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Media Contact: Gentry Baumline
Hayworth Creative Public Relations
386-677-7000 / gentry@hayworthcreative.com
BRADENTON, Fla. (July 16, 2008) – Florida’s Gulf Islands of Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key and the mainland areas of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch, make it easy being green. With environmentally-friendly accommodations, free island-wide modes of transportation, and outdoor activities for every nature lover, the destination is a popular choice for travelers interested in saving some cash and saving the planet. Like so many of its annual guests, Florida’s Gulf Islands is expanding efforts to keep this treasured slice of Old Florida green.
Green Lodging
Three properties recently earned their Green Lodging Certification from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection: the Hilton Longboat Key Beachfront Resort, and the Hilton Garden Inn, and Holiday Inn Riverfront in Bradenton. The voluntary state program encourages hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving “green" practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources through an all-inclusive list of environmental initiatives specific to Florida’s environment. While these and other accommodators play an important role in protecting Florida's natural resources, guests can also play a part by reducing water use, conserving energy, improving air quality, and taking other easy steps during their stay.
Getting Around Green
Once on island, visitors can take advantage of several free transportation options that allow them to park their car and enjoy living on island time. Many island hotels and resorts offer free bicycle rentals to guests, which has the dual benefit of saving gas and giving guests an up-close and personal look at the island. Participating properties include Island Garden Villas, Alecassandra Vacation Villas, and a vacation home in Coral Reef on Anna Maria Island, as well as The Londoner Inn B&B in downtown Bradenton. For guests at other properties, Fun and More Rentals offers a wide selection of men’s, ladies’, children’s, adult three-wheel and tandem bicycles.
The Manatee Trolley is Anna Maria’s longstanding free, island-wide trolley system. Recently expanded service now takes riders from the northernmost end of Anna Maria Island at the City Pier to St. Armands’ Circle in Longboat Key, and even downtown Sarasota via Gulf of Mexico Drive. The new service route connects the Anna Maria Island Trolley to the Longboat Key Trolley at the new transit turnaround by the concession stand at Coquina Beach, departing daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on the half hour. Visitors can find route and schedule information at every trolley stop. This new route affords visitors several day trip options in addition to their stay on Anna Maria Island, and while not free, it costs only $.75 each way per passenger.
Green – Our Natural Color
Eco-tourism activities and attractions abound in Florida’s Gulf Islands – from guided tours of nature preserves, to kayaking trips around Palma Sola Bay and sea turtle walks along the beach. A new attraction, Great World Nature Tours, is now offering tours by horseback in the backcountry of Sarasota Bay, while Native Rentals paddles visitors around Anna Maria Island with hourly and half-day guided kayaking and canoe tours. Captain Kim’s Charters in Cortez welcomes visitors aboard half- or full-day backwater, shelling and bird watching excursions. And for landlubbers, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch hosts guided morning sea turtle walks in July, Around the Bend Nature Tours provides guided tours showcasing the area’s Native American heritage at Emerson Point Conservation Preserve, and visitors can enjoy a stroll through Coquina Bay Walk at Leffis Key at their own pace.
Florida’s Gulf Islands consists of Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch, and is marketed by the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau through domestic and international advertising, public relations and marketing efforts. Visit www.floridasgulfislands.com for more information.
-Florida’s Gulf Islands-
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