Luxe hotels, seafood dives and Hemingway lazy days
Destination
Naples, FL: From the Thomas Edison home to the artful cottages and Mediterranean mansions, Naples retro-style is lavish and abundant, especially along Gordon Drive. Check into the Ritz-Carlton or Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club, then explore the picturesque city after an early morning on this historic Pier and sugar sand beaches. Enjoy brunch at The Bay House, lunch at The Turtle Club Restaurant, dinner at Timeless An MHK Eatery, shopping at 3rd St. South (A Mano, Marissa Collections) and Tin City. paradisecoast.com
Event
Hemingway Days Key West: Celebrates all things Papa from July 17-22 with a weeklong festival that includes a look-alike contest, readings, book signings, the running of the bulls, arm wrestling contest and lots of drinking. There’s a commemoration of the 119th anniversary of his July 21 birth, a museum exhibit of rare Hemingway memorabilia and a three-day marlin tournament recalling his passion for deep-sea angling. Book now; it sells out! fla-keys.com/hemingway-days
Resort
Hotel Colonnade Miami: Explore all Miami has to offer beyond the beach and book your trip to the Coral Gables neighborhood at Hotel Colonnade. Bold yet elegant, Hotel Colonnade’s location on the Miracle Mile puts you steps from some of the city’s best dining, arts, culture, and boutiques. Florida residents can enjoy special discounts including a savings of up to 10% on weekdays and weekends, 20% off Aragon Café and room service, 2 complimentary drinks at the Lobby Bar and 50% a confirmed upgrade in advance. Book online with code “LCPKG1”. hotelcolonnade.com
Shop
Vintage New York:A summer visit to the Big Apple is not complete without a bling thing to take home. Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue are meccas, but what about a little kitsch? At James Veloria inside a Chinatown mall near the Manhattan Bridge, you’ll discover expertly curated vintage designer goods (Issey Miyak, Moschino) while Feng Sway in Greenpoint yields a bounty of Floridian vintage fit for flamingo fans that include finds from Palm Beach estate sales (1940’s bamboo purses).
Restaurant
Seafood Dives: It seems like a long way off, but planners want this on their schedule – Gulf Shores’ Annual National Shrimp Festival in October is a dR Favorite, but you can nibble sensational shrimp steamed or battered all year round at King Neptune’s Seafood Restaurant (royal reds), City Grill (shrimp and gouda grits), Bahama Bob’s (shrimp salad po-boys), Lulu’s at Homeport (fried), West Beach Grille (shrimp sliders) or The Shrimp Basket (fried with shrimp slaw). Algulfcoastchamber.com
