Naples, Florida

Naples, Florida carries a reputation for affluent living. In its early days, famous celebrities like Gloria Swanson, Gary Cooper, and Douglas Fairbanks frolicked on these beautiful shores. Today, Naples is rumored to have the most millionaires per capita of anywhere in the United States. Even so, Naples maintains a relaxed, inviting atmosphere that permeates the Gulf Coast.

Naples was first inhabited by the Calusa Indians, and later by Spanish Explorers. In 1887, a group of wealthy Kentuckians, led by Walter N. Haldeman, owner of the Louisville Courier-Journal, purchased virtually the entire town. As Haldeman spread the word about the area, its reputation as a seaside resort grew, and visitors soon compared Naples to the beautiful Italian city on the Mediterranean.

Located just two blocks from the beach, Old Naples is an idyllic Victorian setting, perfect for shopping, people watching, or dining. Further shopping opportunities await the visitor to The Third Street South and The Fifth Avenue areas. They are located among picturesque, tree-lined streets, and offer specialty shops that display everything from handcrafted toys to fine art and antique jewelry. These areas also offer elegant restaurants and cozy bistros where you can sample some of the incredible local cuisine, and enjoy the beautiful view.

Golf is also an important part of Naples's history. There's a story that goes something like this: Shortly after the Naples Beach Hotel course was built, a small single engine airplane often landed on one of the fairways. The pilot would disembark and play a round (9 holes then), climb in his plane and depart. This was fine until a new Course Superintendent came on board. When he saw this, he immediately chased the flyer away. Mr. Lindbergh never landed on the course again! With nearly 40 courses, Naples is a golfer's paradise. All skill levels can be challenged on courses designed by such architects as Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Tom Fazio, Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and many others. Naples has the reputation of having the most golf courses per capita of any city in the United States.

A visit to Naples isn't complete until you have taken in a sunset from the view at Naples Pier. Built in 1887, The Pier is a historic landmark that was the center of commerce in early Naples. You can toss in a line and fish for grouper, pompano, cobia and sea trout, and the friendly pelicans begging for handouts delight visitors of all ages

A great day trip from Naples will take you to the Everglades, an ecological wonder located approximately 60 miles southeast of Naples. Everglades National Park was established in 1947, and in 1979, the United Nations declared the Everglades a "World Heritage Site," a designation shared with Mount Everest and the Galapagos Islands. Naples has much to offer the vacation traveler. Whether it's fishing, water sports, golf, shopping, fine dining, or just relaxing on the beach, Naples will bring you back again and again!