DESTINATION - Fort Myers/Sanibel/Naples/Marco Island/the Everglades
Each year travelers make their plans to visit tropical locales and unwind under palm trees with the intentions of leaving their cares behind. What many of those same travelers have yet to realize is the tropical oasis that has become so highly in demand, lies in their very own backyard.

Southwest Florida, situated on the Gulf of Mexico coast, provides visitors with unblemished beaches, breathtaking daily sunsets, and the fortune of still being considered a hidden destination.
Known as Florida's tropical island getaway, The Beaches of Fort Myers Sanibel is a favorite hideaway for Floridians and visitors living in more congested areas. In addition to its natural environment, travelers are pleased to find an abundance of golf, tennis, and watersports in addition to unusual attractions.

Ways of life... Nine distinctive and alluring areas are found within The Beaches of Fort Myers Sanibel. Best known are Sanibel and Captiva Islands, connected by a three-mile-long causeway. Sanibel is renowned for its shelling opportunities and the associated posture referred to as the "Sanibel stoop." More than 400 varieties of shells are found littering the area's beaches and has become a delightful excuse to enjoy hours of sun worshipping along some of the finest shoreline in North America.
The main attraction on Captiva is that there are none. Visitors tend to wile away their vacations in one outdoor endeavor or another, without the pressure of deadlines.

Both North Captiva and Cayo Costa Island Preserve are known for their virtually deserted coastlines and excellent shelling potential. And, while desert islands conjure up romantic fantasies, modern seafarers may prefer a more sociable watering hole at times. Cabbage Key, situated at Milemarker 60 on the Intracoastal Waterway, features the Cabbage Key Inn, built in 1938. Today the Inn displays thousands of autographed dollar bills, which adorn the walls and ceiling, not to mention six cozy guestrooms for the weary traveler to lay his head.
A short boat ride from Captiva or Pine Island is Boca Grande, a charming turn-of-the-century harbor town on Gasparilla Island. Founded by the DuPont family in the late 1800s, this sleepy southern town comes replete with small shops, waterside accommodations, and beautiful beaches.
Accessible by the land via "the fishingest bridge in the USA" at Matlacha, Pine Island's northernmost settlement of Bokeelia provides the maritime stepping point to the more remote out-islands.
If you can only take so much solitude, the City of Fort Myers and its expanding hub of activity is where you want to be. Home of the Southwest Florida Historical Museum, river cruises from the downtown yacht basin, and the country's southernmost bonded winery, Eden Vineyards; visitors from all walks of life will find this to be the community of their dreams.
For the sports minded, public golf courses and tennis courts make Southwest Florida some of the best playing turf in the state. If you consider yourself more a history buff, you may want to know that Henry Ford and Thomas Edison made their winter homes in this area, which are now open to the public for tours.

A little wild... Southwest Florida boasts more than one million acres of nature sanctuaries, most of which have paths or boardwalks that allow visitors to easily explore and enjoy. These refuges boast unspoiled wetlands where everyone can experience the beauty of the state in its virgin condition and an abundance of wildlife thriving in its native setting.

One of the area's most charming and distinctive parks is Lovers Key State Park on Black Island, just south of Fort Myers Beach. Lovers Key is fraught with romantic possibilities as it's home to one of the most private public beaches anywhere.
Accessible only by boat, and well worth the trip, is Cayo Costa State Island Preserve, north of Captiva Island on Pine Island Sound. One of the older barrier islands along the coast, Cayo Costa is a veritable paradise of deserted white-sand beaches, sabal palms, Australian pines, dense cabbage palm forests, and gumbo limbo hammocks.
Internationally recognized Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, southeast of Bonita Springs, is a watershed and cypress forest owned by the National Audubon Society. The eco-tourist in you will enjoy watching for varieties of wading and migratory birds and other wildlife on two miles of nature trails through the largest virgin bald cypress forest in the United States.
Rimmed by sparkling white sand beaches to the west, and vast, wild Everglades to the south and east, the area is somewhat removed from the rest of Florida and aptly deemed "Florida's Last Paradise". Naples, Marco Island and The Everglades offers its visitors a thrilling array of exciting vacation options.

Elegant Ambience... Long known as a hideaway for wealthy retirees, the city of Naples and its surrounding communities have evolved to appeal to a wider audience with vibrant downtown cafes, and exhilarating adventure activities.

Highlighted by its history, Naples visitors can find unique treasures ranging from original artwork by the masters to designer fashions. Third Street South, Naples' business district at the turn of the century, now serves as a premier shopping and dining district. This has become a trendy shopping village and includes Gallery Row, a collection of distinctive art galleries. Just a few blocks away, Fifth Avenue South has undergone a renaissance. This dynamic and pedestrian-friendly area features clothing and designer boutiques, the Sugden Theater, hotels, cafes and bars, which line Naples' official downtown Main Street.
The waterfront Village on Venetian Bay, evocative of the townhouses of Venice, is a destination for sophisticated fashion, jewelry, gourmet shops, and fine dining. Nearby at the Waterside Shops of Pelican Bay, visitors will find shops and restaurants surrounded by lush landscaping, covered walkways, and sparkling waterways. Saks Fifth Avenue anchors numerous elegant specialty shops, with an impressive list of luxury shops including Tiffany & Co and Cartier.

To the south, Marco Island offers its own variety of treasures. Specialty shops and boutiques offer everything from bathing suits and island wear to the finest of designer fashions.

Enjoy your own "paradise"... Every visitor envisions their perfect vacation and Naples, Marco Island and The Everglades is prepared to supply you with all the tools needed to accomplish that goal.
Marco Island is flanked by nearly 100 miles of islands, bays, and estuaries that will never be developed. Access through this nearby wilderness is possible through the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Collier-Seminole State Park, Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, Big Cypress National Preserve, and Everglades National Park.
The tropical ambience of Naples and nearby Marco Island adds to the area by offering beachfront resorts, guided Waverunner tours of the Ten Thousand Islands, fishing charters, boat rentals, sightseeing tours, family attractions, waterfront dining and more.
Golf is everywhere with courses available at all the major resorts as well as several excellent public courses. If you prefer your sport with a water view, fishing is quite popular. Deep sea fishing trips into the Gulf of Mexico appeal to the more avid fishermen, while backcountry fishing trips are best suited for the novice.
The Everglades and its surrounding preserve areas provide some of the most unique and easily accessible opportunities for viewing rare flora and fauna in North America. Home to 2,000 species of plants, many extremely rare, more than 200 species of birds and over 160 animal species, a number of private tour operators provide airboat and swamp buggy excursions.

We Recommend...
With so much to see and do along the Southwest Coast it's hard to decide where to start!
Explore the natural side of Fort Myers at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium. The 105-acre site takes visitors on a journey through three nature trails, 1,000-square-foot butterfly and bird aviaries, and museum highlighted with interpretive displays.
The onsite Planetarium explores the universe and beyond with a close look at constellations and galaxies. Rental telescopes are available for families to explore the skies above.
239-275-3435 | www.calusanature.com

Soak up the tropical atmosphere with a stay at the Cove Inn Resort on Naples Bay. Surrounded by lush palms and scenic water views, visitors (and boaters) wanting a refreshing alternative to hotel chains will find the ambience and service second to none.
Spacious rooms, efficiencies, and suites all feature a private balcony overlooking the water. A first-floor lobby and back deck were designed for comfort, while a second-floor lobby "Library" is the ideal spot to borrow a book. The bayside pool is great for soaking up the sun or having a drink at the Chickee bar plus the Inn offers a wealth of dining experiences at three restaurants.
800-255-4365 | 239-262-7161 | www.coveinnnaples.com

Fishermen of all skill levels can take advantage of the Southwest Coast and reserve a spot on Bahama Joe's Charters. Running faster than most charter companies to provide you with more fishing time, your crew and Captain provides all gear and knowledge to ensure your day spent fishing is the most memorable excursion of your vacation! Sightseeing and shelling trips are available.
877-347-4299 | 239-566-7691 | www.bahamajoescharters.com

Explore a wild side of Naples with a visit to the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens. Stroll among a botanical garden teeming with brilliant bursts of color, and native flora, while a giant bunya bunya tree from Australia towers over alligators.
The zoo's latest exhibit includes Leopard Rock, open in July 2007. Creating a feeling of no separation between guests and leopards, seven-foot-high glass panels were set within a recess of a rock textured concrete pad with no curb or edge to break the illusion.
239-262-5409 | www.napleszoo.com

Premier Properties is the exclusive Southwest Florida affiliate of Christie's Great Estates, in addition to being one of the area's leading vacation property specialists. Discriminating travelers wanting a luxurious property to call home for a week, a month, or an entire season, can select from some of Southwest Florida's most breathtaking rentals.
Each property is individually owned and comes fully-equipped with tastefully furnished and upgraded interiors.
In addition to single-family home vacation properties, Premier Properties features resort-style accommodations that offer unique residences among the conveniences of onsite conveniences.
Premier Properties of Southwest Florida, Inc., REALTORS are the preferred real estate resource for Naples, Marco Island, Estero, Bonita Springs, Ft. Myers and north along the Gulf Coast to Sarasota.
800-741-6886 | 239-263-6886 | www.rentnaples.com

Sanchez-Casal at The Naples Tennis Club and Resort is located on the Gulf Coast of Florida in the beautiful beach community of Naples.
Located on 20 acres of lush landscaping and natural lakes, the facility presents the perfect backdrop for recreational and competitive tennis development.
Academia Sanchez-Casal Florida now offers players from the United States and around the world the same world-renowned junior development program that has made ASC Barcelona the leading tennis academy in Europe.
The Academia Sanchez-Casal at The Naples Tennis Club and Resort features 37 championship har-tru courts with a state of the art fitness center, physical conditioning, psychological preparation and competition, complete boarding facilities and personalized high school and language curriculum.
Adult tennis programs are structured in a personalized fashion for those looking to take part in this fantastic sport in a relaxed atmosphere. The adult programs offer the experience of learning to play with the same fundamentals as many of today's top touring professionals.
239-384-5640 | www.naplesbathandtennis.com

The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel
1-800-237-6444
www.fortmyers-sanibel.com

Naples, Marco Island, and The Everglades
1-800-688-3600
www.paradisecoast.com