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Siesta Key is a barrier island, eight miles long, just offshore of Sarasota, directly on the Gulf of Mexico. It has some of the world’s finest white sand beaches, with unique restaurants, resorts, shopping and nightlife.
Sail aboard a 41-ft sailing vessel past celebrities' homes, the new Ringling Causeway bridge and view the Sarasota skyline. Choose from fishing charters, boat or jet-ski rentals. Hire a bike, a surrey, a motor-scooter, or take a kayak eco-tour. Go para-sailing. Or just keep fit in a gym with daily, weekly or monthly rates. Take in a glorious sunset and dine out in a wide choice of bars and restaurants.

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All the information on the left and more, including money-off coupons, is also contained in the Sunny Day Guide of Sarasota. Pick up a copy when in town.

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There is also a guest book in the villa, which you will find on your arrival, that provides information on the many attractions of Sarasota and Orlando.

Alistair & Christine Smith
Green Acres
Sleights Lane, Kettlesing Harrogate
North Yorkshire HG3 2LE Great Britain

+44 (0)1423 771 524
mob:+44(0)7752 957282
or email using the form on the contact page

"This has to be the best rental villa we have visited in Sarasota, everything anyone could ever want and lovely location, restaurants, malls, beaches so easy to get to.
Thank you Christine you have thought of everything;
we will be back. 6 weeks of true bliss, back to the UK now"
Russ & Daphne

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Bobby Jones Golf Club
is a 45 hole municipal facility named for the legendary Robert Tyre Jones, Jr., who personally dedicated the facility on Sunday, February 13, 1927.
The original 18 holes were designed in 1926 by the famed course architect Donald Ross. Nine additional holes were constructed in 1952 and another nine were added in 1967. The John H. Gillespie Executive Course was completed in 1977.


C B's link thumbnailC.B.’s Saltwater Outfitters has been a Sarasota institution since 1959. Located on beautiful Siesta Key, C.B.’s offers exciting opportunities for fishing anglers of all levels. From Charters fishing to boat rentals for touring our beautiful Sarasota bays and miles of inter-coastal waterways.
C.B.’s features a full line of ORVIS endorsed outfitters clothing, and guide service. A wide variety of fishing equipment, outdoor clothing, tackle, live and frozen bait, boat rentals, Florida fishing licenses, beach gear, soda, beer, snacks, and ice.

circus sarasota link thumbnailFounded in 1997, Circus Sarasota is a not-for-profit performing arts educational organization, committed to broadening the artistic contribution of circus.
Known as the "Circus Capital of the World," Sarasota now claims its own one-ring, five star international circus.
Enriching, Educating, Entertaining. Serving the community through outreach and human service; fostering the tradition of the circus arts through educational programs and raising the awareness of the living circus through world-class performance. With matinées and evening shows, a great event for all the family.

spanish point link thumbnailHistoric Spanish Point. Discover a fascinating 30-acre museum overlooking beautiful Little Sarasota Bay in Osprey, Florida. Experience prehistory by stepping inside 'A Window to the Past', an archaeology exhibition about the gulf coast region’s earliest people. Be surrounded by a 15 foot high prehistoric shell mound called a midden.
Explore Florida’s pioneer life by touring a home built in 1901, a citrus packing house to learn about the produce of the Webb homestead, and the charming Mary’s Chapel where many couples have been married in the past and today.
Reflect on the early 1900s as you stroll through formal gardens created by Mrs. Potter Palmer as part of her winter estate. Interact with a working maritime heritage boatyard and take seasonal excursions on Magic, a reproduction of a 1906 motor launch.
Enjoy shaded nature trails through native plant communities and stunning views of Little Sarasota Bay from large boardwalks. Relax in a dazzling Butterfly Garden which boasts blooms year-round. Bring a picnic lunch and dine under the graceful branches of a large majestic Southern Magnolia.

ringling museum link thumbnailLocated on a 66-acre estate on Sarasota Bay, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art was established in 1927 and is now recognized as the official State Art Museum of Florida, offering 21 galleries of European paintings as well as Cypriot antiquities, Asian Art, American paintings, and contemporary art.
The estate features the spectacular Cà d'Zan ("House of John"), a waterfront mansion that was restored in 2002. The Circus Museums, including the Tibbals Learning Center, display the world's largest miniature circus, costumes, wagons, performance equipment, and other artifacts chronicling the history of the Circus. The estate also features Mable Ringling’s Rose Garden, completed in 1913, and beautifully landscaped grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.
The Museum offers numerous cultural and educational programs, including courtyard concerts, "Third Thursday" socials on Cà d’Zan's terrace, lectures, workshops, children’s programs, teacher training sessions, and public tours. The Museum also houses an art conservation laboratory, a 65,000 volume art library, and archives.
Included on the estate are the Treviso Restaurant, Banyan Café, two gift shops, and acres of parkland and gardens with banyan and palm trees among the wide variety of native and exotic plants.

legacy golf club link thumbnailLegacy Golf Club is an upscale, 18-hole championship daily fee course, different from anything found in the region. Offering a level of service and conditions found at world-class private facilities, this award-winning Arnold Palmer-signature designed course, managed by Troon Golf, has quickly earned its reputation as one of the premier courses in Southwest Florida. The impeccable service makes it a local favorite for visitors and residents. The course features elevated multiple tees, and virtually every hole is framed with sand and water. Click here to book your round of golf and experience Legacy for yourself!

marie selby link thumbnail The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida is perhaps best known for its living collection of more than 6,000 orchids.
The 9.5-acre bay front property is an open-air and under-glass museum of more than 20,000 colorful plants. Throughout the grounds of the historic Selby estate are many distinct garden areas, including the Tropical Display House with its lush rain forest atmosphere, the towering Bamboo Pavilion, Banyan Grove, Cactus and Succulent Garden and Cycad Collection. Also on the grounds is the former Christy Payne Mansion, a unique example of eclectic Southern Colonial architecture. The Mansion, on the National Register of Historic Places, is the home to ever-changing botanical art and photography exhibits.
Children will delight in our indoor “rainforest,” brilliant dart frog collection, and our gardens abundant with tropical flora and fauna.

marina jack link thumbnailWelcome aboard the Marina Jack II! Sarasota’s newest and most luxurious dinner boat. Join us for a relaxing cruise through the inter-coastal waters and the Gulf of Mexico and enjoy delicious dining, outstanding views, and world class service. Our air conditioned salons and open air outside deck will provide you with the best way to enjoy the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. On the Marina Jack II every seat is a window seat! What better way to enjoy water-front dining than to be on the water! Each day you can choose from a lunch buffet featuring Grilled Chicken Alfredo and Catch of the Day or our Captain Jack’s Prime Rib & Special Entree dinner buffet. While dining, enjoy playful dolphins, warm sunshine, and relaxing breezes.

mote marine laboratory link thumbnailFrom humble beginnings in a shed in a small Florida town, Mote Marine Laboratory has grown to include a 10.5-acre campus in Sarasota.
From the original focus on sharks, Mote research has expanded to include seven major areas of concentration, organized into seven research centers, and operates a public aquarium that serves nearly 400,000 visitors a year.

Myakka State Park logoMyakka River State Park is one of Florida's oldest and largest state parks. The "Florida Wild and Scenic Myakka River" flows through 57 square miles of wetlands, prairies and woodlands. Myakka is popular for hiking, fishing, camping, and wildlife observation.
sarasota bay eco-tours link thumbnailSarasota Bay Explorers Eco-Tours
Looking for an exciting, hands-on, educational and FUN experience on the water? We've got it!
We are located in beautiful Sarasota, and work in conjunction with Mote Marine Laboratory to provide interactive marine science boat trips for both public and private use. We offer several types of eco-tours including our renowned Sea Life Encounter Cruise, Guided Kayak Tours, Nature Safari and private charters aboard the Miss Explorer.

classic car museum link thumbnailThe Sarasota Classic Car Museum opened its doors to the public in February of 1953. Although the SCCM has changed ownership over the years it has operated continuously and now enjoys the recognition of being one of the oldest car museums in the world. It features a “living” collection of over 100 automobiles, spanning over a century of manufacturing. We have John Lennon’s Mercedes Roadster, Paul McCartney's Mini Cooper and a dragster belonging to Don Garlits among our favorite treasures.
In addition to our extensive auto display, the Museum also has an Antique Game Arcade we invite everyone to enjoy. The games are operational and cost just a few cents to play. Smaller exhibits can be found throughout the Museum and Gift shop, also, such as the Antique Camera and Photograph Display.

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Sarasota Golf Club is a championship course that winds through mature trees in a very natural Florida setting. Variety is the dominant theme in the design of the course, with a nice balance of long holes and short holes.
The club features a full practice range, a golf shop, and an informal grill room that offers some of the friendliest service in Sarasota.
Sarasota Golf Club is locally owned and operated by Keith Pope, PGA & Ingrid Pope


jungle gardens link thumbnailSarasota Jungle Gardens is one of the oldest continuously operating attractions in the State of Florida. Opened to the public in 1940, the “Gardens” has retained its old Florida charm and very little has changed over the past sixty-eight years.
The Gardens feature 10 acres of lush tropical vegetation, winding jungle trails and entertaining, educational bird and reptile shows twice daily. The “Kiddie Jungle” features a tree house, haunted tree, tiger swings, slide and a custom wooden train for the children to play on. The Flamingo Café serves delicious sandwiches, ice cream and snacks, or you can bring your own picnic lunch and dine alfresco on one of the many picnic tables that are available! Your visit isn't complete without feeding our “free roaming” American Flamingos!

myakka wildlife tours link thumbnailMyakka Wildlife Tours at the Myakka River State Park. Come aboard one of the world's two largest covered air boats, the "Myakka Maiden" or the "Gator Gal" for a scenic cruise on the Upper Myakka Lake. These air-powered vessels venture into the shallow, grassy areas where traditional crafts of such size wouldn't dare to go. The leisurely ride is so safe and smooth you'll have no problem taking photographs to bring home.
Or take the special "Tram Safari" into the back country of Myakka River State Park. Discover what makes the Myakka unique among America's freshwater lakes.

 

 

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