Sizzling Southwest Florida
Florida’s hotspot for many winter vacationers is the Southwest Coast. The warm weather, bright sunshine, and cheery attitudes of locals will keep you feeling upbeat. White sand and emerald water await you on the beaches, while shopping, gardens, and art scenes beckon you from downtowns. These are the sizzling spots on the Southwest Coast.
Sensational Sarasota
Sarasota is a bustling art and beach community that combines sunny weather with bright smiles and a beautiful community - usually made up of people from all over the world. They’ve all gathered here to enjoy the easy going pace with the many historic and artistic attractions, as well as easy access to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
There are several beaches for you to enjoy in Sarasota, but our top recommendation is Siesta Key Beach. Consistently voted as the #1 beach in America, you will certainly understand its appeal when you see its expanse of crystalline white sands that lead to shallow waters perfect for wading. While you could probably spend your trip sitting on the soft sand and soaking in the sunshine, you shouldn’t miss out on the chance to get out on the water and have fun.
Spread across 66 acres of the most beautiful waterfront property in Sarasota, The Ringling offers thrills and relaxation — whichever you choose — as you’re surrounded by art, architecture, and sculptures. The Ringling was once the estate of John and Mable Ringling (of circus fame) and has been dedicated to the community and visitors as a playground for the arts. In one building you will find the State Art Museum of Florida, in which you could spend a whole day if you wanted. There are two buildings dedicated to the circus and telling the story of the famous Ringling Brothers. The grounds themselves are an attraction to behold: a beautiful children’s playground beneath the trees, a fragrant rose garden first planted by Mable Ringling and still thriving, huge banyans and a secret garden, and an expansive view of the Sarasota Bay. On the bay sits the magnificent Ca’d’Zan, the opulent home of the Ringlings with guided tours available. There are also eateries and a coffee shop available to keep you energized.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is an iconic Sarasota attraction located directly on the Sarasota Bayfront, and offers some of the most spectacular and visually stunning garden sections and vistas, which has also made it a popular wedding venue. Selby expertly blends lush botanical blooms with historical charm, and is perfectly landscaped with native foliage including live oaks, banyans, and palms, and featuring foliage-framed glimpses of the bay in the background — so be sure to bring your camera! Especially created for young ones is the Children’s Rainforest Garden, offering a connection to nature through interaction and play. Be sure to visit the garden’s gift shop and plant store to take home a part of this magical experience!
A quick scenic drive over the Ringling Bridge from downtown Sarasota, Lido Key is always bustling with beachgoers and village activities. Its shopping and dining attractions are anchored in St. Armands Circle, a rotunda of boutiques, specialty stores, cafes, restaurants, bars, and more whose walkways are interspersed with statues and tropical foliage. In the Circle’s center is a park area, which hosts many events throughout the year like art festivals and classic car shows.
On the beautiful Lido Key, just across the bridge from downtown Sarasota, you’ll find the Lido Beach Resort. This resort is the epitome of beachfront elegance, with modern ocean-themed decor in refreshing colors, and a variety of room and suite sizes that can include kitchenettes, sitting areas, and private balconies that face the bay or beach. Just a short walk or bike ride away from the public beach are the Siesta Key Beach Villas, a series of cozy, casual villas that exude a tropical theme for your own island-style getaway.
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Vibrant Venice
When visiting the beaches of Venice, you’ll understand why many people choose to make this their forever home. Soft sand rolls down in sloping shores to the gentle Gulf waves, and the quiet, relaxed environment makes for perfect beach days. This is also the “Shark Tooth Capitol of the World,” thanks to currents carrying countless shark teeth onto the shores along with colorful shells for you to discover and take home. The calm waters also make for excellent boating conditions. Venice Boat Rentals are conveniently based at the Fisherman's Wharf Marina, and allow you to easily set out on the Intercoastal Waterway or out into the Gulf on your choice of boat, from big pontoons with loungers to smaller speedboats.
Featuring an absolutely perfect location directly on the beach, the Beachcomber in Venice is a charming costal getaway offering fully-furnished vacation rental units, each with expansive views of the Gulf. Enjoy walking right from your unit onto the sand and take advantage of the Beachcomber’s free beach accessories, relax in the beachfront pool, or venture to nearby Main Street to go shopping!
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Fantastic Fort Myers
Combining historic architecture with bustling shops and busy restaurants, Fort Myers is a fantastic place to spend a getaway. Visit the River District to find quirky shopping opportunities and specialty gifts, along with small cafes and intriguing restaurants. Visit the Edison Ford Winter Estate, a fascinating and important part of history combined with dazzling waterfront views and enchanting gardens. Astonishingly, two of the most influential men in American history - the inventor Thomas Edison and the car magnate Henry Ford - were not only friends, but shared adjoining vacation estates right here in Florida that now make up the beautiful historic site. There is so much to see here, that you should certainly plan to spend the day.
Each hotel, resort, or rental is unique, which means you can certainly find something to suit your suite fancy. In the downtown area of Fort Myers, Hotel Indigo - Fort Myers Downtown River District is perfectly placed in one of the most popular areas of the city, near to shops, restaurants, and other attractions. This boutique hotel is inspired by the bustling neighborhood’s creative spirit.
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Stunning Sanibel Island
Take your favorite traveling companion for a day on the water or a night on the town, and take advantage of the Fort Myers’ area’s great seasonal deals. One of the most classic choices for those looking for some romance and adventure is a dinner cruise, like those offered by the Sanibel Harbour Princess. This sleek, 100-foot luxury yacht will carry you across the shimmering waves of the Gulf, as the sun begins to sink beneath the horizon. (There is also brunch on Sundays!)
Become an explorer as you paddle through the mangrove tunnels and sheltered bays on a canoeing, kayaking, or paddleboarding expedition. Launch from a local park or go on a guided tour, and get your rentals from one of the many great outfitters in the area. Kayak Excursions offers all kinds of fun paddle sports and even lessons, from kayak fishing trips to guided eco tours and more, with no-hassle customer service that includes free deliveries to your location. YOLO Board Adventures has many paddle rentals, but specializes in stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) with lessons from certified instructors for newcomers to the sport, and eco-tours that give you an up-close view of the area’s beautiful wildlife.
The Princess is docked at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa, a serene oasis that encourages you to indulge in the restfulness of their spa, or the delicious dishes served at their onsite eateries. Located in Fort Myers, they are just a short drive from the islands. Sundial Beach Resort & Spa boasts spacious, fully-equipped condominiums so that you can have all the comforts of home while enjoying a tropical paradise. The living spaces come in various sizes for your secluded getaway or family vacation, and all are complete with kitchens, living rooms, and dining areas. Shop and dine directly onsite at any of the resort’s locations and enjoy high-end amenities such as tennis facilities, multiple swimming pools, children’s activities, and the Kay Casperson Lifestyle Spa and Boutique.
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sundialresort.com
Captivating Captiva Island
Captiva offers the ideal beach vacation, especially for those who like to get away from the crowds. You truly can’t go wrong when choosing accommodations on these islands; but if you’re traveling with the whole family, we must recommend South Seas Island Resort on Captiva. Between the gentle Gulf waters, nature preserve, numerous pools, and family activities available, this resort is like one big playground for you all to enjoy together. Whether you stay in an inn suite, condo, or vacation home, all of this resort’s accommodations are meant to suit a family vacation with spacious layouts, equipped kitchens, and amenities. Have a meal at one of their onsite restaurants, visit the activity center, or even play a round of golf together on their unique family-friendly course.
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Noteworthy Naples
The main metropolitan area on Florida's Paradise Coast, Naples provides rich amenities while retaining an exclusive, intimate, small town feel. For a city its size, it offers an impressive selection of restaurants, golf courses, shops and cultural attractions. Visitors stroll the tropically landscaped streets and avenues downtown, dotted with sidewalk cafes, boutiques and art galleries. Just a few steps away are the lovely sands of Naples Beach and the iconic Naples Pier, perfect for watching colorful sunsets over the Gulf.
A visit to Naples would be incomplete without a stroll along its unofficial Main Street, Fifth Avenue South. Since the 1920s — when it housed just a few small businesses, the telephone company and a train depot — the Avenue has been at the heart of the downtown district. Over the decades, it’s blossomed into the thriving business and arts district it is today, securing its spot as a prime dining, shopping and entertainment destination for visitors and residents alike.
When you feel the urge to shop, Fifth Avenue South is the perfect spot for a little (or a lot of) retail therapy. You’ll find an incredible range of shops, from familiar favorites to locally loved boutiques, along a walkable stretch of Fifth that lies between Third and Eighth streets. Discover the latest from European designers at Marilyn’s, or let the relaxation flow with a breezy outfit from Petunias. Rouze brings trendy city style to the Avenue, while Giggle Moon offers unique, quality children’s clothing and accessories. Looking for must-haves from your favorite clothing line? Fifth Avenue South also boasts of beloved brands like Soma and White House/Black Market.
There’s no shortage of fun here! Catch a live theater performance by The Naples Players at Sugden Community Theatre, or bring the kids to Cambier Park for a picnic and a free flick during summer’s monthly Family Movie Nights. Want to experience a true Naples hidden gem? Sit down for a traditional afternoon tea with scones and clotted cream at Brambles English Tea Room, tucked away among the lush flowers and fountains of the Rue de Fleur.
See visual interpretations of Paradise Coast beauty when you visit one of the local art galleries. Fine art, home decor, and more are found in the the Naples Art District, which has developed over the last 10 years into the largest concentration of professional working artists, studios and galleries in the area. Entwined with businesses that cater to the trades, design and light industry, the Naples Art District has become a great source for fine art, art education, home decor and remodeling. The Naples Art District holds its Art Alive open house events on the first Wednesday of each month, and "Daytime Artistic Experience" every third Saturday.
In the heart of Naples’ historic district, “Old Naples,” you’ll find a beautiful historic hotel: The Escalante. Tucked away in the historic neighborhood amidst towering oaks and palms, The Escalante is a romantic hideaway at the far end of the street Fifth Ave South, just steps from the Gulf of Mexico. A sophisticated small inn, they provide expert service to make you feel like a real VIP. The Inn on Fifth has long anchored Naples’ main thoroughfare. This Forbes four-star boutique luxury hotel recently underwent a multimillion dollar renovation that gave a sleek, fresh look to its 119 elegantly appointed guest rooms, including 32 Club Level suites, two Presidential suites, a private rooftop pool and a Club Lounge in a new private building across the street from the main hotel. Guests can indulge at the onsite Spa on Fifth, or ride in style in one of the hotel’s own Tesla Model Xs.
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Magnificent Marco Island
Many of the Paradise Coast’s public beaches are dotted with shells, sand dunes, and plumes of seagrass. On the remote islands just offshore from Naples and Marco Island, you will find in particular a vast amount of vibrant shells that have washed ashore during a storm. You should take a shelling tour from Daystar Charters to collect some of the best shells, as well as enjoy the scenery of the Naples waterways. Be on the lookout for dolphins and manatee! Daystar will anchor at one of the islands for swimming, sunbathing and shelling. Pricing is based on an hourly rate, so pack some snacks and make it a day of island fun.
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