Summer 2011 www.marcoreview.com Page 63SHOPPING... Shops of Marco, Shops of Olde Marco & Marco WalkMarco WalkThe entertainment and dining center of the island. Catch a newly released movie, relax over a great cup of coffee or dine at one of the fi ve fabulous restaurants which offer indoor seat-ing as well as outdoor in the pretty central courtyard with its fountains and lively buzz. www.marcowalk.com. Map1 (8C) 599 South Collier Blvd, across from the Hilton.. OPTICAL BOUTIQUE - prescription and non-prescription designer eyewear featuring Kazuo, Kawasaki and 25 Swiss Flex Rimless as well as new lines of Swarovski crystal sun-glasses and new lighted readers. 239.642.4776. RICHARD'S REEF - a great selection of good quality, yet reasonably priced, gifts, fashion jewelry and apparel for all the family. Their second location in Island Plaza (239.970.0634) is expanding to include their sister store, Harbor Gold-smith, one of Marco's most popular jewelers. 239.642.7800Shops Of Olde MarcoThis colorful key West style shopping area is located in a cob-bled courtyard behind Café de Marco and boasts several art galleries, stores, restaurants and a beauty salon/barber. Take Bald Eagle as far north as you can go and bear to the left onto Royal Palm Drive. Map1 (2C) . AMANTEA GALLERY - an eclectic collection of fi ne art, photography, art glass and Chamilia jewelry. www.amantea-gallery.com. 239.206.1940. SIMPLY CUPCAKES - new store specializing in delicious cupcakes and specialty coffees. 239.877.7597The Marco Review Shopping Guidecontinued from page 61

Having lived on Marco for over seventeen years, we've been asked many times what activities we'd recommend to fi rst time visitors. So we've put together this Insider's Guide. We're assuming that funds are unlimited (which, sadly, isn't often true at the moment) and the weather is perfect (which, happily, it usually is). Also that the vacationers are able-bodied and energetic (they'll need to be if they do everything we suggest here!) but don't forget, the ideas are interchangeable and along the way we've listed many other ideas which may be more applicable, so mix and match to create your ideal plan. For those of you who are only staying for a few days we've also marked with * the things we consider to be absolute "must sees". You'll fi nd more details about most of our suggestions in the ads and guides through-out the magazine. And please don't think, because we haven't recommended many restaurants (unless they offer something unique), we don't want you to eat while you're here! It's just that dining is so subjective we'd prefer you to make your choice by referring to our Dining Guide on page 112 and our more detailed Restaurant Review starting on page 115.DAY 1 - Getting to know us!Walk on South Beach Break yourself in gently with a stroll along the beach at the south end of the island. It's great to sit on the rocks at the tip of the beach, breathe in the clean salt air and watch fi shermen, birds and boats go about their business. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of some dolphin or a manatee swimming by, and you should be able to fi nd some great shells here at low tide so don't forget to take a shelling bag along with you. For more info see "Life's a Beach" on page 36.Eco/Shelling/Sightseeing Boat Tours*SW Florida is famous for its wonderful wildlife and an eco boat tour is one of the best ways to see, experience and learn about it. You can expect to see dolphin (often jumping behind your boat) manatee, osprey, and many other water birds on most trips. Our area also boasts some of the best shelling in the world and, al-though you can fi nd wonderful shells on Marco, a boat trip to a Best Happy HoursArturo'sCocomo'sNacho Mama'sSale e PepeThe Sand BarSandcastles Sasso'sStiltsSunset Grillelocal uninhabited island is by far the best way to fi nd unusual shells in abundance. Ice Cream ParlorsBeebe's Ice CreamChocolate StrawberryCold Stone CreamerySweet Annie'sSee page 102 if you need help identifying your fi nds. Many of the private boats will also customize your tour to include trips around the island, sightseeing in the canals, and per-haps lunch or dinner at a waterside restaurant. See our What to Do on the Water Guide starting on page 94. Sunset at a beachside bar*The sunsets don't come much better anywhere than they do here and they can seem even more spectacular with a cool glass of something in your hand! We recommend you try Sunset Grille, Stilts or the chickee hut at Capri Fish House.