When it comes to fantasy vacations, a getaway to the Paradise Coast feels like a match made in, well, paradise. Naples, a charming coastal town on the southwestern tip of the Florida peninsula, is home to unspoiled white beaches that stretch for miles. The Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, home to a mangrove forest, essential hardwood hammock, stunning marsh, and extraordinary fishing, is just a short drive away, and activities abound, whether you prefer to stay busy dressed up or in flip-flops and a swimsuit.
For those seeking an elegant beach escape, a stroll along the tony streets of 5th Avenue South and Third Street South offers an urbane experience. Here, you’ll find luxury boutiques, compelling art galleries, and award-winning culinary experiences at every turn. The region has a well-deserved reputation for outstanding dining, offering everything from fresh Gulf seafood to international cuisine and picturesque waterfront options. The nearby Everglades City is known as the Stone Crab Capital of the World and is the spot to try the local specialty of sweet stone crab claws. In a sustainably caught dish, fishermen remove only one claw and return the crabs to the ocean to regenerate new ones.
The vibrant culinary scene mirrors the area’s sophisticated culture, highlighted by five Collier County Museums with free admission, each showcasing the rich history of Southwest Florida. The world-renowned Artis—Naples arts complex, home to The Baker Museum and the acclaimed Naples Philharmonic, is adding to the cultural allure.
Naples’s true gem is its breathtaking natural beauty, best experienced along its thirty-mile stretch of soft, white sand beaches. Here, visitors can stroll along the gulf, basking in the glow of nearly three hundred days of sunshine each year. Water sports are easy to find for more action, be it kayaking, paddleboarding, or boating. Up-close encounters with the region’s rich wildlife are also easy to access, and many eco-adventures are available. Eighty percent of Florida’s Paradise Coast is devoted to parks and nature preserves, offering pristine landscapes like Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. These unspoiled areas are perfect for birdwatching, hiking, canoeing, and fishing.
While Naples is home to countless protected habitats, it also boasts an impressive array of championship golf courses—ninety in total. Play like the pros on the same greens that host annual national tournaments.
Or spend your time embracing rest and relaxation. Wellness takes on new meaning on the Paradise Coast, where you have your pick of dozens of spas offering state-of-the-art treatments like halotherapy alongside age-old holistic care such as forest bathing, available with a certified guide.
In this postcard-perfect destination, where the elegance of charming streets meets the tranquility of protected habitats, paradise isn’t just a tagline—it’s a dream realized.
Design your itinerary at visitnaplesfl.com
