Marco Island is Almost Paradise

You may have thought that all of Florida is pretty heavenly, but it in fact has a special region known as the Paradise Coast that ranks among the best places to spend a few relaxing days. Collier County is the actual name and it contains the towns of Naples and Marco Island, but you can call it whatever you like. Here are a few ideas; bliss, dreamland, cloud nine...

Let's just focus on Marco Island for this vacation, considering that it is well-equipped to handle all the needs and expectations you have for a sunny beach getaway. Much of the land in these parts is protected as a park and nature preserve, meaning that you'll glimpse the Everglades in all their untouched glory. The splendid marshland and abundant wildlife are just a couple of reasons that this coastal refuge is equated with the idea of paradise.

The rest of the reasons are pretty solid as well. Marco Island's crescent shaped beach encompasses a few miles of white sand and recreation-friendly water. Tigertail Beach Park is an excellent place to sit down for a picnic, a sunbathing session or just a few hours of family fun building sand castles and frolicking in the surf. The sunsets tend to be spectacular, the sea shelling is sublime and the man-made aspects of the area are set up to ensure that every visitor is treated kindly and well.

Culture junkies won't starve here thanks to the Marco Island Historical Society as well as several art galleries. Florida tends to attract and inspire all sorts of artists with its natural beauty and laid-back atmosphere, and Marco Island is no exception. Take a look around if you're in the market for the perfect piece to hang above your mantel, and if you're lucky you'll come across exactly what you're looking for. Or, if you'd rather just window shop or fill your head with a few tasty tidbits of information about the area's Native American influences (the Calusas were the first ones here, by the way) then you'll be all set.

Venture out on the water by renting a boat or hopping aboard a chartered cruise. Watch for dolphins, sea turtles, manatees and all sorts of exotic deep-sea fish that you probably aren't used to seeing except for on your plate at a fancy restaurant. From sailboats to canoes, kayaks to wave runners, there are many methods of gathering speed as you skim across the surface of the Gulf. Nothing makes you forget about deadlines and email like feeling the salty spray awaken your fun-loving side, so save ample time for this exhilarating pastime.

Continue your tour of tantalizing delights as you get to know the rest of Marco Island. Golf courses, nature tours, spas and boutiques will compete for your attention and allow the members of your group, who probably have varying interests, to do their own thing for a few hours. Meet back up for dinner to exchange stories, telling each other of the day's adventures over a fabulous meal of seafood and other exotic dishes. Moods will be light and the laughter will come easy thanks to everyone having spent a fabulous day doing what they love.

End it all on a high note by returning to your fantastic accommodations; in this case, a beach house should definitely do the trick. Marco Island Vacation Rentals are plentiful and come in all shape and variety; they also tend to add a special touch to what is already sure to be a wonderful getaway. Pick one that matches your needs in terms of size and location, then sit back, relax and enjoy the view of paradise.