Sarasota

Ringling Museum housed within the 66-acre estate is the legacy of John Ringling (1866-1936) and his wife Mable Ringling (1875-1929). Great business tycoons and circus owners of their day. The Museum of Art, recognized as the state art museum of Florida, includes 21 galleries of internationally recognized European and American art with paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Poussin and other baroque masters. In addition, the estate encompasses Ca d'Zan, the recently restored 32 room Ringling mansion; the Circus Museum; the Original Asolo Theater, the Rose Garden and beautifully landscaped grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.

Mote Marine Aquarium has a shark tank, rays touch pool, manatees, sea turtles and more. 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. Tel: 941 388 4441.

Sarasota Jungle Gardens comprises tropical jungle trails, flamingos, alligators, bird and reptile shows and more. 3701 Bayshore Road, Sarasota. Tel: 941 355 5305

Gulfcoast Wonder & Imagination Zone is an interactive, hands on exhibits for all ages. 1001 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota. Tel: 941 301 GWIZ

Myakka State Park is a nearer alternative to the Everglades. Take a trip on one of Florida's biggest airboats and see aligators in the wild.

Everglades

Everglades east of Naples where you can experience the thrill of an airboat ride is the second largest national park (after Yellowstone). These massive wetlands - home of the endangered Florida panther and American crocodile - cover 2,200 square miles and shelter more than 600 types of fish and 300 bird species. It's land of Ten Thousand Islands holds one of the largest mangrove forests in the world which host wood storks, white pelicans, roseate spoonbills, ospreys, sanderlings, frigates, herons, bald eagles and other species both rare and common. In the water, dolphin come to feed, mullet jump, manatees mow the sea grasses and aligators ogle.