An Insider's Guide to Florida's Paradise Coast

p/p pandlsquo;Tis true, when it is about claiming that much-deserved breakandmdash;to take time off oneandrsquo;s gruelling routineandmdash;all that the heart desires is to do everything one has been holding back. From flirting with adventure to romancing serenity, the possibilities on a hiatus seem endless. While you may want to soak in every kind of experience, it is a privilege that isnandrsquo;t granted every time. However, a trip to Floridaandrsquo;s paradise coast might compel you rearrange that notion. Right from golfing to simply unwinding or even sampling delicacies, this potentially untouched haven will offer you everything and more. Hereandrsquo;s our guide to experiencing the Coast with the true spirit of a globetrotter!andnbsp;/p pandnbsp;/p pThere is something that is utterly magical, to say the least, about the Paradise Coast situated in Southwest Florida. Located Gulf side, the sheer serenity of the Coast transports you from the hustle of the city to a somewhere soothing and perfect. Be it its long stretches of pristine beaches or the idyllic neighbourhoods, Paradise Coast and its mysticism holds the power to draw you closer, one day at a time. The key areas that make up this beautiful Coast are Naples, Marco Island, Everglades City, Immokalee and Ave Maria, each offering an experience youandrsquo;d want to take and preserve till the end of time.andnbsp;/p pandnbsp;/p pstrongGetting Here/strong/p pWhile we had the privilege of taking the scenic two-hour route from Miami to Marco Island, using the U.S. 41, also known as the historic Tamiami Trail. The route drives through the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve, offering travellers a number of spots to stop by and soak in the surrounds. If youandrsquo;re lucky enough to drive around sunrise or sunset, be sure to be treated to views of the gorgeous looking sky./p pandnbsp;/p pIf you prefer flight, especially international travellers from Canada, Mexico, Bahamas and Germany, you could fly into Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), the regionandrsquo;s largest airport just 40 minutes to the north in Fort Myers via I-75./p pandnbsp;/p pstrongStay/strong/p pWhen youandrsquo;re on the Paradise Coast, all you have to do is sit back and let the magic unfold, for the islands are full surprises and tranquillity. The Coast is replete with countless options to call home while youandrsquo;re at it. Right from The Spa - The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort Golf Club andamp; Spa to The Inn on Fifth, the options are abounding.andnbsp;/p pandnbsp;/p p style="text-align: center;"/p p style="text-align: center;"andnbsp; andnbsp; andnbsp; andnbsp; andnbsp; andnbsp; andnbsp; andnbsp; andnbsp; andnbsp;andnbsp;emMarco Island Marriott Beach Resort Golf Club andamp; Spa/em/p pandnbsp;/p pHowever, we strongly recommend Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort Golf Club andamp; Spa. Nestled on the 3-km, pristine Marco beach, with the Gulf of Mexico at its feet, the resort property is the perfect getaway to relax your worries. You could aimlessly laze in its sprawling pool or simply dive into the gulf and soak yourself in the clear blue waters. We loved bathing in the sun and strolling the beach, picking colourful shells. andnbsp;/p pandnbsp;/p pstrongLiving the Good Life/strong/p pTruly living up to its name, the Paradise Coast has a host of experiences to offer to its guests across age groups. To simply put it, the Coast has something for everyone. From indulging in a relaxing spa experience to breaking even on a golf course, thereandrsquo;s enough to keep you going without feeling a lull. If the sea is what fascinates you, you could simply stroll along the white sand beaches, feeling the wind in your hair and peace in your mind. If you get lucky, you could take home some really beautiful shells, especially a whole sand dollar. Going beach-hopping is highly recommended; you could very well start with the Tigertrail Beach, enjoy a drink while the sun goes down; or even take a boat trip on Naples Bay to the barrier island, Keewaydin./p pandnbsp;/p pIf you feel too taken in by the historic charm of Marco Islands, which you are bound to feel, make sure you pay a visit to The Olde Marco Island Inn and Suites. With its two bedroom suites that exude an old-world charm, this 1883 inn is just the set up you need to lend your ears to the spooky folklore associated with the property.andnbsp;/p pandnbsp;/p pThe time around Halloween at Marco Island has its own share of spook and drama. A rather quiet locale otherwise, the islands seem all the more ominous and mysterious around the festival. In fact, the Olde Marco Island Inn and Suites organises an intriguing yet spooky 2-hour andlsquo;frightseeingandrsquo; tour in association with Marco Murder and Mayhem. The tour guide, Martha Horror, and her troupe take you along on a tour of Marco Islands, with stops at a cemetery, haunted inn (the Olde Marco Inn itself) and a 340-year-old Indian burial site. Come August, these personal tours begin, continuing all the way up to April. It certainly makes for an intriguing experience. Just make sure you sleep cosy after the tour!andnbsp;/p pandnbsp;/p pFor a true golf lover, there possibly is nothing that compares to the feeling of sipping on an ice tea and strategising a game of golf on lush green golf courses. One among the worldandrsquo;s best golfing destinations, you cannot miss golfing in Naples. You could visit Eagle Lakes Golf Club, the Naples Grande Golf Club, or even the Tiburandoacute;n Golf Club.andnbsp;/p pandnbsp;/p p style="text-align: center;"/p p style="text-align: center;"emGolf Course atandnbsp;Naples Beach Hotel andamp; Golf Club Spa/em/p p style="text-align: center;"embr //em/p pAnd if all that swinging drains you out, make sure you book a relaxing massage at Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort Golf Club andamp; Spa or The Naples Beach Hotel andamp; Golf Club Spa.andnbsp;/p pandnbsp;/p pIf you do have time to spare, make sure wake the art lover in you and visit visit The Baker Museum at Artisandndash;Naples. Next to the museum is the The Philharmonic, a 1,460-seat performing arts hall. If youandrsquo;re looking for a more informal gig, head to Third Street South, everything from tribal South African art to a Rauschenberg original can be found at the art galleries in this area./p pstrongbr //strong/p pstrongGourmandandrsquo;s Paradiseandnbsp;/strong/p pYes, when it comes to activities thereandrsquo;s enough for a globetrotter to indulge in at the Coast. However, if you best define yourself as a gourmand, some restaurants in Marco Islands and Naples deliver their promise to leave you satiated like never before.andnbsp;/p pandnbsp;/p pWhile we know the Coast has already proved its mettle as a golfing paradise, we wouldnandrsquo;t shy away from calling it a food loverandrsquo;s heaven. If you swear by a warm, mushy mac andlsquo;nandrsquo; cheese on any given day, we urge you to go try the scrumptious lobster mac andlsquo;nandrsquo; cheese at Avenue 5, an upscale restaurant at The Inn on Fifth, nestled in the busy Fifth Avenue South. With a chic ambiance, phenomenal service and a fine selection of wines, Avenue 5 promises you a meal you wonandrsquo;t forget for a long, long time to come.andnbsp;/p pandnbsp;/p pIf it is seafood that floats your boats, make sure you reserve a table at Sea Salt Naples, located on the vibrant Third Street South. Serving uniquely delicious dishes, the chef at Sea Salt uses as many as 130 different types and flavours of salts from around the world to season and magic to some of Floridaandrsquo;s finest delicacies. A native of Venice, Chef and Owner, Fabrizio Aielli, adds a distinct Venetian touch to the dishes, using organic, locally sourced ingredients. What adds to the novelty is the fact that the menu at the restaurant changes daily! andnbsp;andnbsp;/p pandnbsp;/p p style="text-align: center;"/p p style="text-align: center;"emDelicacies at Sea Salt Naples/em/p pandnbsp;/p pJust in case you do make a detour to the Olde Marco Island Inn and Suites, make sure you sit down for an elegant meal at the innandrsquo;s truly French-style restaurant, Bistro Soleil. If youandrsquo;d love a waffles and cream with fresh fruits for breakfast, donandrsquo;t miss trying Petit Soleil.andnbsp;/p pandnbsp;/p pstrongShopperandrsquo;s Havenandnbsp;/strong/p pThe Coast isnandrsquo;t limited to just food and recreation. It has its share of offerings for those who love indulge in a fair bit of retail therapy. Connoisseurs of high fashion and luxury must take time out and drop by Saks Fifth Avenue or the Village on Venetian Bay. And if that wasnandrsquo;t all, head straight to Fifth Avenue South, a shopping paradise with high-end stores and cafandeacute;s, and streets lined with palm trees. Donandrsquo;t blame us if the infectious casual vibe of the street catches your fancy./p pandnbsp;/p pAnd when youandrsquo;re eventually homeward bound, make sure you donandrsquo;t head out without promising to come back. The Coast and its memories will draw you closer, time and again!andnbsp;/p pandnbsp;/p pImages Courtesy: Thinkstock, a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-photos/mrkfl-marco-island-marriott-beach-resort-golf-club-and-spa/" target="_blank"Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort Golf Club andamp; Spa/a, a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.naplesgrande.com/gallery" target="_blank"Naples Grande Golf Club/a, a rel="nofollow" href="http://seasaltnaples.com/galleries/" target="_blank"Sea Salt Naples/a/p pandnbsp;/p pstrongMore On andgt;andgt; a href="http://www.luxpresso.com/lifestyle/travel" target="_blank"Travel/a/strong/p

from Luxpresso http://www.luxpresso.com/news-lifestyle/an-travel-guide-to-floridas-paradise-coast/16072851
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