Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(30.5°C) waters, which have the highest mineral content of any in the US, have long been
a favored health tonic by elderly Eastern Europeans. The refurbished spa, changing areas
and vegetarian cafe, not to mention the free yoga, pilates and water-aerobics classes, are
attracting a new generation of wellness fanatics. From US 41 east of North Port, head
north 1 mile on Ortiz Blvd.
VENICE TO SARASOTA: THE LEGACY TRAIL
Voted the best-kept secret in Sarasota County by Herald Tribunereaders, the
Legacy
Trail
(
www.scgov.net
;
6am-sunset) is a gorgeous 20-mile bike ride, running from
Caspersen Beach in Venice to Palmer Ranches just east of downtown Sarasota. Cutting
through a landscape of suburban backyards, forested state park and traversing the In-
tracoastal Waterway over three trestle bridges, it offers a pleasant variety of scenery, with
well-planned rest stops every mile along the trail. In addition, the trail traverses the
Trail , Osprey; per car/cyclist $8/2; 8am-sunset), which has another 15 miles of sandy off-
road tracks, lake swimming and a handy campsite (per tent $26) midway along the route.
There are eight trailheads. The best section runs between the
Venice Train Depot
(303
E Venice Ave) and
Osprey Junction
(939 E Bay St, Osprey), where you could finish with a visit
to gorgeous
Historic Spanish Point
.
Sleeping
Banyan House
B&B
( 941-484-1385;
www.banyanhouse.com
;
519 S Harbor Dr; r $145-197; )
A charming bed and breakfast in one of Venice's grand old homes. It has a heated pool, a
lemon-yellow sun room, a billiards room and a hammock beneath the namesake banyan
tree.
Inn at the Beach
RESORT
(
941-484-8471;
www.innatthebeach.com
; 725 W Venice Ave; r $225-350, ste $353-515;
)
