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Fisherp
Citizen
Username: Fisherp
Post Number: 29
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 - 2:05 pm: | 
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Does anyone have any recommendations for a spot in FL to vacation with 2 families with toddlers (we want to rent a house not a resort) We'd go in late Feb so need southern FL for best warm weather I think (?)
Any ideas/experience/recos welcome!
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Wendyn
Supporter
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 3191
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 - 2:09 pm: |
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We loved loved loved Sanibel Island with our 2 and 4 year olds.
There are lots of house rentals there. We stayed at a condo "resort" timeshare which was great as they had a pool (actually both adult and kid pools).
It is very low key, no chain restaurants or stores on the island, and I would guess (don't know as we went in November) it isn't a hot spring break place.
We are thinking about going back in Feb as well! |
Sis2790
Citizen
Username: Sis2790
Post Number: 30
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 7:31 pm: |
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Definitely Sanibel or Captiva Islands; we have rented houses there with friends in the past and had such a great time. It was great when our kids were little too because the Gulf is so calm they could even float around in those little tubes with the seat in them! There's also tons of wildlife (dolphins, birds, lizards, crabs, alligators in the Ding Darling Preserve) and shelling beyond belief all of which fascinated and captivated kids and adults alike.
We also recently stayed for the first time in a condo in Boca Grande (at the Boca Grande Resort) and really enjoyed that as well. |
lizzyr
Citizen
Username: Lizzyr
Post Number: 288
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 9:30 am: |
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3rd vote for Sanibel (especially that time of year, the East Coast can be cold)
Biggest condo/resort is Sundial.
On Captiva, it's South Seas Plantation.
I would suggest Sanibel, as it's closer to the restaurants and bike paths.
If you don't want a full-service resort, there are lots of wonderful condo complexes with different price ranges. There are lots of realtors down there, look around the internet or call around to find one you like. |
melicious
Citizen
Username: Melicious
Post Number: 661
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 3:29 pm: |
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If you want something less crowded and touristy, try Anna Maria Island. I was, as I said in another post, born and raised in Florida and know these places pretty well.
Sanibel and Estero island (next to Sanibel) are nice, but Anna Maria...its a bird refuge, it has some VERY child-friendly restaurants, its cheaper than Sanibel.
I always rent a house on the Bay Side of the island (great for kids - the water isn't rough at all), right on the beach. My family has done this since the 20s. THe kids tumble outta bed, we eat outside and they play in the sand and water, under the shade of am Australian Pine. We went to see the Sea Turtles nesting sites, walked to the point of the island where the Atlantic meets Tampa Bay and watched for birds on the migratory route.
THere are plenty of shells and far fewer tourists. YOu can zip over to the mainland, but why would you? Its so nice on the island.
Here is the realtor we use;
http://aparadiserentals.com/frame.htm
Be sure you're on Anna Maria - not Holmes Beach or anything else. You also, I think with little kids, want the Bay Side of the island. If you go, do not rent a condo - they end up being for college students.
Have fun! |
mickey
Citizen
Username: Mickey
Post Number: 465
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 11:07 am: |
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Melicious,
Isn't The Beach House restaurant on Anna Maria Island? Travelled there from Long Boat Key lots of times and just loved it. Very Jimmy Buffett. |
Fisherp
Citizen
Username: Fisherp
Post Number: 31
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 11:57 am: |
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thanks - Sanibel and Anna Maria both sound great! I've also been looking at Marco Island (a little further south). Any feedback there? |
melicious
Citizen
Username: Melicious
Post Number: 673
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 5:23 pm: |
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I like the Sand Bar. They have a great sundown ritual in which they ring the captain's bell and everyone toasts.
http://www.sandbar-restaurant.com/index.cfm?fa=about.video_tour
I also like that you can let you kids play on the beach until dinner. |
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