Naples in December
Nov 10th, 2005, 11:00 AM
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Naples in December
Could anyone tell me what we shouldn't miss when we visit Naples in December. Where are the best places to visit to get a real Christmassy feel? Really looking forward to our holiday now & to have a bit of warm sunshine, now that it has turned cold in the UK. Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
Nov 10th, 2005, 11:05 AM
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Hello Diane, unfortunatly our "Naples expert" has been banned from Fodors. I haven't been in Naples in ages so can't answer your question but hopefully someone else in Florida can. Welcome to the US!
Nov 10th, 2005, 11:15 AM
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Diane, perhaps you could email your question to [email protected]. He is the chief moderator for this board and therefore in the best position to comment on the lack of a Naples expert here.
Nov 10th, 2005, 11:18 AM
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As was stated the Naples expert has been banned. Unless someone else steps up out there, your best bet is to try and do a search using the box above to see if any "good" advise has previously been given.
Nov 10th, 2005, 11:20 AM
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DianeC, our Naples expert was banned for being snippy (his mother died a week ago) Hopefully he will be back soon to offer helpful information to you because he's really a great wealth of it. The weather is really delightful here in Florida (although it's a bit cloudy on the Fodors board).
Nov 10th, 2005, 11:23 AM
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Diane, if you can't find any good information regarding Naples at Christmas time using Fodor's Serch Box perhaps go onto Google. That might bring up some good information. And perhaps the Naple's Chamber of Commerce can assist you. I would imagine they have a website where you could email them, most Chamber's have one. I sure hope you are able to get the information you need. Naples is a beautiful area and I understand your looking forward to some warm weather. Post back here if we can be of any further assistance. And do keep checking this thread, hopefully someone on Fodor's will have the information you are seeking. Best regards.
Nov 10th, 2005, 03:00 PM
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Thanks everyone, maybe BannedPatrick isn't on his PC at the moment, hopefully when I look tomorrow he may have been on here. If you are Patrick, we would be grateful for any help, otherwise we will probably drop in on the C of C when we arrive!
Nov 10th, 2005, 06:54 PM
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Hi Diane!
I have spent most of my Chistmas Holidays in Florida with the majority of those being in Naples.
My best suggestion would be to stroll 5th avenue on Thursday night. They have live music which should be in the holiday spirit at that time. Would also guess the major hotels will have some nice displays. I recall the Ritz having 15ft tall gingerbread house on display.
I have spent most of my Chistmas Holidays in Florida with the majority of those being in Naples.
My best suggestion would be to stroll 5th avenue on Thursday night. They have live music which should be in the holiday spirit at that time. Would also guess the major hotels will have some nice displays. I recall the Ritz having 15ft tall gingerbread house on display.
Nov 11th, 2005, 04:20 PM
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OMG....I can't imagine banning Patrick given all the silly garbage that goes on here. I don't check in here very often anymore but I do know about Naples and live in Fort Myers so I will try to carry the banner for Patrick.
Are you staying at one of the big hotels? If so, maybe your concierge can snag you tickets for the Nutcracker at the Phil. There are sure to be other festive programs there. I usually don't journey down to Naples during high season (traffic is horrid).
Just wandering around Third Street South should put you in a Florida holiday spirit (retail version, that is). Fifth Avenue as well. Maybe we can see what is playing at Patrick's theatre, the Sugden, for the holidays.
If you are up to journeying beyond Naples boundaries, I will suggest travelling to Fort Myers to the Edison-Ford Winter Estates. These simple cottages have nothing to do with the grand country homes of the English country, but they do show where some of the greatest minds of the last century, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, chose to spend their winter vacations. The grounds are decorated for Christmas and even though Hurricane Wilma ravaged the property again, full steam ahead is the word for this holiday season.
LMF
Are you staying at one of the big hotels? If so, maybe your concierge can snag you tickets for the Nutcracker at the Phil. There are sure to be other festive programs there. I usually don't journey down to Naples during high season (traffic is horrid).
Just wandering around Third Street South should put you in a Florida holiday spirit (retail version, that is). Fifth Avenue as well. Maybe we can see what is playing at Patrick's theatre, the Sugden, for the holidays.
If you are up to journeying beyond Naples boundaries, I will suggest travelling to Fort Myers to the Edison-Ford Winter Estates. These simple cottages have nothing to do with the grand country homes of the English country, but they do show where some of the greatest minds of the last century, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, chose to spend their winter vacations. The grounds are decorated for Christmas and even though Hurricane Wilma ravaged the property again, full steam ahead is the word for this holiday season.
LMF
Nov 12th, 2005, 06:35 AM
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We are planning a possible move to the Fort Myers area. Actually, my husband and I are flying to Fort Myers next week. Is the area already decorated for Christmas? That's wonderful. Our family is having a hard time getting into the holiday spririt due to this impending move. Any tips on some great places to eat in Fort Myers? What about the elementary schools? I have an 11 and 8 year old who don't want to move. How can we lessen the blow to them? Any advice or help with this transition would be great.
Nov 12th, 2005, 07:32 AM
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I just got back from running errands in downtown Fort Myers and the royal palms lining lovely McGregor Blvd. were being strung with lights. It is a very pretty entrance to a small town in the throes of renewal (which is my job to a certain extent).
Most of the more affluent development at this point is in the southern area of Lee County and you will find places decorated for Christmas if they are retailers. Its a bit soon for everyone else.
I'll give you my top restaurants for Fort Myers:
1. Cantina Laredo (fine Mexican cuisine, not your typical tex mex) (Bell Tower shopping area)
2. Cru (sort of a chic scene and not really for kids) Bell Tower shopping area
3. Delicious Things: an italian start up in downtown Fort Myers...very fresh food and well priced. Service is uneven still because of language difficulties (everyone is Italian or German)
4. Harold's on Bay small independent restaurant in downtown Fort Myers.
5. The Verandah old Florida restaurant in two ramshackle old homes in the downtown business district.
6. Blu: great sushi bar with a younger crowd.
7. Thistle Lodge: I should move this to number 1 because its ambiance can not be matched in the area and the food is excellent and they have a good jazz pianist most nights. This restaurant is on Sanibel. Go early, get a glass of wine and watch the sun set over the gulf. Thistle Lodge is set back in the palms but is right on the beach.
8. Mimi's Cafe: Bell Tower. Place to take the kids with excellent food. Chain from California spreading its wings in the fastest growing area of the Southeast.
You should be able to google a website for all the above restaurants.
If your kids are the outdoor type, they should love it here. Beach, fishing, wildlife, lots of areas to ride ATVs, boating. Florida Everblades hockey is fun and spring season brings the Twins and the Red Sox to town.
LMF
Most of the more affluent development at this point is in the southern area of Lee County and you will find places decorated for Christmas if they are retailers. Its a bit soon for everyone else.
I'll give you my top restaurants for Fort Myers:
1. Cantina Laredo (fine Mexican cuisine, not your typical tex mex) (Bell Tower shopping area)
2. Cru (sort of a chic scene and not really for kids) Bell Tower shopping area
3. Delicious Things: an italian start up in downtown Fort Myers...very fresh food and well priced. Service is uneven still because of language difficulties (everyone is Italian or German)
4. Harold's on Bay small independent restaurant in downtown Fort Myers.
5. The Verandah old Florida restaurant in two ramshackle old homes in the downtown business district.
6. Blu: great sushi bar with a younger crowd.
7. Thistle Lodge: I should move this to number 1 because its ambiance can not be matched in the area and the food is excellent and they have a good jazz pianist most nights. This restaurant is on Sanibel. Go early, get a glass of wine and watch the sun set over the gulf. Thistle Lodge is set back in the palms but is right on the beach.
8. Mimi's Cafe: Bell Tower. Place to take the kids with excellent food. Chain from California spreading its wings in the fastest growing area of the Southeast.
You should be able to google a website for all the above restaurants.
If your kids are the outdoor type, they should love it here. Beach, fishing, wildlife, lots of areas to ride ATVs, boating. Florida Everblades hockey is fun and spring season brings the Twins and the Red Sox to town.
LMF
Nov 12th, 2005, 08:56 AM
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Thanks LMF! We are staying in the Regatta in a condo. whyever did they ban Patrick? Perhaps we all ought to send a petition to the moderator! I would love to go to the Nutcracker & I will have a look on line to see if it is possible to buy seats before arrival.
Nov 12th, 2005, 01:02 PM
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sorry, Diane, to lead you astray. The Nutcracker with the Miami Ballet is only there for two nights after Thanksgiving. Nov. 26-27. Looks like Lord of the Dance while you are here. Think that's Michael Flatley jigging for two hours. My husband was Irish and hated that show. 
I'll see what else comes up for you. LMF
I'll see what else comes up for you. LMF
