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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades – Florida’s Paradise Coast.
The holidays (or big birthdays, weddings, etc.) can leave you feeling exhausted – both physically and mentally. While taking another trip might not be the first thing that comes to mind for a restful weekend, a trip to Florida’s Paradise Coast might be just what you need. Relax and recharge on Florida’s Paradise Coast (Naples, Marco Island, and the Everglades) with our food and wellness guide below.
Dig Into Delicious on Florida’s Paradise Coast
We’ve been trying to be more health- and environment-conscious while dining out on our travels. That means eating fresh, locally sourced ingredients, in addition to making healthier overall food choices.
We started each day in Naples with an açaí bowl or smoothie and fueled up the rest of the day with fresh, Gulf-to-table seafood and delicious pastas. Stone crab claws are a local delicacy as well, and stone crab season runs from October 15 through May 15.
You can also find two restaurant weeks on the Paradise Coast – one in the summer and one in the winter – where many of the best restaurants on Florida’s Paradise Coast offer discounted 3-course tasting menus. If you plan your visit around restaurant week in the winter, you can double down with some delicious stone crab claws as well.
Here are some restaurants you might want to check out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner:
Breakfast: The Bowl
We started each morning with an açaí bowl or smoothie at The Bowl. In addition to a diverse menu of delicious açaí bowls and smoothies, The Bowl also serves pitaya bowls, kombucha, coffee, and matcha drinks. All menu items cost between $7-10, so the price point is right in line with what you would expect to pay for an açaí bowl or smoothie in any other city.
1200 Central Ave, Naples, FL 34102 | Hours: M-F 7:30am-6:00pm; Sa-Su 7:30am-5:00pm
Lunch: Sails Restaurant
Sails is a great place to go for some fresh seafood, especially during restaurant week and/or brunch. They offer a 3-course brunch prix fixe menu for just $25 – or you can order a la carte as well. The ambiance here is on the fancier side, so it would also be a great place to go for dinner to celebrate a special occasion.
301 5th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102 | Hours: 11:30am-3:00pm & 4:30-10:30pm daily
Dinner: Bar Tulia
Down the street from Sails is another one of our favorites in Naples: Bar Tulia. Bar Tulia has a more laid back vibe and budget-friendly menu compared to its more upscale counterpart, the neighboring Osteria Tulia. The two menus are very similar, and personally I prefer the more relaxed vibe at Bar Tulia. Try to get here before 6pm for happy hour to score some discounted drinks and appetizers before dinner.
462 5th Ave S, Naples, FL 34105 | Hours: M-Sa 4:00pm-1:00am; Su 4:00pm-12:00am
Naples has two dining hotspots: 5th Avenue South and 3rd Street South. Sails and Bar Tulia are both located on 5th Ave South. Some restaurants you might want to try on 3rd Street South are Jane’s Cafe on 3rd for breakfast, D’Amico’s The Continental for drinks and people watching, and Barbatella for some tasty Italian food. Don’t miss Naples Pier while you’re at it. It’s only a few blocks away and offers breathtaking views at sunset.
Vacation Well in Paradise
Naples has been ranked the healthiest and happiest city in the U.S. for four years in a row, and it’s easy to see why. There is an endless supply of outdoor and wellness activities to do in Naples and the surrounding area, including yoga on the beach, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, biking, and more.
Below are a few ways you can recenter your body and mind while relaxing on Florida’s Paradise Coast:
Take a stroll on the Naples shoreline
Walk to the end of 5th Avenue South, and you’ll find yourself on the beach. Walk to the left toward the Naples Pier, or walk to the right for fewer crowds. Don’t forget to stop and search for your favorite seashells while you’re at it. The shoreline spans 16km long, so there is no shortage of shoreline for you to explore and enjoy.
Find your balance on a stand up paddle board
Naples SUP Co offers a number of stand up paddle board tours, including a SUP + Yoga Experience, Sunset Paddle, Women’s Paddle, Paddleboard lessons, and more. If you’d rather enjoy a paddle on your own, you can also rent their paddle boards to use on your own.
Search for dolphins on kayak
Dolphins abound in the Gulf of Mexico along the Paradise Coast, and one of the most fun ways to see them is on kayak. Rent a kayak from Venetian Village and kayak through the inlet out to the Gulf of Mexico, or take an eco-kayak tour of the Everglades. You might get lucky and see some manatees and other wildlife as well!
There are few places I can think of that would make better destinations than Naples and Florida’s Paradise Coast to relax and recharge. Plan your trip during one of Paradise Coasts’ restaurant weeks for the ultimate culinary and wellness getaway!
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