10 Most Interactive Beaches

10 Most Interactive Beaches

Bahamas

Type: Beach, Culture, Adventure, Honeymoon

Best time of year: November-May

The Bahamas , officially the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is a country consisting of 29 islands, 661 cays, and 2,387 islets . It is located in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cuba and Hispaniola , northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and southeast of the United States . Its total land area is 13,939 km

Hawaii / Big Island 

Type: Beach, Adventure, Romantic, Golf, Honeymoon
Best time of year: September-June
The largest island in the Hawaiian chain, the Big Island of Hawaii is where Mother Nature pulls out all the stops, from fiery volcanoes, sparkling waterfalls and black-lava deserts to tropical rainforests, alpine meadows and miles of golden-, black- and even green-sand beaches. Inland, its heart is snowcapped Mauna Ke
Costa Rica

Type: Beach, Honeymoon
Best time of year: December-April
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the east and south, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the east.Costa Rica, which means "Rich Coast", constitutionally abolished its army permanently in 1949.
Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico (© Franz-Marc Frei/Corbis)
Type: Beach, Culture, Adventure
Best time of year: December-April
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, east of the Dominican Republic and west of the Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico is composed of an archipelago that includes the main island of Puerto Rico
Jamaica

Jamaica (© Douglas Pearson/Corbis)
Type: Beach, Adventure, Honeymoon
Best time of year: December-April
There is more to Jamaica than reggae, Rastafarians and honeymooners. Fringed with white-sand beaches, the island has year-round sunshine, misty mountains, a lush rainforest, and superb coffee. In the west, lazy Negril showcases its long beach, coconut groves, and clear waters. Partygoers gravitate to Montego Bay

Cancun and Isla Mujeres

The island was so named by Spanish conquerors because of the many clay figurines of females discovered when they came ashore here centuries ago. Isla Mujeres is located off the coast of Cancun, separated from the mainland by a small 7-mile strait, and even though it is incredibly close to this busy city, life on the island remains peaceful and slow-paced.
The boat ride takes just 20 minutes from Puerto Juarez in Cancun to the main dock on the island. Once there, you can choose to either walk around, or alternatively rent a golf cart or bicycle and explore all the attractions this five mile long island has to offer.
Aruba

Aruba (© Richard Cummins/Robert Harding World Imagery/Corbis)
Type: Culture, Adventure, Culinary, Entertainment, Beach
Best time of year: December-April
The most popular island in the Dutch Caribbean, Aruba draws droves of honeymooners and sun worshippers to its sandy shores. This small, 20-mile long island dances to salsa, dines on red snapper, gambles in glitzy casinos, and surfs and sunbathes year-round. Aruba's past unfolds in the Dutch architecture of its bustlin.
Barbados

Barbados (© Richard Klune/Corbis)
Type: Beach, Romantic, Culture, Adventure
Best time of year: December-April
Though independent, Barbados embraces its British Empire roots. Afternoon tea remains a tradition, cricket is the national sport, and many Bajans speak with a British accent. The past is alive everywhere, including 18th- and 19th-century homes scattered around the island. A-listers and budget travelers alike flock
Bermuda

Bermuda (© Robert Harding/Robert Harding World Imagery/Corbis)
Type: Beach, Adventure
Best time of year: April-October
Set adrift in its own dreamy archipelago in the balmy Gulf Stream, this rich little oasis of pink-sand beaches and sparkling blue waters is simultaneously slightly British, slightly American, and very Bermudian. Whether you've come to unwind on Elbow Beach, shop among the pretty pastels and whites of historic Hamilton
Atlantic City

Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2008, the city has a population

14 Surprisingly Romantic Cities

Verona, Italy
Paris? Sure. The city deserves its reputation as the world’s most romantic city. But if you can’t take your sweetie there for Valentine’s Day, don’t despair. We found 14 other surprisingly romantic cities perfect for lovebirds.

The annual Verona in Love festival, Feb. 12-14, features love-themed concerts and dance performances, a heart-shaped market, a minute-long community kiss and free entry to historical sites, including Juliet’s home and tomb. The Juliet Club awards a “Dear Juliet” prize to the best of more than 5,000 letters that arrive in town each year seeking advice in matters of love.

New York City
The observatory at the Empire State Building offers great views of New York City. But, as anyone who’s seen “Sleepless in Seattle” or “An Affair to Remember” will tell you, it’s pretty darned romantic, too. Numerous proposals take place there and, for the past 17 years, 14 lucky couples with contest-winning love stories have had Valentine’s Day weddings up there.

London
Prince William and Kate Middleton have set a date, but other couples might need some encouragement from Mother Nature. On Valentine’s Day, scientists at London’s Natural History Museum will host a Night Safari, titled Pleasure or Pain — Love in the Natural World, through the museum’s back rooms. Learn about shooting stars, species that mate for life, ingredients for a good love potion and how love can hurt.

Amsterdam
A nighttime couples' canal cruise and a diamond-factory tour are alluring Amsterdam adventures. So is a stop at the Amsterdam Hilton to see — or stay in — the suite where John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged their honeymoon Bed-in for Peace in March 1969.

Atlantic City, N.J.
In Atlantic City, where the slogan is “Always Turned On,” the Convention and Visitors Authority hosts a free Valentine’s Day group wedding, civil-union and renewal of vows ceremony. A champagne toast and wedding cake are included, but you’ll need your own New Jersey marriage or civil union license, available after a three-day mandatory waiting period.

Baltimore
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is hosting a Valentine’s Day Sex at the Zoo event on Feb. 10. With assistance from animal “ambassadors,” the zoo’s veterinarian and curator promise to divulge “all of the secrets, scandals and shocking facts of jungle love.” Music, an open bar and decadent desserts will help participants cool off.

Loveland, Colo.
Each February, hundreds of thousands of valentines are sent to the Loveland, Colo., post office to be stamped with a valentine verse and re-mailed to intended recipients. Loveland’s streets are also filled with love: A downloadable map guides visitors to heart-shaped sculptures scattered around town.

Dallas-Fort Worth
Love at an airport? It’s possible — and tasty — at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The Hyatt Regency DFW, inside the international terminal, has an in-house epicurean studio and offers weekend packages combining hotel stays with cooking classes. February’s aphrodisiac class is full, but slots are open for sensuous French cooking, chocolate couture and something called “It’s All About the Game.”

Washington, D.C.
Washington's Department of Love & Relationships — yes, it has one — has partnered with local attractions to create February date-night packages, including Love a Spy at the International Spy Museum. There, couples can learn how Mata Hari and other spies used seduction as a tool to attract, manipulate and compromise their targets.

Place of Refuge, Hawaii
Couples who have strayed or fought might consider a romantic pilgrimage to the sacred spot known as the Place of Refuge at Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park near Kailua on Hawaii’s Big Island. There they can seek a fresh start. “It’s a sanctuary from the past and a place to ask for – and receive – forgiveness,” says Charles Hua, the park superintendent.

Sanibel Island, Fla.
Florida’s Sanibel Island is a romantic beach destination, but it’s also the home of the Bailey Mathews Shell Museum, which has a heartfelt display of sailors’ valentines. These intricate and now highly coveted shell creations were made in Barbados in the early 19th century and sold to English and American sailors to give to their wives and girlfriends at home.

Las Vegas
Some couples head to Las Vegas to be married by Elvis (impersonators). Those not quite ready for the altar might enjoy the Can’t Help Falling in Love scene in Cirque du Soleil’s “Viva Elvis” show, which features home movies of Elvis and Priscilla’s courtship and footage of their marriage ceremony projected on a giant replica of their wedding cake.

Tampa Bay, Fla.
Diamonds are always romantic; doubly so for baseball-diamond fans who make it down to Florida for Grapefruit League spring training. No need to choose a favorite: The New York Yankees, the Tampa Bay Rays, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Toronto Blue Jays all train in the Tampa Bay area.

Zagreb, Croatia
Love doesn’t always last, but in Zagreb, Croatia, lost love is at least lovingly memorialized at the Museum of Broken Relationships. Two artists — they were once a couple themselves — curate a collection of memorabilia, love tokens and other items donated by those whose broken hearts are now, hopefully, on the mend.

Mint Iced Tea . . Mango Bellini . . . mmm

One thing I thoroughly enjoy about this lovely summer time is

a cool refreshing fruity beverage!

(photo by juan hutchens)

Today I had two of my good friends over for baking (lemon chiffon cake, yum!)

 and fun girl time

(ohhhh and fun drinks too!)

(photo by Lara Ferroni)

***Mint Iced Tea Lemonade***

Made with mint leaves from my garden . . .

For the "I-don't-have-time" ladies:

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons crushed fresh mint leaves

1 quart boiling water

1/2 cup instant iced tea powder

1 cup white sugar

2 quarts cold water

1 (6 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

Directions:

1.In a 1 gallon pitcher, combine the mint leaves, 1 quart of boiling water, instant tea powder and sugar. Stir to dissolve sugar. Let stand for 15 minutes.

2.Stir in the cold water and lemonade concentrate. Serve in tall glasses over ice. Strain out mint leaves, if desired.

 

***Mango Bellini***

(photo by Inspired to Cook)

 

Ingredients:

2 ripe mangos, peeled, pitted, flesh coarsely chopped

1 bottle(s) (750-ml) brut Champagne

Directions:

1.Place 4 to 6 Champagne flutes in the freezer to chill. Place chopped mango in a blender and puree until smooth.

2.Strain the mango puree through a fine sieve and into a bowl. Freeze the strained puree in the freezer or over ice until it is cold.

3.Place the mango puree in a glass pitcher. Add the Champagne and gently whisk to blend. Slowly pour the Champagne mixture into the chilled flutes and serve immediately.

 

Other summer fave drinks:

*Mimosas*

*Strawberry Lemonade*

*Margaritas on the rocks*

*Pimm's*

*Pomegranate Mojito*

 

 

(photo by neloqua)

What are your favorite

Summer Beverages?

(our photo from Mykonos, Greece July 2010

We had some good rinks here!!!)