The Florida Gulf Coast has been a favorite of mine since my college days, when I interned one summer at The St. Petersburg Times (now The Tampa Bay Times). In my free time, I explored the beach communities north and south of St. Pete, where I lived in a retirement hotel with my Irish-American grandmother (that’s another story…).

The Bradenton beaches on Anna Maria Island were idyllic, with long stretches of blindingly white sand, clear blue water, and few crowds. While kayaking in the Intracoastal Waterway between the island and the mainland, I spotted playful dolphins and lumbering manatees.

On a return visit last fall, I was delighted to discover that the area is nearly as pristine as I remembered. To learn more about Anna Maria Island, including where to eat and stay, please read my latest stories in Travel Weekly.