Fort Myers & Sanibel/Lee County Traveler's Guide 2008 - (Page 84) ®® D AY T R I P S ecause The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel is situated on Florida’s Southwest coast, it’s a prime location from which to G R E AT explore other destinations SIDE TRIPS nearby. Take a day to discover these tried-and-true neighboring attractions and destinations. B { } It was recently expanded to include the Tibbals Learning Center, and a space to house a 3,800-sq.-ft. miniature circus model. if you go A little more than an hour north of Fort Myers in Sarasota, the museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is $19 for adults, $6 for children 6 to 17; tours of Cà d’Zan are offered daily and are reserved at the time of ticket purchase. 941-359-5700, www.ringling.org. sarasota – a cultural gem T he John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is a cultural attraction that’s a testament to John Ringling of the famed Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and the legacy he left to his beloved city of Sarasota. Cà d’Zan, Ringling and his wife Mable’s dream palazzo on Sarasota Bay, forms one part of the museum, and is modeled after mag- Cà d’Zan in Sarasota nificent mansions in Venice, Italy. It contains collections of art and furniture the couple gathered from around the world. The 32-room mansion was recently renovated to the tune of $15 million, and is a stunning reminder of the opulence enjoyed by the rich and famous during the Gilded Age. The Museum of Art, another part of the complex, houses not only Old Masters paintings by Rubens and Van Dyck, but also contains a vast cache of Western and non-Western art. The Circus Museum tells the story of the greatest show on earth, with costumes, performer highlights and vintage equipment, including circus wagons. 84 naples – sophistication by the sea A shopper’s (and gourmet’s) paradise awaits in Old Naples, about 40 miles south of downtown Fort Myers. Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South are beautiful, pedestrian-friendly shopping areas that offer unique boutiques, fine art and collectibles, outdoor cafés and, in the case of Third Street South, a shopping concierge to help you plan your day. Fifth Avenue South features palm trees, wide sidewalks and Mediterraneaninspired architecture, as well as art galleries, clothing boutiques, restaurants Shopping in Naples PAGE http://www.ringling.org
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