Guest Reviews

                    SEAGRAPE COTTAGE IS A MEMBER OF THE SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

I stayed one month in Seagrape Cottage. The unit was very clean (most important for me) and had a well stocked kitchen with enough dishes and pans and other necessities. The king size bed mattress was very comfortable. Plenty of drawer space and enough closet space too. We had one issue and the handyman was there immediately. The internet worked fine (my daughter worked from home almost every day.) The hosts are nice and very helpful. They responded right away to any calls. It's a really nice yard and it's near the lighthouse. It is a very short walk to easy beach access. There is a nice propane grill and great yard. Check out the bakery at the end of the road and try the "Glorious Morning" muffins. Loved the bike riding and enjoyed the screened-on back porch. It was a good month!   (Linda S, GA, March 2022 side 2)

Seagrape Cottage was a perfect spot for my Yorkie, Martini, and it had everything I needed and if not, a quick text to the Conrath's for immediate help. We walked the beach at the end of the street several times a day. Shops and the downtown was wonderful. The egrets nest outside frequently - fun to watch!   I'm already booked for next year. It's a cozy, comfy beach cottage away from traffic and hustle/bustle. Thank you for the perfect stay.
(Marcie, New Hampshire, January 2022, side 2)

So cute! I can't believe we lucked out and found this cottage. What a treat and how much fun it was for our family of 3 and small dog. Local friends who were visiting Sanibel saw our cottage and were so happy for us. (A wee bit jealous of our awesome find?) We hope to be able to make this a future annual visit. Next time we will rent both sides and have a family reunion! (J & P & L, Louisville, KY)

I've been coming to this lovely cottage for the past ten years. I'm a single woman and feel extremely safe on the island and especially in the cottage -- a sweet residential street where locals live year round. The owners, Karyn and Richard Conrath are very accommodating and trustworthy. My daughter and granddaughter Daphne (the apple of my eye!) visited this year and I often have other friends visit as well. The space is perfect and private for entertaining friends and family in a laid back island environment. Will be back! (Liz S, Ely MN, Nov, 2021 side 1)

We thoroughly enjoyed our second stay this time in Nov 2021 at Seagrape Cottage. Located on a quiet street on the east end of Sanibel, it's almost a stone's through to the Gulf of Mexico! We rarely missed a November sunrise on the beach. We also took advantage of the short walk to stores and eateries on Periwinkle Way. (Just a 5 min walk.) The cottage came fully equipped with everything we needed and we especially appreciated all the beach equipment and wagon! The owners are wonderful hosts -- very personable, always available if you have any questions or need anything. We highly recommend a stay at Seagrape Cottage. We've made memories to last a lifetime!   Chris and Lisa H, Wisconsin (Nov, 2021, side 2)   (We hope to welcome back this amazingly fun and adventurous couple next year but next time with Taylor, the well loved dog!)

Just finished a super month there. It was outstanding. I felt safe and super cozy. I took flashlight lit walks under more stars than I've ever seen before! The area is just perfect for a single woman and I had a visitor from time to time... but I loved the solitude best. Thank you and I'm fortunate to have found the perfect hide-away/get-away in the US! PS I'm returning home with more seashells then I've ever hauled in a suitcase! I'll return someday to this same cottage. (Mary, Suffolk)

Beach Magic!   If you are a beach lover, this is a perfect cottage for you! Hop, skip and a jump to both gulf and bay beaches in an easy-to-access but quieter part of Sanibel. Directly adjacent to bike path, a Sanibel gem.. Walking distance to several restaurants and shops and an easy short drive to many more options! Fantastic customer-focused owners with great tips for off the beaten path attractions. We'll be back! Jane S, Naples (May, 2021)
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Wow! What an amazing month we had in this precious cottage. We were super fortunate to find this little gem. We will be back as fast as we can say "She sells seashells down by the seashore!" Thank you, thank you, Karyn and Richard (great local writer and as good as Randy Wayne White, another local.)   Gennieve and Rusty (Cape Fear, NC 2021)
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We were fortunate to spend the month of April at Seagrape Cottage enjoying beautiful Sanibel Island. Karyn and Richard are awesome hosts ensuring we had everything we needed. Their genuine kindness and knowledge of Sanibel made us feel at home immediately. The cottage was clean, comfortable and packed with everything you would need including the handy beach cart and beach chairs to ample bath towels, kitchen utensils and much more.

A short walk down the quiet street and you are on the beautiful Lighthouse Beach. We shelled, relaxed, swam in the Gulf of Mexico and enjoyed up close encounters with a school of Cownose Stingrays and saw many dolphins! Thank you Karyn and Richard for providing the perfect base for a most enjoyable vacation! Lori and Tim & Coco, the Golden Retriever super dog
(April, 2021) This friendly and kind couple will be back March, 2023    Our guests often become our friends!
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The beauty and the location of the cottage couldn't have been any better. The beach was about 200 yards straight down the road. Tom and Teresa K., TX and doggie (Feb, 2021) (This lovely couple and their dog already booked for Feb, 2023.)
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Old Florida cottage charm with owners dedicated to providing quality hospitality, something that is rare in today's time. It's a perfect place for a couple to enjoy the beauty of Sanibel. William M, (Grand Rapids, MI, 2021)
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We stayed in the south half of the Conrath's wonderfully preserved cottage. I especially liked all the original yellow pine and the quiet lanai added on the back. It's located in a shady residential area and has a large, private backyard that attracts songbirds, dune bunnies, osprey, and screech owls: one night we even heard coyotes.

A five minute walk down Seagrape, to the south, dead ends at the boardwalk to the Gulf side beach, very near the lighthouse.
A half-block on the other direction leads to the bicycle path on Perriwinkle, the Lighthouse Cafe, a coffee, bakery, and ice cream shop and a nice gift and clothing store. Dixie Beach, on the bay side of the island, is just a half-block further north. So you have a choice of the two beaches for swimming, shelling, fishing, kayaking, and walking. One of our favorite walks, at low tide, was from the Gulf beach on the south, past the Lighthouse on the east end, a stop at the fishing pier to check for dolphins, and then back west along the bay to Seagrape Lane. At that point, we were usually ready to pick up some Lighthouse Cafe pancakes to take home.

So you won't spend much time inside, but if you do, the cottage is fully equipped, with all the dishes, towels and bedding, games and books, you could possibly need. The WIFI worked well, which was important because our phones rarely got a signal on the island. If we had questions or lacked for anything, Karyn and Richard were very attentive hosts. We felt really lucky to find such a comfortable we place for us, and our two fur babies, to spend the winter. (Lin and Brian, CO - Dec/Jan, 2021)
(This lovely couple ended up purchasing a home on Sanibel Island after enjoying their time in our cottage.)
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Thanks for your hospitality at your beautiful Florida cottage! We loved everything about it! Most of all, we treasured our daily walk to the beach for every sunrise. This was our favorite trip to Sanibel Island (so far), and we definitely plan on staying at your lovely cottage again! Thank you so much, (Lisa and Chris, Cedarburg, WI, Fall 2020)
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Karyn and Richard: We just wanted to thank you for having us at your Seagrape Cottage. We enjoyed our stay there during October 2020. We found the unit to be clean and well equipped. We also felt that you were accommodating and wanted us to be comfortable and enjoy our stay. The location was great. It is a quiet area and the best part was the short walk to the beach. It is very important when renting on Sanibel to be able to walk to the beach because of limited parking availability for non-residents (Bill and Joann and the two doggies)
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Lucky us!! My husband was browsing the internet for hours until he came across this last minute vacation site on www.Bring Fido (a site for dog lovers to bring their dogs along for the vacation.) We never anticipated such a great beach with beach walkers running along with their leashed pets and a cottage that is perfect for a quick jog to the beach at the end of the street. Karen and Richard are fine people with the desire to please their guests and they did that and more! Thank you for the most delightful month in the sweetest home ever. We also appreciated the precious touches Karen added to make it even more comfortable then one could imagine - beach colors of sandy creme and blues reflect the whole island. Thank you so much for our great memory of this beautiful island hideaway. (Dolores and John with Jodi and Karma, Provo, UT)
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We wish we could've stayed longer but one month vacation was all we can manage this time. Our place is perfect for me and my dog. Everyday we walk early and late at night on a beach that loves 4 legged fuzzies. The owner left me dog treats for Beanie and some goodies for me. I have never felt more relaxed or safe. I wish I could live on Sanibel or Captiva and make it our home for ever! Someday when I when the lottery, I can buy me and Beanie our own cottage or just keep coming back to this little jewel.

Beach is at the end of the street, like maybe a 5 minute walk. People who live in the neighborhood are welcoming and friendly.
I heard owner is a author to. He is really a nice guy and his wife is friendly and helpful. All in all it was a dreamy vacation with great memorys. See you next year I hope. (Beanie and Jo, nurse's aide, Camden NJ)
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What a great time we had again! It is the same every time we come to Sanibel and Captiva. We love the cottage and the location. The house is neat and perfectly clean. I know the owners (now we are friends!) so we come back each year because we know exactly what to expect. Now there is new furniture and fresh new carpet too. It is a sunny home with so much charm and appeal. We will be back next year for sure. Laine and Claudia, Ontario, Canada
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I am late writing. But my and sons experience on this island was perfect. Every day was perfect. We even saw dolphins but my son thought it was whales ;)   We went to some bookstore on Sanibel island and found books of whales and dolphins. So I could show a difference. I cant tell how much we love this cottage. For the beach -I could let him go alone because shelled beach was at end of my street. It was like a magic time for us. We felt safe and happy everyday. Thanks you to Conraths family. We promise. we will return next year. (sorry for mistakes. My English is abit rusty.) (America and Brayan, Dominican Republic
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I came to the home alone and adored my time. I feel lucky to have found the owners and little home. Thank you for your assistance and care during my stay. (Jane, GA)

We took a holiday from Rochester, NY in the last month of Spring. Wowee! What a perfect cottage.
It was still chilly in NY, so after saying, "Hey, let's get out of here and get some sunshine", we booked a last minute flight and took May. What a gorgeous beach at the end of the shelled path and over the bridge. The cottage is everything stated and MORE. Owners are concerned about everything to make a guest feel welcome -- even a gift basket with our favorite food and champagne. Thank you so much for an amazing get-away. Ryan & Lauren, Rochester, NY
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Joanna and I hit the beach the minute we arrived. The Conrath's had left us a goodie basket of crackers, cheese, and special teas along with a nice bottle of Pinot. We took the wine and 2 glasses, (oops, we left the corkscrew back at the house by mistake, but it was easy to run back since the cottage is less then a 5 minute walk from the beach), We spent the afternoon from 5-7 PM under an umbrella (provided by the owners), sipping wine and eating cheese and crackers provided by our hosts. They thought of everything and IF we didn't have it, they'd get. I've used lots of sites before in our world travels, but I don't remember ever having royal treatment like we did at Seagrape Cottage. Thank you a million times plus and a big hug to this lovely couple. Ted and Joanna, Martha's Vineyard, MA

The cottage is a great home. Our family (us and our dog Lucy) had a super time at Seagrape Cottage. I had some groceries in my car and went to the cottage and put our things in the fridge and unpacked. then we rented our bicycles for 2 weeks at Bill's Bikes and brought our own basket for our dog which we attached to the handlebars. And we were able to take our dog to the beach and have no leashes. This is a vacay we will always remember. And we plan to come back next year if the month we want is open. Fingers crossed and toes too. Thank you to Conrath family for your wonderful hospitality. Lauri, Jinx and Lucy, Atlanta,GA

I had a great time. I'm a woman who generally travels alone. Sanibel is the perfect setting for my plans. The street has two other full- time residents who are also alone so I felt comfortable. The street is residential. There are really no tourists save for the few people who walk down the path to the bridge which goes onto ones own beach. The lighthouse is also very close by and I walked on the bike path to the marina and had lunch at Dot's. I spent the afternoon at the marina drinking ice tea and reading. I watched the yachts and smaller boats travel in and out of their spiffy boat docks. It was one of the top five most relaxing holidays I have had in quite a while. If one is keen on an easy, carefree, and splendid time, especially alone, this island is for you. (Stephanie Wiles, Tacoma, WA)
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We absolutely loved it! What a gorgeous beach. Perfect for shelling. The house resembles all my childhood memories and more. It is better than I ever imagined. Owners are awesome and attended to our every need. I am already booked for next year. I can't thank you enough for allowing my little Maltese, Sammi Ray, to tag along. He loved the beach and we loved the shower outside to clean him off after a day in the gulf of Mexico. See you again with our teenage college-bound son.
(Jeri and Jennifer, MD)
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Seagrape Cottage! Sanibel Island! I'm in love with this part of Florida and cannot say enough about what it has to offer.
I found this little gem on The Sanibel/Captiva Chamber of Commerce and completed an excellent transaction within two days.
The owners are from the area and provided the home with everything necessary for me and my partner to make it a once-in-a-lifetime holiday! California's beaches are cold and far from Florida but I will try to come back to Sanibel Island again and hopefully will be able to book Seagrape Cottage on the BEAUTIFUL Gulf of Mexico. (Ashley and Robbie, Santa Monica, CA)
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I spent the last few years at this cottage alone. It was a perfect respite for an artist. I was able to paint and draw and relax my "weary bones" for an entire month. It had everything I needed and more. Seagrape Cottage is so close to the beach - I walked on the end of our shell-path in my bathing suit and sandals and all that was provided for me in beach items. I felt perfectly at home and at-one with the natural world of the island. Sometimes I walked across the street to the bay for a delightful sunset. There are hundreds of types of birds and wildlife. I biked through a nature preserve and took in sights which I never knew were part of Florida. It is unlike other locales I've traveled and I've traveled all over the world. I felt like I was in another country because it so different and unique to a guest who is looking for an uncomplicated time. I cooked nearly every meal in the full kitchen and slept with the windows open under the deep sky with perfect ease. This street is in a quiet with only a few tourists. We are all island people here on this Lighthouse side of the island. I heartily recommend this beautiful cottage in a completely marvelous location. I hope this helps the Conrath's get more guests to enjoy their lovely home. They certainly deserve it! (Annalise, Cape Cod, MA, 2017)
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Seagrape Cottage became home away from home within minutes of arrival. The location is perfect --- short walk to the Gulf of Mexico beach or the Bay. My dog, Sadie, was welcome and she enjoyed beach walks and bicycle rides. The cottage is located on the east end within walking distance of Lighthouse Cafe, few shops, and ice cream & deli. Most restaurants are within biking distance, best way to get around. The Thriller was a fun boat ride, which I recommend. The island is paradise - - - sun, sand, shells, birds, dolphins, good restaurants, bicycling, and relaxation.

The cottage was comfortable and clean with plenty of bath towels and beach towels. Family and friends joined me throughout the month and the cottage was still comfortable when there were four of us. Kitchen is well equipped. Washer and dryer was a blessing. Beach chairs, lawn chairs and picnic table were provided for enjoying the beach, shelling and relaxing outside. I would definitely come back next March if the cottage was available. (Becky and doggie Sadie, Fort Wayne, IN Our guest for 7 years, returning March 2, 2022 for 7th year!!)

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This little cottage was just what we were looking for. We liked it so much we plan to return next year! It is in the east of the island on a quiet street and just a two minute walk from the beautiful beach. There is no public parking on the street so we were lucky to have parking on the premises. And the beach was quiet around our Seagrape Lane area. We took in sunsets and sunrises at the beach and on the bay at the end of the same street almost every day with lots of shelling, swimming and long walks in between. Also, you are within minutes walk to the water on the Causeway side of the island where we liked to sit in the shade or fish during the hot afternoons. Also you are within walking distance of the fishing pier which is very popular for those who like this sport. I think we played Monopoly every night with our kids so it was good family time for us all. Thank you so much for helping our family have a special place this year.- Marie, Westchester, NY (Her family is returning in 2018.)

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     The cottage had everything we needed for a great beach vacation. There are lots of towels, extra bedding in case of cold nights, beach chairs and umbrellas. We did a lot of our own cooking and the kitchen was very well equipped. The beds are comfortable with new mattresses. There are plenty of books for people with various tastes which was great for two avid readers.
     We had a dog traveling with us so the outdoor shower, the lanai and the big yard were very helpful. Dogs are welcome on all beaches on Sanibel as long as they are on a leash. We brought our bikes which is a great way to get around the island. Next year I hope to bring my kayak as well as there are lots of places to paddle.
    We are nature lovers and really enjoyed all the bird watching and spotted dolphins. Although you will see plenty of birds on the beach, a visit to Sanibel is not complete for us without a trip to Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge. Also, don't miss the outdoor market on Sunday mornings and a visit to the various public beaches on Sanibel and Captiva as each one has its own beauty and unique character.
     Karen and Richard were very attentive and checked in with us regularly to see if we needed anything or just to share information on events and activities taking place in the area. They are very personable and easy to deal with.
If you are looking for a laid back, cottage style vacation on a beautiful tropical island we would highly recommend Seagrape Cottage. (Alison and Evan, Ontario, CA Guests for the past 2 years, back January, 2017 -- and we've remained great friends since!)

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     Karin and Richard are awesome! They helped make our trip the best ever. Upon entering the foyer, we had a lovely welcome basket with some of our favorite treats and a bottle of wine. They provided a list of places to eat and where the special islander secrets were so that we lived like everyone who resided on Sanibel and Captiva islands. Our kids had a blast. They were in a super safe place and we could let them walk over to the beach all alone (ages 9 and 11) because the kiddos were only 5 minutes away from us.
   We went biking everyday because we rented from the local bike shop. They delivered and picked up the bikes we chose when we were ready. We think we will bring our own next year Plus we took advantage of the surrey which was rentable from the same place. The restaurants were unique because the island does not allow any fast food or chains. They want to stay unique and special I believe. The most important restaurant is The Bubble Room on Captiva Island. The kids loved it.
     We did not bring our poodle but I saw many dogs on the pet-friendly beach. I will never ever forget that ice cream shop either. Chocolate peanut butter hot fudge was my favorite but my kids ate mint chocolate chip about 5 times during our stay. But maybe next time we'll try other flavors. I hope we can return next year and we will save up our money to do so! (Jodi and Ben, Lauren and Ben Jr,, Rochester, NY August, 2016)
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     We were not sure what to expect from Sanibel Island but we were looking for a beautifully sunny and relaxing place. And Sanibel appeared to be that and much more! We loved it too much.
    The cozy house with its perfect location on the island really contributed to make this into a perfect holiday spot for our family. After just a short walk we easily got access to the most perfect beach. Beautiful water and seashells everywhere. The five-year-old was busy for hours every day. The cottage also has a short walk to some smaller shops, a café and a restaurant. Our five-year-old daughter was almost in heaven, playing on the beach and then ending the day with the creamy homemade ice cream at the ice cream bar. The cottage itself had everything we needed and had a cozy atmosphere. It was absolutely perfect for the four of us.
    As most people do at Sanibel we rented bikes to go around the island. The island is equipped with perfect bike trails. The bikes also turned out to be the perfect transportation in the evenings when we went to the really, really good restaurant the island offers.
    Katryn and Richard put in a lot of effort to make our holiday at Sanibel the best possible. They really made us feel welcome and gave us a lots of good hints on what to do and what to see, where to eat and etc. (Andreas, Katrina and family, Germany, 2015)
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     When we came to the US of A we were not sure to stay anywhere except Orlando FL for our child to see Disney land. Some new American friends told us to come to naples and Sanibel. We were not sure what to do but we learned about it from a travel agency. When we looked on the internet we found seagrape cottage and called the owners. Karen helped our family so much. We felt sure we were in a good place and she and her husband made us feel welcomed to the island. We are from South Korea and know English pretty well so we had no problem with anyone understanding us. There are lots of people from many countrys in the southwest Florida area and especialy in Sanibel Island.
We biked and walked on the paths and we had early morning walks with our 6 years old daughter, Hee Jung. She loved the dolphins and we saw alligators at the nature park called Ding Darling. We saw many birds and took lots of photos and videos of animals of all types. We also saw some alligators at the nature conservation. We love the friendly American people but met so many other peoples from international nationalities. Seagrape Cottage was a real delightful place because it is clean and we had lots of safe feelings everywhere and on the island. Please visit the island and stay at this beautiful house.
Thank you very much. (Huang, Kai and Hee Jung Sun, South Korea, June, 2016)
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     Recently, my family stayed in the lovely Seagrape Cottage on Sanibel Island. We have two young children aged 5 and 7. The cottage was perfect for our family and was only a short walk to the beach. Not to mention a great value! It's obvious this cottage is well loved and cared for by its owners.
    I love to cook and the kitchen was stocked up with everything I could imagine using. I did a lot of cooking in that cottage. And we barbequed fish too. We also had a chance to eat out at the amazing restaurants nearby, which we enjoyed very much.
    The cottage was extremely clean! The cleanest rental I have stayed in. It had many great book and movie selections! Even some games and puzzles. There was no reason for us to even bring books or rent movies because we streamed on their Roku. And they supplied DVDs too.
    We loved the screened porch and it was so nice to be able to do our laundry right in the cottage. Since we had to travel from far away to get to Sanibel It would have been very inconvenient to lug a bunch of stuff with us. We were so happy that the cottage had everything we needed. (Jackie and Jonathon, Dylan and Stephie, Columbus, Oh, Summer 2016)
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    This was the second time we've vacationed at Seagrape Cottage and we'll definitely be back. The location could not be better and we enjoy the privacy of a backyard, the quiet of a residential street and cozy cottage feel of the house itself. We have stayed in other places on Sanibel, but Seagrape just feels like home. (Anonomyous, Burlington, ON, 2015)

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     Sefa and me have never been to Sanibel Island FL. We came from Switzerland and found we were only the second couple from our area in the Alps to stay there. Sanibel Island and Captiva is everything we could wish for and more. The natural setting is beautiful and the cleanliness reminded us of our Swiss homeland. We felt immediately comfortable and cared for. The people on this residents street were helpful and welcomed to the two new people from another country. (I must admit people in Switzerland do not understand the friendly American hospitality so this was a bit overwhelming for us but we learned to enjoy it after a few days.)
  We nearly eaten out every night at wonderful and unusual spots. We especially like Il Cialo, a very upscale Italian bistro near the house. We also liked going on a fishing charter. & we took a captain on a sailing voyage in the sea nearby. We caught grouper and snapper and had a chef at Lazy Flamingo cook it for us as we waited and drank Guiness at the Mucky duck on Captiva Island. (But it was chilly cold Guiness and we always drink it warm ) We went to the nature centre many times and took many videos and saw a number of dolphins at the fishing pier. Someday in a few years we will return to this island and will stay again at The Seagrape Cottage. Thank you very much for our time in the cottage. (Peter and Sefa, Switzerland. May, 2016)
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     We came from Istanbul, Turkey to Sanibel Island. Florida. (We had heard of this Conrath family when they lived in Turkey.) My wife and I always dreamed to come too America. We never knew we would visit Sanibel. We thought it would be Miami. We flew to Miami and stayed a few nights. Then we did not care to much for it. It was so crowded with people and cars.. We think it is to much like our own home of Istanbul. We think we really wished for a calming and quiet place for a romance filled vacation. So someone told us about the Sanibel island. We found a few places to stay and visited them in one day to chose our new place. When we met our hosts, the Conraths family, we knew it was the right place for us because they treated us with such kind regard to our nationality and understand our respectful cultures. These people were helpfull to us and showed us so much care and very much kindness and help.
   The home we stayed in is called Seagrape Cottage and it was so clean. It was very close to the beach. We could walk in about five or ten minutes from this home. And it was a beautiful place to walk in the morning. My wife and I saw many dolphins near our beach. We drank chai tea in the morning in the back of the house with a screen and seats and a nice blue table and two chairs for us. There were places to sit outside in the very large backyard to. The back yard is beautiful and had birds and we saw a wooden pecker to. We never saw one so it was a treat for us. And it is a very romantic time to.
   I don't know if we can ever return to Sanibel Island but we promised Richard we would stay at this home for sure.
We will always remember our time in Sanbiel island with fond memorys. I know the saying awesome in the US and this holiday was awesome. (Can and Aysa Cerioglu, Istanbul, Turkey, Fall, 2016)