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Best Bets for Romance
The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel abound with opportunities for quiet moments and intimate adventures. Romance here is an all-day affair, from morning strolls in blooming gardens to evening theater and dinner for two. Escape to a private island accessible only by boat, or spend the day swimming, shelling and picnicking in seclusion at one of the area's tranquil beaches.
 Anthony's on the Gulf |
Make any meal more special by boarding a boat. Try the lunch or dinner cruise on the Sanibel Princess, sailing from Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa. Or, take Captiva Cruises to the Collier Inn on Useppa Island.
If watching the sunset from land is more your style, head for Fort Myers Beach's Anthony's on the Gulf, which features Italian specialties, or Sanibel's Windows on the Water. The Thistle Lodge at Casa Ybel Resort, Sanibel, is also an excellent choice, as it offers upscale dining and beautiful waterside views.
Romance is also in the air at the Tuscan-inspired Riviera on Sanibel, and The Veranda, a mansion in downtown Fort Myers.
 Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum |
Reminisce about the days of women waiting for their loved ones to return at Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum. The adjacent assistant keeper's cottage has been transformed into a museum, where visitors can learn about the intriguing history of Gasparilla Island.
In Fort Myers, explore Edison & Ford Winter Estates, which features gardens, a museum, Edison's laboratory and charter cruises on the Caloosahatchee River. Or, visit the remnants of a utopian community at Koreshan State Historic Site in Estero. Strolling hand in hand through the formal gardens is a wonderful way to spend a morning.
In the evening, take in a professional show at the historic Arcade Theater, home to Florida Rep or at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, both in Fort Myers. Another great venue is the intimate Schoolhouse Theater on Sanibel.
 Lovers Key State Park |
Get away from the crowds with Captiva Cruises on Captiva Island. Both the lunch cruise to Useppa Island or Cabbage Key, and the excursion to Cayo Costa for a picnic and shelling are excellent for sharing some quality time together.
Another great spot for a beach picnic and some seclusion is Lover's Key State Park, south of Fort Myers Beach. Hike the trails, kayak among dolphins in Estero Bay or simply relax on the beach.
J.N. Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge has a five-mile paved path that's great for biking (rentals available on-site) and hiking the mangrove forest. The path offers great opportunities to view nature, including birds and alligators sunning themselves.
 The Veranda |
Brick Bar, in downtown Fort Myers, offers themed nights to strike anyone's fancy. Local musicians play five nights out of the week. Directly above is Sky Bar, a great spot for enjoying the sunset.
Dress in your fancy duds, then enjoy a martini at South Beach Grill on Fort Myers Beach, and Cin Cin, Cru and BluSushi in Fort Myers. These are places to see and be seen.
If Southern gentility is more your style, visit The Veranda's piano bar. On Sanibel, Dolce Vista offers smooth jazz in a stylish venue, while Ellington's Jazz Bar and Restaurant features the Brubeck Brothers and other jazz greats.
If you go...
Anthony's on the Gulf, 239-463-2600
Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum and Whidden's Marina, 941-964-0060, barrierislandparkssociety.org/lighthouse.html
BluSushi, 239-489-1500, www.blusushi.com
The Brick Bar, 239-332-7425, www.thebrickbar.com
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 239-278-4422, 800-475-7256, www.broadwaypalm.com
Captiva Cruises, 239-472-5300, www.captivacruises.com
Cin Cin, 239-415-2007, www.cincingrille.com
Collier Inn, 888-735-6335, www.useppa.com/indexb.html
Cru, 239-466-3663, www.crufoodandwine.com
Dolce Vita, 239-472-5555, www.dolcevitaofsanibel.com
Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 239-334-7419, 888-377-9475, www.edison-ford-estate.com
Ellington's Jazz Bar and Restaurant, 239-472-0494, www.ellingtonsjazz.com
Florida Repertory Theatre, 877-787-8053, www.floridarep.org
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, 239-472-1100, www.fws.gov/dingdarling
Koreshan State Historic Site, 239-992-0311, floridastateparks.org
Lovers Key State Park, 239-463-4588, floridastateparks.org
Riviera Restaurant, 239-472-1141
Sanibel Princess, 239-466-4000, www.sanibel-resort.com/shprincess.html
Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa, 239-466-4000, 800-767-7777, www.sanibel-resort.com/index2.asp
Schoolhouse Theater, 239-472-6862, www.theschoolhousetheater.com
The Sky Bar, 239-332-7425
South Beach Grille, 239-463-7770
Thistle Lodge at Casa Ybel Resort, 239-472-9200, www.casaybelresort.com
The Veranda, 239-332-2065, www.verandarestaurant.com
Windows on the Water, 239-395-6014, www.sundialresort.com
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