| If you're planning an upcoming island vacation, but want | | | | Taking Sanibel Island Vacations |
| to visit somewhere just a little different, it's easy to find | | | | A vacation on Sanibel Island is just 40 minutes from |
| Florida beaches that are off the beaten path. Finding a | | | | the city of Fort Myers, Florida and the Southwest |
| unique spot to spend a vacation means that crowds | | | | Florida International airport. The surf off of the beaches |
| will be smaller and you'll get to visit a place you'd never | | | | is gentle, making Sanibel Island a great place for |
| know existed otherwise. Some great places to visit | | | | families with young children. |
| are the islands of Anna Maria, Sanibel and Amelia. | | | | The island also boasts 25 miles of bike paths, so |
| Enjoying An Anna Maria Vacation | | | | parking the car and biking around the island is a must. If |
| The island is located just 40 miles south of Tampa and | | | | your children are too young to ride themselves, many |
| the island is surrounded by Tampa Bay. You can | | | | local companies offer tandem bikes and trailers. |
| access your Anna Maria vacation via the Cortez or | | | | Another must see attraction is the hidden bird aviary in |
| Manatee bridges or you can even take a cruise to | | | | Periwinkle Park. Here you'll find lovebirds, toucans and |
| start your visit. | | | | flamingos. The park has many machines that dispense |
| An Anna Maria vacation is perfect for relaxing on the | | | | food for the birds so don't forget to bring a pocketful |
| beach. If you visit May through October, though, Florida | | | | of change. |
| beaches are filled with sea turtles coming to the beach | | | | Making The Most Of An Amelia Island Vacation |
| to lay their eggs. If you're lucky enough to catch a | | | | Amelia Island is located just 22 miles from Jacksonville, |
| glimpse of a nesting sea turtle, leave it alone. Bright | | | | Florida and has 13 miles of beautiful beaches. While the |
| lights, including the flash from a camera can scare the | | | | beaches are a great draw, you'll also find companies |
| turtle, endangering the lives of the baby sea turtles. If | | | | that offer aerial tours of the island and flying lessons |
| you're staying in an Anna Maria vacation rental right | | | | for anyone dreaming of becoming a pilot. |
| off the beach, try to turn off outside lights at night | | | | If you'd rather keep a better view of the ground, |
| because the lights can misguide the turtles, | | | | consider riding horses along the beach at sunset or |
| endangering the adult turtle and her eggs. | | | | window shop in the many specialty shops and |
| If you're an avid fisherman, you'll love fishing while on | | | | boutiques along Centre Street. |
| your vacation. You'll be able to fish off of one of three | | | | Whether you're planning an Amelia, Sanibel or Anna |
| fishing piers, rent a boat or even take a chartered boat | | | | Maria vacation, you'll find plenty to do without the large |
| fishing cruise. Kids under 16 don't need to worry about | | | | beach crowds that come with a better known Florida |
| a Florida fishing license so it's a perfect family activity. If | | | | vacation spot. Once you've spent a quiet vacation off |
| you do need a license, it can be purchased at tackle | | | | the beaten path, you may never want to fight the |
| shops, hardware stores or Florida's tax collector's | | | | crowds again. |
| office. | | | | |