Relax \ri-laks\ vb 1: to make less tense 2: to cast off social restraint 3: to seek rest or recreation

Relaxing can be difficult. If you are a Type A personality, like I am, it's merely a dream. But dreams can come true on Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

My husband and I came across this compelling poem during our wonderfully lazy stay:

"How to live on an island: dance on edges ... listen in on shells ... put living things back ... practice simplicity ... sugar yourself with sand ... ride rusty bikes ... go with the wind ... leave no wake ... tune up your senses ... build castles and leave them for the moon to find ... discover treasure ... remember yourself ... thank." - Gingras

We followed it to the letter and recommend you do, too.


Practice Simplicity

 I should have gleaned this when I called ahead to the Captiva Island Inn to inquire about irons in the rooms. "You'll be on an island," was the reply, "Why do you need an iron?" Nonetheless, irons are provided, for those, I now realize, who just don't get it.
The sky became a canvas of pastel stripes as a perfect rainbow appeared and shimmered on the black bay waters.

While dining venues on both islands range from casual beachside eats to award-winning gourmet restaurants, dress codes for all are mostly "come as you are." The Island Cow is a fun family restaurant unusually decorated in both bovine and marine life themes. Lunch here was an appropriate intro to the area, with guests from all over the world and a menu as diverse.

A short drive led us to - well everything, actually, but our immediate destination was the Captiva Island Inn Bed & Breakfast. Set amid flowering plants in a rainbow of colors, the inn is within walking distance of shops, galleries, restaurants and the sparkling Gulf of Mexico. Our second-floor suite overlooked the pool, hot tub and gazebo, and opened to a state-of-the-art kitchen and cozy living room.

Bicycles are complimentary, and we rode ours straight to the beach. This area is world-renowned for seashells, and we scooped up plenty. A cold beverage at Mucky Duck's, a beachside British-style pub, shored us up for building sandcastles and napping under the sun's soothing rays.


Tune Up Your Senses

 For dinner, we traded gulf views for bay vistas at the Green Flash Restaurant. Our table overlooked bobbing boats and seabirds plunging for dinner, except for one... a friendly, snowy egret who preferred to be hand-fed by staff and guests, including us. The sky became a canvas of pastel stripes as a perfect rainbow appeared and shimmered on the black bay waters.

Back at the beach, the colors turned vibrant. We arrived in time to witness a glorious sunset, expecting this to be the last of the day's delights. But live guitar strumming lured us to the Key Lime Bistro for martinis, music and conversation into the night.

Unlike most B&Bs, Captiva Island Inn offers a complimentary full breakfast of choice, at either R.C. Otters or Key Lime Bistro, both steps from the property. Adjacent shops and galleries present everything from kitschy Florida to designer chic. Nearby Sanibel yields even more treasures, including The Mermaid Kitchen and Cake Factory; its whimsical décor belies an unexpected, gourmet menu.

We walked off lunch at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, which features forested footpaths, winding canoe trails and a four-mile scenic drive. Tarpon Bay Explorers provides a variety of tours for sightings of birds, dolphins, manatees, alligators and other amazing wildlife.


Remember Yourself

 The 'Tween Waters Inn on Captiva is home to Sbarra's Day Spa, an intimate, retro 1940's enclave with a full array of spa services. Vintage Florida and Cuba posters, period antiques and sepia-toned photos harmoniously blended with the bluesy music emanating throughout. Owner Amy Sbarra is also a jazz singer and treated me to a lilting bar or two during my relaxing rose oil massage. When she mentioned she performs at Dolce Vita, our dinner dilemma was solved.

Fine dining contrasted with let-your-hair down dancing and made for a delightfully curious cross between refined and, "who cares?" Later that evening my singing masseuse took center stage and, in a low, sultry voice, hit the high notes of the night.

We will fondly remember the people and places that imparted important life lessons. And lest we forget, they warmly await our return.