Fun between meals along A1A

There's more to AIA than waterside restaurants. Don't worry, this is not just a string of tourist towns that will slow you down. There's enough variety in beaches and barrier islands and small-town atmosphere to make some of it part of the National Scenic Byway Program.

Destinations around Florida

FLORIDA AND ARIZONA: PLAY BALL! Opening day for Major League Baseball is April 6, but you don't have to wait that long to see your favorite teams. Spring training games begin Wednesday and run through April 5 for Florida's Grapefruit and Arizona's Cactus leagues. One hot ticket this year may be March 12 face-off in Port Charlotte between the 2008 World Series rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Movie magic in Florida

L.A. too far to go? You can find plenty of movie magic in Orlando. Though Florida's version of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure haven't had as much screen time their Hollywood cousin, you'll still have plenty of chances to ''ride the movies'' at Universal Studios with the newly opened Simpsons Ride, Revenge of the Mummy and Men in Black Alien Attack. At Islands of Adventure, attractions include the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride, Juraissic Park River Adventure and the delightful...

SANIBEL ISLAND

Quick Trips: Birders, art lovers flock to Sanibel

The Federal Duck Stamp Program has put Sanibel Island in the limelight as it celebrates 75 stamps.

BY CAROL WEBER THOMAS

Sanibel Island: Travel tips

Best for: Nature lovers, birders, wildlife art collectors, families, sun-worshippers and shellers. Getting there: Sanibel is a three-hour drive from Miami.

Ding Darling Days and the Duck Stamp

For years, Washington, D.C., hosted the Federal Duck Stamp Contest, which typically attracts nearly 300 competitors. The past two years, the judging was held in Memphis. This year it moves to tiny Sanibel Island to celebrate 75 years of stamps.