 Romance in Paradise
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The practical romantic might insist that romance is made incrementally, by a dozen loving gestures over time, like so many long-stemmed roses. To her, romantic getaways are occasions for waterfront dinners, walks on the beach and quiet time together in an environment fit for lovers. Not so for the hopeless romantic, who sees opportunities for romance in every excursion and encounter, from scenic cycling sessions to tandem Waverunner tours. To him, romance is a deeply encoded trait, and every getaway another rose-colored confirmation of love. Practical and Hopeless alike can settle the long-standing debate in Florida's Last Paradise. Here, nurturing comforts and natural beauty are often one and the same.
Day One: Animal InstinctLet the flutter of butterfly wings remind you that romance is a sensory experience at the
Naples Botanical Garden's butterfly garden. Also check out the Caribbean Garden, which is home to more than 1,000 plant species. Next, go cycling through the wilds of Everglades City. Rent bikes and binoculars at the
Ivey House Inn, where
Everglades Rentals & Eco Adventures directs you to the best routes through this quaint old Florida town. Chart birds of every color, and note with surprise the size of the alligators. Cool off on a Waverunner tour through the Ten Thousand Islands with
Marco Island Ski & Watersports. Spot dolphins and manatees in the mangrove jungle. After, take a well-deserved picnic on
Barefoot Beach Preserve and look for gopher tortoises, shorebirds splashing in the surf and soaring bald eagles.
Day Two: Gene PoolPreview the coast's most bountiful offering via a morning walk hand-in-hand on
Clam Pass Park's three-quarter-mile boardwalk. You'll be swept past sea oats and along shallow tidal bays and deposited on the beach. Down on Naples Bay, climb aboard the
Sweet Liberty and see who got the sailing gene. Go whichever way the wind blows on this 53-foot catamaran on a daily cruise. Cap off the day experiencing
A romantic evening on the beach
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the area's most refreshing characteristic at
HB's on the Gulf. Settle in at a table just off the sand. Enjoy fresh, regional seafood while taking in the only beachfront restaurant view in Naples. Catch the sunset on the
Naples Pier, which, having survived a succession of hurricanes, is a landmark of hardy stock.
Day Three: X-FactorRound out your study of human romance with a bit of predetermined nurturing.
The Inn on Fifth's spa helps couples put any inherited stress to bed. Opt for a simultaneous couple's massage, or bask in the elements and undergo the "Raindrop Therapy" or hot stone massage. This boutique hotel is located in the middle of Naples' bustling upscale shopping scene. Fall in step with singers, dancers, magicians and shoppers alike during
Evening on Fifth, held the second Thursday of each month. You can stroll Fifth Avenue as shops stay open late and musicians or bands entertain on the sidewalks. Have dinner and watch the crowd at one of the many restaurants offering street-side dining, or just take in the flowering Poinciana trees, the art galleries and the magic shows.
Every romantic knows it's a blend of nature and nurture that makes for a unique getaway.
If You Go: 
Naples Botanical Garden, 239-643-7275,
Website Everglades Rentals & Eco Adventures, 239-695-3299,
Website Marco Island Ski & Watersports, 239-642-2359,
Website Barefoot Beach Preserve, 239-353-0404,
Website Clam Pass Park, 239-353-0404,
Website Sweet Liberty, 239-793-3525,
Website HB's on the Gulf, 239-435-4347,
Website Naples Municipal Beach & Fishing Pier, 239-213-3062
The Inn on Fifth, 239-403-8777,
Website Evening on Fifth, 239-435-3742,
Website
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