WHERE THE SUN DOES SHINE
10/4/2007 5:12:32 PM by Stacy Wynn
Nothing says a Florida vacation like waterfront relaxation mixed in with some nature and ritz. If a dream escape to the west coast of the Sunshine State has been on your to-do list, a trip to the Paradise Coast may be just what you need.
The sport cruiser barely moved on her anchor in the tranquil waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The wildlife had quieted for the evening and the scene was just as it could have been when dinosaurs left their footprints on the Earth. Just to the south of the bow were untouched watery nature preserves, the approaching night beginning to add further mystery to inlets and undiscovered waterways. To the north, in keeping with the festivities happening in the boat’s cockpit, were man’s successful attempt to civilize nature in the form of tall condos starting to light up for the night. They beckoned and lured, silently telling of gourmet waterfront restaurants and more nightlife than one might have seen in southwestern Florida just over a decade ago.
Naples and its surrounding environs, known collectively as the Paradise Coast, are beginning to rival Palm Beach when it comes to a sophisticated city scene anchored by the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts. During the season, reservations at the most popular restaurants can be hard to come by, so plan early if you want to eat at one of the stellar venues of the Naples dining scene.
One spot that guarantees a good meal is Venetian Bay, which is as cool as it sounds. Here, one finds casual and upscale waterfront dining menus. Already been there, then check out the trendy restaurants in Naples’ Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South district where alternatives range from al fresco tropical fare to true-to-life Irish pubs serving traditional foodstuffs. The various resorts of Naples are also well known for fine dining establishments.
Contrasting all this world-class refinement is, surprisingly enough, nature as it has been for centuries. Florida’s southern Gulf Coast, including Naples, Marco Island and the West Everglades has an impressive 80 percent of its region protected as park and nature preserves. This means that the Paradise Coast features some of the best undiscovered waterways and opportunities for more traditional water activities in all of Florida.
Getting out on the serene waters of the Gulf of Mexico is easy, even if you left your boat tied to your home dock. Boat rentals are available at a variety of locations including Naples’ Brookside Marina and Naples Bay Marina as well as Cedar Bay Marina and Marco River Marina in nearby Marco Island. Once out on the water with dolphin, manatees and sea turtles as your companions, the activity selection ranges from fishing for big-game offshore to cruising off the pristine beaches of Keewaydin and Kice Island or some of the more isolated, untouched islands. The backcountry mangrove estuaries are one of the reasons this area, including the renowned Ten Thousand Islands, is often referred to as “Florida’s Florida.” Their unique unspoiled beauty and exceptional wildlife make for a voyage that can’t be found elsewhere. Some of these backwaters are very shallow, so a kayak is the transport of choice for truly getting off the beaten path. Waverunner and parasail opportunities also abound.
Whether you take out your own boat or opt for the services of one of the knowledgeable charter captains in the area (and there are plenty), Collier County offers some of the best fishing in the state. The teeming waters of the backcountry boast huge tarpon, snook and redfish. A few miles offshore in the Gulf, top-notch saltwater angling can be had in the form of king mackerel, grouper and snapper.
Nearby, Immokalee offers excellent bass and crappie angling in the 1,500-acre Lake Trafford. Kayak fishing has seriously taken hold on the Gulf Coast, especially in the near-perfect casting waters of Clam Pass, just off Naples’ main highway, or in the Ten Thousand Islands. As a bonus, in between catches, these waters offer some of the most striking scenery for a truly relaxing day.
Of course, complete serenity has its limits before one goes bonkers. A peaceful yet more lively alternative is to sink bare toes into miles of sugar-white sand beaches in Naples. Surrounding environs range from those with beachfront resorts and full facilities, including bikini-clad tourists and locals alike, to deserted sands where the only footprints will be your own. If you’re looking for romance with your significant other, take a stroll on the Naples pier at sunset.
| STYLISH STAYS When vacationing on Florida’s West Coast, where you stay is just as important as what you do. Here are three of our favorite accommodations in and around the Paradise Coast. Each is sure to offer much more than just a good night’s sleep.
|
|
Naples Ritz-Carlton
Naples Grande Resort & Club
La Playa Beach & Golf ResortNaples was built to be a golfer’s dream with year-round good weather and excellent greens. The extensive list of golf options range from private courses to public venues, with semi-private options in between. The Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club offers a classic 1920s era Florida course with a lively history. The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort course, Tiburon, is a Greg Norman design and site of the Franklin Templeton Shootout. The Lely Flamingo Island Club features a challenging Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Signature Course. Marriott’s The Rookery at Marco is highlighted by vast wetlands and is a member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. Meanwhile, the well-appointed GreenLinks Golf Resort includes the Lely Mustang Golf Club.
Once you’ve teed off and run the greens, it’s time to get back to the wide selection of luxe accommodations, top-notch restaurants, a growing club scene and many land-based attractions. Since the agenda-building process in this area may be a difficult one, plan to dock for more than a few days at this tropical paradise. At the end of your trip, you’ll be daydreaming about the next one.
| EVERGLADES EVOLUTION
If you’ve always heard of the swampy rainforest known as Florida’s Everglades but have never toured it proper, we give you a brief summary of some of the things you can expect as you go through this nature-laden wonderland. Nowhere else can one find a “River of Grass” such as the Everglades. While on Florida’s West Coast, make sure to check out this unique phenomenon. The wildlife refuges and sanctuaries are home to alligators, deer, Florida panthers, raccoons, snakes and turtles. A variety of airboat tours are available to access their off-the-beaten path homes. The Everglades National Park & Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge take up a good chunk of Collier County and are home at various times to 80 percent of the region’s marine creatures and more than 100 different birds. Pontoon boat tours go along the shore for bird watchers, while canoe and kayak tours paddle through the backwaters for fishing and sightseeing. Not into group tours? For roadside gator spotting, drive by Big Cypress National Preserve & Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge along Highway 41/Tamiami Trail and look for snouts just visible atop the roadside canal water. If you want a more civilized wildlife experience, go to the Naples Zoo. |
 |
|