Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Save $50 off SpiritAir 1/6-2/14. Code "50OFF" http://bit.ly/86Jfi8 - Visit Sanibel/Captiva & save more $ http://www.ResCen.com 800-290-6920
Thursday, December 29, 2011
15 Destinations on the Rise
According to traveler reviews on TripAdvisor.com, Fort Myers, Florida rated as the #3 destination on the rise.
"The City of Palms is located in Southwestern Florida on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. Most visitors go to Fort Myers for the deep-sea fishing, the golf courses and the famous white sand beaches and islands that line the Gulf Coast. A renovation of the city's downtown waterfront promises new restaurants, clubs, shops and galleries. Attractions include the winter estates of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, as well as nearby Naples and the Islands of Sanibel and Captiva."
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Come see why the Fort Myers area, including Sanibel and Captiva Islands is a destination on the rise and book your next stay with Reservation Central @ http://www.rescen.com or call a local accommodation specialist at 1-800-290-6920
"The City of Palms is located in Southwestern Florida on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. Most visitors go to Fort Myers for the deep-sea fishing, the golf courses and the famous white sand beaches and islands that line the Gulf Coast. A renovation of the city's downtown waterfront promises new restaurants, clubs, shops and galleries. Attractions include the winter estates of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, as well as nearby Naples and the Islands of Sanibel and Captiva."
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Come see why the Fort Myers area, including Sanibel and Captiva Islands is a destination on the rise and book your next stay with Reservation Central @ http://www.rescen.com or call a local accommodation specialist at 1-800-290-6920
Top 10 Secluded U.S. Beaches
Stir solitude into the mix of sun, surf, and sand for a rejuvenating vacation at one of these secluded U.S. beaches.
By ShermansTravel Editorial Staff
ShermansTravel.com
Seeking out sun, surf, and sand is an easy enough task, but is it possible to stir seclusion into the mix, too? Our editors say “shore”! We've dug deep into our arsenal of secret sands to present our top picks for secluded U.S. beaches, where quiet coasts invite in-the-know sunbathers to savor their relative solitude. Sure, some of these destinations are fairly remote (some even require off-the-path travel to offshore islets), but some of the most isolated shores are right under beachgoers’ noses, in popular stateside spots like Florida, California, and Hawaii. You'll just have to plan a visit soon – while these semi-private sands remain undiscovered for the moment, the cat's officially out of the bag.
1. Bowman's Beach, Florida
The secret's out about the beauty of Sanibel Island's linen-white sand beaches – situated about 25 miles southwest of Fort Myers, Florida – so you won't be alone in searching for a stretch of a secluded U.S. beach to call your own. But that's just what you'll get when you leave your car and make the quarter-mile walk to Bowman's Beach, Sanibel's most peaceful place. The island is well-known as one of the best shelling spots in the country, but you'll find little competition here. There's minimal development and ditto on amenities – though Bowman's does have one perk not found on any other beach on Sanibel: barbecue grills.
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To find this "secret" for yourself, contact Reservation Central Sanibel & Captiva Islands at http://www.rescen.com or call a local accommodation specialist at 1-800-290-6920
By ShermansTravel Editorial Staff
ShermansTravel.com
Seeking out sun, surf, and sand is an easy enough task, but is it possible to stir seclusion into the mix, too? Our editors say “shore”! We've dug deep into our arsenal of secret sands to present our top picks for secluded U.S. beaches, where quiet coasts invite in-the-know sunbathers to savor their relative solitude. Sure, some of these destinations are fairly remote (some even require off-the-path travel to offshore islets), but some of the most isolated shores are right under beachgoers’ noses, in popular stateside spots like Florida, California, and Hawaii. You'll just have to plan a visit soon – while these semi-private sands remain undiscovered for the moment, the cat's officially out of the bag.
1. Bowman's Beach, Florida
The secret's out about the beauty of Sanibel Island's linen-white sand beaches – situated about 25 miles southwest of Fort Myers, Florida – so you won't be alone in searching for a stretch of a secluded U.S. beach to call your own. But that's just what you'll get when you leave your car and make the quarter-mile walk to Bowman's Beach, Sanibel's most peaceful place. The island is well-known as one of the best shelling spots in the country, but you'll find little competition here. There's minimal development and ditto on amenities – though Bowman's does have one perk not found on any other beach on Sanibel: barbecue grills.
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To find this "secret" for yourself, contact Reservation Central Sanibel & Captiva Islands at http://www.rescen.com or call a local accommodation specialist at 1-800-290-6920
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Save over 50% Sunset Dolphin Cruise! http://gr.pn/usJ1Aw - Save $$ on your Sanibel stay w/ResCen. 1-800-290-6920 | http://www.rescen.com
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Last minute Fort Myers car rentals available from $160+tax/wk. Call us now to book! 1-800-290-6920 or visit http://ping.fm/6peOZ
Happy Holidays from Warm (80s) & Sunny Sanibel & Captiva Island! Beat the cold & snow...call Res Cen 1-800-290-6920 | http://www.rescen.com
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
February, March & April reservations going fast! Plan your Sanibel or Captiva Island vacation now - http://www.rescen.com | 1-800-290-6920.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Sea Turtle Nesting Update
Sea Turtle Nest season ended October 31st. here are the final statistics:
Sanibel East- 37 nests, 82 false crawls, 30 hatches
Sanibel West- 240 nests, 361 false crawls, 161 hatches
Captiva- 77 nests, 54 false crawls, 61 hatches
One of Sanibel's nests was from a Kemp's Ridley, 7 were from green turtles, and the other 232 were loggerhead nests. One of Captiva's nests was a green nest the other 76 were loggerhead nests.
To learn more about Sea Turtles visit the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation's website at: http://ping.fm/7aho8
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Come visit Sanibel Island and Captiva Islands' abundant wildlife and nature preserves. Visit http://www.rescen.com or call our local reservation office at 1-800-290-6920 to check availability and make your hotel, condo, home or cottage reservation today!
Sanibel East- 37 nests, 82 false crawls, 30 hatches
Sanibel West- 240 nests, 361 false crawls, 161 hatches
Captiva- 77 nests, 54 false crawls, 61 hatches
One of Sanibel's nests was from a Kemp's Ridley, 7 were from green turtles, and the other 232 were loggerhead nests. One of Captiva's nests was a green nest the other 76 were loggerhead nests.
To learn more about Sea Turtles visit the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation's website at: http://ping.fm/7aho8
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Come visit Sanibel Island and Captiva Islands' abundant wildlife and nature preserves. Visit http://www.rescen.com or call our local reservation office at 1-800-290-6920 to check availability and make your hotel, condo, home or cottage reservation today!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Last Minute Sanibel - Captiva Holiday Specials. Save up to 30% or more. Call 1-800-290-6920 or visit http://bit.ly/v7QK5e to book today!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Visiting Orlando & Sanibel/Captiva Islands? Check out Reservation Central Orlando: http://bit.ly/sCVtHQ Hotels, vacation rentals and more...
Sanibel Island & Captiva Island holiday rentals still available. Call 1-800-290-6920 or visit http://www.rescen.com for reservations.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Captiva Island, Florida Releases Schedule for 2011 "Captiva Holiday Village" Month-Long Festivities
CAPTIVA ISLAND, FL – After a rousing Thanksgiving kickoff, three fun-filled weekends remain of Captiva Island’s four-week-long Captiva Holiday Village event, running through Saturday, December 17. The coming weekend includes a twinkling Luminary Night and a host of other intriguing events.
Each remaining event weekend on this popular southwest Florida barrier island will be a themed, fun-filled extravaganza of sight and sound, set against the backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico and nightly sunsets. Visitors to Captiva Island during Captiva Holiday Village weekends will enjoy everything from street dancers and fireworks to live concerts, decorated golf cart parade, and a lighted boat parade - all of which will take place in Captiva’s Village Center where its one-of-a-kind colorful restaurants and shops will be festively lighted and decorated.
A feature of this year’s Captiva Holiday Village is community Chautauqua, offering educational and entertaining workshops, boat cruises, and natural history talks. In addition to Holiday Village festivities, the island offers easy access to an abundance of water sports: kayaking, guided fishing, parasailing, wildlife cruises to the outer islands and world-renowned shelling.
“You’ll never forget a holiday weekend spent on beautiful Captiva,” says Paul McCarthy, President of Captiva Cruises. “You can enjoy as many of the special events as you’d like, and spend the rest of your time relaxing on the beach, gallery-hopping, or getting out on the water.”
Captiva Island, which lies in the Gulf of Mexico adjacent to Fort Myers, is renowned for its beautiful sunsets, pristine beaches, relaxed atmosphere, terrific weather, and the variety of outdoor activities which can be enjoyed there. “Holiday stress just melts away with a Captiva sunset,” says ‘Tween Waters Inn Resort’s General Manager Jeff Shuff.
Captiva inns, resorts, cottages and vacation homes will be offering lodging specials in conjunction with this year’s second annual Captiva Holiday Village event.
The remaining 2011 event schedule is as follows:
Weekend 2 Luminary Islands Weekend
Friday, Dec. 2
Captiva Chautauqua
Captiva Mullet March
Sanibel Luminary
Saturday, Dec 3
Captiva Chautauqua
Decorated Golf Cart Parade
Sanibel Community Chorus on Andy Rosse Lane
Captiva Luminary
Weekend 3 Country Christmas
Friday, Dec 9
Captiva Chautauqua
Sunset Arias ‘Tween Waters Inn
Country Christmas Concert with CMA Hall of Fame artist Charlie McCoy
Saturday, Dec 10
Captiva Chautauqua
Holiday Marketplace at South Seas Island Resort
Lighted Boat Parade
Country Christmas Concert with Charlie McCoy
Sunday, Dec 11
Caroling at Chapel by the Sea
Weekend 4 Captiva Carnival
Friday, Dec 16
Captiva Chautauqua
Cuban Dance and Jazz Concert
Saturday, Dec 17
Captiva Chautauqua
Bahamas Junkanoo Revue Street Parade
Fire Dancing on the Beach
Cuban Dance and Jazz Concert
About Captiva Island
Captiva Island is a barrier island in the tranquil Gulf of Mexico on Florida’s southwest coast. North of Sanibel Island and West of Fort Myers, world-renowned Captiva is also just three hours from Tampa and Fort Lauderdale by car. A narrow seashell-laden island famous for its dramatic sunrises and sunsets, celebrity visitors, and creative residents, Captiva is home to private waterfront estates, two large resorts, and several charming small inns. The heart of the island is its vibrant ‘downtown,’ coined “the village,” in which visitors and locals stroll among colorful galleries, shops and restaurants, with live music and water views. As the gateway to the out-islands within Pine Island Sound, Captiva is also a watersports destination, and offers boaters multiple marinas with overnight dockage. It has been featured in countless magazines and newspapers around the world.
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For Vacation Rental Home, Condo, Resort, Cottage or Hotel Reservations, please call Reservation Central at 1-800-290-6920 or visit http://www.rescen.com
Each remaining event weekend on this popular southwest Florida barrier island will be a themed, fun-filled extravaganza of sight and sound, set against the backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico and nightly sunsets. Visitors to Captiva Island during Captiva Holiday Village weekends will enjoy everything from street dancers and fireworks to live concerts, decorated golf cart parade, and a lighted boat parade - all of which will take place in Captiva’s Village Center where its one-of-a-kind colorful restaurants and shops will be festively lighted and decorated.
A feature of this year’s Captiva Holiday Village is community Chautauqua, offering educational and entertaining workshops, boat cruises, and natural history talks. In addition to Holiday Village festivities, the island offers easy access to an abundance of water sports: kayaking, guided fishing, parasailing, wildlife cruises to the outer islands and world-renowned shelling.
“You’ll never forget a holiday weekend spent on beautiful Captiva,” says Paul McCarthy, President of Captiva Cruises. “You can enjoy as many of the special events as you’d like, and spend the rest of your time relaxing on the beach, gallery-hopping, or getting out on the water.”
Captiva Island, which lies in the Gulf of Mexico adjacent to Fort Myers, is renowned for its beautiful sunsets, pristine beaches, relaxed atmosphere, terrific weather, and the variety of outdoor activities which can be enjoyed there. “Holiday stress just melts away with a Captiva sunset,” says ‘Tween Waters Inn Resort’s General Manager Jeff Shuff.
Captiva inns, resorts, cottages and vacation homes will be offering lodging specials in conjunction with this year’s second annual Captiva Holiday Village event.
The remaining 2011 event schedule is as follows:
Weekend 2 Luminary Islands Weekend
Friday, Dec. 2
Captiva Chautauqua
Captiva Mullet March
Sanibel Luminary
Saturday, Dec 3
Captiva Chautauqua
Decorated Golf Cart Parade
Sanibel Community Chorus on Andy Rosse Lane
Captiva Luminary
Weekend 3 Country Christmas
Friday, Dec 9
Captiva Chautauqua
Sunset Arias ‘Tween Waters Inn
Country Christmas Concert with CMA Hall of Fame artist Charlie McCoy
Saturday, Dec 10
Captiva Chautauqua
Holiday Marketplace at South Seas Island Resort
Lighted Boat Parade
Country Christmas Concert with Charlie McCoy
Sunday, Dec 11
Caroling at Chapel by the Sea
Weekend 4 Captiva Carnival
Friday, Dec 16
Captiva Chautauqua
Cuban Dance and Jazz Concert
Saturday, Dec 17
Captiva Chautauqua
Bahamas Junkanoo Revue Street Parade
Fire Dancing on the Beach
Cuban Dance and Jazz Concert
About Captiva Island
Captiva Island is a barrier island in the tranquil Gulf of Mexico on Florida’s southwest coast. North of Sanibel Island and West of Fort Myers, world-renowned Captiva is also just three hours from Tampa and Fort Lauderdale by car. A narrow seashell-laden island famous for its dramatic sunrises and sunsets, celebrity visitors, and creative residents, Captiva is home to private waterfront estates, two large resorts, and several charming small inns. The heart of the island is its vibrant ‘downtown,’ coined “the village,” in which visitors and locals stroll among colorful galleries, shops and restaurants, with live music and water views. As the gateway to the out-islands within Pine Island Sound, Captiva is also a watersports destination, and offers boaters multiple marinas with overnight dockage. It has been featured in countless magazines and newspapers around the world.
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For Vacation Rental Home, Condo, Resort, Cottage or Hotel Reservations, please call Reservation Central at 1-800-290-6920 or visit http://www.rescen.com
Monday, November 28, 2011
Cyber Monday! 10% off 3nt min stay now thru 12/17. 2br/2ba beach side condo w/pool, tennis & wifi. 1-800-290-6920 | http://bit.ly/sAaFik
Friday, November 25, 2011
$50 off Spirit flights today! Code: 50OFF for travel 11/29-12/20. http://bit.ly/86Jfi8 Save $$$ on Sanibel/Captiva @ http://bit.ly/v7QK5e
Reservation Central hopes that everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving! Relax & book your stay to Sanibel or Captiva. http://www.rescen.com
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Save $50 w/Spirit 11/29-12/20 50OFF. http://bit.ly/86Jfi8 - Book your Sanibel/Captiva vacation w/ResCen http://bit.ly/v7QK5e 1-800-290-6920
Save $35 w/Spirit 1/17-3/13 35OFF. http://bit.ly/86Jfi8 - Book your Sanibel/Captiva vacation w/ResCen http://bit.ly/v7QK5e - 1-800-290-6920
Save $24 w/Spirit 12/21-1/16 24OFF. http://bit.ly/86Jfi8 - Book your Sanibel/Captiva vacation w/ResCen http://bit.ly/v7QK5e - 1-800-290-6920
Save $35 SpiritAir 1/17-3/13. http://bit.ly/86Jfi8 - Book your Sanibel/Captiva vacation w/ResCen http://bit.ly/v7QK5e - 1-800-290-6920
Save $50 SpiritAir 11/29-12/20. http://bit.ly/86Jfi8 - Book your Sanibel/Captiva vacation w/ResCen http://bit.ly/v7QK5e - 1-800-290-6920
Friday, November 18, 2011
Save $25 on your next Southwest flight to Florida! http://bit.ly/uV9obk . Save even more w/ResCen http://ping.fm/99RY6
Monday, November 14, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
50% off Sanibel Segway Tour! http://livingsoci.al/sDnvPm - Save $$$ on your Vacation Rental too! http://www.rescen.com or 1-800-290-6920
Friday, November 11, 2011
Happy Veterans Day from Reservation Central! Thank you for our Freedoms, and the sacrifices you have all made! http://bit.ly/v7QK5e
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Save $$$ on your next Florida car rental. Unlimited miles and no extra drivers fees. http://ping.fm/CjczU - From $32/day & $160/wk+tax
Great holiday Sanibel & Captiva vacation rentals still available. Call Reservation Central at 1-800-290-6920 or visit http://www.rescen.com
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
1/2 off Island Pizza! http://ping.fm/Xciof | Save even more on your Sanibel Island Vacation. http://www.rescen.com | 1-800-290-6920
Friday, November 4, 2011
Save 50% dinner at The Dunes. http://livingsoci.al/sKvupt | Save even more on your Sanibel Vacation http://www.rescen.com - 1-800-290-6920
Thursday, November 3, 2011
The BEST Shelling in Florida
The BEST Shelling in Florida
Shell Seekers Find Treasures Along the Lee Island Coast
By Dawn Henthorn, About.com Guide
Although you can find shells on just about any beach, southwest Florida's Lee Island Coast on the Gulf of Mexico boasts some of the best shelling in the United States. The more than 100 barrier islands, which make up the Lee Island Coast cling lightly to the Southwest Florida coastline, yielding approximately 400 species of multi-colored seashells, from the commonplace scallop and clam to the exotic – tulips, olives, fragile paper fig shells and the rarest of the all, the brown speckled junonia.
Shelling is a favorite pastime of tourists and residents alike who search the shoreline for Neptune's treasures. Some even don miner's hats with lights so they can arise before sunrise and find the best specimens that have washed ashore.
You will want to plan your shelling around the low phase of the tide, which allows more beach area on which to shell. Try to go to the less populated beaches about an hour before low tide and work until an hour after the low tide.
Many seashell creatures are hidden just beneath the surface of the sand where the surf breaks, so it is important to know where to look. A good spot is the shell line, just where the highest waves stop as they come upon the beach. This is where groups of shells come up and are reshuffled by each wave. It saves digging to find the great shells.
The other good spot is at that slight drop in the surf line, just where gentle waves break before rolling on the beach. While this area is only accessible when weather permits, it usually hold the most and finest specimens.
According to Mike Fuery, a fishing and shelling charter captain on Captiva Island, and author of Captain Fury's Shelling Guide, "Sanibel Island's shape encourages shelling. While many islands face northwest, Sanibel runs in a more east-west direction. Its boomerang, or shrimp shape, slows down the shells and brings them onto the beach in one piece."
Fuery believes that the peak shelling season on the Lee Island Coast is May through September, although he also says the typical winter cold fronts produce great shelling on the southwest side of the barrier islands.
In an effort to protect this natural attraction, Lee County has taken measures to protect and preserve the shell resources. Live shelling (that is picking up shells that still have live creatures inside) has been banned. The collection of dead shells (ones where the animals or mollusks are already dead or gone from the shell) is unlimited and encouraged.
Shelling requires patience. What makes a shell valuable is not how much it costs in a gift shop, but how difficult is is to find. No collection worth looking at was ever found on one outing. That is what keeps most people coming back time after time for more.
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Come experience the best shelling beaches in the world on Sanibel Island and reserve your stay with Reservation Central. http://www.rescen.com | 1-800-290-6920 ... speak with a local!
Shell Seekers Find Treasures Along the Lee Island Coast
By Dawn Henthorn, About.com Guide
Although you can find shells on just about any beach, southwest Florida's Lee Island Coast on the Gulf of Mexico boasts some of the best shelling in the United States. The more than 100 barrier islands, which make up the Lee Island Coast cling lightly to the Southwest Florida coastline, yielding approximately 400 species of multi-colored seashells, from the commonplace scallop and clam to the exotic – tulips, olives, fragile paper fig shells and the rarest of the all, the brown speckled junonia.
Shelling is a favorite pastime of tourists and residents alike who search the shoreline for Neptune's treasures. Some even don miner's hats with lights so they can arise before sunrise and find the best specimens that have washed ashore.
You will want to plan your shelling around the low phase of the tide, which allows more beach area on which to shell. Try to go to the less populated beaches about an hour before low tide and work until an hour after the low tide.
Many seashell creatures are hidden just beneath the surface of the sand where the surf breaks, so it is important to know where to look. A good spot is the shell line, just where the highest waves stop as they come upon the beach. This is where groups of shells come up and are reshuffled by each wave. It saves digging to find the great shells.
The other good spot is at that slight drop in the surf line, just where gentle waves break before rolling on the beach. While this area is only accessible when weather permits, it usually hold the most and finest specimens.
According to Mike Fuery, a fishing and shelling charter captain on Captiva Island, and author of Captain Fury's Shelling Guide, "Sanibel Island's shape encourages shelling. While many islands face northwest, Sanibel runs in a more east-west direction. Its boomerang, or shrimp shape, slows down the shells and brings them onto the beach in one piece."
Fuery believes that the peak shelling season on the Lee Island Coast is May through September, although he also says the typical winter cold fronts produce great shelling on the southwest side of the barrier islands.
In an effort to protect this natural attraction, Lee County has taken measures to protect and preserve the shell resources. Live shelling (that is picking up shells that still have live creatures inside) has been banned. The collection of dead shells (ones where the animals or mollusks are already dead or gone from the shell) is unlimited and encouraged.
Shelling requires patience. What makes a shell valuable is not how much it costs in a gift shop, but how difficult is is to find. No collection worth looking at was ever found on one outing. That is what keeps most people coming back time after time for more.
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Come experience the best shelling beaches in the world on Sanibel Island and reserve your stay with Reservation Central. http://www.rescen.com | 1-800-290-6920 ... speak with a local!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Happy Halloween from Sanibel Island! Don't be scared by our Spooky Low rental rates....Check us out http://www.rescen.com | 1-800-290-6920
Saturday, October 29, 2011
North Easterners! Escape the SNOW! Come to Sanibel Island...80 for the high and gorgeous beaches. 1-800-290-6920 | http://www.rescen.com
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Now->10/20. From $35 e/w on AirTran. http://bit.ly/9uSvIt. Book your Sanibel/Captiva stay w/ResCen and save more $$ http://bit.ly/zjvlE
Now->10/20. From $35 e/w on Southwest. http://bit.ly/n3WEpC. Book your Sanibel/Captiva stay w/ResCen and save more $$ http://bit.ly/zjvlE
Monday, October 10, 2011
http://bit.ly/86Jfi8 save $24 11/4-2/14 w/Spirit Air! Use code "24OFF". Save more $$ w/ http://bit.ly/zjvlE for your Sanibel vacation rental
Thursday, October 6, 2011
50% Sightseeing Cruise! http://livingsoci.al/pHXBsL - Choose ResCen for your next Sanibel / Captiva Island Vacation. http://bit.ly/zjvlE
Monday, October 3, 2011
$24off SpiritAir 11/1-2/14 use code "24OFF" by 11:59pm 10/3 http://bit.ly/86Jfi8. Save $$$ on your next Sanibel vacation http://bit.ly/zjvlE
Monday, September 26, 2011
http://bit.ly/86Jfi8 save $24 10/20-4/30 Today only! Use code "24OFF". Save more $$ w/ http://bit.ly/zjvlE for your Sanibel vacation rental
Saturday, September 24, 2011
50% off Sanibel Lighthouse Cafe http://livingsoci.al/nAltBV | Save on your next Island vacation too! http://www.ResCen.com - 1-800-290-6920
Friday, September 23, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Great Last Minute Sanibel & Captiva Island deals! http://bit.ly/qkdslm Save up to 20% or more. | Call or Click today. 1-800-290-6920.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
50% off Captiva Cruise! http://livingsoci.al/nNSqQh | Visit http://www.rescen.com for your next Sanibel & Captiva Islands Vacation Rental
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
2012 Bookings going fast! Make your plans today before it's too late...Sanibel Island/Captiva Island. http://www.rescen.com | 1-800-290-6920
Monday, September 5, 2011
Happy Labor Day! Plan your Sanibel/Captiva Island vacation today...http://www.rescen.com | 1-800-290-6920
Thursday, August 25, 2011
This wknd - 2 br townhome on Sanibel Island. Short walk to beach. 2 nit min stay @ $109/nt. http://bit.ly/qqIxjt | 1-800-290-6920
Spend Labor Day Weekend on Sanibel or Captiva. Hotels, Cottages and Condos still available. http://www.rescen.com or 1-800-290-6920
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Top Five Best Beaches in Florida
Original Article: http://ping.fm/hrV1x
Best Beach for Seashells: Sanibel: An island located off the West Coast of Florida near Naples, Sanibel is the best place in the state (and arguably the country) to find seashells of several varieties. Home to over 400 species of shells, Sanibel offers a great place for families to engage in outdoor activities, from biking, bird watching, boating and snorkeling. Both Sanibel and the nearby Captiva Islands offer fine dining options of every variety from American, Italian to French.
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Make your Sanibel Island or Captiva Island vacation reservation today with Reservation Central. Visit us on-line at http://www.rescen.com or call our local reservation office at 1-800-290-6920
Best Beach for Seashells: Sanibel: An island located off the West Coast of Florida near Naples, Sanibel is the best place in the state (and arguably the country) to find seashells of several varieties. Home to over 400 species of shells, Sanibel offers a great place for families to engage in outdoor activities, from biking, bird watching, boating and snorkeling. Both Sanibel and the nearby Captiva Islands offer fine dining options of every variety from American, Italian to French.
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Make your Sanibel Island or Captiva Island vacation reservation today with Reservation Central. Visit us on-line at http://www.rescen.com or call our local reservation office at 1-800-290-6920
Friday, August 19, 2011
Plan your winter/spring 2012 Sanibel or Captiva Island vacation today with Reservation Central. 1-800-290-6920 | http://bit.ly/zjvlE
Great deals available for summer/fall bookings! Rates from $80/nt. Call Reservation Central Sanibel: 1-800-290-6920 or http://bit.ly/zjvlE
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
What are your favorite Sanibel/Captiva Island rental complexes to stay on your vacation? Let us know. http://www.rescen.com | 1-800-290-6920
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Wknd Island stays available from $89/nt. Call 1-800-290-6920 today for available options. Wkly stays also available. http://www.rescen.com
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Save 50% off Sanibel canoe rentals. http://gr.pn/pKsVIy . Book your stay w/Reservation Central http://bit.ly/zjvlE | 1-800-290-6920
Friday, July 22, 2011
10 Best Islands in the U.S.
Family Vacation Critic
http://ping.fm/i2Gia
2. Sanibel & Captiva Islands, Florida
These two southwestern Florida islands feature empty expanses of white-sand beaches, pink- and purple-hued sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico, and pastel-colored shells for shell seekers of all ages (there is even a shell museum on Sanibel!). The sub-tropical climate makes the area a year-round vacation spot, where families enjoy water sports like parasailing and kayaking, as well as fishing and biking the quiet, less-traveled Florida shores. Miniature golf, tennis and golf fill in the daily activities, before gathering around a table for pink shrimp direct from the waters surrounding you.
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Book your Sanibel Island or Captiva Island vacation today. Visit Reservation Central on line at http://www.rescen.com or call a local accommodation specialist at 1-800-290-6920
http://ping.fm/i2Gia
2. Sanibel & Captiva Islands, Florida
These two southwestern Florida islands feature empty expanses of white-sand beaches, pink- and purple-hued sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico, and pastel-colored shells for shell seekers of all ages (there is even a shell museum on Sanibel!). The sub-tropical climate makes the area a year-round vacation spot, where families enjoy water sports like parasailing and kayaking, as well as fishing and biking the quiet, less-traveled Florida shores. Miniature golf, tennis and golf fill in the daily activities, before gathering around a table for pink shrimp direct from the waters surrounding you.
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Book your Sanibel Island or Captiva Island vacation today. Visit Reservation Central on line at http://www.rescen.com or call a local accommodation specialist at 1-800-290-6920
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Florida residents save 10%!! 1,2&3 br beach condos. 2 pools/tennis/boat dock. Call 1-800-290-6920 to save | http://bit.ly/rgsC1Z
Monday, July 18, 2011
Save nearly 30% July/Aug! 3 nt min stay. 1 & 2 br Sanibel condos. Pool-Tennis-WiFi. From $515+tax. http://bit.ly/exmeVM | 1-800-290-6920
Thursday, July 7, 2011
SWFL beaches among the cleanest
Original Article:
WBBH-TV | http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43585279/ns/local_news-fort_myers_fl/t/report-swfl-beaches-among-cleanest
A brand new report shows Southwest Florida beaches are some of the country's best.
From Sanibel to Naples, city governments say what's good for the beach is good for business.
The Natural Resources Defense Council ranks Sanibel beaches among the cleanest in the nation.
The city limits sewage systems and curb runoffs with narrow and porous roads.
The manager of Sanibel's Island Inn, Chris Davison, says the clean environment draws tons of Floridians who prefer our beaches
Davison says his bottom line here at the Island Inn is inextricably linked to the beaches right outside his back door. And for that, he credits local government
"Sanibel invests significant dollars into our brakes. We've learned what's good for our environment is good for our economy," says Sanibel City Manager Judie Zimomra.
Collier County beaches had a great showing , too, with perfect scores.
And it's those oceanfronts that bring in money and the same visitors year after year.
"Our repeat visitation is quite large. It's in the 70% range," says Jack Wert of the Collier County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Wert points out that the perks extend beyond the business community.
"Homeowners last year saved over $670 in taxes," he says
So whether it's Naples, Fort Myers or Sanibel, clean beaches mean big business year round.
"Businesses that do the best and have the best longevity on Sanibel are the ones that embrace the natural environment," Zimomra says.
--------------------------------
For Southwest Florida Reservations including Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Naples, Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach visit Reservation Central at http://www.rescen.com or call our local reservation office at 1-800-290-6920.
WBBH-TV | http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43585279/ns/local_news-fort_myers_fl/t/report-swfl-beaches-among-cleanest
A brand new report shows Southwest Florida beaches are some of the country's best.
From Sanibel to Naples, city governments say what's good for the beach is good for business.
The Natural Resources Defense Council ranks Sanibel beaches among the cleanest in the nation.
The city limits sewage systems and curb runoffs with narrow and porous roads.
The manager of Sanibel's Island Inn, Chris Davison, says the clean environment draws tons of Floridians who prefer our beaches
Davison says his bottom line here at the Island Inn is inextricably linked to the beaches right outside his back door. And for that, he credits local government
"Sanibel invests significant dollars into our brakes. We've learned what's good for our environment is good for our economy," says Sanibel City Manager Judie Zimomra.
Collier County beaches had a great showing , too, with perfect scores.
And it's those oceanfronts that bring in money and the same visitors year after year.
"Our repeat visitation is quite large. It's in the 70% range," says Jack Wert of the Collier County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Wert points out that the perks extend beyond the business community.
"Homeowners last year saved over $670 in taxes," he says
So whether it's Naples, Fort Myers or Sanibel, clean beaches mean big business year round.
"Businesses that do the best and have the best longevity on Sanibel are the ones that embrace the natural environment," Zimomra says.
--------------------------------
For Southwest Florida Reservations including Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Naples, Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach visit Reservation Central at http://www.rescen.com or call our local reservation office at 1-800-290-6920.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Great Sanibel restaurant deal on Groupon: http://ping.fm/KoiH4
http://www.ResCen.com | 1-800-290-6920
http://www.ResCen.com | 1-800-290-6920
Monday, July 4, 2011
Happy Independence Day! Enjoy the Sanibel Island fireworks tonight near the Causeway. http://www.rescen.com | 1-800-290-6920
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Sanibel?s forgotten pleasure palace
Owners never spent night in riverboat mansion
AMY BENNETT WILLIAMS
awilliams@news-press.com
The pitch came in a four-page brochure filled with photos, diagrams and breathless prose:
“Unique and luxurious residence... Mississippi riverboat converted without regard to cost... a remarkable engineering feat... no longer a boat but a superbly substantial residence... 13 large rooms, five baths and enclosed decks of king-sized proportions... spacious, high-ceilinged rooms fitted with tremendous windows and glass doors... Hollywood-style bathrooms... restaurant-equipped kitchen... enjoys complete privacy on unspoiled Sanibel Island .. tremendous appeal for the investor or developer with imagination to realize its future potentials ...”
The Algiers was Sanibel’s first mansion, a peculiar bit of island history that began as a Sunshine State cliche: wealthy Northerners remaking their piece of paradise to suit themselves.
It all began in 1925 in a Cincinnati shipyard, where a workhorse boat was built to haul automobiles across the Mississippi. For 25 years, the Algiers had been a car ferry until a wealthy Boston couple with a fondness for quirky fixer-uppers bought it at an auction in 1958.
Lathrop and Helen Brown (she was a shipping heiress; he was a New York congressman and Franklin D. Roosevelt’s college roommate and best man) brought the 155-foot Algiers to the then-unbridged island in 1959, where they’d bought 25 acres after vacationing there. The site was on the southeastern shore, off Casa Ybel Road.
But before they moved the Algiers to her new home, they gave the rather plain boat a glamorous makeover.
“The architect William Frizzell did it; it was one of his first jobs,” says Gary Price, a former Sanibel councilman and city manager.
The Browns retrofitted the boat’s exterior with antebellum trimmings: a huge paddlewheel, feathered smokestacks and vintage gingerbread.
Inside, Frizzell created a mid-mod pleasure palace with Italian terrazzo tiles, French marble countertops and sinks inlaid with gold seahorses, and gold-plated dolphin faucets spitting softened water into bathroom sinks. There was an elevator to whisk people to the top deck, and a restaurant-equipped kitchen boasting a microwave — “one of the first microwaves on the island,” says Alex Werner, president of the Sanibel Historical Museum — and maybe in Florida.
To get the Algiers to its destination, the Browns had it pulled by tugboat to Sanibel. Along the way, according to a 1978 article in the Island Reporter, Helen insisted that the workmen play poker “as befitted a proper Mississippi riverboat.”
Then they hired crews to cut a channel through the island’s interior, which they filled in behind themselves as they went.
“They ticked off the conservationists,” says Werner, “and they also ticked off the fire department.”
Turns out the Browns had borrowed the volunteer department’s pump truck to help move water in the canal, but someone had parked it in high grass. It caught fire and burned to a crisp. To make amends, the Browns bought the department a brand-new one.
There was just one remaining detail before they moved in, Werner says. “They owned a house in Fort Lauderdale, and Helen wanted (Lathrop) to sell it first. So she sent him over there to sell the place,” he says, “and as the story goes, Lathrop traverses the Tamiami Trail and took care of it. Then he went to a pizzeria for dinner, came back with indigestion and died the next day at Lee Memorial.”
Broken-hearted, Helen returned to Boston, never to return to Sanibel.
“They never did spend a night in there,” Price says. “When I went in there in the 1980s, there were still mattresses in boxes against the walls.”
Helen fenced the place off and hired a watchman to patrol with a couple of Dobermans. Eventually, she put it up for sale for $550,000 and in 1979, when the newly incorporated city of Sanibel was looking to acquire more beachfront land, Price suggested they consider the Brown property. The deal closed in 1981. By then, the boat was dangerously dilapidated.
Though there was talk of using it as city hall or leasing it for a restaurant, it was beyond repair. So, after everything salvageable had been stripped and auctioned — “a lot of locals got windows and doors,” Price says — the city had the Algiers demolished in 1982.
“The contractor cut it apart with torches and hauled it off,” Price says. “There was a Bobcat pushing things around and the boards were so rotted, the whole thing fell through the deck. The driver about died of fright, but he was fine.”
The one building left standing was the servant’s quarters, which were converted into the restrooms at Sanibel’s Gulfside City Park — also known as Algiers Beach.
From the boat itself, just three scraps remain: the captain’s wheel, the anchor and the bell, which are now on display at the Sanibel Historical Museum.
And that seems about right to Price. “I usually want to preserve anything historical,” he says, “but this was faux history.”
Additional Facts
The cemetary
One of the region’s most interesting studies in contrasts is just a stone’s throw from the former site of the Algiers at Sanibel’s Gulfside City park.
A winding path leads through native vegetation to the island’s pioneer cemetery with a handful of well-tended graves.
As you read the names and try to imagine what those lives must have been like, you can hear gulls crying and kids laughing on the beach.
• Learn more: Betty Anholt’s book, “Sanibel’s Story: Voices and Images from Calusa to Incorporation,” tells about the cemetery and the stories of some of the pioneers who are buried there. It’s available in area bookstores and online.
----------------------------------------------------------
Reservation Central Sanibel Island and Captiva Island offer the best selection of vacation rental options on the Islands. Call us today at 1-800-290-6920 or visit http://www.rescen.com to start your search for your next Sanibel Island or Captiva Island Vacation.
AMY BENNETT WILLIAMS
awilliams@news-press.com
The pitch came in a four-page brochure filled with photos, diagrams and breathless prose:
“Unique and luxurious residence... Mississippi riverboat converted without regard to cost... a remarkable engineering feat... no longer a boat but a superbly substantial residence... 13 large rooms, five baths and enclosed decks of king-sized proportions... spacious, high-ceilinged rooms fitted with tremendous windows and glass doors... Hollywood-style bathrooms... restaurant-equipped kitchen... enjoys complete privacy on unspoiled Sanibel Island .. tremendous appeal for the investor or developer with imagination to realize its future potentials ...”
The Algiers was Sanibel’s first mansion, a peculiar bit of island history that began as a Sunshine State cliche: wealthy Northerners remaking their piece of paradise to suit themselves.
It all began in 1925 in a Cincinnati shipyard, where a workhorse boat was built to haul automobiles across the Mississippi. For 25 years, the Algiers had been a car ferry until a wealthy Boston couple with a fondness for quirky fixer-uppers bought it at an auction in 1958.
Lathrop and Helen Brown (she was a shipping heiress; he was a New York congressman and Franklin D. Roosevelt’s college roommate and best man) brought the 155-foot Algiers to the then-unbridged island in 1959, where they’d bought 25 acres after vacationing there. The site was on the southeastern shore, off Casa Ybel Road.
But before they moved the Algiers to her new home, they gave the rather plain boat a glamorous makeover.
“The architect William Frizzell did it; it was one of his first jobs,” says Gary Price, a former Sanibel councilman and city manager.
The Browns retrofitted the boat’s exterior with antebellum trimmings: a huge paddlewheel, feathered smokestacks and vintage gingerbread.
Inside, Frizzell created a mid-mod pleasure palace with Italian terrazzo tiles, French marble countertops and sinks inlaid with gold seahorses, and gold-plated dolphin faucets spitting softened water into bathroom sinks. There was an elevator to whisk people to the top deck, and a restaurant-equipped kitchen boasting a microwave — “one of the first microwaves on the island,” says Alex Werner, president of the Sanibel Historical Museum — and maybe in Florida.
To get the Algiers to its destination, the Browns had it pulled by tugboat to Sanibel. Along the way, according to a 1978 article in the Island Reporter, Helen insisted that the workmen play poker “as befitted a proper Mississippi riverboat.”
Then they hired crews to cut a channel through the island’s interior, which they filled in behind themselves as they went.
“They ticked off the conservationists,” says Werner, “and they also ticked off the fire department.”
Turns out the Browns had borrowed the volunteer department’s pump truck to help move water in the canal, but someone had parked it in high grass. It caught fire and burned to a crisp. To make amends, the Browns bought the department a brand-new one.
There was just one remaining detail before they moved in, Werner says. “They owned a house in Fort Lauderdale, and Helen wanted (Lathrop) to sell it first. So she sent him over there to sell the place,” he says, “and as the story goes, Lathrop traverses the Tamiami Trail and took care of it. Then he went to a pizzeria for dinner, came back with indigestion and died the next day at Lee Memorial.”
Broken-hearted, Helen returned to Boston, never to return to Sanibel.
“They never did spend a night in there,” Price says. “When I went in there in the 1980s, there were still mattresses in boxes against the walls.”
Helen fenced the place off and hired a watchman to patrol with a couple of Dobermans. Eventually, she put it up for sale for $550,000 and in 1979, when the newly incorporated city of Sanibel was looking to acquire more beachfront land, Price suggested they consider the Brown property. The deal closed in 1981. By then, the boat was dangerously dilapidated.
Though there was talk of using it as city hall or leasing it for a restaurant, it was beyond repair. So, after everything salvageable had been stripped and auctioned — “a lot of locals got windows and doors,” Price says — the city had the Algiers demolished in 1982.
“The contractor cut it apart with torches and hauled it off,” Price says. “There was a Bobcat pushing things around and the boards were so rotted, the whole thing fell through the deck. The driver about died of fright, but he was fine.”
The one building left standing was the servant’s quarters, which were converted into the restrooms at Sanibel’s Gulfside City Park — also known as Algiers Beach.
From the boat itself, just three scraps remain: the captain’s wheel, the anchor and the bell, which are now on display at the Sanibel Historical Museum.
And that seems about right to Price. “I usually want to preserve anything historical,” he says, “but this was faux history.”
Additional Facts
The cemetary
One of the region’s most interesting studies in contrasts is just a stone’s throw from the former site of the Algiers at Sanibel’s Gulfside City park.
A winding path leads through native vegetation to the island’s pioneer cemetery with a handful of well-tended graves.
As you read the names and try to imagine what those lives must have been like, you can hear gulls crying and kids laughing on the beach.
• Learn more: Betty Anholt’s book, “Sanibel’s Story: Voices and Images from Calusa to Incorporation,” tells about the cemetery and the stories of some of the pioneers who are buried there. It’s available in area bookstores and online.
----------------------------------------------------------
Reservation Central Sanibel Island and Captiva Island offer the best selection of vacation rental options on the Islands. Call us today at 1-800-290-6920 or visit http://www.rescen.com to start your search for your next Sanibel Island or Captiva Island Vacation.
Digital signs go up at J.N. 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Codes on trail provide Web data
LINDSAY DOWNEY
Special to news-press.com
Mother Nature’s gone digital.
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge will make virtual history Tuesday when it unveils iNature Trail, an interactive, Quick Response code system along Wildlife Drive.
The Sanibel sanctuary will be the first of more than 550 wildlife refuges in the country to use QR codes. It’s believed to be the first QR wildlife trail in the nation.
QR codes are small barcodes that can be scanned by smartphones to pull up websites, videos and other information.
As the refuge’s approximately 800,000 annual visitors travel a quiet, 4.5-mile stretch along Wildlife Drive, they’ll be able to watch videos about everything from the characteristics of the roseate spoonbill to the types of mangroves that dot the 6,400-acre refuge — all with just a few clicks of their smartphones.
iNature Trail features 10 signs, each with two QR codes — one that pulls up videos and educational websites for adults, and another that’s tailored to children.
“We used to say ‘Turn your phones off and enjoy the outdoors,’ but that message doesn’t resonate anymore,” refuge manager Paul Tritaik said, noting the QR system is an effort to bring younger generations outdoors. “If they’re going to be on their smartphones anyway, we might as well have them use them in a way that’s beneficial.”
Developed in Japan in 1994, QR codes are becoming more popular in the United States. Several Southwest Florida real estate firms and other companies use them to list property and other information. A March survey by Baltimore marketing firm MGH found about 65 percent of smartphone users have seen a QR code, and 50 percent have scanned one.
Lars Bredahl, a 2006 Bishop Verot graduate who last month received his master’s in interactive media from Elon University in North Carolina, developed the interactive trail. Bredahl grew up on Sanibel and is nephew of “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society’s executive director, Birgie Vertesch.
Bredahl, 24, approached the refuge about creating a QR system for his graduate school project.
“I was walking around one of the trails at Ding Darling and I saw they already had signs labeling some of the plants. I thought ‘What if we could throw QR codes on that?” he said.
The society spent about $1,100 in private donations to create the system. It should save resources and money because the refuge won’t have to print as many brochures, Vertesch said.
Bredahl worked with Sanibel videographer Ann Peay Potter to shoot one- to three-minute videos with refuge staff. He spent about a month developing the QR codes, and said they let visitors customize their nature tours to learn more about the refuge.
“It’s a way to offer a very multimedia-rich experience without having to build any high-tech stations that take away from the natural setting,” said Bredahl, an intern with SCVNGR, a mobile applications company in Cambridge, Mass. “This is like having a guide at your disposal — a pocket tour guide.”
Additional Facts
QR codes deciphered
• QR codes are two-dimensional barcodes. They also are known as hardlinks or physical world hyperlinks.
• The codes store up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters of arbitrary text. The text can be anything: a URL, contact information, a telephone number, even a poem.
• QR codes can be read by an optical device with the appropriate software. Many newer mobile phones have scanning technology built in. Others can download free programs to read QR codes.
— Source: Google
-----------------------------------------------------------
Plan your Sanibel Island or Captiva Island Vacation today with the assistance of Reservation Central - http://www.rescen.com . With access to over 2,000 vacation rental home, condo, cottage, hotel and resort options, Reservation Central is the best choice for your next Island Vacation.
LINDSAY DOWNEY
Special to news-press.com
Mother Nature’s gone digital.
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge will make virtual history Tuesday when it unveils iNature Trail, an interactive, Quick Response code system along Wildlife Drive.
The Sanibel sanctuary will be the first of more than 550 wildlife refuges in the country to use QR codes. It’s believed to be the first QR wildlife trail in the nation.
QR codes are small barcodes that can be scanned by smartphones to pull up websites, videos and other information.
As the refuge’s approximately 800,000 annual visitors travel a quiet, 4.5-mile stretch along Wildlife Drive, they’ll be able to watch videos about everything from the characteristics of the roseate spoonbill to the types of mangroves that dot the 6,400-acre refuge — all with just a few clicks of their smartphones.
iNature Trail features 10 signs, each with two QR codes — one that pulls up videos and educational websites for adults, and another that’s tailored to children.
“We used to say ‘Turn your phones off and enjoy the outdoors,’ but that message doesn’t resonate anymore,” refuge manager Paul Tritaik said, noting the QR system is an effort to bring younger generations outdoors. “If they’re going to be on their smartphones anyway, we might as well have them use them in a way that’s beneficial.”
Developed in Japan in 1994, QR codes are becoming more popular in the United States. Several Southwest Florida real estate firms and other companies use them to list property and other information. A March survey by Baltimore marketing firm MGH found about 65 percent of smartphone users have seen a QR code, and 50 percent have scanned one.
Lars Bredahl, a 2006 Bishop Verot graduate who last month received his master’s in interactive media from Elon University in North Carolina, developed the interactive trail. Bredahl grew up on Sanibel and is nephew of “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society’s executive director, Birgie Vertesch.
Bredahl, 24, approached the refuge about creating a QR system for his graduate school project.
“I was walking around one of the trails at Ding Darling and I saw they already had signs labeling some of the plants. I thought ‘What if we could throw QR codes on that?” he said.
The society spent about $1,100 in private donations to create the system. It should save resources and money because the refuge won’t have to print as many brochures, Vertesch said.
Bredahl worked with Sanibel videographer Ann Peay Potter to shoot one- to three-minute videos with refuge staff. He spent about a month developing the QR codes, and said they let visitors customize their nature tours to learn more about the refuge.
“It’s a way to offer a very multimedia-rich experience without having to build any high-tech stations that take away from the natural setting,” said Bredahl, an intern with SCVNGR, a mobile applications company in Cambridge, Mass. “This is like having a guide at your disposal — a pocket tour guide.”
Additional Facts
QR codes deciphered
• QR codes are two-dimensional barcodes. They also are known as hardlinks or physical world hyperlinks.
• The codes store up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters of arbitrary text. The text can be anything: a URL, contact information, a telephone number, even a poem.
• QR codes can be read by an optical device with the appropriate software. Many newer mobile phones have scanning technology built in. Others can download free programs to read QR codes.
— Source: Google
-----------------------------------------------------------
Plan your Sanibel Island or Captiva Island Vacation today with the assistance of Reservation Central - http://www.rescen.com . With access to over 2,000 vacation rental home, condo, cottage, hotel and resort options, Reservation Central is the best choice for your next Island Vacation.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Top five bargain destinations for summer 2011
Original article: http://ping.fm/BCady
Fort Myers
Florida's Fort Myers promises an affordable summer vacation of white-sand beaches and lazy days of shelling, swimming, and kayaking. Nearby Sanibel and Captiva islands (http://ping.fm/7RtIk), once hailed by Condé Nast Traveler as "destinations approaching perfection," round out the offerings. Pair airfare deals (http://ping.fm/u20C8) offering solid value with hotel offers (http://www.rescen.com) around the region, and you've got a sunny summer bargain.
On the airfare (http://ping.fm/qi5K4) front, Continental had a mid-July sale fare from New York of $239 round-trip, including taxes and fees, available at press time. USA3000 had a mid-August round-trip fare of $231 from Chicago, including taxes and fees. And Bing's fare predictor suggests that, at least on these routes, fares could drop further in the next week or so, offering even better value.
Hotels around the region are boosting their appeal by dropping prices for the coming season. At the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa (http://rc.rentalmls.net) in Fort Myers, we found a rate of $152 per night for a mid-July stay that includes a car rental (http://ping.fm/E2QNP/car), a daily $25 gas card, and either a bike or kayak rental. With the Escape to Estero Island promotion, rates start at $99 per night at four beach resorts, and the fourth night is free. For more summer specials around the region, browse a list of the latest hotel offers.
Visit Reservation Central at http://www.rescen.com or call a local accommodation specialist at 1-800-290-6920 for great local accommodation deals!
Fort Myers
Florida's Fort Myers promises an affordable summer vacation of white-sand beaches and lazy days of shelling, swimming, and kayaking. Nearby Sanibel and Captiva islands (http://ping.fm/7RtIk), once hailed by Condé Nast Traveler as "destinations approaching perfection," round out the offerings. Pair airfare deals (http://ping.fm/u20C8) offering solid value with hotel offers (http://www.rescen.com) around the region, and you've got a sunny summer bargain.
On the airfare (http://ping.fm/qi5K4) front, Continental had a mid-July sale fare from New York of $239 round-trip, including taxes and fees, available at press time. USA3000 had a mid-August round-trip fare of $231 from Chicago, including taxes and fees. And Bing's fare predictor suggests that, at least on these routes, fares could drop further in the next week or so, offering even better value.
Hotels around the region are boosting their appeal by dropping prices for the coming season. At the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa (http://rc.rentalmls.net) in Fort Myers, we found a rate of $152 per night for a mid-July stay that includes a car rental (http://ping.fm/E2QNP/car), a daily $25 gas card, and either a bike or kayak rental. With the Escape to Estero Island promotion, rates start at $99 per night at four beach resorts, and the fourth night is free. For more summer specials around the region, browse a list of the latest hotel offers.
Visit Reservation Central at http://www.rescen.com or call a local accommodation specialist at 1-800-290-6920 for great local accommodation deals!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Celebrate NationalFlipFlopDay with a Sanibel/Captiva beach vacation. Call Reservation Central at 1-800-290-6920 | http://www.ResCen.com
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Save over 50% @ Sanibel Cafe http://gr.pn/igTkES
Save $$ on your vacation rental as well w/ResCen http://www.rescen.com | 1-800-290-6920
Save $$ on your vacation rental as well w/ResCen http://www.rescen.com | 1-800-290-6920
Monday, June 13, 2011
School's out! Stay on Sanibel this summer. Plan your family vacation today. http://www.rescen.com | 1-800-290-6920. Rates from $620/wk 2br
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Sanibel/Captiva Reservations: http://www.rescen.com Save 50% at the Dunes Golf Course: http://gr.pn/mIdm1k - Sanibel beaches & golf Save $
Sanibel Island Excursions - USA Today Travel
by Erin Maurer, Demand Media - http://ping.fm/Sl1CQ
Sanibel Island is a small island off the coast of Fort Myers, Florida, with the Gulf of Mexico waters to the west and the Pine Island Sound and San Carlos Bay to the east. As such, Sanibel offers an ideal family vacation spot, with many outdoor sports and activities that every member of the family can enjoy.
-Shelling-
Sanibel Island rates among the top 10 United States' beaches for collecting and gathering shells, according to Ann Shield of "Travel and Leisure." An off-shore shelf protects the island and produces gentle waves, and as a result, shells wash along the shore gently, experiencing less breakage than other beaches. The best time to collect shells is during low tide, recommends the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce. Be sure to wear shoes when shelling, as they can be damaging to bare feet. You might find conch, junonia, lighting welk, cockle, tulip, olive and coquinas shells, as well as sand dollars. They also can be found in art and souvenirs throughout the island. In March, the island hosts the annual Shell Festival.
-Fishing-
Sanibel offers some world-class offshore and bay fishing. The Gulf of Mexico features notoriously warm waters, which keep the fish abundant off the coast. Stop by the Bait Box (thebaitbox.com) for fishing tackle, fishing licenses and up-to-date news on current conditions. Fisherman likely will find redfish, speckled trout, snook and tarpon offshore as well as back bay and inland fishing spots. Saltwater fly-fisherman will find the island rich in redfish and seatrout, as well as ladyfishy, Spanish mackerel, kingfish, flounder, snapper, shark and barracuda. On shore, check out the fishing pier, Bowman's Beach and J.N. Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The island offers several charter companies, including Mangrove Island Fishing Charters (mangroveislandcharters.com) and Catch Me If You Can (catchmeifucanfishingcharters.com).
-Cycling-
Many Sanibel residents use bicycles to get around the island, making it an ideal way to tour the island for visitors. Bike paths cover 22 miles around the island, including paved paths going through the island's premier shopping districts. The majority of the hotels offer bikes for guest use, according to the Chamber of Commerce. Bike rentals also are available at establishments such as Billy's Rentals (billyrentals.com) and Finnimore's Bike Shop (finnimores.com) Child trailers, helmets and other safety equipment also are available. Cyclist will enjoy trails like the Rabbit Road, which travels along the canal behind island homes. Riders will likely spot gray marsh rabbits, heron and even an alligator snout on this scenic ride.
-Tours-
In addition to outdoor scenic activities, the island also offers historic tours for visitors. The Sanibel Island Historical Museum and Village (sanibelmuseum.org) tracks the stories of Sanibel Island from the pioneer days through the modern era. Guests can explore seven historic buildings in the historic village, or step back in time with a visit to the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford Winter Estates ( edisonfordwinterestates.org) in nearby Fort Myers. Wander through a variety of historic buildings and gardens on this 20-acre property. Before leaving, stop by the Estates Museum to view historic artifacts, inventions and exhibits concentration on the life and work of Edison and Ford.
-About the Author-
Erin Maurer began writing professionally for Simply the Best Writing and various other websites in 2009. Concentrating on her interests, she writes about animal issues, craft projects and home improvements. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies from Widener University in Chester, Pa.
**Reservations**
Contact Reservation Central, a local Central Reservations Agency for Sanibel & Captiva Islands, for all of your Island reservation needs. As a local company, Reservation Central has first hand knowledge of available rental homes, condos, hotels, small inns, cottages and resorts. Visit them on-line at http://www.rescen.com or call their local reservation office at 1-800-290-6920.
Sanibel Island is a small island off the coast of Fort Myers, Florida, with the Gulf of Mexico waters to the west and the Pine Island Sound and San Carlos Bay to the east. As such, Sanibel offers an ideal family vacation spot, with many outdoor sports and activities that every member of the family can enjoy.
-Shelling-
Sanibel Island rates among the top 10 United States' beaches for collecting and gathering shells, according to Ann Shield of "Travel and Leisure." An off-shore shelf protects the island and produces gentle waves, and as a result, shells wash along the shore gently, experiencing less breakage than other beaches. The best time to collect shells is during low tide, recommends the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce. Be sure to wear shoes when shelling, as they can be damaging to bare feet. You might find conch, junonia, lighting welk, cockle, tulip, olive and coquinas shells, as well as sand dollars. They also can be found in art and souvenirs throughout the island. In March, the island hosts the annual Shell Festival.
-Fishing-
Sanibel offers some world-class offshore and bay fishing. The Gulf of Mexico features notoriously warm waters, which keep the fish abundant off the coast. Stop by the Bait Box (thebaitbox.com) for fishing tackle, fishing licenses and up-to-date news on current conditions. Fisherman likely will find redfish, speckled trout, snook and tarpon offshore as well as back bay and inland fishing spots. Saltwater fly-fisherman will find the island rich in redfish and seatrout, as well as ladyfishy, Spanish mackerel, kingfish, flounder, snapper, shark and barracuda. On shore, check out the fishing pier, Bowman's Beach and J.N. Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The island offers several charter companies, including Mangrove Island Fishing Charters (mangroveislandcharters.com) and Catch Me If You Can (catchmeifucanfishingcharters.com).
-Cycling-
Many Sanibel residents use bicycles to get around the island, making it an ideal way to tour the island for visitors. Bike paths cover 22 miles around the island, including paved paths going through the island's premier shopping districts. The majority of the hotels offer bikes for guest use, according to the Chamber of Commerce. Bike rentals also are available at establishments such as Billy's Rentals (billyrentals.com) and Finnimore's Bike Shop (finnimores.com) Child trailers, helmets and other safety equipment also are available. Cyclist will enjoy trails like the Rabbit Road, which travels along the canal behind island homes. Riders will likely spot gray marsh rabbits, heron and even an alligator snout on this scenic ride.
-Tours-
In addition to outdoor scenic activities, the island also offers historic tours for visitors. The Sanibel Island Historical Museum and Village (sanibelmuseum.org) tracks the stories of Sanibel Island from the pioneer days through the modern era. Guests can explore seven historic buildings in the historic village, or step back in time with a visit to the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford Winter Estates ( edisonfordwinterestates.org) in nearby Fort Myers. Wander through a variety of historic buildings and gardens on this 20-acre property. Before leaving, stop by the Estates Museum to view historic artifacts, inventions and exhibits concentration on the life and work of Edison and Ford.
-About the Author-
Erin Maurer began writing professionally for Simply the Best Writing and various other websites in 2009. Concentrating on her interests, she writes about animal issues, craft projects and home improvements. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies from Widener University in Chester, Pa.
**Reservations**
Contact Reservation Central, a local Central Reservations Agency for Sanibel & Captiva Islands, for all of your Island reservation needs. As a local company, Reservation Central has first hand knowledge of available rental homes, condos, hotels, small inns, cottages and resorts. Visit them on-line at http://www.rescen.com or call their local reservation office at 1-800-290-6920.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
No better place to be than Sanibel/Captiva Islands! Stay for a nt, wk or more. Great rates available. http://www.ResCen.com | 1-800-290-6920
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Save nearly 35% 6/4-11. Pt Santo Beach Front 2/2. $1099+tax. Sanibel Condo w/pool, hot tub & tennis. http://bit.ly/j05JqU | 1-800-290-6920
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Sunny and 90! No better place to be than the Sanibel/Captiva Island beaches. Book your stay today ... http://www.ResCen.com | 1-800-290-6920
Monday, May 30, 2011
"Thank You" to all of the men and women that have served our Country - Happy Memorial Day from Reservation Central. http://www.ResCen.com
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
1 nt Free, $20 gas credit & resort discounts this summer. Several Sanibel & Captiva Island hotels. http://www.ResCen.com | 1-800-290-6920
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Great island getaways: Families share four fun and affordable off-the-mainland escapes
Great island getaways: Families share four fun and affordable off-the-mainland escapes
By ALISSON CLARK
McClatchy-Tribune
It's known as island time, the laid-back pace of certain places surrounded by sand and surf. In these charmed spots, the clock stops ticking the minute you cross the bridge or walk off the ferry and realize where you are: miles and miles away from the hectic hustle of things back home.
We asked a handful of families to tell us about islands they love - the ones they return to time and again to relax and reconnect, or gems they recently discovered and can't wait to revisit.
From the Great Lakes to the Gulf, here are four especially easygoing isles sure to delight your entire castaway crew:
Captiva Island, Fla.
Recommended by Aliisa and Chris Holland of Hanover, Pa., and their kids, Kyle, 13, and Sydney, 5
Gentle waters and superb shell-seeking make this small Gulf Coast island, just over the bridge from neighboring Sanibel, a sure bet for families in search of a low-key beach scene. The area is more than postcard-pretty, though.
"We saw an octopus and a stingray on our visit to the Sanibel lighthouse and bald eagles at the nearby nature refuge," Aliisa Holland said. "We were amazed by all the cool wildlife around us."
Where to stay: The Hollands found their vacation rental with a pool, just steps from the beach. Call Reservation Central at 1-800-290-6920 or visit http://www.ResCen.com for Sanibel Island and Captiva Island Vacation Rentals.
For local flavor: Grab an outdoor table at the Island Cow on Sanibel for ice cream treats or heartier fare.
"It's super kid-friendly, and the food is great," Aliisa Holland said. 239-472-0606; www.sanibelislandcow.com
Worth doing: Sanibel's J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is a must-see, Aliisa Holland reports. 239-472-1100; www.fws.gov/dingdarling
If you love sea shells, be sure to make time for the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, also located on Sanibel. 888-679-6450; http://shellmuseum.org
For other island getaways and great little beach towns all around the country, go to FamilyFun.com.
Alisson Clark lives with her family in Gainesville, Florida.
By ALISSON CLARK
McClatchy-Tribune
It's known as island time, the laid-back pace of certain places surrounded by sand and surf. In these charmed spots, the clock stops ticking the minute you cross the bridge or walk off the ferry and realize where you are: miles and miles away from the hectic hustle of things back home.
We asked a handful of families to tell us about islands they love - the ones they return to time and again to relax and reconnect, or gems they recently discovered and can't wait to revisit.
From the Great Lakes to the Gulf, here are four especially easygoing isles sure to delight your entire castaway crew:
Captiva Island, Fla.
Recommended by Aliisa and Chris Holland of Hanover, Pa., and their kids, Kyle, 13, and Sydney, 5
Gentle waters and superb shell-seeking make this small Gulf Coast island, just over the bridge from neighboring Sanibel, a sure bet for families in search of a low-key beach scene. The area is more than postcard-pretty, though.
"We saw an octopus and a stingray on our visit to the Sanibel lighthouse and bald eagles at the nearby nature refuge," Aliisa Holland said. "We were amazed by all the cool wildlife around us."
Where to stay: The Hollands found their vacation rental with a pool, just steps from the beach. Call Reservation Central at 1-800-290-6920 or visit http://www.ResCen.com for Sanibel Island and Captiva Island Vacation Rentals.
For local flavor: Grab an outdoor table at the Island Cow on Sanibel for ice cream treats or heartier fare.
"It's super kid-friendly, and the food is great," Aliisa Holland said. 239-472-0606; www.sanibelislandcow.com
Worth doing: Sanibel's J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is a must-see, Aliisa Holland reports. 239-472-1100; www.fws.gov/dingdarling
If you love sea shells, be sure to make time for the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, also located on Sanibel. 888-679-6450; http://shellmuseum.org
For other island getaways and great little beach towns all around the country, go to FamilyFun.com.
Alisson Clark lives with her family in Gainesville, Florida.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
It pays to wait for your Sanibel Island and Captiva Island home or condo reservation
Many people, when making their travel plans, like to get their vacation rental reservation out of the way and firm things up in advance. That is great for those that like to stay at a certain rental home or condo or those nervous travelers. Staying in the same place year after year, that is the ideal or perfect location, has great benefits and peace of mind!
For those travelers, however, that aren't very nervous or picky about their accommodation ... there is money to save! The months of May though November is the low season on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. As such, the availability is greater and there are few, if any, weeks that are sold out in a certain complex or rental type. Most rentals are two bedroom/two bathroom and are located along the beach. Rates range from $800 up to $1500 or more depending on the unit and view. If you wait to make a reservation within 14 days or so of arrival, you will save up to 20% or more and have the possibility of saving even more by arriving mid week which will help with airline prices as most charge a premium for Saturday arrivals and departures.
Reservation Central is a great service as we work directly with nearly every vacation rental company, on-site managed complex, hotel, resort, small inn and cottage complex. Having access to over 2500 rental options gives us the ability to find you the best unit at the best price! Call one of our local accommodation specialists today at 1-800-290-6920 or visit us at http://www.ResCen.com and fill out our rental request form. Let us know what you are looking for and we will do our best to find it. In fact, name your price and unit type and I think you may be surprised at what Reservation Central will find for you.
Save even more money by using Reservation Central's corporate discount code on rental cars. You can check and book on line at http://www.ResCen.com/car . The code is good for any Florida location!
Whether you are looking to stay a night, a week, a month or more ... Reservation Central is the perfect way to save you time and money. Call us at 1-800-290-6920 or visit us at http://www.ResCen.com
For those travelers, however, that aren't very nervous or picky about their accommodation ... there is money to save! The months of May though November is the low season on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. As such, the availability is greater and there are few, if any, weeks that are sold out in a certain complex or rental type. Most rentals are two bedroom/two bathroom and are located along the beach. Rates range from $800 up to $1500 or more depending on the unit and view. If you wait to make a reservation within 14 days or so of arrival, you will save up to 20% or more and have the possibility of saving even more by arriving mid week which will help with airline prices as most charge a premium for Saturday arrivals and departures.
Reservation Central is a great service as we work directly with nearly every vacation rental company, on-site managed complex, hotel, resort, small inn and cottage complex. Having access to over 2500 rental options gives us the ability to find you the best unit at the best price! Call one of our local accommodation specialists today at 1-800-290-6920 or visit us at http://www.ResCen.com and fill out our rental request form. Let us know what you are looking for and we will do our best to find it. In fact, name your price and unit type and I think you may be surprised at what Reservation Central will find for you.
Save even more money by using Reservation Central's corporate discount code on rental cars. You can check and book on line at http://www.ResCen.com/car . The code is good for any Florida location!
Whether you are looking to stay a night, a week, a month or more ... Reservation Central is the perfect way to save you time and money. Call us at 1-800-290-6920 or visit us at http://www.ResCen.com
Great summer rates available on Sanibel & Captiva. From $80/nt and $560/wk. http://www.rescen.com | 1-800-290-6920. Florida resident rates
Friday, May 20, 2011
Great Memorial Weekend accommodations still available on Sanibel Island. Call us at 1-800-290-6920 or visit http://www.ResCen.com today!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Great Last Minute Sanibel & Captiva Island rental deals! http://www.lastminutevacancies.com take a week off and save up to 20% or more!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Stay on Sanibel Island for as low as $80/nt. Call us at 1-800-290-6920 or visit http://www.ResCen.com for more info. Book your stay today!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Save 46% this September. 4 br beach front Captiva Island private home. Sleeps 10 ppl. Only $1950+tax. http://bit.ly/jwDmjP - 1-800-290-6920
Save 46%. Captiva Island Beach Front Home. Sleeps 10. Gorgeous property w/Hot Tub. Any wk in September. $1950+tax. http://bit.ly/jwDmjP
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Great last minute Sanibel Island & Captiva Island vacation rental deals. Visit http://ping.fm/CnKwL today!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Save 20% May & June. 3nts or more. Sanibel 1&2br beach condos. Pool. Rates from $549. Up to 6ppl. http://bit.ly/exmeVM | 1-800-290-6920
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Happy Mother's Day from Reservation Central!
Spend your next vacation on Sanibel or Captiva Island. 1-800-290-6920 | http://www.rescen.com
Spend your next vacation on Sanibel or Captiva Island. 1-800-290-6920 | http://www.rescen.com
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Captiva is featured in FamilyFun Magazine
Back in 1988, Captiva had very little in the way of beaches. Today, the small island is renowned for its angelic white sand beaches. Through island-wide projects by the Captiva Erosion Prevention District, the pristine beaches have earned worldwide notoriety.
Last month, TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site, announced that Captiva was named the eighth best beach destination in the United States. The award winners were determined based on the most highly rated beach destination by travelers in TripAdvisor reviews.
In December 2010, Travelocity named Captiva’s Alison Hagerup Beach Park the number one rated “romantic beach in the country and nearby.” It called Captiva’s sunsets “the most romantic in all America.”
Best Beaches USA, the famous rankings by Dr. Stephen Leatherman ("Dr. Beach") of Florida International University, rated Captiva number three in his Best Romantic Beaches. The rankings were based on features such as natural beauty, privacy, good sand and water quality, as well as amenities such as easy access, picnic area and places to walk along the shore.
But the accolades don’t stop there. The Best Florida Beaches website rated Captiva in the Top 10 beaches in the state.
Most recently, Captiva was recommended as a great family vacation spot in the May edition of the Disney FamilyFun Magazine. In its “Let’s Go” section, the Holland family of Hanover, Pa. recommended Captiva for its beautiful beaches and low-key family vacation.
“We saw an octopus and stingray and bald eagles at the near-by nature preserve,” said mother Aliisa Holland about the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. “We were amazed by all the cool wildlife around us.”
The article stated the gentle waters and superb shell-seeking make this small Gulf Coast Island, just over the bridge from neighboring Sanibel, a sure bet for families in search of a simple beach scene.
“I contribute the beaches on Captiva to its residents and businesses,” noted Kathy Rooker, senior administrative assistant at CEPD. “It’s no wonder why Captiva is such a well-recognized and popular family vacation site.”
In 2010 alone, there were more than 400,000 people who visited the beaches. CEPD is very proud to play a role by maintaining and improving the beaches.
“We are honored and glad to be recognized,” Rooker noted.
If it weren’t for the caring and supportive residents and business owners on Captiva, the beaches would still be just rocks instead of the natural white sand and seashells. In 2006 following the last CEPD beach project, the American Shore Preservation Association awarded Captiva for the best nourished beaches in the country.
“We are glad to be recognized for the value of the beaches and not just for recreational, but also environmental,” added Rooker.
The CEPD is comprised of five elected commissioners, who are dedicated to preserving and maintaining Captiva’s beaches and shorelines.
**Visit the world renowned Captiva Island, Florida beaches today for a night, week or longer. Visit http://www.ResCen.com for vacation rental condo, home and hotel/resort options. View photos, information and book on-line with certain properties. You may also call our local accommodation specialists at 1-800-290-6920 with any questions, availability and to make your next Captiva Island vacation a reality!**
-Article originally posted in the Captiva Current 05/06/2011
Last month, TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site, announced that Captiva was named the eighth best beach destination in the United States. The award winners were determined based on the most highly rated beach destination by travelers in TripAdvisor reviews.
In December 2010, Travelocity named Captiva’s Alison Hagerup Beach Park the number one rated “romantic beach in the country and nearby.” It called Captiva’s sunsets “the most romantic in all America.”
Best Beaches USA, the famous rankings by Dr. Stephen Leatherman ("Dr. Beach") of Florida International University, rated Captiva number three in his Best Romantic Beaches. The rankings were based on features such as natural beauty, privacy, good sand and water quality, as well as amenities such as easy access, picnic area and places to walk along the shore.
But the accolades don’t stop there. The Best Florida Beaches website rated Captiva in the Top 10 beaches in the state.
Most recently, Captiva was recommended as a great family vacation spot in the May edition of the Disney FamilyFun Magazine. In its “Let’s Go” section, the Holland family of Hanover, Pa. recommended Captiva for its beautiful beaches and low-key family vacation.
“We saw an octopus and stingray and bald eagles at the near-by nature preserve,” said mother Aliisa Holland about the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. “We were amazed by all the cool wildlife around us.”
The article stated the gentle waters and superb shell-seeking make this small Gulf Coast Island, just over the bridge from neighboring Sanibel, a sure bet for families in search of a simple beach scene.
“I contribute the beaches on Captiva to its residents and businesses,” noted Kathy Rooker, senior administrative assistant at CEPD. “It’s no wonder why Captiva is such a well-recognized and popular family vacation site.”
In 2010 alone, there were more than 400,000 people who visited the beaches. CEPD is very proud to play a role by maintaining and improving the beaches.
“We are honored and glad to be recognized,” Rooker noted.
If it weren’t for the caring and supportive residents and business owners on Captiva, the beaches would still be just rocks instead of the natural white sand and seashells. In 2006 following the last CEPD beach project, the American Shore Preservation Association awarded Captiva for the best nourished beaches in the country.
“We are glad to be recognized for the value of the beaches and not just for recreational, but also environmental,” added Rooker.
The CEPD is comprised of five elected commissioners, who are dedicated to preserving and maintaining Captiva’s beaches and shorelines.
**Visit the world renowned Captiva Island, Florida beaches today for a night, week or longer. Visit http://www.ResCen.com for vacation rental condo, home and hotel/resort options. View photos, information and book on-line with certain properties. You may also call our local accommodation specialists at 1-800-290-6920 with any questions, availability and to make your next Captiva Island vacation a reality!**
-Article originally posted in the Captiva Current 05/06/2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
2 br Sanibel villa. Avail: 5/6-8 @ $135/nt 6 ppl, 300 ft to beach. http://ping.fm/E6BBx 1-800-290-6920
Monday, April 25, 2011
Save 20% this May/June at Sandalfoot. 1-2br Sanibel beach condos. 4-6ppl. Pool/tennis. From $549/3nts. http://bit.ly/exmeVM | 1-800-290-6920
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Celebrate Earth Day w/a nature based beach vacation to Sanibel Island. Over 50% of the Island is a nature preserve. http://www.rescen.com
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Captiva Bay Front Home 25% off 8/27-11/19. $1950+tax. 4BR-2.5BA, Dock, Pool & Beach Access. Sleeps 8. 1-800-290-6920. http://bit.ly/bBGETr
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Sanibel Island West Wind Inn $129/nt - summer. Pool/Gulf view rooms! Call 1-800-290-6920 to check availability today! http://bit.ly/fCp9Ge
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Great last minute Sanibel Island deal 4/14-17. $189/nt. 2br near beach w/hot tub. 1-800-290-6920. http://ping.fm/mVdFc
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Sanibel Island & Captiva Island are top 10 beaches in USA. Call 1-800-290-6920 to book your Island Vacation today! http://bit.ly/dEN03O
Sanibel Island & Captiva Island are top 10 beach destinations in the USA
With warmer weather on the way and many of us planning trips to the shore, TripAdvisor has crunched its data to find what its 20 million members say are the Top 10 beach destinations in the USA and around the world.
Hotel Check-In, in turn, asked TripAdvisor to pair the winners of its "Travelers' Choice Beaches" awards with the top-ranked hotel in each beach destination.
The hotels range from quaint seaside motels (Dave's Straw Hat Inn in the Philippines) to swanky luxury hotels where waiters will serve you cold drinks on the beach (Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk).
Many of the hotels are in Florida, since Florida hotels took six of the Top 10 on the USA's "Travelers' Choice Beaches" list.
Beach hotels have quite an audience, according to a recent TripAdvisor survey. Of the roughly 2,100 U.S. respondents, 68% plan to take a beach vacation in 2011, with the biggest percentage (54%) planning a U.S. beach destination, followed by Caribbean or Mexico (26%).
Here are the full results for the USA:
1. Myrtle Beach, S.C.
2. Cape May, N.J.
3. Panama City Beach, Fla.
4. Miami Beach, Fla.
5. SANIBEL ISLAND, FLORIDA
6. Clearwater, Fla.
7. Honolulu, Hawaii
8. CAPTIVA ISLAND, FLORIDA
9. Poipu, Hawaii
10. Siesta Key, Fla.
Call Reservation Central Sanibel Island & Captiva Island today for your next Sanibel Island or Captiva Island reservation. Experience what so many others are raving about! You can visit us online at http://www.rescen.com or call our local accommodation specialists at 1-800-290-6920
Hotel Check-In, in turn, asked TripAdvisor to pair the winners of its "Travelers' Choice Beaches" awards with the top-ranked hotel in each beach destination.
The hotels range from quaint seaside motels (Dave's Straw Hat Inn in the Philippines) to swanky luxury hotels where waiters will serve you cold drinks on the beach (Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk).
Many of the hotels are in Florida, since Florida hotels took six of the Top 10 on the USA's "Travelers' Choice Beaches" list.
Beach hotels have quite an audience, according to a recent TripAdvisor survey. Of the roughly 2,100 U.S. respondents, 68% plan to take a beach vacation in 2011, with the biggest percentage (54%) planning a U.S. beach destination, followed by Caribbean or Mexico (26%).
Here are the full results for the USA:
1. Myrtle Beach, S.C.
2. Cape May, N.J.
3. Panama City Beach, Fla.
4. Miami Beach, Fla.
5. SANIBEL ISLAND, FLORIDA
6. Clearwater, Fla.
7. Honolulu, Hawaii
8. CAPTIVA ISLAND, FLORIDA
9. Poipu, Hawaii
10. Siesta Key, Fla.
Call Reservation Central Sanibel Island & Captiva Island today for your next Sanibel Island or Captiva Island reservation. Experience what so many others are raving about! You can visit us online at http://www.rescen.com or call our local accommodation specialists at 1-800-290-6920
Monday, April 4, 2011
Stay 3 nts - get 1 FREE at several Sanibel / Captiva resorts. Call 1-800-290-6920 or visit us today at http://ping.fm/jF2Ga
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Last minute Sanibel & Captiva Island discounts available. http://ping.fm/n2VlA / 1-800-290-6920. Call or click today!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
2 br Sanibel beach condos w/pool. Mid/Late April 5+nts @ $157/nt. Call 1-800-290-6920 for details and availability. http://bit.ly/eCsY9n
Friday, March 18, 2011
Last Minute Sanibel & Captiva Island Discounts. http://www.lastminutevacancies.com - Save 25% or more on your upcoming Island vacation
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Great rates still available on Sanibel. Call 1-800-290-6920 to check availability! Condos, Homes, Hotels & Cottages. http://www.rescen.com
Sunday, March 13, 2011
GM to offer "Captiva" as next new vehicle! Everyone should have Captiva on their mind. Call 1-800-290-6920 or visit http://www.rescen.com
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Great last minute deals still available on Sanibel & Captiva. Call today (1-800-290-6920) to check availability! http://www.rescen.com
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Save 20-25% on stays in March, 1 & 2 br condos. Pool, beach & tennis. Sanibel Island. Book online! http://www.rescen.com/sanibelcaptiva
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Great deals over Easter wk on Sanibel! Under $1000 for 6 ppl on the beach. Beach view/frnt specials too. 1-800-290-6920. http://bit.ly/zjvlE
Friday, March 4, 2011
Check out http://ping.fm/dg1TG ! Great deals listed when they come available. "Like Us" and save $$$
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Summer rates start April 9th! Save up to 50% or more off of high winter season rates. Sanibel Island / Captiva Island. http://bit.ly/efcSOO
Sunday, February 27, 2011
It's 85 and Sunny on Sanibel Island today .... how's the weather where you are? Put down the shovel and visit http://www.rescen.com today!
Save $100s of dollars on your next vacation
With nearly every vacationer coming to Southwest Florida needing a rental car, why pay more for a car than you have to? Any guest with Reservation Central has access to our per-negotiated rental rates through Thrifty rental cars. Most of our guests are flying into Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and can find the Thrifty counter just as you walk out of the baggage claim area. It doesn't get any easier than that. Using the Reservation Central rental car link (http://www.rescen.com/car) you can search through using your pick up and drop off dates, select your car type and make your reservation online. You don't even need a credit card to confirm your reservation. Simply type in your name, phone number and e-mail address and you are all set. Our rental car rates stay the same all year round, saving 50% or more depending on the dates and car type. Also, when making a car rental reservation through our special link, you receive unlimited miles and no extra fees for extra drivers or drivers under 25 years old. A great tip as well is that this discount is available for any Florida location. If you find a better air fare deal in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa or any other airport, use our link and rent your car with the same discounted rates and offers. Check http://www.rescen.com/car today or call 1-800-290-6920 for more information.
Save HUGE! Up to 50% or more ... Florida rental cars. Check online and make your reservation. http://www.rescen.com/car
Easter week - Sanibel Island. Less than $35/per person per day! 2br beach front condo. Pool & Tennis. 1-800-290-6920. http://bit.ly/eLMHTS
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
35% off Sayana Sanibel. 2br gulf front. Pool & tennis. Only 9 units on-site. $1743+tax. 4/2-9, 4/16-23. 1-800-290-6920. http://bit.ly/fSPlnX
30% off Compass Point. 2+den. Gulf front w/cabana. Pool & tennis. $2217 +tax. Sleeps 6. 4/2-16. 1-800-290-6920. Photos: http://bit.ly/hRpRj8
50% off Tarpon Beach Club. 4/2-16, 4/23-30. 2br/2ba. Pool & Tennis. Gulf Front View! Sleeps 6. 1-800-290-6920. Photos: http://bit.ly/fpNLNd
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Save over 40% during April. Island Beach Club 2br/2ba condo. On-site Pool. Sleeps 6. $1205+tax. 1-800-290-6920. http://bit.ly/fx75HN
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Save up to 50% or more on Florida rental cars! Visit http://www.ResCen.com/car today to check and book online
Great Sanibel & Captiva Island rental specials this winter/spring! Call 1-800-290-6920 for info or check out http://www.ResCen.com today
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Captiva Home sleeps 12 ppl. Pool/Dock/Beach Access. Late spring/summer/fall rate: $3300+tax. 1-800-290-6920. http://bit.ly/hzL7II
Pointe Santo Sanibel units going fast. All of April 35% off. Call now to book! 3nts or more. 1-800-290-6920. http://bit.ly/gNT3jf
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
From $1366+tax/wk Feb-Apr. 2br/2ba Grnd fl. Sanibel beach side condo. Pool/Tennis. 1 bldg from beach. 1-800-290-6920. http://bit.ly/gNT3jf
Monday, February 7, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Save Time and Money with Reservation Central Sanibel Island & Captiva Island
With over 40 Sanibel Island & Captiva Island vacation rental companies, hotels, resort, small inns and cottage complexes, the task of finding your perfect Island Vacation can be a tenuous and time consuming task. Save your precious time and get as good of, if not a better rate than you can on your own with the help of Reservation Central (http://ping.fm/CFHXS).
Reservation Central (http://ping.fm/wMvBA) has been a locally owned and operated company for over 10 years servicing Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Beach, Bonita Springs and Naples. Reservation Central works directly with nearly all of the area vacation rental companies, hotels, resorts, small inns and cottage complexes. Potential visitors can visit http://www.rescen.com or call 1-800-290-6920 to view rental photos, area information, check availability and make a reservation.
Let our accommodation specialists know what you are looking for and Reservation Central will get to work and find your perfect vacation spot!
In addition to the vast amount of vacation rental knowledge, Reservation Central offer travel insurance (http://ping.fm/FfQRO/travel-insurance) to protect your vacation investment and pre-negotiated discount rental car rates through Thrifty throughout any rental car location in the state of Florida.
Vacations should be worry-free and something to look forward to ... let Reservation Central take the stress away when planning your next Southwest Florida vacation! Visit us today at http://www.ResCen.com or call 1-800-290-6920.
Reservation Central (http://ping.fm/wMvBA) has been a locally owned and operated company for over 10 years servicing Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Beach, Bonita Springs and Naples. Reservation Central works directly with nearly all of the area vacation rental companies, hotels, resorts, small inns and cottage complexes. Potential visitors can visit http://www.rescen.com or call 1-800-290-6920 to view rental photos, area information, check availability and make a reservation.
Let our accommodation specialists know what you are looking for and Reservation Central will get to work and find your perfect vacation spot!
In addition to the vast amount of vacation rental knowledge, Reservation Central offer travel insurance (http://ping.fm/FfQRO/travel-insurance) to protect your vacation investment and pre-negotiated discount rental car rates through Thrifty throughout any rental car location in the state of Florida.
Vacations should be worry-free and something to look forward to ... let Reservation Central take the stress away when planning your next Southwest Florida vacation! Visit us today at http://www.ResCen.com or call 1-800-290-6920.
Captiva Home (Village)-1 from Beach! 4/4/pool, 8 ppl. 5 nt min. South Seas Access. Call or click today. 1-800-290-6920. http://bit.ly/eKvsiu
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Save 30% all month! 1 & 2 Br, beach front. Rates from $785. Less than 1 wk OK! Heated pool. Sanibel. 1-800-290-6920. http://bit.ly/e1oGxy
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Book within 2 wks of arrival save 25%. Rates from $1263+tax. 2br. Pool/walk to beach. Sanibel Island. 1-800-290-6920. http://bit.ly/gv0I0j
Monday, January 31, 2011
Easter week 20-50% off! 4/23-30. Sanibel Island condos. 2-8 ppl. Beach! Call today for avail & rates. 1-800-290-6920. http://bit.ly/fccqod
Monday, January 24, 2011
Mid-Late April Save over 33% at Pt Santo Sanibel. 2/3 br bch frnt & view. Call today to reserve! 1-800-290-6920 | http://bit.ly/erKq4y
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
More than 6 ppl? Only 2 Sanibel Island units remain - sleep up to 8 ppl. 3/26-4/2. Call 1-800-290-6920 today! http://bit.ly/fZ44fa
Great last minute deals - Save 20% or more. Call 1-800-290-6920 or visit http://www.ResCen.com for your Sanibel Island vacation today!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
20% off certain Pointe Santo Sanibel Island condos. 1/29-2/5. Call 1-800-290-6920 to check availability and book! http://bit.ly/dXE3mo
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Escape the snow! Sanibel Island is sunny & in the 70s! Last Min stays save up to 30% or more. Call 1-800-290-6920 or http://www.ResCen.com
Thursday, January 13, 2011
20% off at Sandalfoot this February. From $1450+tax/wk. Sanibel Island pool, tennis & beach. 1 &2 br. 1-800-290-6920. http://bit.ly/e1oGxy
Friday, January 7, 2011
25% savings. Sanibel Island condo. Gulf front 2+den/2ba Pool, tennis, Wi-Fi. $2435+tax/wk. Feb/Mar/Apr. 1-800-290-6920. http://bit.ly/e8NUlC
Save over 50% off Florida rental car rates. Peak season rates from $160+tax. Put $$$ back in your pocket! http://www.ResCen.com/car
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Save over 25% stays thru 2/5. 5br Captiva home w/pool. Sleeps 10. $5050+tax. http://bit.ly/ep1ZVb. Game, gym, baby items & more.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Years resolution: Visit Captiva Island! Less than $40/daily per person all summer. Gulf View, pool Home. Sleeps 10. http://bit.ly/ies0iU
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