Naples = Paradise

Naples, Florida--What’s not to love? Imagine massive green palm trees, spectacular white sandy beaches that reach out to meet the warm, turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico and plentiful upscale restaurants, shops and communities.

 Named by developers after the lovely Italian city of Naples, this area seriously has it all. With average January and February temperatures reaching the mid-seventies and the average lows only dipping to the mid-fifties, it is a temporary home to snow birds from Chicago and the mid-west, as well as Canadians and northeasterners.

Tourism is their industry, and the traffic during January through March proves it. I have to admit that when I visited Naples in March, 2013, an unusual cold front had crept in, and one full-time resident announced, “I don’t even have clothes for this kind of cold weather!” The chilly spell didn’t last long, however, and life was soon back to perfectly normal in sunny Naples.

Visitors and residents are blessed with a multitude of options for filling their time. There are an infinite number of tours, attractions and activities. Naples has a Hop-on/Hop-off narrated trolley tour, Everglades excursions, nature preserves, casino cruises, a Murder Mystery Dinner Train, water sports of any type that you could hope for, express boats to Key West, para-sailing, wine vineyards, Jet Pack Adventures, riverboat cruises, fishing expeditions, a pirate cruise, ample opportunities for golf and mini-golf and close proximity to peaceful Sanibel and Captiva Islands, known for the best shelling around and sunsets so moving that they will seem almost like a spiritual experience.

 If all of that doesn’t get your vacationer’s heart pumping, consider that the Naples vicinity is a mecca for showcasing the arts. Offering opera, a regional orchestra, Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts, art and craft shows, dinner theatre and much more, there is no need for arts withdrawal while staying in this community. The shopping barometer represents high levels of fabulous shopping to satisfy the tastes of even the most discriminating. From the Miromar Outlets to the Village on Venetian Bay, the Waterside Shops, Mercato, downtown Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South stores and boutiques, charm is exuded from every corner.

Warning*Warning*Warning--shopping is not for the faint of wallet unless you happen to be here in the summertime off-season.

Florida is Florida, but there is something special about Naples that will keep pulling you back year after year as long as your budget enjoys ample cash flow. It is about as close to being in paradise as one can find on this earth.

The Village on Venetian Bay

Venetian Bay

Tampa is Hopping

Tampa, Florida is a coastal city with much to offer in every season. I was recently there for a few days and discovered a fascinating downtown area.

The 2010 census reports a population of 335,709 for Tampa, but other sources which include the entire Tampa Bay area state that there are 2.7 million residents.

During a visit to the nearby downtown library, I came across a book entitled Tampa on My Mind by Kimberly Williams, Greg Thomas, Ronald Williams and Cheryl Borman. With accompanying photos, I discovered some interesting facts about Tampa. It was originally a remote military outpost called Fort Brooke, cleared from a dense jungle in 1824. That’s difficult to imagine today with its tall buildings which house offices, restaurants, museums, theaters, courthouses and residences.

One fascinating structure is the Sykes Building, one of the tallest limestone buildings in the world. My research revealed that its cylindrical design was intended to symbolize a lighthouse. This building is home to a wonderfully classy restaurant called Malio’s Prime Steakhouse at 400 N. Ashley Drive. See http://www.maliosprime.com. With a lovely view of the Hillsborough River, the Riverwalk and the University of Tampa’s 105 acre campus, the Sykes Building and Malio’s are in a fabulous location.

What does the Tampa area have to offer? Let me count the venues. No, that is totally impossible. Just trust me when I tell you that there are numerous choices including, but not limited to: Busch Gardens, beaches, canoe and kayak excursions, helicopter tours, boat rentals, fishing charters, golf, dining cruises, museums, zoos, an aquarium, pro sports, baseball’s spring training events, Big Cat Rescue, performing arts activities, art and craft fairs, and the largest port in Florida with a multitude of cruise options. No one could be bored in Tampa unless they are glued to their sofas.

While the downtown area has seen amazing revitalization, one interesting aspect that I discovered was that there is virtually no shopping there. One must travel away from the downtown in order to locate department stores, shops and boutiques. That was the only treasured activity that seemed to be oddly missing.

Tampa Bay area's got it all going on, and a visit during the winter months can be a welcome break from the snow or frigid temperatures of the north. With bright, blue skies and occasional puffy, white clouds northerners think it's a mighty fine place to be--even if a cold front makes the Floridians shudder. While the typical pleasant temperatures entice a large population of snow birds, Tampa is an ideal location for many to call home from January through December.

From Italy with Love & Limoncello

This blog was actually started following a 2011 trip to Italy. After many requests and some extra tidbits added, a book has now been released to detail the events of this adventure. Available now in paperback, Kindle and Nook formats, readers can travel with us along this amazing journey. From Italy with Love & Limoncello will warm your heart as you sing, dance, dine and shop with us throughout three regions of Italy. Come on along and join us for the vacation of a lifetime in From Italy with Love & Limoncello! Visit http://www.awriterspresence.com for links to all formats and various purchase options. Ciao!

The Golden Isles of Coastal Georgia

When you envision of the state of Georgia, what scenery enters your mind? Would it be navigating the overcrowded highways in the Atlanta area? The colorful flowers on the course and lush fairways of Amen Corner at Augusta, home of the famous Masters Golf Tournament?

While we don’t generally think of it as being a coastal state, one source indicates that Georgia actually has 192.63 miles of coastline. From Brunswick to the four islands comprising The Golden Isles, there is much territory to explore, dining to relish, golf to frustrate or delight, bicycles and horses to ride, fish to catch, beaches to stroll, spectacular scenery to photograph, and so much more. Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and Little St. Simons Island welcome you for a well-deserved period of rest or recreation.

During a September, 2011 visit to The Cloister at Sea Island, I was pleasantly surprised to find a spacious room at The Beach Club, beautifully manicured grounds, accommodating staff, a massage experience at the 65,000 square foot spa  & fitness center that could sooth and relax even the most stressed out bodies, five miles of private beach, three swimming pools, and an all around peaceful, romantic hideaway.

Just a few of the organized activities on tap during the week were an ecumenical Sunday service in the Cloister Chapel, swimming lessons, programs for children, fitness classes, personal training, nutritional consultations, sailboat rentals, rides and lessons, tennis, golf, horseback riding including beach rides, wooded trail rides and private lessons, fishing lessons, clay target shooting, dance lessons, and on and on!

 

With an average high of 60 degrees and an average low of 43 during January, and July charting an average high of 91 and low of 75, the month of September offered warm days and comfortably mild evenings during our visit.

Walking around the property was a pleasure, and our group was treated to a facility, kitchen, and wine cellar tour, which was informative as well as entertaining. The beauty of this location is that you can be as enthusiastically active or shamelessly lazy as you wish, and no one will object. It’s your time, and your respite from the real world. 

Chef Daniel taking time from his busy day!

From an exploration of the lighthouse and Maritime Center on St. Simons Island, salt marsh kayaking and boat tours at The Cloister, to meandering around the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, a National Historic Landmark where America’s wealthiest families were known to winter at the turn of the century, the natural beauty of The Golden Isles will call your name to return time and time again.

 Treat yourself—you deserve it!

I'll be seeing you soon with another amazing location to share. Wishing you all a happy, healthy, blessed, travel-filled new year!!

The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs

I sincerely wish I could maintain a more consistent posting schedule on this travel blog, but with all of the projects I juggle, this one seems to be destined to remain at the bottom of the "To Do" list. I actually LOVE to write about travel, but I also love to write about writing and post far more frequently to http://www.maryannebenedetto.blogspot.com, where I often feature other authors and their works, provide updates on my endeavors, interview interesting and inspiring characters that I meet along this writing journey, and just mention whatever is on my scattered mind.

In the interest of keeping this blog alive, however, I'm posting today about one of my favorite locations: The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO.  I have stayed there multiple times in the past few years, and each visit was beyond relaxing and peaceful. I previously wrote about this lovely property a couple of years ago on my writing blog, and I'll share that information (slightly revised) with you today.

We recently had the privilege of spending a few days at the fabulous Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. I can't begin to describe the beauty, relaxation, and accommodation that this location provides. From the yummy dining, the fabulous spa, the picturesque outdoor lakeside pool, charming paddle boats, hidden flower and sculpture gardens, the blue Colorado sky with the cottony white puffy clouds, and charming boutiques to the meticulously manicured 54 holes of golf, this place is amazing. The staff members were incredibly helpful and friendly. Rumor has it that one of the three golf courses is far more challenging than the others, but I won't reveal which one is the toughest. 

A visit to the spa is a MUST, where one will find all tension eliminated by the experts in facials and massage. It features a special relaxation room, where one can lean back in a comfortable, cushiony lounge, sip lemon flavored water and nibble on fruit, and read a book or magazine while occasionally gazing out a gigantic picture window that exposes a background of spectacular blue sky and mountain scenery. A visit to this spa isn't complete without a brief stop in one of the restrooms--even if you don't really have the urge to go. The restrooms were the talk of the dinner table, as the ladies were astounded at the unique experience of sitting on a heated toilet seat at the spa. That wasn't all, however. The bidet has nothing on these toilets. They were fitted with some type of contraption with a control panel on the right hand wall where one could choose a front light spray, front heavy spray, rear light spray, rear heavy spray, and the best----a dryer. I must say that I have never seen anything like this in my entire life--the toilet seat of all toilet seats. I could have stayed in there for half an hour just to experiment with the various sprays and dryer. I pushed every button just to see what it would happen next! I wish I had taken a photo of it, but it simply didn't occur to me at the time.

Essential to a trip to Colorado Springs is the cog railway trip to the top of Pike's Peak. The Broadmoor is at an elevation just above 6,000 feet, and Pike's Peak boasts an elevation of approximately 14,100 feet. Let me assure you that at that height, it definitely impacts your body. I felt light headed, queasy, woozy, and almost disoriented; however, it is something that everyone in good health should experience once. I've been there twice, so I've exceeded the requisite one visit. Next time, I think I'll try out the golf course or the heated toilet seat instead. You will notice in the photo that I am not smiling, and yes, that is snow on which I'm reluctantly standing. I was turning green at the time, and stayed outside just long enough for the photos.

On a prior visit to the Broadmoor, I was fortunate enough to be included in an historical tour of the property, hosted by a knowledgeable, affable guide. Learning the history of this magnificent location was fascinating.

I highly recommend the Broadmoor for a well deserved getaway!

Exploring the Historic Hudson Valley

It isn’t just a series of rolling hills that is coincidentally situated between New York City and the Adirondack Mountains. It is a worthy destination of its own!

Venture off the New York State Thruway at Exit 17 approximately one hour north of New York City at Newburgh, New York, and enter a timeless sanctuary of serenity—packed with options of activities representing a simpler, more peaceful era. The vicinity offers tours of West Point, comfortable Bed & Breakfasts, multiple antique market locations, galleries featuring fine art, sculptures, photography, handmade jewelry, pottery and blown glass.  There are concerts, crafts fairs, festivals, historic mansion tours, castles, villas, inns, a renowned culinary institute, horse shows, fabulous restaurants, tea rooms, museums, the New York Renaissance Faire, hiking, horseback riding and the best shining gem of all—the picturesque Hudson River. Plant a little smooch on the lips of your darlin’ as you saunter, hand in hand, along the romantic riverfront.

Not only is the visitor able to choose from a variety of restaurant venues spaced along the spectacular riverfront, but they can also hop aboard a tour boat that will guide them on a narrative historical journey as they navigate the waters of the mighty Hudson. While there are numerous choices, Hubby and I ventured over to The River Rose during a recent visit. This is an authentic New Orleans paddle wheeler that holds 150 passengers plus an affable crew. We spent some time chatting with Captain John “Duke” Panzela—truly a fascinating character. I’d certainly like to be writing his life story! An entertaining, informative, reasonably priced two hour tour on a pristine, sun-soaked day was a perfect (oops, Never Say Perfect…the name of one of my novels…) and memorable afternoon along the Hudson. Check out http://www.riverrosecruises.com.

Dinner at elegant Torches on the riverfront was the epitome of a lovely dining experience and served as a delicious glaze on top of a special day to cherish. Torches serves “Eclectic American Cuisine” and boasts a 6,000 gallon aquarium for diners to ogle.See http://www.torchesonthehudson.com.

For additional information about the Hudson Valley region, visit http://www.experiencethehudsonvalley.com, and plan to take that detour off the hectic NYS Thruway by taking Exit 17. You may just be glad you did!

Sipping an afternoon iced tea along the riverfront

Hope to see you again soon!

Mary Anne Benedetto