Sanibel Treats for Discriminating Tastes

There is little we miss about New Jersey since moving to Southwest Florida.

Yes, friends and family to be sure.

But Sanibel Island and the surrounding area offer so much to see and do--- and in sunshine most every day--- that it is difficult to feel nostalgic.

But one thing, til now, that was missing on the Island and throughout the state was authentic Italian bread. There are approximates, and they come close, but no prize I'm afraid. But along comes Dolce Tesoro and a whole new world of the staff of life springs into being.

Dolce Tesoro is a tiny space with so much in the way of good smells that just opening the door is an incredible deja vu. It takes us back to the best of bakeries that dot the northern New Jersey and New York City map. The diminutive shop sells sweets of all kinds from tiramisu to a variety of gelatos, but the most exciting of the offerings is the Italian bread. Yes, it's that good according to all who have sampled it, even the most discriminating and knowledgeable of culinary enthusiasts !

The owners claim to have wanted to create a little taste of Italy, and they have accomplished their mission beautifully.

And speaking of Italian taste, for those not able to eat the bread at Dolce Tesoro, they have another kind of treat. The expanded gluten free menu at the delightful restaurant Matzaluna has been expanded. The once sampled and raved about gluten free eggplant parmigiana is now joined by such delicious menu items as pasta fagioli, stuffed mushrooms, shrimp fra diavolo and a variety of gluten free pizzas. So take heart you wheat intolerant and celiac diners...there is something on the table for you with no compromise in taste value.

On a diet and staying away from bread and high carb options? Well maybe the new Sanibel Perfume will please your nose as much as the smell of food. A blend of spicy citrus and tropical flora and is available to you as a perfume, body lotion, bath gel, and bath and body oil. It's a delightful scent and comes in a lovely box and bottle with, of course, a seashell design on the packaging.

Several shops on the Island sell it, and we bought a few bottles as gifts at Pandora's Box at its new location. Pandora's, old and new, has lovely merchandising in the shop. There is a wide variety of "treasures" that can be purchased for your own use or gifts to take home.

For a small island, mostly a nature preserve, Sanibel offers up a wonderful and engaging way to spend non beach time with its variety of restaurants and specialty shops.

Money and Sanibel Vacation Rentals: Five Reasons Your Offer Won't Work This April

In a much earlier blog post, I wrote about the difference between a seat on a plane and a vacation rental. The key factor is that a plane will fly with few people because it is a scheduled flight. A vacation rental can remain passive...and empty. There is no reason it must be rented or occupied.

With a rash of inquiries for April weeks, still high season on Sanibel Island because of the late Easter week, I find myself with the last 3 weeks still vacant. The obvious reason is that rental guests are seeking significant discounts, sometimes as much as 50% off the list price. As a rule, I do not discount at all until 3 weeks out of an arrival date, and then not usually deeply.

When I politely refuse these offers of 20 to 50 percent off my posted rate, many guests will ask why I won't take their offer. After all, wouldn't I rather have some money than no money?

I respond always and succinctly in most instances that I hope I will get my price since so many people are looking for those weeks. I also suggest that they should contact me in a couple of months if they have not found anything that they like better than my own properties.

But I don't usually have the time to give them the real reasons why I prefer not to rent for less than what I post as my rates. And here they are:

1. High season on Sanibel Island, when I and other owners make most of our money, only lasts 3 months at best. The rest of the year, shoulder or low season, the rate is significantly less and even half price. My opportunity to get my maximum rental is short lived.

2. Having people in a property always has a cost. Utilities, commissions, cleanings and the infrequent but still real damage that occurs are all deducted from the rent. It is the price of doing business, but a low ball rental offer is no incentive to take on the cost or the risk.

3. The rental property has a value. When the value is diminished with a very or even somewhat under market offer, I might do better swapping the property for a home exchange with another rental of equal or even greater value. A week in the Caribbean or the French country side is infinitely more appealing than the money being offered.

4. Because I don't even discount for repeat guests in almost all instances, I find it most discomfiting to discount for someone who has never been in the property. Additionally, I would not want a guest who paid full freight to know that another guest came in with a low ball offer. I would understand if my full paying guest did not appreciate the situation and I would prefer not to create it.

5. I work hard at keeping my properties inviting and up to date. I don't want to be perceived as a bargain basement owner and would not want anyone expecting next year what they got this year in the way of a discounted rate. So better not to even open up the door to possibility on that one.


By and large I love our guests and am particularly happy when they have a good time and tell me about it or celebrate a special event in our rentals. But this is a business and I endeavor to keep it a business. Accepting low ball offers this far in advance flies in the face of every business principle I know.

Dolphin Story and Sightings Make Sanibel/Useppa Cruise Unforgettable

Despite the atypically cool, windy weather today, we took off with visiting friends to cruise to Useppa from Sanibel Island.

Thankfully, it was sunny and the very shallow water did not make the crossing rough.

It's always fun to visit this tiny, verdant island, only an hour from Sanibel, and to take lunch at lovely hotel there.

But today was a special trip home.

As we had been told would happen, the cooler weather makes the dolphin population particularly lively. On the way back, we saw dozens of them, one pod of females and babies with a couple of especially large ladies.

The tour guide on the boat was as excited as we to see such a large group of dolphin traveling together. And she told us a story that really moved everyone on the boat.

Not long ago, a few men out gathering crab traps noticed that an especially small and young dolphin had been caught up in the crab trap nets. It could not get free and the momma dolphin was going under the baby and pushing it up so that it could get air. The fishermen knew that they had to free the baby or there would be dire consequences.

So they brought the little one on board and wanted to cut the net around it to set it free. But the little dolphin was so frightened and stressed that it would not stay still and the fishermen were afraid to set their knives to the net in the event they cut the baby dolphin. But then the mother edged up onto the ramp of the boat and began communicating to her child through a series of clicks and whistles. In no time at all, the baby dolphin stopped its thrashing and the net was cut.

They released it back into the water where momma was waiting.

Not far off were several other females, and the baby with mommy dolphin swam over to them, and off they went, the fishermen standing and staring in awe.

There was no doubt in their minds that the mother dolphin had "told" the baby to stay still, that she had sensed their good intention, and "knew" that they meant the baby no harm.

Those who work in and with the sea, who live on and know Sanibel and all the treasures that the Island holds, are delighted by such stories, in the seeing and in the telling.

Sanibel: THE Place for a Baby Moon

Are you expecting?

Are you needing a break with your spouse before the new baby arrives?

Are you looking for a romantic getaway?
A tropical retreat?

A break from the cold and icy weather where you are?

Sanibel could be the magic bullet for all that ails you, offering near perfect destination for mom and dad to be.

This quiet, lush Island will provide the expecting couple an opportunity to connect and enjoy each other before the bouncing baby boy or baby girl enters their world. With 12 miles of walking and biking trails, 2/3 of the Island a nature preserve and beaches that are only gently used by other humans, Sanibel is a rare find in the continental USA.

Want to enjoy a candle lit dinner where you can whisper sweet nothings to one another? Several Sanibel restaurants will give you the white table cloth and beautifully presented meal you need to feel pampered. You might dine at The Thistle Lodge or The Mad Hatter, both Gulf view restaurants renowned for the creativity in their kitchens.

How about a massage geared for the pregnant mom? The Sanibel Day Spa has just the right therapy for you. Enjoy this therapeutic relaxing massage on the comfort of our specifically designed body cushioning system. (Mommy to be must be past the first trimester for this massage)

Want to bring home something that baby can keep for ever and be told stories of how mommy and daddy enjoyed themselves while expecting? The beaches of the Island never disappoint. There are miles and miles of beaches with beautiful shells for collecting. What more lovely and symbolic a souvenir of your trip than a sea shell from the Island that offers the best shelling in the continental USA.

And if your preferences for a baby moon include some gentle exercise, there are many ways to stretch your legs and limber up. Walk the beach, bike the trails, explore Ding Darling Nature Preserve by foot.

Best of all, Sanibel Island has many vacation rentals so that you can spend your baby moon in a condo, house or cottage where just the two of you can really find the quietude and privacy to enjoy talking and thinking about your joyful event.