Florida

Friendly and vibrant, Sarasota is full of cultural treats waiting to be discovered. The enormous purple form of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall hides a wealth of world-class musicals, dance, comedy and plays. Don't miss the famous Ringling museum complex, with its art museum, lavish mansion and the circus gallery.

Sarasota is the city where golf was first introduced from Florida to Scotland, and the first golf course was laid in 1886. Today, you're never far from a golf course so it's easy to catch a round when the mood takes you.

Hit the beach at Siesta Key where the sand has an unusual sugary texture because it's made up of crushed quartz. Young, fun and laid back, Siesta Key has a distinctly party feel and is regularly packed out with thousands of partying sun worshippers. When night falls the main avenues on Siesta Key come alive to a party beat with some of the hippest folks in Sarasota.

But wherever you end up in the night, make sure you don't leave the beach before the sunset has thrown its glorious canopy of fiery reds, burnt oranges and glowing golds over the Gulf of Mexico.