Traveling to Naples, Florida

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When traveling to Florida most people think of Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Disney. But there are other great places to visit in Florida and Naples is one of them. Naples is located on the Gulf of Mexico and is an area where nature abounds alongside its cosmopolitan core.

Beach and sun lovers can relax on over seven miles of Naples’ spectacular white sand beaches. They can soak up the tropical sun, frolic in the turquoise Gulf waters or dolphin watch off the long Pier.

Golf and sports enthusiasts will love Naples too. Naples offers the highest ratio of golf courses per capita within the United States, with over 35 golf courses in the area. Major state, national and professional golf tournaments have been held here for decades and well-known golfers like Jack Nicholas and Arnold Palmer have been known to frequent Naples’ courses. And, what may be a bonus to some or an obstacle to others, is the wildlife one can see while playing golf here as eagles, osprey, alligators and other wildlife abound.

Naples also offers surprisingly good tennis opportunities for the avid tennis player as well. There is year-round sailing, jet skiing, boating and wind-surfing. And with so much of Naples’ activities centered on the water, fishing plays a major role in Naples’ attraction. The tourist has the option of leisurely throwing their line off the newly-remodeled Pier or charting a boat for and exciting day of deep-sea fishing.

Although Naples offers an abundance of cultural activities in its metropolitan area, with the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Pelican Bay, the Naples Playhouse, dinner theatres, open air concerts and the like, being right next door to the Everglades offers tourists a wealth of opportunity to view nature.

There are several excursions and safaris into the Everglades that begin in Naples. The tourist can take in the wild mangroves and delight in the viewing of alligators, manatees, dolphins, bears and a never-ending array of birds on their airboat tour. They can visit Big Cypress State Reserve or the Everglades National Park, which is home of the world’s largest mangrove park. Or they can stop at Museum of the Everglades or the Smallwood Museum for a cultural bend to their nature experience.

The shopping in Naples also won’t leave the serious shopper wanting. There are several select shopping centers with fashionable shops, art galleries and bistros, and the downtown shopping is within walking distance to the beach. And every spring Naples holds the Naples Spring Arts Festival where artists from far and wide exhibit and sell their works.

Naples is a place that appears to have everything going for it. Tourists will not be left wanting when they visit Naples, whether they are looking for a relaxing beach experience, an activity filled vacation or a nature escape. Visit Naples soon and see for yourself what others are raving about.