For information, contact:
Carolyn Masten
SunStream Hotels & Resorts
(239) 765-4111 (office)
@SunStreampr (Twitter)
CarolynM@SunStream.com
www.SunStream.com

SUNSTREAM HOTELS & RESORTS INVITES GUESTS TO THE
23RD ANNUAL AMERICAN SAND SCULPTING CHAMPIONSHIP FESTIVAL

FORT MYERS BEACH, FL – October 7, 2009 – November 3 – 8, 2009 marks the time of the 23rd Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship Festival, where master and amateur artists and enthusiasts alike converge on Fort Myers Beach to be a part of this Southwest Florida annual spectacular. This year marks a major milestone in the competition with the announcement of the “dream team” list of sculptors who share 37 World Championship titles between them. They will have the opportunity to show some of the best sand sculpting skills in the United States, and for the first time ever, this year’s event will be directly tied in with the world championships for sand sculpting. As a qualifying contest, the First Place winner this year will automatically advance to compete for the world title in Seattle next summer.

“The inclusion of the Fort Myers Beach event was done after careful scrutiny of the organization of your contest, your hospitality standards, your longevity, and that the assurance of quality we recommend was accepted” says Doc Reiss, The World Championship of Sand Sculpture. “Your competition is the only one in the southeastern United States to have achieved this recognition. Our goal is to recognize those events that mirror our desire for excellence and further the presentation of sand sculpting as a viable art and sport competition.”

While sand castles are lined up along the beach, guests at SunStream’s GullWing Beach Resort and Pointe Estero Beach Resort – located at the south end of Fort Myers Beach – can also enjoy direct access to the festival’s Sand Magic Village, where they can take advantage of beach side shopping from festival vendors just outside their door. SunStream’s other beach property, DiamondHead Beach Resort, the only full-service all-suite luxury resort right on Fort Myers Beach, also offers and additional array of options for guests to enjoy.

Fort Myers Beach’s down-home image and reputation as “the safest beach in the world” have let to its increasing popularity as a great family vacation spot. The annual festival adds to its appeal, giving travelers a reason to take a quick trip to what Family Fun magazine named “Best Family-Friendly Beach in the Southeast U.S.”

The sand sculpting competition continues to be a favorite, attracting over 80,000 spectators each year. For a great vacation getaway, coupled by some great spectator fun, take advantage of SunStream’s special promotional rates today. For reservations or more information on finding where you belong on Fort Myers Beach, call 800-625-4111 or visit SunStream.com. Visit SandSculptingFestival.com for information on the sand sculpting festival.

Headquartered in Fort Myers Beach, SunStream Hotels & Resorts has become a name synonymous with luxury hotels and condominium resorts throughout Southwest Florida, having specialized in property development and hospitality management since 1986. SunStream’s distinctive collection of properties in Southwest Florida now includes the DiamondHead Beach Resort, GullWing Beach Resort, Pointe Estero Beach Resort, Bellasera Hotel, Park Shore Resort, Port of the Islands Resort & Marina and opening in November 2009, the Resort at MarinaVillage – a luxurious full-service condominium resort located at Tarpon Point Marina in Cape Coral with 19 stories of sweeping views of the Caloosahatchee River, San Carlos Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

For more information on SunStream Hotels & Resorts or to book a reservation, please call 800-625-4111 or visit www.sunstream.com.

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You don’t have to believe the stories of rogues, rascals, pirates, captive damsels and hidden treasure chests to enjoy the magic of southwest Florida’s Lover’s Key. Squeezed between the popular island vacation destination of Fort Myers Beach and the quiet upscale beach community of Bonita Beach, it’s a nature preserve in an unlikely place, with a colorful and embellished history.

If you’re not paying attention, you’ll drive right by Lover’s Key State Park without noticing the sign that marks its entrance. But an increasing number of folks are discovering the park and stopping by for a closer look, especially since the park was featured in a Travel Channel special on Florida’s Best Beaches.

This 700+ acre park comprises four interconnected barrier islands with two miles of white sand beaches (Lover’s Key), miles of nature trails (Black Island), and a maze of intricate backwater canoe and kayak trails through the mangroves.

Launch your boat at the boat ramp on the bay side of the park, or launch a canoe or kayak and glide quietly among the mangroves within the park where you may spot manatees, rays, and numerous long-legged, long-necked wading birds. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the concession in the park.

Here are some other ideas for fun in the park:

• Have your wedding ceremony or family reunion at the gazebo right on the beach.

• Bring your fishing gear (and your saltwater fishing license) and go after snook, trout, redfish, and even tarpon.

• Bring your binoculars and enjoy a day of birding.

• Go shelling and match what you find to the collection on display in the park.

• Take a hike on your own or take a ranger-guided nature walk.

• Go for a bike ride on 5 miles of bike trails (bike rentals are available).

• Bring a picnic basket, a cooler and a good book and just relax on the beach and go for a swim in the calm waters. Bring the whole family.

It’s a good walk to the beach from the parking lot where the concession is located, so a tram is provided to help you make the trip on the unpaved trail and boardwalks. Once out on the beach it’s not difficult to find a quiet and scenic spot. Here’s a tip: if quiet is important to you (listen up you romantic types), plan your visit on a weekday when there are fewer people in the park. Weekends bring a flurry of visitors. Fall is often the quietest time.

Restrooms are provided out on the beach, but take a small cooler with drinks and snacks or stop at the concession before you make the trip out to the beach.

Getting to Lover’s Key State Park – from Interstate 75, the quickest route to Lover’s Key begins at exit #116 at Bonita Springs. Drive west on Bonita Beach Rd, which becomes Hickory Boulevard as it parallels Bonita beach before turning toward the mangrove islands that make up Lover’s Key State Park. The park’s address is 8700 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL.

If you’re coming from from Fort Myers Beach, the Lover’s Key is just over the bridge at the south end of Estero Island.

Visit the Lover’s Key Carl E. Johnson State Park web site for more details and a park brochure.

About the author: David McRee is the author of Florida Beaches: Finding Your Paradise on the Lower Gulf Coast, a guide to the beaches of southwest Florida, and served for 2 years as the beach and surf “expert” for VISIT FLORIDA. You can find David on the web at BeachHunter.net and BlogTheBeach.com.

In 1919, pioneer botanist Dr. Henry Nehrling founded the botanical garden. Respected botanist David Fairchild reflected, “The wildlife is passing. Man is destroying it. Dr. Nehrling loved it and taught thousands to follow his lead.” After Nehrling died, his garden grew wild until Julius Fleischmann restored and expanded it in 1954. Explorers and educators Larry and Nancy Jane Tetzlaff, known as Jungle Larry and Safari Jane, introduced the rare animals in 1969. Larry performed stuntwork in the popular Tarzan films and collected venom during WWII for medicine. Millions gained a new appreciation of the planet’s wonders through their films, TV appearances, and live programs. Today, Naples Zoo continues its mission to delight guests with the natural world and inspire the conservation of our planet’s remaining wild areas and their wondrous inhabitants.

Today

In this tropical setting, guests can take delight at seeing many of their favorite animals like lions, kangaroos and bears. They will also find a botanical collection of exotic plants, mature trees and rare historic tropical gardens. Experience the Zoo’s feature exhibits such as The Fosa: Madagascar’s Legendary Carnivore, Tiger Forest, Leopard Rock, Petrof’s Primate Pavilion, Alligator Bay and African Oasis. And gaze on an array of more rarely seen creatures like African wild dogs or an Asian deer that barks and eats meat. Guests can climb aboard a guided cruise and leisurely observe islands of monkeys, lemurs and apes in their own habitat.

Lions, Tigers and Bears ’09!

2009 marks the 40^th anniversary since the Tetzlaff family introduced the wild animals to the historic tropical garden. Coinciding with the 70^th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz movie, Naples Zoo is celebrating with Lions, Tigers and Bears ’09! (Oh Nine! Oh My! Cute, huh? Not as cute as the lion cubs, baby porcupine and black bears). See them all during your next visit to Southwest Florida.

The Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is conveniently located at 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road, Naples, FL 34102. ZooLine: 239-262-5409 or on the web at NaplesZoo.org.

For information, contact:
Carolyn Masten
SunStream Hotels & Resorts
(239) 765-4111 (office)
@SunStreampr (Twitter)
CarolynM@SunStream.com
www.SunStream.com

DISCOVER A SLOWER PACE OF LIFE AND A TRUE APPRECIATION
OF NATURE AT PORT OF THE ISLANDS RESORT & MARINA

(NAPLES, FL) – The vast biological community known as the Florida Everglades stretches east of Naples, beginning north of town at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, an Audubon preserve and gateway to the South Florida Birding Trail. Endangered wood storks nest in its ancient-growth bald cypress trees. In the depths of the Everglades, alligators, Florida panthers, bob cats, black bears, and nearly 350 species of birds lurk. National and state parks, preserves, and wildlife refuges provide access and recreational opportunities. Port of the Islands Resort & Marina lies nestled in the heart of the Everglades, a perfect spot for a quiet eco-retreat.

Port of the Islands has the largest population of manatees in all of Collier County and is one of the only places in Florida where manatees are found year round. Double R’s Manatee and Nature Tours, conveniently located at Port of the Islands Resort & Marina, are the only local tours that start in the heart of the Everglades and are just minutes from the 10,000 Islands and the Gulf of Mexico. Nature enthusiasts are likely to gaze on alligators, manatees, dolphins and turtles as well as many of the rare and endangered tropical birds such as ibis, egret, great blue heron, osprey, pelican and the American bald eagle. USA Today names The Florida Everglades as one of the “10 Great Places on Earth You Don’t Want to Miss.” Discover an amazing, unique and wild environment that is unlike any other you’ve ever seen.

Port of the Islands Resort & Marina is an old Florida-style resort located at the edge of the Everglades National Park. The resort offers 32 studio and cottage suites, recently refurbished in a Key West-style décor, complimentary hot breakfast, and full array of resort amenities, including a full-service marina, ship store, oversized heated outdoor pool, Angler’s Cove Restaurant & Bar, fitness center with sauna and steam room, tennis courts, game room with poker and pool tables, on-site eco-tours and fishing charters, skeet and trap shooting, boat dock rentals and event space to host groups from 10 – 100.

Port of the Islands Resort & Marina, one of SunStream Hotels & Resorts’ distinctive properties in Southwest Florida, is located at 25000 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, Florida, 34114. For more information on Port of the Islands Resort & Marina or to make a reservation, please call 866-348-3509 or 239-394-3101 or visit POIResort.com.

Headquartered in Fort Myers Beach, SunStream Hotels & Resorts has specialized in property development and hospitality management since 1986. SunStream’s distinctive collection of properties in Southwest Florida now includes the Bellasera Hotel, Park Shore Resort, Port of the Islands Resort & Marina, DiamondHead Beach Resort, GullWing Beach Resort, Pointe Estero Beach Resort and opening in November 2009, the Resort at MarinaVillage – a luxurious full-service condominium resort located at Tarpon Point Marina in Cape Coral with 19 stories of sweeping views of the Caloosahatchee River, San Carlos Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

For more information on SunStream Hotels & Resorts or to book a reservation, please call 800-625-4111 or visit www.sunstream.com.

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Pack at least two swimsuits
Of course you’ll remember to bring your bathing suit to the beach. But you really should consider bringing two. Late night swims in the pool are great but putting on a cold, damp suit that you wore earlier on the beach, is well, just plain icky.

Above all, enjoy your Southwest Florida vacation! And as we say around here: JAPDIP. That’s “Just another perfect day in paradise!”