Sarasota
is on the central
west coast of Florida, Its official limits include Sarasota Bay and several barrier
islands—some natural and some artificial—locally called keys, facing the Gulf of
Mexico. The coast of the Sarasota area also is known for its beaches, the most famous
being on Siesta Key, Lido Key, and Longboat Key.
Sarasota is steeped
in history and there are many museums and art galleries. Sarasota began to acquire
a reputation as an artists' colony in the early 1920s. In the years that followed,
artists of many disciplines, including writers, performers, musicians, and architects,
have been attracted to the community. Sarasota is the home of Florida West Coast
Symphony, founded by Ruth Cotton Butler in 1949, and its famous Sarasota Music Festival
which draws students, musicians, professors, and lovers of chamber music from around
the world for a three-week event of international importance; Sarasota Ballet; Sarasota
Opera; Florida Studio Theater, The Sarasota Players and numerous other musical,
dance, artistic, and theatrical venues.
St Armands Circle. This is one of the few places you will see a roundabout in the
US. It is a beautiful part of Sarasota on Lido key. There are shops and restaurants
here and it’s just a short walk to the beach. Here is a map of the shops.
More info can be found on the Perfect Florida Villas forums
or The Perfect Florida Guide