Smile! It’s Summertime: Whether you’re on vacation or staycation
Joy is the name of the game for the summertime. Whether you plan on traveling abroad, or staying in your home state, the summertime is the time to have more fun. The days are longer, the weather is more pleasurable, tourists and festivals come to town, people tend to have more time on their hands, and here are some suggestions:
For you travelers, take a look at the top 10 summer destinations referred by The Travel Channel:
The Bahamas. Some resorts in the Out Islands close through November, however, New Providence and Paradise Island remain open year-round.
Voted best for: Families/Parties looking for a taste of laid back island living.
Miami, FL. The way to keep cool in the blazing heat is to take a dip in the Atlantic , Biscayne Bay...or an infinity pool. You’ll be able to spread out on South Beach, people-watch/mingle on Lincoln Road, or enjoy Miami Beach’s epic nightlife.
Voted best for: A spontaneous getaway to blow off a little steam on a boat or in the club.
Catalina Island, CA. Make the 22 mile trip by ferry or helicopter-the latter will cost approximately $110-and you’ll find an island of paradoxes: campgrounds where wild buffalo roam (a herd was abandoned after a 1924 movie shoot) and the ritzy, Mediterranean-flavored city of Avalon.
Voted best for: A day at the beach spent snorkeling, swimming, hiking or biking.
Mackinac Island, MI. Mackinac Island, 20 minutes by boat from either the Upper or Lower Peninsula of Michigan, comes alive on summer weekends. Most of its roughly 4 square miles is designated parkland, ideal for hiking and cycling. Also be sure to take in the beautiful architecture of its own painted ladies, as well as the Victorian cottages that date back to just after the Civil War.
Voted best for: A taste of time gone by, cars were banned more than 100 years ago, and horse-drawn carriages are still used to get around today.
Ocean City, MD. This east coast beach town is best known for its boardwalk, which boasts the requisite neon spray painted T-shirts and old school amusement rides. Grab your mallets and feast on hard-shelled crabs at Hooper’s crab house or drink in the sunset with a local craft brew in hand from Fager’s Island Restaurant and Bar’s large bayfront decks.
Voted best for: A classic, albeit and kitschy, stroll along the boardwalk and the taste of Thrasher’s vinegar and Old Bay french fries.
Amsterdam. At first, Amsterdam may seem out of place on this list, but summer is actually the ideal time to visit the city. The gray skies have lifted, festivals abound and events to enjoy include the Open Garden Days, when visitors can peek into the private gardens behind the beautiful houses that line the famous canals.
Voted best for: An urban adventure, traversing Amsterdam’s thousands of bridges and waterways by bike and by boat in search of the perfect brown cafe’.
Virginia Beach, VA. Virginia Beach is a prime summer destination beckoning tourists from up and down the mid Atlantic with its 35 miles of sandy beaches. An extra wide concrete boardwalk stretches 3 miles along the oceanfront and boasts benches for people, sunset watching, as well as a separate path for biking and blading.
Voted best for: Families/Parties who flock to the revitalized oceanfront resort area and the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center.
Bora, Bora. If you conjure up images of the perfect island paradise in your head, it probably looks like Bora Bora’s stilted bungalows jetting out into the turquoise lagoon. A volcanic atoll, Bora, Bora is surrounded by a circular coral reef, which makes it ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Voted best for: Romance. It truly is a honeymooner’s dream or special getaway.
Dubai. Don’t mind the triple-digit temps or humidity-you’re in Dubai, where you can ski (indoors) in the desert and shop at the world’s largest shopping mall.
Voted best for: Indulging your fantasies, whether that’s being on top of the world at the Burj Khalifa or checking into a 7-star hotel.
Hawaii. You won’t need your passport to visit this destination, but you may feel as though you’re in another world thanks to Hawaii’s red and black sand beaches, lush sea cliffs, volcanic landscapes, abundant sea life, and rich Polynesian culture.
Voted best for: Everyone-seriously. Each of the major islands offer unique experiences tailored for a luxury, romantic, adventurous, eco-friendly, or beach vacation.
And for you homebound summer breakers, here’s a list of spectacular ways to make the most of your summer as well:
Be a tourist in your own town: Tour your city’s local landmarks.
Design a custom tour based on your own personal interests.
Be sure to find a schedule of special summer events nearby.
Channel your Inner Child: Hit the nearest waterpark.
Mow your name into the lawn, mow a maze into your lawn.
Grab a neighbor and a ball (any type of ball: volley, soccer, kick, baseball, basketball etc.) to play some fun ball games.
Play board games.
Craft.
Rediscover your yard: Have a picnic in your backyard.
Camp in your backyard.
Have an open-air movie screening in your yard.
Start a garden.
Make a Splash: Learn a new swim stroke.
Go boating.
Go tubing.
Go water-skiing.
Learn something new: Learn another language.
Learn the constellations.
Join or start a summer book club.
Get organized: Organize your desk, table or designated area of choice.
Simply Relax: Meditate.
Create your own home spa (give yourself a hand massage or roll your feet across a golf ball for an impromptu foot rub).
Do some yoga.
Enjoy a beautiful night sky walk
Hang in a hammock.
However you choose to spend your summer, Enjoy!
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