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Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Exploring the Luxury and Artistic Side of Palm Beach, Florida


Palm Beach, located on the east coast of Florida, is best known for its extravagant estates, upscale shopping, Palm trees, and beautiful beaches.




It is home to the rich and famous, including President Trump. Trumps “winter home” (including the Mar-a-Lago) is located water front on Ocean Boulevard along with other massive estates.





Our fist stop was the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. It is two-acres of lush tropical grounds with sculptures throughout. Read more about it in my post here.





After spending the morning at the gardens, we headed to Worth Avenue for some serious shopping.





Worth Avenue is a downtown area with upscale boutiques and restaurants.





Parking is a nightmare! I did notice valet parking carts in front of some of the stores, but we finally found parking about six blocks away.





I have to say, it was worth all of the trouble to get to it! Worth Avenue is beautiful!!!





And of course, my daughter had to shop in the Lilly Pulitzer store.




We had so much fun in Palm Beach! We were not able to stay in Palm Beach for the night, but we can not wait to go back and explore more of this beautiful city. We are looking at staying at The Colony Hotel, The Brazilian Court, or The Chesterfield for our return. They all are beautiful!




Location:

Palm Beach is located in southern Florida about 2 hours north of Miami and about 2 1/2 hours east of the FortMyers/Sanibel Island area.


Happy Travels!






Sunday, May 19, 2019

Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens: A Haven for Art Lovers


The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is two-acres of lush tropical grounds with sculptures throughout, located in Palm Beach, Florida.






The Gardens were designed by world-renowned botanist Sir Peter Smithers and include 250 rare palm species.





The house in the gardens was the residence of Ann until the time of her death in 1982. It is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places.







Nine of Ann’s statues are located throughout the gardens. They are made of bronze, stone and wood. More of her works can be found inside the studio and house.





The Garden is located less than two miles from the popular Worth Avenue in Palm Beach.

Address:

253 Barcelona Rd, West Palm Beach, FL 33401







Hours:

Wed - Sun   10 am – 4 pm   October through June


Admission:

Adult Visitors: $15 per person
65 and over: $10
Children ages 5 and up: $7 Children under 5 free





Happy Travels!










Sunday, May 12, 2019

Naples, Florida: Exploring the Paradise of Southwest Florida


The best way to describe Naples is “beautiful”! The beaches are beautiful, the shopping centers are beautiful, and the gardens are beautiful!






Where We Stayed



The Fairways Inn of Naples



Find out more about the Fairways Inn in my post here



Places We Visited



Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park






Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park has beautiful white sand beaches and clear turquoise water. Shelling is good if you can beat the locals to the beach in the mornings. After about 10am, it gets fairly crowded.


Hours: 8 a.m. to Sundown, daily

Entry Fee: $6 per vehicle

Address: 11135 Gulfshore Drive, Naples FL 34108



Naples Botanical Garden






Naples Botanical Garden is 170-acre tropical paradise featuring plants from around the world.

Hours: 9am - 5pm, daily

Entry Fee: Adults $19.95 Child (4-14) $9.95 

Address: 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples, FL 34112



Bayfront




Upscale community containing condos, boutiques, and fine dining on Naples Bay.

Parking is very limited.

Address: 436 Bayfront Pl, Naples, Florida 34102




5th Avenue








Things to do - Upscale shopping, hotels, and dinning

Address: Downtown area




Parking on or near 5th Avenue is impossible to find. We finally found parking in front of the Cambier Park Softball Field   

  Where we parked address: 585 Park St, Naples, FL 34102  


Naples City Dock







We visited some of the cutest boutiques around the dock area!

Address:  880 12th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102 



The Village Shops on Venetian Bay 






Address:

4200 Gulf Shore Blvd N, Naples, FL 34103



T J Maxx



Someone told us they had some Lilly Pulitzer dresses there, so we had to check it out. 😀


Address: 5018 Airport Pulling Road North, Naples, FL 34105



Tigertail Beach (Marco Island)


We did not get a chance to visit Marco Island on the trip, but it is amazing! You can read about my trip there with the hubby here.



What we thought of Naples


This was my second trip to Naples, but my mother and daughter's first. Getting around was easy and everything was closer than it seems on a map.




Three generations of opinions to help you decide what you may like best! lol


 My favorite places were Naples Botanical Garden and Delenor Wiggins state park.

 My daughter favorite places were 5th Avenue and Delenor Wiggins state park.

My mothers’ favorite places were Naples Botanical Gardens and the hotel (Fairways Inn of Naples)



Overall, we all loved Naples and can’t wait to return!


Happy Travels!