Is it just us or are the days flying by faster than ever before? We blink, and spring has sprung, we sneeze, and the long hot days of summer have begun, and when we turn our heads, it is fall, and the big holidays have arrived, whether we are ready for them or not. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and if you don’t want a repeat of last year when grandma fell asleep in her mashed potatoes and you wore your body down with all the work that goes along with it, this is the year you should think about all the reasons Sarasota is the perfect Thanksgiving vacation destination. Our RentTheKeys holiday hideaways will provide a sanctuary you will actually be thankful for!
We’ll Say It Again & Again: This Way to the Beach!
Close your eyes and imagine this scenario. You awaken at a decent time on Thanksgiving morning, the sun gently peeking in the windows, and as you stretch luxuriously, knowing there are no chores awaiting you and no grumpy relatives complaining about the meal that took days to prepare, you realize that for the first time in a very long time you are completely rested. Looking out the window, perhaps in your oceanside escape, you see turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and palm trees swaying in the fall breezes. It is still warm this late in the year, with air temperatures running in the high 70s and water temperatures following close behind, and although you may feel it is a little too cool for swimming, this Thanksgiving morning does provide the perfect opportunity for sun worshipping and relaxation. At home, those grumpy relatives may be wearing winter coats, and the first snowstorm of the season may be taking place, but here in sunny Sarasota, our tropical paradise invites you to throw on your swimsuit and make your way to the beaches that make us so popular with travelers from all over the world.
But What About the Feast?
Just because you are skipping Thanksgiving at home, it doesn’t mean you have to give up the feast that accompanies it, especially as there will be a large selection of restaurants in Sarasota open for business and waiting to prepare, serve, and clear away the meal that has been your greatest love and worst enemy over the years. We’ve listed some of our favorites below, but trust us, there are many more, so if something catches your eye during your stay, be sure to ask if they will be open!
- Brio Italian Grille, 190 University Town Center Drive – Choices are wonderful, and Brio offers a choice of a traditional Thanksgiving feast, their standard Italian meals, or a classic to go menu that you can enjoy at home in your Rent the Keys retreat.
- Duvall’s. Fresh. Local. Seafood, 1435 Main Street – Also offering a traditional turkey feast with all the trimmings, including sweet potato casserole and pumpkin pie, we really like that they offer a to-go feast that feeds the entire family or the option to order a to-go feast for one, something our solo travelers truly appreciate.
- Mattison’s Forty-One, 7275 S Tamiami Trail – A Thanksgiving buffet can’t be beat, and the one at Mattison’s Forty-One offers a roast turkey and prime rib carving station that never ceases to amaze, with prices that are extremely reasonable as well.
Starting Christmas
It’s a fact of life that no sooner than you finish the last bite of pumpkin pie and sip your final sip of mulled wine, the Christmas season begins, and in Sarasota, it may have started even sooner. Many of our local neighborhoods may have already hung their Christmas decorations, eager for Christmas to finally arrive, so we encourage guests to get in their cars and tour the local neighborhoods, perhaps amazed that our tropical paradise can be so wintry festive. If you are still around on Monday, SRQ Trolley begins its annual Holiday Tour of Lights, taking its guests to where the lights are sparkling the brightest, and because they offer four different sizes of trolley, large groups can be assured they will be able to ride together. We really can’t think of any better way to get in the holiday spirit than this tour of lights!
Happy Thanksgiving from RentTheKeys!
Your favorite moments, however, may be the ones you spend relaxing in our RentTheKeys holiday hideaways. Prepare the turkey in our fully equipped kitchens, watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on state of the art televisions, and dream about those sugarplums in some of the most comfortable beds in the state. Our properties become homes when you and your family are residing within. Contact us and reserve your favorite escape today!
