Weekend in Naples, Florida

---

Hey there friends upstate in the ice and snow...we'll be there on Tuesday night--- However, until then, we are squeezing every ounce of fun out of this vacation - just like it is a big jucy orangeThird Street, Naples is so cool. It defines the classier; tonier, more monied Florida. You can tell by the cars - Jags and Bentleys; the incredibly lush and beautiful urban landscaping, the goods in the shops - Armani, Versaci, and Manolo, the beautiful people and even the dog breeds! Dressed for christmas, this splendid shopping / dining area was urban just gorgeous - night and day.

On Friday evening, we window shopped and enjoyed a great dinner at the Tommy Bahama Cafe Emporium here on 3rd St. While exploring a piazza, we happened upon an opening reception for awesome European landscape photographer Jim Chamberlain at the gallery/boutique Via Mediterrannee where the French speaking owners offered hors d'oeuvres and champagne. In the morning, we saw old friends (from the Marco Market) at the Saturday morning Naples Farmer's Market in the 3rd Street parking lot. We bought strawberries and more shrimp (jumbo this time for grilling outside) at the market. Wish we could buy orchids and some of the other plants; but they won't fit in our luggage or last by themselves when The Schooner goes into storage on Tuesday.

On to the Naples Museum, where a very good docent "Lynn" did a very decent job talking about the beach scene paintings of Graham Nickson and the absolutely breath-taking glass by Dale Chihuly http://www.chihuly.com/. We had seen Chichuly's work at Atlantis on Paradise Island near Nassau and at the Belaggio in Las Vegas. The Naples Museum is a little out of the way; but worth finding if only for the Chihuly work. There is a "gass ceiling" Chihuly "Persian" installation that Lynn told us about having school children (first graders) lie on the floor and looking up at to appreciate more fully! We learned how "Icycle" soaring up three stories in the lobby was installed piece by piece as was the incredible orange chandelier (the only piece we could photograph). The Museum shares a campus with the Naples Philharmonic, the buildings, sculputure court, collection and courtyard Garden Cafe were pleasing. A very officious usher wouldn't let us peek in to see the concert hall. Amazing what happens when volunteer ladies don uniforms!

We went to a real estate open house at a condo in the Museum neighborhood. Lovely but not us! It seemed a little too "grown up" - and pricy at $2.4! We are more the step out the door onto the sand types! One great thing was that this condo; Aria on Park Shore Dr. is a comfortable walk to the very upscale retail/restaurant complex Village on Venetian Bay. The real estate agent - Bette - was friendly (she was probably lonely for customers) and told us she has property in Pine Island (our destination when we come back to Florida in February).

On Saturday night, Rasti Man was back playing James Taylor and "island songs" like "Three Birds - Every Thing is Gonna Be Alright" at the Chickee Bar at Capri Fish House where Wes had an incredible Jambalaya and I had scallops Oriental. Wes took the time to write down the ingredients so he can replicate the dish home -- here goes: Jambalaya: Cajun seasoned rice with sausage, clams, mussels, scallops, topped with a lobster tail swimming in a chicken/tomato broth seasoned with parsley, oregano, and a few sprigs of rosemary. Our beverage of choice was a pitcher of Sangria. Capri Fish House is far less pricy than the Marco and Naples restaurants; and the food and ambience are hard to beat!

We have enjoyed being here at Silver Lakes. The golf course is challenging; but walkable, we can ride our bikes to the pool and hot tubs or go by car if we want to throw in a load of wash while we read and sun at the pool. The location - about 10 miles from Marco Island and its wonderful beaches and 10 miles in the other direction for more urban Naples; seems ideal for us.

---

Comments

[Leigh]

The perfect break away...
Naples is just perfect for a spot of shopping, dining and cultural activities. www.thetopvillas.com have some beautiful villas located here in Naples. A great place to relax with family and friends after a day exploring this charming area.