Guest Hook Travel Guides Anna Maria Insider Guide | Page 13

TERRY & SANDY'S PRACTICAL TIPS... Orient Yourself Before Arriving... Several airports within driving distance. The closest is Sarasota airport (SRQ) at around 30 minutes away. Others, including St. PetersburgClearwater, Tampa, Fort Myers, and Orlando are anywhere between 1 hour and 2.5 hours away. Further afield is Miami which is around a 4 hour journey by car. The Trip From the Mainland to AMI... Three bridges lead to the Island. Two from the mainland, which arrive at Holmes Beach or Bradenton Beach, and one from the north end of Longboat Key, itself to the south of the island. Refer to this map for an overview. Getting Around the Island... A car is not necessary on Anna Maria Island, as a free trolley service stops pretty much everywhere. Also available for free is Island Beach Monkeys, a new transportation service with a fleet available to drive you wherever you want to go. Want a ride to dinner? Need to run errands? Want a tour of Anna Maria? Island Beach Monkeys is an easy solution. Drivers work for tips only and all of the crew are Island residents. They can offer a wealth of information about Island businesses, dining choices, sights, and special events. They even have a karaoke-equipped vehicle! Groceries & Essential Shopping... There is a fantastic P Չ