Long a luxury destination for snowbirds, Naples is known for excellent shopping, high-quality restaurants, some of the finest golf courses in the country — and balmy weather, of course. The city sits on the Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Florida, a two-hour drive across the state from Miami. In the historic downtown area, you’ll find Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South, the city’s famous shopping strips, lined with art galleries, fashion boutiques, jewellery stores, spas, and unique gift stores. When you’re all shopped out, you can take a break down on the Naples beachfront, home to a lovely beach with calm, clear waters.

Naples is also the perfect base for exploring South Florida’s famous Everglades National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage site and an International Biosphere Reserve. The Everglades, which extend to the east and south of the city, are a natural wonder whose vast wilderness is home to panthers, manatees, roseate spoonbills, and of course, alligators.

Naples has its own airport — Naples Municipal Airport (APF) — which accepts scheduled flights from limited regional locations and is about a 10-minute drive from the city centre. The area’s largest airport is Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). From here, it will be around a 35-minute drive to your Naples vacation rental, with car rentals available outside the terminal. There are also taxis, private limousines, and shuttle services, or you can hop on the public bus from the Naples airport to town. Once you arrive, downtown Naples is easy to explore on foot, with many restaurants and shops within walking distance. There are also taxis, buses, and a metro train for travelling a little further afield. If you plan to make regular trips out of town, renting a car may be your best option.

Naples enjoys an average of 280 days of sunshine every year, so it’s truly a year-round destination. The most pleasant times to visit are April and May and September to November, when you can expect consistent warm sunshine and a lower chance of rain. October, for example, is a great time for food lovers to visit, when the city’s biggest food festival celebrates the local culinary scene.

If you like hot tropical weather, summer in Naples has an abundance of it, but be aware that hurricane season runs from June till October in Florida, so there is the chance of storms. While the temperatures do cool down a little in winter, you can still expect plenty of sun and mild days to enjoy the outdoors. In late November, the Naples Botanical Garden outfits itself with thousands of colourful lights, opening for nighttime tours all through the holidays.

Naples Botanical Garden

Spend a day exploring 69 hectares of flora from around the world in these beautiful gardens, located on the southern end of town. The Water Garden celebrates water lilies, the Caribbean Garden houses 500 types of plumeria, and the Brazilian Garden is full of South American palms and bromeliads. You can take a break from your horticultural studies to relax in hammocks, picnic on the lawn, and if you’re there at the right time, enjoy musicians performing on the live stage.

Naples Pier

Take a stroll along the historic Naples Pier, where people come for birdwatching, dolphin-spotting, and enjoying spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. The pier’s entrance sits on a part of Naples Beach with many lush palm trees and beautiful white sand, where you can sit and admire the views or take a refreshing dip in the water.

Clam Pass Park

Clam Pass Park has 14 hectares of mangrove forest, spectacular dunes, and miles of sandy beach. You can take a slow wander along the boardwalk, which extends a kilometre down to the beach, or catch a ride on a free tram that shuttles back and forth all day. The beach is perfect for swimming or sunbathing, or you can try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding, with rentals available in town.