[[{“value”:” If you’re looking to pick your next vacation destination, then look no further than Sarasota, Florida. This Southwest Florida coastal town has culture, beauty, and an abundance of vacation rentals so you can enjoy your stay in style. Here are just a few reasons to fall in love with Sarasota, Florida. 1. Sarasota is in a prime location  You’re about two hours from Orlando if you want to hit the theme parks, 90 minutes from ritzy Naples, and about an hour from Tampa. 2. Sarasota’s beaches are award-winning.  Ever heard of Siesta Key? Not only is “Siesta Key” the name of an MTV reality show, but Siesta Key Beach also has been named as a #1 beach by both Dr. Beach and TripAdvisor and a #11 beach in the world by TripAdvisor. You can credit its quartz sand and turquoise water for these high honors. 3. If you enjoy the arts, you’ll never run out of things to do. Sarasota is sometimes called the Cultural Coast because it has so many theaters, art galleries, and museums.  4. Speaking of museums, Sarasota is home to The Ringling.  The Ringling is a world-class museum with European and Asian art as well as a circus museum. Why a circus museum? As you may have guessed by its name, The Ringling was the former property of circus magnate John Ringling. He and his wife Mable owned Ca’D’Zan, which also is part of The Ringling campus. It’s a must-see. 5. One of Florida’s most... Read More

 [[{“value”:” The turquoise waters of Bradenton Beach make for an ideal Florida beach vacation, but did you know that there are several great beaches to explore near Bradenton Beach? The popular Southwest Florida area of Bradenton and Sarasota is home to miles of inviting coastline, with many of the beaches near Bradenton Beach.  Here are the 10 best beaches in the Bradenton Beach area. 1. Bradenton Beach Of course, we have to list Bradenton Beach! This calm, family-friendly location has an “Old Florida” feel as its lower-rise homes, vacation rentals, and apartments along with several stores and restaurants. If you stay in Bradenton Beach, you are literally just steps away from some of the best beach experiences in Florida. 2. Coquina Beach A short walk or drive away from Bradenton Beach is Coquina Beach. This is a larger beach area compared with Bradenton Beach and has ample parking and more crowds.  Coquina Beach has a refreshment stand and playground. You can also enjoy the Beach Market at Coquina Beach, an outdoors market held most months of the year. 3. Anna Maria Island For another Old Florida feel, you’re only a free trolley ride away from Anna Maria Island, home to two iconic piers and some charming shopping and restaurants. There are several public access beach areas on Anna Maria Island.  4. Holmes Beach Located on Anna Maria Island, Holmes Beach is where you’ll find a large public beach area with a restaurant (try pancakes with a beach view!), retail shop,... Read More

 [[{“value”:” Enjoying fun in the sun is never in short supply in the St. Pete, Florida. With numerous vacation rentals to offer in the area and literally hundreds of things to do, it’s no wonder that St. Petersburg is a premier vacation destination. If you’re looking to focus on beach time, then check out our list of the best beaches in the St. Pete area. Best Beaches in the St. Pete: 1. St. Petersburg Beach St. Pete’s namesake beach has gained national attention, thanks to TripAdvisor naming it the #2 beach in the U.S. in 2020. At beautiful St. Pete Beach, you can catch some rays and enjoy both smaller storefronts for shopping along with newer, bigger stores and attractions. 2. Fort Desoto State Park From beachy views to nature trails and history, Fort Desoto has got it all. This popular state park also has ferries that visit Shell Key and Egmont Key, perfect for shelling, sand dollar hunting, and a somewhat more remote beach experience. 3. Clearwater Beach Named the #1 beach in the U.S. in 2019 by TripAdvisor, Clearwater Beach remains popular and gorgeous. Find action on this beach no matter what time of day you visit, and enjoy the sunset view on Pier 60. Arrive early if you can for best parking. 4. Sand Key Park In the Clearwater Beach area, Sand Key Park offers similar scenic views but fewer crowds than Clearwater. Take advantage of the jetty, nature trail, playground, and dog park for your canine... Read More