This is Fort Myers & Sanibel

Think 'Florida' and your mental Rolodex flips through certain images. White beaches. Blue skies. Spanish architecture. Lush greenery. World-class shelling. Leave behind the cartoon mice and shows named for vice. In Southwest Florida, that sort of flash is traded in for the pure joy of watching egrets pick across tidal lagoons, and digging Angel Wings out of the sand (that's a shell, if you're wondering). But don't worry, you'll still get a nice tan.

The islands of Lee County are kept in a state of nicely subdued development. With just a little bit of exploration, a plethora of ecosystems is there to discover: bald cypress forests, slow, smooth wetlands, meandering rivers, pine forests, oak groves, alien-esque banyan trees and, of course, mile upon mile of sugar-white beach dotted with literally millions of shells and fossils.

There's so much preserved history, fine dining, glamorous shopping and laid-back ambience here the question isn't so much what can I do, but how can I fit it all in? So come on down. Sip some wine in a historic, pedestrian-friendly downtown. Enjoy fresh fish while waiting for the Gulf of Mexico's famed 'green flash' of light that accompanies sunset. Buy a dress from the original Chico's and catch some dinner theater, or dance the night away at a Sanibel jazz club. This is Fort Myers, and you only have so much time.

Southwest Florida's top experiences

Whether you're a hardcore wilderness explorer, art connoisseur or beach bum, Southwest Florida has something for you. The video below highlights just a few of the memorable and diverse experiences of the region.

Want more? Browse our photo gallery to see more of what's on offer in Fort Myers and Sanibel. For information on each experience, click the information icon in the top left corner.