Blacksburg to Sarasota train

Blacksburg is a town dominated by Virginia Tech, but even if you're not a student, you'll find plenty of exciting attractions to explore! Sports fans will be pleasantly surprised when they step into Lane Stadium, where you can watch games while witnessing quirky traditions such as the "Hokie Walk." For travelers who wish to explore the cultural and historical aspects of the city, check out the Historic Smithfield Plantation, built in the early 1770s. The building features unique architecture and a complex history, which will certainly reel you in. Finally, to enjoy some top-tier entertainment, head to the Lyric Theatre, a historical theatre nearly 100 years old.

Foodies will rejoice to hear that Blacksburg also has a great variety of dishes to offer to its visitors. The renowned Zeppoli's Italian Restaurant has long been a local favorite, and its authentic Italian plates are bound to please. For a more upscale experience, check out 622 North, housed in a lavish Victorian building.

Amtrak's Thruway bus service connects Blacksburg to the nationwide rail network, but it is also easy to reach Blacksburg via OurBus. The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport serves the city, but the nearest international airports are all the way in Washington, D.C., and Charlotte.

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.