It’s moving day in Southwest Florida. The following activities can definitely add the get-up-and-go to any meeting itinerary.
Photo Safari
Attendees will earn their “swamp legs” while honing their photography skills on an eco photo expedition through the western Everglades with nature photographer Rick Cruz (www.rickcruzexpeditions.com), a 20-year veteran of nature photography who specializes in Everglades landscapes.
The Garden Path
The newly completed Naples Botanical Garden (www.naplesgarden.org) features a number of different garden styles, including Asian, Brazilian and the Preserve, a large area of natural land with native Florida plants, animals and birds. Planners can arrange hiking treks, birding tours, geocaching and fitness outings.
A Shore Thing
Educational guided shoreline walks are offered by Lee County Parks and Recreation (www.leeparks.org) at Bowditch Point Park, Matanzas Pass Preserve and Bunche Beach Preserve near Fort Myers. Groups may explore mangroves, roam a barrier island or learn the finer points of ethnobotany. Reservations are a must.
Stand Up for Fun
One of the newest crazes in watersports, stand-up paddle boarding is not only a great workout, but imagine gliding through a canopy of mangrove tunnels or paddling toward a sandy beach accompanied by a manatee. It can happen with Charlotte Harbor’s Grande Tours (www.grandetours.com).
Free Wheeling
Now you can pedal along the Peace River in historic downtown Punta Gorda for free, thanks to the city’s Yellow Bike Loaner Program (www.teampuntagorda.org), touted as the state’s first free bike loan program. All you need to enjoy a bicycle for an hour or a day is a credit card, driver’s license and signature of waiver. Bicycles are offered on a space-available basis at various downtown locations.
