Picture perfect is
one way to describe this subtropical and sophisticated southwestern
Florida city. With unbelievable sunsets, warm, light Gulf breezes,
beautiful sandy beaches, and gentle waves just large enough to make
that soft, slapping sound when they hit the beach, Naples awaits the
discerning traveler.
Naples is the
perfect beach destination, with over 10 miles of picturesque public
beaches and miles of nature preserves bordering the Gulf of Mexico.
Whether you prefer a quiet and secluded stretch of sand where you
can immerse yourself in a good book, or a park at which to play a
game of volleyball and enjoy a barbeque with friends, you're sure to
find a Naples beach that puts a smile on your face. Other
activities include sailing and windsurfing, and many
boats are available for charter or day cruises.
Did you know that
Naples Florida has more golf courses per capita than any other spot
in the world? Thanks to world-renowned designers such as P.B. Dye,
Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus, and Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Naples is
home to some of the highest-rated golf courses in the country.
Near-perfect year round weather combines with panoramic vistas to
make this a golfer’s paradise.
If you like the beach, golf,
fishing, boating, or any other outdoor activity, you will find that,
every season is the perfect season in Naples. If you happen to be
visiting during the popular winter months, the fishing is fabulous,
particularly the quest for big game fish. With temperatures
approaching 80 degrees during the day and just under 70 degrees at
night, it’s ideal weather for that romantic walk on the beach or
dinner at an outdoor café. Summer is less crowded. With
temperatures in the 90s during the day, the tranquil Gulf of Mexico
is warm and soothing.
In Naples the time
is always right for shopping: a major local activity in every
season. The Avenues is a large retail area in town. Third Street
and Fifth Avenue, in particular, have a selection that rivals Palm
Beach's Worth Avenue. The Mediterranean-styled Village at Venetian
Bay overlooks the water and offers 50 boutiques in which to shop.
Tin City is a renovated section of Old Naples with a collection of
40 stores selling everything from anklets to toy zebras. A variety
of merchandise can also be found at the Coastland Center on the
Tamiami Trail and the Waterside Shops at Pelican Bay.
If, by chance, you
are tired from carrying all of those packages and still want to see
more of this charming city, you can take a trolley tour. The
narrated tour covers over 100 points of interest, and includes a
synopsis of Naples' rich history. You can board on and off, as often
as you like, and catch the next trolley once you've finished eating,
shopping or discovering all the wonderful shops, galleries and
restaurants Naples has to offer.
Summer is a great time to enjoy some
of the indoor attractions of Naples, in air-conditioned comfort.
The Teddy Bear Museum displays more than 4,000 toy bears as
well as a replica of the Three Bears' house and other bruin-related
items. The Collier Automotive Museum has a sparkling collection of
75 classic sports cars from every decade of the 20th century. The
Collier County Museum is devoted to the history of the local area
and includes restored houses, a logging locomotive, and a 1920s
swamp buggy, as well as botanical and archaeological exhibits.
Because Naples sits
near the western edge of the Everglades, it makes a good base for
exploring some of this vast wetland. Also in the vicinity is the
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, a huge preserve of virgin bald-cypress
swamp where you can observe water birds from a boardwalk.
You can also take in a day at the
Zoo followed by dinner and a show at the Naples Dinner Theater.
At night, how about a romantic carriage ride through Old
Naples? What a wonderful way to end the evening.
Sun, fun, shopping,
world class golf and a host of activities await you in this sunny,
sophisticated Florida city. Come on down! |
