Coast of the town

In Florida's Paradise Coast, Nicola Donnelly found exactly that, a paradise she'll definitely be returning to...

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I knew I was somewhere special the moment my toes sank into the white powder-soft sand and a warm Mexican Gulf breeze brushed past my face. Marco Island and Naples aren't just places you visit, they're places you feel.

This stretch of Florida’s Paradise Coast is a rare kind of paradise, where every sunrise feels like a fresh start and every sunset demands your full attention. It's a hidden gem in Florida and is definitely worth popping onto the bucket list.

From luxury resorts to untouched nature, Marco Island, flanked by nearly 100 miles of island, bays and estuaries that will never be developed, is the largest of Southwest Florida's Ten Thousand Islands, offering a home to rare and endangered wildlife, including more than 350 species of birds.

Naples, which is known for its pristine white-sand beaches, world-class golf courses, upscale shopping along Fifth Avenue South, and a vibrant dining scene featuring everything from fresh seafood to gourmet cuisine, both places are where the wild and the highlife meet in perfect harmony.

Visitors can stroll through lush botanical gardens, catch a breathtaking sunset from the historic Naples Pier, or explore the nearby Everglades for a taste of wild Florida.

Whether you're here to relax, indulge, or adventure, Naples offers a perfect blend of sophistication and tropical serenity.

And whether you're here to check off a bucket list dream like an Everglades airboat ride, jet skiing or simply to soak up the sun in style, you'll quickly realise: paradise isn't just a place. It's a way of life.

Flights are direct from Dublin Airport to Miami International Airport via Aer Lingus and American Holidays. Our first stop was Marco Island, just over a two-hour drive away on the West Coast.

We checked in for our two-night stay at the luxurious Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort & Spa right on the white-sand beachfront.