Naples is an exclusive enclave near Ft. Myers known for its sedate luxury. It's a quiet town with lovely boutiques, art galleries, and white, sugar sand beaches. It's more expensive than the surrounding areas but you can find a good deal on Naples vacation rentals, which run the gamut from exquisite high-end beachfront homes to golf course condos.

The beach and the gently lapping waves are a main draw of this area. Families and spring breakers will find its laid-back attitude and high price tags less appealing than nearby Ft. Myers Beach. But if quiet relaxation, gourmet dining, gallery hopping, and world-class pampering appeal to you, Naples is ideal for your next vacation. Golfers from all over the world come to Tiburon Golf Club on the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton. Naples also has a nice zoo, botanical gardens, beautiful boutiques, and galleries on Fifth Avenue that is the place to be seen after the sun sets. Even if you decide to spend most of your nights grilling up your delicious catch of the day at your Naples vacation rental, schedule at least one evening to check out one of the many trendy eateries downtown.

The nearest airport is Ft. Myers, about 35 miles away so most visitors opt to rent a car. If you're staying near the downtown, you'll find it a very walkable area. You can even walk to the beach from downtown. Naples has a trolley but it's dedicated more to visitors getting to know the area than mere transportation. The narrated tour is nice the first time, but may get old riding it all week.

Summers are in the 90s with high humidity and brief afternoon rain showers that usher in even more humidity. Naples' peak vacation time, like most of Florida, is in the winter and early spring, where the weather is sunny, with little humidity, and temps in the 70s. Winter is the most expensive time to visit this area. If you want a price break and great weather, March-May is your best bet. The fall is also nice, with fewer crowds than the winter. Hurricane season spans from June 1- November 30, with the greatest chance for action from September onwards.

Naples is not a spring break hotspot. It is the home to many well-heeled retirees and vacation homeowners. While the small downtown offers beautiful galleries, boutiques, and eateries with a European flare, they don't keep European or urban hours. Many of the restaurants close at ten so nightlife is more apt to consist of star-gazing on a private dock than dancing the night away in a lounge. If you want to indulge in the beach bar scene, take a trip to nearby Ft. Myers Beach.