Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: You’re in for a treat in Florida. With so much to do, you should be spending at least a week here and your itinerary will depend on what your goals are. Check into the Edison Beach House All Suite Hotel and take in the panoramic Gulf views. Waste no time making a dinner reservation at the Gulf Shore Grill, where you simply must try shrimp wrapped in bacon and coated with honey. After dinner, consider hitting the rooftop bar at Beached Whale, a locals' favourite.
Day 2: Just 14 miles west of Fort Myers are two of Florida's most beautiful islands. Before heading to the wildly kitschy Bubble Room restaurant, be sure to stop at the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, home to alligators, raccoons, otters, and a dazzling array of bird life. Take your car down the Wildlife Drive for a Cliffs Notes version of the park. Then call Captiva Cruises and see if there's room on the next shuttle out to Boca Grande. After touring Boca Grande, return to Sanibel and check into some local accommodation. Now you're ready for the Bubble Room or live reggae at Jacaranda!
Day 3: Drive south for 40 or so miles, and you'll be in swanky, sleepy Naples. Take the Naples Trolley to get a feel for the place and then, without hesitation, hit the beach before sunset. For a flip-flops-and-T-shirt experience with a hopping bar scene at sunset, you'll love the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club. Both have fabulous beaches. After the beach, stroll down 5th Avenue, the city's main drag, where you'll find the only real semblance of nightlife, dining, and shopping.
Days 4 & 5: Start by driving to Sarasota, around 70 miles or so. Sarasota's Siesta Key Beach is one of Florida's best. But if culture is your thing, don't miss the Ringling Museum of Art. Do not miss dinner at Euphemia Haye. For fun diversion nearby in Bradenton, stop by the Gamble Plantation and visit the weird and wacky Solomon's Castle.
Days 6 & 7: Tampa Bay, St. Pete & Clearwater
If you fancy some thrills and spills, do visit Busch Gardens Africa. The same goes for Ybor City, the hub of Tampa's nightlife. If you prefer to be on the beach, however, head over to St. Pete Beach and Clearwater, where either the historic Don CeSar Beach Resort & Spa or the Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key. For arty types, the Salvador Dalí museum in downtown St. Pete is highly recommended. Fly home from Tampa International Airport.
