

The 12 Har-Tru courts are as well kept as a private club’s, but anyone can play ($12 an hour). Allen Tennis Center (735 Eighth Street South 23 ), in downtown’s quiet Cambier Park, all the more remarkable. The thunking of tennis balls is heard everywhere in Naples, but most of the courts are sequestered behind hedges in high-end condo developments. A chilled milk chocolate semifreddo ($9) ends the evening on a sweet note. The Napa-meets-Tuscany menu includes a roasted chicken with tomato-white bean ragout ($23) and black grouper with herbed ricotta gnocchi ($29). The tanned crowd looks even darker in the bronze-toned dining room (check out the driftwood accents), which spills outdoors and overlooks a yacht-filled marina. Gorgeous harbor views and a flattering interior may explain the recent popularity of Olio on Naples Bay (1500 Fifth Avenue South 23 ), a handsome waterfront restaurant. There is a sauna, whirlpool tub and a meditation labyrinth, where you can unwind after an avocado-citrus wrap (50 minutes, $130). Situated at the Naples Grande Resort, the 16,000-square-foot spa is filled with Asian-inflected details like bamboo groves and teak trim. So the arrival three years ago of a Golden Door spa (475 Seagate Drive 23 /naples) was a cause for celebration and a new reason to visit. Until recently, spas weren’t as prominent as this city’s luxe reputation would suggest.

The kitchen turns out a succulent fish ’n chips ($17), served with housemade tartar sauce. At night there’s even a standards-playing pianist, complete with brandy snifter for tips.

Ceiling fans and wicker chairs set the mood. Some of Naples’s plushest over-the-top mansions are along this stretch of beach, and fairly exposed to prying eyes.Ī faithful adherence to classic pub fare draws a loyal crowd to the Jolly Cricket (720 Fifth Avenue South 23 ), which opened last year along the city’s main drag. (Parking can be scarce, so bring a pocketful of quarters and try nearby Gordon Drive.) With flip-flops in hand, a short walk south offers privacy. For a spot that’s just right, head south toward 18th Avenue South, the last downtown street with direct beach access. Ditto for anything along the northern end too many hotels. Don’t set up camp near the town pier at Fifth Street South it’s too crowded. When the sun is strong, Neapolitans hit the beach. National Park Booking App: Traveler and travel industry frustration is growing with, the online portal to book federal land accommodations and access.Ready for an Adventure : Not sure what to bring with you on your trip to a national park? Here is a list of essential gear, and these are the best apps to download.The Less-Traveled Road: When it comes to America’s national parks, it’s not all about Yosemite and the Grand Canyon.But even the most popular parks have overlooked treasures. Hidden Gems: These days, serenity in nature can be elusive.national park system draw hundreds of millions of visitors each year. The wine list roams the globe, with particular attention to Italy.Įxploring America’s National Parks The glories of the U.S. The chef, Fabrizio Aielli, also has a thing for sprinkles: porcini powder, cinnamon salt and, of course, sea salt. The menu, which prizes bold flavors over razzle-dazzle, includes a freshly made trio of buffalo mozzarella salad ($15) and a well-marbled Wagyu rib-eye ($42). Among the more exciting new spots is Sea Salt (1186 Third Street South 23 ), a boisterous place that opened in 2008 and has been praised by magazines like Esquire for its devotion to local and organic ingredients. Order a Naples Sunset ($12.95), a fruity rum drink, and follow the dipping sun as the outdoor deck lights up with tiki torches and the laughter of the polo-shirt-wearing crowd.ĭon’t go to Naples expecting molecular gastronomy restaurants play it conservatively. As the sun sets, make your way to Gumbo Limbo, the beachfront bar and restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples (280 Vanderbilt Beach Road 23 /naples). Don’t be surprised if you keep seeing the same faces over and over these snowbirds might move at a slower pace than the Miami set, but they get around.Ĭocktail hour is sacred around these parts. Affluent Midwesterners, who have adopted Naples as a getaway from nasty Northern weather, bring a certain oh-gosh air to town. This small Gulf-side city has a pleasingly anodyne quality that’s worlds away from the cosmopolitan bustle found only a two-hour drive due east, on the opposite coast. IF you filtered all the glitz out of Miami, you’d get Naples, Fla.
