Gulf coast beach front vacation - need ideas and suggestions

Congrats to your wife on her graduation.

Treat yourself and go down the coast a bit to Sanibel or Captiva Island near Fort Myers. Went two years ago and stayed at the South Seas resort at the north end of Captiva, but there are numerous resorts, large and small, all across the two islands. Wonderful experience. Our condo at South Seas was perfect, very clean. The shelling is some of the best in the world. Uncrowded beaches, mellow atmostphere, cool art shops, awesome fishing. I caught Snook right off a dock! Restaurants was my one complaint on Captiva. Bland, ecept for the pizza joint at the resort. I know there are better choices on Sanibel Island, if you decide to eat out.

http://www.southseas.com/index.cfm

http://www.go-florida-vacation.com/Sanibel-And-Captiva-Islands/

http://www.go-florida-vacation.com/Sanibel-And-Captiva-Islands/

I would much favor this option! Yes its a further drive but not near as crowded and as much of a tourist trap (as in overpriced) that the panhandle of NW Florida has become.