Shell hunting along the beach on Sanibel Island

The Sanibel area, which includes Sanibel Island, Captiva, and Gasparilla Island, is a very popular destination for visitors from all over the world. The locals have done everything possible to keep people away: it costs $3 to get across on the only bridge, room rates are substantially higher than in nearby towns...but people just keep coming. Maybe it is the special atmosphere in Sanibel that keep people coming? Sanibel Island is fairly depleted of shells. To get really good shells, you have to get on a boat and go out to one of the smaller island, like for instance the pristine and serene Gasparilla Island, which is ONLY accessible by boat.

Fort Myers Beach is completely different - young, brash and a favorite destination for college students on Spring Break. But it not just young people who visit; snowbirds, Florida residents and locals all help increase the poplation by a factor of 8-10 in the winter. Fort Myers, which is not the same as Fort Myers Beach, is more like a regular town. Thomas Edison built his winter home here over 100 years ago, and convinced his good friend Henry Ford to build one right next to him. Beautifully located on the Caloosahatchee River, you can see what the attraction was for Edison and why he spent his winters here.

Fort Myers Beach

The Edison home in Fort Myers

On we go to Naples and Marco Island...

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