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Here's what Florida's beautiful south-west has to offer
Head to Naples on the Sunshine State's Paradise Coast for a holiday filled with style and distinction
As well as it's name, this Paradise Coast location has plenty in common with Naples in Italy - think its high degree of style and distinction and its location at the centre of an impressive stretch of coastline. But Naples and its attendant areas of Marco Island and the Everglades are true Florida originals, loaded with unique elegance and charm that form a compelling destination in their own right.
Just to start with, Naples is the epitome of Floridian chic, an uber-stylish hangout for the quietly wealthy and shrewdly sophisticated. While it attracts a good number of families to its distinctive beaches and natural attractions, this is primarily a grown-up destination, distinguished by five-star resorts, upmarket shopping and fabulous dining.
To the south, Marco Island continues the trend in more relaxed fashion: a tropical-shirted neighbourhood dressed more in Tommy Bahama than Tommy Hilfiger, but still with that sense of exclusivity.
Virgin Holidays'
expert tips
The coffee shops and boutiques of 5th Avenue are worth a stroll and for those seeking adventure, the world-famous Everglades are close by
Head east and the vibe changes almost instantly. This is Everglades country, one of the world’s natural wonders and the gateway to a wildlife adventure you’ll find nowhere else on earth.
But let’s not get ahead ourselves. Naples is the first item on the agenda in Florida’s sophisticated south-west, the jewel on the Gulf Coast. It boasts 30 miles of blissful beaches that vary in quality from brilliant to stunning, backed by epic sea views and the essential adjunct of iconic sunsets that demand your attention. Find a bar and a drink, and you are in pole position for one of the Sunshine State’s signature moments.
Boutique shopping
Naples adds ultra-elegant shopping to the menu along main thoroughfares 5th Avenue and 3rd Street, with boutiques and galleries straight out of the top drawer, sprinkled with café s and restaurants that are the places to be seen in during the evenings.
It’s also worth taking a (slow) drive along the “Millionaire’s Row” of Gulfshore Boulevard and marveling at the mansions on view. As if that isn’t enough, you'll encounter captivating wildlife, both native and exotic, at Naples Zoo and off the shores of Marco Island, where Atlantic bottlenose dolphins use the waters as their playground and dolphin watch cruises guarantee close-up encounters with these animals.
This is definitely the place to bring your appetite, plus a taste for fine dining. The area has its fair share of award-winning chefs and top restaurants, while all the main hotels boast a memorable dining experience. There’s also the Winter Wine Festival each January — one of the largest in America.
Diving back into nature, having the Everglades right on your doorstep is a major bonus. The vast expanse of Florida’s “River of Grass” stretches out like an alluring green carpet, filled with all manner of wildlife, from alligators and magnificent birdlife to the endangered Florida panther.
Tours, airboat rides and hiking trails are plentiful, and you simply can’t go wrong by pointing your hire car east and seeing where it takes you. It’s the Serengeti of Florida, the Prairie of the south-east, and it’s never anything less than spectacular. Book with Virgin Holidays to plan the perfect trip and experience all the region has to offer — whether it’s shopping, sunbathing or simply getting back to nature.
Visit virginholidays.co.uk/naples to book your getaway
*This content was commissioned and approved by Virgin Holidays and Visit Florida