Please help! Is Naples best idea before AMI

[Teejay229]

Morning all,
Just looking at getting a few different thoughts on doing Naples and Anna Maria Island for our 1st week before going on to Orlando for the last 2 weeks in Aug. In planning stage at the minute but pretty much thinking of doing :

1. Land Miami Fri stay in basic hotel overnight, spend day in Miami on the sat before driving onto ? Naples.

2. Do 3 nights (2 whole days) Naples before setting off Tuesday afternoon for Anna Maria.

3. Finally spend 4 nights (3 whole days) chillin Anna Maria island in a condo style accommodation, leaving early sat am to drive to Busch Gardens and then onto Villa early evening for the remaining 2 weeks doing all the parks.

Only thing at the minute is I'm still a bit torn between doing Naples or doing a different area along the gulf coast? Although, DH DS 14 DD 12 keen on doing a swamp airboat ride so kinda thinking Naples good for proximity of the Everglades.

Have been looking at prices of hotels in Naples and very pricey considering that I so want to do Anna Maria island which also on pricey side when comparing what we have paid for a 5 bed villa for 2 weeks which is probably gonna cost us less than the week along the gulf coast!

Have been considering fort Myers/captive/Sanibel too as wanted to split the journey from Miami to Anna Maria in 1/2 but don't know why but tending towards Naples...

Sorry for all the questions, dilemma... Just wondering if anyone out there in same boat or done this before any help making my mind up would be brill

[toddy22]

Do both Naples and Anna Maria Island. They both offer different things to do.
Naples- Free fishing from pier, always seen dolphins at pier and twice manatees.
5th ave and 3rd st south for food and shopping. Everglades for airboat rides. Etc
Go via Sanibel and Captiva to Anna Maria Island.
Anna Maria Island - Kayaking, Eco tours, Fishing ,Free Trolley.
And if you get the chance go to Orlando via the 275 the sunshine skyway bridge ,takes you to st petes, stay on it and pick up I4 at tampa.
Or and this was my fave thing in Florida go to Crystal River and swim with Manatees.
Check out FUN2dive website.
Hope this helps
Toddy

[Teejay229]

Thanks for all the tips Toddy22

[Hodders]

We are flying into Miami and then driving for there straight to Naples. Although, we are hoping to catch a taxi so we don't have to have the hassle of driving.

I have booked a boat to hire the day after so that we can go dolphin/manatee spotting.

Then the next day we are heading off to Sarasota for a night before going to Busch Gardens.

[Tiger431]

We are doing much the same. TC flights to Miami, picking up Alamo hire car then straight to Condo in Naples for 2.5 weeks.

Starting to do the research of things to do now. We have spent the last 2 years going to Orlando and St Petes, so fancy something different no. Looking for dolphin trips, lots of great beaches etc and a couple of trips to the everglades.

[capecoralfl]

Originally Posted by Tiger431

We are doing much the same. TC flights to Miami, picking up Alamo hire car then straight to Condo in Naples for 2.5 weeks.

Starting to do the research of things to do now. We have spent the last 2 years going to Orlando and St Petes, so fancy something different no. Looking for dolphin trips, lots of great beaches etc and a couple of trips to the everglades.

See more...

Have a look at Groupon for SW Florida area deals - we got a good deal for a Naples dolphin cruise we took earlier this month. The barrier islands of Sanibel & Captiva are also lovely and there are some good boat trips you can take from Captiva (Useppa Island boat trip is very interesting)

[Hornet1976]

Caspersen Beach near Venice is a great place to visit on the way to or from Orlando when visiting Naples. Especially great place if you have kids as they can search for sharks teeth.