marco,cape coral or naples???????????

[poet123]

For the 2nd week of our holiday we have found 3 villas which suit our needs, the problem is which area to choose?
We like to see a great beach,
Good foood,
central location for travelling around,
shoppping
friendly people
Boat hire
This is our 1st trip and we reallly need your help, opinions please!!!!!

 

[KarenB]

I would choose Marco or Naples. Cape Coral doesn't seem like a vacation spot to me. Maybe it is because I lived there for a year and my in laws are there now. BUT-Marco and Naples is much more expensive. Just my opinion though. Have you thought about Sanibel Island, just off of Fort Meyers

Karen

 

[CPM]

I agree with Karen. Cape Coral really isn't a tourist area and it's a hike to the beach.
What about Fort Myers Beach or Sanibel/Captiva? Fort Myers beach has all you're looking for.

 

[Shells9]

Oh my gosh, I would never consider Cape Coral a vacation destination, lol! And it not will meet anything on your list of needs.

I agree with the suggestion of Fort Myers Beach because you will get a very comparable product with that of Naples and Marco for a fraction of the price. Sanibel is also a good suggestion.

 

[Antonia]

Last summer we toured the entire gulf coast - just DH and I. We stopped at beached from Tampa all the way down to Marco Island.
Contrary to what some here have sugggested Sanibel was our least favorite place. On the day we where there, the water was murky and all kind of sea crap was washing up on the beaches. I would not have stepped foot out in that water. The roads were crowded with cars, bicycling families were zooming everywhere. We drove all over Sanibel and were not impressed and were amazed because we had heard stories of great shells etc.
Naples was beautiful with actual mangoes hanging off the trees and there were streets you could walk down and shops/restaurants. There was a great pier and the golf courses were also beautiful. Palm trees everywhere. Very tropical. I would definitely go there again.
Marco Island was also nice - not much shopping and restaurants were more difficult to find. The beach here was great and when standing in the water up to your waist you could still see your feet. Shells washed in like crazy.
Actually you could stay in Naples or Marco and still drive over to either one - can't recall how far it was but it did not seem all that far. In the summer - first week of June Naples and Marco are down right cheap - our hotel oceanfront was less than $80 per night.

 

[FINFAN]

Naples. I have been going there for over 25 years. Brother lives in Cape Coral...nice to live, not really vacation spot. My folks live in Naples, beautiful beach, many families vacation here, a bit on the pricey side, but no more so than Marco. You will have more family geared food places etc in Naples...a bit less "high rise condo on the beach" type atmosphere. it is about a 30 minute drive between the two, but traffic is nasty evrywhere. You will need quarters for paying the meters to park at the Naples beach, and there are bathrooms on the pier. Your closest boat hire will be at the inlet by Tin City. Ths is a great little dockside shopping area with restaurants, ice cream...dinner cruise excursions, boats to go shelling on nearby islands deep sea fishing or just renting a little put put to zip around in. The closest mall in Naples is Coastlans mall, movie theater etc. Caribbean Gardens zoo and animal shows are adjacent to the mall...woth seeing...don't let the size deceive you, larger than it looks.
I have never had a bad experience w/people since we have been going to Naples..the 5th Ave shops restaurants can be REALLY expensive, but fine for grabing a drink, late lunch. I personally like Tommy Bahama's on 3rd...kids are welcome, great decor, you will see some of the most expensive cars around along this stretch. On the other hand, 7-11 is still hangin in there (I used to work my summers there) just 3 blocks down. You will have a great time.

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by Antonia

Contrary to what some here have sugggested Sanibel was our least favorite place. On the day we where there, the water was murky and all kind of sea crap was washing up on the beaches. I would not have stepped foot out in that water. The roads were crowded with cars, bicycling families were zooming everywhere. We drove all over Sanibel and were not impressed and were amazed because we had heard stories of great shells etc.

I bet you were there while the RED tide was in. This can happen anywhere. They actually had it so bad in Naples they brought in plows to get rid of it. It is a great place to go shelling. You can go to any beach and pick up mountains of shells. Cars zooming? The speed limit is only 25 MPH there, but you know how toursits are <G>. Sanibel is a nature lover's paradise, it's very different from most beach resort area. I think that's why it appeals to many people.
Naples traffic is as bad as anywhere else. I have been working on our annual conference for May & it's been taking me an hour just to get from Bonita to Naples 5th Ave. these days!! We are booked at the Registry in a couple of weeks. If you chose Naples, this is a great resort for families. The rooms all overlook the gulf, two pools, one with a slide. The staff has been wonderful & you really don't have to leave the area. Shopping is right down the street, along with great restaurants. It is very expensive though!!
I would take a look into Ft. Myers Beach & look up the Diamond Head resort for a more economical trip.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Naples!

Both of our Ritz Carltons were chosen in the top ten travel's favorites. Traffic to Marco is pretty bad right now. The President was here last Friday and raised 3 million in an afternoon. I've heard that one in ten people here are millionaires. I'm one of the nine! How about your folks Finfan?
Flaco's is a good Mexican restaurant.
Better hurry if you are going to Caribbean Gardens. The Fleischman's have sold the property and the gardens/zoo is in jeopardy. I'm taking a group of 4th graders there next Weds. and I think it could be our last visit.