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Romance on the Paradise Coast
Walk and embrace on the beach
Southwest Florida’s Paradise Coast of Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades is an idyllic location that serves as the perfect backdrop for a romantic getaway for two. Whether you’re just getting to know each other, planning a wedding, sharing a special anniversary or simply enjoying some time together, there are countless ways to relax and create lasting memories, surrounded by the natural beauty of this tropical paradise. Following are some ideas to make the romance flow.
Stroll on Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South in downtown Naples – two beautiful pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining districts. Browse art galleries, fashion boutiques, gift shops, interior design stores and more. Choose either sidewalk seating or indoor dining at any of the many great restaurants and bars located downtown.
Take a Segway tour of downtown Naples. These tours are lots of fun and everyone learns quickly how to navigate aboard the Segways. This is also a good way to get your bearings in the downtown Naples area and check out places you might want to come back to. There are two Segway tour operators to choose from, Naples Water & Land Tours and Segway of Naples.
Take a sunset cruise. Hire a private captain or hop on one of the area’s sailing vessels or the Naples Princess or Marco Island Princess yachts to watch the sun sink into the Gulf of Mexico.
Walk the beach. Miles and miles of beautiful white sand beach provide a leisurely way to spend some quality time together and get a little exercise.
Remember that scene from Out of Africa, one of the most romantic films of all time, when Robert Redford takes Meryl Streep up in his airplane, and she reaches back to hold his hand? Put yourself in that scene by going airborne in a historic bi-plane with Naples Air on their champagne sunset flight. Look down to spot dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico at sunset and enjoy the colors as the sun sinks into the Gulf at day’s end.
Take a fishing charter. Hire a backcountry fishing guide to take you into the Ten Thousand Islands. Not only will you find some great angling adventure, you’re likely to see all kinds of beautiful bird life along with sea creatures including bottlenose dolphins, manatees, sea turtles and more.
Walk the 2.25-mile nature boardwalk at the Audubon Society’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. This beautiful old growth cypress forest is a magnet for birds and wildlife. There are several secluded spots leading off the boardwalk with benches where
Kiss the bride
a couple can sit and just be together surrounded by nature.
Go on a guided kayak eco-tour with Everglades Area Tours. A motorboat takes small groups of passengers and kayaks to the beautiful, secluded areas of the Everglades, and then you get out and paddle to explore the wilderness areas. There is no need for vigorous “speed” paddling to just get from place A to B. This is a great trip for both experienced paddlers and newcomers to the sport.
Take a winemaking class at the new Big Cypress Market Place, then share in the fruits of your labor with your own custom-label wine. You can design your own label to commemorate your wedding, anniversary or other special occasion.
Take a shelling cruise. Board a boat to one of the nearby deserted island beaches to looks for fantastic shells and enjoy a few hours of quiet beach time with no crowds! Sweet Liberty, Marco Island Watersports and Sea Excursions all offer shelling trips.
If you’re an experienced motorcyclist, rent a Harley-Davidson from Harley-Davidson of Naples and take a tandem sightseeing trip down the scenic Tamiami Trail. Stop at Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery to view spectacular black & white nature photography, then turn around and stop at Everglades City on your way back into town for lunch or dinner.
If pedaling is more your speed, take a tour of either downtown Naples or the Everglades with Naples Bicycle Tours.
Plan a destination wedding. There are plenty of options for fun activities for all of your family and friends.
For the ultimate romantic moment, get married on the beach at sunset. Remember that June through September is the rainier season in Southwest Florida with afternoon thunderstorms possible. The weather is picture-perfect much of the time between November and May.