Where to eat in Venice: Café Venice for exquisite Menus and Wine

Birgit Laniewski Family, Restaurants, Venice Florida 2018-05-112018-05-22cafevenice, family, Florida, foodie, HolidayInVenice, restaurantsinvenice, VacationInVenice, VacationSoup, Venice

Café Venice is a small, intimate bistro-style restaurant featuring an exquisite menu with American Cuisine with Homemade sauces, specialty side dishes, and delectable desserts paired with a fine wine selection. Whether you are looking for a casual spot to enjoy lunch and a glass of wine or an intimate location to celebrate your anniversary or special occasion, the staff at Café Venice will welcome you and ensure you have a great dining experience.

With their new outside terrace they offer outside dining as also a lighter menu whether you are enjoying an evening bike ride – or just want something light to munch on.

Come on over and enjoy a glass of wine, something on the lighter side and of course downtown Venice.

By the way: There is always a Happy Hour special, so make sure to check their website cafeveniceontheisland.com for the latest info.

Where to eat in Venice: Snook Haven at Myakka River

Birgit Laniewski Event, Family, Kids, Nature, Restaurants, Venice Florida 2018-04-302018-05-11boatrental, Florida, foodie, HolidayInVenice, myakkariver, restaurantsinvenice, VacationInVenice, VacationSoup, Venice

Experience Snook Haven, one of Florida’s most unique restaurants, tucked away on the banks of the Myakka River in a true Old Florida setting. Enjoy your meal in the dining room, or on the deck while taking in the peaceful view of the river and wildlife.

Snook Haven features a delicious Back Woods Smokehouse menu featuring ribs, chicken, pulled pork as well as fresh fish, and shrimp. They have over 30 different beers to choose from, including some of Florida’s own craft beers, and other international favorites. Snook’s outdoor stage is home to a rich history of local live music entertainment. Check out their monthly entertainment calendar to see who is performing. Come out for an afternoon of blues, country, rock music and more!

River Tours and canoe/kayak rentals

You are looking for activities? Book a River Tour or rent a canoe or kayak with Logan River Tours.

More info

Read more about the History of Snook Haven here. For opening hours and menu as well as for river tours and boat rentals please go to their website snookhaven.com.

Beach Yoga on our Venice Beaches – You will LOVE it!

Birgit Laniewski Beaches, Family, Nature, Sports, Venice Florida 2018-04-302018-04-30beaches, beachyoga, Florida, HolidayInVenice, manasotabeach, nokomisbeach, VacationInVenice, VacationSoup, Venice, venicebeach, whatson, whattodo, yogainvenice

Beach Yoga – Venice Beaches

Reconnect your mind, body and spirit with the beauty of nature. Disconnect from any stress and be soothed by the sounds of the ocean. Breathe in the fresh morning air while watching the sun rise and feel the power of yoga – beach yoga. Wouldn’t this be a perfect way to start your day?

Maybe you prefer to stretch and energize your body at the end of the day, surrounded by the stunning nature of our Venice Beaches? Join a Sunset Class and experience the fantastic atmosphere when the sun is going down slowly and enchanting everything with beautiful colors.

There are many great reasons to do Yoga. Yoga is relaxing, it lowers stress, strengthens, improves balance and posture, sharpens awareness and helps one breath better. Beach Yoga provides all of that plus a soft and forgiving surface, fresh air, beautiful views, a connection with nature, sunlight, vitamin D and the company of many like minded new and old friends.

Bring a blanket or a mat, a bottle of water and clothing that allows freedom of movement. The Yoga classes are designed for all abilities and ages. Locals and visitors are equally welcome.

Classes are supported by free will donations.

Join the team of certified yoga teachers:

Nokomis Beach

Meet Katja, Lois and Toby at the North Jetty on Casey Key. For schedule and more info go to northjettybeachyoga.

Venice Beach

Meet Elin at the Venice Beach Pavillon. For schedule and info go to yogawithelin.

Manasota Beach

Meet Katja, Louis and Toby at Manasota Beach. For schedule and info see yogamanasotabeach.

Great Time on a Historic Walking Tour in Venice Florida

Birgit Laniewski Family, Kids, Museum, Venice Florida 2018-04-212018-04-25cityguide, citytour, Florida, History, HolidayInVenice, VacationInVenice, vacationrental, VacationSoup, Venice, venicehistory, whattodo, whattosee

Have fun on one of the interactive Historic Walking Tours through Downtown Venice provided by your tour guides Ronnie and Tiffany. Whether you have lived in Venice for many years or are just vacationing – let them surprise you with facts and stories that you never heard of and that will help you to appreciate this beautiful city even more than you already do.

Ronnie and Tiffany invite you to a 1 mile tour, that will take around 90 minutes and will be peppered with historical talking point stops. Their charming personality combined with knowledge and humor guarantee that everybody will have a great time.

Please contact them to inquire about their schedule. A reservation is required. See their Facebook Page for more info.

Best Beaches of SW Florida: Manasota Beach Venice

Birgit Laniewski Beaches, Family, Kids, Nature, Venice Florida 2018-04-162018-09-12beaches, familytime, Florida, fossilsharkteeth, HolidayInVenice, manasotabeach, VacationInVenice, vacationrental, VacationSoup, Venice, venicebeach, venicebeaches

The Manasota Beach Road bridge in the northern part of Manasota Key leads you directly to this quiet and pristine beach. Take the boardwalks over the sanddunes and enjoy the crystal clear, turquoise-blue waters and the bright, soft sand that are ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Manasota Beach is also a popular area for snorkeling.

As far as the eye can see, the beach stretches along the coast. On long, peaceable walks you can find many beautiful shells and fossil shark teeth. Even on high season, this beach is never crowded. With some luck, you can even see manatees and dolphins. At the northernmost end, Manasota Key is a quiet bird sanctuary. Many native birds, dolphins and sea turtles live on this stretch of coastline.

There are picnic tables in shady areas, BBQ areas, changing rooms, restrooms and showers. Manasota Beach is staffed with lifeguards all year round. Parking is free – as always on Sarasota County’s beaches.

South of the drawbridge there is a boat ramp that provides easy access to Lemon Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Manasota Beach is located on 8570 Manasota Key Rd, Englewood, FL 34223 – only a short 10 minutes drive from our Villa Happy Gator in Venice.

Let us inspire you with some pictures and a beautiful video:

Where to Eat in Venice: Ice Cream at its best at Venice Avenue Creamery

Birgit Laniewski Family, Kids, Restaurants, Venice Florida 2018-04-132018-04-16creamery, Florida, foodie, HolidayInVenice, icecream, VacationInVenice, VacationSoup, Venice

What could be better on a hot sunny day than enjoying a scoop of delicious ice cream?

There are so many flavours to choose from. Or what about having a Key Lime Pie? It tastes irresistible. Frozen Yogurt is offered in addition to ice cream for the froyo lovers out there.

Venice Avenue Creamery offers premium, homemade ice cream and yogurt using local dairies. They are family owned and operated. They are located on 249 West Venice Avenue, Venice, FL. Please see their Facebooksite for more info.

Golf in Venice Florida – Waterford Golf Club is a Terrific Experience

Birgit Laniewski Family, Sports, Venice Florida 2018-04-092018-09-07Florida, golf, golfholidays, golfinvenice, HolidayInVenice, PoolvillaVenice, VacationInVenice, VacationSoup, Venice, veniceflorida

You want to enjoy a terrific golf experience while spending your vacation in Venice?

Waterford Golf Club is a top rated semi-private Venice golf course within two beautiful upscale home developments. It offers distinct picturesque qualities with abundant natural landscape and wildlife.

Each of the 27 holes have unique features and a combination of rolling fairways, undulating greens, hazards and water in play to challenge all golfers. There are no holes contiguous to each other. Play any combination of the Turnberry, Gleneagles, or Sawgrass courses and enjoy the improvement of your golf skills.

The Club restaurant is a great choice whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a full meal. Be sure, you will get something delicious. It is open Monday – Sunday for breakfast, lunch, and occasional dinners. They are also available for banquets and outings.

Waterford Golf Club Features are:

– Full driving range
– Putting green
– Electric carts
– Pull Carts
– M/L rental clubs (premium sets available)
– Full pro shop

For more info like directions, booking Tee Times or reserving lessons please go to their website GolfinVenice.

Waterford Golf Club is only a short drive from your vacation home Villa Happy Gator. Read more about Golf in Venice on our page “This and That”.

Enjoy the video:

How about a Venice Culinary Tour?

Birgit Laniewski Event, Family, Kids, Restaurants, Venice Florida 2018-04-092018-09-07citytours, Florida, foodie, greatfood, HolidayInVenice, poolvilla, VacationInVenice, vacationrental, VacationSoup, Venice, venicetour, whattodo

Take your taste buds on a culinary adventure in beautiful Venice!

You are on vacation in Venice and would love to learn more about this city so rich in architecture and history? Even Thomas Edison enjoyed the early social life on his frequent visits to Venice.

Do you know how the intracoastals were dredged? Wouldn’t it be great to hear about Megalodons, that swam in local waters over 2 million years ago? Ponce de Leon, the famous Spanish conquistador, is said to have died nearby.

And wouldn’t it be absolute fantastic to combine all this interesting stuff with delectable food?

Book a Key Culinary Tour through Venice! Their experienced food tour guides are chosen for their knowledge of the area as well as their love of food and all things culinary. They provide an entertaining and memorable event, and of course, the cuisine samplings will delight and excite you!

To book your ultimate culinary experience and for more info, please visit the website keyculinarytours.com.

Come and visit the 26th Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival June 16 + 17

Birgit Laniewski Event, Family, Kids, Shopping, Venice Florida 2018-04-062018-04-08craftsfestival, CraftShow, Florida, HolidayInVenice, VacationInVenice, VacationSoup, Venice, veniceevents, whatson

The charming city of Venice in Sarasota County is the location of this popular event. Some of the nation’s best crafters will gather at City Hall. Peruse booths filled with stained glass, photography, personalized products for children and dogs alike, and much more!

Find original art and unique gift items. This is a real alternative to crowded mall shopping.

You can also stroll the Green Market for plants, handmade soaps, tangy BBQ sauces, and live orchids.

Admission is free. For direction and info, please visit the artfestival’s website.

Where to Eat in Venice: “Croissant & Co” – The French Bakery

Birgit Laniewski Family, Kids, Restaurants, Venice Florida 2018-04-022018-09-07Bakery, breakfastinVenice, cafeinVenice, Florida, foodie, HolidayInVenice, VacationInVenice, VacationRentalVenice, VacationSoup, Venice, villahappygator

Come and visit this cute cafe! Croissant&Co is a French patisserie in the boulangerie with a lovely lunch menu and delicious coffee choices. Everything is made with only the freshest ingredients.

You will love the croissants, tarts, cakes & loaves of bread to go from the bakery counter. Sit down in the cafe and enjoy the charming decor and wonderful artwork.

I would say, Croissant&Co is the best French bakery outside of France!

Go to their website for opening hours and directions. Croissant&Co is conveniently located on 323 W Venice Ave, Venice FL.