Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine

LIE BACK IN FORT MYERS AND SANIBEL

Go for the laidback charm at one of Florida’s favourite sun spots.

- BY BRUCE SACH

For over a century, this legendary winter escape hatch along Florida’s sun-kissed southweste­rn shores has welcomed a pilgrimage of sun seekers to this pocket of paradise.

For starters, did you know that within the city limits of Fort Myers you can view manatees at Manatee Park or witness a special butterfly phenomenon? The Butterfly Estates has been establishe­d to encourage the developmen­t of native butterflie­s at its butterfly conservato­ry.

The centre, which is home to the Florida Native Butterfly Society, incubates and hatches thousands of native butterflie­s each year. For a small fee, visitors can be enchanted by a butterfly release ceremony held daily. Watch butterflie­s flutter to the tune of New Age music. Later, grab a lunch or stroll through Fort Myers River District with restaurant­s, bars, galleries and colourful unique shops.

For a fun hands-on sea critter encounter, the IMAG History and Science Center is a funky place to visit in Fort Myers. See bamboo sharks, angelfish, rock groupers and zebra moray eels swim around a sunken World War II warship replica at the venue’s popular family-fun aquarium.

Not only can you find a hurricane simulator where you can run through an indoor rainstorm but the facility also has a “Seato-see” touch tank for more fun close encounters with sea critters like horseshoe crabs and sea stars.

Now no visit to the area is complete without a stay at Sanibel Island. Take the causeway from Fort Myers to Sanibel—it’s like crossing a portal into another world.

This year, the beloved J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge celebrates its 75th anniversar­y. Located on Sanibel Island, this large mangrove sanctuary is part of a popular bird migratory route. Peak season for birdwatchi­ng runs from March through April. Not yet a birder? Well, you just might become one!

Two thirds of the island will never be developed due to the protected wildlife reserve, and no building is higher than the highest palm tree.

Sanibel Island is a true, old style, natural paradise.

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