Laguna Beach California

Perfectly situated midway between Los Angeles and San Diego in southern Orange County, Laguna Beach is a popular weekend vacation in Southern California. Offering seven miles of coastline with sandy beaches and palm trees, Laguna Beach is the perfect beach vacation getaway.

There are 30 beaches and coves that visitors can explore either on foot or by kayak. The activities

here include sailing, bird watching, beach volleyball, surfing, and even scuba diving.

The Laguna Beach also enjoys warm weather year round with an average high of 69 degrees in January and 77 degrees in July. Popular activities for the outdoors here include romantic picnics, hiking, cycling, tennis, golf, and even botanical garden tours.

Laguna Beach is also home to an active artist community with almost 100 galleries that showcase art pieces by local and international artists. There are many festivals here in the summer, some of which are known around the world.

For those who enjoy shopping, Laguna Beach offers a wide selection of unique shops that sell hand crafted jewelry, antiques, and other things that you won't find anywhere else.

With the perfect weather year round, Laguna Beach in California offers you the perfect location for your beach vacation. Kids enjoy playing in the sand at one of the several beaches, while parents enjoy sun bathing and taking in the views that Laguna Beach is very well known for.

If you've thought about taking a beach vacation in the near future, Laguna Beach is perfect. There are several hotels for you to choose from, many of which offer discounts during the year, depending on when you visit. There's something for everyone here, even if your family is hard to please.

Ipanema Beach famous beach in brazil

Ipanema Beach famous beach in brazil

Ipanema Beach is a neighborhood located in the southern region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil country, between Leblon and Arpoador. Beach at Ipanema became widely known with the song "The Girl from Ipanema" or ( "Garota de Ipanema"), written by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes.
Ipanema Beach is known for elegance and social quality. Ipanema Beach provides a place to play a lot of fun. On Ipanema Beach there are always people playing soccer, volleyball, and footvolley, a combination sports volleyball and football comes from Brazil.

As the winter time in Ipenema Beach waves can reach 9 feet. Water quality varies with days of light-dark blue water that is more green after heavy rains. Constant swells keep the water clean.

One interesting thing about Ipanema beach is that there is an area called "gay beach," situated near Jl Farme de Amoedo; is famous for a gay-friendly area, with a rainbow flag flying in the air.

Because these exotic beaches, so the Travel Channel provides a degree that the Ipanema Beach as the sexiest beaches in the world.

Hawaii Kapalua Beach Park Maui

Kapalua Beach is a beautiful golden stretch along the west coast of the Keanae Peninsula, with a spectacular view of Molokai, and one of the prettiest and safest beaches on Maui - once voted the best beach in the world by Condé Nast Magazine. It has an exclusive beach resort called Kapalua Bay. Inside the bay is well-protected from big waves by offshore reefs and by lava peninsulas on the both sides, making this a superb swimming beach for families with small children. It is also a good place to watch whales, during the whale season. If you drive, beware that public parking and beach access is not easy to find, and it's a bit of a walk to the beach. This beach also match for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving lovers. After visit Kapalua Beach Park, Maui, I can guarantee you absolutely will love Hawaii...

Hawaii Kapalua Beach Park Maui

Kapalua Beach is a beautiful golden stretch along the west coast of the Keanae Peninsula, with a spectacular view of Molokai, and one of the prettiest and safest beaches on Maui - once voted the best beach in the world by Condé Nast Magazine. It has an exclusive beach resort called Kapalua Bay. Inside the bay is well-protected from big waves by offshore reefs and by lava peninsulas on the both sides, making this a superb swimming beach for families with small children. It is also a good place to watch whales, during the whale season. If you drive, beware that public parking and beach access is not easy to find, and it's a bit of a walk to the beach. This beach also match for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving lovers. After visit Kapalua Beach Park, Maui, I can guarantee you absolutely will love Hawaii...

Recreation and tourism in England

Recreation and tourism in England

Recreation and tourism in England

Recreation and tourism in England

England is loaded with history for travelers to unearth, from Stonehenge to Westminster Abbey; the past is brought to life! New attractions are all about having fun with the London Eye, Flamingo Land Fun Park and Chester Zoo to amuse visitors of all ages. Discover busy English cities, quaint villages, mansions, abbeys, moors and mountains!

Recreation and tourism in England

Recreation and tourism in England

Recreation and tourism in England

Recreation and tourism in England

England is loaded with history for travelers to unearth, from Stonehenge to Westminster Abbey; the past is brought to life! New attractions are all about having fun with the London Eye, Flamingo Land Fun Park and Chester Zoo to amuse visitors of all ages. Discover busy English cities, quaint villages, mansions, abbeys, moors and mountains!

Best Mediterranean Beaches for Family Fun

If you are planning a family getaway to Europe and you love the beach, perhaps Mediterranean beaches are the best option for you. The Mediterranean Sea divides Europe from Africa and makes the boundary for over a dozen nations such as Greece, Italy, France, and Spain. Countries like Israel, Egypt, Morocco, and Cyprus are pretty popular with the tourists and showcase the Mediterranean's exotic beaches.

Nature lovers say that the Mediterranean is not just a place but in fact it is a state of mind. The mild climate in the Mediterranean and its hot dry summers makes for perfect beach weather. The deep blue waters are accentuated with the warm hospitality of the Mediterranean people who are well known as being passionate with a real zest for life.

The best time to visit the Mediterranean is between the fall and spring. If you are planning your holidays for August, be sure to make the arrangements way in advance. This is because the coastal towns are often full with vacationing Europeans during this time.
Italy, France and Corsica have some of the most beautiful beaches in this area. Cannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera and is well-known for its sandy beaches which are animated all year round. You can expect to see people sunbathing and swimming right through the winter months. There are lots of private beach clubs where you can eat or rent a lounger for the day and at either end there are public beaches, and a municipal beach where you can rent deck chair and watch the world go by.

Corsica is an Island and is sophisticated, flashy, and perhaps among the best places in the Mediterranean for water sports. Corsica's 600 miles coastline comprises a number of secluded coves and deserted shores. St Restitude, located near Calvi north-west, is best for a peaceful hideaway. It has a secluded small beach with clean water, soft sand, and adorable pine woods in plenty. There is also Palombaggia Beach, Golfe di Sogno Beach, and Santa-Giulia Beach near the couth-east Porto-Vecchio, an upmarket resort town situated on a rocky hill. The town is very popular among the tourists for its beaches, cafes, restaurants, yacht marina, lively streets, and a wide range of accommodation. The best beach in this town is Palombaggia Beach, a perfect crescent of white sand that is sandwiched between the blue sea and dune clusters.

One of best beaches in Italy is Terracina, situated at 1.5 hours south-west of Rome towards Naples. The Terracina beach is among the best beaches on Italy's mainland and is very long, wide with plenty of soft sand to offer its visitors. Cap de Begur, situated nearly 40 mins from Girona offers plentiful Spanish culture both old and new together with a collection of beautiful small beaches such as Aiguablava, the nudist (families beware) L'Illa Roja, and the family-oriented Llanfranc and Platja de Raco.
you can find great ideas for family beach vacations and family travel in Europe.

Just in Case...

...you're tuning in now, we have a Mega Birthday Giveaway going on. Lots of fun gifts! Click here to enter. Deadline is February 27th.

I'm off to celebrate my birthday with friends and family! Deepest thanks for your kind & thoughtful wishes. Hopefully 5o will be a breeze!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

England Tourism

England Tourism

England Tourism

England Tourism

England is loaded with history for travelers to unearth, from Stonehenge to Westminster Abbey; the past is brought to life! New attractions are all about having fun with the London Eye, Flamingo Land Fun Park and Chester Zoo to amuse visitors of all ages. Discover busy English cities, quaint villages, mansions, abbeys, moors and mountains!

England Tourism

England Tourism

England Tourism

England Tourism

England is loaded with history for travelers to unearth, from Stonehenge to Westminster Abbey; the past is brought to life! New attractions are all about having fun with the London Eye, Flamingo Land Fun Park and Chester Zoo to amuse visitors of all ages. Discover busy English cities, quaint villages, mansions, abbeys, moors and mountains!

Best Easter Holiday Destinations

It's not a good time of year for us Brits. We've been bombarded with rain, snow and generally freezing conditions for what seems like an age and everyone is starting to get a little bit fed up. Luckily, spring is on the way and in turn some slightly warmer weather - but just when you thought you could go back outside - you can put your house on constant showers over the next few months to wipe that little smile off your face. So it makes sense that a large number of us fancy jetting off for a bit around this time of year in order to get away from it all in the rainy limbo between winter and summer. And luckily for us, the Easter holidays fall in April providing a good excuse to leave the country - the first bank holiday of the year. So where are the best holiday destinations for the Easter period?

Well it depends on what you are after. Much of Europe will still be fairly mild around this time so it may still be worth considering somewhere slightly further afield if you're after a tan to show off to your mates. A recent survey suggest the following destinations are among the top choices at this time of year:

Crete - One of the most popular Greek islands, Crete boasts an excellent climate at this time of year meaning you should see some sun. It's beautiful sandy beaches are a huge draw to tourists, as well as the clear blue sea surrounding the island. The notoriously friendly locals, and the fantastic food and drink, help cement Crete as a top holiday destination in Easter. You can also book package holidays to Crete for cheap, especially if you go for last minute deals.

Muscat - Muscat is the capital city of Oman - an Arab country bordering the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, with a good stretch of coastline in the form of the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. Muscat has experienced a rapid development in its infastructure in the last 30 years or so making it attractive to tourists. The average April highs of 34oC mean your pretty much guaranteed good weather and the area is filled with enchanting beaches. The city itself is great for tourists with some stunning architecture. It is worth researching the customs of Oman however - for example women should be fairly conservative with their clothing, and there are laws regarding drinking alcohol, however drinking in hotel bars etc is usually fine.


Beautiful St Lucia

St Lucia - A beautiful Caribbean island, St Lucia is an exotic choice for the Easter holidays. The island is draped in rainforest, and the mountainous peaks provide really exciting hiking and cycling oppurtunities. For a more relaxing holiday the stunning beaches and gentle seas are exactly what you would come to expect from a Caribbean island. And if you're planning a gorgeous Easter wedding (maybe next year!) then the island is quite simply picture perfect and perfect for couples.

Best Easter Holiday Destinations

It's not a good time of year for us Brits. We've been bombarded with rain, snow and generally freezing conditions for what seems like an age and everyone is starting to get a little bit fed up. Luckily, spring is on the way and in turn some slightly warmer weather - but just when you thought you could go back outside - you can put your house on constant showers over the next few months to wipe that little smile off your face. So it makes sense that a large number of us fancy jetting off for a bit around this time of year in order to get away from it all in the rainy limbo between winter and summer. And luckily for us, the Easter holidays fall in April providing a good excuse to leave the country - the first bank holiday of the year. So where are the best holiday destinations for the Easter period?

Well it depends on what you are after. Much of Europe will still be fairly mild around this time so it may still be worth considering somewhere slightly further afield if you're after a tan to show off to your mates. A recent survey suggest the following destinations are among the top choices at this time of year:

Crete - One of the most popular Greek islands, Crete boasts an excellent climate at this time of year meaning you should see some sun. It's beautiful sandy beaches are a huge draw to tourists, as well as the clear blue sea surrounding the island. The notoriously friendly locals, and the fantastic food and drink, help cement Crete as a top holiday destination in Easter. You can also book package holidays to Crete for cheap, especially if you go for last minute deals.

Muscat - Muscat is the capital city of Oman - an Arab country bordering the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, with a good stretch of coastline in the form of the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. Muscat has experienced a rapid development in its infastructure in the last 30 years or so making it attractive to tourists. The average April highs of 34oC mean your pretty much guaranteed good weather and the area is filled with enchanting beaches. The city itself is great for tourists with some stunning architecture. It is worth researching the customs of Oman however - for example women should be fairly conservative with their clothing, and there are laws regarding drinking alcohol, however drinking in hotel bars etc is usually fine.


Beautiful St Lucia

St Lucia - A beautiful Caribbean island, St Lucia is an exotic choice for the Easter holidays. The island is draped in rainforest, and the mountainous peaks provide really exciting hiking and cycling oppurtunities. For a more relaxing holiday the stunning beaches and gentle seas are exactly what you would come to expect from a Caribbean island. And if you're planning a gorgeous Easter wedding (maybe next year!) then the island is quite simply picture perfect and perfect for couples.

Cap Juluca In Anguilla Beach

Cap Juluca is an exclusive Caribbean hotel that is located to the southwest coast of Anguilla, of the British Virgin Islands. The resort is set on 179 tranquil acres, and surrounded by white sandy beaches, palm trees, and water so clear that you can see to the bottom.

Guests of the Cap Juluca resort are accommodated in 18 beachfront style villas which will house no more than six rooms each. The rooms measure at least 700 square feet in size and feature large marble bathrooms, white tile floors, and louvered doors which will open wide to let in the cool sea breezes. During the morning, guests can enjoy complimentary continental breakfast which is served on their own private terrace.

The Cap Juluca also offers six pool villas which are surrounded by foliage on the edge of the beach. The pool villas offer either a private or shared swimming pool, sundeck, and even golf carts to help you travel around the property.

The resort design features exotic arches, domes,turrets, and parapets. The white villas, which are situated along the white sands of the mile long Maundays Bay, is surround by tropical flowers, palm trees, and breathtaking fountains.

This beach vacation also offers a number of great activities which include water sports, croquet, a health club, herb and endangered species gardens, children's program, nature trails and even tennis. Cove and Maundays Bay offer a mile of beach, where you can enjoy kayaking, sail, snorkeling, waterski, and even windsurfing.

You can also arrange for island tours at the Cap Juluca in Anguilla to explore the many beaches, go scuba diving, or even deep sea fishing. When it comes to fun on the water, this resort has something to offer everyone in your family.

The spa services at the Cap Juluca include specialized treatments such as Cap Juluca for two, a Thai massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, and even kinesiology.

Cap Juluca offers guests two restaurants and a 24 hour room service. One of them, George's, features pool and beachfront dining, serving guests contemporary tropical cuisine that includes salads, seafood, burgers, and even sandwiches.

The other restaurant, Pimms, is decorated with white Moorish arches and serves French-Asian cuisine within walking distance of the Caribbean Sea.

If you've been looking for a great beach vacation, the Cap Juluca in Anguilla will provide just what you need. There's something here for the

entire family, no matter what your family likes to do. Waking up on an island with the ocean at your back door is truly an amazing feeling - which is what Cap Juluca is truly all about.

Australian Pictures

Australia's Aborigines believe their ancestors formed massive Ayers Rock, or Uluru.

Windmill Sunset, Australia

Female Kangaroo with joey in pocket. Australia

Australian Pictures

Australia's Aborigines believe their ancestors formed massive Ayers Rock, or Uluru.

Windmill Sunset, Australia

Female Kangaroo with joey in pocket. Australia

Beauty and History in Mallorca

Mallorca is the largest island in the Balearic Islands archipelago. Its name is derived from the Latin words "insula maior," which literally mean "larger island."

The Spanish island has been consistently recognized as one of the top tourist destinations in the world since 1952. As packaged tourism became more popular, Mallorca saw a half-million visitors in 1960. The number of tourists continued to increase over the years, to nearly 7 million visitors in 1997 and more than 19 million in 2001.

Mallorca has a very colourful history dating back to the Paleolithic period. It has been under Roman, Byzantine and Spanish rule.

Museums in various villages on Mallorca showcase a wide variety of artefacts from each period of the island's history. The official spoken languages on Mallorca are Catalan and Spanish, but many Mallorcans are becoming fluent in English and German as well.

Mallorca has been home to some of the most influential people in Spanish history. Writer and philosopher Ramon Llull was born into a wealthy family in Palma.

He wrote about and studied a wide variety of subjects, including mysticism, astrology and the occult. He's often considered a pioneer of computation theory. Other names of historical interest include Junipero Serra, Joaquin Jovellar y Soler and former two-time Spanish Prime Minister Antonio Maura Montaner.

Palma, founded as a Roman camp around 123 BC, is the capital city of Mallorca. Located on the south coast, the city is still used as a port today. Palma is the most densely populated city on Mallorca. In fact, it is the 12th largest urban area in all of Spain. Nearly half of Mallorca's population lives in Palma.

In 2007, Palma's population was just more than 383,000. Palma is the most visited tourist destination on Mallorca, with many resorts and five-star hotels offering top-notch accommodations and activities to tourists.

Deia is located on the northern mountainous ridge of the island. It is a small coastal village, famous primarily for its awe-inspiring landscape and its star-studded inhabitants. After World War I, Robert Graves, the noted English poet, novelist and scholar, was one of the first foreigners to settle in Deia.

There, he collaborated with Laura Riding, and together they set up the Seizin Press. Graves lived in Deia and used the village as the setting for many of his stories.

More recently, celebrities from around the world have chosen the seclusion of Deia over the crowds of other major cities around the world. Hollywood couple Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones purchased a castle-style home in Deia several years ago and continue to enjoy the relative seclusion the village offers.

Other celebrities who own homes on Mallorca include Claudia Schiffer and Elton John. Despite its reputation as a home to the stars, Deia is a very welcoming village that offers a great deal of hospitality to its visitors.

One of the most impressive museums in Deia is the Deia Archaeological Museum and Research Centre. Founded by Dr. William H. Waldren in 1962, this remarkable and fascinating museum is just as well known for its architectural design as it is for its archaeological collections.

Many of the island's museums offer a visual and intellectual feast of archaeological artifacts, including the prehistoric antelope-gazelle which was thought to have become extinct around 40,000 years ago. The fairly recent discovery in Mallorca has shown that it probably didn't become extinct until around 3000 BC.

Mallorca is an island full of wonder and fascinating history. Millions of visitors every year enjoy the rich culture and amazing historic artifacts on display in its many museums.

The island's primary cities and villages are some of the most visited tourist destinations in the world. Deia is one of the more private destinations, as no coaches are allowed to stop in the village, and parking is limited.

Beauty and History in Mallorca

Mallorca is the largest island in the Balearic Islands archipelago. Its name is derived from the Latin words "insula maior," which literally mean "larger island."

The Spanish island has been consistently recognized as one of the top tourist destinations in the world since 1952. As packaged tourism became more popular, Mallorca saw a half-million visitors in 1960. The number of tourists continued to increase over the years, to nearly 7 million visitors in 1997 and more than 19 million in 2001.

Mallorca has a very colourful history dating back to the Paleolithic period. It has been under Roman, Byzantine and Spanish rule.

Museums in various villages on Mallorca showcase a wide variety of artefacts from each period of the island's history. The official spoken languages on Mallorca are Catalan and Spanish, but many Mallorcans are becoming fluent in English and German as well.

Mallorca has been home to some of the most influential people in Spanish history. Writer and philosopher Ramon Llull was born into a wealthy family in Palma.

He wrote about and studied a wide variety of subjects, including mysticism, astrology and the occult. He's often considered a pioneer of computation theory. Other names of historical interest include Junipero Serra, Joaquin Jovellar y Soler and former two-time Spanish Prime Minister Antonio Maura Montaner.

Palma, founded as a Roman camp around 123 BC, is the capital city of Mallorca. Located on the south coast, the city is still used as a port today. Palma is the most densely populated city on Mallorca. In fact, it is the 12th largest urban area in all of Spain. Nearly half of Mallorca's population lives in Palma.

In 2007, Palma's population was just more than 383,000. Palma is the most visited tourist destination on Mallorca, with many resorts and five-star hotels offering top-notch accommodations and activities to tourists.

Deia is located on the northern mountainous ridge of the island. It is a small coastal village, famous primarily for its awe-inspiring landscape and its star-studded inhabitants. After World War I, Robert Graves, the noted English poet, novelist and scholar, was one of the first foreigners to settle in Deia.

There, he collaborated with Laura Riding, and together they set up the Seizin Press. Graves lived in Deia and used the village as the setting for many of his stories.

More recently, celebrities from around the world have chosen the seclusion of Deia over the crowds of other major cities around the world. Hollywood couple Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones purchased a castle-style home in Deia several years ago and continue to enjoy the relative seclusion the village offers.

Other celebrities who own homes on Mallorca include Claudia Schiffer and Elton John. Despite its reputation as a home to the stars, Deia is a very welcoming village that offers a great deal of hospitality to its visitors.

One of the most impressive museums in Deia is the Deia Archaeological Museum and Research Centre. Founded by Dr. William H. Waldren in 1962, this remarkable and fascinating museum is just as well known for its architectural design as it is for its archaeological collections.

Many of the island's museums offer a visual and intellectual feast of archaeological artifacts, including the prehistoric antelope-gazelle which was thought to have become extinct around 40,000 years ago. The fairly recent discovery in Mallorca has shown that it probably didn't become extinct until around 3000 BC.

Mallorca is an island full of wonder and fascinating history. Millions of visitors every year enjoy the rich culture and amazing historic artifacts on display in its many museums.

The island's primary cities and villages are some of the most visited tourist destinations in the world. Deia is one of the more private destinations, as no coaches are allowed to stop in the village, and parking is limited.

The Magical World of Lisa Golightly

Designer. Artist. Creator. Mom. Friend. If you don't know Lisa, let me introduce her to you.

Lisa Vincent aka Lisa Golightly is one of the most talented gals I know. We met about 11 years ago, both selling on eBay. Lisa used to paint these amazing signs that stirred up massive bidding wars on eBay. I am more than sure that Lisa gets the credit for starting the "sign movement" that swept the nation! I swear that the reproductions you see in stores like Pottery Barn and Ballard Designs were the influence of Lisa.

Lisa's early work (above) from the eBay days...

I really don't know where to begin since Lisa has her hands in so many things. Whenever we talk, she is in the middle of some new, exciting creation.

Like these whimsical lady prints...

Or vintage ashtrays that Lisa adds her own design... (My spoiled little Vito uses a large one as a water bowl)

What inspires Lisa? Memories from her childhood travels. The ocean. The past. Dreamy glamorous things like fashion, old hotels, movies and music. "If I can't go somewhere or wear something, I will attempt painting it! I love living in my imagination and want to take others there with me." - Lisa

Lisa created this amazing cinema sign from scratch. Can you imagine? It was even featured in a room on Extreme Home Makeover.


She also sells at the Alameda Antiques Faire. Look at this photo she altered, alerting you of her booth number. Creative, huh?

Lisa creates lovely vintage-inspired jewelry...I actually received this necklace as a gift from a dear friend!


Lisa has a blog that is enchanting, and online shop that has many of her one-of-a-kind creations, including some vintage finds...

How about these vintage style portraits that Lisa painted? How does she do that?

So, I'm scratching the surface here. I'm thrilled to call Lisa a friend, and always look forward to chatting with her about what whimsical creation she's working on. And, she's very sweet as well!

You can find Lisa on her blog here, and her shop here. Lisa also sells some of her wares on The Paris Apartment's website here.

photos from Lisa Golightly

Makes Me Smile

The work of Martine Roch is truly whimsical! Martine is an artist-illustrator-photographer, based in Dijon, France. Her work is a collaboration of antique photographs and photos she takes herself that are all digital.

The Elegant Nanny

Andrew

Martine loves her animals as you can see. And playful stories accompany each photo.

Her muse is her famous female Labrador 'Boudi'.

Boudi is "pretty in pink"

Pierrot

If you want more fun, please visit Martine on Flickr, or on her website.
Her cards, notebooks and other products are available here.

All Photos: Martine Roch