Naples and Florida's Paradise Coast

Introduction

One morning, I take a sightseeing drive through a neighborhood of palatial mansions with three and four-car garages that house Cadillac, Mercedes and other top-of-the-line automobiles. That afternoon, I enjoy a thrilling airboat ride through mangrove swamps, where I spot alligators and an aviary-worth variety of birds, followed by time working on my tan at a lovely white sand beach.

Main Item

Talk about a something-for-everyone kind of place! The town of Naples, nestled among tropical wilderness in the southwest corner of Florida, has variety enough to suit any taste. No wonder it, along with nearby Marco Island and the Everglades, tout themselves as "Florida's Paradise Coast."

Adding to the appeal is the fact that Naples and Collier County, Florida, where it's located, seek to be as disabled accessible as possible. Disability permit holders may park their car at any space free. A number of parks have accessible bathrooms. Naples provides disability beach access at a number of locations, and synthetic mats and wooden boardwalks offer a pathway across sand toward the shoreline. Beach wheelchairs are available free and may be reserved by contacting a park ranger.

Naples has a well-deserved reputation as a playground for the rich. It claims the sixth-highest per capita income, and second-highest proportion of millionaires, in the country. Some villas are so large I thought they might warrant their own zip code.

Even these examples of man-made splendor pale in comparison with some of Mother Nature's most magnificent creations. For starters, there a choice of white sand beaches fronting Gulf of Mexico waters. Yet as inviting as they are, the beaches provide only a hint of nature's showcase which is reason enough to head for Naples.

The northwestern tip of Everglades National Park is a short drive away, and that expansive never-never land of subtropical wilderness, the largest in the United States, can fill many an hour, or day, of seeing and doing. Its nine distinct habitats, which range from pinelands and hardwood hammock to cypress forests and coastal lowlands, are home to plant and animal species not found anywhere else.

A kayak paddle led through narrow, winding openings and tunnels through mangroves in the colorfully named Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The knowledgeable guide Samantha made occasional stops to describe the history of the bay, explain the interaction among its animal life and point out bald eagles, osprey, cormorants and other resident birds.

Seashells, for which this area of Florida is famous, were the objective of another sojourn by boat. The destination was one of a number of isolated beaches that are strewn with shells in a variety of shapes and colors. It didn't take long to gather shells of mollusks, sea urchins, sand dollars and prized starfish. Collectors come from far and wide to take home a sample they may not be able to find elsewhere.

But visitors to Naples need not venture out of town to come face-to-face with the natural environment. A boardwalk at the Gordon River Greenway is one of several that provide easy access to settings that could be far from human development. It meanders through six different plant communities as it parallels the narrow river. Signs identify trees, plants and wildlife and caution strollers to be on the lookout for alligators.

Nature is tamed at the Naples Botanical Garden Among seven environments are areas devoted to Asian, Brazilian, Caribbean and, not surprisingly, native Florida plants and flowers.

Even the Naples Zoo, which was founded as a garden decades before animals were introduced, would be worth visiting for its landscaping alone. It resembles a lush tropical paradise that echoes the rich foliage of its surroundings, where residents live in environments similar to those In the wild and a proliferation of rare orchids adorns the palm trees.

Different aspects of Naples' appeals are found throughout the town. Exhibits, photos and dioramas at the Collier County Museum tell the story of prehistoric people and animals - including mastodons, lions and camels - that once lived in the area, along with other chapters in its colorful past. Displays at the Depot Museum range from the role of Calusa and Seminole Indians to sport fishing to the impact that hurricanes have had on the region.

Two streets in the center of town are where much of today's action is focused. Fifth Avenue South is a luxury shopper's paradise, lined by high-end stores, art galleries and both upscale and casual restaurants.

Third Street South is, as signs boast, "The birthplace of Old Naples." Quaint 1900s cottages are tucked among contemporary mansions.

For more information about Naples and Collier County, Florida, visit paradisecoast.com

Author Credentials:
Victor Block has been a travel journalist for many years, and has written for major newspapers, magazines and travel websites and served as an editor of Fodor's Travel Guides. He is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and the North American Travel Journalists Association. Victor is a regular contributor of reviews to the Disabled World travel section. Visit Victors's biography for further insights into his background, expertise, and accomplishments.