Taste of Collier ~ Definitely on the Must-do List of Things to Do in Naples!

Taste of Collier is Sunday, May 1, 2011

One of my favorite events of the year is on my Top 3 Things to do in Naples list this weekend!  Each year, the residents of Naples Florida look forward to a signature event ~ The Taste of Collier.  Some of Naples’ best restaurants will be showcased at the 28th annual Taste of Collier. More than 30 chefs will be there with samples of some of their signature dishes, plus live entertainment and ice-carving competitions. The feasting runs from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at Bayfront with parking across Goodlette-Frank Road. Admission is $5, and samples range from $2 to $5
Contact your Hilton Naples Concierge, Linda Curzi, with any questions or advice!

Hilton Naples Florida Hotel

Check out our newest Hilton Naples Florida Hotel video! Thanks to Larry &Cecily Lancit with Paradise Coast TV!

"So, what is the one thing I should not miss in Naples?"

As a concierge, I hear this question daily. Obviously, my first response is....our beaches. However, there is so much more to Naples. I find out their interests and offer suggestions. But actually, the best thing to do is take a trolley ride. We have 2 companies that give a tour of Naples with wonderful narrations about each destination. You can start in the morning and go all day getting on and off the trolley...for just one price. There is so much to see on these tours, and you can really get a sense of our beautiful piece of Paradise.

Shula's Steak House Naples Champagne and Chocolate Tasting This Week!

This week's Shula's Signature Tasting event, Champagne & Chocolate Tasting is almost at maximum capacity! RSVP before the event to ensure you will be present at the must-do event in Naples Florida this week!

Shula's Steak House is located off the lobby at the Hilton Naples Florida Hotel.  Complimentary valet & garage parking for this event.
Everything's Happening at Shula's Steak House Naples!

Naples Zoo Makes Hilton Naples Top 5 Tuesday Poll & FaceBook Contest

Naples Zoo in Naples Florida, a photo by Hilton Naples on Flickr.

To celebrate the Naples Zoo achieving National Accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, we are dedicating our Hilton Naples Top 5 Tuesday Poll to: What Are Your Favorite Animals/Exhibits at the Naples Zoo?"

Voting continues until Thursday, April 21 at 7pm.

Once you vote, you can enter into our New Game on our Hilton Naples FaceBook page to win a Family 4 Pack of Tickets to the Naples Zoo & a 3 night stay at the Hilton Naples. Vote in our Top 5 Tuesday Poll & let us know on our FaceBook page under the comment section that you voted & you will be entered into the random drawing! Winner will be announced Friday Morning!!!

Naples Zoo Achieves National Accreditation

Not all zoos are the same.  Local Naples Florida residents love our Naples Zoo.  And we have good reason to back up our claims as our Naples Zoo once again achieves National Accreditation! 

"Naples Zoo is one of the best in the world because it has met the highest standards in the world,” said Kris Vehrs, J.D., Executive Director of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). “It takes hard work and dedication to meet Association of Zoos and Aquariums Accreditation Standards.” To be accredited, Naples Zoo underwent a thorough investigation to ensure it has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards, which include animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. AZA requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete this rigorous accreditation process every five years in order to be members of the Association. Naples Zoo first achieved accreditation in 2001. It also successfully achieved accreditation in 2006.

Naples Zoo is the only nationally accredited zoo between Tampa and Miami. “If it were not for Naples Zoo, many kids would have no first-hand experience of wildlife,” Vehrs added. “Members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums are centers of conservation and education, and the National Science Foundation found that zoo and aquarium education programs are highly effective at teaching people about science.

The Hilton Naples Florida Hotel is less than 4 miles from the Zoo.  

Celebrate National Park Week 2011

Collier County is fortunate to be home to 2 National Parks, Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park.  This coming Saturday, from April 16 through April 24th, all of America's National Parks will celebrate National Park Week 2011. 

Part of the celebration is to encourage our visitors to experience America's nearly 400 national parks which will be fee FREE all week. Celebrating the theme “Healthy Parks, Healthy People,” national parks across the country are encouraging people to come visit, get outdoors, and embrace a healthy lifestyle, while also embracing the importance of keeping our parks protected and preserved.    

Here are a couple suggestions on how you can celebrate National Park Week 2011 at our own National Parks near Naples Florida!

• “Check-In” on Facebook. Using Facebook “Places” on your mobile device, “check-in” at a national park and The North Face will donate $1 to the National Park Foundation! Just search for the national park near you using the latest version of the Facebook for iPhone app or by visiting https://touch.facebook.com/ from your HTML5-enabled mobile device.
• Share your adventure! Upload your photos, videos, poems or stories exclusively at facebook.com/nationalpark, and share your National Park Week experience with the world!

For more information about Parks near Naples Florida .  Big Cypress National Park is located about 53 miles south of the Hilton Naples Florida Hotel and the Everglades National Park is located about 42 miles south on US 41.  Ask our Hilton Naples Hotel Concierge, Linda Curzi for more information!

Tribute to Rock at Blue Martini Naples!

Head to Blue Martini at Mercato in Naples Florida on Sunday night from 9–11:30 pm for Tribute to Rock, a collaboration of tribute bands playing tunes you know and love (239-591-BLUE). 

The Mercato shopping district is located a few miles north of the Hilton Naples Florida Hotel.

It's More Than A Picture...This is Reality

IT'S MORE THAN A PICTURE!

For those of us that live in Naples, this is reality.

If you are visiting Naples Florida, or plan to visit Naples, please visit our beautiful, clean beaches. They are all along the west coast of Naples. At Vanderbilt Beach, you can rent a chair and an umbrella and soak up the sunny 85 degree weather. If you are more adventuresome, you can rent a jet ski, kayak, or paddle board. At this beach, as well as, Lowdermilk Beach and Clam Pass there are rest rooms and places to eat. ENJOY! (Don't forget sunscreen).

Naples Beaches Ranks #13 on TripAdvisor Top 25 Beaches in the USA!

Beaches in Naples Florida, Photo by Niccole Haschak

TripAdvisor announced that the Naples beaches were ranked in the first ever Top 25 Beaches in the USA!


According to the Top 25 Beaches Awards on TripAdvisor:

"Sunny Naples is a popular, sophisticated and charming beach destination on the Gulf of Mexico. It boasts many world-class hotels and resorts along miles of white sand beaches. The ocean surf is gentle and the people are friendly. Shoppers delight in searching for antiques, home furnishings, clothes and jewelry. With its beautiful neighborhoods and grand architecture, the atmosphere is elegant, yet relaxing. Sports enthusiasts spend glorious days pursuing their favorite activity, from golf to tennis to fishing. There are restaurants to suit every taste and budget. Even though it is a busy and cosmopolitan city, Naples offers easy access to secluded islands and the wilderness of the Everglades."


TripAdvisor provides user-generated reviews of hotels, flights and travel forums. The TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Beach Awards ranked the beaches in Naples Florida as #13 on their Top 25 Beaches in the United States.

The Hilton Naples Florida Hotel is located one-half mile from the beautiful beaches in Naples Florida. Guests of the Hotel can take advantage of the complimentary beach package that includes transportation to the beach, towels chairs, bottled water and a small cooler.

Meet, Greet, & Engage at the Hilton Naples Florida Hotel!

Hello! I'm the "new kid on the blog".

After teaching for 30 years in Connecticut (GO HUSKIES),

I decided to trade the snow for sunshine. Presently, I am the Concierge / Journey Ambassador at the Hilton Naples Florida Hotel.

Although I have only been at this new career for 4 months, I have visited Naples since 1983 and lived here for 10 years. During that time, I have eaten in many restaurants, drank at most bars, golfed at several courses, and did my share helping the economy by shopping. I love when a guest says:"I have a question". My response? "I have the answer". I enjoy turning people onto different things to do in Naples. Best restaurants? Happy hour? Early bird specials? Shopping? Beaches? Everglades? Sunset cruises? Golf? Fishing trips? Kayaking? Theatre? Kids' activities? Trolley tour? The Philharmonic? Live entertainment? Concerts?

Do you have a question? Ask away! I have the answer. Lin

No Fooling ~ Lots going on in Naples Florida this Weekend!

Max Eastman once said "It is the ability to take a joke, not make one, that proves you have a sense of humor."  April Fool's Day is here and I've made it past lunch with no practical or tactical jokes witnessed yet!

Don't be fooled by the naysayers who complain there is nothing to do around town!  There is no fooling around this weekend in Naples Florida ~ lots going on and the weather is forecasted to be fabulous blue skies & longer days full of sunshine!

Friday

• Start your weekend off at Mercato in Naples First Fridays Spring Concert Series from 6-9pm
• The Seminole Casino Girls Night Out Fridays kicks off tonight for the month of April

Saturday

• CREW Wildflower Festival will feature guided wildflower hikes throughout the day at CREW Land & Water Trust.  Call 239-657-2253 for more information
• The season finale of Art in the Park from 10am-4pm is on Park Street alongside The von Liebig Art Center
• Sensational Saturdays at The Conservancy continue from 11am - 2pm
• Funktastic plays live at 9pm at the South Street Grille (Rumor has it that several Hilton Naples Florida Hotel team members are rumored to be going!)

Weekend and beyond

• From now through April 11th the Columbus replica ships, Nina & Pinta are at Tin City for display and tours
• Mama Mia! is getting rave reviews at The Phil so score your tickets now before it's curtains down on April 3rd!

Enjoy your beautiful weekend in Paradise!