Squeals and shrieks ring out along the beach as a group of youngsters races across the sand and splash into the sea. The scene is one of pure joy – a children’s paradise. Welcome to the west coast of Florida! Forget Orlando with it’s theme parks and man-made attractions and Miami with its hectic pace – this part of the Sunshine State has all families could ever want. And here kids really do go free!

Just two hours from Orlando, the coastline around Sarasota is a wonderful antidote to the stress of everyday life. Its idyllic barrier islands offer endless stretches of snow-white sand, fringed by the warm turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Add to this mix plenty of sun and heaps of activities for all ages, and you have the perfect holiday destination for families. The beaches are gently sloping and the water is shallow and safe. You can swim, sail, dive and go dolphin-watching or shell-collecting – and all in almost year-round sunshine. And if you can’t really manage without a theme park, the amazing Busch Gardens – part rollercoaster fun, part safari adventure – is just an hour away. Tempted? Come and jump right in!

THE BEST IN BEAUTIFUL BEACHES
You don’t have to be Einstein to see the biggest attraction on Florida’s Gulf Coast – its beaches are magnificent. The best ones are on the barrier islands, or keys as they are known, that separate Sarasota from the Gulf. From the powder-soft tip of Anna Maria Island in the north to the sun-bleached, shell-strewn beach of Manasota Key further south, this 35-mile-long chain has some of the finest beaches in the world.

There are so many of them that they are rarely busy, even at the height of peak season. And if you visit in summer, which is low season in Florida, you can expect to have some of them all to yourself. Cortez Beach in Bradenton is a great spot to throw down your towel, as is Lido Key. Anna Maria Island has a feel of Cornwall about it with long strips of pristine white sand to laze on. But the very best of the best, officially speaking, are the dazzling white stretches of Siesta Key. In 1987 Siesta Public Beach won the Great International Beach Challenge – a title that still stands – beating the Bahamas and Grand Cayman to boast the whitest and most powdery sand in the world. It’s the kind you want to dig your toes into – the fine texture means it stays cool to the touch even on the hottest days of the year. There’s a reason Florida’s known as the Sunshine State. For at least 300 days of the year the west coast basks in glorious sunshine. Between the months of November and May temperatures range between 23C to 28C (73F to 83F). During the summer it averages 33C (91F) but the cooling breezes make it more comfortable than Miami and southern Florida.

WONDROUS WILDLIFE
If the heat does get to you, however, cool off with a dip in the Gulf of Mexico or better still, hop aboard a yacht for a cruise off the barrier islands. If you’re lucky, a pod of dolphins many join you and swim alongside. To see more wildlife, strap on a mask and some flippers and jump overboard. Beneath the surface the warm waters of the Gulf abound with colourful marine life. If you’d rather keep your feet on dry land, head for the Mote Aquarium, a rehabilitation centre with touch tanks where you can get close to the resident manatees. Keep your distance from the shark tanks though! Another must-see is Sarasota Jungle Gardens, where you can see flocks of shrimp-pink flamingos. Or make your way to the nearest boardwalk, find a table overlooking the water and enjoy the nature around you. At John’s Pass on Treasure Island and at Longboat Key you’ll see pelicans diving for fish close by. And at Anna Maria Island you may spot dolphins and manatees swimming close to the shore. The boardwalks of Sarasota are great places to sit under a parasol and watch the world go by. They are lined with boutiques and bars, and restaurants serving excellent seafood, all freshly caught.

If you’re visiting between October and May don’t miss the chance to tuck into Florida’s speciality dish – stone crabs. They are so delicious, there’s even a festival dedicated to them!

STYLISH SARASOTA
Away from the beach, Sarasota is a relaxed and elegant city with so much to offer. It has a distinctly Mediterranean feel with Italian Renaissance-style houses, art galleries and museums. And the intracoastal waterway between the city and the barrier islands has an air of Venice about it. For a touch of class, visit St Armand’s Circle at the entrance to Lido Key. Here you’ll find alfresco restaurants beneath shady palms and designer shops by the score. St Armand’s Circle was designed by a man named John Ringling, who was a 19th-century circus promoter. He is credited with turning Sarasota into Florida’s cultural capital. His Museum of Art houses a huge collection of paintings and, next door, the Ringling mansion and museum contain memorabilia from the Big Top, including parade wagons, photographs and costumes. Ringling’s showman legacy lives on in the city. Sarasota’s high schools teach circus skills and, at various times of the year, the city hosts the fabulous Circus Sarasota. An unusual way to tour the city and the beautiful bayfront is on a Segway, a strange two-wheeled, self-balancing electric scooter. Glide around the historical centre and past the dolphin fountain at Island Park and enjoy some envious glances! The Busch Gardens theme park is just a 45-minute drive away in Tampa. There are all the usual rollercoasters and water rides plus 65 acres of ‘African veld’, where you can take a safari to see a giraffe, rhino and zebra. But make sure you’re back on the beach by sunset – because you’re in for a spectacular show!

SIP COCKTAILS AT SUNSET
For a sundownder you’ll never forget, head for any of the beaches along Sarasota’s barrier islands. One of the best spots is the Sandbar Seafood & Spirits restaurant on Anna Maria Island. Order yourself a chilled daiquiri and sit back and enjoy the show. First the sky turns from brilliant blue to pink, then to fiery orange, then – as the sun dips below the horizon – to a deep glowing red. At Siesta Key on Sundays, local musicians mark the passing of another perfect day with a spot of drumming. After dark the boardwalks buzz with the chatter of families enjoying a seafood dinner and souvenir-hunters browsing in the shops. And you can almost guarantee that any conversation is about how relaxed, happy and unstressed everyone feels – and how everyone wishes they could stay here longer. The real beauty of Florida’s Gulf Islands lies right there – not in their gorgeous beaches, beautiful weather and spectacular sunsets but in the way they make you feel truly free.

DID YOU KNOW?
There are 1000 miles of beach in Florida. If you walked one mile of beach every day, it would take you more than two and a half years to get round the whole state.

DETAILS
Flying time from the UK is about nine hours. Most UK passport holders can travel to the USA without a visa under the Visa Waiver Programme. You can visit www.sarasotaandfloridasgulfislands.co.uk for information on Florida.

Fly direct to Tampa with British Airways from £477 return, including taxes and charges. Visit www.ba.com or call 0870 850 9850. Stay at the Longboat Key Club on Longboat Key from £80 per room per night. To find out more, visit www.longboatkeyclub.com. Rooms at the Tortuga Inn on Anna Maria Island start from £65. See www.tortugainn.com for further details.