Innholdsfortegnelse for July-August 2025 i Naples Illustrated

As the mercury climbs this time of year, I embrace it wholeheartedly. For me, the heat is a harbinger of holiday cookouts, languid afternoons spent in the pool reading the most recent periodicals, late-afternoon walks, and some type of travel. While I just returned from a family reunion in Savannah, Georgia, my vacations in July and August will likely be contained to Florida locales. I appreciate seeing our state in summertime. If you haven’t guessed, this edition of Naples Illustrated is dedicated to seasonal travel. In past issues, we have homed in on sundry locations or establishments to sightsee, explore, and appreciate. This time, however, we’ve taken a slightly different approach. Instead of solely focusing on where to go, we also delve into how to get there. First up—as our…

Bryan and Sarah Baeumler—a husband-and-wife team known for their renovation work on HGTV—learned about the aging resort in need of repair. The Baeumlers promptly scheduled a visit. After touring Pines & Palms, they offered to lend their design talents and time, thereby creating a new series (10 episodes) that revolved around overhauling the resort. The show will continue the story of Bryan and Sarah’s goings-on and air on HGTV network. “It was an adventure of a lifetime,” says Katie. Renovations began in July 2024 and were completed five months later. Both families spent hours involved in all aspects of the remodeling project, providing real and raw dialogue for a reality television show set in paradise. “How many kids can say they left school on a Friday afternoon to go to…

For those who prefer to travel by bike or on foot, city streets are often dangerous. Distracted and aggressive driving—along with decreased awareness of cyclists and pedestrians—have resulted in numerous preventable crashes, fatalities, and injuries within Collier County. Naples Pathways Coalition has been working toward safer streets, with the mission to improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists and to encourage everyone to share roadways cautiously, for 20 years. The coalition acts through community engagement, education, and advocacy, working to ensure every walk, run, or ride can be a safe one. In early spring, the organization hosted cyclists, walkers, and runners at the nineteenth annual TD Bank Naples Bike Brunch & Walk at Cambier Park. The event off ered something fun for all ages and every fitness level. At the…

Earliest memory of designing? My earliest memory of designing goes back to making clothes for my Barbies. I’d spend hours creating tiny outfits. I only wish I had saved them to see how they compare to my work now. How did you launch your namesake brand? I launched my brand nearly 20 years ago from my tiny New York City apartment—young, scrappy, and fueled by the belief that fashion should be both expressive and approachable. It was a humble beginning but one filled with energy, creativity, and a clear vision for what I wanted to build. Where do you find inspiration? Travel has always been a powerful source of inspiration for me. Immersing myself in a new environment—seeing the world through a fresh lens—never fails to spark creativity. I’m also…

Nancy Stones once thought Naples was the most boring place in the world. However, she was only 13 at the time. On vacation from upstate New York with her parents, she remembers there were no other kids around. “We would wake up, and my mother would give us a choice of picking tomatoes in Immokalee, visiting the orange groves, or going to the beach,” says Stones. “There wasn’t much else to do.” Now, 56 years later, she declares, “I love Naples—it’s a fabulous place to live.” It was her parents who, on a quest for a coastal vacation property, first fell in love with Naples after only a one-day visit. They purchased an empty plot of land in the Vanderbilt Beach area and built a house in 1969—next door to…

When it comes to the exclusive world of private islands, today’s game often favors bigger villas, glitzier spas, and higher-profile guests. But one such destination stays true to something simpler—and far more lasting. Welcome to Pine Cay, a private island in the Turks and Caicos that spans just 800 acres yet feels infinite, thanks to beaches and sandbars so broad and bone-white you can walk for miles without encountering another soul. The waters surrounding it rank among the clearest and most dazzling anywhere in the world, easily rivaling the best stretches of the Indian Ocean and far-flung Pacific. The accommodations here lean into natural textures and open-air living, intentionally unfussy yet elegant. All 13 beachfront rooms and cottages feature blonde-wood furnishings, shiplap walls, and Dream beds (the same kind found…

John Colon, chef/owner of El Basque in Bonita Springs and Islas Modern Caribe (islasrestaurant.com) in North Naples, has teamed up with Diane Sullivan to open Bayshore Bodega (bayshorebodega.com), a coffee, wine, and tapas bar in the burgeoning Bayshore Arts District. The new eatery is situated in the former space of a coffee shop within the picturesque Gardenia House boutique hotel, which Sullivan owns. They began with coffee, Colon says, then added light breakfast and lunch options, followed by curated wines and Spanish-style tapas. “I’m introducing a concept I always wanted to do—conserva,” Colon says. “This is small bites, gourmet food in tins, including things like octopus or anchovies.” Conserva refers to preserved foods, such as fish and shellfish, and is considered a delicacy in Spain. Colon is developing jar-based conservas for the…

Find it challenging to plan healthy meals? A culinary class might help. Local private chef Sis Freire offers private cooking classes in your own kitchen to help you make delicious, healthy meals with confidence. “The classes can help people with their everyday cooking because usually the biggest challenge is a lack of creativity when it comes to preparing meals for the week,” she explains. Freire notes participants in her classes make food that’s both healthy and tasty. “You don’t have to give up flavor to eat well,” she notes. “You can have both.” Healthy eating starts, she says, with the ingredients you choose at the store. She recommends buying whole ingredients, like fruits and vegetables, and selecting brown rice instead of white rice and almond flour in lieu of white…

In partnership with local organizations, the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center Art Gallery hosts several exhibitions every year. While applied science is the focus of most activity at the reserve, presentations celebrating personal expression through visual arts promote and stimulate a greater understanding of the natural world. Students at Florida Gulf Coast University created original photographs and sculptures, inspired by the work of Friends of Rookery Bay and its mission. “These artworks were aimed at connecting viewers with Southwest Florida’s dynamic coastal environment and celebrate the long-standing relationship between art and environmental stewardship,” says Athan Barkoukis, executive director for Friends of Rookery Bay. A selection of works from 27 students will be on display at the “2025 Wildlife and Wild Places in SWFL Summer I Mixed Media Art Exhibition” until…

PAGE 76 Fantasy wool tweed coat (price upon request), grained calfskin and aged pale-yellow metal handbag ($6,000), Chanel, Saks Fifth Avenue, Waterside Shops, Naples, chanel.com; Alex large tote ($2,390), Akris, akris.com; sandals ($850), Valentino, Saks Fifth Avenue, Waterside Shops, Naples, saksfifthavenue.com; Birdcage necklace with cognac, champagne, and white diamonds set in 18-karat gold (price upon request), Birdcage bracelet with cognac, champagne, and white diamonds set in 18-karat gold (price upon request), Honeycomb dome ring with citrines set in 18-karat gold (price upon request), Nini Jewels, instagram.com/nini_palm_beach. PAGE 77 Satin dress ($2,200), Ferragamo, Waterside Shops, Naples, ferragamo.com; Alice medium top-handle handbag ($3,490), Akris, akris.com; Galaxy oneof-a-kind detachable drop earrings with tourmalines, pink sapphires, and diamonds set in 18-karat rose gold (price upon request), one-of-a-kind ring with peridot, pink sapphires, and diamonds…

RESTFUL RIDE All-in-One Ultimate travel pillow ($40), Travelrest, travelrest.net I struggle to sleep while on the road or in planes, so this uniquely shaped, inflatable travel pillow garnered my glance. Worn like a messenger bag, this plush travel accessory attaches to both car and airline seats and, when deflated, folds to a compact size. —Jane E. Enos, editor in chief H2O TO GO Insulated water bottle in Star Neutron ($55), Coldest, coldest.com You won’t forget to stay hydrated with this colorful bottle—from a Florida-based company, no less—poised in a nearby cupholder (it’s guaranteed to fit in 99 percent of them). And should you be on the road 36 hours later, this water bottle will ensure your beverage is still cold. —Gaylene Salomons, senior editor SNACK ROULETTE Snack Spinner ($30 for small size),…

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Considering its swampy weather, New Orleans might seem like an unlikely setting for a summertime global drinks gathering. However, Tales of the Cocktail deliberately lands during the city’s slower months, a strategic choice to support its vital hospitality industry. This commitment to community underpins the festival’s purpose, especially relevant to this year’s theme: “Evolve.” “To evolve is not just a theme—it’s a call to action … as we grow, learn, and shape the future of hospitality together,” notes Charlotte Voisey, the event and supporting foundation’s executive director. Tales of the Cocktail provides the perfect environment for this growth, offering a range of educational programs, from mastering classic techniques to exploring the future of the industry. Let’s toast this spirit of evolution with The Catalyst. This seemingly traditional cocktail playfully embraces…

POWER UP A HIGH-TECH APPROACH TO DRY, CRACKED FEET, THE CALI RECHARGE-ABLE CALLUS REMOVER ($74) FROM FANCII IS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN TRADITIONAL FOOT FILES AND FEATURES A BUILT-IN VACUUM SO THERE’S NO CLEANUP. THREE QUARTZ HEADS (COARSE, MEDIUM, AND FINE, DEPENDING UPON THE TOUGHNESS OF YOUR CALLOUSES) AND TWO SPEED SETTINGS ALLOW FOR A CUSTOMIZED PAMPERING TREATMENT. (FANCII.COM) SCRUB DOWN Scrub dead skin away and improve luminosity while doing it with help from Beauty Pie’s Super Tonic peppermint leg and foot scrub ($40). Powerhouse ingredients include three types of mineralrich salt (Persian blue, pink Himalayan, and Dead Sea), Sphacelaria algae extract to promote skin cell renewal, moisturizing vitamin E, and peppermint to lend a fresh scent. (beautypie.com) Stick to It A softening foot balm in a travel-friendly stick-based formula, The…

FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS ARE A TRADITION ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. GATHER ALONG THE BEACHES OF NAPLES AND EXPERIENCE A HALF HOUR OF MAGIC IN THE NIGHT SKY. FIREWORKS ARE LAUNCHED FROM A BARGE JUST WEST OF THE NAPLES PIER AND START AROUND 9 P.M. (FIFTHAVENUESOUTH.COM) SPEND AN EVENING UNDER A NEARLY FULL MOON EXPLORING THE ANCIENT BALD CYPRESS FOREST AT AUDUBON’S CORK-SCREW SWAMP SANCTUARY’S MOONLIGHT ON THE BOARDWALK AUGUST 7; $8 ADMIS-SION, $3 FOR AGES 6-14, CHILDREN UNDER 5 FREE. (CORKSCREW.AUDUBON.ORG)…

For his contributions to civic and charitable organizations throughout Collier and Lee counties, Vincent Keeys was honored as the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Leadership Award by Greater Naples Leadership (GNL). The nonprofit organization has operated since 1999 with the mission to educate and inspire a network of service-minded leaders within the local community. A former railroad worker, Keeys has served as president for NAACP Collier County, an American civil rights organization operating since 2016. Over the past decade, he has been an active member of Kiwanis Naples-on-the-Gulf and will become president of the organization in 2026. He also has volunteered with several local nonprofits, many of which protect the health and welfare of children. Following Hurricane Ian, trustees emeriti of the Collier Community Foundation recognized Keeys for his community…

SHOPPING LIST  BRETON STRIPES NET BAGS FISHERMAN SANDALS NAUTICAL JEWELRY STRAW FRINGE HATS…

Summer’s most underrated accessory? Smooth, plump, healthy lips. If space in your carry-on is getting tight, don’t fret! These small but mighty peptide- and hyaluronic acid–rich lip treatments pack myriad benefits despite their diminutive size: Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment in Strawberry Sorbet Glimmer, a silky formula with kokum butter, acai sterols, and peptides ($22, Sephora, Naples); Charlotte Tilbury Big Lip Plumpgasm Plumping Lip Gloss in Nudegasm Diamonds, a sheer, champagne nude that smoothes and hydrates in a swipe ($35, Sephora, Naples); Dr. Whitney Bowe Beauty Tri-Liptide Peptide Lip Enhancing Treatment ($34, drwhitneybowebeauty.com); Tarte Maracuja Juicy Melt Mask in Drizzle, a day-to-night balm in an addictive caramel scent ($27, Ulta Beauty, Naples); Lines The Lip Serum, a high-shine treatment packed with hydrating high- and low-weight hyaluronic acid and…

TOP DOWN, DOPAMINE UP There’s undeniably a lot to do at the resort, but it’s also tempting to take a joy ride around the island, especially now that traffic is diminished. And what could be more joyous than riding around in a baby-blue Moke? The Four Seasons’ in-house runabout is perfect for exploring Palm Beach in open-air style. Turn up the tunes, embrace windblown beach hair, and see the island from a whole new perspective. PUTT AND PADDLE Quality time with kids is a lot easier when there are fun activities in the mix. At Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, a secret little spot beckons adults and kids to a friendly competition of mini golf, table tennis, or billiards. The new Palm Pavilion, a green (but shady) outdoor space, is…

Discover the secrets of authentic Greek cuisine by paying a visit to the Naples home of George David Lenis and his wife, Julia Boiniceanu. George is an Air Canada pilot with a bachelor’s degree in holistic medicine and nutrition. However, he is also a seasoned chef, using recipes handed down through multiple generations of Greek relatives. Not only will you learn about cooking real-deal Greek fare from his heirloom recipes, but you will also help prepare it and then sit « down and eat it with your classmates. Flying and cooking may seem unrelated, but they aren’t for George. He learned how to cook from his mother at an early age and then worked in restaurants to earn enough to pay for flying lessons. The cooking class operates through Traveling…

AMERICAN THE 239 NAPLES Family-owned and located in Mercato, this restaurant touting Southwest Florida serves up many locally sourced provisions and offers an array of gluten-free options, such as gluten-free tacos, meatloaf, and coconut shrimp. 9108 Strada Place, Naples (the239naples.com) ALICE SWEETWATER’S BAR & GRILLE This local favorite serves a large array of lunch and dinner fare. 1996 Airport Road S., Naples (alicesweetwatersbarandgrille.com) BALEEN AT LAPLAYA BEACH & GOLF RESORT Dine amid elegant tropical surroundings indoors or on the tiered terrace to soak up the exquisite beachside views. 9891 Gulf Shore Drive, Naples (laplayaresort.com) BICYCLETTE COOKSHOP Chef/partner Kayla Pfeiffer’s imaginative style melds modern decor and attentive service with a menu of small plates, shareables, and a few larger options. 819 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples (bicyclettecookshop.com) BLUEBERRY’S RESTAURANT There’s something for…

Nearly 25 percent of U.S. adults report high stress levels, according to 2023 survey data from the American Psychological Association. “Stress can sneak up on you and become your new normal,” cautions Sue Campanella, a certified life coach, energy therapist, and owner of Transformations Life Coaching and Healing in Naples. She notes stress may be recognized by myriad symptoms, including difficulty sleeping, digestive issues, chronic pain, or a feeling of being stuck. However, stress “is not normal, nor should it be accepted,” Campanella says. One important step toward relieving stress, she explains, is focusing on living in the moment. This includes disconnecting from social media, making eye contact when speaking to people, and noticing colors and smells around you. In addition, Campanella recommends being active outdoors and suggests going for…

I love the notion of slow travel, of arriving somewhere with enough presence to really take in the whole experience with ease. Of course, that ideal is made even more possible by creating a holistic structure to help you land and settle in fluidly. When I’m not committed to this practice, just getting to the airport can become a chore. For me, packing with care means not only choosing the most practical items, but bringing those extras that help me relax on demand. A favorite meditation shawl gives me cozy comfort. A flower tonic of Roman chamomile, long revered for its ability to soothe, promises restoration. And to counter jet lag, you’ll always find a silk eye mask and nature’s best sleep remedy—laven-der body oil—on my bedside table, no matter…