The Retreat in Progress

Thursday, February 12, 2015

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.

 
 


9 comments:

  1. Those are some lovely pictures! It looks like you had an absolutely fabulous vacation. And I would also love to know what all of those pink blooming trees are. They're gorgeous.

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  2. Lori, we saw one of the pink trees at the botanical garden. I should have snapped the label on it as I can't remember the name. It was long and complicated. I'll do some research and see if I can figure it out. Thanks for the comment! Rebecca

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  3. Gorgeous photos! Looks like a great place to visit. Is it a popular place to retire or more of a tourist destination?

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    1. Hi Ally. Naples is a very popular place to retire, but a tourist destination as well. We met several people that moved there to retire and some that come for a month to several months during the winter. Rebecca

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  4. Gorgeous photos! Looks like you had a great time.
    We've been all over Florida, but not Naples. Looks like we need to fix that.
    Thanks for the tour.

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  5. breathtaking....Alicia

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I would love for you to leave me a comment...Rebecca