Island and Inland Intrigue in Old Florida's Southwest Region

With unspoiled alabaster beaches, exotic wildlife and lush subtropical foliage, southwest Florida - comprised of Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Hendry and Glades counties -- combines the sophistication of a pampered island resort with the relaxed style of Old Florida. From the Ten Thousand Islands that lie in tranquil azure waters off its coast, to the vast wilderness preserves that claim its southern reaches, Southwest Florida luxuriously rolls out the welcome mat, beckoning visitors to enjoy idyllic beach getaways and captivating backcountry adventures.

Romantic Getaways

Sunset strolls along the shell-strewn beaches that inspired Anne Morrow Lindbergh to write her best-selling philosophy on life "A Gift from the Sea" are just the beginning of what Southwest Florida has to offer couples looking for the perfect romantic getaway. Nestled in the region's tropical island communities and sun-soaked beach neighborhoods, couples will find treasures in the sea as well as jewels on the land.

A visit to the scenic shores of Sanibel is a must for couples searching for the perfect place to wile away the day. Attracted by secluded stretches of sand and stunning sunset scenes, many newlyweds also choose to honeymoon on nearby Captiva Island.

After shellseeking along the soft sand, visitors can bike down lush island paths to Sanibel's Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, a one-of-a-kind museum showcasing shells from around the world as well as ones likely to wash ashore on area beaches. Couples will enjoy viewing "sailor's Valentines," whimsical creations by sailors trying to pass time. In North Fort Myers, the Shell Factory offers a treasure chest of Neptune's jewel. At the pearl pavilion, couples can pluck pearls from Japanese oysters and select exquisite jewelry settings.

Combing for treasures of another kind, visitors can explore Lee Island Coast's quaint shopping districts. Along historic First Street in downtown Fort Myers, shoppers will find apparel shops, book stores and restaurants as well as street musicians and artists. On Sanibel, the island's main thoroughfare, Periwinkle Way, is Sunday-drive picturesque with interesting shops, art galleries and restaurants tucked along a canopy of Australian pines. The island's historic trolley provides the perfect transportation from one shop to the next.

The Lee Island Coast is already a popular honeymoon destination spot, but couples can also get married in unique ceremonies high over the glistening Gulf in hot air balloons, on the beautiful, secluded beaches on Lovers Key or surrounded by Georgian-revival splendor at the Burroughs Home in Fort Myers. For a romantic excursion, hop aboard the Seminole Gulf Railway's old-fashioned dining trains for a first-class meal and a round-trip jaunt from Fort Myers to Bonita Springs and back.

Couples will find a wealth of pleasures await them further south in the seaside paradise of Naples, where romantic pursuits include window shopping along waterfront avenues, bicycling through friendly neighborhoods and sight-seeing aboard an old-fashioned trolley.

Picturesque shopping districts steeped in history offer a special ambiance for strolling, shopping, dining or simply absorbing the relaxed lifestyle for which Naples is famous. Hugging the sparkling Gulf of Mexico, Old Naples retains much of its turn-of-the-century charm and many of its original structures are still in use today. Visitors will find upscale boutiques and gourmet eateries tucked inside 1920s-era buildings as well as art galleries, outdoor cafes and antique shops tucked off fountained courtyards and lush green parks. And couples will be delighted by the Village on Venetian Bay's pastel-hued shops topped with terra cotta roofs. Reminiscent of its Italian namesake, the village offers sunny sidewalk cafes, art galleries and boutiques set along the sparkling waterfront. Nearby, the Waterside Shops provide an open-air setting nearly as spectacular as the shops themselves. Couples can stroll along covered walkways en route to dozens of designer boutiques and elegant restaurants or relax on garden benches amid cascading waterfalls and lush tropical plants. Shoppers-in-the-know make stops at Tin City and Dockside Boardwalk, where treasures and trinkets are sold side-by-side in a rustic waterfront setting.

Scenic tours of the city can be made by trolley, horse-drawn carriage or boat. The Naples Trolley offers daily tours covering more than 100 points of interest, and guides tell fascinating tales about the days when Ponce de Leon, the Calusa Indians and Gaspirilla the Pirate were exciting residents in the area. On Naples Horse and Carriage Tours, couples can explore Old Naples to the gentle clip-clop of horse's hoofs. Or hop aboard an authentic riverboat sternwheeler for dining and dancing under the stars over Naples Bay.

In romantic counterpoint to the wildness of the Florida Everglades, Marco Island offers pampered resort getaways along sprawling white-washed beaches and turquoise Gulf waters. Romantic accommodations range from exotic chickee huts tucked under palmetto hammocks to elegant plantation-style inns. For the perfect end to a Marco Island day, couples can sip champagne as the setting sun casts passionate purple shadows across the sky.

For more information, see http://www.flausa.com. For a free Official Florida Vacation Guide, call toll free 1-888-7FLA USA (U.S.) or fill out a request at http://www.flausa.com/souvenirs/index.html.