Known for our white sand beaches and vast cultural attractions, Sarasota has once again been included in AmericanStyle Magazine’s annual list of Top 25 Small Cities for Art in America. The city’s uniqueness and commitment to the arts were just a couple of the reasons why we rose from number 11 last year to number 4 this year. Here’s to #1 next year!!! To view the AmericanStyle Magazine Top...

This weekend is sure to be filled with fun! Not only are we expecting gorgeous and sunny weather, perfect for a day at the beach, but it is also Mother’s Day weekend. Here’s a quick run down of what’s happening this weekend in our area: -Friday 5/7 Palm Avenue First Friday Walk - Downtown Saraota (6pm):  Enjoy gallery openings, dining, antiques, specialty shops and live performances as member...

TripAdvisor.com just named Anna Maria Island, Florida one of the top 10 most romantic destinations in the world! Ranked alongside notoriously romantic loactions, including Paris, Praque and Maui, our small beach town is now an up and coming hot spot for couples seeking a private, tanquil getaway or even a beach wedding. Picturesque sunsets, long walks on the white sand beaches, romantic waterfront restaurants...

This weekend hold’s one of the area’s most exciting food and wine events - Forks & Corks! Jan. 29 - Feb. 1, festival goers will be able to experience an array of palate-pleasing meals from 45 local restaurants and sample wines from visiting winery owners from across the world. Weekend events are as follows: Jan. 29 & 30 - Winemaker and Brewmaster Events at Participating Local Restaurants...

Longboat Key is a town rich in history and located on the west coast of Florida, bordering on both Manatee and Sarasota counties.   Longboat Key’s history dates back to the 1500s, when historians say members of the Calusa and Timucan Indian tribes vacationed here. During this time, the Gulf of Mexico was six feet lower than it is today!   Over 300 years later, the area was settled by pioneers, who were given...

COMBINING THE JOYS OF THE GULF WITH THE CHALLENGES OF GOLF Written By: Maureen Florio   Most of our guests to Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key long for the warmth of the sun and beaches of the Gulf of Mexico particularly during the cold, dreary and long months of any given Winter Season.  Relaxing on the pristine beaches along the Gulf of Mexico is the perfect way to forget those cold days and make you the...

On yesterday’s Today Show, Barbara Corcoran, real estate correspondent for the Today Show told Al Roker in an interview that Sarasota, Florida is “one of the top 10 places to buy a home today!” Citing the area’s beautiful beaches, vast cultural and art opportunities, and big-city feel, Ms. Corcoran said prices have stabilized in Sarasota after a huge drop and are on the way back up. In fact,...

Explore the secrets of the sea through touch pools, viewable-working labs and high-tech interactive exhibits that showcase the world-renowned research of Mote Marine Laboratory. See sharks, dolphins, manatees and sea turtles, along with more than 100 other species of marine life. Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is a not-for-profit research and educational institution open to the public 365 days a year....

Sea shells are by far the most sought after treasure for the beachcomber and Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key offer an abundance of unique and beautiful shells.   Experienced beachcombers know to look for shells at low tide and after storms or unusually strong tides. All beaches have shells, but some of the best beaches in Florida for consistently productive shelling are located in southwest Florida, on...

 Red tide, a naturally occurring phenomenon, is a high concentration of a microscopic alga in the water. Learn all about this occurrence, its side effects and how it impacts your vacation time in Florida!     1.      What is red tide? Red tide occurs when there is a high concentration of a microscopic alga in the water. In Florida, the species of algae that causes most red tides is called Karenia brevis....