Travel Eye on Sarasota (Florida, USA)

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Overview:

Sarasota's popularity as a tourist destination dates back to the start of the twentieth century, when John Ringling , the legendary circus impresario chose the resort on the Florida Coast as the ideal place in which to allow his performers to rest and recover from a hard season over the winter months. The small town on the Florida Coast soon overtook nearby Bradenton is a place to see the sun over the cooler months, and people from all over the USA began to gravitate towards Sarasota in increasing numbers.

It goes without saying that Sarasota has a number of excellent golf courses up to PGA standard; it is in Florida after all.

Sarasota itself is the cultural capital of the W coast, with thriving opera, ballet and theatre companies, a world-renowned art school and impressive museums, antique and art galleries. Sarasota has benefited from a two-year renovation that has transformed the centre into a clean and eminently walkable section which is busy and thriving.

The area is Middle to upmarket, with the accommodation being a wide choice, from apartments to good hotels.

Shoppping is excellent in downtown Sarasota, all types of merchandise is available. Upmarket shops and boutiques at St Armands Circle.

Locality:

Sarasota is locaed in the SE United States, on the Gulf of Mexico, halfway down Florida State's SW coast. It is 250 mls NW of Miami and its international airport, 55 mls S of Tampa and its international airport, 130 mls SW of Orlando and Sarasota-Bradenton Airport (flights from Miami) is about 3¾ mls N.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Sarasota contains some of Florida's best public beaches. Lido Beach is a 2-ml stretch of soft white sand, lifeguards on duty at various points.

The beaches on Longboat Key are less accessible to the public, as many are closed off by the large swanky condominium complexes fronting them.

Siesta Key boasts mls of fine white powdery sand beach on its W coast, most of which is public. They still talk about winning the 1987 "International Sand Contest" against several exotic Caribbean destinations.

Daytime offers several public and private golf courses. Two hotels, the Colony and the Resort at Longboat Key Club, have exceptionally good tennis facilities for guests. Public swimming pool with changing facilities, food and bar opposite the main beach at Lido Beach. Deep-sea fishing charters leave from Sarasota's bayfront marina, concessionaires offer water sports, including jet-skis, windsurfing, parasailing, small sailing craft, kayaks and aquacycles.

At the S end of Lido Beach is S Lido Park with picnic sites and a nature trail. Circus Sarasota performs each weekend during the winter season

Nightlife on the island resort areas, is usually limited to dining out, often in the open air. A good selection of restaurants can be found at St Armands Circle, but relatively expensive, as is downtown Sarasota. Taking an after-dinner stroll or window-shopping. More life with clubs, bars and discos in downtown Sarasota.

Local excursions include:

The John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art,

the sculpture garden,

its genuine Italian Asolo theatre and the circus museum in its lovely grounds.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has orchid exhibits; Sarasota Jungle Gardens feature reptiles and tropical birds, a children's play area and petting zoo. Bell's Cars and Music of Yesterday has antique cars and music boxes.

Bay cruises; daytime, sunset or dinner cruises.

The Mote Marine Aquarium has a shark tank, local sea life and 2 manatees in a huge tank for easy viewing.

Pelican Man's bird sanctuary is filled with native and migratory birds.

Cabins and nature trails are available at Myakka State Park, 15 mls SE of Sarasota.