The Edison Festival of Lights!

Edison, who spent winters in a home he built on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River, invented the light bulb, so it’s fitting that the month culminates with a lighted night parade on Saturday, February 18 at 7pm in Downtown Fort Myers!

Some of the other events include:

• Invention competitions,
• Crafts shows and,
• A 5K run!

If you’re looking to enjoy the Edison Festival of Lights, while having a relaxing, enjoyable vacation with your family & friends — be sure to check out our available Condos & Homes for rent on Fort Myers Beach, and Bonita Beach.

If you have any questions about the event, available rentals, or where the best spot is on Fort Myers Beach to view our amazing sunsets – feel free to give us a call at (866) 218-1709.

We look forward to helping you enjoy your vacation!

Remember, it’s always beachtime at Lahaina!

-Barb

We hope you’ve had a great 2011, superb Holidays, and are enjoying 2012 so far!

We’re really excited about 2012, and shortly, we’ll be debuting our new free eBook “A Renter’s Guide to the Islands – 12 Things You Need to Know About Fort Myers Beach & Bonita Beach”.

In it, we’ll be covering:

• The Island Life,
• Exploring Estero Island, and
• reviewing how you, your family and friends can enjoy each of the little islands around us!

Be sure to Join our Mailing List to assure you’re notified as soon it’s available!

If you think we can help you in any way, be sure to visit our Fort Myers Beach Rentals web site, or give us a call at (866) 218-1709.

Don’t forget – “It’s always beach time at Lahaina!”

- Barb

So what will you do when you get there? It’s easy to decide with these 25 tips.

1. The 1st Fun Activity For Your Fort Myers Beach Vacation
2. Go Fishing from a Kayak on Your Florida Vacation
3. Would You Like to Take A Dolphin Cruise on Your Florida Vacation?
4. Fort Myers Attractions You Simply Must See – Manatees!
5. Your Florida Vacation Guide – Biking Around Sanibel & Captiva Islands
6. Rent Jet Skis on Fort Myers Beach!
7. Spring Training in Southwest Florida for the Twins and Redsox
8. Southwest Florida, Your Golf Dream Come True
9. Discover The Art & Music of Your Fort Myers Beach Vacation
10. Looking for a Thrill? Go Hang Gliding on Your Fort Myers Beach Vacation
11. Your Personal Tour of the Thomas Edison & Ford Winter Estates
12. Variety is the Spice of Life! Take a Day to Visit One of the Many Other Southwest Florida Beaches
13. Are You An Avid Bird Watcher? Check Out The Impressive Fauna of Southwest Florida!
14. Have Your Very Own Romantic Picnic on Lover’s Key
15. Savor the Best Fresh Southwest Florida Seafood & Citrus
16. Spend a Day at the Park – Florida Parks
17. Have an Everglades Adventure on an Airboat or Swamp-Buggy!
18. Take a Big “M” Casino Cruise and You Could Win Big!
19. Visit the Shell Museum… Or Do Your Own Shelling!
20. Love Water Parks? Take the Kids to One in Southwest Florida!
21. Shop ‘til You Drop – Florida Malls
22. Enjoy a Cheeseburger in Paradise While on Your Fort Myers Beach Vacation
23. Go Sailing While at Your Fort Myers Beach Vacation Rental
24. While at Your Fort Myers Beach Rental, Take a Day Trip to Key West
25. Take a Sunset Cruise While Visiting Southwest Florida, You Deserve It!

If you’d like to check rates, see prices & availability, and book a Ft Myers vacation or a Bonita Springs Vacation Rental, please contact us online or simply give us a call at (866) 218-1709.

Remember, it’s always beach time at Lahaina!

Barb

This is the 25th of 25 Ways to Enjoy Southwest Florida which can be downloaded for FREE!

Well, in Southwest Florida… that really happens. Actually, it happens practically every day!

Picture this.

You’ve spent the day enjoying one of the many, many amazing things that Southwest Florida has to offer.

Maybe you’ve been having fun boating, fishing, jet skiing or kayaking. Or, perhaps you’ve been exploring the areas museums and history. Maybe you’ve been shopping at the unique boutiques or enjoying delicious seafood.
Whatever the case, now you’re relaxing in your vacation beach house, winding down. In a few hours, it will be that magical moment when the sun sinks into the Gulf, cascading the most beautiful colors you can imagine across the sky and water. Then, as if they had been given a script, the dolphins begin to frolic and play, shimmering in the sunset.

Trust us, you’ll want to see this up close and personal!

You have a few options:

You can just step outside your Bonita Springs rental, take a short walk to the beach, stand on the sandy shore, and admire the sunset in all it’s glory.

Or, if you’re staying in one of the houses with a beautiful gulf view, such as the Glass House, then just look out the floor to ceiling windows and enjoy it from the comfort of the living room!

Or, try one of the most popular ways to see the spectacular sunset up close and personal… take a sunset cruise!

You can drift along the water, watching the shoreline in the distance, and floating toward the horizon, where the sun is just beginning to sink into the water.

Your vacation should be as worry-free as possible.

It can be easy for you to experience an amazing sightseeing or sunset cruise, as you float on the Gulf with the Ready to Cruise package!

It includes your choice of a Sightseeing or Sunset cruise, launching from Historic Tin City in Naples!

You’ll also have Spacious accommodations, featuring:

• Fully Equipped Kitchens
• Living/Dining Rooms
• Screened Lanais

If you’d like to check rates, see prices & availability, and book a Ft Myers vacation or a Bonita Springs Vacation Rental, please contact us online or simply give us a call at (866) 218-1709.

Download our free eBook 25 Ways to Enjoy Southwest Florida for other fun things to do and see in the area!

Remember, it’s always beach time at Lahaina!

Barb

This is the 24th of 25 Ways to Enjoy Southwest Florida which can be downloaded for FREE!

Key West.

The great thing is that you can be there in only a few hours on the Key West Express!

This high-speed ferry sails from Fort Myers beach year round, so you can catch it only moments away from your beach condos and homes.

Before you even arrive in Key West, you’ll already be having a blast aboard the Key West Express.

Each vessel comes equipped with an outdoor sun deck, full gallery and bar, flat screen TVs with satellite.

Once you arrive in Key West, prepare to experience the island life!

You’ll have all day to check out the island style restaurants and bars along Duval St.

You’ll get to enjoy a Margarita in the original Margaritaville, or have lunch in the famous “Sloppy Joe’s”!

If you have the opportunity, take a catamaran out to the beautiful coral reefs just off the island and experience some amazing snorkeling and scuba diving.

If you choose to stay on land, rent a bike or scooter to get around and let the warm island breezes blow through your hair.

Another great way to take in the full Key West experience is to take a tram tour.

These tours show you all that this unique island has to offer, and will take you to the many historical landmarks, including Earnest Hemmingway’s home. (You can still spot descendants of his six-toed cats roaming the island!)

As you board the Key West Express back to your Fort Myers Beach rental, make sure you have your camera ready.

The sunsets in Key West are world famous, and you’ll have an amazing view from the top deck of the boat!

If you’d like to check rates, see prices & availability, and book a Ft Myers vacation or a Bonita Springs Vacation Rental, please contact us online or simply give us a call at (866) 218-1709.

Download our free eBook 25 Ways to Enjoy Southwest Florida for other fun things to do and see in the area!

Remember, it’s always beach time at Lahaina!

Barb

This is the 23rd of 25 Ways to Enjoy Southwest Florida which can be downloaded for FREE!

Well, here’s your chance.

Climb aboard a sail boat to experience the Gulf of Mexico in all it’s splendor.

Your Fort Myers Beach rental is close to several companies that can offer you the opportunity to try your sea legs on a sailing adventure.

One of our favorites is SailMagicWind.com, where Captain Dan will invite you aboard the “Star of Orion”, a 38 foot coastal cruiser.

He’ll take you out to the Gulf of Mexico or a small anchorage off the Intracoastal Waterway and you can share in the sailing experience of the sea-faring lads.

Sail boats generally allow up to six passengers and have on-board restroom and shaded seating.

There is no feeling like the sensation of cruising along in peaceful serenity as the wind billows at your sail, the sun shines down, and the ocean spray cools your skin.

Sailing on the Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Florida is truly an experience of a lifetime.

If you’d like to check rates, see prices & availability, and book a Ft Myers vacation or a Bonita Springs Vacation Rental, please contact us online or simply give us a call at (866) 218-1709.

Download our free eBook 25 Ways to Enjoy Southwest Florida for other fun things to do and see in the area!

Remember, it’s always beach time at Lahaina!

Barb

This is the 22nd of 25 Ways to Enjoy Southwest Florida which can be downloaded for FREE!

take a trip to the exclusive, remote island of Cabbage Key!

Imagine relaxing on a little blanket, propped up against a towering cypress tree.

Hardly anyone is in sight and the only sounds are the calls of the birds and the lapping of the water on the nearby boat docks.

There aren’t any roads or theme parks or condos.

Here at Cabbage key, you get to take a step back in time and enjoy the tranquility of a Florida long ago.

The remote island of Cabbage Key is only accessible by boat, so you’ll won’t see any cars driving around.

However, you can get there quickly from your Fort Myers Beach rental or you may even choose to stay a night at the Cabbage Key Inn.

There are regularly scheduled shuttle-boats from Pine Island, Captiva Island, and Punta Gorda.

A trip to Cabbage Key wouldn’t be complete without a stop by the island’s main attraction: the bar!

Enjoy a cocktail or one of their famous cheeseburgers that has been said to have inspired Jimmy Buffet’s song, “Cheeseburger in Paradise”!

The atmosphere is very unique, with one dollar bills taped all over the walls, creating a wallpaper of money.

Make sure you bring a dollar bill and leave your mark on the wall!

If you’d like to check rates, see prices & availability, and book a Ft Myers vacation or a Bonita Springs Vacation Rental, please contact us online or simply give us a call at (866) 218-1709.

Download our free eBook 25 Ways to Enjoy Southwest Florida for other fun things to do and see in the area!

Remember, it’s always beach time at Lahaina!

Barb

This is the 21st of 25 Ways to Enjoy Southwest Florida which can be downloaded for FREE!

mecca for shopping!

From your Bonita Springs vacation rental, you’ll have all the shopping your heart desires.

In Times Square, you’ll find everything from clothing, jewelry, and accessories to souvenirs and surf boards.

However, if you want to make a day of shopping, you may want to visit one of these amazing Southwest Florida malls and outdoor shopping centers:

Tanger Outlets
Only minutes from your Fort Myers Beach rental, on the way to Sanibel, is this outdoor shopping outlet mall.

It features over 43 brand name outlets, and is a great way to get in some shopping without venturing far from the beach.

Coconut Point Mall
To the North of your Bonita Springs vacation home in Estero, lies the best shopping experience in Southwest Florida. This beautiful, mediterranean style outdoor mall features over 113 stores and 25 restaurants… all surrounding several acres of lakes with a boardwalk. It’s many shops and restaurants range from upscale to casual, and it also features a state of the art movie theater.

Miromar Outlets
Also located in Estero, this beautiful outdoor shopping mall has over 140 top designer outlet stores where you can purchase brand names for a fraction of the price! If you find you need a little break from shopping, Miromar also has a variety of quality restaurants and a covered playground for the kids.

If you’d like to check rates, see prices & availability, and book a Ft Myers vacation or a Bonita Springs Vacation Rental, please contact us online or simply give us a call at (866) 218-1709.

Download our free eBook 25 Ways to Enjoy Southwest Florida for other fun things to do and see in the area!

Remember, it’s always beach time at Lahaina!

Barb

This is the 20th of 25 Ways to Enjoy Southwest Florida which can be downloaded for FREE!

Southwest Florida’s water parks!

Of course, you don’t actually HAVE to have kids to enjoy a day at the water park.

You just have to have a desire for fun in the sun!

Of course, we know you’ll be already be having plenty of that on the beach.

But, sometimes it’s fun to try a little variety and play for a day in water without the salt or sand!

Your Bonita Springs vacation rental is only a short drive from two fantastic water parks:

Sunsplash Family Water Park – This is located in Cape Coral, to the North of your Bonita Beach rental.

The entire family can “soak up the fun” on the 14 acres of water slides, pools, and snack bars!

• Relax on the gently drifting Main Stream River Ride
• Thrill at the excitement of scream-worthy slides
• Let the little ones play at the Tot Spot

“Sun-N-Fun Lagoon” – If you head South from your Beach Rental, toward Naples, you can check out another great water park located in North Collier Regional Park.

Sun-N-Fun Lagoon is the County’s publicly owned water park, and is surrounded by a beautiful nature preserve!

It has fun activities, such as:

• 5 Water slides ranging from 200-350 feet
• “Turtle Cove” activity pool for kids 6-12
• “Tadpole Pool” for kids 6 & under
• Family pool, lap pool & diving boards
• “Sunny River” – 1200 foot lazy river

After a day of swimming you can enjoy a picnic in the park!

If you’d like to check rates, see prices & availability, and book a Ft Myers vacation or a Bonita Springs Vacation Rental, please contact us online or simply give us a call at (866) 218-1709.

Download our free eBook 25 Ways to Enjoy Southwest Florida for other fun things to do and see in the area!

Remember, it’s always beach time at Lahaina!

Barb

This is the 19th of 25 Ways to Enjoy Southwest Florida which can be downloaded for FREE!

shells you’ve ever seen!

But, with all of the exciting things to do around Fort Myers Beach and Southwest Florida, you may decide you don’t want to spend all of your time at your vacation beach home combing the sand for shells.

Well, here’s an opportunity to have all of the shells your little heart desires… in one place.

The “Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum” is more than just a collection of shells.

Their mission is to educate about shells, further awareness of nature, and promote collection-based research on shells and mollusks in Southwest FL.

They focus on art and history, as well as shell habitat.

At the Museum, they have over 30 exhibits of shells from around the world!

They also feature:

• A learning lab (with a hands-on display area for children)
• Games
• A tank with indigenous mollusks

For the best “shelling”, consider taking a short day trip to the beautiful Sanibel & Captiva Islands.

Sanibel Island and Captiva Island have earned their reputation as the “Shell Islands” because they are actually made out of shells, created over thousands of years.

The islands rank highest in the world for shelling because of their unique geography.

The east-west torque of Sanibel’s south end acts like a shovel scooping up all the seashells that the Gulf imports from The Caribbean and other southern seas, so it’s virtually like a buffet of shells!

If you’d like to check rates, see prices & availability, and book a Ft Myers vacation or a Bonita Springs Vacation Rental, please contact us online or simply give us a call at (866) 218-1709.

Download our free eBook 25 Ways to Enjoy Southwest Florida for other fun things to do and see in the area!

Remember, it’s always beach time at Lahaina!

Barb