Sarasota & Bradenton
South Gulf Coast of Florida

There is something to suit everyone in the Sarasota area of Florida - whether you are looking for white sandy beaches, art galleries or fine dining, you will find them here in abundance.

A CIRCUS TOWN…
It was in the early 1900s that circus master; John Ringling first discovered the beauty of the town of Sarasota. This was where his circus wintered and his influence remains today. He erected a fabulous villa named Ca d’Zan (House of John) in the style of an Italian palace and it is open to visitors as part of the Ringling Estates. There is also a circus museum - featuring memorabilia from the big top, photographs from the era and many of the costumes - art museum, theater and gardens. The present day Circus Sarasota carries on the tradition and circus skills are even taught in the local High Schools, with annual circus events taking place.

ART AND ANTIQUES…
There is still a distinct ‘arty’ feel to Sarasota - in fact it has long been considered as the cultural capital of Florida. There are all types of theater in the Theater and Arts District and on Main Street and Palm Avenue you will find plenty of art galleries and interesting restaurants. For the antique hunter, the Southside districts and Herald Square will be of particular interest.

SHOPPING AND AN EVENING CARRIAGE RIDE…
For other types of shopping, the renowned shopping center of St Armand’s Circle on Lido Key will not disappoint - here there is plenty of variety with more than 145 boutiques - including merchandise from Mondi, Tiffany & Co and Tommy Bahama - home and book stores. There are also some excellent restaurants and ice cream parlors. To finish the perfect day you can even take an evening horse-drawn carriage ride around the circle.

WILD LIFE ATTRACTIONS…
Lido Key is also home to the Mote Aquarium - a world-renowned research center for sharks, manatees and sea-turtles. You can go on a tour and see some of these magnificent creatures in the huge aquariums, learn about their environment and find out just how crucial the research work is for their future. Another popular family attraction is Sarasota Jungle Gardens - this is a magnificent jungle paradise, with a real feeling of being in an exotic wilderness. Bird lovers should go to Pelican Man’s Bird Sanctuary - one of the largest wildlife reserve and rehabilitation centers in the country - to see over 70 species of Florida’s native and migratory birds.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS AND INTERESTING BEACH TOWNS…
Outdoor activities in the area include water sports, fishing, tennis and golfing while the beautiful Myakka River State Park - Florida’s largest - is a favorite for hikers and bicyclists. Beach fans will have loads to choose from in this area. Holmes Beach is a good place to go for delicious dining experiences and in Anna Maria you will find some gorgeous old beach houses and good seafood eateries. Bradenton Beach is a classic beach town, full of character and also a town with an ’arty’ feel - its Village of The Arts is a place where artists live and sell their work. You will also find the South Florida Museum in Bradenton - the largest natural and cultural museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PAST…
For those keen to find out more about the past, historic Spanish Point will prove to be fascinating - this area was first inhabited over 4000 years ago and you can see a burial mound and two shell mounds containing evidence of how these early people lived. The 30-acre site also has a museum and Pioneer cemetery and re-enactments of historic events are often staged. If you are looking for even older history, Venice is famous for the fossilized, pre-historic sharks’ teeth that wash up on the beaches. This phenomenon and the town’s bounty of fish is celebrated each April by the Shark’s Tooth Seafood Festival.

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