Gulf Coast

Anna Maria Island
Many years ago the only way to get to Anna Maria Island, on Florida's Gulf coast, was by boat. It wasn't until 1921 that the three towns on the island, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and Anna Maria, were connected to the mainland. Now this seven-and-a-half-mile island is accessible via three different bridges.Surrounded completely by beaches, the three towns are part of an island-wide program to replenish and protect the coastline from erosion. The beaches provide spectacular vistas and are home to exotic wildlife that beguile vacationers and residents alike.

Beaches on Anna Marie Island
Holmes Beach, the largest of Anna Maria Island's three municipalities, is located between the towns of Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria. The community hosts many of the island's fine dining establishments, lodgings and shopping centers to delight your palette and soothe your soul. With tasty international cuisine prepared by chefs recognized locally and internationally, meals range from elegant to affordable, and always include a free view of one of Florida's famous Gulf sunsets.

Water-based activities abound - swimming, jet skiing, sailing, parasailing, or fishing can easily be a part of a day's itinerary and boat rentals are readily available to fit a variety of watercraft desires. The landlubber might choose a scenic picnic on either the bay or Gulf side of the island, a leisurely bicycle ride, a trolley trip to nearby St. Armand's Circle in Sarasota, or simply a barefoot walk in the powdery white sand along the shore. The cultural and recreational offerings of Bradenton and Sarasota await just across the bay, while the attractions of St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Orlando are all a short drive away.

Longboat Key
The island of Longboat Key lies between the Gulf and Sarasota Bay and is claimed by both Manatee and Sarasota counties. There are twelve miles of white sand beaches along with the island's championship golf course and tennis club, and its fine dining and shopping. Longboat Key is an elegant and scenic environment offering a rare combination of breathtaking beaches and cultural activities with a relaxed and elegant lifestyle.

Sarasota
Sarasota exudes an air of relaxed sophistication. The powder white sands of the keys attract visitors making this a laid-back beach community. With a cultural calendar that rivals that of any metropolis, Sarasota boasts several world-class museums and arts venues. A beautiful Italian Renaissance villa-turned-art-museum, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art houses one of the most comprehensive collections of Baroque paintings, plus exquisite 17th-century tapestries.

Sarasota is also rich in lush natural beauty. The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, set on Sarasota's sparkling bay, is an orchid research center with beautiful and bountiful grounds that showcase these and other exotic blooms. Displays at the Mote Marine Aquarium are a means to explain the work of Mote scientists to visitors and to encourage an understanding and appreciation of the aquatic environment. The lab is world renowned for its scientific research, particularly research on sharks and the assessment of environmental pollutants. The Gulf Coast Heritage Trail, the state's first eco-tourism trail, winds through Sarasota County.

Sarasota offers water sports, fishing and tennis galore, along with many excellent golf courses. A municipal baseball stadium is used for spring training by the Cincinnati Reds. Nearby Myakka River State Park, Florida's largest, offers sun-dappled rivers and cypress-studded paths for hikers and bicyclists. So just kick back, relax and let your cares dissolve in Florida's premier west coast paradise.

Siesta Key
Siesta Key is renowned for its ribbon of sugary beaches, some of the widest and most popular in the country. Since the 1987 "Great International White Sand Challenge," the sugar fine sand here has been officially top rated every year. Independent judges selected Siesta Key's sand over 29 other entries, including the Bahamas and Grand Cayman, as the whitest and most powdery sand in the world. Siesta Village is a vibrant area filled with boutiques and eateries. Bright umbrellas dot the casual outdoor cafés and in-line skaters and bicyclists share the sidewalks with those strolling through this lackadaisical community. Board one of the colorful Siesta Key trolleys for an overview of this beautiful barrier island.

Beautiful Siesta Key on the Gulf of Mexico is blessed with wonderful beaches, including Crescent Beach, rated "The World's Finest, Whitest Sand" in the Great International Sand Challenge.

Lido Key
Besides sparkling beaches, Lido Key also boasts St. Armands Circle, a European-flavoured outdoor shopping area. Here more than 145 exclusive shops and boutiques carry quality merchandise from Mondi, Tiffany & Co. and Tommy Bahama. Several fine restaurants and ice cream parlors also line the circle. A horse-drawn carriage ride around the circle is the perfect evening treat.

Venice
One of the few cities on Florida's West Coast without a barrier island, the soft white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico form the western boundary of Venice. Fourteen miles (22.5 km) of beaches from Casey Key to Manasota Key offer unparalleled recreational opportunities including swimming, sunbathing, fishing and boating. Shelling is also a favourite pastime, and fossilized sharks teeth can be found in abundance by sifting through the sand. Golfers enjoy excellent courses in the greater Venice area.