Hi All!

This is my first original post. I have been a long-time observer and only recently responded to a few messages. I think the advice everyone here gives is so helpful, I thought I'd look for a little advice on our next trip.

My husband and I just bought a place in Naples, Florida. We don't plan on keeping it for very long (bought it for investment purposes) so this may be our only Christmas down there.

Let me quickly tell you about us...we are both in our mid-thirties. We enjoy a nice drink at a nice restaurant or night club, but we have definitely moved away from clubs with a very young crowd. We have been married 13 years. We are flexible and have gone on active trips to Alaska and we have gone on relaxing trips to B&B's in Vermont. So, we are pretty much up for anything. We live in the northeast and are looking forward to enjoying some activities outside during that time of year. We are interested in any advice people can give us to help make this vacation great. I have only been to Naples twice and my husband has only been there three times.

Here is what we would like to know:

Are there any special things that happen in Naples for Christmas?

How early would I need to make a dinner reservation for Christmas dinner...and where should we reserve?

Are there some "must see" places or events we should go to?

Are there any other places to get a massage besides The Ritz? (I love The Ritz…we stayed in the one in NO and had some spa treatments last Christmas. But, I love to try new things and was wondering if there are other places I should try.)

Thanks so much in advance for your thoughts!

Well, I didn't have much luck with my first original thread.

Just wondering if anyone has any responses...

Of course, we are hoping and praying all those in Florida are spared a major hit! It is tough to watch this on the news from so far away!

I would still love any suggestions as to how I can make our Christmas there really special.

Thanks!

Chelsea, I saw on one of the "free Patrick" posts where you said you wish I had been more helpful. Although I've been banned (still not sure why), I was able to register with this new name.
I somehow missed your post entirely -- I see it was posted when my mother was busy passing away a few weeks ago, so that's probably why I missed it, and your topped one I missed as well.

Special things in Naples? Well, the big deal are the two Christmas walks on Fifth Avenue and Third STreet South, but both are around Thanksgiving. We even have snow machines on Third Street South.

There is wonderful charity Christmas tree exhibit at the Phil -- but again around Thanksgiving -- along with the Nutcracker.

I'm not sure what to suggest for Christmas dinner. The Ritz probably remains one of the best options (the golfing Ritz is sometimes considered even better for dining). Most major nice restaurants are closed that day I think. We have a personal tradition of Christmas Eve dinner at St. George and the Dragon. With it's authentically "old English" decor and tons of Christmas decorations it just seems "right" for Christmas. I'm pretty sure they are closed on Christmas day however. They do not take reservations, so there is usually a wait there, but still nice if you don't have to rush.

Fifth Avenue South and Third Street are both nice for walking during the Christmas season with lots of little lights, nice decorations, and of course, some fun "bar hopping".

Churches, of course, do some wonderful music programs including a live "singing Christmas tree" at one church. You need to get the Naples Daily News (Snooze, we call it) on a Friday before the holiday and look at the Applause section.

Enjoy Naples. And don't be in too big a hurry to sell your investment. Real Estate in Naples remains my best investment ever.

Patrick, nice to see you posting again but sorry for all the bruhaha--and sorry too, that now when I need to check something out and wonder if you've ever posted about it that I'll have to do two searches--once for Patrick and once for BannedPatrick. I've always said that I'd go to any hotel you've stayed at and eat at any restaurant you've recommended so I'm truly happy to have you back on the board.

Patrick- Thanks so much for your suggestions. Reading them has made me so excited about coming down. It is too bad so many events are around Thanksgiving. Those special things sound like a lot of fun.

I don't know if we have ever seen the local paper. We will definitely pick one up when we get there.

As for selling, it is still a toss up for my husband and I. We can't believe how much our place went up in these 8 months that we have owned it. We would like to sell it and buy something larger up here in the northeast. But, we have been keeping a close eye on the market down there and we are really impressed. I guess we will leave all the options open for now.

Thanks again and I am sorry to hear about your mother.