Photo courtesy of Naples Marco Island Everglades CVB

Last weekend many Kansans found out that Winter wasn’t quite done with them yet. Some parts of the State received a hearty dumping of snow and ice, and all of us had to don our heavy winter coats again. Had enough of snow to last you for awhile? Ready to trade those cold white flakes for miles of shimmering white sand? If you’re planning the perfect spring getaway, why look farther than Paradise?

Naples and Marco Island, located at the Southwestern tip of Florida’s beautiful Gulf Coast, serve up white sand beaches, fresh seafood, pampering spas, and pristine nature preserves, along with excellent shopping, dining, entertainment, and attractions. Shopping is an art form in Naples (downtown Naples’ Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South are loaded with unique boutiques offering fashions, gifts, and fine art), and shelling on Marco Island’s beach rivals that of Sanibel.

Best of all, you don’t need a passport to get to this Paradise. And there are values galore to be had right now, especially if you take part in the Paradise Coast Values in Paradise VIP card promotion, which runs from May 1 through December 15, 2009. This little discount card offers visitors thousands of dollars of savings at participating restaurants, attractions, and shops, including buy-one-get-one-free and half-off deals. The VIP card is absolutely free, and you can find it at four convenient visitor locations: the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Naples Association Visitors Center, the Marco Island Chamber of Commerce, and the Everglades Area Chamber of Commerce.

Luxury hotels and resorts abound on the Paradise Coast, but surprisingly enough, there are also plenty of accommodations for visitors on a budget. I got a peek at the affordably-priced Lemon Tree Inn when I was last in Naples, and I found it utterly charming. Designed with the architectural influence of Old Florida and set against a backdrop of beautifully landscaped tropical foliage, the Lemon Tree Inn is truly “a touch of Key West in the heart of Old Naples.” Located just two blocks from the fabulous shopping area of Fifth Avenue South and eight blocks from the beach, the Lemon Tree Inn features a heated swimming pool, courtyard garden, and 34 unique tropical-themed guestrooms. Guests can enjoy not only continental breakfast daily, but also—what else?—complimentary lemonade. (For a lemon-lover like me, that perk would indeed put me in Paradise.)

Guests at the Lemon Tree Inn can also rent bicycles at the front desk for just $10 a day ($15 for a romantic tandem bicycle-for-two), and explore all that Paradise has to offer.

The best things in Paradise are actually free. Wading in the warm surf, watching your kids build sandcastles on the beach, relaxing on a lounge chair in the bright Florida sunshine, spotting dolphins and manatees frolicking in the Bay. Ah, Paradise. You could get used to this.

Author’s Note: This is the first in a six-part series on the beautiful Paradise Coast. Stay tuned for shopping in Paradise,, spas in Paradise, dining in Paradise, romance in Paradise, & fun for kids in Paradise