Ferns on the Forest Trail

Tucked into a community on Florida's 30A, this home is framed by coastal pines and the kind of easy pace that makes a week feel restorative. The screened porch overlooks natural green space – a good spot for morning coffee with birdsong rather than traffic. Three bikes come with the home, so exploring local shops and dining along 30A takes no effort at all. When you want something livelier, the beach club delivers – three pools, a barbecue grill, and a sunset bar with Gulf views.

Home truths:
* You'll have access to the on-site swimming pools here. They're shared with the complex's other guests.
* You'll need to bring your own beach and pool towels – bath towels from the home are not allowed to be taken outside.
* Your driveway fits two vehicles, so if you're arriving as a group with more than two cars, you'll need to plan for alternative parking nearby.
* If you're hoping to hire a low-speed electric cart to get around, bookings must go through the community's designated company and are limited to one cart per home on a first-come, first-served basis – so it's worth arranging this well in advance if it's part of your plan.
* The lead guest must be at least 25 years old.