Labor Day Weekend in Naples Florida

Are you brave enough to experience the Swamp Walks happening Labor Day Weekend in Naples Florida?  Each year, Clyde & Niki Butcher invite visitors to the Hilton Naples, residents and other visitors in the surrounding areas to take part in their Labor Day Weekend Swamp Walks.  This year the fun kicks off the weekend of 09/03/2011 - 09/05/2011 and you can experience Large Format Camera Demonstrations, Black & White Hand Painting Demonstrations by Niki Butcher, Book Signings with Clyde and other Florida Authors in addition to their popular Swamp Walks.

You will have a guide to lead you into the The Big Cypress Swamp behind the swamp cottage at the Big Cypress Gallery which is a mysterious and secretive environment. There are not many people who brave the difficult swamps and cypress strands in order to understand the beauty and peace found in more than a million acres of swamps and land located in the Everglades eco-system of South Florida. The natural world of Big Cypress Swamp is a richly diverse wilderness of subtropical flora and fauna found nowhere else in our country.

So if you go, the cost is $50 which includes a $25 credit to use in the gallery the day of your walk. Children under 18 are Free with paid adult.  A 6% sales tax will be added to each walk.

WHAT TO WEAR AND BRING Wear long pants, hat, old tennis shoes and bug spray. Bring a complete change of clothes. Waterproof camera, you will be supplied with bottled water. Bring lunch or snacks which you can keep your cooler in the changing rooms.

After a fun day in the Everglades, come back to your luxurious room at the Hilton Naples Florida Hotel & relax.  The Shula's Annual Labor Day Pool Party will be happening on Saturday & Sunday for more fun to enjoy in Naples Florida.  Don't wait - rooms are going fast & we would love for you to come stay with us here at the Hilton Naples!

Gulfshore Life's Second Annual Restaurant Week

Foodies Unite!  Have you been thinking about coming to Naples Florida & not sure when to come visit?  If you are a food lover, next week may be the perfect opportunity! It is the most delicious week of summer as Gulfshore Life hosts its Second Annual Restaurant Week, taking place Aug. 15-Aug. 19, 2011. Dining in Naples has never been so tasty! Some of Southwest Florida’s finest restaurants will feature awe-inspiring meals prepared especially for this gourmet event. Participating restaurants will offer two and three-course lunches and dinners at a fixed price.

Check out our Hilton Naples Top 5 Tuesday Poll to the right for a list of participating restaurants ~ don't forget to vote for your favorite!

Haven't made hotel reservations yet? The Hilton Naples Florida Hotel welcomes you to stay with us as our valued guest!

Naples Backyard History’s Summer Salute to Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive

The Naples Backyard History is taking part in the national initiative, Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive. “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive” is a collaborative and intergenerational project designed to preserve forever an important part of our nation’s history and heritage. In a large part, its purpose is to rekindle the importance of coming together as a community through service to others, and creating a sense of national unity at a time when America, the world and Collier County needs it most.

Naples community's history runs deep with WWII. National Spirit of 45 Day is August 14th. On August 13th you can Bring a Veteran to Breakfast on Saturday at the Hilton Naples Florida Hotel.

Whether you choose to “Oo-Rah,” “Hooah” or “‘Hooyah,” let’s pledge to keep the spirit of ’45 alive. Semper Fi. We will leave no man or woman's story behind as we work with local groups to gather the stories of our greatest & bravest generation.
To view other upcoming events and things to do in Naples Florida, check out our Calendar of Events page.

One of our newest Festivals in Naples is the Naples International Film Festival taking place this year from November 3-6, 2011. 
Each month, the NIFF Film Society Selects a film to showcase and the August Film Selection is...Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. 

The eagerly-awaited film, inspired by the best-selling book by acclaimed author Lisa See. Directed by Wayne Wang, director of the Joy Luck Club.   "An emotionally powerful tale of two sets of Chinese women in two different centuries."  - The Hollywood Reporter

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan tells dual stories of friendship between two sets of young Chinese women. In 19th Century China, Snow Flower and Lily weather the hardships of being a woman--from foot-binding to brutal arranged marriages--through the use of a secret women's language. In present-day Shanghai, their descendents, Nina and Sophia, struggle to maintain their friendship against the backdrop of modern life.

Tickets on Sale Now for the August NIFF Film Society Viewing of the Snow Flower and the Secret Fan! Get your tickets early as past events have sold out.

• When: August 9, 2011
• Where: Silverspot Cinemas at Mercato
• Time: 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:30 for food & drink)
• Cost: $25 (which includes one movie ticket, choice of house wine, beer or 12 oz. fountain drink, savory bites & sweet treat)
• Film Discussion immediately following the screening.
• NIFF members receive complimentary promo size popcorn with NIFF membership card.

For tickets go to http://www.silverspotcinema.com/.

We sold out of rooms last year so make plans to stay at the Hilton Naples Florida Hotel during theNaples International Film Festivals in Naples.

LCBW Business Networking Social at Shula's!

Tonight LCBW Business Networking Social at Shula's 5PM! Half Price Drinks, $5 Martinis, Free Appetizers! Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011 - guests welcome. Lee-Collier Business Women is an established organization of business women seeking to grow their business through qualified referrals and networking. LCBW Website

Weddings & Wedding Planning on My Mind



Hilton Naples Weddings in Naples Florida
a photo by luminaire foto



Weddings and wedding planning are first & foremost in my mind these days. I am taking my turn at walking down the aisle on Saturday. These last few weeks I’ve been making my lists & checking them twice to make sure all the items on the master wedding checklist are complete.

• Wedding Dress … Check
• Wedding Photographer … Check
• Wedding Vows … Check
• Honeymoon ... Check

The main wedding components are set – it’s the hundred details that I should have left up to the wedding planner that I didn’t think I would need since I’m having a small intimate wedding of 40 people. I figured since me & the Hubby-to-be are in the event/hotel biz & have been to hundreds of events we’d be able to ask the right questions & figure it all out. I can admit when I was wrong – my one faux pas is that I should have booked our Hilton Naples wedding planner, Electa Saker, & flew her up for the big day. It would have saved me (& my mother) lots of time & energy.

Another topic on weddings … the Hilton Naples Florida Hotel is offering a rare opportunity to brides-to-be. The New Years Eve Wedding Package is being offered for the very first time at the Hilton Naples. Ring in the New Year with this impressive wedding package.

A few great offerings include:

• 5 Hour Open Premium Bar
• Gourmet Plated Dinner
• Centerpieces
• Dance Floor
• Exquisite lighting
• Midnight Balloon Drop
• Midnight Champagne Toast
• Three night stay in the Hilton Naples Suite for the bride & groom

Most importantly you get the expertise of Electa, the wedding planner here at the Hilton Naples!

Makes me rethink the time of year I chose to get married…A New Years Eve Wedding would have had a real storybook quality to go with the storybook love I’ve found. I think I’ll keep my August 6th date & let another lucky bride-to-be ring in the New Year with their own perfect wedding! To all you brides out there – may I be the first to wish you & your fiancée on your very special wedding day.

Also check out Hilton Naples Featured Wedding Photographer, luminaire foto