Lamoraga, 3936 Tamiami Trail N., Naples. Another fave spot in Naples, located a few minutes from Artis-Naples. Often go here before a show or concert. They refer to their food as "International Cuisine," but I'd call it Cuban-Caribbean. Whatever you call it, it's delicious. Highly recommend the Lamoraga Paella and the Crispy Duck.

The French Brasserie Rustique, 365 5th Ave. S, Naples. One of my favorite restaurants in Naples. Great French food in a chic setting. Make sure you save room for dessert, cause their chocolate eclair is the bomb.

Cielo, 1244 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Formerly Il Cielo, Cielo offers guests deliciously prepared gourmet food in a romantic setting, along with a wide variety of wine and cocktails. And yes, there is still that piano player, who is really very good. Guin just isn't a fan of being serenaded with lounge music while eating.

Bleu Rendezvous, 751 Tarpon Bay Rd., Sanibel. Fave French restaurant on the island, run by a husband-and-wife team. Great food, topnotch service, cozy, French country feel. Highly recommend the Foie Gras Two Ways and the Coq au Vin, though everything's delicious.

Osteria Celli, 15880 Summerlin Rd., #308, Fort Myers. Great little Italian place, on the way from the airport to Sanibel.

The Pecking Order, TBD, Sanibel. REOPENING SPRING 2025. Some of the best fried chicken I've ever had. So good. Take-out only, though you can sit just outside on one of their outdoor stools.

Lighthouse Cafe, 1020 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Great little breakfast spot, also serving lunch (and dinner, in season), on the East End of Sanibel.

Sanibel Deli, 2330 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel. Great sandwiches, coffee, and ice cream. (I'm particularly fond of their Turkey Club sandwich and their Black & White milkshakes.) Outdoor seating as well as indoor available. Good for takeout.

Gramma Dot's, 634 N. Yachtsman Dr., Sanibel (in the Sanibel Marina). Fave lunch spot on the East End. The Coconut Curried Lobster Salad is the bomb. Be sure to walk around the Sanibel Marina before or after and snap a pic of the Causeway.

Over Easy Cafe, 630 Tarpon Bay Rd., Sanibel. Fave breakfast spot on the island. Love the roosters and the country/farmhouse vibe.

Jane's Garden Cafe, 1209 3rd Street South, Naples. Hands down the best brunch spot in SW Florida. I regularly drive 1.5 hours for the Fabulous French Toast, which is truly fabulous. And their cocktails are to die for (figuratively, not literally).

Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen, 1200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel (formerly Matzaluna). Guin's new favorite Italian restaurant. Delicious food, good service, friendly vibe. Eat in or take out. Love the Insalata Tutti Pazzi, fried calamari, eggplant parm, veal/chicken marsala, the wood-fired pizzas, and desserts.

Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grill. Until there's a Guin's Place, check out Doc Ford's on Sanibel, Captiva, or Fort Myers Beach. (I personally prefer the one on Captiva, next to South Seas.) Good food and service with a laid back, Florida vibe. I'm partial to the raw oysters and crab cakes -- and the Scotty's Blonde Ale on draft.

CROW Clinic, 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd., Sanibel. The Center for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, CROW is "a teaching hospital and visitor education center dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care, research, education and conservation medicine." Definitely plan a visit to learn about the local wildlife and what the vets at CROW are doing to help save and protect it.

SCCF, 3333 Sanibel-Captiva Rd., Sanibel. Visit the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation to learn about the local wildlife and land preservation on Sanibel and Captiva. Daily programs. Go to their website to learn more.

J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel. The place to go if you are into or interested in bird watching. Lots to see and do. Just try to come at low tide.

Captiva Cruises. Whether you're interested in shelling, spotting dolphins, or exploring some of the islands around Sanibel and Captiva, Captiva Cruises has a tour for you.

Treasure Seekers Shell Tours, Goodland, FL. If you love shelling, you'll love Treasure Seekers shell tours in the Ten Thousand Islands off of Marco Island. Four- and six-hours group and private tours.

Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Rd., Sanibel. A must visit when you are on Sanibel if you love shells. Will be adding an aquarium in 2020. Great educational programs for kids plus they do beach walks.

Reel Kind Fishing, Shelling & Eco Tours, Marco Island, FL. Offering fishing, shelling, and eco tours in the Ten Thousand Islands, off of Marco Island. In the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame.

MacIntosh Books & Paper, 1620 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Fabulous independent bookstore also selling cards, stationery, and gifts. Bonus: MacIntosh's resident tuxedo cat, Brady.

Adventures in Paradise Outfitters, 2019 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Stylish and casual resortwear.

Annette's Book Nook, 7205 Estero Blvd., Ste 701, Fort Myers Beach. Great little new and used bookstore in the Santini Marina Plaza.

Bailey's General Store, 2477 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Your one-stop shop for groceries, wine & beer, home goods, beach stuff, and hardware on the West End of Sanibel. Good selection, nice people. (If you are staying on the East End of Sanibel, check out Jerry's Foods.)

Congress Jewelers, 2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Friendly, helpful jewelry store offering a wide selection of jewelry, including the Sealife By Congress™ Collection. (Found two of my favorite pendants -- a junonia and a sea star -- here.)

Cable channel HLN visits Gene's Books on Sanibel and speaks with Sanibel Island Mysteries author Jennifer L. Schiff.

When the air outside freezes your breath, as it often does mid-winter in New England, one option to consider is a good book set in warmer climes to help banish the winter blues. Read More

Jennifer Schiff's love letters to Sanibel

"Seashells and mayhem are two things not normally found together, but in this case it’s a match made in island heaven and a beach read so fun that you won’t want to put it down!" Read More

Wilton author Jennifer L. Schiff is back in hot water — or, more accurately — the warm waters of Sanibel Island with her new book, Something Fishy. This is the second volume in her Sanibel Island Mystery series, which premiered with A Shell of a Problem, published last fall... Read More