The Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area of Naples-Marco Island in Collier County is a few miles north of Fort Myers in southwest Florida. Naples Florida, one of the wealthiest cities in the country, has a reputation for being the golfing capital of the world, sporting a whopping 80 golf courses of championship quality.
While there is no clearly-defined golf season in southwest Florida, one of the best times to go is during the months of November and December, before the winter prices set in and the links are thronging with vacationers. Whatever your budget, there is a plan to suit you. During the off season, at least three dozen public and a handful of private courses remain open for the hard core enthusiasts. Green fees are somewhat high, although it is possible to save money by using an online booking service.
One reason for Naples' popularity with golfers is the awesome scenery that accompanies the links. A lot of effort has gone into creating interesting, three-dimensional courses in what is essentially very flat topography. For example, the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Reserve and Eagle Lakes Community Park surround a course with beautifully-formed bunkers and numerous water features. This is a challenging course, so come with extra golf balls. A similarly-endowed course, with tight fairways and undulating greens, exists north of Naples' botanical gardens, blessed with undulating greens and tight fairways.
For serious scenery junkies who do not like their golfing view tainted by homes and other indicators of civilization, there are courses with certification by the Audubon International Gold Certified Signature Sanctuary. At these courses, you will find natural wetlands, thick vegetation and wildlife, including the odd spotting of a snowy white heron.
For those who want to race straight to the links immediately after disembarking from the plane, there happens to be a course near Southwest Florida International Airport. Not far away is the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Come here to see ghost orchids in the summer. Other attractions in town include an art museum, a zoo and a teddy bear museum, with more than two thousand "residents."
The Gulf Coast beach in Naples is regarded as one of the best in the United States. It extends for ten miles between Seagate Drive and Gordon Pass. It has a fishing pier that extends 1,000 feet into the gulf and is perfect for both angling and viewing the sunset. Other amenities include restrooms with outdoor showers, shops selling snacks and bait and parking meters.
If you really want to get close to nature, rent a canoe for a paddle down the Blackwater River located in Collier-Seminole State Park. Row, row, row your boat down one of the largest mangrove swamps in the world. The park is also the home of a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark in the form of the Bay City Walking Dredge. Built in 1924, the dredge was used to build part of US 41.
The climate here is tropical wet and dry. This means it experiences hot, humid and sometimes-thundery summer months and enjoys warm, short winters. In addition to the international airport, with flights to Canada and Europe, the area is served by Naples Municipal Airport (APF).
While there is no clearly-defined golf season in southwest Florida, one of the best times to go is during the months of November and December, before the winter prices set in and the links are thronging with vacationers. Whatever your budget, there is a plan to suit you. During the off season, at least three dozen public and a handful of private courses remain open for the hard core enthusiasts. Green fees are somewhat high, although it is possible to save money by using an online booking service.
One reason for Naples' popularity with golfers is the awesome scenery that accompanies the links. A lot of effort has gone into creating interesting, three-dimensional courses in what is essentially very flat topography. For example, the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Reserve and Eagle Lakes Community Park surround a course with beautifully-formed bunkers and numerous water features. This is a challenging course, so come with extra golf balls. A similarly-endowed course, with tight fairways and undulating greens, exists north of Naples' botanical gardens, blessed with undulating greens and tight fairways.
For serious scenery junkies who do not like their golfing view tainted by homes and other indicators of civilization, there are courses with certification by the Audubon International Gold Certified Signature Sanctuary. At these courses, you will find natural wetlands, thick vegetation and wildlife, including the odd spotting of a snowy white heron.
For those who want to race straight to the links immediately after disembarking from the plane, there happens to be a course near Southwest Florida International Airport. Not far away is the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Come here to see ghost orchids in the summer. Other attractions in town include an art museum, a zoo and a teddy bear museum, with more than two thousand "residents."
The Gulf Coast beach in Naples is regarded as one of the best in the United States. It extends for ten miles between Seagate Drive and Gordon Pass. It has a fishing pier that extends 1,000 feet into the gulf and is perfect for both angling and viewing the sunset. Other amenities include restrooms with outdoor showers, shops selling snacks and bait and parking meters.
If you really want to get close to nature, rent a canoe for a paddle down the Blackwater River located in Collier-Seminole State Park. Row, row, row your boat down one of the largest mangrove swamps in the world. The park is also the home of a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark in the form of the Bay City Walking Dredge. Built in 1924, the dredge was used to build part of US 41.
The climate here is tropical wet and dry. This means it experiences hot, humid and sometimes-thundery summer months and enjoys warm, short winters. In addition to the international airport, with flights to Canada and Europe, the area is served by Naples Municipal Airport (APF).
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