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Anna Maria Island
In its early years, the only way to get to Anna Maria Island, on Florida's Gulf coast, was by boat. It wasn't until 1921 that the threetowns on the island, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and Anna Maria, were connected to the mainland. Now, although this seven-and-a-half-mile island is accessible via three different bridges, it is natural once over those bridges to feel you've gone back in time.

The friendly, easy-going residents and readily apparent Old Florida heritage of the island are reminiscent of a bygone era. This laid-back culture is both a natural by-product of the serene tropical environment as well as a deliberate effort by the local governments to preserve the natural and cultural richness of the island. Because strict zoning laws prohibit high-rise development, the entire island has just two structures with more than three stories.

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.

Bradenton Beach
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. Twelve miles of white sand beaches have helped to make this a luxury resort community.

A large number of its nearly 6,000 residents are retirees, who enjoy 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
Named "The Best Small City in the United States" by Money Magazine, Sarasota exudes an air of relaxed sophistication. The powder white sands of the keys attracted more visitors and they soon developed into rustic, laid-back beach communities. 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. To know still more about the city Mothering Magzine listed among the "top 25 places to raise a family", download a PDF, "Welcome to Sarasota!"

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.

Whether your visit is a few days or a few months, this 8-mile-long barrier island offers variety in accommodations, gourmet dining, shopping, fishing, boating and water sports. You can create the vacation of your dreams here. Siesta Key has something for everyone: it's a romantic getaway for lovers, family vacation destination and playground for active sports enthusiasts.

Night life runs from hot to cool, including funky beach bars, live music, European-style pubs and intimate cafes. Siesta Key is home to a thriving colony of artists and writers, and don't be surprised if you run into a celebrity or two -- everybody enjoys the island's friendly and laid-back ambiance. Championship golf courses are just minutes away, along with theater, ballet, opera, symphony, museums and more.

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.

For the more active visitor, 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.

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.