Naples, Florida lies on the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida.  With its warm tropical climate and gorgeous white sand beaches it is one of the most desirable places for second homes in the U.S.  One of the main benefits of living in Naples is its proximity to many other destinations – day trips are easy and pleasureful!

One of the nearest day trips from Naples is the short drive to Ave Maria, Florida.  Ave Maria is just a 25 minute drive from North Naples and is a picturesque university community that opened in 2007.  Ave Maria University, with its chapel at the center of town, is a Catholic university founded in concert with the town by Tom Monaghan, the founder of Domino’s Pizza.  Walking around the town square and roaming the interior of the university chapel, it feels as though you have stepped back in time to a quieter era where people bike to the town center to gather at the local coffee shop. However, if quiet relaxation is not what you are looking for in your day trip, there are many other destinations near Naples.

For the canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts, the Ten Thousand Islands should be high on the list.  Situated south of Naples, Ten Thousand Islands is a chain of barrier and mangrove islands – in fact, Marco Island (considered by some as a part of Naples), is actually the largest island in the Ten Thousand Islands.  The hundreds of islands that make up the Ten Thousand provide endless channels for kayaking and canoeing.  Many of the islands in the chain are not suitable for habitation – alas many of them are no more than mangrove forests (so there is no actual “above ground” to speak of).  However, some islands can support overnight campers, and many of the islands on the southern part of the chain are becoming snorkeling and fishing destinations.  And on your way down, don’t forget to stop and check out Chokoloskee and Everglades City, two tiny towns with great food and great atmosphere.