Naples & Sanibel Florida beach bum
 

We will be traveling with extended family to Naples in June staying at the Bellasera hotel. It will be me, mom, 3 yr old and a 26 year old. I have some beaches in mind but could use some suggestions for other fun things.

Have a car rented, any great grocery stores on the way from RSW to naples for food supplies?

Want to go to Lovers Key SP and Sanibel

We are low key, and just mainly want to relax on the beach, build sand castles, a little bird/nature watching-have a few good meals out (26 yr old is poor college student so on a budget) and see a few unique stores.

what is a not to miss at both of these locations.

In Sanibel, see the Ding-Darling nature preserve. In Naples, there is Caribbean Gardens for a zoo-like nature gardens, a teddy bear museum for the little one (and others). Old Naples has the 5th Ave South, and 3rd St. South areas for interesting shops, restaurants, galleries, all close to the pier and beach.

The prettiest, shelliest beach I've ever seen is Bowman's Beach on Sanibel. You have to park and walk about 1/4 mile over wooden walkways that take you through the woods and over swampy water, and then you emerge on the most beautiful, totally natural/lined only with pines and palms/building-free beach you will find anywhere. If you're willing to walk north along the beach for about half a mile, you'll be able to relax in total solitude in a fabulous natural environment. I have sacked out there for hours without a single soul passing by before. http://www.sanibeltrails.com/bowmans-beach.aspx

On your way from RSW to Naples, you will find two good food markets on 41 close to downtown Naples. One is The Fresh Market at Parkshore Plaza and the other is Wynn's at 41 and First Avenue. They are both on the right side as you go south on 41. There are a couple of Publix in the area as well.

The Publix at Neapolitan is very different from the Publix at Vanderbilt Beach Road. I don't mean they just differ is size -- they do -- but they differ a great deal in the merchandise they carry. For the five years we owned in Pelican Bay, we found ourselves visiting each one in order to get everything we needed.