IF YOU GO TO NAPLES

IF YOU GO TO NAPLES(ALL NUMBERS WITHIN 239 AREA CODE):

LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, 9891 Gulf Shore Dr., is place to splurge. In increasingly well-heeled Naples, the resort commands more than $500 a night in season. But for summer weeknight bookings, the price of luxury tumbles to a range between the low and high $200s. Phone 597-3123, or on the web: www.laplayaresort.com

Light House Inn, 9140 Gulf Shore Dr. N, is a light on the wallet alternative to the steep prices of the castles on the sand. The throwback property has no view of the beach, no phones in the room and no website to check out photos. What it does have is clean rooms, an on-site diner operated by the owners and off-season prices that are as shockingly affordable as: less than $100 a night for an efficiency or motel room, or about $500 for a whole week in one bedroom suite that feels more like a tiny beach town apartment. Call 597-3345 to book and hurry: the entire property only has 15 rooms.

Baleen, in the LaPlaya Beach Resort, 598-5707, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and you need not be a guest of the resort to dine there.

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, 375 Sanctuary Rd. West, has a wonderfully detailed website (www.corkscrew.audubon.org) featuring many of the critters you might encounter during visit, as well as a printable map and directions to its slightly off the beaten path location. Call for info: 348-9151.

Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, 1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd, is set in a 52-acre jungle of exotic plants. Phone: 262-5409 or on the web: www.caribbeangardens.com

Naples Downtown’s website features maps, store locators and a city guide chock full of activities and attractions. Visit: www.naplesdowntown.com

McCabe’s Irish Pub in Historic Old Naples, 699 5th Ave S., serves sandwiches, pizzas, seafood and traditional pub fare in an authentic Irish pub setting. Call 403-7170 or check out the menu on its website: www.mccabesirishpub.com

Michelbob’s, 371 Airport Road South is only a few miles from fancy 5th Avenue South, but a world way in terms of atmosphere. In a simple building on an ugly airport perimeter road, Michelbob’s turns out ribs and barbecue sauce that have won more than 50 national and international competitions. At no frills tables, big eaters feast on beef and pork barbecue sandwiches, baked beans, corn on the cob and rack upon rack of those award-winning baby backs. Call 643-2877 or check them out on the web: www.michelbobs.com

The Naples Fishing Pier, 25 12th Ave. South, offers good fishing spots and gorgeous sunset views. Visit the website: www.naplespier.com

Editor's note: See yesterday's blog posting for the full feature story on Naples, FLA