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set on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and sheltered by several barrier islands, Florida's Sarasota entertains her visitors with pristine beaches, rich history and a passion for performance.
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Before European settlers first rolled their wagons into Sarasota, many native tribes, including the Colusa, Toca Baga and Tim Kwon people thrived off the bounty of this land and its waters.
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The city of Sarasota was established when a band of Scottish pioneers made this Bayside area of the Sunshine State their home in 18 86.
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As the colony thrived, it caught the eye of one of the brothers behind the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus, otherwise known as the Greatest Show on Earth.
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After making his fortune in the circus business and becoming one of the wealthiest men in America, John Ringling and his wife, Mable, made Sarasota their winter home in the early 20th century.
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Their influence in real estate and tourism was the catalyst that caused the sleepy Bayside town to grow into a dazzling vacation destination.
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The eccentric millionaires purchased a 66 acre estate in North Sarasota on which to build their dream home.
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Spend a day or two exploring the vast complex now known as the Ringling, to discover the impact this family had on the city.
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Step into the circus Kings Bay Front mansion.
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The Kazan, or House of John, is a magnificent ode to Gothic Venetian architecture and stands as a shining example of the unbridled extravagance of the Roaring twenties.
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A ziff.
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Their palatial mansion wasn't enough.
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The Ringling's also raised an immense art museum to house their considerable collection.
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Wander the 21 galleries whose walls are adorned with pieces spanning culture and time.
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The estate is a carnival of art architecture.
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ER and, of course, performance in the Circus Museum be ushered into a nostalgic world of theatrics, with countless exhibits showcasing all the magic of the Big Top.
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Yeah, the Thieves celebration of spectacle is taken to even greater heights at the A Solo Repertory Theater, also on the Ringling estate.
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Besides, they're spectacular property.
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The Ringling's always traveled in style from the estate.
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Make your way to the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, where the family's collection of Rolls Royce autos pack a thrilling performance under the Bonnet.
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John and Mabel's Legacy had a lasting impact on the culture of this city.
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Head downtown and take a tour of the city's many performing arts centers, which proved that in Sarasota the show must always go on.
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Sarasota's natural gifts have long played center Stage two explore a colorful pageant of lush tropical rainforest, desert cacti and everything in between at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
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Sarasota's big skies, natural splendor and Bayside breezes provide the perfect backdrop for the city's never ending parade of innovative shops.
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Bars and restaurants call into Drum Circle Distillery, where daring distillers walk the high wire between tradition and new flavors.
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Follow the John Ringling Causeway across the bay to ST Armand's Key, one of the fabulous barrier islands that shelters the shoreline of Sarasota.
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Spend a morning shopping, dining and relaxing in the cosmopolitan ST Armand's circle.
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Then continue exploring the keys of Sarasota Bay.
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Mosey over to Lido Keys Aquarium and enjoy the show, put on by cheeky otters hypnotizing schools of fish and blooms of dancing sea jellies.
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Yeah, after being entertained by some of the oceans, best performers follow the warm, briny breezes to Lido Beach, grab a front row seat to some of America's clearest waters and spend an afternoon relaxing to the nonstop rhythms of the sea.
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Okay, Make your way south to Siesta Key to witness one of Mother Nature's finest magic acts Here on the public beach, the white quartz sand stays cool and comfy underfoot, even on the most scorching days.
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The magic continues in the many restaurants of Siesta Key Village, where mountains of seafood will appear and disappear before your very eyes.
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Sunning herself on Florida's sparkling Gulf Coast, Sarasota has been enthralling visitors since the early 20th century, and now she's calling you.
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So roll up, Roll up to the Circus city, where generations of performers and the greatest performer of all Mother Nature come together in a vacation double act like no other on Earth, yeah!
