Cheap bus tickets from Sarasota to Florence

A culturally-rich alternative to the nearby theme parks of Orlando, Sarasota's Gulf Coast location is hard to resist. It became the winter base for many well-to-do families in the early twentieth century, during which time much of the town developed a subtle Italian feel.

Not only is the climate similar to what you might experience in southern Italy, but many of Sarasota's buildings were constructed to resemble the country's renaissance masterworks too. A good example is the Ringling family's Ca' d'Zan Venetian-style mansion.

The Ringlings made their money from circuses before giving their name to the much-celebrated John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. It contains 21 galleries of European paintings, archaeological artifacts, and American art totaling 10,000 objects.

With weather so fine, you'll probably be looking with more than half an eye at Sarasota's numerous excellent resorts and beaches, many of which lie on a group of keys within the city limits. Bonus: our research ranked Sarasota as the #3 cheapest Spring Break destination, so you can soak up the sun on the cheap.

Arriving in Sarasota is equally easy thanks to its Cattleman Transfer Centre and Fruitville Road bus stations. Between them, travelers can connect by bus everywhere from Tampa to Tucson. Amtrak also operates a Thruway bus service from the defunct Sarasota rail station to Tampa for onward connections by train on the Silver Service. This service runs between Miami and New York City via Washington, D.C.

Florence is a hidden gem in the northeast of South Carolina. Though best known for its history as a significant railway hub, Florence is a modern city with activities and sights to fill a weekend getaway or a longer vacation.

Every November, Florence goes nuts during the SC Pecan Music and Food Festival, an event hosted downtown to celebrate the beloved pecan. If you're in town during the festival, check out the car show, live music, half marathon, and other associated events to get to know Florence locals and culture.

Florence is a year-round destination for outdoor recreation. Golf is a favorite among Florence residents, so upgrade from mini-golf and try the real thing. Traces Golf Club welcomes golfers of all skill levels, don't worry. Don't leave Florence without spending a day at Lynches River County Park, the starting point of the 66-mile South Carolina Revolutionary Rivers Trail. You can kayak or canoe throughout the county, following the swampy path that allowed American patriots to evade British troops in the American Revolution.

Florence Regional Airport operates limited flights to connect to Charlotte, but most paths to Florence involve some kind of ground travel. Amtrak's Palmetto and Silver Service trains stop in Florence, with connections to New York and Washington to the north and Orlando and Miami to the south. Greyhound and Southeastern Stages offer intercity bus service to Florence that connects the city to other destinations throughout the South.