Sanibel and Naples June 2007

For our 1 year anniversary we went to Sanibel and Naples for a 3 day weekend. Sanibel is on the west coast of Florida, parallel to Miami. It is a very quiet area, perfect for a relaxing weekend at the beach. Sanibel is famous for it's shells and we found alot. We spent our first day shelling, and taking in the sites of Sanibel Island. It is very quaint and the water was a very nice blue. After we checked into our hotel we headed out to downtown Naples. We had a nice dinner at an italian restaurant, and afterward got some gelato and watched the sunset at the pier. Sunsets on Florida's west coast are really amazing. Living up north I never saw nice sunsets, but since moving to FL I get to see them very often.

The next day was beach day. We spent most of the day on Naples beach. The water was 85 degrees. Wish it was a little cooler but it was summer in FL. We went back to the hotel for some cocktails then went back out to downtown Naples for dinner and window shopping. Many shops close early due to the fact it is mostly retired people living in Naples so things close early. So if you want to go shopping go before 6. We went to see the sunset again at the Pier.

The last day we spent near Bonita Beach and went to the Coconut Grove Mall. It's a really nice outdoor style mall in a ritzy area. Overall I really liked Sanibel and Naples. If relaxing and quietness is what you want it's a great place to visit.

Itinerary and Reviews

Day 1- Arrive in Sanibel
Lunch: Hungry Heron(great grouper sandwiches)
Shelling on Sanibel 2hrs
Check in Hotel (Pelican Inn)
Dinner- Ristorante D'Angeli(very good italian restaurant with authentic ceasar salad)
Sunset as Naples Pier

Day 2-Early morning- Shelling
Day at Beach
Afternoon: Go to 5th Ave and Tin City- cool little indoor shopping area
Dinner: The Boathouse(this place had great seafood)
After Dinner- 3rd Ave

Day 3- Bonita Springs