Dave Osborn and Ricardo Rolón | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
It’s not truly the holiday season until they light the tree in Old Naples.
Thousands gathered Nov. 24 for the 48th annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Third Street South, the unofficial start of the holiday season in Naples.
This holiday tradition transforms the district into a wonderland of twinkling lights, festive music, “snow” and seasonal cheer.
View the photo gallery on naplesnews.com.
There’s so much to enjoy in the Naples, Florida area. Be close to the fun with a home in the area. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
Dave Osborn | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
It’s been a hidden respite in Southwest Florida for years.
Naples Botanical Garden sits on 170 acres and is made up of smaller, separate gardens that represent various natural habitats and ecosystems.
And Naples Botanical Garden ― about three miles from downtown Naples ― features exhibits throughout the year. Here’s what to know about the Garden, as it’s known.
Garden becomes magical during holidays
It’s an end-of-the-year treat many await. The Johnsonville Night Lights in the Garden creates a colorful world at night, where visitors can walk through the meticulously created wonderland.
Night Lights runs Nov. 28-Jan. 4, and is closed Dec. 24, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31.
Ticket prices vary and gradually increase as the holidays approach.
Read the full article with photos on naplesnews.com.
There’s so much to enjoy in the Naples, Florida area. Be close to the fun with a home in the area. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
J. Kyle Foster | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
Old Florida. Dade County pine. Quiet and peaceful. Old oaks and rich vegetation. No roads. No cars. That’s Useppa Island.
Useppa Island also is multi-million-dollar homes – all white with tin roofs; an exclusive society of members; a 100-acre playground for the wealthy who want their privacy.
And Useppa Island is rich in history – from the Calusa Indians to pirates and explorers, fishermen looking for – and finding – giant tarpon – to visits from captains of industry – the Vanderbilts, the Rothchilds, the Rockefellers, John Roach and Barron Collier, both of whom once owned the island at one point. Useppa also was where CIA agents took over in the spring of 1960, and used it as secret training camp for the invasion of Fidel Castro’s Cuba – the Bay of Pigs invasion.
Located in the northern end of Pine Island Sound between Fort Myers in Lee County and Sarasota in Sarasota County, Useppa is special, its homeowners say, and they want to preserve it.
The News-Press/Naples Daily News took a tour Oct. 7 with Useppa Island Partners LLC Chief Executive Officer Steve Mezynieski and Chairman Simon Bound. The company, made up of a group of 10 homeowners, bought the island in September for $16 million. Now, they say, they’ll invest $35 million to restore the infrastructure and make upgrades.
Read the full article on news-press.com.
