Naples, Florida: Luxury, Nature and Golf on the Paradise Coast

In Naples, shopping is an art form. Walk along Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South to discover beautifully designed galleries and stores nestled into Naples’ charming downtown architecture. You’ll find resort apparel and haute couture fashion as well as interior design shops. In addition to the local boutiques and unique finds, Fifth Avenue South is home to well-known brands. For more high-end shops, make your way to the Waterside Shops, the Rodeo Drive of Florida.

Downtown Naples is a real foodies’ paradise, full of exciting, award-winning restaurants. At Sea Salt in the Third Street business district, find fresh seafood and an extensive wine list. Venetian chef Fabrizio Aielli’s Mediterranean-style seafood dishes and signature cocktails attract a hip, young crowd. Dine al fresco on the terrace or inside the contemporary dining room. Barbatella is a whimsical bistro that serves tasty Italian fare. In season, don’t miss the area’s popular stone crabs at The Turtle Club at Vanderbilt Beach, one of many beachside restaurants.

The best way to enjoy a spectacular Naples sunset is on a sunset dinner cruise on the Naples Princess. The two-hour excursion provides a front-row seat to Naples’ magnificent waterfront estates in Port Royal. The fabulous dinner features two entrées, sides and an assortment of desserts. The Naples Princess also hosts a variety of special events, including wine tastings and live entertainment.

City and beach blend together seamlessly, so getting to the beach is easy. Just take a short walk from Naples’ historic downtown center along Fifth Avenue South toward the shimmering waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Whether you like to swim, sunbathe or simply watch local fishermen wait for their catch on the pier, Naples Beach is a great place to relax. If you’re lucky, you might see dolphins.

Golfers will revel in the incredible selection of courses offered on the Paradise Coast, which is known as the “Golf Capital of the World.” Naples and Marco Island together have more than 90 top golf courses, consisting of 1,620 holes stretched over 450 kilometers of stunning landscape. These courses offer a great variety, even among public courses. No wonder that the area was named “The No. 1 Golf Destination in North America.” Many semi-private courses open up for public bookings between May and December, and golf vacation packages with privileged access are frequently offered by local resorts.

For an unforgettable natural experience, head a few kilometers south to the unparalleled landscape of the Everglades. Take a kayak eco-tour with a local operator, such as Everglades Area Tours, to observe the amazing wildlife in its natural habitat and experience the wetlands and magical mangrove tunnels up close. The most popular tour is the Boat Assisted Kayak Eco Tour, a combination boat-kayak-walking tour. For added excitement, enjoy the thrill of an airboat ride through the Everglades led by Wooten’s. You’re sure to see plenty of alligators as well as birds and other native Florida wildlife.