naples or sanibel
 

Ok i narrowed it down between these two areas for a romantic vacation. which would be better and at what resort?

Unlimited funds? Trendy and upscale dining? High end shopping? "World class" resort with spa? Naples

Relaxing on the beach? Shelling. Laid back casual dining? Shopping for sandals, souveniers, and fun arts and crafts? Sanibel

Yes, those are generalizations, and either offers more than that, but that sort of puts it into two appropriate categories at the extremes.

flagging

From someone who has not been to either in a while, but with feelings about each :)
I would go to Naples for a romantic getaway and Sanibel to take the kids.
Enjoy~

Just so you know: I'm in Naples now ("snowbird") and it is INCREDIBLY crowded. I love it here, but the traffic is absolutely maddening. Takes forever to get up or down route 41-- to get to restaurants or whatever. Restaurants very very crowded too. I truly do appreciate being here rather than up north in season, but it is NOT an especially relaxing place. Sanibel is. I used to love South Seas Plantation on Captiva Island (next to Sanibel), but I think it was badly hurricne damaged and might not be open. The Ritz in Naples is a very very handsome place. Not the greatest beach in the world (better ones up in Sarasota area and on Panhandle), but a stunning property and near loads of first-rate restaurants.

See my recent trip report on the Ritz in Naples. Loved it.

Skip both and go to Captiva.

Regarding the traffic in Naples, tell me about it!! Poss, we really do love you snowbirds, but we love you even more when you go home! LOL

But to be fair, the traffic right now is just as bad on Sanibel, you can sit bumper to bumper on Periwinkle -- and if you stay in Ft. Myers and go to Sanibel, the traffic getting there is even worse.

If you stay in downtown Naples and spend most of your time there, you wouldn't be encountering much traffic. If you stay at the Ritz and spend most of your time there relaxing and dining, you wouldn't be bothered by traffic either.

Traffic is bad all over this time of year in Florida. To compound it, three major bridges to two of St. Petersburg's five barrier islands are closed for repairs. But -- the good news -- things will be moving at a clip in our area next year.

Ritz for a romanic vacation.