Days Out Around Naples is a fact-packed travel guide written by a local. It introduces first-time visitors and long-term residents to a host of little-known attractions and activities around Southwest Florida. Do you know where you can: • Take an airboat ride with a Miccosukee Indian? • Go birdspotting in a 13,000 acre wilderness preserve? • Learn how Collier County got its name? • Take a guided tour of a long-forgotten religious community? • Follow the extraordinary story behind the building of the Tamiami Trail? • Visit a free Bird Sanctuary for exotic birds? • Enjoy six different gardens showcasing Florida plants and trees? • Visit Florida's newest city, founded in 2007? • Dine and shop in the authentic birthplace of old Naples? • Hitch a ride on an electric tram through the mangroves to the beach? It's all in this handy guide book! There are days out for history lovers, hikers, wildlife enthusiasts, amateur gardeners, bird watchers and shell collectors. There's even the chance to tour Naples' landmarks on a Segway! These unique Naples' activities are all described in full detail, along with photographs, directions, tips, and useful information on over 20 recommended places to eat out in the area. Whether you’re a first time visitor to Southwest Florida or a long-term resident looking for ways to entertain visiting family and friends, with this book you’ll never be stuck for something to do. It makes a great gift for family and friends too! Written in an informative yet easy-to-read style, this book will show you there’s far more to Naples than its world-class golf courses, upscale shopping and stunning beaches. Like much of Florida,Naples had little to attract tourists just 100 years ago. Virgin forests,cypress swamps and a stunning stretch of sugar-white sand marked what is now amost desirable city for residents, snowbirds and international tourists.  One enduring Naples landmark is the huge banyan tree that stands in the gardenof Palm Cottage. Said to have been planted by Norman Prentice Sloan on hisarrival in 1916, it has certainly witnessed remarkable changes over thedecades. Today, a tour of Palm Cottage and the adjoining Norris Gardensintroduces visitors to Naples' early history, told through the eccentriccharacters and historic buildings of this unique city.  Palm Cottage has had several names reflecting its multiple changes of ownershipand use. Perhaps best remembered are Alexandra and Laurence Brown, who boughtthe spacious cottage (at that time known as the Hamilton Ontario house) for$8,000 in 1944. Their legendary cocktail parties, announced by them hoisting aflag, and their eccentric lifestyle with their basenji hunting dogs and vintageMercedes coupe are all part of Naples' colorful history. In 1979, the NaplesHistorical Society bought Palm Cottage from the Brown estate. Now fullyrestored, this oldest surviving home is listed on the National Register ofHistorical Places and is one of the city's most popular attractions.  A visit to the Naples Depot Museum introduces more of these enterprising earlysettlers, including characters such as Speed Menefee who was pressed intoservice as the city's first mayor in 1925. After being sworn in and making aspeech, he promptly resigned and became known as "The Fifteen MinuteMayor".  Browse the galleries, boutiques and shops on Third Street South, dine al frescoat some of the wonderful restaurants on Fifth Avenue South or relax on thebeach and enjoy this unique and prosperous city. When you fancy taking a scenicdrive, delving into Naples' history, getting out on the water, visiting NaplesZoo, exploring the Botanical Gardens or visiting Naples Bird Gardens,  DaysOut Around Naples  has everything you need to fully enjoy the plethoraof attractions that now surround this fascinating southwest Florida city. Happy trails! Discover Naples' highlightsand hidden gems in this informative book of carefully planned Days OutAround Naples. Beautiful botanical gardens, wildlife attractions,award-winning museums, historic homes, scenic drives, beaches, boardwalks andairboat rides are described in eyewitness detail along with photographs, tips,prices and places to eat as part of your day trip. Learn more about Naples' early settlers, view an early Swamp Buggy, hand feednuts to cockatoos, take an exhilarating airboat ride, tour Edison's home andlaboratory, step aboard a restored railroad caboose or go shelling on thebeach. There's something for everyone to enjoy, whether you are a long-termresident or a first-time visitor to Southwest Florida. Gillian Birch is afreelance travel writer and part-time Florida resident. As the wife of a MasterMariner, she has traveled extensively and lived in some exotic locations allover the world, including Europe, the Far East and the Republic of Panama.Her love of writing led her to keep detailed journals which are a valuablesource of eye-witness information for her many published magazine articles anddestination reviews. Describing