NAPLES AREA INFORMATION

 

 

            

 

 

Two of Florida's Gulf Coast jewels are minutes away - Naples and Marco Island.  Both offer miles of golden beaches, world-class shopping and dining, cultural activities and sports. For nature lovers, the untamed tropical wilderness of the Everglades is close by.    Naples  The city is often described as Florida's crown jewel and it's easy to see why. First, the great outdoors: With 10 miles of breath-taking beaches you can always find a spot to soak up the sun, sit and watch the dolphins, or admire the beautiful sunsets. The fishing is excellent, whether off the pier or deep sea by boat charter. You can hire a canoe to explore the tranquil mangrove waterways or take a boat trip to see the manatees. Get close to nature in the Everglades, home to white-tailed deer, the Florida black bear, panther, bald eagle and alligator, in parks and reserves such as Big Cypress National Preserve or Collier-Seminole State Park. And if you like to play golf, the city boasts more than 35 courses - two right on your doorstep at Lely Resort.    Shopping in Naples is a treat, with a spectacular choice ranging from the charming small boutiques of Tin City to the designer fashions and beautiful art galleries of Third Street and Fifth Avenue South, to the great discount bargains at the nearby outlet malls. Naples also offers the chance to sample some of South-West Florida's award-winning dining, from intimate bistros to casual dockside fish restaurants.  The area's cultural life is just as rich, with the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, the Naples Playhouse and the Naples Dinner Theatre among the attractions. Open air concerts are held at Cambier Park and there are numerous art and music festivals.  The Naples Trolley Tours are a fun way to see many of the area's points of interest.    Marco Island  A casual easy-paced lifestyle characterises this lovely spot, the largest of Florida's Ten Thousand Islands boasting six miles of white sandy beaches and 100 miles of waterways, abundant wildlife and a range of attractions from boating and fishing to golf and tennis.   The bird life here is world-renowned, from the beaches to inland wading and migratory varieties, and the waters are home to many dolphins and manatees. Close by is the Briggs Nature Centre, with a scenic boardwalk, butterfly garden and the chance to kayak through the meandering waterways.  Marco has a great range of shops and restaurants. For something a little different, get a real taste of island life at the Sunday afternoon barbecue and live music on offer at Stan's Idle Hour - a great casual meeting place for locals and visitors alike.  Marco is also renowned for its annual film festival in October, a regular stop on the American independent film festival circuit, now in its sixth year and expanded to include screenings in Naples.    For more information on all the area's attractions, see the links page for some useful addresses.