We headed up to Naples from Key Largo on the Wednesday by which time the traffic had died down a bit on the Overseas Highway. We travelled right across Florida just skirting the edge of Miami and then right through the Everglades.
En route we stopped and took an airboat ride through the Everglades. We had done this before a few years back but not on such a small boat, or with such a lovely guide.
Buffalo Tiger Airboat tours is managed by a Miccosukee family who have lived and worked in the Everglades for many generations. The tour was much better than our previous one, we saw many alligators up close and other wildlife and birds. We were also taken to a small settlement of shelters which is kept intact in honour of the Miccosukee tribe and took a short walk through the undergrowth. A very worthwhile trip.
We travelled on to Naples and found ourselves in lovely small town with a very walkable town centre.
We stayed at the Trianon Hotel which had an old fashioned European feel - ideally located within walking distance between 'Tin City' and the downtown area.
The first impressions of Naples were of an upscale resort with a laid back feel. Everyone seemed to be 'on vacation' and so no one was in a hurry and everyone was smiling.
After a customary rest, we headed out to the town area however, the heavens had opened and we got a bit caught in a downpour. The bars we visited were quiet on a midweek night. We firstly visited an 'Irish bar' at the far end of the main street, but it was just a bit too quiet for us. So we ventured back towards the town and ended up in a pleasant and altogether busier place called Shea's at Landsdowne Street. A bit tricky to find down a side alley, this was a buzzing hostelry, a great atmosphere and very good service.
We were happy we had found it for our first whole evening in Naples.
The next day we wandered along to the beach from our hotel. A short drive with an even shorter walk, the beach was beautiful. A lovely pier jutted out from the centre of the long strip of sand and the area was once again busy with people enjoying the sun.
We bathed in the sea - which was warm, and lazed on the sand on our towels.
After a morning of sunbathing, we found our way to a nice little pub at the other end of Naples in an area which really had mainly condominium blocks and little else. Still, the pub grub was good and the service once again first class.
We rested back at the hotel, and then I popped out to explore 'Tin City' which is collection of tourist shops and restaurants which used to be in the harbour area of Naples. It's fun to wander around and the pubs and restaurants looked good so we walked back along there in the evening.
Live music was playing and the pubs closed early so we wandered back to Shea's for our nightcap.