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From Fast Cars and Fast Pitch to Go Fish:

Six Father’s Day Gift Ideas in Charlotte Harbor & The Gulf Islands, FL

Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands, Fla. (June 11, 2009) –Charlotte Harbor invites fathers to take their day at their own speed. From fast cars and fast pitches to reeling in fishes, Dad will find his favorite activities all in one destination. Give the gift of quality time together and take Dad on a Father’s Day getaway on the Southwest Gulf Coast. Whether he's interested in baseball, fishing, golf or just kicking the tires on classic muscle cars, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands offers unique experiences within easy driving distance of three-quarters of Florida’s population.

Here are six ways to spend time with your father, from budget-friendly to splurge:

Dads Cruise Free: Dad gets a free ride when accompanied by at least one paid full price adult ticket for any of the King Fisher Fleet cruises scheduled for Father’s Day (June 21, 2009). Included are afternoon and sunset tours of Charlotte Harbor as well as trips to Cabbage Key and Cayo Costa. ($10.95 - $25.95 for adults, half price for kids, free for children younger than three) Reservations are required; call 941-639-0969. For details, visit www.kingfisherfleet.com.

Pedal to the metal: Take Dad out to watch Thunder Trucks or Street Stocks at Charlotte County Motorsports Park. Join him for classes at the new kart racing school and finally settle the issue of who’s better behind the wheel. Race tickets are $20 for adults; great discounts for seniors, children and students. For more information, go to www.charlottecountyracing.com.

If your dad is more into show than speed, Charlotte Harbor’s latest and greatest museum, Muscle Car City, is the place to go. The museum highlights the “muscle cars” of the mid-60s to early '70s – the Pontiac GTOs, Corvettes, Oldsmobile Cutlass 442s and Camaros, just to name a few. The museum showcases nearly 200 vehicles, including a number of restored '56 Chevys and a complete line of Corvettes, plus a diner and driving memorabilia. (adults, $10) For more information, go to www.musclecarcity.net.

Baseball: The Charlotte Stone Crabs, the new High-A affiliate to the Tampa Bay Rays, play at the newly-renovated Charlotte Sports Park. While no games are held Father’s Day weekend, you can buy gift game tickets for $5 to $10 through September 6th. To make it extra-special, organize a group outing. A reserved-seating party for 20 or more includes a free Stone Crabs hat, hot dog, chips and drink for each person and other goodies. The ultimate splurge: an air-conditioned suite for 12 or more with a great view of the entire stadium below, and outside, private box seats. ($480 and up) Add catering for an affordable night of high-quality entertainment. Both packages can accommodate additional individuals. For more details, go to http://www.stonecrabsbaseball.com.

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A round of golf: Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is home to 20 golf courses, ranging from executive to championship levels. If you're having a difficult time picking one, the Charlotte Sun-Herald Readers’ Choice Award for best course in Charlotte County went to the Rotonda Golf & Country Club. ($24 and up, depending upon tee times and courses; visit http://www.charlotteharbortravel.com/cms/index.php?id=20)

Fishing: Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands offers nearly every kind of fishing imaginable: Deep-sea fishing, surfcasting; fly-fishing in saltwater and freshwater; back-bay fishing and kayak fishing. The waters range from fresh to brackish to salty, creating an ecosystem that supports

more than 300 species of fish, and there are plenty of guides who can give Dad a new angling experience. (free fishing at many parks and beaches; $150 and up for charters) For a list of fishing guides and other resources, visit http://charlotteharbortravel.com/cms/index.php?id=19

For additional ideas on planning the perfect getaway gift for Dad, visit www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com

About Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands

Located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is a charming collection of nine coastal communities surrounding the state’s second largest harbor. Florida’s premier year-round eco-tourism destination, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands offers a pristine unspoiled beauty that has served as the backdrop for seven major feature films as well as countless memorable vacations. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands was named to SAIL magazine’s “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” ranked by Golf Digest as “Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America,” and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in the South.” The city of Punta Gorda was named as one of “Top Ten Places to Retire Healthy” by U.S. News & World Report. Englewood, Fla. was just named as No. 2 of the Top Ten emerging travel destinations in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.com.