As a top Florida destination, Sarasota is truly a masterpiece of both the Gilded Age and contemporary times. It combines stunning architecture and top cultural institutions -- some of which are the legacy of early 20th-century philanthropists like circus magnate John Ringling and his wife, Mable -- with a contemporary creative spirit and beautiful coastal surroundings. While Southwestern Florida makes a determined recovery from recent hurricane activity, Sarasota County's communities, which largely escaped the worst of the storm, have been steadily reopening as safety precautions allow. It is now time to put Sarasota back on your radar as the perfect travel recommendation for your discerning clients -- couples, groups and families! Read on to see more of what it offers.

Sarasota has been graced with architectural marvels from the Gilded Age (the economic boom years from the late 1800s through the 1920s), one of which is C¨¤ d'Zan, modeled on the palaces of Venice, Italy, and constructed by John Ringling as a love letter to his wife. There's also the lavish John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, which houses the couple's paintings and art objects. Since the time of the Ringlings, Sarasota has become one of few regions in the U.S. to have developed its own building style -- the Sarasota School of Architecture, which makes use of prevailing breezes, sunlight exposures and tropical landscaping, lending simple elegance to the region's neighborhoods.

The Ringling's philanthropy and love of the arts set a trend in Sarasota for embracing culture. The county is now home to many art galleries as well as venerable performing arts and music institutions. Some of these include nearly a dozen theater companies (professional as well as amateur), the Sarasota Ballet, the Sarasota Orchestra, the Venice Symphony and the Sarasota Opera. Bolstering these institutions' calendar of events are a host of festivals celebrating everything from film to jazz to sidewalk chalk art.

As a form of entertainment, the circus in the U.S. has evolved, and its past, present and future are explored at numerous attractions throughout Sarasota: The Circus Arts Conservatory (which comprises Circus Sarasota, Sailor Circus Academy and Laughter Unlimited), Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary, and the Circus Ring of Fame, which is located in a large park on Armand Circle, where plaques pay tribute to some of the industry's greatest performers and innovators.

Depending on your clients' length of stay, they will find interesting opportunities to express their creativity. For example, both the Englewood Art Center and the Art Center Sarasota provide classes and workshops to visitors -- the latter also offering exhibitions of local artists and opportunities to meet with them. Amateur theater groups might be worth checking out for clients spending a season in the area, while children with high energy may be good candidates for drop-in classes at the Circus Arts Conservatory.

It pretty much goes without saying that Florida's western coast has beautiful beaches, and those around Sarasota receive an especially good amount of attention. Siesta Beach -- on Siesta Key -- with its white-quartz sand and clear blue water, is frequently ranked among the best in the U.S. and world, and it's also the site of the Crystal Classic Sand Sculpting Contest, which yields museum-quality works of art during its 24-hour duration. Meanwhile, Venice has been named one of the Happiest Seaside Towns in America, and Venice Municipal Beach is a designated Blue Wave Beach, having met the environmental and safety requirements set forth by the Clean Beaches Coalition.

The warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the lush greenery of Sarasota's coastal areas set the stage for great outdoor fun, from fishing to kayaking to hiking or biking. Birdwatching is especially rewarding, with many varieties of herons and egrets as well as eagles and glossy ibises making their home here. Your outdoor-loving clients will find a great selection of park trails, nature preserves, waterways and mangrove tunnels to pursue their interests.

The first golf holes were built in Sarasota County back in 1886 by John H. Gillespie, and today the area has around 35 courses, including public, private and semi-private facilities. Many are on natural terrain affording beautiful vistas as well as a variety of challenging surfaces on which to play. Check out top resorts with their own courses or look for lodging options that offer golf packages.

Sarasota attracts chefs dedicated to their art, and their passion for food is palpable in the area's many award-winning restaurants. Eateries range from casual to fine dining, and so there's something to please everyone. As for libations, Sarasota boasts five establishments on the Gulf Toast's list of breweries, distilleries and wineries, and your clients can be assured of having excellent craft beers, rums, vodkas and wines to try.

Sarasota County encompasses Sarasota, Longboat Key, Lido Key, Manasota Key, Siesta Key, Casey Key, Englewood, Nokomis, North Port, Osprey and Venice -- each with its own vibe and treasures to discover, including a wide variety of festivals, restaurants and activities. Learn more about these areas and all of Sarasota's top offerings by going to the Sarasota Specialist Program at TravelAgentAcademy.com. It's time to unite -- or reunite -- your clients with a destination that brims with inspiration and fun!