Table of contents for July/August 2022 in Naples Illustrated

A toast to luxury. A toast to the good life. And life is definitely good in the back seat of the all-new, best-of-the-best 2023 Range Rover SV. A flute of Cristal, perhaps? Open the chiller compartment in the rear console to find a bottle of bubbles, plus a pair of cut-crystal glasses. Of course, you’ll need a table to perch them on. At the touch of a button, a handcrafted “club” table levitates majestically from the console. Another button initiates the rising, flute-holding cupholders. Time to recline. The seat goes back, the footrest comes up, and the builtin massager gets to work. How about a little Beethoven or Bach? Crank up the 1,600-watt Meridian surround-sound system, with its 35 speakers and noise-canceling tech, and you’ll be transported to, well, ecstasy.…

WITNESS Mass Coral Spawning Florida Keys Every year around the full moons of August and September, the reefs of the Florida Keys erupt with colossal clouds of gametes as corals of all shapes and sizes—from brain to elkhorn to staghorn—engage in synchronized mass-spawning rituals. Peep this rare spectacle with a scheduled night dive through a professional dive operator. (fla-keys.com) ROAM AMONG WILD HORSES AND BISON MICANOPY One of Florida’s best-kept secrets is the 21,000-acre savanna at the state’s core, protected as Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and home to herds of wild bison and horses. Take your pick of eight trails, including the 16-mile paved Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, in hopes of frolicking among these unlikely residents—and capturing some stunning images along the way. (floridastateparks.org) SWIM WITH SHARKS JUPITER WHILE MOST ARE…

Coral Castle Museum Homestead Did Edward Leedskalnin use paranormal powers or call upon alien aid when constructing a massive sculpture garden out of tons of coral rock? You can judge for yourself when you visit the Coral Castle Museum, which hosts Psychic Saturdays—with palm readers and fortune tellers—the first Saturday of every month. (coralcastle.com) ROBERT THE DOLL KEY WEST IF KEY WEST IS WHERE THE WEIRD GO PRO, THEN ROBERT THE DOLL IS THE ISLAND’S UNOFFICIAL MASCOT. ROBERT WAS THE CHILDHOOD COMPANION OF ROBERT EUGENE “GENE” OTTO, WHO WOULD OFTEN BLAME HIS MISDEEDS ON THE SAILOR_SUITED DOLL. SINCE THE ____S, PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED SEEING ROBERT MOVE, LAUGH, AND THROW THINGS. HE RESIDES AT THE FORT EAST MARTELLO MUSEUM, WHERE HE RECEIVES VISITORS DAILY OR NIGHTLY AS PART OF SLOAN’S GHOST…

JOE’S STONE CRAB MIAMI This South Beach icon has been cracking the claws of Florida’s prized stone crabs for more than a century—and diners still can’t get enough. While some reservations are available at this old-school institution, prepare for long waits to score chilled delicacies in jumbo, large, select, or medium, gently cracked and served with a secret mustard sauce plus a very necessary bib. When visiting outside of stone crab season (which takes place October 15 to May 1), enjoy an array of succulent dishes and sides that are almost as famous as its crabs: the chopped salad, blackened mahi-mahi, hashed brown potatoes, skinny fried sweets, and key lime pie, to name a few. (joesstonecrab.com) —P.R. BERN’S STEAK HOUSE TAMPA BERN’S RECALLS A TIME WHEN DINING WAS AN EXPERIENCE…

While Florida might seem like an unlikely choice or a wine destination, it is actually one of the original homelands of American wine. Spanish missionaries harvested native Muscadine grapes to make wine as early as the sixteenth century, and Florida is currently home to around 20 certified wineries. These wineries and additional vineyards produce wines from a variety of Muscadine grapes as well as tropical fruits and citrus varieties—many of which make a great base for cocktails. From traditional vineyards to lush courtyards and oceanfront destinations, Florida’s wineries and their flavorful creations are worth exploring. Here’s a look at five properties and their unique wines. FIORELLI WINERY & VINEYARD Perhaps the most traditional of all Florida’s wineries, Fiorelli Winery in Bradenton has been making dry, semi-sweet, and sweet wines fermented…

A new baby often means little sleep for new parents. In fact, a recent study of German families found that parents’ sleep not only significantly declined following the first three months of childbirth but also, in some cases, took six years to return to normal. After babysitting her cousin’s 8-month-old for a weekend, Naples resident Jenica Blechschmidt realized an app might help. Soon, Lovebug was born. Instead of reading long books that off er, as Blechschmidt puts it, “a degree in baby sleep,” the handy app provides a simplified, personalized approach. “We give every family turn-by-turn directions on how to help their baby learn to sleep,” she says. Lovebug adjusts to different ages and to changes in sleep schedules, such as when your baby is sick or during family vacations.…

Mally Khorasantchi, a local painter and resident since 1992, has experienced the evolution of Artis—Naples, but she couldn’t foresee that one of her own works would one day be acquired for The Baker Museum’s permanent collection. Now, her mixed-media triptych, Faked News XIII, is featured in the museum’s “Recent Acquisitions: 2019–Present” through January 8, 2023. “It is a dream come true for a painter to be included in this fantastic collection,” she says. Faked News XIII started as a collage “with many different pieces, cutouts, and shapes¾—very unorganized, some parts clean and white—too much information,” she explains of the work created in 2017. “All objects are clearly seen but make no sense in the combination.” Another piece by the German-born artist from her Oasis series was acquired by the Golisano…

Collier County’s artificial reef program has grown to hundreds of structures since the 1980s. Directed by Collier County Coastal Zone Management, underwater structures weighing 200 to 500 tons have been created off the county’s coastline—located from a few miles to nearly 32 miles from shore. The artificial reefs are constructed from recycled cement or limestone boulders, which are carefully evaluated to ensure the materials being submerged are free of potential environmental contaminants, according to Chris D’Arco, senior field investigator for Coastal Zone Management. D’Arco says reefs are generally surveyed once a year to assess their overall health and to clean debris. Among other benefits, artificial reefs mitigate anchoring and fishing pressures placed on surrounding natural reefs, foster habitats for fish and invertebrate life, and offer recreational opportunities to fishers and…

Following a three-year renovation, the century-old Shangri-La Springs has opened to overnight visitors for the first time in 27 years with eight guest rooms—two suites in the main hotel and six rooms across the courtyard in Villa Ascona. In the main hotel, the Bonita Suite hosts a pair of king-size bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a living room with a sleeper sofa. In the two-bedroom, three-bathroom Heitman Suite, there is a king-size fourposter bed, queen-size bed, living room, and sleeper sofa in a sitting room. All of these newly modernized guest rooms are on the property’s first floor, and planning is underway to redesign and renovate rooms on the second floor, according to spokesman Bill Oberman. The Bonita Springs landmark was built in 1921 near the mineral spring for which the…

For those who dream of traveling to undiscovered destinations, the Caribbean likely doesn’t come to mind. Yet, among the Windward Islands in the Lesser Antilles lies a secluded island nation underscored by dramatic beauty and a lost-in-time allure. Welcome to Dominica, a magnificent, mountainous, independent country, 72,000 citizens strong, hidden between more touristed neighbors Martinique, St. Lucia, and Guadeloupe, and not to be confused with the Dominican Republic. Rightfully known as the Nature Island, this untouched land teems with extreme natural phenomena such as towering waterfalls, boiling lakes, and coral reefs that bubble from geothermal activity. Across its 289.6 square miles of rugged terrain and lush rainforest, biodiverse Dominica harbors more than 1,000 species of flowering plants and 170 bird species, and its coastal waters receive 20 species of whales…

It’s rare for a boat brand to be instantly recognizable. So many fall into the floating Clorox bottle category: generic, practical, functional, yet easily forgettable. Not so for Axopar. Since 2014, the Finnish builder has been cranking out 22- to 37-foot day boats that have been setting the market on fire. So far, more than 3,500 examples have been sold around the globe. It’s easy to see why. With their razor-sharp axe bow, distinctive twin-step hull, and faintly militaristic lines, these go-fast day boats spin heads from Miami to Maine. See one screaming up behind you, piercing waves at 50 knots, and you half expect Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt to be at the helm, chasing the baddies in some new blockbuster novel. Building on the success of its 37-footer, Axopar…

Spanning more than 2,400 square miles, most of which remains impenetrable, Everglades National Park is an untamed beast of subtropical wilderness that begs an honest question from luxury travelers: Is it possible to immerse in these extreme wilds without completely roughing it? The short answer is yes, thanks namely to Clyde Butcher, the celebrated photographer synonymous with the Florida Everglades. On the park’s outskirts but still within the Everglades’ ecosystem in Big Cypress National Preserve, Butcher invites travelers to experience the best of the region through his Big Cypress Gallery swamp rentals (explorebigcypress.com). The duo of accommodations—one a cozy one-bedroom bungalow and the second a twobedroom, family-friendly cottage—are located directly behind Butcher’s gallery (clydebutcher.com), where his black-and-white masterpieces are on display. (Many of these captivating images were snapped in the…

THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER CAPE CANAVERAL Is there anything cooler than feeling the power of a rocket launch? Floridians can do that and more in their own backyard. Make a day of space exploration at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where you can experiment with high-tech simulators inside Space Shuttle Atlantis and visit the national memorial honoring fallen astronauts from the American space program. New this year is Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex, which chronicles current and forthcoming advances. Pro tip: Keep an eye on launch schedules as they often change due to weather conditions. (kennedyspacecenter.com) —Melissa Puppo THE DALÍ Museum St. Petersburg A cultural beacon in the heart of downtown St. Pete, The Dalí Museum is home to more than 2,400 works by the late Spanish Surrealist…

JAXSON’S ICE CREAM PARLOR & RESTAURANT DANIA BEACH THIS SOUTH FLORIDA MAINSTAY SINCE 1956 IS BEST KNOWN FOR ITS GOT-TO-SEE-IT-TO-BELIEVE-IT HEADLINER: THE ORIGINAL KITCHEN SINK. CONCEIVED BY FOUNDER MONROE UDELL AND SERVED IN AN ACTUAL KITCHEN SINK, THIS SUNDAE ON STEROIDS BOASTS A POUND OF ICE CREAM PER PERSON, TOPPED WITH BANANAS, HOMEMADE WHIPPED CREAM, MIXED NUTS, AND CHERRIES. IT’S THEN LIT WITH SPARKLERS BEFORE ARRIVING TABLESIDE. AT LEAST FOUR PEOPLE ARE REQUIRED TO DEVOUR THIS BEAST OF A DESSERT. (JAXSONSICECREAM.COM) —M.P. DIXIE FRIED CHICKEN BELLE GLADE “Fried and gone to heaven’’ is the unofficial mantra at this half-century-old local favorite, affectionately known as DFC. Go for the freshly fried chicken by the box or bucket, but don’t miss the chicken wingettes or the catfish fingers. On Mondays only, make…

“A lot of cooks avoid brisket because it takes too long,” says Brandon Schewe, chef and co-owner of The Bohemian Restaurant in Bonita Springs. His version is first smoked for an hour in an Argentine asador grill using Florida hardwood oak, then finished for seven hours in the oven. Served with roasted bone marrow, the dish is garnished with grilled ciabatta crostini, house-made pickled red onions and garlic confit, grilled lemon, gremolata, and natural jus. Along with his wife, Caitlin, Schewe also owns the nearby Downtown Coffee and Wine Company. The couple is committed to the success of the neighborhood. “At the end of the day, it’s not about us,” he says. “We’re really trying to build downtown Bonita Springs.” (thebohemianbonita.com)…

Just when you thought there was no possible upside to global warming, along comes English sparkling wine. Although sparkling wine production in the South of England only began in the 1980s, it is now home to more than 100 producers. Most are using the traditional Champagne method and the same grape varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier). The majority of the estates are located in Kent, Sussex, and Surrey, with the largest producers being Gusbourne and Chapel Down. Given that the area has similar soil and topography to the Champagne region across the Channel, success was probably inevitable. Even the house of Taittinger has joined the party, with its first vintage from Kent expected next year. Champagne is frequently the standard by which English sparkling wine is measured, but…

CELEBRITY MARTINI GLASS AUCTION WHAT: Evening of Appreciation WHERE: Sea Salt, Naples SUPPORTS: Gulf Coast Veterans & Friends, Home Base Veteran & Family Care, Naples Take a Soldier Fishing, and Wounded Warriors of Collier County DETAILS: This invitation-only farewell celebration for the final Celebrity Martini Glass Auction included celebrities and veterans, live performances, Yellow Ribbon Awards, and a battle-flag presentation to event founder Brenda Melton. In 2008, the Neapolitan conceived the annual auction of artist-designed martini glasses signed by celebrities or American heroes. The event has raised nearly $5 million for charities, primarily for veterans, distributed through the Veterans Support Fund at Collier Community Foundation for local charities meeting the physical, emotional, psychological, and social needs of veterans. PRESENTING SPONSOR: UBS/Matina Group MEDIA SPONSOR: Naples Illustrated THE LEAGUE CLUB WHAT: Naples…

Naples artist Emily James has created limited-edition giclée prints on canvas of her painting Orchid Lake to benefit the Naples Botanical Garden. Orchid Lake was inspired by the garden’s LaGrippe Orchid Garden, and she has created several other garden-inspired paintings. One hundred and seventy-five archival pigment giclée prints were signed and numbered by James. They are available for purchase ($1,600) at her gallery at 720 Fifth Avenue South. Buyers receive a one-year membership to the garden. James is a longtime supporter of the garden, “which we all adore!” she exclaims. (emilyjamesart.com)…

Big-ship cruising is back—in a big way. After a lengthy pandemic pause, major cruise lines are rolling out one stunning ship after another, freshly minted with state-of-the-art amenities, elevated dining spaces, and contemporary designs in tune with the desires of today’s cruising elite. One such vessel is the MSC Seashore, a new incarnation of the Italian brand’s slick Seaside class fleet, dubbed Seaside Evo (which stands for evolution). With nearly 140,000 square feet for outdoor endeavors, the 2,270-room mega-ship features the highest ratio of outdoor space per guest of any MSC ship and several firsts for the brand. Think: a seafront boardwalk, an aft infinity pool (bringing the total pool count to six), a massive aquapark, and an impressive glass skywalk. The onboard excitement never ends thanks to more than…

THREE SISTERS SPRINGS CRYSTAL RIVER OF FLORIDA’S MYRIAD SPRINGS, NONE IMPRESSES MORE THAN SIBLINGS PRETTY SISTER, DEEP SISTER, AND LITTLE SISTER, TOGETHER COMPRISING A 1-ACRE EXPANSE OF MESMERIZING BLUE-OMBRE WATERS, SAND VOLCANOES, AND UNDERWATER VENTS IN CRYSTAL RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. WHILE IT’S POSSIBLE TO CIRCUMVENT THE SPRINGS OVERLAND VIA WALKING TRAILS AND TO KAYAK WITHIN, THE BEST WAY TO APPRECIATE THE GALS IS WITH A MASK AND SNORKEL. OOH AND AAH OVER THE FERVENT BUBBLES RISING FROM INNER EARTH, OGLE THE INSANE COLORS OF THE WATER, AND—BEST OF ALL—LOOK FORWARD TO POSSIBLE ENCOUNTERS WITH THE MANATEES THAT FREQUENT THE SPRINGS. (DISCOVERCRYSTALRIVERFL.COM) —P.R. RAINBOW Springs Ocala Rainbow Springs, at the headwaters of the Rainbow River, is known for water so clear you can see all the way to the bottom.…

THE TERRACE HOTEL LAKELAND Rewind to 1924, when the Lakeland Terrace Hotel debuted as Florida’s first air-conditioned hotel. Back then, little Lakeland was experiencing a big economic boom, fueled by Florida’s growing status as a vacation destination. Soon, the high-rise hotel overlooking serene Lake Mirror became a favorite of the roaring twenties elite. Fast-forward nearly 100 years, and today’s traveler can again bask in the glory of the 88-room property, reinvented after a head-to-toe renovation as The Terrace Hotel Lakeland, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. In its current form, the hotel commingles Art Deco flair with contemporary works by local artists. Patterned furnishings and soft goods in common spaces are inspired by native flora and fauna, while guest rooms skew mid-century modern. Base yourself here for easy access to Central Florida’s…

According to a recent survey, the Expedia Vacation Deprivation Report 2022, 50 percent of Americans bring their work laptops on vacation and 41 percent often join Zoom calls when they’re off. Working while traveling is common, but you may not be achieving the full benefits of your vacation if you’re click-clacking away poolside. It’s essential to get away from everything and decompress, notes Jen Mitchell, founder of Jen Mitchell Travel in Naples. “People think that vacations are a luxury,” she says. “But really, they’re essential.” Mitchell explains that even a short trip can be rejuvenating, lower stress levels, and provide needed time to bond with family or friends. (jenmitchelltravel.com) To make the most of that much-needed break, turn the page and glean a few quick tips from Mitchell. 1 Set…