail & Print

Founded in 2001, Island Mail & Print on East Bay Drive offers its clients access to fax, scan, copy, mail, and ship. They also offer large format printing and graphic design services.

Need a notary? They’ve got you covered. Didn’t bring your computer on the vacation? That’s okay, they have computers you can rent.

Island Mail & Print is open Monday – Friday from 10AM – 5PM, and open Saturdays from 10AM – 2PM. Located in the same plaza as Peach’s and Subway.

Address:
3230 E Bay Dr
Holmes Beach, FL 34217

Savannah Craft

February 21, 2020November 13, 2020

Aluna Wellness Center & Spa

If you’re staying in Bradenton Beach and are in need of some serious pampering and relaxation, head over to Aluna Wellness Center & Spa. They offer massages, acupuncture, facials, yoga, and meditation!

Founder and Owner, Dr. Tricia Graziano, opened this holistic wellness spa back in 2012.

There are simply too many services to list here, so make sure you checkout their website for more details. A few examples of services done here include; Cupping Therapy, Cold Laser Therapy, Deep Tissue Massages, Healing Hot Stone Therapy, and Organic Facials.

Address:
2219 Gulf Dr N
Bradenton Beach, FL 34217

Check out our blog, YOGA ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND, for even more options!

Savannah Craft

February 19, 2020November 13, 2020

Anna Maria Island Paddleboard Lessons? Try Salty Budda for lessons and SUP Yoga.

For your yoga & paddleboard needs, check out the Salty Buddha! Started by Islander Raechel Croll, this company offers paddleboard lessons/rentals, SUP yoga, and more!

As far as the yoga part of the company goes, Salty Buddha has an amazing yoga studio that features a beautiful Himalayan salt wall for ultimate relaxation. Along with their studio classes, they also do Beach Yoga and SUP yoga.

Now on to the paddleboard info. Salty Buddha offers paddleboard rentals & lessons, paddleboard excursions, and even paddleboard fishing adventures (fishing license required)! If you are a fan of paddling you would love launching from the canal right in your own backyard while staying at the beautiful Anna Maria City Blue Bayou vacation rental over your vacation.

Address:
2219 Gulf Dr N,
Bradenton Beach, FL 34217

For rentals that allow for easy access to all the watersports you could want check out all of our Anna Maria Island beachfront rentals!

Check out our blog, Yoga on Anna Maria Island, for even more options!

Savannah Craft

February 18, 2020November 13, 2020

Island Yoga Space

Beach yoga, SUP yoga, meditation classes, and more! Island Yoga Space in Anna Maria offers all of these classes taught by only the best instructors. Their upstairs studio is a great tranquil place to let your inner yogi out.

Island Yoga Space offers some great classes, workshops, and even retreats! Check out their websites schedule and workshop page to see what would interest you most.
Their daily studio classes include Vinyasa Flow, Restorative, Gentle, Yin Yoga, and Meditation. Offsite classes include Beach Yoga, Aqua Yoga, Chair Yoga, and SUP Yoga.

If you’re visiting Anna Maria Island, make sure you bring your yoga mat with you for their Saturday morning beach yoga! It is held at the Tortuga Inn (1325 Gulf Drive, Bradenton Beach) beach pergola.

Interested in becoming a yoga teacher? Luckily for you, Island Yoga Space is currently offering a “Alignment Based Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training” course (January – July 2020).

Address:
9805 Gulf Dr
Anna Maria, FL 34216

Check out our blog, Yoga on Anna Maria Island, for even more options!

Savannah Craft

January 31, 2020April 22, 2024

Leave the Pets and Bikes at Home to Enjoy Perico Preserve

Similar to Neal Preserve, Perico Preserve in Bradenton also does NOT ALLOW pets. But, it is for a good reason! Perico Preserve isn’t just a preserve, it’s a bird sanctuary. Without the added noise of pets and bikes, the birds and wildlife here have the best chances of being successful in the breeding and rearing of their young.

While pets are absolutely not permitted here, there are certain trails that allow bicycles. Though, there are points on the trails that asks visitors to continue on foot and leave the bikes behind.

Perico Preserve is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Please be respectful of the wildlife when visiting this preserve (and all the Manatee County preserves). There is usually plenty of parking and it is on the North side of Manatee Avenue along the causeway. Perico Preserve is now attached to a Robinson preserve trail and below are two great aerials that give you an idea of the trail head.

Address
11700 Manatee Ave W
Bradenton FL 34209

Perico Preserve Manatee County website

Love nature trails and want to stay a bicycle or walk away? One Particular Harbor is a luxury community pool vacation rental that is right across the street from a great bird and hiking sanctuary.

Savannah Craft

January 31, 2020April 22, 2024

Neal Preserve – Located in Bradenton, Just off Anna Maria Island

Unlike most of the preserves in Manatee County, Neal Preserve does NOT ALLOW pets, and does NOT ALLOW bicycles on the tails. This preserve is specifically designed to be enjoyed on foot. Which isn’t a bad thing. In fact it makes Neal Preserve quite peaceful.

Open daily from sunrise to sunset, Neal Preserve is 120 acres of beautiful coastal habitat like mangrove forests, salt terns, and oak hammock uplands. There are shell trails and boardwalks that run through the preserve, as well as a 20 Ft. tall observation tower. The main trail is a 0.3 mile fairly level loop. Parking for the trail head is directly across from One Particular Harbor just off Anna Maria Island.

Neal Preserve is also a historically significant site. This area was inhabited by Native Americans from 3000 BC to 1400 AD. You will pass reconstructed burial mounds (original mounds were excavated by the Smithsonian back in the 1930’s), though remember that collecting anything here is NOT PERMITTED. This area should be seen as a “open air museum”.

Neal Preserve is perfect for hiking and bird watching. Plenty of parking at the trail head.

Address
12301 Manatee Ave W
Bradenton, FL 34209
Neal Preserve Manatee County information site

Need a vacation get-a-way perfect to walk the Neal preserve along with other sanctuaries within a walk and bicycle ride away. One Particular Harbor is a must vacation rental for you!

Savannah Craft