Aug 20, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                      
August 2007

CONTACTS: Nancy Hamilton, Lee Rose (239)338-3500

Fall forecast for The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel:  sunny skies, miles of pristine beaches, and fun events

 LEE COUNTY, FL – Now is the perfect time to begin planning a fall vacation to
The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida.  Clear, sunny skies and the blue sparkling Gulf of Mexico waters for which this tropical paradise is known, are the daily forecast in the fall and beyond. It is a little less crowded and a lot less expensive. The area's unspoiled natural beauty, world class sunsets and the glistening Gulf waters draw visitors to this tropical island getaway with its stretches of white sand beaches and islands waiting to be explored.  

Visitors will not want to miss the 21st Annual American Sandsculpting Championship Festival Nov. 7-11.  Artists from around the world create amazing works of art on Fort Myers Beach.  In addition, a pirate festival on Fort Myers Beach, "Ding" Darling Days on Sanibel Island and the Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival in the Pine Island area are just a few of the exciting events planned for fall.  

The following packages and special rates are offered by accommodations and attractions in the Fort Myers and Sanibel area. Many have restrictions during holiday periods and are subject to change.  Contact each property directly to take advantage of these special values. Most listings do not include applicable taxes, fees and service charges. Many are fully or partially commissionable to travel agents and this information is available upon booking.

Additional packages, great values for fall and help planning your itinerary may be found at www.FortMyersSanibel.com. Go to "Great Deals" and select an area for the latest money saving offers and packages.

Captiva Island Inn, Captiva Island
Rates starting at $99 per night, including a full breakfast daily. Available Oct. 1 – Dec. 22.  Offer does not include Thanksgiving week.  Also, 20 percent off room rates Sunday – Thursday for stays of three nights.  For information and reservations call 800-454-9898 or visit www.captivaislandinn.com.

Sanibel Arms West, Sanibel Island

Stay a minimum of seven nights in a Gulf side two-bedroom, two-bath condo and pay $99 per night.  Offer available through Dec. 14.  For information and reservations, call 800-950-1138 or visit www.sanibelarmswest.com.

West Wind Inn, Sanibel Island

Tropical Get-A-Way package offers a two-night stay, Sunday through Thursday, for a guestroom with a refrigerator and a microwave.  Rate:  $276.  This and other packages available through Dec. 20.  For information and reservations call 800-824-0476 or visit www.westwind.inn.com.

Best Western Fort Myers Waterfront, Fort Myers

Best Western Fort Myers Waterfront and the Edison & Ford Winter Estates Package includes one-night stay and two passes to the Estates.  $91 rate available through Dec.  30.  For information and reservations call 800-274-5511 or visit www.bestwesternwaterfront.com.

Embassy Suites, Fort Myers-Estero

Spacious two-room suites consist of a private bedroom with one king-size or two double beds and a separate living room with sofa bed and wet bar.  Wireless and wired internet access throughout the hotel, complimentary cooked to order breakfast, nightly manager's reception.  Rates range from $169 to $299.  For information on fall rates for Suite Occasion Package, Shopping Package, Movie Night Package, Stay, Park and Fly, Build a Bear Package, call 239-949-4222 or visit www.fortmyersembassy.com.

Don't miss these fall events!

On Fort Myers Beach, 50 boats carrying 250 sailors will compete in the 42nd annual Summerset Regatta over Labor Day weekend this year. Sailors from up and down the southwest Florida coast participate in this first sailing event of the season. Entry fee, due by Aug. 29, is $80. The cruising fee for non-racers is $45 per boat. Sailors compete for first, second, third, and door prizes.  For spectators, the sight of billowy sails and sleek yachts racing with the wind stirs romantic notions of a sport that requires skill, strategy, and muscle. Crowds gather on the Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier and the beach around it for a staggered send-off of the different divisions of boats beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 1. For more information on Summerset Regatta, call 239-936-0857 or visit
www.cmcs-sail.org.     
                      

Strap on your eye patch and join your mateys at the First Annual Pirate Festival Oct. 6-7 on Fort Myers Beach.  There will be lots of food, treasure hunts, a walking pub crawl,  cardboard boat race, and a Jack Sparrow look-a-like contest and wench contest.  Festivities run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.  239-454-7500, www.fmbchamber.com.

"Ding" Darling Days & 75th Federal Duck Stamp Contest on Sanibel Island Oct. 8-14.  To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Federal Duck Stamp, the contest to select the 2008-2009 stamp image will take place on Sanibel Island, where the father of the Duck Stamp, Jay "Ding" Darling, helped establish a refuge. The judging will be held in conjunction with the 18th annual "Ding" Darling Days at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The public is invited to view the exhibit of hundreds of Duck Stamp entries on display at BIG ARTS the week of the contest and will be able to sit in on the judging and special presentations Oct. 12 and 13. There will be a special Meet the Artists reception and wildlife art silent auction on Oct. 12, by reservation only. "Ding" Darling Days Family Fun Day will follow on Oct. 14 with all-free refuge tram tours, live wildlife presentations, hot dogs, kids activities, and more. Birding and kayaking tours, environmental speakers, a nature photography contest, Junior Duck Stamp Awards, and showings of a historical film about Darling will fill the week with environmental activities for all ages.  239-472-1100 ext. 221, www.DingDarlingDays.com.

The Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival, Pine Island area, Oct. 24-Nov. 4.   Pine Island will be headquarters for this third annual event. Activities will include canoe and kayak races (Oct. 27 in North Fort Myers, Nov. 4 in Matlacha), a kayak fishing tournament (Nov. 3-4 in Matlacha), paddling demonstrations and tours, geo-caching, monofilament-kayak clean-up, and children's activities. 239-432-2163,       www.calusabluewaypaddlingfestival.com.

Twenty-first Annual American Sandsculpting Championship Festival, Fort Myers Beach, Nov. 7-11.  Join artists from around the world at this event as they create amazing works of art on Fort Myers Beach in the vicinity of The Outrigger, Pointe Estero, GullWing, and Holiday Inn beach resorts. In addition to witnessing the Master Sculptors Competition, spectators can participate in the amateur's contest. Festivities include a Sand Magic Village -- an area featuring exhibits from local businesses and area crafters -- on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Music, demonstrations, and beach barbecues keep the five days lively. This Gulf-front competition draws more than 50,000 spectators for all-day fun with free admission. 239-454-7500, www.sandfestival.com

Third Annual Cape Coral CoCoNut Festival at Sun Splash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral Nov. 9-11.  Celebrates Cape Coral's reputation in the Lee County area for coconuts, multi-cultural food, boating, fishing, and wildlife. The festival features a live national musical act, gymnastic entertainment, carnival rides, water-ski shows, tropical food, contests, coconut crafts, fireworks, and more. It kicks off Friday night from 5 p.m. to midnight, and continues on Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight and Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 239-573-3121, www.cocofest.com.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida includes: Sanibel & Captiva islands, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Boca Grande & Outer islands, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres.

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