Best Vacations Blog

Booking a trip and staying in a warm and cozy vacation rental is something many people look forward to each year. It can be easy to get lost in the planning and excitement of the holiday that the question of how to avoid vacation rental scams might not even cross your mind. Almost everything is done online these days and that includes using websites and apps to find the perfect...

Naples, Florida is known for many things, but the City on the Gulf’s claim to fame is its exquisite white sand beaches. Here is our guide to the best Naples beaches. Whether you’re looking for a historic pier, a popular destination loved by visitors and locals, or somewhere more secluded, this guide of the top Naples beaches can help you find the perfect one for you.  The 6 Best Beaches...

Are you thinking about how to plan a road trip to Florida? It may take longer than flying, but there are a lot of advantages. It’s much easier to bring the family dog. You can bring your favorite pillow. You don’t have to deal with the hassles of the airport or cram everything into one bag. You can spend even more time with your friends and family. And you won’t...

Captiva Island beaches are part of what makes Southwest Florida so special. A little more remote and secluded than its sister island’s beaches, Captiva is where you go when you want to escape, recharge and really relax. Sanibel Island has a little more hustle and bustle (though, not by much!), and Captiva is more reminiscent of a Caribbean paradise. Time slows down. Worries are washed away. They even say the...

Sanibel Island has some pretty picture-perfect beaches and if you’ve visited this beautiful island, then you already know that. But for our friends who are just discovering Sanibel beaches, you are in for a real treat. If you’re already well-versed in Sanibel beach parks, a little refresher won’t hurt. You may discover a new favorite beach! Grab a delicious beverage and curl up in a cozy spot and read about...

One of the best parts about living in the Sunshine State is the opportunity to take some great Florida road trips.  Whether you’re coming from Jacksonville, Orlando or Tampa, most roads lead to Southwest Florida’s white sand beaches, the Gulf of Mexico’s emerald-turquoise water and the area’s relaxing island lifestyle. If you’ve been in the mood for Florida road trips with your loved ones, or a change of scenery, some...

There are few things that are more quintessentially Southwest Florida than the Fort Myers Beach Lions Club Shrimp Festival. For two days every March, locals and visitors visit Fort Myers Beach to enjoy the parade, meet the Shrimp Festival Queen, and participate in arts and crafts, the shrimp-eating contest and the iconic shrimp boil and dinner. Approximately 30,000 people come out to the Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival. Parade and...

Naples is known for being a cultural and artistic hub in Southwest Florida and people come from all over to enjoy the annual two-day Naples National Art Show. In 2018, Sunshine Artists Magazine ranked it No. 18 out of 25 art shows in the country—and it’s easy to see why. The show has been a Naples stable for decades! The Naples National Art Show is one of the oldest art...

Stroll through downtown Fort Myers and enjoy the unique works of art, warm weather, glimpses of the Caloosahatchee River, Fort Myers waterfront, and meet artists from around the world. ArtFest Fort Myers began in 2001 and it’s one of the largest and most beloved art festivals in the country. Professional artists from nearly all 50 states showcase their work in the downtown River District, where the streets are blocked off,...

Southwest Floridians get to experience a variety of restaurants at a discounted price from Marco Island to Cape Coral during Sizzle SWFL Restaurant Week. The event also donates $1 from every Restaurant Week meal sold to the Sizzle SWFL FGCU Food & Beverage Scholarship. You can eat like a king or queen, and it benefits a great cause. It’s the best of both worlds. The semi-annual, charity-driven Sizzle SWFL Restaurant...