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While Naples, Florida might be known for its multi-million dollar houses on the ocean, if you choose to spend the holidays there you can live the high life while still keeping your bank account intact. In fact, the holiday season may be one of the best times to go to Naples, because the rainy season is over (December is the driest month of the year) and temperatures average in the high 70s.

One of the great things about vacationing in Naples is the abundance of vacation rental properties available. For less than the price for an equivalent length stay in a hotel, you can have your own house with multiple bedrooms, a fully outfitted kitchen, and maybe even a pool! Many vacation houses are professionally decorated and have great viewsyou may never want to stay in a hotel again. There are many websites and rental agents that list vacation rentals in Naples, but book early, because it is a popular trip for families to make together. If you don't feel like cooking dinner for yourself (you're on vacation, after all!), you can have a traditional Dickensian Christmas feast at The English Pub or you could splurge at the Ritz-Carlton at Vanderbilt Beach.

To get yourself in the holiday spirit, be sure to check out the downtown area. Downtown is beautifully decorated for the season and offers a wealth of holiday shopping (and window shopping). Naples is known for its abundance of art galleries, and during the holidays, you can find special offers during the New Year's Art Festival the weekend after Christmas. Step back in time and tour the Victorian-era Palm Cottage to see it decked out in seasonal finery. Just out side of downtown, you can go to the Naples Zoo and Caribbean Gardens to see the animals get different holiday treats each day.

Remember that there are many year-round outdoor activities to have fun with, too. If you are a golfer, take advantage of the Naples's nearly 100 courses available and book a tee time. You can rent a boat to take a leisurely cruise around nearby islands or do some serious deep sea fishing. Drive southwest of Naples to Everglades National Park for an adventure upon an airboat in Florida's largest natural reserve. Show up early in the morning at the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary to catch the birds and other wildlife at their most active.

Don't forget to take advantage of the one thing that Naples is most famous for: the beach. Perhaps the best holiday is spent sitting on the sand watching the waves. It sounds like a perfect new family tradition. Just make sure to take plenty of pictures for your friends back home!

Learn more about this author, Erica Whitney.
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