Monday, August 1, 2011

Lido Beach-The Perfect Summer Getaway

Lido Beach on the gulf coast of Florida is situated west of Sarasota on Lido Key.  It is about a two and a half hour drive from Orlando and well worth the tank of gas to get to paradise.  The sun, sand, and sea are all picturesque and serve as the backdrop for the perfect summer getaway!

The blue green waters of the Gulf of Mexico are simply breathtaking.  One can see through the clear waters while swimming or snorkeling.  The waters are calm and perfect for those who are non-swimmers to enjoy just as much as the others.  The warm waters are inviting and the perfect temperature to play all day.  The cool undercurrent from the Gulf is quite the surprise and refreshing as well.  This beach is not over populated with people like some of the more famous beaches and allows locals to enjoy the public treasures that Florida offers.  The white-sandy beach is clean and easily accessible from parking and only falls short in the lack of public restrooms.

Lido Beach does not end with just offering a sun-worshiper's paradise, but the main streets and thoroughfares are wrought with great little shops and restaurants to captivate the most avid shopper known as St. Armands Circle.  Restaurants range from Daiquiri Deck with its second story deck (great views and breeze after a day at the beach!)  and raw bar to Colombia Restaurant known for its great Latin foods and Crab & Fin, which by locals is touted as the best seafood restaurant. There are also numerous specialty shops, to wit, one that is near and dear to my heart is Crazy Shirts that is stocked full of shirts with great sayings for dad, grandpa and wine drinkers just to name a few.  You must stop in and read some of these shirts.  They are endearing and make great gifts.

Needless to say, if you are looking for a getaway that provides pristine beaches, great shopping, and even better food look no farther than Lido Beach.  It will not disappoint and will prove to be the perfect summer getaway, even if it is a day trip!