photo mosaic of Naples, Florida pier, Bayfront, Bayside, dolphin jumping, magenta orchid, water birds silhouetted against the sunset
Naples fest named No. 1 again by USA Today 10BEST

Naples fest named No. 1 again by USA Today 10BEST

Dave Osborn |Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

Make that two years in a row.

The Naples Winter Wine Fest has been named No. 1 in the USA Today 10BEST for the second year in a row. The annual fest also was named top dog in 2025.

“We are delighted to once again be recognized as the best wine festival in the United States,” said Lisa Juliano, senior vice president, Naples Winter Wine Festival & Event Production, in a news release.

“This honor is a tribute to our incredible trustees, volunteers, partners, vintners, chefs, supporters and patrons who made this recognition possible.”

Who made 10BEST list
Three out of the top 10 wine fests are in Florida.

See the list and read the full article on naplesnews.com.

Naples sunrise, sunsets times under permanent daylight saving time

Naples sunrise, sunsets times under permanent daylight saving time

Cheryl McCloud | USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida

Florida residents, like those in every other state except Hawaii and most of Arizona, change the clocks twice every year.

Whether this will be the year that stops remains to be seen.

The U.S. House voted 308-117 July 14 to make daylight saving time permanent, sending H.R. 139 to the Senate for consideration.

The Senate version of the bill, S. 29, has been in limbo since it was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on Jan. 7, 2025.

While President Trump has signaled support of making daylight saving time permanent, getting enough senators to vote in favor of the measure remains questionable.

What would making daylight saving time permanent mean in Naples?

When is daylight saving time?
Under daylight saving time, the clock moves forward one hour at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March.

At 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November, the clock is moved back one hour.

If daylight saving time were permanent, what would that mean in Naples, Florida? Read more on naplesnews.com.

Beachgoers beware: That pretty shell could land you in jail

Beachgoers beware: That pretty shell could land you in jail

Amy Bennett Williams | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

Uh-oh. You’re strolling the beach, looking down and there it is: a gorgeous shell. You stoop low, pluck it up, then see that horse conch (or lightning whelk or giant cockle – whatever) has a living critter still inside,

It may be tempting to pop it in your bag, before going the ol’ boil-and-bleach route, but is it worth jail time?

Collecting a still-occupied shell can carry environmental consequences and, in Lee County, legal penalties. Many visitors remain unaware that removing most live shells is prohibited and can result in fines or jail time.

Instead of pocketing the mollusk, the best case scenario is snapping a quick photo (a shell-fie?) then gently replacing the shell below the waterline, so it can live to delight another day.

Bonus: If you’re in Lee County, you’ve also dodged a potential $500 fine and 60-day jail term for breaking the county’s live shell rules.

In Southwest Florida, shells are foundational – sometimes literally – read the full article on naplesnews.com to find out more.

 

Bayfront in Naples is getting a Barneys, but that’s not all

Bayfront in Naples is getting a Barneys, but that’s not all

Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

Barneys New York is making a comeback with its first store planned for Naples.

The famed high-end department store is coming to Bayfront, a mixed-use development overlooking Naples Bay and the Gordon River, at the corner of Goodlette-Frank Road and U.S. 41.

The store is part of a larger effort to attract more upscale retailers and restaurants to the decades-old development.

In confirming a signed lease for a 10,000-square-foot reimagined Barneys store, Bayfront founder and CEO Kevin Stoneburner shared he’s worked earnestly to reposition the commercial center as a true luxury destination for more than two years.

He hasn’t been doing it alone.

He’s worked closely on the repositioning with John Marquette, an architect, entrepreneur and designer who expanded his 4141 Design Group and brought the luxury furniture brand B&B Italia to Bayfront in late 2024.

Read more on naplesnews.com.

Rare Naples cottage once owned by design icon hits market

Rare Naples cottage once owned by design icon hits market

Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

A quaint cottage that once served as a personal retreat for Albert Hadley, a legendary interior designer, has hit the market in Naples.

Believed to have been home to the original postmistress in Old Naples, Hadley discovered the 1930s-era cottage decades later and reportedly purchased it on the spot.

The late American designer’s client list included the likes of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Brooke Astor and Oscar de la Renta.

Land records show Hadley owned the property from 1998 to 2002.

The current owners, Tom and Jackie Kramer, say they still love the home and its “historical pedigree,” but they’ve outgrown it. Their count of grandchildren has grown threefold since purchasing the property, so they want a larger home for family gatherings.

More about the one-of-a-kind listing
Spanning 2,297 square feet, the main residence has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, with a pool and a patio.

There’s a separate guest cottage, which the Kramers “describe as any grandchild’s dream.” It includes a kitchenette, a built-in queen bed, a separate bunk room and a fully remodeled bathroom.

The property is listed for $5.99 million.

Read the full article with photos and video on naplesnews.com.

Real estate gold: Six priciest houses sold in 2026 in Collier County

Real estate gold: Six priciest houses sold in 2026 in Collier County

Mark H. Bickel | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

These are the six most expensive homes sold through the first half of 2026 in Collier County.

Data provided by Royal Shell Real Estate.

JANUARY

4296 Cutlass Lane, Naples | Sold: $55,000,000
List price: $60,000,000

Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal

Size: 15,309 square feet

Year built: 2017

Days on market: 56

Amenities: Bayfront, Boat Dock/Lift, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill

View: Bay

Read more and view photos of these luxurious properties on naplesnews.com.

Ready to explore the most exceptional properties of Southwest Florida? Contact me today to begin your journey. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.