Naples' motto is "rich in pleasures," and the city combines 10 miles of beautiful Gulf beaches with upscale living. Although its 1,000-foot fishing pier was built in 1887 and is a must-see for romantic sunsets, Naples is best known for its broad, shell-specked beaches. The shops and galleries of Old Naples are a bonus, as well as the many attractions for nature lovers.

Map Naples, on the west coast of Florida IF YOU GO Getting there: By car, take I-75 west for a little more than two hours. Several airlines offer flights to Naples Municipal Airport (941-643-0733), but there are no direct connections and most will take longer than driving. Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers (239-768-1000), about a 45-minute drive from Naples, also offers flights to and from Fort Lauderdale, but none are direct. Most flights are between two and three hours long. More information: Call the Naples Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center, 941-262-6141. On the Web: www.naples-florida.com. Weather: Current conditions and five-day forecast for Naples. PHOTO Sky over Naples See larger image (Sun-Sentinel/TAIMY ALVAREZ)

Shoppers find heaven across Alligator Alley
When I tire of mall shopping on South Florida's east coast, I get on Alligator Alley and head to the west coast and Fifth Avenue South on Saturday and Third Street South on Sunday.

Leaving civilization behind with a kayak in the Glades
I spied a bald eagle riding the heat current high in the air over Sunday Bay. Or was it Oyster Bay? The dark-green mangrove islands, winding channels and blue-green bays in this part of the Everglades all look alike. It didn't matter where we were. This trip was about losing ourselves in a place without getting lost, a place that is never obvious.

South Florida history prevails in Everglades City
This year's Gathering of the Florida Humanities Council took place in Everglades City. The "city" in Everglades City is, of course, a grand pretense applied to this burg of fewer than 500 people that's miles from anyplace urban. The real Everglades city is Miami. Before getting drained and filled, almost the entire 150 blocks west of today's 27th Avenue were swamp, dipping from the Atlantic Ridge almost clear to Naples.

Visitors find a cozy charm in Naples B&Bs
This Gulf-side town has become a sophisticated retreat with boutiques, galleries, stylish restaurants, stately mansions and two Ritz Carltons. It boasts more millionaires per capita than any other city in the state and more golf courses too.

Corkscrew Swamp: It's definitely not a 'bored' walk
One of the things I love about Florida is that there are also places where you can escape the mall culture and return to the Old Florida, to cypress swamps and wildlife refuges where birds of every color congregate and alligators bask on sunny embankments.

Spirit of New Orleans in Naples
Naples' Inn on Fifth is hardly a lil' old mom and pop B&B, but then Naples is not exactly a lil' old back country crossroads. And its Fifth Avenue is certainly not just another row of strip mall shops. After all, the Inn on Fifth has a prominent bank in its lineage.