Anna Maria Island is a tranquil oasis of calm in the fall. Enjoy gentle walks along the beaches with the sea lapping your toes, watch the pelicans swoop and dive over the Gulf and the sandpipers running in and out of the shallows. Down on leffis key there are boardwalks for birdwatching and exploring a small section of wetlands adjoining the southern tip of the island close to the bridge that leads down to Longboat, Lido and the beautiful city of Sarasota.

Over in the UK, the Bwlch Tre Banau Estate is experiencing the most beautiful September in memory. The pale morning sunlight illuminates gorgeous views down over to the valley and the mountains in the far distance. The cottages nestled into the hillside are an oasis of luxury with fluffy white towels in the bathrooms and 400 Egytian cotton sateen linens. Renters have endless hot water for showers & the Victorian style bath tubs, fireplaces with a free supply of logs for crackling fires, elegant furnishings and antiques. Country walks, visits to local restaurants to sample the best cuisine Carmarthenshire has to offer. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/
If you are thinking of traveling to Europe, make a point of staying at Wheatsheaf Cottage, Barley cottage or Meadow Barn. Another great stop off on the famous English Riviera on the south coast is to be found at Torquay http://www.torquay.uk.com/

September is a peaceful time on Anna Maria Island. Guests are mostly couples enjoying the fall sunshine. Try a sunset cruise with local captain Don Meilner and sail down to one of the local restaurants for dinner overlooking the water. As the sun sinks over the horizon the water sparkles with pink and gold reflections of the sunset - a sight that is unrivalled worldwide.
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What better way to while away the fall that to rent a property on Anna Maria Island from Anna Maria Vacations http://annamaria.com/ What to rent: try a beachfront condo with a large pool set in tropical gardens, an elegant Italian style island house with its own private heated swimming pool or a New England style island home.

On the relaxing island of Anna Maria, Florida, Anna Maria Vacations has a superb group of properties.  The island lies just off the mainland in the Gulf of Mexico on the west coast of Florida below Tampa Bay.  It has a peaceful and friendly atmosphere, a great variety of individual restaurants from gourmet to beach side cafe and has easy access over either of 2 bridges to the mainland.  It is an easy drive to Tampa and Orlando.  Take the children up to Busch Gardens or enjoy a couple of days in Disney then return to the natural seaside pleasures of 7 miles of pristine white sand beaches and a gorgeous villa with its own private swimming pool http://annamaria.com/ Try to visit an island favorite,  The Sign of the Mermaid restaurant. It is a must to experience the art of Floridian culinary perfection during your vacation -  their prize winning home made Key Lime Pie is first class.

Torquay, UK

Walk down to the harbour to stroll around past sailboats and cruisers, shops, cafes and restaurants.  For the ladies, drop into Hoopers, an exclusive department store that overlooks the seafront overlooking the Marina for a coffee and a look through their latest consignment of designer shoes, bags and clothes.  If you love fashion, Maggie's is a must see - it is the type of exclusive shop you would normally find in Bond Street or Rodeo drive. for friendly personal service and the most beautiful small range of hand picked designer clothes & costume jewellery.  Maggie's personal shopper will guide you through the collections and if you are just window shopping they are happy just to chat about the clothes and the top designers they stock - definitely passion for fashion.   For the guys, while you are waiting enjoy a cooling beer sitting overlook the water in one of the waterfront bars or cafse and watch the world go by and sailboats slip into the marina. Meet up and sample fresh local caught seafood at No.7 Bistro just along at the crescent.  Stay at the exclusive West Wing Cottage  http://www.torquay.uk.com/ with its extensive lawns and gardens overlooking Tor Bay. Halcyon Summer days in Torquay. 

Carmarthenshire, UK

You can now see video footage of Wheatsheaf, Barley and Meadow Cottages  on U tube if yousearch for "Bwlch Tre Banau".  Translated from Welsh this means gap through the hills, but the historical name is used locally and it is important to the Welsh community to preserve old and new traditions.      Over on U Tube you can take a visual stroll through all the cottages and also around The Bwlch Tre Banau Estate.     This morning we are taking the pretty drive over to the nearby historic university town of Lampeter for leisurely lunch in the restaurant that won The Best Fish & Chips in Wales followed by a stroll 2 doors down  to Conti's Ice Cream for their delicious home-made ices & a cappuccino or espresso.  Forget the waistline, this is heaven!  Free parking in the town and a walk through the Lampeter reveals individual small shops, boutiques and bakeries .  Don't miss the exploring the traditional ironmongers, I can never pass it without picking up some useful item for the Estate.

Here in Florida we are right in the middle of turtle hatching season on Anna Maria Island.  Turtles lay their eggs in the beach and then cover them with sand and return to the sea. Guess who have booked a vacation property  though Anna Maria Vacations will have the chance to see a turtle hatching.  Just keep an eye on the local press for news updates.   There are a few vacancies left for the Summer so come on down to Anna Maria Island and enjoy nature, sunshine and some real southern style hospitality.  It's easy to organize, just click on http://annamaria.com/

Over in the UK, the British coastal areas of the southwest are preparing for their sailing regattas.  Dartmouth and Torbay are among the best and include a daring flying demonstration by the Red Arrows with an extraordinary display of aerobatics over the water. The West Wing Cottage is part of a 1923 coastal Lutyens's style Arts & crafts era mansion house that is perched right on the edge of the water.  A divine destination for the best of Britain.

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Warm balmy Summer days make it such a pleasure to enjoy the beautiful hills and valleys of Carmarthenshire

http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/ Book a vacation cottage and spend time with families and friends in this rural paradise.  There are amazingly good top restaurants within easy reach of the Bwlch Tre Banau Estate including The Angel Inn, The Carlton Riverside and The Lasswade.

Take a picnic and enjoy a boat trip around the Anna Maria island's waterways with Don Meilner's cruises.  Meander past the Leffis Key Nature Reserve and stop off at Beer Can Island on the south end of Longboat for a lazy beachside lunch. 

Take a look at some of the beautiful island properties available on http://annamaria.com/  It's about time families start arriving on Anna Maria Island.  Villa Tuscany is a favorite as the price is really excellent value and it accommodates up to 6 people.  It has its own private pool and is just a short stroll over to the beach, making it one of the best deals on the island.

Traveling to Europe this year, then take a look at http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/ and http://www.torquay.uk.com/   Friends took a 2 center break in the west of England and south Wales in the United Kingdom and came back to Florida raving about it.  They called it the vacation of a lifetime.

Don't miss out on Florida. You deserve a vacation as an oasis of calm in your stressful life. Forget the credit crunch and come down to Florida. Throw off your worries and your cares (and your clothes - it's strictly casual and swim wear year round) and enjoy 7 miles of peaceful white sand beach. Over 30 island vacation properties to choose from. Want to be on the edge of 7 miles of superb white sand beach, have a holiday villa with its own private swimming pool? Visit our website at http://annamaria.com/


Travelling in the UK? visit the West Country and Devon's South Hams this year?The sun is shining and the sea is crystal blue, come on down to Torquay to spend some quality time with your family. The West Wing is newly opened and part of a historic 1923 mansion house in a half acre of completely private gardens right on the edge of the water. A unique property with best quality linens and fluffy white towels, elegant new furnishings and a decor that reflects the 20's with a modern twist.

Thinking of going to Wales and the UK's beautiful Brecon Beacons? http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/ for the best holiday cottages that South Wales & Carmarthenshire have to offer. History, superb views and 104 private acres of gorgeous countryside including parkland, meadow, woodland, hillside and riverside to explore. http://www.torquay.uk.com/

Travelling further afield then don't miss out on Florida. Over 30 island vacation properties to choose from. Want to be on the edge of 7 miles of peaceful white sand beach, have a holiday villa with its own private swimming pool. Visit our website at http://annamaria.com/

There are some superb new properties for vacation rental on http://annamaria.com/ Sunrise Cottage, Sunset Cottage, Palm Villa and Great Palms are beautiful island homes that are now available for you to spend your vacation on one of Florida's most beautiful islands.

Travelling to the UK to take advantage of the great exchange rate? http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/index.php
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