Add the stunning Ringling Estate to your travel plans. This treat for the senses includes the winter residence of John and Mable Ringling called Cà d'Zan, two Circus Museums including the Tibbals Learning Center, a Museum of Art featuring European, American and Non-western works with an impressive array of Old Masters paintings, the Historic Asolo Theater with performances daily and 66 acres of historic grounds and gardens all on beautiful Sarasota Bay.

This year, see the Museum like never before since the completion of the most extraordinary transformations of any museum in North America. The Museum has expanded with four new buildings including a Visitors Pavilion, the Tibbals Learning Center, the Education/Conservation Building and the Ulla R. and Arthur F. Searing Wing, which recently opened in February 2007. Within a mere six years, the new partnership between the local community and Florida State University at once restored the original Ringling Estate and expanded it to provide first-rate facilities for a 21st century museum.

Today, visitors can stroll the magnificently restored rooms of Cà d'Zan, the palatial home of a

The Ca d'Zan Mansion

Circus King. The dream home has a renewed spirit reflecting the Roaring Twenties and Mable Ringling herself.

Circus enthusiasts and children of all ages will rejoice in the new Tibbals Learning Center. The whimsical building doubles the size of the Museum's exhibition. of circus wonder with videos, interactive displays and the Howard Brothers Circus Model . The model, built by one man over 50 years, will blow you away! While a miniature by definition, it is gigantic in proportion at 3,800 square feet. In exact detail it features eight tents including the menagerie and Big Top, 152 wagons, 1,300 circus performers and workers, more than 800 animals and a 59-car train. You'll learn how the circus found its footing in America through a comprehensive exhibit of the history from the Greeks and Romans all the way through today with Cirque Du Soleil and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. Once you've enjoyed the miniature, you will want to rush to see the originals at the Circus Museum next door. There you will find restored wagons, sparkling costumes and a human canon all documenting the history of the Circus and its impact on our culture.

The Historic Asolo Theater offers a diverse roster of performances and programs by such organizations as Artist Series of Sarasota, Theater for Young Audiences from the FSU School of Theater, Sarasota POPs, The Westcoast Black Theater Troupe, The Sarasota Film Festival and The Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. The beauty and intimacy of the theater is said to be worth the price of a ticket simply to be seated.

The 21-gallery Museum of Art displays the Museum's permanent collection of works. Its collection was primarily amassed by John Ringling and reflects his deep passion for Baroque art. You'll awe at the stunning beauty of works by artists such as Rubens, van Dyck, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, Velázquez, El Greco, Tiepolo, Gainsborough and Reynolds. In February 2007, the 20,000-square-foot Searing Wing displays traveling exhibitions. The Wing opened with two exquisite exhibitions: Encouraging American Genius: Master Paintings From The Corcoran Gallery Of Art and Bedazzled: 5,000 Years Of Jewelry From The Walters Art Museum. In Fall 2007 Cuban culture comes to Sarasota with Cuba Avant-Garde: Contemporary Cuban Art from the Farber Collection and in the winter the Ringling Museum will feature various pieces by artist Jacob Lawrence.

Every third Thursday of the month, you can also discover musical pleasures at The Ringling Museum. Live entertainment by local bands serves as a backdrop to Cocktails at the Cà d'Zan, the museum's monthly party at the historic mansion. You can boogie by the Bay with the locals for a $5 admission charge not included with museum entrance fees.

Admission to the Ringling Museum of Art is $19 for adults, $16 for seniors, $6 for children ages 6-17, members of the military and Florida teachers with valid identification. Admission is free for children younger than 6. Call 941-359-5700 or visit www.ringling.org for more information.