Holiday traditions, Paradise Coast-style.
Dreaming of a white Christmas? How about 34 miles of white sand?
Who needs freezing snow when you can play on miles of pristine sand kissed by the sun and warm Gulf of Mexico waters? Make a Florida version of Frosty with sand, seashell buttons and a floppy beach hat. Replace a sled ride with a wave runner or parasailing adventure. Shed the layers of clothing and soak up the sun. It's holiday beach fun that you'll really warm up to.
Forget the tree - decorate yourself with Marissa Collection's trunk shows.
A visit to this fashion empire on Third Street South in downtown Naples is sure to bring lots of holiday cheer. The 10,000-square-foot boutique features hundreds of top designers including Michael Kors, Valentino and Brunello Cucinelli. It's been honored as Vogue's Top 25 Warm Weather Shopping Destinations and named a style leader among 100 top specialty stores in the nation by Harper's Bazaar. Throughout December you can enjoy several trunk shows, many with personal appearances by the designer:
December Trunk Shows:
Cynthia Rose Spring, Dec. 3-4
Arunashi Fine Jewelry, Dec. 3-5
Phillip Lim Spring, Dec. 10-11
Hassan Bounkit, Dec. 10-13
J Mendel Spring, Dec. 15-16
Valentino Spring, Dec. 18-19
For details and contact information, visit www.MarissaCollections.com.
Move over holiday ham and turkey.
The Paradise Coast is home to Everglades City, known as the Stone Crab Capital of the World, and during the holiday season, stone crab is in season. These delectable claws fresh from the sea are as good as dining gets. You'll find them in most area restaurants, so get ready for a truly exceptional holiday feast. Or dine at a picnic table at one of the seafood market/restaurants in Everglades City and also get some "to go" for later.
Trade the eggnog for a mango mojito.
On a holiday getaway to the Paradise Coast, you're sure to encounter many a tiki bar offering up a variety of mouthwatering tropical drinks, complete with fresh fruit garnish and the signature "frou-frou" drink umbrella. Non-drinkers can also enjoy these delightful concoctions by ordering the non-alcoholic variety. Cheers. Just a few of the area's many great waterside bars to visit are the Sunset Beach Bar at the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, Harold's at Gulfcoast Inn, the waterfront terrace at Bayfront Inn 5th Ave or Quinn's On The Beach at the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort.
Gather round the fire.
Here you'll enjoy a fire not in a fireplace, but outside with the sound of the waves to compliment this romantic experience. Enjoy the fire pit at La Playa Beach and Golf Resort right on the beach near their tiki bar. The Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort also has a fire pit outdoors on their beautifully landscaped grounds, as does The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, overlooking the 18th green.
Bring in the New Year with Mother Nature.
Tired of dressing up and fighting the crowds on New Year's Eve? Why not venture into the heart of nature in the Ten Thousand Islands for a totally secluded and magical experience. You can actually kayak along the Paradise Coast Blueway, a system of paddling trails through some of the region's most pristine estuarine environments, and camp on a beach island. For island camping within Everglades National Park, you'll need a camping permit, available from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City. From amazing wildlife to spectacular stargazing, this is one New Year's celebration that you'll never forget.
