Be My Valentine: Naples, Florida

It finally happened.  I'm in love.  I have fallen in love with Naples, Florida.
 
My sister and I recently took a trip to Naples in January where the weather was warm and dry, the air crisp and clean, the beach soft with white sand, and the ocean bluer than a Texas Bluebonnet.  Although Naples didn't have Bluebonnets, it was filled with palm trees, brightly colored flowering trees, and foliage and plants I had never seen before.
 
We stayed at the Naples Beach and Golf Resort situated on seven miles of white sand beach.  In between playing golf at the Resort golf course, getting massages, shopping, drinking French champagne in Old Naples, and playing more golf at the Tiburon golf course at the Ritz Carlton, we enjoyed taking in the beautiful sites Naples had to offer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Views from our balcony at the Naples Beach and Golf Resort

 

 

 

 

The birds almost blend in with the white sand beach

 

 

 

 

Walking down the street to breakfast at First Watch, I couldn't help but take a photograph of these lively blue shutters surrounded by the tropical palm trees.

 

 

 

Vibrant pink flowering trees were around every corner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colorful plants lined the streets

 

 

 

This friendly rascal greeted us while shopping in Old Naples. 

 

 

 

 

 

The vibe in Naples is one of happiness, relaxation, and healthiness. 

 People walk and bike all around town. 

 

 



 

Sidewalks in Old Naples are absolutely beautiful filled with colorful plants, foliage, fountains, and  sculptures.  There's a bit of old world charm that makes you feel like you are not in Florida, but possibly in a small European town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

Restaurants offering a variety of different types of cuisine abound in Old Naples and almost all of them have outdoor patios so you can continue to take in the perfect weather.

 

 

 

While eating dinner at one of the restaurants in Old Naples, we struck up a conversation with a local couple.  They recommended we go to First Watch for breakfast.  We loved it so much, we had breakfast there twice.  The first day I splurged and had eggs, bacon and a Belgian waffle.  The second day I redeemed myself and had the Power Quinoa Breakfast. 

 

Naples caters to the healthy and fit at heart, so you can find great healthy and organic alternatives at many of the restaurants.

 

 

 

 

 

The view from the back patio at First Watch

 

 

 

 

On our last day in Naples we took a relaxing stroll through the botanical garden.

 

 

This was called the Dancing Tree. Must be because if anything tried getting up this thing they would be doing some kind of dance trying not to get poked with these wild things growing out of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hong Kong Orchid Tree

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



And now you know why I am in love with Naples, Florida.