One of the most inviting day-trip destinations on Florida's southwest coast is Gasparilla, a barrier island halfway between Fort Meyers and Sarasota. Accessible by car or boat, Gasparilla is a step back in time. This is especially true of the

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One of the most inviting day-trip destinations on Florida's southwest coast is Gasparilla, a barrier island halfway between Fort Meyers and Sarasota. Accessible by car or boat, Gasparilla is a step back in time. This is especially true of the village of Boca Grande, with its conspicuous absence—like the rest of the island—of high-rises, traffic lights, and malls. Instead, leafy banyan trees shade visitors who meander in and out of eclectic shops and restaurants or drive about in golf carts. The island has miles of bike trails and a state park with a gorgeous beach, superb shelling, and a historic lighthouse among its treasures.

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