Eight-mile-long Siesta Key, one of the barrier islands offshore from Sarasota, is known for its enticing sand. Other famous islands lure sun lovers with sparkling-white beaches, but Siesta Key is blessed with the champagne of sand, lauded as "the

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Eight-mile-long Siesta Key, one of the barrier islands offshore from Sarasota, is known for its enticing sand. Other famous islands lure sun lovers with sparkling-white beaches, but Siesta Key is blessed with the champagne of sand, lauded as "the whitest, finest beach sand in the world." It also has wild parrots, five-foot-tall sandhill cranes, and an excellent selection of shops and waterfront restaurants. Happily relaxed Siesta Key is connected to the mainland by two bridges.

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