We are currently going crazy trying to find the perfect Honeymoon destination for late October. Our ideal destination would be warm weather, beaches,mild hiking,great restaurants (not too pricey), private accomodations on or in walking distance to the beach,nice pools, dancing, swimming, bicycle rides, exploring on our own. But we also are on a budget. We are 24 and 27 years old and do not want to come back home more exhausted than when we left. Do you
have any suggestions? We heard Marco Island and Sanibal Island were nice but have no idea what the accomidations are like. We would like to stay between $3000 and $4000. for 1 week (including air.) Any help would be so greatly appreciated!! Thank You!!!

I would recommend Captiva Island. We've gone twice with the kids during Feb school vacation week, and love it. Captiva is more secluded than Sanibel (you must drive through Sanibel to get to Captiva). The sunsets are gorgeous. We stayed at South Seas Plantation, which is pretty expensive, but October is probably cheaper. Also, South Seas is part of a group of hotels, they own several on Sanibel, too, which may be cheaper. We've stayed in the Beach Villas, which face the sunset.
For romantic restaurants we've enjoyed both the Sanibel Steak House, and the Jacaranda, both owned by the same people, both in Sanibel. It's funny, both restaurants have a more elegant section, and a less elegant area. On your honeymoon, ask for a nice seat. In Captiva, we like an Italian place that begins with a B, can't think of the name right now, but it's on the little side road that the Mucky Duck is on. Another hotel on Captiva is the Tween Waters Inn, never stayed there, but it looks nice and has it's own beach.
Best wishes!

I agree about Captiva. Marco is like staying in a huge housing project. Captiva is like staying on a secluded tropical island. I think the name of the restaurant above is Bellini?? You've caused me to blank out on it, but yes, it is practically across the street from The Mucky Duck, a fun place. The Bubble Room, jammed with 50's and 60's memorabilia and good, but huge portions of fun food (I love the Porky Pig which I think is half a whole hog) is another find. You can bicycle on Captiva and in late October, there won't be big crowds. You can walk the beaches for miles, explore the lighthouse at the south end of Sanibel, take a boat trip up to Cabbage Key, etc. And the Tween Waters Inn is a great place according to friends who have stayed there. Less expensive, but more charming than the big resorts.

Hi Molly,

We have a Sanibel vacation planned at the end of May. In preparation I've been reading a Sanibel message board. The locals all say that the best months of the year are May and October. The tourists are minimal, the temps are perfect, and the bugs aren't as plentiful.

Sanibel sounds like a good destination when I look at your list of wants in a honeymoon site. It's well within your budget. There are miles and miles of bike paths all over the island. Beaches are wonderful for beachcombing and shelling. Restaurants are plentiful and the seafood is fabulous. I don't know about the dancing - Sanibel is supposed to be quiet in the evenings.

As far as choosing accomodations, I'd make a decision and then contact the Chamber of Commerce in Sanibel ( http://www.sanibel-captiva.org/ ). You can browse some of the available accomodations there to get a feel for what's available. You can also sign up to have them send you a large information packet that contains just about everything you'll need to make an informed decision. You can weed through it at your leisure and decide which resort/cottage/condo/hotel/private home rental meets your needs.

Molly, 'Tween Waters has a web page: http://www.tween-waters.com/ which gives a fair idea what it's like. They've even got a beach camera that takes live shots of the beach(look for the link at top right of their homepage). It's a windy day up here in Tampa but REALLY looks windy down there! There is a link on that page to a sister lodging, Beachview Cottages. Check that link as well. The cottages sell out early so if it looks like something you'd be interested in, move on it as soon as possible. We tried to stay there last summer but they were full.

Bellini is a good restaurant. We left Mucky Duck, disappointed in the long wait for a table and I was hesitant about going in as it looked sort of empty. What a pleasant surprise...we had the best meal we've had in our two trips to Sanibel--great food and lovely decor.

Mucky Duck is fun for drinks on the patio while watching the sunset. There's a folk singer guitarist who plays out there. He's pretty terrible but oddly fun to listen to--perhaps because he seems to know he's no great singer and approaches what he does with humor and has great rapport with the crowd.

Happy planning!

A great choice of honeymoon rentals on Captiva Island can be found ay http://www.captivavacation.com

Rental fee is $1,200 a week or less and great restaurants and activities are a short walk or a bike ride away. And what a beach!

Larry,
Fodor's does not permit advertising. This is the third time you've referred people to the website touting your condo. Why don't you take your act to the Sanibel/Captiva message board where they DO permit advertising of accomodations.

I think the Ritz-Carlton in Naples would be a great honeymoon. The hotel is absolutely beautiful, gorgeous grounds and pool, and right on the beach. We stayed there in June and it was around $129/night. In October the rates should be pretty reasonable, but I know they are high during the winter.

Molly, we recently stayed in Sanibel at The Song of the Sea. It's one of South Seas group that Cindy mentioned. It's a small charming little place that I think would be perfect for a honeymoon. They have a very nice extended continental breakfast included, use of bikes included, a nice pool, and nice beachfront. The rooms were very nice, and the staff very friendly and helpful.

There are many good restaurants on Sanibel and Captiva. We drove to Captiva several times to watch the sunset. It's an easy drive 25 min. or so if I remember correctly. The sun sets fast though, so you need to find out what time sunset is and get there in plenty of time before that. It's quite beautiful over the ocean.

I would stay on Sanibel at the Song of the Sea again in a heartbeat, but I would also love to stay on Captiva. A place that looks nice there is the Tween Waters Inn. Both places I mentioned have web sites, just type in the names and you'll find them.

One reason we went to Sanibel is that I had heard it was real laid back and quiet which it was and which sounds like what you want. Best of luck with your plans.

One more vote for Sanibel/Captiva! Does someone know if the boat trips to Caya Costa (is that correct name?) are still available? This is an uninhabited island just north which is filled with shells and sand dollars. Also recommend taking a canoe into the Ding Darling preserve to look at the birds. Can't think of a better place to honeymoon! Congratulations.

Yet another vote for Sanibel and Captiva,we are from London England and have been twice, we were so taken with it.
Bowmans Beach is fantastic for shelling,and we also did the trip to Cayo Costa, sailing out of Captiva. The Sanibel Harbour Resort and spa is pretty ace.
Our favourite restaurants were (in no particular order...) The Bubble Room (on Captiva)(I had scallops in amaretto there mmmmm) that Matzaluna (an excellent Italian restaurant on Sanibel), McT's shrimp house and tavern, and if you want just a burger and fries go to cheeburger cheeburger..we didn't have one bad meal the whole two weeks.
And I can whole heartedly recommend the cocktails!!
Kayaking in the nature reserve was brill but be aware that it's tidal,and coming home was sheer hell for an unfit person like me!!
Have a good trip, Helen.

I would recommend the keys. Great night life lots of activities and you can walk to everything. Sometimes in October Florida can get chilly.

Whoa Kelly...chilly in FL in October? Toward the end of October, in Tampa anyway, we consider ourselves lucky if we are just beginning to emerge from this hellish thing called summer!

About the only thing I'd worry about weatherwise in October is a named storm.

Sanibel and Captiva would, indeed, make a splendid honeymoon spot. Both have great beaches, and wonderful sunsets and nice lodging. BUT -- they're a little on the placid side. If you want someplace a little livelier, than might I suggest Key West. Great sunsets, great restaurants, great nightlife, great coral reefs to snorkel or scuba. Let me caution -- as much as I love the Keys, and I do find them romantic in a bohemian sort of way, they are NOT opulent and letter-perfect. But they are FUN.