Vacationing in Venice … Florida, that is.
Sunny, warm days in the middle of winter? Yes, please! My husband’s grandfather lives on the Gulf Coast of Florida in the sweet town of Venice, just south of Sarasota. From its historical downtown lined with small shops and restaurants that hosts a lively Saturday farmers’ market, to its beachside walks and green golf courses, I always find the town refreshing & relaxing.
My husband & I usually try to time our visit so we can escape winter in the northern U.S., and fortunately for us (er, mostly me) it also happens to coincide with Florida stone crab season!
While I will gladly feast on fresh local seafood in all shapes and sizes, these succulent beauties are mainly harvested along the Gulf Coast and only from October through May. Although the claw harvesting procedure is a bit controversial – one or both are removed and the declawed crab is returned to the water where it can regrow its limb(s) – I still maintain my love for their sweet flavored meat. If crab isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other delicious options for seafood lovers to choose from: mahimahi, red snapper, yellowfin tuna, grouper, hog fish, alligator (does this count as seafood?! It is local), Gulf shrimp, oysters, spiny lobster, etc. …
Another Floridian foodie favorite would be the endless amount of fresh fruit. Of course there are citrus groves everywhere, and Plant City is well-known for their amazing strawberries. Personally, I love Honeybell tangelos. Super-sweet and ridiculously juicy, these tangerines cross-bred with grapefruit are another short-lived delicacy whose season usually only lasts from January into early February. At Nokomis Groves, in the town right next to Venice, you can a variety of fruit while in season, freshly squeezed citrus juice, and another must-have: soft-serve ice cream! You can choose from swirls of chocolate & lime, vanilla & orange, or my own favorite, pineapple & orange… Because you have to go tropical when you’re visiting from somewhere cold!
One of the best treats while visiting any coastal town is the ability to sit outside having dinner & drinks with loved ones while watching the sun set. In Venice, one of the most popular spots is Sharky’s On the Pier and their higher-end restaurant, Fins. Located right on the beach where the Venice Fishing Pier begins, it’s the perfect place to end a sun-filled holiday: walk along the pier to watch fishermen from all parts of the U.S. reeling in fresh fish – and see their attempts to keep all the hungry/aggressive birds away – then finish the night having dinner with a view.
