12 days in Southwest Florida Itinerary

Discover out-of-the-way places like South Marco Beach and Cape Romano. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Marco Island Historical Museum and Smallwood Store. Change things up with a short trip to Museum of the Everglades in Everglades City (about 42 minutes away).

Take the guesswork out of planning a Marco Island vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

Hartford to Marco Island is an approximately 4.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Hartford in April, things will get warmer in Marco Island: highs are around 85°F and lows about 66°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Naples.

Third Street South and Fort Myers River District are good opportunities to explore the local culture. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Clam Pass Park and Bonita Springs Public Beach. Venture out of the city with trips to Captiva Chapel By-The-Sea (in Captiva Island), Edison and Ford Winter Estates (in Fort Myers) and Sanibel Island (Blind Pass Beach Park, Gulfside Beach, &more).

For other places to visit and tourist information, go to the Naples trip maker site.

Naples is very close to Marco Island. In April, plan for daily highs up to 85°F, and evening lows to 67°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Mon) so you can drive to Siesta Key.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Stump Pass Beach State Park and Manasota Key Beach. Visit Siesta Beach and Englewood Beach for some beach relaxation. Go for a jaunt from Siesta Key to Venice to see Venice Beach about 30 minutes away. There's still lots to do: stroll through Nokomis Beach, enjoy the sand and surf at North Jetty Beach, explore the world behind art at The Ringling, and head outdoors with Lido Beach.

To find more things to do, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Siesta Key driving holiday planner.

You can drive from Naples to Siesta Key in 2 hours. Another option is to do a combination of taxi and bus. In April, daytime highs in Siesta Key are 83°F, while nighttime lows are 65°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Bradenton Beach.

On the 21st (Fri), get engrossed in the history at Anna Maria Island Historical Museum, then kick back and relax at Bean Point, then see what you can catch with a fishing tour, and finally stroll through Manatee Public Beach. On your second day here, enjoy the sand and surf at Bradenton Beach, then kick back and relax at Coquina Beach, and then relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas.

To find reviews, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Bradenton Beach road trip planning site.

Drive from Siesta Key to Bradenton Beach in an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In April, daily temperatures in Bradenton Beach can reach 83°F, while at night they dip to 65°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sat) to allow enough time to fly back home.