Another popular way of getting to know Fort Myers' landscapes and nature is going on a boat trip. Manatee & Eco River Tours (manateeandecorivertours.com) organize trips along the Caloosahatchee and Orange rivers, with a naturalist on board to tell you about the local flora and fauna. Different options are available — check out the manatee tours (only December to March), which allow visitors to get close to these uncommon sea creatures, or get into a romantic mood with a sunset tour. Book your trip on their website. Magic Wind Adventure Sailing (sailmagicwind.com) is run by an enthusiastic couple that offers sailing trips on the gulf for up to 6 passengers. Book your trip on their website or by phone.

Hanoi is the ideal gateway to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Vietnam's crown jewel. Embark on a scenic cruise along the emerald waters, weaving through thousands of limestone islands and islets adorned with lush greenery. Explore hidden caves and grottos, paddle through secluded lagoons by kayak, or simply unwind on deck, soaking in the breathtaking panoramic

The area around Fort Myers offers beautiful, diverse landscapes, which you can admire in the many nature reserves. It's not only about the ocean — inland, you'll find river banks lined by woods and coastal wetlands. Bird watchers should head to J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Established in 1945 on Sanibel Island, it is home to 245 different bird species, along with mammals and marine creatures. It also offers activities for guests, like kayaking, tram tours and fishing.

With its romantic grounds, Sofiero Palace makes for a popular destination. The grounds are perhaps best known for their unparalleled rhododendrons, with an incredible 5,000 bushes bursting into flower in the spring. The fairytale of Sofiero began in 1864, when Crown Prince Oskar and his wife Sophia had their summer residence built here. In 1905, Oskar — by now King Oskar ll — gave the palace to his grandson Prince Gustav Adolf and his bride Princess Margareta as a wedding present. This is when the gardens literally flourished. Princess Margareta was a keen and creative gardener, and it was she who first laid out the grounds that we can enjoy to this day. She arranged flower beds and gardens, had paving laid and wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Every summer, the Crown Prince couple travelled from Stockholm with their four young princes and Princess Ingrid, who eventually became Queen of Denmark. When Margareta died in 1920, Gustaf Adolf carried on the work in the garden, particularly with the rhododendrons. The palace was the summer residence of the Swedish royal family up until 1973, when it was given to the town of Helsingborg. This small palace, which lies like a jewel amid the extensive lawns, is home to a restaurant where the food is prepared by some of Sweden’s finest chefs. There’s also a café with views of the Öresund Sound and Denmark.