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Christmas in Rotonda West.
Fancy a change from Christmas in the UK? Want to escape from crowded stores, grey skies and the cold? Why not spend a relaxing Christmas in Rotonda West close to the Gulf Coast? Your holiday starts as you arrive to a spotlessly clean house, beds all made-up and perhaps even a tree organised by the villa owner. Driving around with perfect blue skies, palm trees and Christmas songs playing on the car radio is guaranteed to make even the most stressed person relax.
There are 4 huge supermarkets within 10-15 minutes drive for stocking up on all the groceries and far less crowded than those back home. If there is something your Christmas really is not complete without bring it with you but most local supermarkets now carry items such as mincemeat, tea, oxo cubes etc. The only thing you can not bring into the USA are boxes of crackers but you could put some self-assembly ones in your suitcase. You will find plenty of novelties in the stores to fill them.
At Port Charlotte, only twenty minutes drive, is one of the largest Malls and several large stores such as Walmart, Target, Books-a-million for all your gifts.
The home owners in Rotonda all decorate the outside of their homes with lights or you can visit Fishermen’s Village at Punta Gorda and take an evening boat trip along the many canals where the home owners have beautifully decorated their homes, pool area and boats for Christmas.
Several local restaurants are family owned and may not be opened on Christmas Day. If you want a traditional British lunch, turkeys are available and even brussel sprouts can be found for your Christmas lunch by the pool. For a complete change why not try a traditional American style lunch with turkey, mashed potatoes, candied yams, green bean casserole and sweet potato fritters followed by Pecan Pie and Egg Nog ice-cream followed later by a swim in your own private pool. Alternatively you can pick up a ready cooked chicken and salads the day before Christmas and have a Christmas Day picnic on the beach at one of the many picnic tables. If you forget anything the local Winn Dixie is open on Christmas Day.
The weather can not be guaranteed at this time of year – over the past 10 years it has rained twice on Christmas Day but mostly it has been sunny with mid day temperatures reaching 80F and evening temperatures warm enough to eat outside. Most of the time you will only need T-shirt and shorts but bring some long trousers and a light sweater for cooler evenings.
For a really relaxing Christmas Holiday the Florida Gulf Coast is hard to beat.
Author: Val Easton
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