Providence to Sarasota train

Though some might say that it is overshadowed by nearby Boston, Providence is an interesting destination on its own. A quaint college town with a deep historical value, Providence allows fans of U.S. history to marvel at historic buildings such as the ones on Benefit Street, which boasts the highest concentration of Colonial houses. As you stroll around the streets of Providence at night, don’t forget to take a detour to WaterFire, a sculpture project that features bonfires along the rivers of Providence. Accompanying the bonfires are the sounds of ceremonial gongs and various music programs, which brighten up the night. For those seeking a unique cultural experience, the Federal Hill quarter sits among the most famous Little Italian neighborhoods, and it features some of the best Italian restaurants in town.

The staple dish of Providence is oysters, which are not difficult to find in the city. However, if you can endure a short drive, Matunuck Oyster Bar, an oyster restaurant located 40 miles south of South Kingstown, provides some of the freshest and most delicious oysters around. Some other notable establishments include Birch, Oberlin, and Tallulah’s Taqueria.

The Providence airport is located in nearby Warwick which is only a 6 miles’ drive from the city. The main bus hub for Providence is found at the Rhode Island Convention Center Parking Garage, where travelers could catch a bus from Greyhound or Peter Pan Bus Lines. The main Amtrak train station is located just a 10-minute walk across the Woonasquatucket River.

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.