Florida Gulf Coast: The Picturesque Panhandle

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Miles of ravishing beaches and clam blue waters await you in the Florida Gulf Coast. Enjoy the subtropical climate and relaxed ambience of this top luxury vacation destination. Your vacation will be jammed packed full of family-friendly fun with limitless outdoor activities on offer, from sunbathing, swimming and beach combing to playing golf or tennis. Let the soft Florida sun melt away your worries as you take a leisurely stroll down palm-fringed boardwalks.

Gulf Coast of Florida
One of the serene beaches of the Gulf Coast of Florida.

 
The Gulf Coast is made up of many different and distinct cities and towns that line its coast. Fort Myers is a charming town located next to the Caloosahatchee River. It is nicknamed the City of Palms because of the hundreds of royal palms that the inventor Thomas Edison planted along McGregor Boulevard, the historic residential street where Edison’s winter estate is located. Since then, more than two thousand royal palms have been planted along the fourteen miles of McGregor Boulevard. It is quite a sight to behold them swaying in the salty breeze. No trip to Fort Myers is complete without a visit here, and to the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, a unique complex where both the famous inventors’ winter homes are located. Spend some time wandering through the botanical research gardens, Edison’s lab and the well-equipped museum.
 
Get a rare glimpse into Florida’s native species and terrains by visiting the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, where you can explore trails and boardwalks that weave through the wetlands. There is a fascinating aviary and a beautiful butterfly house and there are live animal demonstrations every day. The cutting-edge planetarium holds astronomy shows and special laser shows for the kids. If you still haven’t quite had your nature fix then check out Manatee Park. Here you can get up close and personal with Florida’s most famous marine life, the serene manatee. View this large-scale congregation of manatees from the three observation decks. Hydrophones on one of the decks allow you to listen in on their beautiful underwater songs. If you want to get even closer, then go to Calusa Blueway Outfitters to rent a kayak or canoe to take you into the water, where you can rub shoulders with the manatees.

Atlantic Ocean
Take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean.  

After building up an appetite from all the activities available in Fort Myers, go to local gem The Veranda for an elegant restaurant experience. A favourite for affluent businessmen and government kingpins for lunch, try the legendary fried green tomato salad. The food is impeccable continental with a southern twist, and it is served a stunning dining room, comprised of two open plan historical homes with brick fireplaces and vintage paintings. For a special treat ask to be seated outside in the hidden courtyard. Then enjoy the lively nightlife scene in Fort Myers by going to local hot spot, The Happy Buddha. You will be greeted by a giant gold statue of the Buddha out front of this casual hip bar with live bands and DJs.
 
Another city in the Gulf Coast region is Naples, once a small sleepy fishing village that has now become a top luxury vacation destination. Naples is located between the Gulf of Mexico and the Everglades. This wealthy city is full of contemporary Mediterranean style mansions to rent on luscious golf courses. Naples has quite the reputation for golf, with more golf holes per capita than anywhere else in the world, so make sure that you take a swing at some of the fabulous courses around. Naples is also famous for its luxury shopping. You will fall in love with the revitalized downtown area, with its galleries, couture shops and superb dining options. Visit the fascinating Tin City, a surreal collection of tin roofed boat docks in Naples Bay that is now a haven for boutiques, cafes, and souvenir shops. Or for a relaxing shopping experience by the sea try the Village on Venetian Bay, where you can wander up and down the water’s edge looking for the perfect purchase. Or visit Waterside Shops, where high-end stores are nestled on a promenade amongst soothing waterfalls and water features. There are so many dining options to choose from in Naples that picking just one recommendation is difficult. Sea Salt is Naples’ premier dining destination. It draws a crowd of foodies and gourmands to its coral dining room. You will find something delectable on the nightly changing menu that incorporates the freshest local and seasonal ingredients. The sea-salt sampler is an excellent way to start your meal, finish it with the Wagyu beef or black grouper.

Gulf Coast of Florida
Relax on a beautiful beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida. 

After exploring inland it is time to rent a boat and get away from the coast. Island hopping is one of the best ways to view the Gulf of Mexico, and to find your own deserted beach paradise like Gasparilla Island, where you can go all day without seeing another soul. There are over one hundred coastal islands off the west coast of Fort Myers. So get a boat and start discovering the wealth of natural beauty in this area. Sanibel can be reached from the mainland by a three-mile causeway. It is famous for its fantastic shelling on soft sand beaches, great fishing and for its abundance of wildlife. Here, and on Captiva, multimillion-dollar homes line the waterfront, making it the perfect place to rent a luxury villa. Stay in the heart of this beautiful nature reserve, and watch the colorful birds frolic in the sky.
 
Rent a bike from Billy’s Bikes to take you all over these charming islands. Or try your hand a deep sea fishing by finding a charter captain in Sanibel Marina. Cast your line into some of the most abundant fishing waters in the world. If wildlife is what you seek, then go to Tarpon Bay Explorers, which offer guided kayak and canoeing tours around the bay. You will get very close to a host of birds and other everglades animals. To feel enveloped in the beauty of this island paradise, dine at Thistle Lodge Restaurant. This romantic lodge was built as a wedding gift, and it still exudes the same happy ambience to those dining there. Thomas Edison and Henry Ford often visited this elite restaurant, and the ethereal views of the verdant green lawns and the Gulf of Mexico are as dreamy as the refined food.
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