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Sea Pines Resort – Hilton Head Island, SC

Sea Pines Resort – Hilton Head Island, SC

In 1956, just five short years after the introduction of electricity onto Hilton Head Island, Charles Fraser purchased land on the southwestern tip of the island in order to develop the community now known as Sea Pines Plantation. The first of Hilton Head’s plantation communities, Sea Pines covers over 5,000 acres of thriving natural environment reminiscent of Eden and offers over five miles of gorgeous public-accessible beaches.

Real Estate Information – Homes, Condos, Lots

In 1958, the first deed to a Sea Pines Plantation lot was signed and within four years, beachfront prices grew by close to 50%. Examining the current real estate market for new homesites, homes, villas, and condos, it’s easy to see why the prices have continued to grow so drastically. From small, picturesque cottages to sprawling mansions, the Sea Pines Plantation community contains everything you could want when looking to invest in a home. Numerous single- to five-bedroom homes are available, ranging from $450,000 to over $8,000,000.

Starting at only $300,000-a small fee considering the location-either renting or purchasing is within reason. Potential buyers may choose among one- to four-bedroom for-sale villas and condos with as many view choices as the full-size homes, and options for potential renters include the vacation rentals surrounding the Harbour Town Village. The prices crest around $2 million, making Sea Pines Plantation villas and condos very affordable vacation or year-round homes.

Oceanfront lots can cost over $6 million but a patio lot can cost as little as $295k. Homesites with golf or lagoon views often sell for over $1 milion. Currently, there are four beachfront lots with varying price tags, but the number of lots for sale is always subject to change.

Sea Pines installed Hilton Head Island’s first security gates in 1967, and to date remains secure with two 24-hour security entrance facilities on site. Security personnel also patrol the plantation’s streets, and they can (and do) issue tickets fining offenders for the infraction of plantation rules. Additional protection is provided by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department’s deputies.

Resort Features

Harbour Town Village and Marina

The Harbour Town village and marina was fashioned after small French and Italian harbors and developed for intimacy and ambience. This Mediterranean-influenced center offers independently-owned and operated clothing/jewelry boutiques, craft shops, dining, live music entertainment, and every water sport available. Harbour Town has a park and a tree house for children, as well as a nature center. The Gregg Russell Playground, named for the entertainer of Harbour Town for 25 years running, is located right next to Liberty Oak. Sea Pines’ quaint village center also offers a free trolley that runs daily, with varying hours of operation throughout the year between Harbour Town, South Beach Village, and Turtle Lane Beach Club.

Harbour Town Yacht Basin

Consider owning a ‘dockominium’ at the yacht club: it’s like a condo on the water, but your land is your boat slip. The many amenities available at the Yacht Basin include the unique shops, restaurants, and a grocery store all in the same complex. Concerts and other forms of entertainment are frequently held on the nearby golfing green where Harbour Town Golf Links sponsors tournaments including the Verizon Heritage every year.

South Beach Village
The second marina in the Sea Pines Resort is designed after New England fishing villages and is located at the southernmost tip of Hilton Head Island. Nature tours, dolphin tours, kayaking, and parasailing are only a handful of the activities available near the home of The Salty Dog Café. For accommodations, the colorful South Beach Inn is located nearby at the southern tip of the island and arranges both weekly and nightly rates.

Activities

54 Holes of Golf

Sea Pines contains the island’s first golf course, the Ocean Course designed by George Cobb, was built in 1959. Restructured by Mike McCumber in September, 1995, the highlight of the Ocean Course is its 15th hole with a sweeping view of the ocean.

George Cobb also designed the 1967 Sea Marsh Course. Remodeled by Clyde Johnson in 1990, the Sea Marsh course-like the Ocean Course-is known not only for its age and elegance but for becoming a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Watch out for the 13th hole; it extends for 163 yards.

Harbour Town Golf Links, developed in 1970 by Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus, is and has been home to the PGA’s Verizon Heritage Classic since 1969, when it was first won by Arnold Palmer. Among the many features of this famous course is its photogenic 18th hole, with Harbour Town’s Lighthouse in the background. Noted for excellence in design and playing potential, the par-71 Harbour Town Golf Links has been ranked highly among the country’s finest golf courses by multiple magazines since 1971.

Championship Tennis

The Sea Pines Racquet Club, directed by world-renowned coach and U.S. Open and Wimbledon champion Stan Smith, hosted the Family Circle Cup from 1973 to 2000, and frequently other tournaments, such as the Corel Champions Tour, the Dupont All-American, the World Invitational, and the Stan Smith Invitational, among others. The club boasts 23 clay courts and offers private and semi-private lessons.

Forest Preserve

When Charles Fraser began developing Sea Pines in the early ’50s, he concentrated on keeping the island’s abundance of natural beauty as untouched as possible. To this day Sea Pines’ Forest Preserve covers approximately 605 acres, home to diverse flora and fauna including over 200 species of critters as well as lagoons and salt marshes. Here you will find a Wildflower Meadow, a thousand-foot-long boardwalk, the Low Ropes Team Building Course, and miles of bike trails and walking paths. Even fishing is allowed, albeit with the correct permit.

Are you a history fanatic? Sea Pines Plantation Forest Preserve has its share of historic landmarks. The 4,000-year-old Indian Shell Ring, for example, is believed to have been constructed around 1450 B. C. A circle of shells and bones piled several feet high, it is one of only twenty shell rings still in existence. Those responsible for its assembly are also believed to have invented pottery here, in North America.

The Stoney-Baynard ruins, once an 18th century plantation house, are now open for tours. The property is covered with oyster shells and its architecture includes porthole-shaped windows.

Horseback Riding

Lawton Stables is home to 50+ American Saddlebred horses, a breed generated by crossing Narragansett Pacer, Thoroughbred, and Morgan bloodlines to develop gorgeous, well-tempered animals now often used for show. Lawton Stables offers-at affordable rates-not only English riding lessons to residents and visitors, but also pony rides for children and guided tours through Sea Pines’ fantastic natural Forest Preserve.

This picturesque, sprawling community, bordering the Atlantic Ocean on the east and Calibogue Sound on the west, is ideal for vacationers and residents alike. Villas, Condos, Homes, and available Lots for building that dreamhouse abound in this massive complex just waiting for the perfect family to enjoy the many amenities offered.

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??????>Summer Vacation at Shelter Island

Where Is Shelter Island located?

The most Beautiful, Secluded Amazing Beach Cottage Rental in the Hamptons is located on Shelter Island across from semi Private Beach.

Why Shelter Island is so much popular?

Hamptons – Shelter Island is a well-liked holiday destination NY city. As the city attracts large numbers of visitors there is a growing need for many different types of accommodation for people to utilize during their stay. As with any city you will find the great amounts of hotels and holiday apartments that many people look for, although now there is a growing trend for serviced apartments that can be used by people on their visit.

Why to go to Shelter Island rather than any other Summer Vacation Place?

From both of our European Shelter Island Vacation homes you can walk to the famous Itzhak Perlman Music Program or to the gorgeous Sunset Beach for the beat of today’s Music, Celebrity watching, Yacht gazing and of course swimming, skiing, boating and picnicking. For Independence day, July 4th Sunset Beach features fabulous Fireworks display. Enjoy quiet roads for biking and roller blading, gentle coves for kayaking and canoeing… It doesn’t get any better!

Shelter Island is just a few minutes ferry ride from both the Hamptons night life and North Fork Wineries and fantastic Restaurants, including Zagats rated and one of Conde Naste Hot List restaurants, the Frisky Oyster. On Shelter Island enjoy the awesome food of Vine Street Café.

Shelter Island is considered the jewel of the Hamptons. Lulled by the tides of its Peconic, Gardener’s and Shelter Island Bays, this 8,000-acre paradise offers pristine beaches, breathtaking water views, historic homes and gourmet restaurants in a truly unique setting. Peaceful quiet streets, inlets and creeks, bays for kayaking, canoeing and Mashomack Park covering a full 25% of the Island with miles of trails and nature programs for both children and adults.

More than one-third of the island has been set aside as the Nature Conservancy’s Mashomack Nature Preserve, which makes a great destination for hiking and witnessing the island as it originally was nearly 400 years ago.

From both Hamptons Shelter Island Vacation Home rentals is a short ferry ride to the South Fork and Sag Harbor with its restaurants, movie theater and shops. The North ferry takes you to The North Fork and Greenport with its ships, shops, wineries, restaurants and surrounding vineyards. Great place to stay for wedding parties for Shelter Island Weddings, Shelter Island Parties. Hamptons and & Family reunions on the East end, North Fork weddings, South Fork LI NY.

Vacation rentals offer a truly distinct experience of being a part of the city. One can choose to stay at an apartment or a condominium either in a downtown area or a midtown one, wherever one desires. Vacation rentals offer the dual combination of the luxuries available at any deluxe hotel, like perfectly well kept rooms with all necessary amenities, and even a doorman at your service. In addition to all these, it also offers the homely comfort of having a kitchen all to your self. Vacation rentals in New York are mostly located conveniently near the important landmarks of the city. They also share proximity to coffee shops, restaurants, and grocery shops for the convenience of one’s day to day requirements. Easy access to cabs and public transportation, as well as subways, is one among the many advantages. Guests residing in vacation rentals can enjoy a Broadway show as well as appreciate the majestic architectural structure of the Empire State building.

Shelter Island’s Attractions:

Itzhak Perlman Music Program Sunset Beach Kayaking and canoeing Zagats Conde Naste Hot List restaurants, the Frisky Oyster Vine Street Café Mashomack Park Mashomack Nature Preserve Ferry ride to the South Fork North ferry

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Island Hotels Group buys Hal Ferh

Island Hotels Group buys Hal Ferh
The Hal Ferh complex. Island Hotels Group has acquired the perpetual ground rent over a tract of land of approximately 83,000 square metres adjacent to the Radisson Blu Golden Sands Resort and Spa as well as the shares in Hal Ferh Company Limited for a total cost of €12 million.

Read more on Times of Malta

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Long Beach Island: Get More on the Jersey Shore

Resting peacefully off the coast of New Jersey, Long Beach Island is composed of quaint, quiet, and close-knit communities that offer a diverse selection of attractions to the summertime crowds. Whether you want to relax along some of the best beaches the Jersey Shore has to offer or simply explore the nature wonders of this enticing barrier island, this 18-mile stretch of pure bliss is sure to have you coming back year after year.

Although the towns on the northern tip of Long Beach Island are smaller and less populated compared to their southern counterparts, it is here that you will find the best attraction. At the forty-foot Barnegat Lighthouse, the second tallest lighthouse in the country, a climb up the 217 steps is always worth the effort for the breathtaking, panoramic views of Barnegat Bay, Island Beach, and Long Beach Island. While you are in the Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, be sure to enjoy the fishing for striped bass, summer flounder, and numerous other species or a relaxing hike around the remnants of the last maritime forest on the island.

While a stop by the Barnegat Lighthouse should be at the top of every itinerary, the highly-rated Long Beach Island beaches are the main calling card of the area and simply cannot be missed. Since the Island is only a half-mile wide at the widest point, a visit to a town such as Harvey Cedars, Ship Bottom, and Surf City means you can enjoy either the Atlantic Ocean or the bay without much hassle. Swim, sunbathe, or surf in the ocean for a few hours and when you need a change of pace, a short walk across town will lead you to the fishing, swimming, and sailboarding opportunities of the bay.

For family fun and amusement away from the sandy shore, the Fantasy Island Amusement Park in Beach Haven is an excellent option with its arcade games, rides, games of chance, and live entertainment. The Ferris Wheel is a popular pastime and the nightly entertainment, which can include magicians and live reptile shows, is certainly worth coming back for. At the nearby Thundering Surf Water Park, you can enjoy more water-filled fun on the eight waterslides and the lazy river, or play a round of mini-golf on your favorite of the two available 18-hole courses.

On the southernmost tip of Long Beach Island lies Holgate and part of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, a 40,000 acre refuge that protects New Jersey coastal habitats and tidal wetlands along with designated wilderness areas. The Holgate Division spans two-and-a-half miles and is a protected wilderness area, meaning visitors can only view the amazing plant life and animal communities outside of the endangered piping plovers nesting season. Although it is only open from September to the end of March, the amazing wildlife viewing opportunities along one of only two remaining undeveloped barrier beaches in the state is an unforgettable adventure.

Long Beach Island is a natural wonder that is overflowing with gorgeous beaches and stunningly different communities. Whether you choose the busy town of Beach Haven with its entertainment options and bustling boardwalk or prefer the solitude and serenity of Harvey Cedars, Long Beach Island vacation rentals are conveniently located along this strip of paradise for a waterfront getaway to remember. Your Jersey Shore vacation is meant to be a relaxing affair, centered around the pristine sands and refreshing waters of the ocean and bay, and when you stay in Long Beach Island rentals, you get everything you always wanted and more.

To experience a vacation in a breathtakingly beautiful destination without giving up any of the amenities of home you are accustomed to, look into the many Long Beach Island vacation rentals that offer wireless internet, a washer and dryer, a fully-equipped kitchen, and plenty of space and bedrooms. After you stay in a cozy home away from home, you’ll wonder how you ever considered a cramped and unwelcoming hotel room an ideal lodging option.

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Sentosa Island – The Playground of Singapore

Singapore is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, situated in the southern tip of Malaysian Peninsula, in South-East Asia. The nation consists of a main island, covering an area of about 690 square kilometers. The main island in turn contains more than 50 small islands, among which perhaps the most significant one is Sentosa Island, sometimes referred to as ‘the Playground of Singapore.’

Located less than a kilometer from Singapore, in the Central Southern Belt – Sentosa is a fishing village turned one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. Prior to its transformation to an international resort, Sentosa also once served as a military base of the British. With pleasant atmosphere, rich culture, well manicured areas, fantastic beaches, and lush green rain forests, Sentosa has become a must-visit destination in the country.

Places of interest in Sentosa range from breathtaking natural attractions to amazing man-made attractions. Most popular among the landmarks in the Sentosa is the Underwater World, Singapore, an incredible oceanarium, which is home to more than 2,500 fish of about 250 species that have been collected from across the world.

This incomparable attraction is a great way to experience the bewildering life beneath the sea. A dolphin lagoon is also within the oceanarium, which in turn provides opportunities for the visitors to swim as well as play with different types of dolphins including Humpback Dolphins, apart from enabling you to feed and interact with this intelligent creature.

Another not to miss attraction in the destination is the Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, boasting of more than 15,000 beautiful butterflies of about 50 species. Also, found in the park is a section exclusively for housing more than 2500 species of insects such as giant spiders, scorpions, and rhino beetles.

Attractions in Sentosa also include Fountain Gardens, whose focal points are three fountains, all of them offering mesmerizing sight to the sightseers. During night, the fountains are illuminated with different colors, thereby creating a mind blowing scene. Modeled in the style of a European garden, it is also home to some rare flora covering a myriad of astounding plant species. Additionally, highlights in the garden contain Villa Gamberaria, an elegant garden designed in Italian style, and a mini amphitheatre, where dramas as well as musical performances are conducted regularly.

Sentosa has something for everyone. For instance, for history buffs, Sentosa has some options in the form of Fort Siloso, which was built by the British during the 1880s in order to safeguard the western entrance to the harbor. Likewise, nature enthusiasts should not miss attractions such as Sentosa Orchid Garden, with more than 200 species of orchids, and Herb and Spice Garden, where you can see almost all type of herbs and spices on their trees, and above all, Enchanted Grove of Tembusu, which is a picturesque nature reserve spread across about two hectares of lush green area. In addition, for beach bums, some popular choices are Palawan Beach, Tanjong Beach, which is an ideal destination for travelers seeking peace and solitude, and Siloso Beach, a much favored destination for volleyball freaks.

Other must see landmarks in the destination are 4D Magix, a highly sophisticated theater offering mind-boggling movie magic; Carlsberg Sky Tower, the tallest observatory tower in Asia that render picturesque vistas of Sentosa and Southern islands; and The Merlion, which stands at a height of about 37 meters.

Aside these, an array of attractions can be enjoyed here such as kayaking, sailing, and sea canoeing. After a day or two of sightseeing as well as enjoyment of several activities, go for a rejuvenating spa treatment or massage. This in turn enables you to feel fresh as well as relaxed. Above all, Sentosa is also much famed as a dining destination, with a plenty of restaurants, pubs, bars, and fast food stores.

With these scores of attractions as well as activities to see and do, it is not a wonder why people from every nook and corner to spend a relaxed holiday amid natural settings. Hence, Sentosa has excellent accommodation choices to satisfy every pocket and preference. For those seeking luxury, a host of upscale lodging choices are available coupled with most sophisticated facilities such as rooms attached with top end comforts, superb dining facilities, and ultra modern fitness facilities.

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Long Island Hit with Record Snowfall during Storm

Long Island Hit with Record Snowfall during Storm
The weekend storm that dumped a picturesque 10.9 inches in Central Park hit Eastern Long Island with blizzard force and record 2-foot accumulations. READ MORE>>

Read more on WCBS 880 New York

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Waldorf Education on Beautiful Vancouver Island

Subtitle: Waldorf Language Immersion in a Culturally Rich Environment

For students wishing an English language immersion experience, Island Oak Waldorf School on Vancouver Island in beautiful British Columbia, Canada, offers a unique opportunity.  Island Oak, one hour north of the historic capital city of Victoria, is located in the resplendent Cowichan Valley.   The word Cowichan, derived from the Quw’utsun First Nations word “Khowutzun,” means “warm lands” or “land warmed by the sun” in recognition of the area’s mild climate.  The valley is a peaceful, culturally rich community in which exchange and boarding students can further their Waldorf education, immersed in the English language.

Axel (last name), a boarding student, and Yakob (last name), an exchange student, are both attending Island Oak from Germany during one-half of the 2008/2009 school year.  Both students have found the experience to be valuable.  “It is a great opportunity to improve one’s skills in the English language,” says Yakob.  “Everyone helps you learn English and they don’t make a big deal around it.”  Axel adds that he found his classmates happy to help when asked.  “If they know you want them to help you, then everyone helps,” he says.  Both found the Island Oak students to be welcoming and friendly.

The two students also lauded the faculty for making learning enjoyable.  “You learn, but the lessons are fun,” says Axel.  “You can enter into the class more.”  They note that the small class sizes at Island Oak make the educational experience a more personal one, giving each student the opportunity to receive individual attention.  This intimacy provides space to work out problems and offers opportunities for the students and faculty to make decisions together.  “There is a respect for the students’ ability to make decisions about life,” says Yakob, appreciatively.

Another consideration for foreign study is the opportunity to try out a different environment to help one make a decision about where to attend university. Axel is a self-described “city man” but wanted to try a change from city life and has enjoyed seeing deer and raccoon up close.  “The nature is amazing,” he says.  The Island enjoys an abundance of wildlife, including black bears, Roosevelt elk, bald eagles and, in the surrounding oceans, killer whales (orca), sea lions, sea otters and porpoises.  Interestingly, there are no skunks, grizzly bears or poisonous snakes on Vancouver Island.

Both young men praised the trips they’ve taken with Island Oak, including ocean kayaking and a skip trip.  “It was a new experience to be able to go skiing with your school,” Yakob said.  Vancouver Island offers a wealth of opportunities for outdoor activities, including ocean kayaking, river rafting, hiking, camping, fishing, snorkeling, diving, caving, storm watching on the rugged west coast of the Island, and snow activities in the nearby mountains.

Both Axel and Yakob have found the host family experience to be well organized and would recommend that students select host families who live in or near town to make getting around easier.  They also suggested that German students come in the 10th grade given the timeframe of German exams.  Despite this advice, the two 11th graders agreed that although they will have a lot of preparation for their exams when they return to Germany, they would come again during 11th grade in a heartbeat.

Waldorf education is now it its 28th year in the Cowichan Valley, surrounded by a strong anthroposophical community, including a Camp Hill, Christian Community, anthroposopical based naturopaths and nurses, a Steiner-based biography counselor, and more.  The nearby Sunrise Waldorf School provides preschool and K-8 Waldorf education, with many Sunrise students continuing their high school education at Island Oak.

Island Oak has developed strong exchange and boarding programs.  In the exchange program, a student from Germany lives with a current Island Oak student’s family for half of a school year. During the other half, the Island Oak student attends school in Germany and lives with the exchange student’s host family. In the boarding program, the student from Germany lives with a host family from the Waldorf community. There is a charge for boarding, whereas in the exchange program, each family agrees to reciprocally provide for the living expenses of the hosted student.

Local students enjoy the regular opportunity to have foreign students enter the high school for a semester, which helps create a seamless experience for the foreign student.  As Axel and Yakob pointed out, the local students are happy to offer language assistance to the extent desired by the visiting student.  The entire community appreciates the richness brought by German and other foreign students and welcomes exchange and boarding students with open hearts and open homes.

Visit the Island Oak website at www.islandoak.org.

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What is the best lodging location on Molokai island?

My hubby & I are planning a week long overdue honeymoon in August 2007 on Molokai and are looking for knowledge and tips on the best part of the island to rent lodging. We would love a private beach front and beautiful view. Thanks for your info!

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South Whidbey is Northwest island paradise

Spend some time exploring Puget Sound and you’ll be both surprised and enchanted by the islands, waterways and hundreds of miles of shoreline that provide visitors a thousand opportunities for scenic photographs that they will treasure for a lifetime. Visit the area on a sunny day and there is no more beautiful place on earth.

The amazing thing is you don’t have to journey far from Seattle to experience some of the best island scenery this corner of the state has to offer. If you have the time, the San Juan Islands are an unforgettable experience. But if you don’t want to travel more than an hour or so, many of the same attributes are found on Whidbey Island.

Our recent getaway to South Whidbey Island is a great example of achieving the maximum change of scenery in the shortest amount of time. From Seattle, it’s just a half-hour drive or so north to Mukilteo, where the ferry landing serves as a portal to Puget Sound’s island culture. You can catch a ferry every hour from Mukilteo to the southern tip of Whidbey Island.

Unless you’re arriving in peak traffic — such as the Friday night getaway — most times of the day and week your wait will be fairly short. As we reached Mukilteo there are many signs directing automobile traffic to the ferry landing and, when you get there, it’s a simple matter of driving through a toll booth — where you pay just a few dollars for your car and passengers — and then into a line where you’ll wait several minutes for the next ferry to arrive. The Washington State Ferries have the boarding process down pat — everything moves efficiently and it is impressive that so many cars are able to get on and off the ferry in just a few minutes.

Once on the ferry, it’s maybe a 20-minute voyage across the channel and, before you know it, you’ve arrived on the island. Signs point you to destinations further north on the island and you realize you have very quickly exchanged the busy bustle of Seattle traffic for the country roads that slither through the forested hills and valleys of Whidbey. Now, instead of row houses and endless population, you see farm houses and open fields planted with gardens or crops, with barns and fancy 4X4′s that hint there are more than a few gentlemen farmers in residence here.

Take a look at your watch, and you’ll find that the second hand is moving just a little bit more slowly now — or so it seems. You’re on “island time” now and the sooner you get used to it, the sooner you will completely decompress — and de-stress — from your everyday job.

Our destination for the night was Langley, a quaint and exceedingly small coastal town about a dozen miles from the ferry terminal. With its historic main street — technically, it’s 1st Street — and eclectic shops, it’s no surprise that this little berg is a magnet for artists and people who feel a rejuvenation of the spirit as they gaze from downtown viewpoints across Saratoga Passage to Camano Island on the other side of the water. The town is popular as a daytrip — elapsed time from downtown Seattle was well under 90 minutes — and, with the availability of several fine lodgings, also as an overnight escape.

Before we checked into our accommodations for the night, we took some time to wander around downtown. It was midweek and shopkeepers were anything but busy, no doubt looking forward to the weekend when the town is almost besieged by visitors. On this day, there were just a few cars parked downtown, just a few people browsing the shops and practically no one taking advantage of the waterfront areas where you’ll find picnic tables with some of the best views in the Northwest.

If you take the time to stroll the town, you’ll find places like the Garden Shed where they specialize in “chocolate” plants — but don’t get too excited because these aren’t the kind you eat. They’re chocolate because they’re dark and you can find out more if you do as we did, and explore the Chocolate Farm just up Saratoga Road from downtown.

Nearby is the Star Store, a market and mercantile that has been in business 90 years. Close by is Herb Helsel and his Langley Clock and Gallery, where you’ll learn about timepieces of every variety. The best Whidbey Island artists display their work at Museo, also in the small cluster of buildings down on 1st Street. Don’t miss Moonraker Books, a top regional bookstore. But the busiest place in town on this day was the Thrift Store, a remarkable collection of high-quality clothing and other used items all at bargain-basement prices.

We took a few minutes to check out the Inn at Langley, an upscale lodging on the beach adjacent to the downtown area. We talked a few minutes with chef Matt Costello and visited the elaborate and charming kitchen area. We noted the panoramic views from the inn’s units, high up off the water and made a note this would be a great place to stay on a future visit.

Soon it was time to check in at our lodging we had reserved for the night — the Boatyard Inn, a unique and comfortable place to stay located on the water just a quarter mile or so from downtown. Innkeeper Mynda Myres showed us to our 600-square-foot studio suite, which turned out to be perfect for the two of us. Our suite had an excellent combination of style and utility.

With its high ceilings, the room seemed more spacious than most and featured updated furnishings, top to bottom. Only the bathroom faucets offered any hint that this was anything other than brand new. A gas fireplace kept our room as toasty as needed, while there was a dining area and a couch and chairs with a wall-mounted flat screen TV. While it didn’t have a full kitchen, it did have a refrigerator, dishwasher, hot plate, counter-tops and the basic necessities for preparing something light to eat. The king-size bed was positioned in a slightly elevated part of the studio that just made the layout that much more interesting.

The elevated bed meant that, even as we drifted to sleep, we could look out of the picture windows to our calming view of Puget Sound. We also enjoyed sitting on our private deck watching the boats cruise Saratoga Passage. There are old docks nearby, protruding into the passage, but it didn’t seem to diminish the view. And we enjoyed exploring the beach you’ll find right out your door at the inn.

We enjoyed dinner back in the downtown area at an unusually good restaurant, the Prima Bistro. The dishes here are upscale, but not over-the-top either in terms of presentation or prices. Perched on the second floor of one of the historic buildings, the restaurant was busy this midweek night — indicating a lot of favor with local residents — and the service could not have been better. Our entrees were top-notch — the Steak Frites which is Oregon beef hanger steak, blue cheese ajoli, sautéed escarole and French fries, and the Troute Grenobloise, a pan-seared rainbow trout with lemon-caper pan sauce, fiddlehead ferns and fingerling potatoes. Each was under $20.

The next day we drove about 20 minutes to South Whidbey State Park, where we topped off our short getaway with a hike down to the beach and some serious beach exploration. It’s a half-mile trail that is relatively steep on the return trip, but well worth it for the picturesque views and what turned out to be complete solitude on a sunny day. While we didn’t spot any whales, we did spot a nuclear submarine returning to Bangor — so it was a pretty interesting place to spend the morning before taking the short drive back to the ferry and our return to civilization.

AT A GLANCE

WHERE: Whidbey Island is located in Northwest Washington, about an hour’s drive and ferry ride from Seattle, perhaps a little more depending on traffic.

WHAT: Whidbey Island is famous nationally for being the longest island in the U.S. Waterfront towns, quaint shops, excellent parks and charming accommodations are available in several parts of the island. Langley is a good choice for visitors who want a short getaway from Seattle.

WHEN: This is a year-round destination, with best weather July through September.

WHY: Whidbey offers island culture, but is easy to get to from the large metropolitan areas.

HOW: For more information on Langley and South Whidbey Island, phone 360-221-2969 or go to www.visitlangley.com. For more information on the Boatyard Inn, phone 360-221-5120 or visit www.boatyardinn.com.

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Boracay Island Resort in Phillipines

I was captivated by several respected travel magazines claiming that Boracay island resort in the Philippines has one of the best beaches in the world, I wasted no time in traveling to this island resort to experience what many claimed is a tropical island paradise.

Boracay is a lush tropical tourist resort island about 200 miles south of Philippine’s capital Manila and is about slightly more than a mile off the northwest of Panay in the West Visayas province. Because of its acclaimed publicity of being home to some of the best beaches in the world, Boracay island resort is naturally one of the Philippine’s most popular tourist attraction.

The island is made up by the barangays of Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, and Yapak and is under the administration of the Philippine Tourism Authority. A barangay is also known by its former name, the barrio and is the smallest local government unit in Philippines. The word is a Tagalog term for a village or constituency.

Boracay island was originally the home of the Ati tribe before it became a major tourist attraction. Not surprisingly, the word Boracay is derived from words Bora which means ‘bubble’ and Bukay means ‘white sand’. However, the sand on the main island is not as white as I have expected due to too many tourists and pollutions. Then again, if you visit some of the nearby islands and you will be fascinated by how white the sands on the beaches can be.

Boracay is part of Aklan Province and it was only in the 1970s that tourism industry started to develop. The main tourism beaches on the island are the White Beach and the Bulabog Beach both of which are located on diametrically opposite sides of the island’s central area with the White Beach facing towards the west and Bulabog Beach facing east. Of course, Boracay also have several other beaches as well.

White Beach is well known for its white powdery sand and hence its name. The beach is slightly over 4 km long (2 miles) and is populated with numerous beach resorts, hotels, restaurants and shops catering to the needs of tourists staying in the area.

Incidentally, Borocay has more than 300 beach resorts with more than 2,000 rooms ranging from stylish five-star hotels and resorts to budget accommodations for backpackers. Golfers will be delighted to know that Boracay is home to a world-class 18-hole par 72 golf course.

Bulabog Beach, across the island from White Beach is a secondary tourism beach. This beach is a favorite location for windsurfing and kiteboarding because of its seasonal strong winds for these activities.

When is the best time to visit Boracay? Well, you can visit Boracay anytime, however some visitors may wish to visit the island resort for different purposes.

Catch the spectacular world-famous Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival in January. This festival is Philippine’s version of the Mardi Gras which is celebrated on the third week of every January.

If you just want to enjoy the beaches and the sea, then visit Boracay during the ‘Amihan’ season. This is during northeast monsoon season in the months of March to May when trade wind is at its strongest which is very suitable for activities like sailing, big game fishing, scuba diving, wind surfing and kite-boarding.

The months of June to September are considered off-peak season, however budget conscious tourists and backpackers consider this as the best time to visit Boracay as prices for everything are at its lowest and there are few competition for that precious white sand beach turf to plonk yourself on to enjoy the sun.

October marks the beginning of another peak season. As from October to December, the weather is cool and major sports events are usually held at this time of the year.

If you are thinking of taking a vacation holiday in the Philippines, do head for the tropical paradise island of Boracay.

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