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Cortez, Florida: Where History meets Commerce

Cortez, Florida is located on the west coast of Florida at the tip of the peninsula separating Palma Sola Bay from Sarasota Bay, just south of Tampa Bay in unincorporated Manatee County. Still a commercial fishing village, this quiet little hamlet makes a nice spot for crossing over into Anna Marie Island.

Anna Maria Island: A Step Back in Time

"If you want to get away from everything and just relax, this is the place!" Mary Anne Brockman, Executive Director, Anna Marie Chamber of Commerce.

When natives speak of an "old Florida," they mean a place that existed long before Florida became the most popular tourist state in the United States. When you step on the beaches of Anna Maria Island,Florida, you feel a sense of that history reclaimed. You are teleported into an exquisite area of white sand beaches, laid back attitudes, and the understated charms of a community content to be what it has been for years: a haven that relishes its independence, and shuns a more "touristy" environment. The island´s three cities, Anna Maria (pop. 1800), Holmes Beach (pop.4978), and Bradenton Beach (pop.1654) share this relaxed attitude, and work together ensuring that both residents and guests enjoy the island´s natural surroundings.

The Island´s origins date back to 1530 when Spanish explorers, most notably Hernando De Soto, landed in search of golden riches. Anna Maria Island remained cut off from the mainland until 1921, when the first bridge was built between the island and Cortez. Now, three bridges connect Anna Maria to Bradenton (the northern and central connection) and Longboat Key (from the south).

Although relaxation is the main pastime, recreational activities are available for all who enjoy the outdoors. You can swim, scuba, parasail, deep-sea fish, bird watch (over 90 different species), sail, jet-ski, play tennis, or shop in all the "mom and pop" owned stores that line the picturesque streets of Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach.

If (for some whacky reason!) you want to leave the island, Tampa is 35 miles north, and the most famous Mouse in the world and all the Orlando attractions are an hour and a half to the northeast.

Anna Maria Island is off the beaten path. But with all the urban sprawl and hustle and bustle in most of our lives, the road less taken sounds pretty good!