23rd Annual Taste of Marco

23rd Annual Taste of Marco

 

It’s that time again for Taste of Marco a day-long celebration of food and fun. The Greater Marco Family YMCA brings you the 23rd Annual Taste of Marco.

Support a worthy cause and sample gourmet cuisine prepared by chefs from Marco Island’s best restaurants from
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 7, 2013 at the Esplanade, 760 N. Collier Blvd.

This year's event will feature live entertainment by The Greg Miller Band.

Admission is only $5 for adults, children 12 and under are free with paid adult admission.

The Taste of Marco gives restaurants the chance to reach new customers, who may never have been exposed to their dishes, and lets the public try some of those restaurants' signature dishes, all for a $5 admission fee and a few dollars in food tickets.

The event is generally thronged, and could be considered the last hurrah of the season on Marco Island. Visitors staying with Island Escapes will be sure to attend! Restaurants put their "best food forward," tempting Tasters with unusual offerings, or bringing back tried and true favorites.

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Marco Island number 3 on Trip Advisor's Top 10 islands list

Staff Reports

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Travel site Trip Advisor announced today the winners of its inaugural Travelers' Choice Islands awards.

The award was "based on millions of valuable traveler reviews and opinions on the site, the awards recognize more than 100 islands across the globe, including dedicated lists for Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, and the U.S.," according to a press release.

"Whether you're looking for idyllic palm-lined islands, or islands that offer a more cultural experience, you'll find inspiration in these lists," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. "From the world famous to the hidden gems, what unifies every award winner is the fantastic feedback from travelers across the globe."

Top 10 U.S. islands

1. San Juan Island, Washington

2. Kauai, Hawaii

3. Marco Island, Florida

4. Anna Maria Island, Florida

5. Maui, Hawaii

6. Sanibel Island, Florida

7. Chincoteague Island, Virginia

8. Island of Hawaii, Hawaii

9. Amelia Island, Florida

10. Key West, Florida

Top 10 islands in the world

1. Ambergris Caye, Belize

2. St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

3. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

4. San Juan Island, Washington

5. Santorini, Greece

6. Isla Mujeres, Mexico

7. Moorea, French Polynesia

8. Koh Tao, Thailand

9. Easter Island, Chile

10. Nosy Be, Madagascar

 

Call Island Escapes for all of your vacation rental needs. Book your piece of paradise on this award winning island of ours we call paradise! www.iEscapeAway.com

239-642-0000 or 800-762-3222

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Marco Island mentioned as favorite family beach vacation location in Canada's Calgary Herald

Dreaming of an island beach getaway?

 

 

By Debbie Olsen, For The Calgary Herald

 

 

 

There is no place on earth like Hawaii and the hardest part about planning a Hawaiian vacation is choosing the island to visit.

Photograph by: Handout photo, For Postmedia News

Some moments make you question your parental instincts - or your lack of them. But is it really so wrong to laugh hysterically as your cocky teenage son gets pummelled by a wave, almost loses his bathing suit, and lands face down in the sand before your very eyes?

Whatever our son thought of our reaction to his circumstances, there was no doubt that he had been warned about the waves at Sandy Beach on Oahu, Hawaii. In addition to his parents's advice (which he scoffed at and completely ignored), there were numerous yellow warning signs alerting visitors to the fact that this famous bodysurfing beach can have strong currents and big waves. Fortunately, he was not injured and only had to endure one "I told you so" from his parents.

When the weather turns chilly and the snow starts to pile up, I often find myself reminiscing about my favourite family beach vacations. When you think of an island beach getaway, it's common to picture a far-flung destination in a foreign locale, but many of my family's favourite winter beach destinations are found in the United States. The close proximity, combined with plenty of great local amenities, make these destinations particularly appealing for families.

There is something almost magical about leaving the frozen north and arriving a few hours later in a sunny beach destination. Submerging your toes in fine white sand while relaxing on a comfy beach bed at an oceanfront resort can almost feel like you are cheating Old Man Winter.

The best part is that a family beach vacation yields memories for years to come - especially if you are lucky enough to witness your teenager do a face plant.

Marco Island, Florida

Marco Island is the largest of Florida's Ten Thousand Islands and the only one with serious development. Located in Southwest Florida near Naples and the Florida Everglades, this island has white sand beaches, upscale beach resorts, two golf courses, diverse shopping and good restaurants. It's also a nature-lover's paradise famous for its birding, fishing and the frolicking dolphins just offshore. The laid-back lifestyle of this area has resulted in the import of a number of Canadian snowbirds. (www.paradisecoast.com)

Hawaiian Islands

There is no place on earth like Hawaii and the hardest part about planning a Hawaiian vacation is choosing the island to visit. Whether you visit Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, Lanai or the Big Island, you will find wonderful beaches and distinct travel experiences to discover. Families with older teens may enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere and attractions of Honolulu on the island of Oahu while checking out some of its famous beaches. A favourite winter beach for local families is Waimanalo Beach Park, which is in the centre of a 30 hectare recreation area and has gently sloping white sandy beaches ideal for swimming. (www.gohawaii.com)

Key West, Florida

Home to the southernmost point in the continental USA, Key West has attracted a host of colourful characters over the years, including the likes of Tennessee Williams and Ernest Hemingway. Exploring Old Town, celebrating African heritage at Bahama Village, enjoying great seafood at Key West Bight and toasting the sunset at Mallory Square are all must-do experiences. Popular beaches include Fort Zachary Taylor Beach Park, Higg's Beach and Smathers Beach. Higg's Beach is popular with younger families because it has a playground, covered picnic tables, chair rentals, water sport rentals and a full-service restaurant.

Families with older teens will enjoy the man-made Smathers Beach, because of its volleyball nets, bike paths, water sports rentals, picnic tables and concession stands. (www.flakeys.com)

Mustang Island, Port Aransas, Texas

Once inhabited by grazing herds of wild horses that were originally introduced by Spanish settlers, Mustang Island is the world's longest barrier island. Mustang Island State Park encompasses the entire southern third of the island. The island has 29 kilometres of beaches that are ideal for swimming and is famous for its sand sculpture festival, which is held at the end of April each year (www.texassandfest.com) and is the largest sand-sculpting contest in America. It's also famous for excellent birding and unrivalled fishing. (www.portaransas.org)

Sanibel Island, Florida

Considered by many experts to have the best shelling beaches in North America, tiny Sanibel Island on Florida's Gulf Coast is a favourite beach destination for families. Sanibel and its neighbour Captiva Is-land are connected to each other and the mainland by a causeway and visitors can enjoy activities on both islands. A sea kayak tour of J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife refuge, a ferry ride to Cabbage Key or dinner at the funky, family-friendly restaurant known as the Bubble Room are must-do experiences for visitors. (www.fortmyers-sanibel.com)

Debbie Olsen is an Alberta-based freelance writer and the mother of four children.

© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

 

VISIT WWW.IESCAPEAWAY.COM FOR PLANNING YOUR NEXT BEACH GETAWAY

239-642-0000 WE RENT PRIVATE HOMES, CONDOS AND VILLAS

BEACHFRONT, GOLF COURSE, WATERFRONT, TENNIS, BOATING

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