Sep
3
Tranquil and Stylish - Sunset Key, Florida
Filed Under Hotels / Resorts, USA - Florida | Comments Off
Located just a short 500 yard boat ride from the busy streets of Key West Florida is Sunset Key. A luxury Island resort made up of 37 Resort Cottages and an upscale Residential Community.
Each of the 1, 2 and 3 bedroom Sunset Key Guest Cottages is equipped with a kitchen, a living and dinning area decorated in traditional key west style. Cottages also include CD and DVD players, and beverage and pantry bar. In room mini-bars are provided, so is 24hr room service, but after hours you may find room service a problem, they also can’t serve alcohol.
A complimentary breakfast basket and newspaper is delivered to your cottages porch each morning. It includes muffins and other bakery items is in addition to orange juice that is left in your cottage refrigerator the night before during turndown service. Arrangements can also be made to have your refrigerator stocked and ready for you on your arrival.
Luxury Island Estate Property
The resort offers a free form garden pool, two tennis courts, a sandy beach with beach side dining at Latitudes Beach Cafe. Flippers Pool Bar offers tropical drinks and food items from Latitudes for those enjoying the pool. This is a great family getaway, being island bound means kids are less likely to get into trouble. Services are a bit limited on the island, but the wacky town of Key West is just a short 10 minute boat ride away.
The Cottages are affiliated with the Westin Key West Resort & Marina. Visit the Sunset Key Cottages website CLICK HERE
Jul
28
Sanibel Island FL: Not Just a Shelling Town
Filed Under Islands, USA - Florida | Comments Off
Sanibel Island is a name commonly used by even an amateur shell collector. This 15 mile long island located on the southwest coast of Florida is well-known for its world-class shelling. However, many don’t know about the other things this small, romantic, nature-filled island has to offer for families, the outdoor enthusiast, and working adults just looking to unwind.
Over one-half of the island is considered protected nature preserve which offers world famous birding opportunities. Over 240 species can be viewed by the avid bird-watcher either from the comfort of their car, from one of many hike-bike trails, or lying on 15 miles of white sand beaches.
A must see when visiting Sanibel Island is the J.N. ‛Ding’ Darling Wildlife Refuge. This beautiful preserve contains some of the most beautiful sights you will see on this island. Visit their Education Center to learn about the local ecosystem and scope out the different species that you might see. Take a spin through their Wildlife Drive and look out for one of their 50 species of reptiles and amphibians, even the endangered American Alligator.
Remember to schedule a kayaking or canoeing tour with Tarpon Bay Explorers, and watch for otters, dolphins, and manatees throughout the mangrove swamps. No previous experience is necessary for this adventure that you will remember for the rest of your life. Just remember to bring extra water and your cameras.
The average temperature of Sanibel Island is 75º and the weather year-round is generally beautiful. If you want to travel the island like a local, rent a bike or moped at one of the many rental agencies that dot the island. Over 26 miles of trail cover the island, which allow you to bike through lazy neighborhoods, along the coastline, or through shady groves of trees in the preserve after reading a book in a hammock on the beach.
Also readily available are opportunities for SCUBA or snorkeling, swimming, and other water sports. The fishing scene in Sanibel is thriving and there are many charters to take any level of fishermen out to sea. Snook, redfish, snappers, sea trout, grouper, and Spanish mackerel are plentiful all year. In the spring and summer, tarpon, pompano, cobia, and permit are available, while in the fall black drum, tripletail, king mackerel are fresh. Finally, in the winter sheepshead are bountiful.
If you are not the outdoors man type and shopping is more your cup of tea, explore the shopping scene, being sure to visit shops such as Pandora’s Box. If history is your thing, be sure to visit Sanibel Historic Village and go see the Sanibel Lighthouse in Old Town Sanibel. Also, shell collector or not, the Bailey-Matthew’s Shell Museum is well-worth your time. If you are in town during March, check out the Sanibel Music Festival.
When the time comes to eat, no visit to Sanibel is ever complete without a visit to Schnapper’s Hots for the best pizza and hot dogs in the world hands down. For a great breakfast, take a trip to Captiva Island and visit R.C. Otter’s Island Eats. Or eat brunch at the delightful Blue Giraffe Restaurant which may become a daily watering hole with its colorful tables painted by local artists.
In regards to local accommodations, you can rent condos and beach homes, stay in a resort, or a local inn. The Holiday Inn Sanibel Island Resort comes very highly recommended and offers a wonderful view for the Forth of July fireworks. If you are seeking a higher end experience look into the Casa Ybel Resort.
To many, Sanibel Island is the closest one can come to “Old Florida.” A pay toll bridge and the zoning laws put into affect by the local residents have saved Sanibel from the over-commercialization that we see common to South Florida.
The beaches at Sanibel are always clean, un-crowded, and welcoming and sunset walks and picnics on the beach are a regular experience for both locals and tourists. A phrase that rings true is, “Once you get Sanibel sand in your shoes you’ll always come back.” It is not uncommon for a visitor to extend their vacations at Sanibel Island two or three extra days when they first arrive. Here the unique beauty of the island will provide you with one of the most relaxing and rewarding vacations you will ever take.
Official Sanibel and Captiva Island Chamber of Commerce: www.sanibel-captiva.org
Jul
22
Finding the Key to a Florida Keys Vacation
Filed Under USA - Florida | Comments Off
The Florida Keys are made up of a string of islands south of Miami, Florida. There are hundreds of tiny islands; many that are not populated. Of the well traveled islands, Key West, the jewel at the end of the keys, is most popular and key to a Florida Keys vacation. Second in popularity to Key West is Key Largo which sits at the beginning of the keys.
Photo: Key West Harbor
I found Key West to be a wonderful holiday destination with its small town feel, quaint accommodations and notable attractions. Enjoy a margarita Jimmy Buffet style, tour the Hemingway House where Ernest Hemingway lived from 1931 to 1940 or just enjoy a piece of key lime pie as you take in the sunset. Check out the Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce for information, maps and brochures. I stayed in Key Largo, but Key West has a variety of accommodations including camping, hotels and motels, hostels and numerous B & Bs.
On the way to Key West is the second most popular destination, Key Largo. Check out Key Largo’s Visitor Center, known as the Pennekamp Visitors Center, which features a 30,000 gallon aquarium and showcases a living coral reef filled with tropical fish. Another big attraction is the Key Largo Undersea Park. This sea park is home to the Jules’ Undersea Lodge, an underwater hotel. Guests voyage 30 feet beneath the sea in scuba equipment to reach the unique destination. The hotel offers over night accommodations or three-hour mini-adventure vacations.
Photo: Marker at southern most point on the US Mainland
Part of the fun of visiting The Florida Keys is getting there! The Keys sit on the most southernmost point of the continental US. By car, take the I-95 south to US Hwy 1 and follow it until you can’t go any farther—and you’ll hit Key West. Along the way, you’ll see beautiful beaches, crystal blue water and many opportunities for scuba diving, snorkeling, picnicking and kayaking.
Photo: Seven Mile Bridge connecting the Florida Keys
One of the most scenic parts of the road trip is the 7 mile bridge connecting Key West and its sister keys to the mainland. Named the Florida Keys Overseas Highway, it has been serving travelers since 1938 and has been the lifeline to the Florida Keys; bring tourists and locals alike to this US mainland paradise.
A host of wild life is spread through out the Florida Keys including sea life, birds and land mammals. The Dry Tortugas National Park is known for green turtles. You can see herons, ibis, egrets, ospreys, hawks and even eagles at the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge. Admission is free into the National Key Deer Refuge where Key deer are often spotted. Don’t feed them because it’s illegal!
Photo: Trumpet fish swimming near Key Largo
When making hotel reservations, keep in mind that peak season brings thousands of visitors and the prices go up. Expect to pay top dollar from December to March and you can save money booking in August and Septembers. It’s economical to plan vacations to The Keys on the fringe of peak periods. Visit the Chamber of Commerce or contact your travel agent.
Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce www.keywestchamber.org
Jules’ Undersea Lodge www.jul.com
Pennekamp Visitors Center www.pennekamppark.com
Casa Marina Resort & Beach Club www.casamarinaresort.com
Little Palm Island Resort & Spa www.littepalmisland.com
Ocean Key Resort & Spa www.oceankey.com
