Shopping

In the Estero/Bonita Springs area, two regional malls, Gulf Coast Center and Coconut Point Town Center, are under construction. In Naples, the long-established Coastland Center mall is undergoing a facelift that will give it a more modern, open-air ambiance, while Waterside Shops prepares to welcome some high-profile luxury names, including Hermès, Cartier and Tiffany & Co.

Meanwhile, the Promenade at Bonita Bay, the Village at Venetian Bay in Naples and the Bell Tower Shops in south Fort Myers offer fashionable shopping and dining in lush garden settings.

Outlet devotees can get their fill at Coral Factory Stores between Naples and Marco Island, Tanger Sanibel Factory Stores on the mainland east of the Sanibel Causeway and the ever-expanding Miromar Outlets just off I-75 in Estero. Edison Mall in Fort Myers offers a full complement of national chains.

For those who prefer purveyors of less widely disseminated goods, try the one-of-a-kind shops on Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South in Naples, and Periwinkle Way on Sanibel Island.

Naples

The magic of a breezy Gulfshore afternoon is best spent browsing among the exclusive shops in Old Naples. These shops pride themselves on unique and often handmade gifts, accessories and clothing, exclusive designers and warm, personal service.

Fifth Avenue South, Naples' premier public promenade, is six blocks of tree-lined streets in Old Naples. Continental ambiance offers a mix of sophisticated restaurants, boutiques and galleries that appeal to European and American sensibilities. Fine women's and men's clothing, accessories and gifts can be found. Among the upscale retailers are Brodeur Carvell Fine Menswear, Seraphim Boutique, Congress Jewelers and wine shop Bacchus of Naples. Dining options include Bistro 821, McCabe's Irish Pub and Grill and Yabba Island Grill, among many others. The Sugden Community Theatre is on a plaza on Fifth Avenue South, and the von Liebig Art Center is just around the corner. For more info call (239) 435-3742 or visit www.fifthavenuesouth.com.

Third Street South and the Avenues, located in the heart of Old Naples, feature a collection of more than 100 charming and elegant shops, many offering fine European clothing for men and women, jewelry, artwork, collectibles and home furnishings. Shops include Femme Fatale, Marissa Collections and C. Orrico. Restaurants include Campiello Ristorante and the Naples Pub, among others. The district even boasts a concierge who will direct you to your favorite shop, and it's Naples' first WiFi hot spot, so bring along your laptop to check your e-mail at a street-side bistro. For more info call (239) 434-6533 or visit www.thirdstreetsouth.com.

To visit Tin City for kitschy souvenirs and unique collectibles, head just a few blocks east from Old Naples to U.S. 41 at Goodlette-Frank Road. Shop while you watch the boats go by on Naples Bay, or enjoy dinner at waterfront restaurants Riverwalk Fish & Ale House or Pier 41. Open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. For more info call (239) 262-4200 or visit www.tin-city.com.

Bayfront is located just steps from Tin City on Goodlette-Frank Road. The prominent and colorful buildings combine shopping and residences on the water. Shops and galleries include Bayfront Boutique, East West Art, Jennings of Naples, Murano of Naples, the Weatherburn Gallery and Robert of Philadelphia luxury salon. Restaurants include Il Bellagio, Catch 22, Meritage, Shane's Cabana Bar and Stoney's Steakhouse. For more info call (239) 649-8700 or visit www.bayfrontnaples.com.

The fine-jewelry lover or collector will want to venture north from Old Naples on U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) to encounter several upscale jewelry and watch retailers with buildings that resemble the jewels within. Thalheimers is located at 3200 Tamiami Trail N. at U.S. 41 and Ridge Street, www.thalheimers.com. Bigham Jewelers is farther north at 2425 Tamiami Trail N., www.bighamjewelers.com. The striking Bigham building is also home to Trudy Labell Fine Art and Eyetopian Optical.

North of Old Naples, the Village on Venetian Bay, at the corner of Gulf Shore Boulevard and Park Shore Drive, is a waterfront village with a taste of Old Italy. Stroll by the bay and shop at more than 50 upscale specialty boutiques for men and women including Chico's, Cricket Shop, H.T. Chittum & Co. and Mondo Uomo, as well as galleries, design studios, five waterfront restaurants including Cloyde's Steak and Lobster, Marie-Michelle's, Maxwells on the Bay and a Ben & Jerry's scoop shop. For more info call (239) 261-6100 or visit www.venetianvillage.com.

In the heart of Naples, Coastland Center, is located at 1900 Tamiami Trail N. For the serious shopper, this large enclosed mall invites wandering in air-conditioned comfort and includes Macy's, Dillard's, J.C. Penney, Sears, a food court and more than 150 specialty stores, including Bailey Banks & Biddle, Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, the Disney Store, Hollister, New York & Co. and Victoria's Secret. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. For more info call (239) 262-2323 or visit www.coastlandcenter.com.

Waterside Shops at Pelican Bay, off U.S. 41 at Seagate Drive, is a high-end, outdoor shopping center anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, with shops including Williams & Sonoma, Talbots, Ann Taylor, Chico's, Yamron Jewelers and restaurants including Aqua Grill and California Pizza Kitchen. The shops are currently expanding with more than 30 new exclusive retailers to come, including Nordstrom, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Cartier, Anne Fontaine, Anthropologie, BCBG Max Azria, Brooks Brothers, Christofle, Coach, Lacoste, Gucci and Swarovski. For more info call (239) 598-1605 or visit www.watersideshops.com.

Marco Island

Esplanade, 740 N. Collier Blvd. This Italian-inspired, waterfront shopping plaza includes nearly 50,000 square feet of fine dining, upscale retailers and specialty stores, full-service marina and businesses. Restaurants include Vergina, Bayview, Star Bar and Starbucks. Shops front Smokehouse Bay and feature a bayside sunset amphitheater. For more info call (239) 394-7772 or visit www.esplanadeshoppes.com.

Bonita Springs

The Promenade at Bonita Bay, fronting U.S. 41, is a tropical paradise for the selective shopper. A courtyard village includes 30 upscale retail shops, restaurants and offices in a tropical setting. Shops include Zola Keller, Chico's, DuFrane Jewelers, Bonne Nuit, Produce Patch, Mondo Uomo, Eyetopian Optical, Agostino's and Jami's. Restaurants include Silver Spoon, Roy's and Starbucks. Nights at the Promenade heat up at Aja Lounge, a destination for young Gulfshore nightlife. For more info call (239) 261-6100 or visit it on the web at www.promenadeshops.com.

Estero

Coconut Point Town Center, opening in fall 2005, will be located south of Corkscrew Road on U.S. 41 in Estero and feature three different shopping districts. Its 1.2 million square feet of retail space will include Dillard's, Ann Taylor Loft, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Sports Authority, Bed Bath & Beyond, Guess?, Limited Too, Aeropostale and Ulta Cosmetics, among other retailers. The Coconut Point development will be a town-like setting with residential and retail space.

Miromar Outlets, located between Naples and Fort Myers at I-75 and Corkscrew Road, offers world-class shopping, with more than 120 leading designer manufacturers and famous-brand labels at factory-outlet prices. Outlet shoppers can spend hours finding bargains at retailers, including Off 5th, the Saks Fifth Avenue outlet; Escada; Donna Karan; Ellen Tracy and Tommy Hilfiger. Miromar offers an inviting Mediterranean atmosphere of open-air walkways, sculpted water fountains and an abundance of casual eateries like Luna Rossa Italian Restaurant and La Bamba Mexican Restaurant. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more info call (239) 948-3766 or visit www.miromar.com.

International Design Center, opening at 10801 Corkscrew Road, across from Miromar Outlets, will offer a variety of high-quality home furnishings and accessories in one unique location. Names such as McGuire, Ann Saks, Walker Zanger, Pierre Deux, Stickley, Clive Christian, Lee Jofa, Kravit and Kallista are among the 75 different retailers offering home furnishings, wall coverings, fixtures and more. Opening in 2006. For more info call (239) 390-5111 or visit www.idcfl.com.

Fort Myers

Downtown Fort Myers is experiencing a resurgence of retail and commercial development. A destination for particular shoppers looking for the perfect gift or unique home furnishing, the section of McGregor Boulevard just north of College Parkway is home to many antique stores and boutique shops.

Bell Tower Shops, located at the corner of U.S. 41 and Daniels Road, is a scenic open-air shopping center with 50 specialty stores, 10 restaurants and a 20-screen movie theater. Stroll through lush landscapes and enjoy monthly concerts the last Friday of each month at the center court fountain. Saks Fifth Avenue, the Fresh Market and Bed Bath & Beyond anchor this upscale retail center. Open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. For more info call (239) 489-1221. www.thebelltowershops.com.

Edison Mall, at the corner of U.S. 41 and Colonial Boulevard, features more than 1 million square feet of retail space, with several major department store anchors and more than 150 stores featuring many of the nation's top retailers, including the Disney Store, Victoria's Secret, the Body Shop, Ann Taylor Loft and the Gap. It also includes local shops and service-related stores, as well as restaurants and a large food court. A complete renovation of the mall will be completed in fall 2006. For more info call (239) 939-5464.