Collier County

Naples was founded during the late 1880s by former Confederate general and Kentucky U.S. Senator John Stuart Williams and his partner, Louisville businessman Walter N. Haldeman, the publisher of the Louisville Courier-Journal. Throughout the 1870s and '80s, magazine and newspaper stories telling of the area's mild climate and abundant fish and game likened it to the sunny Italian peninsula. The name Naples caught on when promoters described the bay as "surpassing the bay in Naples, Italy". Major development was anticipated after the railroad reached Naples on January 7, 1927 and the Tamiami Trail linking Naples to Miami was completed in 1928; but did not begin until after the Great Depression and World War II. During the war the Army Air Force built a small air field and used it for training purposes; it is now the Naples Municipal Airport.

Originally named San Marco Island by Spanish explorers, Marco Island is the largest barrier island within Southwest Florida's Ten Thousand Islands area extending southerly to Cape Sable. Like the City of Naples to the north, Marco Island enjoys a tropical climate, specifically a tropical wet and dry or savanna type (Aw under the Koppen system). It is known for distinct wet and dry seasons, with most of the rainfall falling between the months of June and October.

NAPLES, FLORIDA

Known for seemingly endless shopping, award-winning dining and white-sandy beaches, Naples is a unique tropical location with some of the best weather on Earth. CNN and Money Magazine have both recognized Collier County as one of the top five "Best places for a long life in the United States." 

Naples is Golfers Paradise!

Naples was rated the #1 golf destination in Florida by Golflink.com. With more than 80 championship golf courses in the Naples area, Naples is the self-titled "Golf Capital of the World", claiming to have more holes per capita than any other community. Naples features many communities with high-end private courses as well as many public-play options. Courses in this area tend to be resort-style courses designed by big-name architects, including Greg Norman, Hal Sutton and Arthur Hills.

There are almost as many tennis courts as golf courses in Naples!

Naples hosts The Oliver Group Champions Cup of the Outback Champions Tennis Series each year.

Naples has World Class Shopping.

Find world class shopping on 5th Avenue and 3rd Street in Old Naples, the Mercato and Waterside Shops at Pelican Bay. 5th Avenue and 3rd Street South shopping districts feature a variety of antique shops. Gallery Row, also downtown, is a concentration among the numerous art galleries spread throughout the downtown area. The Village on Venetian Bay is an upscale open-air shopping district on the Gulf coast. Located directly off of Tamiami Trail are the Waterside Shops, an upscale open-air center. Near downtown on Naples Bay and the Gordon River is the shopping district Tin City specializing in antiques and handmade local novelties. The new Mercato featuring a mix of residential and commercial upscale living features bars, shops and restaurants in North Naples.

Naples is the epicenter for The Arts in Southwest Florida.

Not only does it have world class boating and fishing on the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, but Naples is becoming the epicenter for The Arts in Southwest Florida. Downtown Naples is home to Sugden Theatre, featuring The Naples Players and the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts is nestled near Pelican Bay. The luxurious Silverspot Cinema at Mercato recently opened to rave reviews. With over 30 art galleries and a number of impressive venues to attend a film, play or concert, Naples is dedicated to the arts.

Naples is home to several major natural land preserves.

Naples is home to several major land reserves, including the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, and Picayune Strand State Forest. The Naples area is also home to the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, which dates back to 1919.

Clean Beaches & Brilliant Sunsets are some of the greatest experiences in Naples Florida.

The coast of the Gulf of Mexico is more than 10 miles long, and is noted for its cleanliness and pristine white sand. In 2005, Naples was voted the best beach in America by the Travel Channel.

Naples is a World Class Community.

Naples has some of the world's most sought after coastal real estate and world class communities including Aqualane Shores, Collier's Reserve, Grey Oaks, Gulfshore Boulevard, Old Naples,Pelican Bay, Port Royaland Royal Harbor to name just a few. Our community prides itself on maintaining our pristine quality of life while ensuring responsible development. 

MARCO ISLAND, FLORIDA

Situated at the northernmost point of the picturesque Ten Thousand Islands and just south of Naples, Marco Island, Florida is your island in the sun.

Marco Island is graced with miles of white-sand beaches, luxurious real estate, beautiful year-round weather, sumptuous restaurants, fine shopping, dining, lively entertainment, attractions and plenty of recreational activities from boating and fishing, to golf and tennis, and more. All set amid the stunning subtropical beauty that is unique to Southwest Florida's Gulf coast. Marco Island is more than just a beach vacation; Marco Island is home not only to the best in nature and to pure white sand beaches but Marco Island is also home to those who demand the best in life. The Island is located in the northern most location of the ten thousand islands that surround Florida and found to be just a bit south of Naples Florida.

With so many activities and festivals through out the year, Marco Island has become more than a tourist attraction, for many who live permanently on the Island, the fabulous style is a way of life.
Florida's Gulf is a wonderland of nature and water and so much more. Entertainment, tropical beauty and water activities are sure to keep every member of the family occupied, no matter what time of the day or night it is.
Miles of white sand greet you, have fun in the sun in a natural paradise that will help your worries go away. No matter whether you are interested in visiting on Marco Island or if you are planning on staying a long time Marco Island is the perfect get away location. Marco Island is an unforgettable place and you just might want to come back again and again.