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Overlooked: Anna Maria Island
by: Christopher Elliott, Elliott.org
Just when I thought I had thoroughly explored Florida’s coastline and discovered its best vacation destinations, I stumbled upon a place like Anna Maria Island, a quiet resort area near Bradenton, right across the bridge from Longboat Key.

Two Rim Grilled Jumbo Shrimp with Asian Slaw and Chimichurri
It is boating season and grilling season; both were the inspiration for this simple preparation of jumbo Gulf shrimp. The flavors are a fusion of Gulf Coast, Asian and Latin and almost all the real work is done before the cooler is packed or the first beer is popped. The finished product is colourful and delicious and can also be grilled in advance and served chilled.

Best Face Forward
When you walk in, you will be inundated with the scents of Aveda’s plant-based products. The customized hourlong elemental nature facials ($85) are lovely, but the real power-treatment is the botanical skin resurfacing (60 minutes, $95), in which crushed tourmaline and essential oils are used to smooth skin and improve radiance.

Get to Know Longboat Key
The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce is your source for community information, such as the locations of churches and synagogues, healthcare and more.

Get Your Fixe at Harry's
Harry's Continental Kitchens is opening for the season with another exciting $29 Prix Fixe four-course menu, available Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. The fresh, seasonal offerings are also available with premium wine pairings for $43 per person. Learn more about this delectable special offer.

Snooty the Manatee: Our Gentle Giant
by: Kathy Hagood, AAA Going Places
Snooty™ is the oldest living manatee to be born and raised in captivity. He also is the first manatee to have a “recorded” and documented birthdate. This gentle giant is permanently housed at Parker Manatee Aquarium at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton, Florida.

Discover Florida's Gulf Islands
With Video from Johnny Jet, a world-renowned Travel Expert. Watch It Now.

Catch a Ride with Captain Mark’s Charters
Departing from Cortez, Captain Mark and his Red Skyy offer several on-the-water options for visitors. Guests can enjoy water taxi service to area independent restaurants where they can eat, drink and experience the local flavor by hopping from dock to dock. Click for more.

TIME to Remember De Soto
Guests can learn of Hernando de Soto’s landing near the shores of Tampa Bay at De Soto National Memorial. Camp Uzita offers living history interpreters and demonstrations, and visitors can read the De Soto chronicles detailing his four-year, four-thousand-mile adventure...Click for more.

TIME to Take an Eco-Tour
Discover what is around the bend with local naturalist Karen Fraley. Let Karen take you on a journey of adventure and education as you visit local natural and cultural heritage sites that tell the Florida’s Gulf Islands story...Click for more.

Reels at Rossi Park
Head to Bradenton’s waterfront Rossi Park for FREE family fun this summer. Enjoy Friday evening movies on a three-story movie screen set against the sunset on the Manatee River, free parking and pre-event activities! Click for more.