2018

Remember to respect the Florida wildlife and native sea life and keep a safe distance when viewing them in their natural habitats.

Alligators

Alligator season peaks in May. Alligators live in most of Florida's ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. The height of alligator mating season is in May, when mature male gators often find their way into residential pools in search of female gators. They're plentiful and feisty this time of year, so give them plenty of space. Always stay clear of baby alligators, whose mothers are often close by.

Sarasota County is a beautiful place, ripe with things to enjoy such as arts and culture, fine restaurants and romantic beaches. With a mix of residents from all over the country and the world, Sarasota County is a open and diverse atmosphere. It is an excellent place for the LGBT traveler to experience the beauty of an arts destination, chill vibe of community boasting some of the best beaches in the world, and much more. 

If you want top-of-the-line, more-bang-for-your-buck, you may as well go with No. 1.

It's that time of year again—time for family vacations, reunions and weddings. And there's no better place to host a family getaway than the beach. It has something for everyone: natural playgrounds of water and sand, miles of seashells, seafood restaurants galore, surf shops and souvenirs, tiki bars and live music. Thing is, which beach is best?

Florida agriculture has developed its niche by bringing early season blueberries to market. Learn about where you can purchase and pick blueberries in the area.

A trek through the mangrove tunnels of Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach Nature Park gives kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders unique routes for exploring a unique ecosystem

"Aaah! I almost just bit it! I was dodging that branch and almost fell right off!" Cue incessant giggling, leading to further instability. I wish I could say it was one of my kids who claimed this prime example of agility and grace, but, alas, it was I.

Find Inspiration for Your Special Day

I'm at marks the end of my 21-day clean eating challenge. I gave up processed food, caffeine, alcohol and sugar which is hard when there are so many great places to eat and grab a drink in Sarasota County.  Luckily for me, I didn't have to look far to find places where I could honor my challenge and still get a healthy bite to eat without sacrificing flavor.  Here are a couple of my go-to favorites:

Numerous no. 1 beach rankings and a new reality TV show on MTV — read more on Siesta Key’s fine white sand, turquoise green waters and fabulous sip-and-savor locales.

There truly is no place like Siesta Key.

Check out restorative ways to relax and unwind while visiting Sarasota County.

"Om" is the word representing an ancient sound or vibration that is often chanted as a mantra in yoga sessions. The rhythmic aural sensation is believed to touch a deeper chord within our souls reflecting a universal synchronicity connecting humanity to nature. Consider the peaceful feeling you get when experiencing waves lapping onto the beach, a sunrise, a sunset and even the ebb and flow of ocean tides. It's as if the rhythm of nature has melded into our beating hearts.