Florida is known as the Sunshine State, with its average year round temperature of 74.80C, and the Orange State: every Florida license plate rather charmingly carries a picture of an orange.

1.5 hours from Tampa, 2.5 hours from Orlando and 3.5 from Miami on the south Gulf coast, situated in the Cape Haze peninsula, is the delightful community of Rotonda West in Charlotte County. This County consistently ranks near the top of the ‘Best Places to live and Work in the USA’. It was also recently voted third best place in USA to live and play golf. Further, it was ranked in the top ten sailing destinations by Sail magazine.

Rotonda is perfectly placed for easy access to some of Florida’s most beautiful sights. From the stunning white sand beaches at Englewood to the Island escapes of Gasparilla, Don Pedro, Boca Grande and numerous other exotic islands that dot the gulf shoreline, the scenery is breathtaking.

Equally spectacular is the wild life, ranging from cranes and herons, to alligators and the occasional bobcat, and in between any number of raccoons, armadillos and terrapins. In the harbour and off shore are dolphins, manatee and a great profusion of game fish. You can sit back and leisurely watch pelicans swoop down and fish jump; if you are very lucky you may even see a rare Floridian crocodile.

For those who want something more energetic there is of course the virtually limitless number. of golf courses in the area: tennis, cycling, plus the water sports - yachting, boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, scuba diving and snorkelling or just having fun on the white beaches and in the warm blue waters of the Gulf.

For the food lover there are places aplenty, from the classic all-American burger, steak and ribs to delicious fish and other sea food. International cuisine includes Japanese, Italian and everything in between. Discovering new places to eat is a fun part of being in Florida.

Shoppers are equally well catered for and prices for just about everything are very favourable. In addition to the many local supermarkets and stores there are several shopping malls where virtually anything can be brought. The largest mall in Port Charlotte has a Dillard's, JC Penney, Sears, and Bealls. In addition, this air conditioned indoor shopping mall also features over 90 specialty stores and a Regal 16 Cinema, as well as the largest Sam Goody music store in Florida, and one of Florida's largest food courts.

Heading North from Charlotte County is Venice, Sarasota and Bradenton and to the South lies Fort Myers and Bonita Springs all with their own amazing sights and activities.

Still within driving distance to the North are Tampa, with many world class attractions, and of course Orlando, the home of Disney, Universal Studios and Sea World to name but a few.