Sarasota

Sarasota - a Waterfront Paradise - A sophisticated yet laid back city, elegant, fun-loving and dedicated to the arts.

A beautiful bay awaits where resident dolphins play and swaying palm tree line quiet streets leading to diversions of live theatre, world class shopping and the white sandy beaches of sun-drenched islands that stretch along the sea-green Gulf of Mexico. On these islands, it's a tradition to arrive for sunset a bit early for evening walks or just to relax on beach towels. Others gather to practice juggling, ride unicycles or strum guitars. All celebrate the unexcelled views of a the sun melting into the gulf.

From antique cars to a year round spring with 87 degree waters, Sarasota has a variety of attractions appropriate for family enjoyment. Visitors to the area can visit Mote Marine Laboratory, G-WIZ ( Gulfcoast Wonder & Imagination Zone), Historic Spanish Pointe, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota Jungle Gardens and more. Sarasota was home to the first golf course in the state of Florida and today there are more than 1,000 holes at public, semi-private and private courses in Sarasota County.

Sarasota is recognised as Florida's Cultural Coast and is home to a professional symphony, ballet and opera. In addition more than 10 theatres, 20 cinema screens and 30 art galleries are located in the city. The John& Mable Ringling Museum of Art is Florida's State Museum and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, known for its architecture and great acoustics, seats 1700 people and features a dazzling season of shows and programms for all ages.

Sarasota boasts some of the best shopping experiences in this part of Florida, from the 'Sarasota Square Shopping Mall' which has department stores and individual shops to the sophisticated and elegant 'St Armands Circle' an island paradise reached via a bridge from the city centre, set amidst a tropical paradise, St Armands is an enchanting circle of fine shops and gourmet restaurants with a continental flair, sit and watch the world go by at one of the sidewalk (pavement) cafe's, experience the ambiance of exotic lands and far away places, fulfill your shopping passions with fashion elegance, fine collectables, antiques, crystal, china and precious gems.

Whatever your heart desires you don't have to travel far to find the finest things in life, they are all here in this sophisticated clean city by the sea.