In Venice, the phrase "On the Island" is more than just directions to the Gulf of Mexico beaches of this intimate town. "On the Island" describes the dreamy, sun-kissed lifestyle you find here. Turn the wheel from the main throughfare, Tamiami Trail, and head over the Intracoastal Waterway on one of the three

Venice Little Theatre stages classic and contemporary plays, such as Into The Woods.

bridges that connect the Isle of Venice to the mainland. You're now on island time.

At the south end of the Island are the town's famous shark tooth-strewn beaches, including Caspersen Beach. The annual Sharks Tooth Festival is held each spring at the nearby Venice Municipal Airport, but no matter when you visit the beach, it's always a good time to search for the small, black, fossilized triangles.

Depending on whom you ask, seekers may want to scour the water's edge at low tide or the upper sandy reaches of the beach at high tide for the best treasure hunting. There are also diving charters that will take you offshore to search for larger teeth.

At Brohard Beach the Venice Municipal Pier stretches 700 feet into the Gulf. There is a live bait and tackle shop, and fishermen can cast a line here without a license.

At Venice's dog-friendly beach, near South Brohard Beach, pups of all shapes and barks bring their owners from dawn to dusk to play in the surf or sniff out new friends in the gated paw park area away from the beach.

Farthest north on the island and at the west end of Venice Avenue is Venice Beach, a certified Blue Wave beach. Enjoy a cup of coffee from the snack bar for less than a dollar under the quirky, airy pavilion that overlooks the surf, then head east on the tree and flower-lined avenue toward downtown.

This Florida MainStreet City is filled with more than just antiques stores, clothing boutiques and sundries (although you'll find more than enough to tickle your fancy). Restaurants are plentiful, there are coffee, wine and cigar bars and, of course, that post-beach favorite - an ice cream parlor. Historic preservation guidelines have ensured that the downtown area is as close to original as can be.

At the center of downtown children can play at Centennial Park's water fountains. The nearby gazebo is a popular picnic spot, and the Historic Train Depot is trailhead for the new Legacy Trail popular with cyclists.

On West Tampa Avenue, theater buffs can see a play at the Venice Little Theatre, where there's always a mix of contemporary and classic performances on stage.

Arts fans must stop in Clyde Butcher Gallery on Warfield Avenue, just over the Intracoastal. This is the famed Florida nature photographer's only location outside of the Everglades, which he has made famous in his black-and-white photography.

Whatever your desire, in Venice, it's On the Island.