This article has been syndicated to Her Campus from The Relevance Report by Britt Lees, a Her Campus Blogger Network member. Read the full post here.
I’ve been traveling to the city of Naples, FL since the average age of its populace was nearly 104. Now, over 20 years later, that number has come down quite a bit and Naples has truly become one of the greatest American cities for luxurious, tropical getaways. Seriously, where else can you find clear blue, Caribbean-style waters and a Whole Foods within a 10-mile radius? This place is pure gold.
Whether you’re looking to travel over a long weekend or finally use the vacation days you’ve been hoarding since 2007, this is a trip worth making. Naples is peculiar (and brilliant, might I add) in the sense that there is so much to do and so little to see at the same time. Unlike other destinations that house Wonders of the World or remnants of the Roman Empire or houses of parliament, there is nothing about the city of Naples, in my opinion, that boasts such significant historical value as to leave you utterly despondent if you happen not to see it. Thus, you can literally spend your days however you see fit; even if that means falling asleep under a palm tree, Miami Vice in hand, for 17 hours. There are no worries in Naples. If you do, however, choose to spend your days among the living, there are many options to pick from.
Restaurants
For Coffee: Bad Ass Coffee, 1307 3rd Street South
Admittedly, I don’t drink coffee. It ravages my stomach. But, I thought it might be nice to tell you where everyone else I know gets coffee from. Get an iced coffee and they’ll drop a couple ice cubes in there, which are also made of iced coffee. Genuis. It’s also located in the heart of Olde Naples, so grab your morning latte and head straight to the beach with ease.
For Breakfast/Brunch: Jane’s, 1209 3rd Street South
Jane’s is quintessential Naples. You can wear your bathing suit and a beach coverup or go full-on-New-York-City-brunchwear and still feel like you fit in. They serve breakfast all day (so don’t worry if you’re running late), but they’re always jam-packed (so send a member of your party ahead to put in your name). The menu is so extensive, and even has a couple true vegan dishes. Order: the mimosa special of the day and the Vegan Ranchero Veggies (or, for non-vegans, everyone loves the Fabulous French Toast and the Shrimp Tacos).
For Dinner: Dusk at The Ritz Carlton, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road
Again, as you all probably know, I am vegan, so I don’t eat regular person sushi. I do, however, eat vegan sushi and for that, this place is divine. It also has regular person sushi, don’t worry. Dusk at The Ritz is truly an experience. Whether you order bar food or sushi, the offerings are incredible. The seating is casual and cozy, usually a couple of couches around a small table. Each area also has its own personal television so, if you’re like me and travel with people who can’t miss a single game, this is your spot for an uptown feel with downtown amenities. Order: anything. It’s all amazing. Go early and watch the sunset at Gumbo Limbo and grab a few before dinner drinks to make things a little more fun.
Best Beaches/Pools
Beach or Pool (or both!): The Edgewater Beach Hotel, 1901 Gulf Shore Boulevard North
Head to the Edgewater for classic vacation vibes, piña colada and poolside grub included. Double pools provide for optimal swimming room, and direct beach access provides for the most amazing view. It’s also a pretty incredible place to call home during your trip to sunny, southwestern Florida if you’re looking for more of a boutique, low key atmosphere. Luckily, it seems like school vacation weeks are (finally) over, and thus, you’re bound to find a more adult-friendly, calm ambience here. Order the: Fresh Pressed Fruit Punch cocktail for a trendy and less body-conscious substitute for your daily green juice. Go on, let loose. Pro tip: get there early and save your seats, i.e., do what effectively became illegal in Boston this winter and throw your “space saver” onto a lounge chair.
Beach: Naples Beach, 12th Avenue and 17th Avenue entrances
Naples Beach pretty much spans the entire “good part” of Naples, as I like to cheekily call it. It runs from 21st Avenue South to 7th Avenue North. Now, each and every entrance to the beach brings with it a different feel. Personally, my two favorites are the 12th and 17th Avenue entrances. For a more touristy feel (i.e., grab a hot dog and an unidentifiable red slushy drink—which is actually rather tasty—while watching old men fish for dinner as dolphins pass by), head to 12th Avenue and walk the Naples Pier. Then, stake your claim to the beach among the other out-of-towners. Or, if you’re into a more solitary scene, head to the 17th Avenue entrance, where you’ll find wide open spaces of white sand and a local crowd.
Shopping
Mall Shopping: The Waterside Shops, 5415 Tamiami Trail North
If you’re in the mood for upscale department stores (Nordstom, Saks Fifth Avenue) and high-end staples (Louis Vuitton, Van Cleef & Arpels, Ferragamo, Burberry) sprinkled with some everyday must-haves (lululemon athletica, Calypso St. Barth, Anthropologie, J.Crew), The Waterside Shops are going to be your heaven on earth. Here’s what I love about this place: it’s an outdoor mall, so you don’t feel like you’ve completely wasted your life savings by going on vacation just to spend your time at an indoor shopping center. There are also a handful of not-your-average-mall-restaurants, so if you get hungry but want to continue shopping (it’s an everyday struggle), you can stop into a joint that people actually purposefully travel to The Waterside Shops for.
Boutique Shopping: Fifth Avenue, Third Street
You can also go the route of shopping for the “experience,” that is to say, shopping not for the purpose of buying sought-after items. Now, I shouldn’t say that there aren’t any sought-after items on Fifth Avenue or Third Street, because I’m sure there are, but these two locales are an acquired taste; To be blunt, the shopping here is directed at an older crowd. There are a few small boutiques here and there (my favorites are Tickled Pink and Marissa Collections, both on Third), but for the most part, this is where locals go to do their taxes, meet with their financial advisors, and primarily, eat. Unless, of course, you’re a Tommy Bahama fan; then by all means, shop away.
Read the full post on The Relevance Report.