This Venice is Much Closer

Sure Italy is nice, but Venice, Florida is a little slice of something special, too. This town on the South Central Gulf Coast, thanks to its convenient location and abundance of amenities, makes a good choice for couples, families and groups of all sizes who are looking for a little bit of everything.

Venice itself is far from overwhelming; a handful of pretty beaches that never become overrun with large crowds, combined with a bounty of vacation rentals and enough shops and restaurants to take care of your needs. Venice Municipal Beach is the place to go for snorkeling, and if you’ve brought your puppy along on the trip, you can’t miss Brohard Paw Park. This is one of the most dog-friendly beaches around; your pooch will love the doggie water fountains, leash stations and wide opens spaces perfect for running free and making new friends.

The Downtown Historic District captures the essence of the town with well-preserved buildings and a quietly bustling little shopping and dining district. The architecture is classified as Northern Italian Renaissance, so be sure to lift your gaze as you stroll in order to enjoy all the details. If you happen to be around during August, don’t miss the event of the season: The Sharks Tooth and Seafood Festival. This city-wide party celebrates the things Venice is known for and will color your vacation with a healthy dose of local flavor.

It’s worth noting that there are several nearby destinations that might tempt you to take a day trip or two. After you’ve rested up with the help of your vacation home or beach house, you can visit Sarasota, Tampa, Fort Myers or a handful of other places well-known and well-loved.

The bottom line? It isn’t Europe, but it’s vacation-worthy and could be a perfect fit for you and yours.