Our home is approximately 1350sq ft under air, spacious and comfortable with a very nice view over our pond. Village des Pins is a unique community that to the best of the knowledge of all of us who own, are not aware of a similar community in the area offing the same accommodation and set in 25 area of landscaped grounds, yet we are only a short walk or even shorter drive to Sarasota Square Mall.

Approximately a 10 minute drive (depending on traffic) to Sarasota's famous No. 1 Beach in the US - Siesta Key Beach. Siesta Key Public Beach - One of the world's best beaches for its power white sand that is soft and cool on the feet as well as its breath-taking sunsets, easy-going waves. Best of all, it's free. This is an absolute must see if you come to Sarasota. Sunday evening just before sunset the drums are out on the Beach, fun for kids of all ages (that includes us who are young at heart).

Siesta Key Village has some great restaurants including The Cottage, Siesta Key Oyster Bar, and Big Olaf's Ice Cream Shop. In close proximity to our home are too may to mention good restaurants and bars.

15 Minutes away is University Town Centre Shopping Centre for the "Happy Shopper", another 15 minutes north on the I-75 and you are at the Ellenton Factory Outlet Shopping Center offering discount shopping and retail therapy for the "even Happier Shopper".

If you like to play golf, there are more than 30 courses within a 20 mile radius catering for the novice and the pro.

The Sarasota and wider area offers something for everyone from simply chilling out in a chair to thrill seeking.

Some of the other fun and interesting activities in Sarasota are:

If you are interested in seeing how award winning run in made and sample some - it's the Drum Circle Rum Distillery for you - I have to admit to revisiting several times :)

Fishing - from the various beaches or taking a charter from the many available locally.

Myakka River State Park is a Florida State Park, that is located nine miles (11 km) east of I-75. One of the oldest and largest state parks, Myakka protects one of the state's most diverse natural areas. The Myakka River, designated as a Florida Wild and Scenic River, flows through 58 square miles of wetlands, prairies, hammocks, and pinelands. Visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing from a boardwalk that stretches out over the Upper Myakka Lake, then take to the treetops with a stroll along the canopy walkway. The park´s river and two lakes provide ample opportunities for boating, freshwater fishing, canoeing, and kayaking.

Oscar Scherer State Park is a Florida State Park located between Sarasota and Venice, near Osprey, This park’s large acreage of scrubby flatwoods makes it one of the best places in southwest Florida to view Florida scrub-jays, an imperiled species found only in Florida. The birds are abundant in this 1,381-acre park. In addition to viewing wildlife. (Accessible by bicycle if riding along the legacy trail).

Historic Spanish Point is a 30-acre (120,000 m2) museum and environmental complex located in Osprey, Florida. It is operated by the Gulf Coast Heritage Association, Inc. Located at 337 North Tamiami Trail, in Osprey, Florida, the museum includes an archeological exhibit of a prehistoric shell mound known as a midden, a turn-of-the-century pioneer homestead historic house museum, a citrus packing house, a chapel, boatyard, gardens and nature trails.

Circus Sarasota - Sarasota's own resident circus. Circus Sarasota presents exciting professional family entertainment in winter performances under the big-top and special events and classes throughout the year.

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art - The Museum of Art, built by John Ringling to house his personal collection of masterpieces, today features paintings and sculptures by the great Old Masters including Rubens, van Dyck, Velázquez, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, El Greco, Gainsborough and more. In addition you can tour the Cà d'Zan Mansion, the Ringlings' dazzling palatial mansion with its 56 furnished rooms, a tribute to the American Dream which reflects the splendor and romance of Italy. Also housed on the grounds is the famous Circus Museum celebrating the American circus and its history.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens - The 9.5-acre Bayfront Selby Gardens property is an open-air and under-glass museum of more than 20,000 colorful plants. The gardens specialize in tropical plants, especially epiphytes (plants that grow on other plants). Selby Gardens is perhaps best known for its living collection of more than 6,000 orchids.

Mote Marine Laboratory - At Mote Aquarium, you can explore the secrets of the sea through touch pools, viewable-working labs and high-tech interactive exhibits that showcase the world-renowned research of Mote Marine Laboratory. See sharks, dolphins, manatees and sea turtles, along with more than 100 other species of marine life

Sailor Circus - “The Greatest ‘Little’ Show on Earth.” Sailor Circus Academy is one of the top circus schools in the USA and provides full-length circus performances featuring students enrolled in the Sailor Circus Academy.

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall - Set along the Bayfront, the landmark Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has been entertaining audiences with a variety of music, dance, theater and comedy for more than 35 years We always try to take in a show and have yet to be disappointed in a choices.

Sarasota Opera - Performing in the historic restored Sarasota Opera House the The Sarasota Opera is an internationally respected producer of the highest quality.

Sarasota Ballet - Sarasota Ballet is the Gulf Coast of Florida’s first and only professional ballet company, bring high quality artistic performances to the community.