Historical Punta Gorda, Florida is located on the coast of southwest Florida, just across the bridge from Port Charlotte on Charlotte Harbor. This is a perfect winter vacation spot for anybody who doesn’t want to hit the traditional tourist attractions such as Universal Orlando, Disney or Busch Gardens.

The pace here is completely laid-back. This is the kind of vacation spot that will rest and rejuvenate you. No fighting crowds, standing in line, or struggling to keep a schedule that will have you more exhausted when you get home than when you left. Punta Gorda is near three of south Florida’s resort islands – think of it as the redheaded stepchild of the area. Because everybody is bound for the resort islands, visiting Punta Gorda is more like going to a family cabin with lots to do in town than a vacation destination.

Ft. Myers, Florida has the nearest national airport to Punta Gorda. You can then  either rent a vehicle and drive north 33 miles, or grab an Allegiant or Direct Air flight to Charlotte County Airport. There is a Budget Rent-a-car available from the CCA to get you across the water and started on your Punta Gorda holiday. And then the fun begins!

There is so much to do, not just in Punta Gorda but in the nearby surrounding areas. The following are just a few of the local highlights.
Fishermen’s Village: It’s not what it sounds like. Fishermen’s Village is an all-in-one stop for exceptional dining, shopping, and entertainment. There are timeshare villas available which sleep six and have all the amenities including a full kitchen and laundry facilities. Stop by http://www.fishville.com for more information.

The Punta Gorda Murals: Take a walking tour and see the 26 beautiful murals all around the town. The first was painted in 1995, with two to four added every year since. Because Hurricane Charley destroyed much of Punta Gorda on August 13, 2004, many of the murals had to be replaced. This was done between 2007 and 2009. Three of the original murals have yet to be replaced.

Fishing and Boating: King Fisher Fleet is the answer, no matter what you want to do. They offer tours for boating, fishing, and sightseeing. There are guided back bay fishing trips as well as deep sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. (As of this writing, the area they fish has not been affected by the British Petroleum oil spill). King Fisher Fleet has won the ‘Best Charter Boats in Charlotte County Award’ every year since 1996.

Golfing: There are eight major golf courses within easy reach of Punta Gorda. They include public, semi-private and private. Riverwood Golf Club was rated 4.5 stars by Golf Magazine, which also named public Bobcat Trail Club a “must play 4-star course” in 2003.

In 1996 and again in 2003, Punta Gorda was chosen as the second best place to live in the United States by Money Magazine.  Sail Magazine has placed Punta Gorda on its “Top 10 Places to Sail” list, while Forbes included the city on their list of “Top 10 Small Metropolitan Areas”. Punta Gorda is actually the only incorporated city in all of Charlotte County. Lots of sunshine wildlife and clean air are just a few of the reasons Punta Gorda keeps making the grade.

If you go on vacation and discover you’ve lost your heart to the place, rest assured you are not the first. The cost of living is inexpensive, and crime is low. Stop by http://www.ilovepuntagorda.com to take virtual tours of some of the beautiful properties which are currently available. Punta Gorda barely has a population of 17,000 people. That’s amazing for such a wonderful town with so much to offer.

There are a great many businesses in Punta Gorda. Some of the local employers include Caldwell Trust, Comcast and Towles Corporation. Easy I-75 access makes commuting a breeze.

Weather-wise, the Gulf breeze helps alleviate the high temperatures of summer. In the winter, the temperatures rarely dip below 50°. Many snowbirds call Punta Gorda home for six months out of the year. Who would tolerate -50° windchill if they could have 100 degrees higher and all the sand & surf they can take in? And don’t forget the amazing array of restaurants to choose from.

As with any vacation, your best bet is to hit Google and research from every angle imaginable. What do you enjoy doing? What about your family? Nothing says everybody has to be glued together 24/7 and in fact, it will cause more stress than necessary. Dad can go to Muscle Car City, while mom hits the shops (or vice-versa, who knows). Kids can go with either parent, and the next day everybody can hook up on the beach. Just don’t overextend yourselves. Remember, holidays are for rest & relaxation, not doing so much that you can’t wait to get home so you can take a nap.