Road Trip in Fort Myers, Sanibel and St Petersburg in Florida

This is Part 2 of 3 – Jump to Part 3 (Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Christmas Eve in Miami) or Part 1 (Miami, Delray, Naples, and Everglades)

FORT MYERS and SANIBEL – December 12 to 14

Fort Meyers is certainly not known in the same light as its close neighbors, like Sarasota or Naples – it’s not a trendy, upmarket beach town and it doesn’t have the urban cool of St Petersburg, but it is home to the winter home and laboratory of Thomas Edison. The home, now a museum, is tucked alongside the Caloosahatchee River. It’s also en-route to Sanibel Island. A much more tranquil location than many of Florida’s other beach destinations, Sanibel Island is a small beach town, free from the high rises and chain restaurants found elsewhere. A favourite activity for visitors and Sanibel locals alike is shelling, collecting all kinds of different shells from the beach, where they are constantly replenished by the waves. Here’s the Roadtrip in Florida Itinerary.

Check out some of the cool and cheap tours you could do in Florida.

Where did we stay?

3 Nights at Sanibel Inn (courtesy of the management) “Where nature meets the sea.” We arrived at this peaceful ocean-side retreat after a short drive from Fort Meyers. The cottage-style reception building at the main gate was welcoming and looked like something out of a British seaside town. Our first-floor suite has big and bright, with a balcony overlooking the pool, then further out to the beach and Gulf of Mexico. The room had everything we needed and more, with a simple beachside feel, allowing the natural surroundings and sea breeze to take care of everything else. The pool was long, wide and deep with the full force of the sun all day long and only a matter of steps to the beach to go hunting for shells, cool off in the warm gulf waters, or to stroll down the beach at sunset. We also had access to the Dunes Golf and Tennis Club, although we were too busy exploring the area to play tennis, the club also offers live entertainment and fun! Full Sanibel Inn story coming soon.

You can check details and latest rates on Agoda or Expedia or visit their website directly at The Inns of Sanibel. Don’t just take our word for it though, check out their reviews on TripAdvisor

What we did:

• Edison Ford Estate – We stopped at this historic estate on route to Sanibel Island to wander around the 14-acre riverfront estate which once served as Thomas Edison’s winter home and laboratory as far back as 1886. Henry Ford was good friends with Edison and also has his winter home here, where several Ford cars are on display. The expansive gardens are full of plants, tree, and flowers from all over the world.

• Sunset on Sanibel Beach – It was close to sunset when we arrived kach.howe@gtravelgurus.com
  
  

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