Sanibel, Captiva and Fort Myers

In a nutshell

Sanibel and Captiva Islands (about 15 metres apart!) are renowned for their untouched quality. There are no advertising hoardings or neon signs, just lush, unspoilt scenery with lots of wildlife, and beautiful beaches where shell hunting is the island obsession (apparently left-handed whelks are rather valuable). The restaurants are top class and there's an air of lazy romance everywhere you go. Fort Myers Beach is much more lively with lots of family restaurants and bars along Estero Boulevard. There are also attractions such as boat cruises, mini-golf courses, factory outlet shopping and the house of Thomas Edison (he liked it so much here he brought his house down from New England and rebuilt it!). Of course, it's only a 5-10 min drive between Sanibel and Fort Myers, so wherever you choose to stay, its easy to explore the very different charms of the other. Between November and March you have the added pleasure of manatee spotting, and you can spy dolphins year-round. Please note: access to Sanibel Island is via a causeway for which a toll applies (currently $3 per car).