Best Mother's Day Gifts in Naples Florida

Waterside Shops at Dusk
Originally uploaded by Hilton Naples

Mother’s Day in Naples is a tradition – here’s a list of some of the best Mother’s Day Gifts:

Purchase a gift at Saks Fifth Avenue, Waterside Shops, on May 8th and they’ll engrave a special message for Mom on it

Mom will enjoy Free Family Day at the Naples Museum of Art on May 8th

Treat Mom to a performance at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts on May 8th - “From the New World” with conductor Jorge Meser and pianist Joyce Yang

Want to treat Mom to the best dining in Naples – bring her to Shula’s Steak House inside the Hilton Naples Hotel for Mother’s Day Brunch or Dinner. Make reservations before May 1st and Mom will receive a complimentary bottle of Champagne. Click here to reserve now.

Take Mom to the Naples Zoo on Mother’s Day – click here for her complimentary ticket

If Mom’s adventurous, she’ll enjoy a half-price Manatee Eco Tour with Double R’s Fishing and Tour Company on Mother’s Day – reservations required 239-642-9779

For a relaxing Mother’s Day afternoon, bring Mom to the Naples Daily News Jazz Band concert at Cambier Park in Old Naples – it’s free, just bring chairs

Great Dock Canoe Race

Be a part of Naples tradition and join the costumed crowds for a day of fun and sun at this year’s Great Dock Canoe Race. We caught up to the canoe race founder to see if we could crack this year’s theme.

“The theme and theme parade are always among the most fun parts of the Race,” comments Vin DePasquale, owner of the Dock and Riverwalk Restaurants and founder of the Race. “This year, in honor of the Olympics, we’re using ‘Let the Games Begin!!’ – and Brian Shimer, Olympic bobsledding bronze medalist, is our Grand Marshall. And, thanks to the sponsorship of the Seminole Casino Immokalee, we are offering a $1,000 prize to the best-dressed canoe.”
The event kicks off on May 8th at Crayton Cove on Naples Bay, just 6 miles from the Hilton Naples Hotel.

Deborah Mitchell - Museum of The Everglades Exhibit

Deborah Mitchell The Leaf Project LR
Originally uploaded by Hilton Naples

Experience the Everglades Florida-style through the eyes of artist Deborah Mitchell. Her love for the Everglades is apparent with raw images of her mixed media event titled “Documenting Our Contemporary Wetlands”. Mitchell is passionate at raising awareness of the Everglades National Park and Everglades preservation.

When asked what makes this art show so unique, Deborah said, "Being a part of the Big Cypress National Preserve has opened so many doors for me. The ability to expand my artistic endeavors, of course…but also just kayaking, fishing or hiking with my family, discovering little places to eat-like Camillia street grill and getting to know the locals has been so rewarding. I really can imagine many years of continued reading about and exploring this area. Glen Simmons and Laura Ogden’s GLADESMAN is an enchanting recount of the old days, as is DEATH IN THE EVERGLADES (the Guy Bradley story.) I would council everyone to read up on the area first, that way one understands the land and people a bit before venturing in-especially in the back country."

The Museum of The Everglades has been maintaining the history and heritage of the park for 12 years. This is one of the few museums Naples residents and visitors can go to see the history of the Everglades region, and it’s located 35 miles south of the Hilton Naples Hotel.  The exhibit runs from May 1 - June 30, 2010.

Taste of Collier Festivals in Florida - Street Scene

Taste of Collier Festivals in Florida - Street Scene
Originally uploaded by Hilton Naples

The Taste of Collier is an afternoon of family fun in Naples, FL featuring live performances by local entertainment, the crowd-pleasing ice-carving contest, chefs competition and of course, savory samples from 30 of the best local restaurants in Collier County! The Taste of Collier Festivals in Florida is held each year on the first Sunday in May. Join us this year at Bayfront, located about 6 miles from the Hilton Naples.

Hilton Naples Hotel Fishing Update

Captain Jay has been a guide in Goodland for over 20 years. Since he is a great source of information and has generously agreed to give the Hilton Naples Hotel fishing update & tips from his March newsletter:

Southwest Florida, like most of the country, has experienced colder than normal temperatures and most fish, in the cold water, slow their metabolic rate, thus, eat less and minimize their movement, so fishing has been slower than normal for this period. In my area, we finally broke the "70" degrees barrier and the catching has drastically improved. Trout have been the mainstay of action but lately the pompano have been biting as evidenced by these photos.

With the water heating up, so goes the fishing. Tarpon have just started to move in our area so I'm sure that next we will have a story about "The Silver King".

Remember to always practice conservation by taking only the fish you need and take a kid fishing.

To learn more about Capt. Jay's Fishing Charters
Capt. Jay Peeler ~ 239-970-2105

Margarita Taste-Off Featured at Cinco de Mayo Party

Margarita Taste-Off Featured at Cinco de Mayo Party Celebrated by Shula’s Steak House Naples & Hilton Naples Hotel.

Shula’s Steak House Naples & the Hilton Naples Hotel are encouraging Master Margarita Mixologists to enter into a Margarita Taste-Off Competition. Interested participants are encouraged to create a video clip of themselves making their own, original Margarita Concoction & uploading it to the Shula’s Steak House Naples FaceBook Fan Page. Deadline for entries is Noon on Monday, April 26, 2010. FaceBook Fans of both the Shula’s Steak House Naples Fan Page & the Hilton Naples Fan Page will then be able to vote for their favorite concoction video. The top three recipes will be served at the Cinco de Mayo party being held at the Hilton Naples Pool Terrace on May 5, 2010.

During the event, each participant will be given a ballot sheet to vote for their favorite Margarita Recipe.

“The first week of May in Naples is always popular with the Great Dock Canoe Races the first Saturday of May & the Taste of Collier falling on the second Saturday,” said Hilton Naples Director of Marketing, Niccole Haschak. “Local residents can mingle with guests of the Hilton Naples and enjoy an evening of music and friendly competition. The Cinco de Mayo Celebration fits in perfectly with all the festivities.

The Cinco de Mayo Celebration kicks off at 5:30pm and will feature the Margarita Taste-Off Competition, DJ, Appetizers and Piñatas. Of course, the finest tequila will be poured when Shula’s Steak House Naples & Hilton Naples teams up for their 1st ever Cinco de Mayo celebration

Admission is $10 in Advance / $15 at the Door. Price includes Appetizers & samplings of the 3 Margarita Taste-off Recipes. Must be 18 years or older to enter your Margarita video in the contest
Must be 21 years or older to attend Cinco de Mayo Celebrations

Florida Anglers Target Redfish, Snook & Trout at the Gene Doyle Fishing Tournament

The 13th Annual Gene Doyle Fishing Tournament made popular for its back country, catch-and-release action, will be held April 23-25.  Entry forms are due this Friday, April 16, 2010.

Southwest Florida anglers target redfish, snook & trout at the Gene Doyle Fishing Tournament.  The catch-and-release targets award trophies for grand champion, largest trout, largest redfish and largest snook in each of 4 divisions, including a Youth Division. The Grand Champions of the 2009 Adult Guided Team Division were Tom Conroy & Bill Gonnering. Tide charts are indicating optimal tides during the two day event

Co-chair of the 2010 Tournament, Denise Steffens has been involved with the tournament from its inception. Ms. Steffens taught school with Gene's Mom, Kris Doyle, as well as being close friends with the Doyles for many years.  She has been a volunteer, the Volunteer Coordinator and has had the honor of being the Co-Chair of the tournament for the last 3 years with close friend, Linda DeLuca, who also taught school with Mrs. Doyle.

When asked what was special about the annual Fishing Tournament, Ms. Steffens replied, "It was important to me to become part of the tournament to help the Doyles keep Gene’s spirit alive.  He was such an amazing young man, an Honor Student, an amazing athlete and a great adventurer. The tournament raises money to award local students adventure scholarships, what a great way to honor Gene and his family!"

It all kicks off April 23rd with an Anglers' and Captains' Meetings and Kickoff Party at Sunshine Ace Hardware.  Fishing Day 1 from respective launch sites is from 7am-2:30pm & there will be a Score Posting Party at 7pm.  After Fishing Day 2 form 7am-2:30pm, join us a the Hilton Naples for the Sunday night's Awards Banquet at 6pm.

Speculation Around the Royal Wedding

As speculation continues to escalate regarding the next spectacular royal wedding be right around the corner?  On her blog, The Daily Beast, Tina Brown — a person who had been friends with Princess Diana — Diana’s son Prince William may make an announcement on either June 3 or 4 that he intends to marry Kate Middleton, his girlfriend of seven years, in November.

In Naples, FL our fascination with the Royal Family continues.  There is the spectacular Princess Diana Exhibition, Princess Diana: Dresses of Inspiration, on view through June 27.  This is not a traveling show but an exhibition created just for Naples, FL.  At this exhibit, you can see dresses and memorabilia from Princess Diana and other British Royals that have never been shown in the U.S.



The Hilton Naples is currently running a wonderful a Princess Diana Package, complete with Accommodations in Naples, tickets to the exhibit "Princess Diana: Dresses of Inspiration" as well as an autographed, commemorative book "Eating Royally" from Royal Chef Darren McGrady

The Naples Princess is also featuring several Royal Inspired Cruises, the next one being held on April 15th, appropriately titled, Royal Wedding Style - A look at royal bridal fashions through the ages.
With so much speculation around the Royal Wedding, now may be the perfect time to come to Naples and see what all the excitement is about!

To see an early clip on The Today Show

The 5th Annual Paradise Coast Kayak Festival

This past weekend I stopped in at the Capri Fish House Restaurant which will be home to The 5th Annual Paradise Coast Kayak Festival this Sunday, April 11, 2010, from 9am-4pm on the Isles of Capri, Florida.  This annual kayak festival is  promising lots of great happenings including guided kayak tours to the Gulf of Mexico & through the mangroves.  Saltwater Sports will be offering kayak rentals and tours. A new kayak will be raffled off, you can cheer on kayak races & get a chance to see & play with a variety of kayaks.  

The Paradise Coast Kayak Festival is open to the public. There is NO CHARGE  for admission or events & kayaks will be available for rental.  Guests of the Hilton Naples who stop by the front desk on Sunday, April 11th & let them know they attended the Kayak Festival will get a free drink coupon for Shula's Steak House Naples.

For more information Click Here for the Paradise Coast Paddlers Club of Southwest Florida

Naples Zoo Animals Hunt for Easter

We all enjoy hunting for Easter eggs, even the animals at Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens. Local residents of Naples love our zoo & are really proud of the exhibits & sensitivity for the animals in residence there.  One of my favorite things to do in Naples is ride the Primate Boat (That's the official name...I usually refer to it as the Monkey Boat) at the Naples Zoo.  You to can be part of the human species that are a never ending source of entertainment for the monkey's & they get a kick out of watching us.  You never know what you are going to see.  Speaking of the unkown, starting tomorrow through Sunday (April 2-4, 2010), Zoo guests will enjoy watching animals claw and gnaw into special treat-filled eggs in honor of Easter.  Tomorrow's Naples Zoo Animals Hunt for Easter event starts at 9am.  There will also be an Easter Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win a Family or Grandparent Zoo Membership.  The Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is located about 3 miles from the Hilton Naples.

Enjoy Village Nights Each Thursday

Enjoy live music, waterfront dining & shopping at Venetian Village.  This waterfront shopping village hosts Village Nights each Thursday in April.  Tonight enjoy Bryan Saveage & Moony Mann performing.  The Venetian Village is located less than 2 miles from the Hilton Naples Hotel.