Ahh winter season in Florida…it is by far the most wonderful time of the year. It doesn’t get much better than 70-degree weather. Especially for those long days spent at the beach or days spent on the golf course. Whatever the reason may be for visiting, there is always plenty of activities and attractions to plan for when vacationing here. Let’s take a look at some of the top winter season events going on, on the gulf coast.
Taste of Manatee: November 4th
A fun-filled day of food and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. This year marks the 31st annual Taste of Manatee. Being held at downtown Bradenton’s Riverwalk. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy tastings from many of Manatee Counties finest eating establishments, all while enjoying entertainment and a beautiful view.
Beer Boats & Bacon Festival: November 4th
Featuring over 60 craft beers, entertainment and of course bacon. Bacon samples from local restaurants will be given out as well as craft beer samples, plus more food options available from other vendors. For tickets and more information visit their website.
16th Annual Suncoast Food & Wine Festival: November 11th
What can be better than food and wine! Enjoy unlimited sampling at this festival from dozens of sun coast restaurants. Live entertainment and a chance to win a grand prize drawing.
8th Annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sand Sculpting Competition: November 10 – 13
This competition is both international and professional level sculpting. Usually, around 20 sculptors compete for the grand prize each year. This artful event is a site to see especially with the beautiful Siesta Key beach as a backdrop. Come out for a day of art, food, and relaxation!
39th Annual Holiday Night of Lights on St. Armand’s Circle: December 1st
Enjoy a night of lights and carols at the 39th annual St Armands Night of Lights. The evening will consist of holiday performances, carolers, and the tree lighting ceremony. This event is fun for all ages.
22nd Annual Sarasota Holiday Parade: December 2nd
This parade takes place in downtown Sarasota with thousands participating. You can expect to see decorative floats, live marching bands and of course Santa Clause. The parade marches throughout Main Street and is a must-see for those that love the Holiday spirit.
The Annual Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade of Lights: December 9th
This is not your ordinary boat parade, come see decked out boats with lights galore. Check out some of the pictures from past parades and the best spots to stand by clicking the link above.
Make sure to plan for these great events when visiting this winter season. These events are tons of fun and make for a great day with the whole family. If you have any questions about these local hometown events or would like to find out about more events, feel free to reach out to us.
Whether you live in a hurricane prone area or you are visiting/on vacation when a storm hits, it’s always safe to be prepared then suffer the consequences if not. In light of Hurricane Irma we urge guests and homeowners to be prepared if leaving your rental home/ home is not an option. We wanted to share a few great tips and things to remember in case the Bradenton-Sarasota area suffers damage from the Hurricane Irma heading towards Florida or for any future storm.
Top Hurricane Preparation Tips:
1. For a big storm like Irma, you need enough water to drink for 7 days. Remember water does NOT have to be bottled. Simply buy water containers and fill them with tap water and store.
2. Get a plastic sheet to line the tub. You can then fill your tub with water without it leaking out. You can use this to flush the toilet and for basic cleaning if the water goes out.
3. Have enough food on hand to eat for 7 days. Packaged food and canned food is good in case the electric goes out and you are unable to use a stove.
4. Buy a large number of Ziploc plastic bags, large and small. You can use them to protect papers and other valuables. Also, fill them 3/4 full of water and stuff the freezer full. Do that by midweek to be sure they are frozen when/if the power goes out it will keep the refrigerator colder. Do NOT set your fridge on the lowest setting.
5. Get a portable radio that receives AM and FM. NOAA radio is good, but doesn’t get you information on evacuations and other instructions. Also, remember to stock up on batteries.
6. Make sure you have LED flashlights and/or lanterns to use in case the electric goes out.
7. Get large plastic boxes. You can put your valuables, photos, and papers in plastic bags inside the boxes, they will likely be okay.
8. Get plastic sheeting and plenty of duct tape.
9. Start running your ice makers now and bagging the ice in freezer bags. Be sure to fill as much space in between your freezer items as you can.
10. Freeze regular tap water for pets, cleaning or drinking in tupperware-type containers or water bottles. REMEMBER to leave a small bit of space between the top of the water & the lids so the ice expands but doesn’t crack the container.
11. Start using up your perishables to make more room for ice in the freezer.
12. Fill up all vehicles with gas and check tires and oil.
13. Have cash on hand, at least enough to get you through tolls and gas out of town if need be. Also, call your bank if you plan on leaving the state so they don’t freeze your card for out-of-area “suspicious” transactions.
14. Screen shot all important documents and send them to your email. You may take originals in sealed bags or plastic bins.
15. Stock pet and livestock food and supplies. Also, remember vet records in case you need to shelter at a storm-safe facility.
16. Map out evacuation plans and share with family members so they know where you’re headed. Guests, if you are unsure where the nearest evacuation center is, reach out to your rental company for more information.
17. Secure all firearms and ammunition properly.
18. Grab old towels and beach towels to put on your windowsills. Even with the best windows and shutters, water seeping from the wind pressure happens. A few damp towels is better than soaked drywall or floors!
19. Shutter windows and doors and bring everything outside into your garage or house. Do not wait until the day before. Better to get done early and relax than wait until it’s too late.
20. If you don’t already have your hurricane supplies, you might want to get them sooner than later. Most places sell out of the essentials fast.
For advice on how best to prepare for any future storms, please follow the advice from local, state and federal agencies. You will be able to track the storm on local news and social media. Stay safe!
We have some new local favorites that people can’t get enough of. These three restaurants are a new edition to the Bradenton and Sarasota area having opened this summer or soon to be opening in the fall. So far, all three restaurants have had great reviews and anticipations, but we’ll let you be the judge of that.
Viento Kitchen and Bar:
Located on Longboat Key, this restaurant features beautiful views of the gulf and an elegant feel. The restaurant serves Italian inspired cuisine, seafood and classic favorites and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Viento offers waterfront dining on their open lounge area. They also serve a collection of cocktails, beer and wine. The hours are 7AM-10PM daily and located at Gulf of Mexico Drive. If you visit Viento or have already, tell us how you liked it by commenting below.
The Farmhouse and Donut Shop:
Just this month the downtown Bradenton area welcomed a newcomer known as The Farmhouse Store and Donut Shop. This isn’t your ordinary donut shop though. Also featured in this store is handmade furniture, rustic accessories and decor, jewelry and of course fresh mini donuts. I don’t know what to be more excited about, the donuts or the decor! The donuts are to be the main attraction but for those that love rustic decor this will be your new favorite home. Hours are from 7-7 daily. Let us know what you think of The Farmhouse in the comments below.
Star Thai Sushi:
Calling all sushi lovers! Star Thai Sushi on Siesta Key will be open in the fall. The name may sound familiar because they have 2 other locations. One off Beneva and one in Venice. The success of the other 2 restaurants prompted the owners to open a third in Siesta Key. The restaurants will feature Japanese inspired dishes, various sushi rolls, hibachi grilled items and noodle dishes. They will be equipped with a full bar and will also provide a dessert bar. We’re counting down the days until this one opens.
For all the latest updates and newbies in the area, follow us on our Facebook and Twitter pages!
https://www.facebook.com/GCvacationrentals/
If you have never visited Florida, there is one thing you need to know…pack light clothing! Unless you’re traveling during the 2 months of winter Florida gets (January & February) the weather here will be sunny and warm. Florida days usually consist of 80% of sunshine and 20% rain. Especially during the summers, its rainy season during that time. So, two things for sure, pack light clothing and your rain coat. Of course, there is more to know about packing so let’s look at the top things to pack when vacationing in Florida.
What to pack:
Shorts and more shorts! As I mentioned above Florida rarely has cold weather so there’s no need for those jean pants of yours. Especially if you’ve never experienced humidity. Jean pants and humidity don’t go well together. To be safe though I would pack 1 pair of jeans just in case the weather decides to be crazy. For the lady’s maxi dresses and sun dresses are also a great item to pack. It’s very light and cool for Florida weather.
Flip flops and sandals: If you plan on visiting the beach at all when you come to Florida sandals are a must. That way you can easily slip your shoes on and off when walking in the sand. Besides the beach sandals and flip flops will be much more comfortable here in Florida. Unless you plan on doing a lot of outdoor activities. Then you may want to pack a pair of sneakers or two.
Don’t forget the swim suits: You simply can’t visit the sunshine state without packing a swimsuit. Whether you’re visiting a pool, the beach, or one of the many great water parks a swimsuit is a must. Don’t forget about the swim cover ups and for the men an extra pair of clothes for when visiting any of the above.
Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses: These are probably the 3 most essential items needed when vacationing in Florida. Sunglasses and hats will help with driving and outdoor activities when visiting. That way you aren’t constantly squinting to see things. Sunblock is very important if you don’t want to get those awful sunburns that hurt…very bad. Keeping your skin hydrated and SPF proofed in Florida is crucial.
Sleeveless shirts and comfy tees: We promise you when we say sleeveless shirts and comfy tees will be your best friend when traveling to Florida. Not only will these items help you stay cool but they’ll also provide less irritation when your clothes decide to stick to you from the humidity. Plus a bonus factor with sleeveless shirts is no farmers tan!
There you have it, a few important items to be sure to pack when vacationing in Florida. If you have any question about what you should pack on your vacation to Florida feel free to reach out to us. We’d be happy to help.!
What does ARDI cover?
A question that we get asked quite a bit here at Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals is, “what is ARDI and what does it stand for?” ARDI stands for accidental rental damage insurance. This is an insurance plan that we require our vacation rental guests to purchase to provide coverage for accidental damages.
Why is ARDI required?
Well, it’s as simple as wanting to cover yourself against any accidental damaged during your stay. If something were to happen without purchasing the plan during your stays, such as breaking a lamp or dining room chair, you will be paying for the damaged items from a security deposit. Whereas when you purchase the insurance any accidental damage up to $1500 is covered. That means you will not have to pay for the broken lamp or chair out of your pocket. Instead, the insurance will cover it, if it is considered an accident.
How much does it cost to purchase ARDI?
The cost is a onetime fee of $45 + tax. Paying $45 dollars for this plan covers up to $1500 in accidental damage. This $45 cost is easily cheaper than paying for that broken lamp or chair we mentioned above out of your pocket. The cost of this insurance will be added to your reservation during booking.
The plan covers unintentional damage to the vacation rental during the remainder of your stay. Most common uses of the ARDI include carpet spills, furniture tears, broken lamps and more. The plan does not include intentional property damage or any pet damage (including in a pet-friendly home).
If you have any question about the ARDI plan please reach out to us at 941.782.1559 or email us at info@gcvacationrentas.com
Heading to the Bradenton, Florida area soon and looking for date night activities to plan? Don’t stress we’re here for you. Date night planning is easy, you only need 3 things. 1) Your significant other, 2) Destination (Bradenton…check), 3) activities, which we will provide for you. See how simple that was, your planning is complete! Bradenton is a wonderful city with awesome nightlife, romantic restaurants, and endless adventures for two to enjoy. Let’s take a look at our top 10 list of date night activities in Bradenton, Florida.
Top 10 Date Night Activities
1. Can we get a sunset for two? What could be more romantic than watching the gulf coast sunsets as your date night? Plan a picnic on the beach with all the essentials like a blanket, wine, snacks, music and relax on Anna Maria Island or any of our local area beaches listed here. Looking to make it an even more romantic night? Take a night stroll along the beach walking in the moonlight, it doesn’t get more romantic than that.
2. Speaking of sunsets, check out the sunset cruises that Anna Maria has to offer. Bradenton Beach Marina offers dolphin tours and sunset cruises. Island Pear Excursions and Anna Maria Sailing are also very well known in the area for their sunset cruises. These evening or lunch cruises travel through the inter coastal waters of the gulf while enjoying amazing views, delicious food and live entertainment. This would be the perfect date for the couple looking to explore the gulf while enjoying amazing fresh food.
3. How about visiting Bradenton’s Riverwalk. This outdoor area is 1.5 miles long overlooking stunning views of the Manatee River. Some of the features include volleyball courts, outdoor “living rooms” (ie comfortable seating) perfect for relaxing and hanging out, a day dock, skate park, fishing pier and more. Come here at night for the perfect moonlight stroll.
4. If you are wanting a more lively seen try heading out to Downtown Bradenton for your date night. You will be able to spend the whole night here between the plenty restaurants and local bars. Some local favorites include The Roo, The Fish and Bricks. You and your date are bound to have an amazing time and will meet plenty of people to make unforgettable memories with.
5. If the downtown nightlife isn’t your scene try going to Motorworks for a calmer atmosphere. Motorworks features a large inside lounge area with plenty of seating, music and games. It also has a large outdoor seating space with a huge projector screen, deck seating, and games including corn hole. Also if your’e hungry that won’t be a problem Motorworks always has a food truck on the property for your late-night munchies. You will not be disappointed here, it’s always a good time at Motorworks!
6. What would date night be without Restaurants? A date night almost always consists of dinner at a romantic restaurant. We have come up with a few of our Bradenton favorites which include Pier 22, Bridge Street Bistro, and Jo To’s Japanese Steak House. These restaurants serve delicious meals and offer a romantic atmosphere, you and your significant other will leave happy and full, no questions.
7. Do you and your significant other enjoy a good ballgame? If so, Lecom Park is surely the way to go on your date night. At Lecom you will be able to enjoy a good ball game by our local Mauraders team. During spring training you can also catch the Pittsburgh Pirates games against other MLB favorites. Be prepared to have a good time all while enjoying the company of your date and great atmosphere.
8. For those couples who enjoy a more laid-back environment, how about catching a movie? Oakmont 8 in Bradenton offers a comfortable theater and all the latest movies. This theater is equipped with comfortable reclining chairs, book ahead seating, and of course a fully stocked lobby with delicious buttery popcorn. When we say comfortable we mean it, full reclining chair with arm rests, foot rests and plenty of space. You can’t go wrong with a movie for date night.
9. Feeling Artsy? Try Painting With A Twist for date night. This fun art studio allows you to BYOB and food during the 2 or 3 hour paint class. Choose your favorite painting from the event calendar and make it your own in this fun exciting art class. Local Artists are there to help assist you while you’re painting your masterpieces. The art classes are tons of fun and allow for a relaxing evening doing what you love. Even if you are not a great artist this will be fun for everyone and you will leave with a great piece of art.
10. Are you a competitive couple that loves to out win one another? If so, AMF bowling is the perfect place for you and your date. AMF is equipped with 64 lanes, and arcade, pool and recently renovated bar space. This is the ultimate place to come have fun, start a friendly competition and unwind. In addition, check their website for daily specials.
Planning your stay on the Gulf Coast
That concludes our list of top 10 Date night activities in Bradenton. Bradenton offers so much more than what is listed above but this is a good starting point for those couples coming to visit. If you are planning a trip soon with your significant other we would love to have you, check out our rentals in the Bradenton area. Our rentals are located near all the local area shopping, entertainment and beaches. Need some help planning? No worries, give us a call and we would be happy to help.
Most tourists traveling to the white sandy beaches of Florida for summer vacation think it is a great idea until they realize hurricane season has begun. Then the idea of beautiful white sand beaches is set off by the fact that a hurricane may hit during their vacation. Although it could happen, chances of a catastrophic storm hitting during your vacation time is slim to none. Hurricane season roughly lasts until November 30th but doesn’t mean they are expected constantly during the season. Knock on wood, Florida hasn’t seen a bad hurricane since Charley in 2004 and Andrew in 1992. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry. That’s why we have compiled a list of safety tips for travelers to keep in mind when vacationing on the gulf coast.
Don’t travel without travel insurance.
Travel Insurance is always a smart idea for peace of mind when you book vacations. Whether months in advance or just in general. It insures your financial vacation investment in case anything goes wrong such as illness, lost baggage, cancelled flight and much more. Find out if the travel insurance offers a hurricane policy and what it covers.
Monitor local radio and television for any weather reports
Stay updated on all the latest information about hurricanes and weather on local TV stations and local radio. This will help you stay up to date on storms approaching and if any precautions should be taken.
Contact rental company for hurricane guide.
Most rental companies or hotels will have guidelines set up in case of a hurricane or any major natural disasters. Usually these guidelines will specify what to do in an event of a hurricane or any refund policies available. Our guideline has important steps to take such as how much food and water you should have in stock, pet safety tips, important documents to have on hand and much more. You can view our form here. Finding out whether your rental has a guideline set in place is important to know when traveling during hurricane season. This way you know what to expect.
Bring/prepare emergency kit.
Preparing an emergency kit is always important to have if a hurricane strikes while on vacation. This will ensure you have all the supplies you need in case the electric goes out or damage occurs to roadways. Things such as flashlights, bottled water, matches, batteries and more are included on the list and are essential items needed to be prepared. You can check out a full list here.
Although it may be hurricane season on the gulf coast it shouldn’t frighten you to travel here. Like we mentioned earlier the chance of it happening is not likely. Not to mention many potential hurricanes can turn into tropical storms. While they can produce lots of rain and wind, they aren’t abnormal for summers in Florida. If you’d like to know what most Floridians do when a hurricane/tropical storm is in site check out our Pinterest board here.
It’s important to be prepared when taking a vacation. We understand there is a lot to remember and a schedule to follow. We want to make it a bit easier on you and explain our check-in process and what is needed for your arrival to Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals. This way you will be prepared and the process will be fast and easy.
First things first, check-in time is 4 PM. If you would like to request an early check-in, please give us a call prior to your arrival and we will check if accommodations can be made. The fee for an early check-in is $50. If your early check-in request is denied just remember one of our top priorities is a clean, well-prepared home. Sometimes early check-in requests will cut into the cleaner’s schedule especially if guests depart the same day you arrive.
Check-In Process: Arrival Instructions
We will have sent your arrival instructions to the email provided upon booking. These instructions get sent after your final balance is paid. If you plan to arrive after hours there will be a lock box code provided in the instructions email. You will be able to obtain your packet from the lockbox with this code. Furthermore, we ask that you return the next business day to complete registration.
Check-In Process: Registration
First, you will look at our rental conditions form which looks like this. (Click Here). After you have read through the document we will ask that you fill out the bottom portion of the form and require initials for household items given to you as well as a signature at the bottom. Once that is taken care of our policy states that a security deposit hold is required for all our rentals. Typically, the hold is $500 and will be held on the credit card you provide (certain rentals require an additional amount). Please keep in mind that we only accept Visa, MC, and Discover. After the hold is placed a copy of your driver’s license and credit card will be taken.
At last, we will hand over your vacation rental packet with all the items in the home you will need as well as information necessary for the home. Such as Wi-Fi, door codes, address, etc. Our information will also be provided including our office number and maintenance hotline.
If you have any additional question about our check-in process please contact us and we will be happy to help.
One of the most asked questions here at Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals is what does our check-out process involve? We wanted to go through our process with you and what it entails you to do. That way you will have full confidence booking with us.
First things first, check out time is 10 AM. If you would like to request a late check-out, please let us know prior to your arrival. We will check if accommodations can be made. The fee for a late check out is $50. If your request is denied just remember one of our top priorities is a clean, well-prepared home for all of our guests. Sometimes late check-out requests will cut into the cleaner’s schedule. Especially if we have guests arriving the same day you depart.
Check-Out Process: Before Leaving The Property
You will have received our check procedures and house rules in your vacation packet upon check-in. You may view the document here. An overview of the procedures includes stripping the beds and starting a wash cycle, load and start the dishwasher, cleaning the BBQ if used and more. These procedures are set in place to help the cleaners get to the property and clean in time for our next guest arrival. Please ensure you leave the property the same as when you arrived.
Check-Out: Key Drop Off
Next, we ask that you return all items you received in your packet such as keys and garage door openers to our office after departing your rental. If for any reason our offices are closed or it is a Sunday we have lock boxes located outside our front door that you may drop the keys in. Please note, failure to drop off keys could result in an extra fee. Also, in regards to your security hold, the rental will be inspected within 1-3 days of your departure. If no damage has occurred the security hold will be released. Additionally, please keep in mind that we have 30 days to release holds.
So that about covers everything you need to know about our check out process. If you have any additional questions please contact us and we will be happy to help.
One of the most asked questions from our vacation rental guests prior to booking is “what is included with my rental?” We agree that this is a very important question when it comes to knowing what to pack and what to buy when you arrive. So today we have decided to address this question in our blog so everyone can have peace of mind before booking.
First and foremost, the price that is quoted is the final price for the vacation rental. No additional fees for utilities apply. We do have additional options such as pool heat, late or early check in options, accidental insurance, etc, that do cost an additional fee but are not required.
Our policy does require a security deposit upon check in against any damages. Once you depart and the property is checked out and no damages noted the hold gets released.
Wi-Fi and cable are available to you at no charge. Landlines vary by rental. We will provide you all this information upon check-in and will also be noted in the guest book at the property.
Towels and linens are provided by the owner and are able for your use during
your stay. Stocked items vary upon homes but each home has enough supplied for max occupants of the rental.
Kitchen utensils and tableware are also available to you during your stay. Again, these items are provided by the owners and stocked items vary. Major appliances included are refrigerator, stove, microwave, and dishwasher.
A washer and dryer is available in all our properties, as well as an iron and hair dryer.
Most of our properties are equipped with a coffee maker, toaster and kettle.
Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals provides only a starter roll of toilet paper and trash bag. We do not supply these items but often will be left by previous guests to use.
Items that vary by home include DVD’s, cleaning supplies, beach chairs, bikes, and beach toys.
If we did not address an item of question, please feel free to reach out to us and we’d be happy to help.