1. Sanibel Island is still Florida. And yet it's not the Florida you know.
Not a "Florida person"? Maybe it's time to reconsider. Florida remains Canadians' biggest winter destination, and there's more to it than the commercialism of Orlando's theme parks or the party-hardy vibe of its young-and-restless beaches like South Beach in Miami. If your family is looking for a warm-weather escape with plenty of opportunities to frolic in the surf, gather seashells and commune with nature in a distinctly laid-back, logo-free (yet luxe) kind of environment, look no further than Florida's southwest coast. Think: Estero, Sanibel and Captiva Islands (north of Naples, south of Tampa).
How to get to Sanibel Island
Fly into Fort Myers' Southwest Florida International Airport and drive your rental car about 45 minutes to the Gulf of Mexico's coast. If you're staying a week, consider starting in the beach town of Estero Island, where you can experience white sand beaches and a youthful yet family-friendly vibe. Next, move to the sleepier and higher-end Sanibel Island – you'll feel the mood change as soon as you cross the new Sanibel Causeway bridge – where shell boutiques, restaurants for almost every taste and budget and quaint book and antique shops abound, along with a historic circa-1844 lighthouse at the tip of the island. Lighthouse Park Beach is also a perfect swimming, fishing and picnicking spot, not to mention, again, shelling.
A visit to Captiva Island
Finally, cap off your vacation with a couple days in Captiva Island. Captiva is all about nature, with wildlife preserves and beaches setting the tone. From luxury to economy (the latter being a relative term), almost anyplace you'd stay at is on the waterfront, and quiet, quiet, quiet. Some may find it boring, but to the captains of industry who own multi-million dollar vacation homes on the island, it's just what the doctor ordered: peace and privacy.
