Vote for the best beach town in Florida
Laura Bly - http://www.usatoday.com/story/dispatches/2012/12/28/whats-the-best-beach-town-in-florida/1793599/5p.m. EST December 28, 2012
With thousands of snowbirds pointing their convertibles south to the Sunshine State for a dose of winter warmth, we asked "Dr. Beach"— aka Florida International University professor and coastal expert Stephen P. Leatherman — for 10 Florida destinations that combine sand, surf and a welcoming sense of community. His favorites, in alphabetical order:
Sanibel Island: Yes, "you have to pay $6 to get there" via a causeway. But once you reach this upscale Gulf Coast barrier island, you'll find the country's "No. 1 shelling area," no stoplights, and strict building codes that limit new structures to two stories in height.
Clearwater Beach: Meet "volleyball heaven" on the Gulf Coast, with "some of the best girl- and boy-watching I've ever seen" near Pier 60.
Cocoa Beach: This onetime astronaut hangout near the Kennedy Space Center is famous for the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, along with "a great pier and surf shop," Ron Jon's, whose flagship store will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year.
Delray Beach: A "surprising find" in South Florida, with a "walkable downtown," locally owned shops and a lively bar scene.
Key West: Free-wheeling Margaritaville "is crowded, but with good reason. Its two beaches (Smathers and Fort Zachary Taylor) may not be that great for Florida, but certainly are by U.S. standards."
New Smyrna Beach: Though Leatherman frowns on the practice from an environmental point of view, this laid-back surfing outpost at the mouth of the Indian River in east central Florida "still lets you drive on the beach."
Pensacola Beach: This Panhandle town features "great public access to incredibly wide beaches," bay or Gulf of Mexico swimming, and nearby Fort Pickens, where Apache leader Geronimo was imprisoned.
Seaside: A master-planned "country beach town" on the Florida Panhandle, Seaside was "made for coalescing over front porches and white picket fences."
Siesta Key: Last year's winner of Leatherman's "best beach in America" survey, this Gulf Coast barrier island southwest of Sarasota has "the finest white sand in the world."
South Beach: Celebrity-packed "Manhattan on the beach" hosts an annual polo tournament each spring and remains "one of the world's most famous" strands.
Now, readers, it's your turn. Vote for your favorite below (or at this link), or tweet your pick to @usatodaytravel using the hashtag #flabeachtown. We'll feature the winner in an upcoming Travel story.
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Call Reservation Central at 1-800-290-6920 or visit us at www.ResCen.com to make your next Sanibel Island or Captiva Island, Florida vacation. Choose from 1000s of hotels, resorts, small inns, cottages, condominiums or private vacation homes.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Monday, December 24, 2012
Top Five U.S. Vacation Travel Hotspots for 2013 - DwellableTrends
Top Five U.S. Vacation Travel Hotspots for 2013
2012-12-13 by Brenda
http://www.dwellable.com/blog/Top-Five-U-S-Vacation-Travel-Hotspots-for-2013
Want to know where U.S. vacation travelers are headed in 2013? Using Dwellable Secrets, inquiry rates and other proprietary data, we took a look at the top traveler trends to figure out just where in the U.S. folks are planning to travel in 2013. The results? A little bit of snow and a lot of sun!
5) Colorado: Even with ski season well underway, powder buffs are looking for winter travel options early in the New Year, with Breckenridge and Keystone leading the way. Sound tantalizing? Check out the live webcam for current ski conditions.
4) San Diego is still a hot destination, with La Jolla trending even higher in search than Mission Beach. Why La Jolla? Well, if it's not the beach or the beach caves you can explore at low tide, perhaps it's the Birch Aquarium or the La Jolla Playhouse.
3) Eastern Seaboard: We're cheating a little bit on this one, but there are four great destinations on Atlantic seaboard which are seeing a lot of traveler activity for 2013: Palmetto Dunes in Hilton Head, Corolla in the Outer Banks, Sandbridge in Myrtle Beach and Falmouth in Cape Cod. They're in a virtual dead heat for popularity.
2) Hawaii: Bucking seasonal declines in the rest of the islands, traveler interest in Kauai is trending higher, with the northern coast--including Princeville-- seeing the largest upswing.
1) Florida: Known for it's shell beaches and wildlife refuges, Sanibel Island is on the rise, and seeing even more traveler interest than Naples. Other Florida hotspots for 2013: the perpetually-popular Destin and Kissimmee.
Contact Reservation Central to make a Sanibel Island vacation a reality. Visit www.rescen.com or call our local office at 1-800-290-6920. Reservation Central offers 1000s of privately owned vacation rental homes, condos, cottages as well as all of the Island hotels, resorts and small inns.
2012-12-13 by Brenda
http://www.dwellable.com/blog/Top-Five-U-S-Vacation-Travel-Hotspots-for-2013
It's no mystery why the north coast of Kauai is one of the most popular travel destinations for 2013.
Want to know where U.S. vacation travelers are headed in 2013? Using Dwellable Secrets, inquiry rates and other proprietary data, we took a look at the top traveler trends to figure out just where in the U.S. folks are planning to travel in 2013. The results? A little bit of snow and a lot of sun!
5) Colorado: Even with ski season well underway, powder buffs are looking for winter travel options early in the New Year, with Breckenridge and Keystone leading the way. Sound tantalizing? Check out the live webcam for current ski conditions.
4) San Diego is still a hot destination, with La Jolla trending even higher in search than Mission Beach. Why La Jolla? Well, if it's not the beach or the beach caves you can explore at low tide, perhaps it's the Birch Aquarium or the La Jolla Playhouse.
3) Eastern Seaboard: We're cheating a little bit on this one, but there are four great destinations on Atlantic seaboard which are seeing a lot of traveler activity for 2013: Palmetto Dunes in Hilton Head, Corolla in the Outer Banks, Sandbridge in Myrtle Beach and Falmouth in Cape Cod. They're in a virtual dead heat for popularity.
2) Hawaii: Bucking seasonal declines in the rest of the islands, traveler interest in Kauai is trending higher, with the northern coast--including Princeville-- seeing the largest upswing.
1) Florida: Known for it's shell beaches and wildlife refuges, Sanibel Island is on the rise, and seeing even more traveler interest than Naples. Other Florida hotspots for 2013: the perpetually-popular Destin and Kissimmee.
Contact Reservation Central to make a Sanibel Island vacation a reality. Visit www.rescen.com or call our local office at 1-800-290-6920. Reservation Central offers 1000s of privately owned vacation rental homes, condos, cottages as well as all of the Island hotels, resorts and small inns.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Travel Channel films show on Captiva Island
Posted: Dec 08, 2012 6:00 PM
Updated: Dec 08, 2012 6:19 PM
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/20296166/travel-channel-films-on-captiva-island
By Leigh Dana
CAPTIVA ISLAND, FL -
Captiva Island was in the spotlight Saturday when the Travel Channel filmed the island to be part of their show on unique Christmas events across the country.
It is the 3rd Annual Golf Cart Parade that has brought the cameras to Captiva.
"When we get these national press pieces like this, the phone rings off the hook," said Ric Base, Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce.
Updated: Dec 08, 2012 6:19 PM
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/20296166/travel-channel-films-on-captiva-island
By Leigh Dana
CAPTIVA ISLAND, FL -
Captiva Island was in the spotlight Saturday when the Travel Channel filmed the island to be part of their show on unique Christmas events across the country.
It is the 3rd Annual Golf Cart Parade that has brought the cameras to Captiva.
"When we get these national press pieces like this, the phone rings off the hook," said Ric Base, Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce.
Season isn't even in full swing yet, but the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce says business is already the best it's been in more than a decade.
"We suffered through the oil spill, and Charlie and all that... and now we seem to come on the other side and things are going very well," Base said.
Once the travel channel's show airs, tourism is expected to pick up even more.
"We suffered through the oil spill, and Charlie and all that... and now we seem to come on the other side and things are going very well," Base said.
Once the travel channel's show airs, tourism is expected to pick up even more.
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To check out Captiva Island, Florida for yourself and see how beautiful the Gulf Coast can be, choose Reservation Central. Reservation Central has access to 100s of Captiva Island rental homes, condos, hotel rooms and suites. From an intimate room for 2 up to a private home for up to 20 people, Reservation Central is here to help you make your next dream vacation a reality. Call our local reservation office at 1-800-290-6920 or visit http://www.rescen.com/sanibelcaptiva to search rentals and submit your reservation request.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Travel insurance funds backup plans
Travel insurance funds backup plans
By Scott J. Wilson
Los Angeles Times
If you're spending a lot of money on a trip, consider buying travel insurance to protect yourself against the unexpected. Key things to know:
Typically, travel insurance reimburses you for such things as nonrefundable cruise deposits or airfares when weather, illness, natural disaster or terrorism cause your trip to be canceled or delayed. Plans differ slightly from one another, so be sure to read the fine print.
Some policies cover medical expenses incurred outside the U.S., and may pay for emergency evacuation in case of a serious injury or health problem. Some providers will not cover pre-existing medical conditions.
You can buy travel insurance through a travel agent, your tour company or sites such as InsureMyTrip.com, Squaremouth.com and QuoteWright.com. The cost typically is 4 percent to 8 percent of the trip's price. You may get a better rate if you buy a policy within 14 days of making the first deposit for your trip.
If you want the option to back out of your trip and get your money back at any time, some carriers offer "cancel for any reason" coverage at an extra cost. The price is around 10 percent of the trip's cost.
If you have a dispute with a travel insurance provider, consider contacting your credit card company, or the hotel or tour operator, and asking for a refund.
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Reservation Central provides travel insurance to all of our guests through TravelGuard. Get a quote and purchase your policy today to protect your upcoming Sanibel Island, Captiva Island or other Southwest Florida vacation at http://www.rescen.com/travel-insurance/
From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121126/BIZ01/211260317#ixzz2DLCJ1XLi
Monday, November 19, 2012
Captiva Holiday Village Schedule of Events
Hoteliers, merchants, attraction owners and restaurateurs of Captiva Island have been preparing for the third annual Captiva Holiday Village that will kick off Friday, Nov. 23 and continue through Dec. 8.
The three-weekend-long Captiva Holiday Village launches its 2012 spectacular the Friday after Thanksgiving with fireworks, tree lightings, holiday readings, musical performances and more.
Each special-themed weekend, will be a fun-filled extravaganza of sight and sound, set against the backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico and evening sunsets. During the event weekends, visitors will enjoy everything from decorated golf-cart and lighted boat parades to Junkanoo and fire dancers, live music and even a Marching Mullet Parade.
All the Village festivities, the island offers easy access to an abundance of water sports: kayaking, guided fishing, parasailing, world-renowned shelling and wildlife cruises to the outer islands.
As a highlight of this annual event, local hoteliers and restaurants have once again teamed up to offer six free two-night Captiva Holiday Village weekends for the 2012 event.
Captiva Island resorts, inns, cottages and vacation homes are also offering lodging specials in conjunction with this year’s event. To make a reservation, please visit www.ResCen.com or call 1-800-290-6920.
The latest 2012 event schedule is as follows:
Friday, Nov. 23:
‘Tween Waters Inn Tree Lighting Ceremony and fireworks
5 to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 24:
South Seas Tree Lighting and Children’s Classic Holiday Reading
Chadwick’s Square South Seas
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Sunset Arias on the beach at ‘Tween Waters Inn
5 to 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 28:
Walking History Tour
With Richard Finkel of Captiva Cruises at McCarthy’s Marina
11 a.m.
Sunset Cruise
Demystifying Wines - Wonder about what temperature a Barbera wine should be served or what the cork can tell you about the quality? Join Gordon Huller on this special sunset cruise to learn more. Call 472-5100 for reservations.
5:00 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 29:
Sanibel Captiva Art League “Paint Out” Plein Air at Tween Waters Inn
10:00 am
“Holiday Surprises” Captiva Memorial Library
2:30 pm
Captiva Historical Society presents Captiva Memories Vol. 1 - CCA Community Center
4:30 pm
Friday, Nov. 30:
Coconuts!
Paint coconut greeting cards, weave fish ornaments from palm fronds, taste Queenie’s coconut ice cream, learn about varieties of coconuts, and ethnobotanical uses of the cabbage palm.
Under the tiki at Jensen’s Marina
11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Mullet March
Starts at Jensen’s Marina
4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Joyous Jam
Five-piece band Jim Morris & The Big Bamboo Band on stage. Food and liquor booths. Bring lawn chairs. No coolers allowed.
Keylime Bistro, Andy Rosse Lane
5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Fire Dancing
Andy Rosse Lane Beach
6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 1:
Mullet Festival
Jensen’s Marina
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fishing, cooking demos, book signing, music. Fun for all ages.
Join the Junkanoo making Recycled Rhythm Instruments
Corner of Andy Rosse Lane & Captiva Drive
1 to 3:00 p.m.
Junkanoo Parade
Andy Rosse Lane
3 p.m.
Boat Parade
Roosevelt Channel. Get cruise tickets from Captiva Cruises 472-5300
Public parade viewing: Green Flash Restaurant, Jensen’s Marina, McCarthy’s Marina, Tween Waters Marina
6 p.m.
Boat Awards
Keylime Bistro, Andy Rosse Lane
8:30 p.m.
Tuesday Dec. 4:
Talk by Amy Bennett Williams, editor of Tropicalia and author Images of the Caloosahatchee. Also speaking Woody Hanson, grandson of the Seminole’s White Medicine Man.
Wakefield Room at ‘Tween Waters
7 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 5:
Boat Cruise - 1000 Years of Fishing in Pine Island Sound boat cruise
McCarthy’s Marina with SCCF’s Kristie Anders. Call 472-5100 for reservations
9:30 a.m.
Captiva Storm Readiness by Doris Holzheimer and Island Hurricanes by SCCF’s Kristie Anders
Captiva Civic Association
2:00 p.m.
Boat Cruise - Winter Stars Over Captiva with Richard Finkel of Captiva Cruises
$30.00 per person. Call Captiva Cruises in advance for reservations 472-5100
6:30 pm
Thursday, Dec. 6:
Sanibel Art League “Paint Out” Plein Air
Andy Rosse Lane
10:00 am
Mangrove Mamas: Who Lives Amidst the Mangroves with a live touch tank
‘Tween Waters Marina Deck
11:00 a.m.
Sea Grass Seining with SCCF Scientists
Captiva Kayak
Fee $30 person for kayaks
1:30 pm
Books make the Best Gifts
Captiva Memorial Library
2:30 p.m.
Captiva Memories: Earth, Wind and Water
Community Center
4:30 pm
Friday, Dec. 7:
Sanibel Luminary Evening
5:30 to 9 p.m.
Sunset Arias
Beach at ‘Tween Waters Inn
5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
“America’s Darling” a new documentary on the life of Jay Norwood Darling
Wakefield Room at ‘Tween Waters
7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 8:
Golf Cart Parade
Decorated Golf Cart Parade starts at South Seas Resort traveling down Captiva Drive.
3:30 p.m.
Captiva Luminary
7 p.m.
Captiva Luminary Stroll throughout the Captiva Village area and Chadwick’s Square
Photographic Sampler at the Captiva Memorial Library Collection
Catch the trolley from South Seas Island Resort to ‘Tween Waters Inn with three stops in between to enjoy shopping, entertainment and food.
Sunday, Dec. 9:
Carol Sing at Chapel-by-the-Sea
Post carol reception at Captiva Civic Association Hall
7 p.m.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Fort Myers, FL TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 2012
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. Attractions include the winter estates of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, as well as nearby Naples and the islands of Sanibel and Captiva. For wildlife spotting, try Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve—TripAdvisor travelers love taking photos along the boardwalk trail.
Plan your visit to the Fort Myers area with Reservation Central today! Visit www.ResCen.com or call our local Reservation Office at 1-800-290-6920
Friday, November 9, 2012
10 great places for families to escape the snow
Larry Bleiberg, special for USA TODAY
2:58PM EST November 8. 2012 - With winter on its way, it's time to start planning a sunny family getaway. But don't limit your escape to a familiar resort or theme park, says Jennifer Miner, one of the three founders of TheVacationGals.com blog. "The surprise of a new place on vacation is something that's so wonderful," she says. Miner and her two partners, Kara Williams and Beth Blair, share tips for seasonal getaways with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.
Palm Springs, Calif.
This desert getaway appeals to all ages, Williams says. For adults, there are spas, golf, shopping and restaurants, while kids will love the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the hands-on Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert, or a family hike to 49 Palms Oasis at nearby Joshua Tree National Park.
Puerto Rico
You may not need a passport, but this Caribbean island offers an exotic international getaway close to home for families, couples or singles. There's plenty of natural appeal from kayaking in a bioluminescent bay where microscopic algae glow in the dark, to jungle hiking in El Yunque National Forest, Williams says. Or soak in history wandering the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan. Visit on a Sunday and watch kite fliers at Fort San Felipe del Morro, a stone citadel.
Lake Charles, La.
Celebrate Mardi Gras family-style at this southwestern Louisiana city, where the parades and festivities play up tradition more than titillation. There's also opportunity for beaches, biking, and exploring marshland along the 180-mile Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, says Blair. "The food is so good, and the scenery is just pretty with Spanish moss and big oak trees and swamp land."
Island of Hawaii
It's volcanoes that draw Miner to the Big Island of Hawaii. "You can go and see the lava flowing into the ocean and the island getting bigger." One of her favorite excursions is hiking through Thurston Lava Tube at Volcanoes National Park. "For kids who have a little bit of Indiana Jones in them, it's an incredible place." And for beaches, the island's Kohala coast can't be beat.
Carlsbad, Calif.
This northern San Diego County town attracts families to its Legoland theme park, but for Miner the appeal goes further. "This is a beachy community," she says. "It has a nice small-town feel." You can watch surfers tackle the waves, and even sign up for surfing school to try it yourself.
Atlanta
Lots of folks switch planes in Atlanta, but Williams says it's a great place to spend some time. Family favorites include the massive Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca Cola Museum, which has a giant tasting room where visitors can try scores of the company's beverages sold around the world. Tip: Watch out for Beverly, the bitter Italian soda that's so bad, it's good. For an active outing, Stone Mountain offers hikes, a tram ride and even a ropes course. Although the city occasionally gets snow, it quickly disappears.
Turks and Caicos
This Caribbean nation with powder-white sand keeps sun lovers happy, but there's also enough variety to break up beach days, says Blair. Activities include a conch farm a former cotton plantation and humpback whale watching. But the common denominator is a laid-back pace. "You go with the flow and relax," she says.
Sanibel Island, Fla.
You'll get a beach vacation, but so much more at this Gulf Coast Island near Fort Myers. The island's location makes it one of the best places to find seashells in the country. "Who wouldn't love shelling on the beach and wading in the mellow, mellow waters?" Williams says. Biking's easy on the flat island, and so is kayaking at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
Tucson
You get a feel for Mexico and the Wild West in this laid-back Arizona city, says Blair, a former resident. She suggests starting with a visit to Old Tucson Studios, which celebrates the movies filmed here with sets, cowboy gunfights and stunt shows. Another day, visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a combination zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden. "It's an environment that's so unique and so different," she says.
Los Angeles
The West Coast megalopolis is already on many vacation lists, but city resident Miner says LA is more than Hollywood and beaches. One of her favorite stops: La Brea Tar Pits, where saber- tooth cats and mammoths emerge from archaeological digs while city traffic zooms by. "It brings home the fact that our time is just on a dot on the planet," she says. Other favorites: Universal Studios theme park and sprawling Griffith Park.
_______________________________
To make your Sanibel Island or Captiva Island, Florida vacation and escape the snow ... call Reservation Central at 1-800-290-6920 or visit www.rescen.com
2:58PM EST November 8. 2012 - With winter on its way, it's time to start planning a sunny family getaway. But don't limit your escape to a familiar resort or theme park, says Jennifer Miner, one of the three founders of TheVacationGals.com blog. "The surprise of a new place on vacation is something that's so wonderful," she says. Miner and her two partners, Kara Williams and Beth Blair, share tips for seasonal getaways with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.
Palm Springs, Calif.
This desert getaway appeals to all ages, Williams says. For adults, there are spas, golf, shopping and restaurants, while kids will love the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the hands-on Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert, or a family hike to 49 Palms Oasis at nearby Joshua Tree National Park.
Puerto Rico
You may not need a passport, but this Caribbean island offers an exotic international getaway close to home for families, couples or singles. There's plenty of natural appeal from kayaking in a bioluminescent bay where microscopic algae glow in the dark, to jungle hiking in El Yunque National Forest, Williams says. Or soak in history wandering the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan. Visit on a Sunday and watch kite fliers at Fort San Felipe del Morro, a stone citadel.
Lake Charles, La.
Celebrate Mardi Gras family-style at this southwestern Louisiana city, where the parades and festivities play up tradition more than titillation. There's also opportunity for beaches, biking, and exploring marshland along the 180-mile Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, says Blair. "The food is so good, and the scenery is just pretty with Spanish moss and big oak trees and swamp land."
Island of Hawaii
It's volcanoes that draw Miner to the Big Island of Hawaii. "You can go and see the lava flowing into the ocean and the island getting bigger." One of her favorite excursions is hiking through Thurston Lava Tube at Volcanoes National Park. "For kids who have a little bit of Indiana Jones in them, it's an incredible place." And for beaches, the island's Kohala coast can't be beat.
Carlsbad, Calif.
This northern San Diego County town attracts families to its Legoland theme park, but for Miner the appeal goes further. "This is a beachy community," she says. "It has a nice small-town feel." You can watch surfers tackle the waves, and even sign up for surfing school to try it yourself.
Atlanta
Lots of folks switch planes in Atlanta, but Williams says it's a great place to spend some time. Family favorites include the massive Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca Cola Museum, which has a giant tasting room where visitors can try scores of the company's beverages sold around the world. Tip: Watch out for Beverly, the bitter Italian soda that's so bad, it's good. For an active outing, Stone Mountain offers hikes, a tram ride and even a ropes course. Although the city occasionally gets snow, it quickly disappears.
Turks and Caicos
This Caribbean nation with powder-white sand keeps sun lovers happy, but there's also enough variety to break up beach days, says Blair. Activities include a conch farm a former cotton plantation and humpback whale watching. But the common denominator is a laid-back pace. "You go with the flow and relax," she says.
Sanibel Island, Fla.
You'll get a beach vacation, but so much more at this Gulf Coast Island near Fort Myers. The island's location makes it one of the best places to find seashells in the country. "Who wouldn't love shelling on the beach and wading in the mellow, mellow waters?" Williams says. Biking's easy on the flat island, and so is kayaking at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
Tucson
You get a feel for Mexico and the Wild West in this laid-back Arizona city, says Blair, a former resident. She suggests starting with a visit to Old Tucson Studios, which celebrates the movies filmed here with sets, cowboy gunfights and stunt shows. Another day, visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a combination zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden. "It's an environment that's so unique and so different," she says.
Los Angeles
The West Coast megalopolis is already on many vacation lists, but city resident Miner says LA is more than Hollywood and beaches. One of her favorite stops: La Brea Tar Pits, where saber- tooth cats and mammoths emerge from archaeological digs while city traffic zooms by. "It brings home the fact that our time is just on a dot on the planet," she says. Other favorites: Universal Studios theme park and sprawling Griffith Park.
_______________________________
To make your Sanibel Island or Captiva Island, Florida vacation and escape the snow ... call Reservation Central at 1-800-290-6920 or visit www.rescen.com
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Taste of the Islands on Sanibel something to CROW about
The 2012 Taste of the Islands takes place Sunday. / Special to news-press.com
Written by Annabelle Tometich
For 31 years, Taste of the Islands has brought together some of the best restaurants on Sanibel and Captiva – and this Sunday the event is at it again.
A celebration of the many independent restaurants that dot these Gulf-front islands, Taste of the Islands brings together 20 locally operated eateries, all with one mission: raising money to benefit CROW, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife.
From 12:30-5 p.m. Sunday, Taste of the Islands will serve up food, live music from local bands Rocker and Stolen Fruit, kids activities, a server competition and a new, silent auction at the Sanibel Community Park at 2231 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
“We draw from the best local independent eateries in all of Florida,” event chair Melissa Congress said in a press release, “and that is what makes the event so special.”
Admission is $5 with children 10-and-under free. Food and beverage tickets will be for sale at various tents throughout the park.
Participating restaurants include: Bailey’s Sanibel Catering & Takeout, Blue Giraffe, Bubble Room, Chip’s Sanibel Steakhouse, Cip’s Place, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, George and Wendy’s Sanibel Seafood Grille, Gramma Dot’s, Island BBQ, The Jacaranda, Matzaluna the Fun Italian Restaurant, Old Captiva House at ’Tween Waters Inn, Over Easy Cafe, Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream, Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory, Sanibel Oasis Cafe (formerly East End Deli), Sanibel Fish House, Sea Star Cafe, Timbers Restaurant and Fish Market, and Traders Cafe.
For more on Taste of the Islands visit tastesanibelcaptiva.com.
If you go
The 31st annual Taste of the Islands
• What: Dishes from 20 Sanibel and Captiva restaurants, live music, competitions, a silent auction and more — all to benefit CROW, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife.
• When: 12:30-5 p.m. Sunday
• Where: Sanibel Community Park, 2231 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
• Admission: $5, children 10 and under free
• Parking: Guests must park in designated lots. There is free trolley service to and from these lots, unless noted — Bank of the Islands (Casa Ybel Road and Periwinkle Way); on Dunlop Road: BIG Arts, City Hall and Sanibel Public Library; Dunlop Road West Side (park and walk); Herb Strauss Schoolhouse Theater (park and walk); Sanibel Congregational Church, St. Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church (park and walk); The Village Shops (park and walk)
_________________________
To book your next Sanibel Island or Captiva Island vacation to experience the Taste of the Islands or for any time, please visit www.ResCen.com or call Reservation Central at 1-800-290-6920 | 239-472-1010
Written by Annabelle Tometich
For 31 years, Taste of the Islands has brought together some of the best restaurants on Sanibel and Captiva – and this Sunday the event is at it again.
A celebration of the many independent restaurants that dot these Gulf-front islands, Taste of the Islands brings together 20 locally operated eateries, all with one mission: raising money to benefit CROW, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife.
From 12:30-5 p.m. Sunday, Taste of the Islands will serve up food, live music from local bands Rocker and Stolen Fruit, kids activities, a server competition and a new, silent auction at the Sanibel Community Park at 2231 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
“We draw from the best local independent eateries in all of Florida,” event chair Melissa Congress said in a press release, “and that is what makes the event so special.”
Admission is $5 with children 10-and-under free. Food and beverage tickets will be for sale at various tents throughout the park.
Participating restaurants include: Bailey’s Sanibel Catering & Takeout, Blue Giraffe, Bubble Room, Chip’s Sanibel Steakhouse, Cip’s Place, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, George and Wendy’s Sanibel Seafood Grille, Gramma Dot’s, Island BBQ, The Jacaranda, Matzaluna the Fun Italian Restaurant, Old Captiva House at ’Tween Waters Inn, Over Easy Cafe, Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream, Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory, Sanibel Oasis Cafe (formerly East End Deli), Sanibel Fish House, Sea Star Cafe, Timbers Restaurant and Fish Market, and Traders Cafe.
For more on Taste of the Islands visit tastesanibelcaptiva.com.
If you go
The 31st annual Taste of the Islands
• What: Dishes from 20 Sanibel and Captiva restaurants, live music, competitions, a silent auction and more — all to benefit CROW, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife.
• When: 12:30-5 p.m. Sunday
• Where: Sanibel Community Park, 2231 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
• Admission: $5, children 10 and under free
• Parking: Guests must park in designated lots. There is free trolley service to and from these lots, unless noted — Bank of the Islands (Casa Ybel Road and Periwinkle Way); on Dunlop Road: BIG Arts, City Hall and Sanibel Public Library; Dunlop Road West Side (park and walk); Herb Strauss Schoolhouse Theater (park and walk); Sanibel Congregational Church, St. Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church (park and walk); The Village Shops (park and walk)
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To book your next Sanibel Island or Captiva Island vacation to experience the Taste of the Islands or for any time, please visit www.ResCen.com or call Reservation Central at 1-800-290-6920 | 239-472-1010
Friday, November 2, 2012
Guinness confirms Sanibel Stoop record
Guinness confirms Sanibel Stoop record
November 2, 2012
Special to the Reporter (sancapnews@breezenewspapers.com) , Island Reporter, Captiva Current, Sanibel-Captiva Islander
Special to the Reporter (sancapnews@breezenewspapers.com) , Island Reporter, Captiva Current, Sanibel-Captiva Islander
"We are pleased to welcome you to the very select club of Guinness World Records title holders."
The record attempt was staged by the Sanibel Community Association (SCA), which operates the Sanibel Community House, as part of the celebration surrounding the 75th anniversary of the Sanibel Shell Show & Fair.
The Community House has been the longtime home of the Shell Show and Fair, which was first hosted in the 1920s by Hallie "Granny" Matthews in the lobby of the Matthews hotel on the beach. Over the years, the Shell Show & Fair has grown to become one of the world's most prominent events in the shell collecting world.
The official tally of "stoopers" registered and confirmed for the event was 478, although more than an additional 300 unregistered participants were also observed to be on hand. The record set was for the category of "Largest Treasure Hunt Game." To be counted officially a participant had to identify themselves, sign in, and participate in a treasure hunt for shells on the beach.
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| Sanibel Island, Florida shell covered beaches |
A diverse group of island organizations and individuals supported and assisted the effort, which was captured by news cameras and succeeded in attracting significant national media attention. The Lee County Visitors & Convention Bureau promoted the event and provided a helicopter for filming.
"We wanted to do something special to call attention to the 75th anniversary of the Shell Show & Fair, and to reinforce Sanibel's position as a special place for shelling," said Marge Meek, Sanibel Community Association president. "The Guinness Record attempt captured the idea that hunting for shells can be a lot of fun, and there's no better place than Sanibel to do that."
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To visit the record setting Sanibel Island, Florida beaches in the Gulf of Mexico, call Reservation Central at 1-800-290-6920 / 239-472-1010 or visit us on-line at www.ResCen.com
To visit the record setting Sanibel Island, Florida beaches in the Gulf of Mexico, call Reservation Central at 1-800-290-6920 / 239-472-1010 or visit us on-line at www.ResCen.com
Friday, August 10, 2012
The New York Times - A Florida Island Draws an Array of Seashells and Their Hunters
Published: August 7, 2012 - http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/08/us/florida-island-draws-seashells-and-their-hunters.html
SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. — The tide is low. The sun crawls toward the ocean for a final dip. The time is here: The hunt is on.
Hundreds take to the beach near the lighthouse on this hammock-shaped island, hunching over the sand as they dig, lift, inspect and move on. The position is so common it has a name: the Sanibel Stoop. The beachcombers wave and chitchat but, with their competitive instincts primed, they steer clear of one another’s turf, keeping a sharp eye out for dots or spirals or telltale lumps in the sand.
“We take our shelling very seriously,” said Clark Rambo, who is known as Super Sheller Clark, a moniker used, sometimes admiringly, sometimes grudgingly, by his wife, Pam. “Every day on the beach is a treasure hunt, and that’s what makes it so competitive.”
Stretched out as far as the eye can see are shells — large, tiny, cone-shaped, scalloped, spiraled, white, orange, pink. Sanibel Island, and its neighbor, Captiva Island, just off the state’s southwest coast, are where hunters come for a seashell bonanza. There is no other place like it in the country, and very few places like it in the world. On some days, depending on the wind, shells pour onto the beach in piles, seducing even the most jaded beachgoers.
This has been particularly true in the weeks since Tropical Storm Debby, the late June storm that caused flooding and beach erosion along some pockets of Florida’s west coast but proved a boon to seashell hunters.
Sanibel’s largess is in its geometry: It is a 12-mile barrier island with a distinctive curve. The coastline runs west to east rather than north to south. When storms blow in from the northwest, the waves and currents funnel more than 300 shallow-water species of shells right onto the beach. Other parts of the world, like the South Pacific, may draw more species, but the shells are not nearly as easy to find. They require boat trips and dives.
“There are days here when you have layers of shells four feet thick,” said José H. Leal, the director of the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum here. “It’s one of the best places in the world for shelling, for sure.”
Seashells have proved resilient, too. At a time when fish stocks are down and coral reefs are dying, Mr. Leal said seashells — made by mollusks mostly from the calcium carbonate in seawater — continue to thrive.
For some, searching for seashells is a hobby; for others, it is a calling and an obsession that sometimes reaches back generations, with collections passed down like heirlooms. Here, there are shell clubs, shell stores, shell guides, shell excursions, shell crafts and the shell museum.
Inside his shell-festooned house, Mr. Rambo holds dear a black-and-white photo of his room as a boy. The image shows his twin bed, spread with seashells mostly scooped from the Jersey Shore. Mrs. Rambo, an artist, also grew up collecting shells, a shared passion that helped cement the couple’s relationship 18 years ago, despite Mr. Rambo’s being injured during a date.
It happened during a day of shelling on Sanibel early in the courtship; she pushed him (playfully) as he stood, his feet dug into the wet sand.
“My leg did a spiral twist,” he said. “Sounded like a shotgun.”
Now Mrs. Rambo is a sought-after figure on the island — a shell-ebrity, if you will — because of her popular Web site, www.iloveshelling.com. It is routine for her to be stopped to listen to a fan rattle off a list of finds (tulips, conchs, whelks, murex) or to answer a question about where to go and when. (The answer is Lighthouse Beach and Blind Pass, which lies between Sanibel and Captiva at low tide, when the wind is westerly, preferably after a storm.)
On a recent evening, shell hunters hungrily swept the beach with their eyes. They picked up shells and peered inside them.
“Is anybody home in there?” Mrs. Rambo asked. If a mollusk was inside, she placed the shell back on the sand. That is the rule in these parts — no live shelling. Before a 1994 law, people hauled boxes of shells away and began depleting the shoreline.
In front of the lighthouse, a teenage boy picked up a starfish and showed it off. A woman from North Carolina dug a hole. She recognized Mrs. Rambo. “I’ve probably found 15 bittersweets,” Denise Kisko, 56, told her, referring to a scallop-shaped shell. She glanced at a 13-year-old girl who was snooping in her spot. “Don’t you find anything in my pile,” she said, kidding, sort of.
Competition is stiff. The morning last October that Mrs. Rambo found a precious, elusive junonia, a species of sea snail known for its brown spots, she had told friends to meet her at Blind Pass at sunrise. Hoping to beat the competition, she got there before sunrise, with a light on her hat, to hunt solo. She spotted the junonia in a little trench. It was her eureka moment.
“I started screaming,” she said. “I was a shellunatic.”
Never mind that her husband has found four junonia over his lifetime, a remarkable feat he loves to sprinkle into conversations. After he posted a photo of his fourth junonia online, it proved too much for the shell crowd.
“They started booing him on the Web site,” Mrs. Rambo said, with a laugh.
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Make your next vacation on Sanibel Island to experience the world renowned shell covered beaches. Call Reservation Central at 1-800-290-6920 / 239-405-7848 or visit http://www.rescen.com
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Sanibel Island is featured on Fox News Travel - 31 best beach vacations
The 31 best beach vacations
Published August 09, 2012 / Coastal Living - http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2012/08/09/31-best-beach-vacations/
We’ve never found a beach we didn’t love, so to help us narrow down the list, we asked Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, better known as Dr. Beach, to lend us his expertise. Every year, he picks America’s top 10 beaches after considering factors such as sand softness, water temperature, pollution, and views. Dr. Beach is currently the director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research, but when he isn’t working, he retreats to his favorite seashore, Cape Florida State Park.
Sanibel Island, Florida: Absolutely the best shell-gathering anywhere; try quiet Bowman’s Beach (1-800-290-6920 or http://www.rescen.com/sanibelcaptiva)
Also featured is nearby
Fort Myers Beach, Florida:
Also promoted as “world’s safest” because it lacks rip currents, this white-sand beach slopes very gradually; you can walk a long way out into the warm, green-blue Gulf of Mexico (1-800-290-6920 or http://www.rescen.com/ftmyersbeach)
Published August 09, 2012 / Coastal Living - http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2012/08/09/31-best-beach-vacations/
We’ve never found a beach we didn’t love, so to help us narrow down the list, we asked Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, better known as Dr. Beach, to lend us his expertise. Every year, he picks America’s top 10 beaches after considering factors such as sand softness, water temperature, pollution, and views. Dr. Beach is currently the director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research, but when he isn’t working, he retreats to his favorite seashore, Cape Florida State Park.
Sanibel Island, Florida: Absolutely the best shell-gathering anywhere; try quiet Bowman’s Beach (1-800-290-6920 or http://www.rescen.com/sanibelcaptiva)
Also featured is nearby
Fort Myers Beach, Florida:
Also promoted as “world’s safest” because it lacks rip currents, this white-sand beach slopes very gradually; you can walk a long way out into the warm, green-blue Gulf of Mexico (1-800-290-6920 or http://www.rescen.com/ftmyersbeach)
To visit Sanibel Island, Florida or Fort Myers Beach, Florida for your next vacation, contact Reservation Central at 1-800-290-6920, local: 239-405-7848 or http://www.rescen.com
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Captiva and Sanibel islands still hold special charm
By FRANK SARGEANT | Tbo.com
Published: July 22, 2012
There may be somewhere in Florida where there are more snook per square foot than at Captiva Island, but if so I've not visited there. Captiva was where I learned to catch snook, back in the days when the most effective tactic known was drifting Redfish Pass with a live pinfish just off bottom — and that method did produce some monsters in its day.
These days, the sardine age has arrived, and most guides and expert anglers depend on finding snook shallow along the edge of the vast flats of Pine Island Sound or along the strikingly beautiful beaches here and getting them into a biting mood by chumming with scaled sardines, a flat-sided, silvery baitfish that seems to be snook candy.
One morning on a recent visit, I strolled out on the fishing dock at South Seas Island Resort and was greeted by not dozens but hundreds of fish, stacked like cordwood under the span and all around it. And as if on signal, when a big school of glass minnows rode the incoming tide past the dock, all those fish went bonkers; the water turned white, and snook were doing headstands in the air all over the shoreline.
These were not the giants I found later in a swash hole along the beach — most were 3 to 4 pounds — but it's a great sign that the future of snooking is bright here despite the 2010 freeze.
Of course, if you're not looking for snook you can always take a kayak or a flats boat and ease along the beach, where plenty of rolling tarpon will greet you from May through September — they particularly like to hang around the break line where the darker water from the sound meets the clear water of the Gulf — and so do Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, jacks and blues among other species.
On the inside, places like Rock Channel are famed as trout holes, and Pine Island trout are often big, lanky yellowmouths. There are also lots of potholes around the many mangrove islands here, all of them likely stops for snook — and for redfish as summer turns to fall.
In short, it's gamefish central, and the islands — Captiva on the north, Sanibel on the south, and Blind Pass dividing them — are one of Florida's greatest treasures.
Ding Daring National Wildlife Refuge, on the Sanibel end, offers a look at Florida the way it used to be, with gators, deer and an amazing variety of birds including roseate spoonbills, which look sort of like miniature pink flamingoes.
Of course, you don't need to go to the refuge to see every variety of shorebird Florida has to offer — the abundant fish populations and healthy supply of crustaceans and other beach critters provide a continuing feast for the waders; they are perhaps more abundant and less wild here than anywhere in the state, making it a bird-watchers paradise.
If you're a beach person, the beaches here are some of the prettiest in the state, with a very gentle shelf that makes them great for kids — and for those nervous about some of the larger sea critters in deeper water. They also have the unique distinction of being near the top world-wide for those who love to collect sea shells — some 400 varieties have been found here, along with the occasional fossil manatee bone or horse tooth. In many places, the stacks of shells are 2 feet deep.
There are also world-class resorts on both islands. Perhaps the crown jewel is South Seas Island Resort, which has just undergone a $140 million makeover. The resort covers the entire northern tip of Captiva, stretching some 2 miles up to Redfish Pass.
On the west side is the beach, on the east side Pine Island Sound, and in between every imaginable sort of accommodation from 5,000-square-foot beach houses to one-bedroom condos, every one of them an easy walk to the beach. The resort was devastated by Hurricane Charley and was out of business for more than a year. But the restoration gave the new owners a chance for refocus as well as rebuild.
"We went from being a luxury resort mostly for couples to a family-friendly place where kids will want to come year after year," marketing manager Daniel Smock said. "We've got mini golf, kayaks, a swimming attraction with slides, nature trails, day care and a lot more, and many added activities that are supervised, allowing parents to drop off their kids and spend a little time on their own, as well."
Oh, yeah — kids eat free in summer. That's a big mistake if my grandkids show up, but that's the deal.
And that dock with all the snook? It's right out front where the pass meets the sound, and you don't need a license to fish there because it's covered by a dock permit. Take plenty of tackle.
Published: July 22, 2012
There may be somewhere in Florida where there are more snook per square foot than at Captiva Island, but if so I've not visited there. Captiva was where I learned to catch snook, back in the days when the most effective tactic known was drifting Redfish Pass with a live pinfish just off bottom — and that method did produce some monsters in its day.
These days, the sardine age has arrived, and most guides and expert anglers depend on finding snook shallow along the edge of the vast flats of Pine Island Sound or along the strikingly beautiful beaches here and getting them into a biting mood by chumming with scaled sardines, a flat-sided, silvery baitfish that seems to be snook candy.
These were not the giants I found later in a swash hole along the beach — most were 3 to 4 pounds — but it's a great sign that the future of snooking is bright here despite the 2010 freeze.
Of course, if you're not looking for snook you can always take a kayak or a flats boat and ease along the beach, where plenty of rolling tarpon will greet you from May through September — they particularly like to hang around the break line where the darker water from the sound meets the clear water of the Gulf — and so do Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, jacks and blues among other species.
On the inside, places like Rock Channel are famed as trout holes, and Pine Island trout are often big, lanky yellowmouths. There are also lots of potholes around the many mangrove islands here, all of them likely stops for snook — and for redfish as summer turns to fall.
In short, it's gamefish central, and the islands — Captiva on the north, Sanibel on the south, and Blind Pass dividing them — are one of Florida's greatest treasures.
Ding Daring National Wildlife Refuge, on the Sanibel end, offers a look at Florida the way it used to be, with gators, deer and an amazing variety of birds including roseate spoonbills, which look sort of like miniature pink flamingoes.
Of course, you don't need to go to the refuge to see every variety of shorebird Florida has to offer — the abundant fish populations and healthy supply of crustaceans and other beach critters provide a continuing feast for the waders; they are perhaps more abundant and less wild here than anywhere in the state, making it a bird-watchers paradise.
If you're a beach person, the beaches here are some of the prettiest in the state, with a very gentle shelf that makes them great for kids — and for those nervous about some of the larger sea critters in deeper water. They also have the unique distinction of being near the top world-wide for those who love to collect sea shells — some 400 varieties have been found here, along with the occasional fossil manatee bone or horse tooth. In many places, the stacks of shells are 2 feet deep.
On the west side is the beach, on the east side Pine Island Sound, and in between every imaginable sort of accommodation from 5,000-square-foot beach houses to one-bedroom condos, every one of them an easy walk to the beach. The resort was devastated by Hurricane Charley and was out of business for more than a year. But the restoration gave the new owners a chance for refocus as well as rebuild.
"We went from being a luxury resort mostly for couples to a family-friendly place where kids will want to come year after year," marketing manager Daniel Smock said. "We've got mini golf, kayaks, a swimming attraction with slides, nature trails, day care and a lot more, and many added activities that are supervised, allowing parents to drop off their kids and spend a little time on their own, as well."
Oh, yeah — kids eat free in summer. That's a big mistake if my grandkids show up, but that's the deal.
And that dock with all the snook? It's right out front where the pass meets the sound, and you don't need a license to fish there because it's covered by a dock permit. Take plenty of tackle.
For details on South Seas Island Resort, visit
For more information on the area, visit
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Weather Channel voted Sanibel Island Best Shelling Beach
Weather Channel Facebook friends voted Sanibel Island as their best shelling beach.
What better place to search for shells than an island actually made of shells. That’s exactly what Sanibel Island, Florida is.
Located less an hour from Fort Myers, Sanibel and its neighbor Captiva Island, consistently rank among the best in the world for shelling. Sanibel’s unique geography which twists out into the sea then curves back towards Florida’s coast, acts as a shovel. It scoops all the seashells that the Gulf brings in from the Caribbean.
At some times of the year, shellers will crowd the beaches during low tide hunched over and staring at the sand in what’s been dubbed the ‘Sanibel Stoop.’ You’ll find conch, junonia, lightning whelk, and cockle shells including over 60 varieties of shells.
What better place to search for shells than an island actually made of shells. That’s exactly what Sanibel Island, Florida is.
Located less an hour from Fort Myers, Sanibel and its neighbor Captiva Island, consistently rank among the best in the world for shelling. Sanibel’s unique geography which twists out into the sea then curves back towards Florida’s coast, acts as a shovel. It scoops all the seashells that the Gulf brings in from the Caribbean.
At some times of the year, shellers will crowd the beaches during low tide hunched over and staring at the sand in what’s been dubbed the ‘Sanibel Stoop.’ You’ll find conch, junonia, lightning whelk, and cockle shells including over 60 varieties of shells.
________________________________________
Choose Reservation Central to make your visit to the Best Shelling Beach
Call our local office at 1-800-290-6920 or visit http://www.ResCen.com
Choose Reservation Central to make your visit to the Best Shelling Beach
Call our local office at 1-800-290-6920 or visit http://www.ResCen.com
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
USA Today - Ask Chris: Things to do in Sanibel Island, Florida
Original Article: http://travel.usatoday.com/alliance/destinations/chrisaroundtheworld/post/2012/05/Ask-Chris-Things-to-do-in-Sanibel-Island-Florida/699096/1
Ask Chris: Things to do in Sanibel Island, Florida is a post from: Chris Around The World: A Journalist's Travels on the Road. http://caroundtheworld.com/2012/05/22/ask-chris-things-to-do-in-sanibel-island-florida/
This is part of my ongoing ” Ask a travel expert” series.
Question: We’re going to Sanibel this weekend for the first time, arriving Sat. and staying four nights. We’d welcome any guidance, esp. on dining, but also on best beaches and birding spots and what else we should do on the island. We’re thinking of a kayak excursion or two, worth it? Also, is it realistic to do a day trip to the western Everglades, or should we just plan on staying low-key in the area? Any guidance appreciated! —B.
Answer: Ah, Sanibel Island! Last year, another travel writer asked me what my favorite getaway was, a destination that I like so much that I almost never write about it. Well, Sanibel Island is that place for me. It’s my vacation default, the place that I go to get sunshine and warm weather when the Seattle clouds get me down.
My family started going to Sanibel when I was a teen-ager, mostly to escape the Minnesota snows. My parents eventually bought a condo there, and they now live on Sanibel about nine months of the year. I got married on neighboring Captiva Island in 2007, and my sister is getting married just off shore next year. So it’s not an overstatement to say that we have history there.
When I go to Sanibel, I’m not there as a tourist or a travel writer. I’m there as a quasi-resident. When I was there for two weeks last December, I had a long list of restaurants and activities that I wanted to check out. Instead? I read books and sat by the pool. So I might not be the best tour guide of the island. But I’ll give it a shot:
Shelling on Sanibel Island
The first thing you need to know about Sanibel is that the island doesn’t have the powder white beaches that you find in Florida’s Panhandle or on islands such as Turks & Caicos. What Sanibel does have is shells. Lots and lots of shells. So the beach is messy.
Some people can’t stand it. I like it, though, because committing to a natural beach is part of the Sanibel ethos. The island has strict zoning laws. You won’t see any fast food restaurants (ok, there is a Dairy Queen and a Subway that was grandfathered in). If a greater commitment to the environment means I have to wear shoes down to the beach, that’s fine with me.
(Incidentally, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, author and wife of aviator Charles Lindbergh, found inspiration in the shells. She wrote Gift from the Sea after vacationing on nearby Captiva. Most bookstores/guest homes on Sanibel have copies lying around).
People who love shelling get up early to see if they can find treasures before others have picked over the beach. But at all hours, you’ll see people hunched over as they walk the beach, looking for the odd starfish or sand dollar. The pose is so prevalent that it has a name – the Sanibel Stoop. Earlier this year, the island got into the Guinness Book of World Records for hosting the world’s largest shell scavenger hunt. You’ll be hard-pressed not to take a few home (make sure you bleach them first).
I’ve embarrassed to admit that I’ve never been to the Shell Museum. Most people I know who have gone have kids; you guys might want to skip it unless you really love shells.
Some of the more popular beaches on Sanibel are Bowman’s Beach and the beach near the Sanibel Lighthouse. I also like the beaches up on neighboring Captiva (which is one reason why I got married up there instead of on Sanibel). Everyone gets their requisite sunset photo at Turner Beach, just past Blind Pass.
Ding Darling
Besides the shells, Sanibel’s other main attraction is the wildlife. You can see all kinds of birds (and maybe even an alligator or two) at the J.N. Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge, which takes up a huge chunk of the island. You can stop by the visitors center and either take the Wildlife Drive or bike it. There are also several nice hikes off the drive (although it is going to be wicked hot if you’re visiting in May – if you do hike, bring plenty of water, sun protection and insect repellent).
Kayaking is an excellent way to explore the refuge. Tarpon Bay Explorers run guided paddles. Given the season, I’d go for the Sunset Rookery Paddle so you can see the birds come in for the night (it will also be a little cooler too).
Other Things to Do on Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island has miles of bike paths – and it’s flat. I love renting a bike for a week from Billy’s and using it to get around. They also have Segway tours.
Taking a powerboat out to look for dolphins might not sound so environmentally friendly. But the Sanibel Thriller is pretty awesome. Once the boat picks up speed, the dolphins seem to race right to it, jumping and leaping through the wake.
Over the years, we’ve gone sailing, deep sea fishing and taken sunset cruises. Really, there are as many ways to get out on the water as you wish.
Sanibel Island Restaurants
One of my biggest complaints about Sanibel is that the island’s restaurant scene isn’t really on par with the destination. Places tend to be high-priced for what you get, which is why I patronize the delis at Jerry’s and Bailey’s when I’m there.
Savvy shoppers pick up groceries for their timeshare or condo in Ft. Myers before they get on the island, as everything is more expensive once you cross the Causeway.
Still, there are a few places that are worth mentioning:
The Sanibel Grill is my absolute favorite place to go on the island. It has a sports bar atmosphere, a ton of locals and the best crunchy grouper on the island. The adjacent Timbers is a quieter, higher-end spot next door that also has quality seafood. Don and I had a date night there at Christmas.
One of my best friends went to Sanibel earlier this year and celebrated her anniversary at the Thistle Lodge at Casa Ybel Resort. My sister also liked the food there when she was scouting wedding locales. More casual faves include the Lighthouse Cafe for breakfast and Grandma Dot’s at the Sanibel Marina.
Sanibel is fairly sleepy so there isn’t a huge nightlife. If you want more of a bar atmosphere, head up to Santiva, the isthmus where Sanibel and Captiva meet, and go to the Lazy Flamingo. The Crow’s Nest at the ‘Tween Waters Inn (where I was married) has NASCRAB races on Monday and Thursday nights. The jokes are stale, even at the later “adult” races, but it’s still fun to bet on a hermit crab. You might even win a kazoo.
There’s a fun strip of restaurants up on Captiva that are worth seeking out. If you’re looking for a beach vibe, go to the Mucky Duck around sunset. And DO NOT miss the desserts at the Bubble Room. While the meals, served by “Bubble Scouts,” are only average, the cakes and pies are spectacular – and huge. Bring a piece of red velvet cake back to your hotel room to split later.
Off Island
Honestly, for a first trip, especially one that is only four days long, I would stay on Sanibel. But if you do want to range farther afield, the western Everglades are in reach. I’m a little amazed that this travel story I wrote for the Philadelphia Inquirer about taking an airboat ride near the park is still online (I wrote it in 2006).
In Ft. Myers, the Thomas Edison & Henry Ford estates are worth a stop. I put together a photo post about the estate for Britt Conley’s blog, the Photo Garden Bee, back in 2010.
And finally, I keep telling myself on every trip that I will take a day cruise to Useppa Island or maybe Cabbage Key. But then I get into island mode, where long walks on the beach and good mystery novels engulf my time. Maybe you’ll be more ambitious – but if you aren’t, that’s perfectly OK.
Ask Chris: Things to do in Sanibel Island, Florida is a post from: Chris Around The World: A Journalist's Travels on the Road. http://caroundtheworld.com/2012/05/22/ask-chris-things-to-do-in-sanibel-island-florida/
This is part of my ongoing ” Ask a travel expert” series.
Question: We’re going to Sanibel this weekend for the first time, arriving Sat. and staying four nights. We’d welcome any guidance, esp. on dining, but also on best beaches and birding spots and what else we should do on the island. We’re thinking of a kayak excursion or two, worth it? Also, is it realistic to do a day trip to the western Everglades, or should we just plan on staying low-key in the area? Any guidance appreciated! —B.
Answer: Ah, Sanibel Island! Last year, another travel writer asked me what my favorite getaway was, a destination that I like so much that I almost never write about it. Well, Sanibel Island is that place for me. It’s my vacation default, the place that I go to get sunshine and warm weather when the Seattle clouds get me down.
My family started going to Sanibel when I was a teen-ager, mostly to escape the Minnesota snows. My parents eventually bought a condo there, and they now live on Sanibel about nine months of the year. I got married on neighboring Captiva Island in 2007, and my sister is getting married just off shore next year. So it’s not an overstatement to say that we have history there.
When I go to Sanibel, I’m not there as a tourist or a travel writer. I’m there as a quasi-resident. When I was there for two weeks last December, I had a long list of restaurants and activities that I wanted to check out. Instead? I read books and sat by the pool. So I might not be the best tour guide of the island. But I’ll give it a shot:
Shelling on Sanibel Island
The first thing you need to know about Sanibel is that the island doesn’t have the powder white beaches that you find in Florida’s Panhandle or on islands such as Turks & Caicos. What Sanibel does have is shells. Lots and lots of shells. So the beach is messy.
Some people can’t stand it. I like it, though, because committing to a natural beach is part of the Sanibel ethos. The island has strict zoning laws. You won’t see any fast food restaurants (ok, there is a Dairy Queen and a Subway that was grandfathered in). If a greater commitment to the environment means I have to wear shoes down to the beach, that’s fine with me.
(Incidentally, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, author and wife of aviator Charles Lindbergh, found inspiration in the shells. She wrote Gift from the Sea after vacationing on nearby Captiva. Most bookstores/guest homes on Sanibel have copies lying around).
People who love shelling get up early to see if they can find treasures before others have picked over the beach. But at all hours, you’ll see people hunched over as they walk the beach, looking for the odd starfish or sand dollar. The pose is so prevalent that it has a name – the Sanibel Stoop. Earlier this year, the island got into the Guinness Book of World Records for hosting the world’s largest shell scavenger hunt. You’ll be hard-pressed not to take a few home (make sure you bleach them first).
I’ve embarrassed to admit that I’ve never been to the Shell Museum. Most people I know who have gone have kids; you guys might want to skip it unless you really love shells.
Some of the more popular beaches on Sanibel are Bowman’s Beach and the beach near the Sanibel Lighthouse. I also like the beaches up on neighboring Captiva (which is one reason why I got married up there instead of on Sanibel). Everyone gets their requisite sunset photo at Turner Beach, just past Blind Pass.
Ding Darling
Besides the shells, Sanibel’s other main attraction is the wildlife. You can see all kinds of birds (and maybe even an alligator or two) at the J.N. Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge, which takes up a huge chunk of the island. You can stop by the visitors center and either take the Wildlife Drive or bike it. There are also several nice hikes off the drive (although it is going to be wicked hot if you’re visiting in May – if you do hike, bring plenty of water, sun protection and insect repellent).
Kayaking is an excellent way to explore the refuge. Tarpon Bay Explorers run guided paddles. Given the season, I’d go for the Sunset Rookery Paddle so you can see the birds come in for the night (it will also be a little cooler too).
Other Things to Do on Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island has miles of bike paths – and it’s flat. I love renting a bike for a week from Billy’s and using it to get around. They also have Segway tours.
Taking a powerboat out to look for dolphins might not sound so environmentally friendly. But the Sanibel Thriller is pretty awesome. Once the boat picks up speed, the dolphins seem to race right to it, jumping and leaping through the wake.
Over the years, we’ve gone sailing, deep sea fishing and taken sunset cruises. Really, there are as many ways to get out on the water as you wish.
Sanibel Island Restaurants
One of my biggest complaints about Sanibel is that the island’s restaurant scene isn’t really on par with the destination. Places tend to be high-priced for what you get, which is why I patronize the delis at Jerry’s and Bailey’s when I’m there.
Savvy shoppers pick up groceries for their timeshare or condo in Ft. Myers before they get on the island, as everything is more expensive once you cross the Causeway.
Still, there are a few places that are worth mentioning:
The Sanibel Grill is my absolute favorite place to go on the island. It has a sports bar atmosphere, a ton of locals and the best crunchy grouper on the island. The adjacent Timbers is a quieter, higher-end spot next door that also has quality seafood. Don and I had a date night there at Christmas.
One of my best friends went to Sanibel earlier this year and celebrated her anniversary at the Thistle Lodge at Casa Ybel Resort. My sister also liked the food there when she was scouting wedding locales. More casual faves include the Lighthouse Cafe for breakfast and Grandma Dot’s at the Sanibel Marina.
Sanibel is fairly sleepy so there isn’t a huge nightlife. If you want more of a bar atmosphere, head up to Santiva, the isthmus where Sanibel and Captiva meet, and go to the Lazy Flamingo. The Crow’s Nest at the ‘Tween Waters Inn (where I was married) has NASCRAB races on Monday and Thursday nights. The jokes are stale, even at the later “adult” races, but it’s still fun to bet on a hermit crab. You might even win a kazoo.
There’s a fun strip of restaurants up on Captiva that are worth seeking out. If you’re looking for a beach vibe, go to the Mucky Duck around sunset. And DO NOT miss the desserts at the Bubble Room. While the meals, served by “Bubble Scouts,” are only average, the cakes and pies are spectacular – and huge. Bring a piece of red velvet cake back to your hotel room to split later.
Off Island
Honestly, for a first trip, especially one that is only four days long, I would stay on Sanibel. But if you do want to range farther afield, the western Everglades are in reach. I’m a little amazed that this travel story I wrote for the Philadelphia Inquirer about taking an airboat ride near the park is still online (I wrote it in 2006).
In Ft. Myers, the Thomas Edison & Henry Ford estates are worth a stop. I put together a photo post about the estate for Britt Conley’s blog, the Photo Garden Bee, back in 2010.
And finally, I keep telling myself on every trip that I will take a day cruise to Useppa Island or maybe Cabbage Key. But then I get into island mode, where long walks on the beach and good mystery novels engulf my time. Maybe you’ll be more ambitious – but if you aren’t, that’s perfectly OK.
___________________________________________________________________
Make your Sanibel or Captiva Island, Florida vacation today!
Visit http://www.rescen.com
or
Call a local accommodation specialist at Reservation Central
1-800-290-6920 or 239-472-1010
Visit http://www.rescen.com
or
Call a local accommodation specialist at Reservation Central
1-800-290-6920 or 239-472-1010
Friday, May 11, 2012
Sanibel Island #1 - Best Florida Destinations for Families
Best Florida Destinations for Families - Award-winning beaches, spectacular sunsets, wild rides: the sunshine state has it all. Here are our picks for the best family hot spots in Florida.
By Ellen Parlapiano - Family Circle (http://www.familycircle.com/family-fun/travel/best-florida-destinations-for-families/?rb=Y&7388#page=1)
David Meardon
Sanibel Island
Why We Love It
This Gulf Coast barrier island, where seashells and wildlife are the star attractions, is paradise for eco-adventurers. Dolphins leap in the spray of the Sanibel Thriller high-speed catamaran, a fun option for tweens (sanibelthriller.com). Bike paths wind throughout—pedal, hike or drive the iNature trail in J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge to spot gators, spoonbills and other residents, scanning smartphone codes to learn more (fws.gov/dingdarling). Watch for manatees on Tarpon Bay Explorers' guided kayak tours (tarponbayexplorers.com), then celebrate sunset at the Mucky Duck restaurant, on sister island Captiva.
Where to Stay
The Gulf-front Sundial is the largest condo resort on the island and has the most amenities—golf, tennis, kayaking, biking, a fitness center and several restaurants. Easily zip from beach to pool and back for family volleyball games and logrolling contests. Nightly rates from $179 for fully equipped one-bedroom condos (view Sundial Resort information). The more sedate West Wind Inn offers simple motel-style rooms (some with kitchenettes) just steps from the beach; the pool's casual snack bar is perfect for eating in your swimsuit. Nightly rates from $149 (view West Wind Inn information).
Fun Side Trip
Kids on nature overload will enjoy spending a day in Fort Myers, just across the causeway. At Skatium's ice rink, admission includes rental skates on Saturday evening, which is teen night (cityftmyers.com/fmskatium). Or BYOB (in this case, board) to Fort Myers Skate Park (cityftmyers.com/skatepark).
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By Ellen Parlapiano - Family Circle (http://www.familycircle.com/family-fun/travel/best-florida-destinations-for-families/?rb=Y&7388#page=1)
David Meardon
Sanibel Island
Why We Love It
This Gulf Coast barrier island, where seashells and wildlife are the star attractions, is paradise for eco-adventurers. Dolphins leap in the spray of the Sanibel Thriller high-speed catamaran, a fun option for tweens (sanibelthriller.com). Bike paths wind throughout—pedal, hike or drive the iNature trail in J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge to spot gators, spoonbills and other residents, scanning smartphone codes to learn more (fws.gov/dingdarling). Watch for manatees on Tarpon Bay Explorers' guided kayak tours (tarponbayexplorers.com), then celebrate sunset at the Mucky Duck restaurant, on sister island Captiva.
Where to Stay
The Gulf-front Sundial is the largest condo resort on the island and has the most amenities—golf, tennis, kayaking, biking, a fitness center and several restaurants. Easily zip from beach to pool and back for family volleyball games and logrolling contests. Nightly rates from $179 for fully equipped one-bedroom condos (view Sundial Resort information). The more sedate West Wind Inn offers simple motel-style rooms (some with kitchenettes) just steps from the beach; the pool's casual snack bar is perfect for eating in your swimsuit. Nightly rates from $149 (view West Wind Inn information).
Fun Side Trip
Kids on nature overload will enjoy spending a day in Fort Myers, just across the causeway. At Skatium's ice rink, admission includes rental skates on Saturday evening, which is teen night (cityftmyers.com/fmskatium). Or BYOB (in this case, board) to Fort Myers Skate Park (cityftmyers.com/skatepark).
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To make your next Sanibel Island or Captiva Island vacation a reality, visit Reservation Central at ResCen.com or call the local office at 1-800-290-6920 / 239-472-1010.
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