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The coastline of Southwest Florida provides a contrast to the lively attractions areas. Life here is less hurried, with miles of pristine white sand beaches, exotic wildlife and tropical landscapes. Yet excellent road and airport connections make this an ideal two-centre holiday destination, with Orlando just a 3 hour drive away. The natural beauty of Sanibel and Captiva Islands, it has been said, is close to Paradise. Discovered in 1513 by the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon while searching for his “Fountain of Youth” these exquisite islands off the coast of Southwest Florida offer tranquil beaches, an abundance of wildlife and a history as rich in colour as the fascinating shells for which collectors comb the white sand beaches . . Originally inhabited by native Indians, the arrival of Europeans in the 16th Century changed the face of the islands and by the early 1800s they had become part of “the Buccaneer Coast,” frequented by notorious pirates – legend has it that Captiva was used by the notorious pirate Gasparilla (Jose Gaspar) to imprison his female captives and so acquired its name. By the late 19th Century wealthy industrialists such as Henry Ford and Thomas Edison were making the area their haven from the northern winters. Theodore Roosevelt was among the many prominent people who later visited the islands and a Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist and conservationist, “Ding” Darling, campaigned to protect Captiva’s fragile ecosystem. In 1945 6,300 acres of mangrove, bay and estuary became the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and is now home to more than 300 species of birds as well as reptiles, amphibians and mammals. Relaxing on the romantic beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Islands feels like a million miles away from the rest of the world. The natural environment and the ambience of these unspoilt, beautiful islands is certainly “captivating” and truly close to Paradise. The Paradise Coast – Marco Island The largest of Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands, Marco Island is known as “The Gateway to the Everglades National Park.” Six miles long, the island has beautiful white sand beaches attracting visitors for shelling, fishing, sailing and enjoying the excellent amenities. Particularly favoured by European visitors, Marco Island offers fine dining, shops, tennis and golf - a perfect location for a holiday or buying your dream home.
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