The quaint islands of Sanibel and Captiva are a unique place for a Florida vacation. Over the years the islanders have vehemently defended the area against overdevelopment, and the result is a peaceful sub-tropical island paradise where there are no stoplights, and where no building rises higher than the tallest palm tree.
Sanibel Island offers 25 miles of paved pathway, great for walking, jogging or a family bike ride around the island. The area is also renowned for its shelling, and some of the rarest shells can be found on the island beaches. (What a great way to spend Christmas morning — searching for treasures from the sea!) Hotel options range from intimate beachside inns (a couple of my personal favorites include Sanibel Inn and Song of the Sea) a full-service Florida hotel on the tip of Captiva Island offering everything from water-view guestrooms to 2- and 3-bedroom beach villas and a wide range of activities to keep you entertained. If you are staying in the Naples or Fort Myers area, Sanibel/Captiva is an easy day trip and well worth a visit.
Concerned that with the dazzling sunshine and balmy temperatures, it just won’t feel like the holidays? Don’t be. Every year Florida hotels, shops and restaurants embrace the holiday spirit. Graceful palm trees wrapped in Christmas lights line the streets, hotel lobbies and driveways boast impressively decorated Christmas trees, and restaurants offer tempting seasonal menus with an innovative Floridian twist.
Fall travel is in full swing, and with Halloween around the corner, many fall travel destinations are looking to give visitors a scare. From Disney’s haunted theme park to Las Vegas costume parties, there is an endless amount of Halloween fun this fall. Check out some of the top fall travel destinations for Halloween.
* Disney World & Disneyland: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., is perfect for families with younger children. Children of all ages can dress up and trick-or-treat throughout the Magic Kingdom. The party runs through early November. Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., also serves up an age-appropriate scare with a haunted mansion, fireworks, trick-or-treating and more.
* New Orleans: This year, New Orleans plans to host a 4-day charity Halloween Party. The Twisted Seasons event features dance parties, costume contests and New Orleans-themed surprises.
* Las Vegas: Las Vegas hotels are teaming up to host the biggest and best costume party in the country. If it can get any bolder, Las Vegas kicks it up a notch on Oct. 31 with all-night parties and over-the-top shows.
* Salem, Mass.: Home of the infamous Salem Witch Trials, Salem, Mass., is thought to be one of the most haunted places in America. As local hotels book up quickly, consider Massachusetts hotels north of Boston .
* Chicago: Check out the spooky side of the Windy City. Haunted Chicago tours and lakefront haunted houses are just the beginning. Even Six Flags Great America, an amusement park in Gurnee, Ill., hosts Fright Fest, a zombie-filled festival sure to be a wild ride.
* Orlando, Fla.: Warning: Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights are not for the faint of heart. Children under 13 are not even allowed at this event, due to the scare factor, so visit if you dare!
* Mexico: Mexico celebrates its own version of Halloween, Dia De Los Muertos. Taking place Nov. 1 and 2 (All Saints Day and All Souls Day, respectively), it offers you the ability to have fun in the States, and then do it again Mexico-style. Just to sweeten the deal, Orbitz is offering up to 45 percent off your Mexico vacation.
* Colorado: The snow is already falling in Colorado, so why not dust off your skis, don a costume and hit the slopes? For those looking for something different, Breckenridge hosts an annual après ski Halloween dodgeball tournament.
* Key West, Fla.: Key West Fantasy Fest, a Mardi Gras-inspired event, is one of the Keys’ biggest parties of the year. Complete with a parade and beads, Halloween in Key West is certainly a fun and rowdy time in the sun.
* Busch Gardens: Each Halloween, Busch Gardens in Tampa, Fla., hosts a family-oriented Howl-O-Scream festival. Featuring haunted houses, “scare zones” and entertainment, Howl-O-Scream is appropriate for the whole family.
