Jena se qua kismet in Little Gasparilla Island

January "HIGH" at Little Gasparilla Island...

Review submitted: February 28, 2013   Date of arrival: January 4, 2013

A friend of mine in Chicago recommended I look for a nice warm weather place to get away to for some much needed peace and quiet after a long year of intense political madness helping support a politician friend of mine.
After some careful searching I came across, “Jena se qua kismet.” This is the most charming little cottage I have ever been too and it has made all the difference in my life; like nothing ever before and perhaps like nothing ever again. It is located on a small barrier island just north of the famous Boca Grande, (who’s little artsy town is within easy reach by boat.) Little Gasparilla Island is slightly remote in that there is no access to it by road, thus no cars or traffic. But it is easily accessible by a small ferry boat that runs to the island on a regular basis; and the ride over is about 10-15 minutes.
There wasn’t a day that I didn’t lay on the white sandy gulf beach, often falling asleep listening to the gentle waves creeping up on me. I never tired of the incredible sunsets or the variety of beach birds. I even walked the length of the island three times examining the beautiful shells and unique drift wood, (many made of uprooted Australian Pines). I rented the owner's golf cart and toured the island. I even attended the little church on Sunday morning, and it was a moving experience. Such nice friendly people. This world is so different than anything in Chicago! What a treat; and what a way to reset the mind and reexamine one’s future. Thank you Jena se qua kismet for an incredible new set of memories that will haunt me pleasantly for the rest of my life…

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Helpful votes: 2 / 2

Valentine's Day Plus...

Review submitted: February 27, 2013   Date of arrival: February 14, 2013

I can think of no finer place to spend 5-days for a romantic get-a-way!!! The weather was perfect, the ambiance was perfect, the Gulf and Bay were perfect, and the restaurants were perfect!!! We went to the Pink Elephant on Boca Grand THREE times. Yet, we also grilled fish for three candlelight dinners at the cottage as well, with lots of wine and laughter and wonderful music! My God that giant king sized bed was wonderful...

We caught fish off the end of the dock each morning and made three fine
meals from them; love the Redfish, Snook and Snapper! The Cable TV was great but we played backgammon, bridge or cribbage every day at the end of the dock or while laying together on the wonderful white sand Gulf Beach. We reconnnected with each other like never before, and we vowed to return to this enchanting cottage; The Same Time Each Year.

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Helpful votes: 2 / 2

Who knew? What a spectacular find in Southwest FL

WinterGet-A-Way (Montour Falls, NY, USA)
Review submitted: July 26, 2012   Date of arrival: February 18, 2012

My husband and I sat holding hands one evening last December watching snow fall as icicles formed along our upstate New York roofline. We talked of escaping to a warm exotic place and checked out some rental sites and found; “Jen a se qua kismet” on Little Gasparilla Island just north of Boca Grande, a place we had never heard of but it looked so inviting! The owner responded to our inquiry immediately and then called us. She was so friendly and helpful and told us everything we needed to know about the area. It sounded like a heaven so we took the first open week!
“Jena se qua kismet” is an incredibly beautiful place and it has everything and more of what we could want in a romantic winter get-a-way. The place was exactly as advertised and was immaculately clean upon our arrival. The owner had arranged for our private water taxi which included help with our luggage. There was even a baggage cart waiting for us at the dock. My husband is an avid fisherman and I am a beach walker and shell hunter so we knew this was our paradise. We saw dolphins in the Bay before we arrived and a Manatee on our last day. My husband saw Snook off the dock one evening and caught Redfish, Whiting, Spanish mackerel, Flounder a Spotted Sea trout, (but no Tarpon unfortunately).
The owner had prepared an information document of incredible value listing marinas, restaurants, deep sea fishing guides, boat rental places, golf courses, events and shopping for miles around. It offered the owner’s recommendations for such things as buying local crab, fine dining, and special places to visit or photograph.
We walked for miles most days along the Gulf beach and dunes, and rented a Golf Cart for the week at $250. It took us all over the island including to a little island church which was packed with interesting people. We found Little Gasparilla Island to be a very peaceful and private place where the residents are friendly and helpful. There are no roads on the island so we rode over romantic sandy pathways. We spotted turtles, lizards, crabs, armadillo, osprey and even a lone bob cat one evening.
We grilled out on the Bay deck every night eating our meals on the beautiful built-in octagon picnic table at the end of the long dock. There was always a refreshing evening breeze after each long hot day and we enjoyed chatting at the campfire as we roasted marshmallows and drank our wine with friends and family. It doesn’t get any better than this. We can’t wait to go back again!

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers, girls getaway, pet-friendly, sight seeing, tourists without a car, romantic getaway

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Helpful votes: 4 / 4