Texan Magazine
By Bill Dante
Enough of the record heat!! It’s time to go to the beach, cool down and enjoy life! “Vivi la Vita al Massimo” is Italian for “Live life to the fullest.” You deserve it! You know you do!
I’m not just talking about any beach. I have chosen some unique or dream beaches, as I like to call them. This year, unlike any other year, we are having unbelievable record high temperatures in Texas. As a meteorologist of over thirty years, I have never seen summer heat like this. It’s time to escape……..
Can’t go to the beach right now? Be an armchair traveler! Just imagining it brings joy! Studies show that simply looking at beautiful travel photos, releases oxytocin in the brain, helping you feel calm, focused and energized. It’s a mini vacation for your brain!
However, if you are able to plan an escape, and I’m talking lifetime memories to beaches, there are some incredible locations waiting for you and your friends right now.
There are also some great airfares available!
Are you thinking Mexico? ….if you didn’t play in Mexico, during the 80s, 90s or early 2000s, then you missed out. Those were some great times and beautiful beaches! Our favorite hangouts back then were Puerto Vallarta , Tulum, Acapulco and Cancun when it was in its infancy.
You know you’ve been there often when the family of the hotel mangers’s wife and children, call you Señor Dante! Mexican beaches are a favorite of most Texans because of beauty, cost and proximity.
By the way, some of the areas in Mexico are red flagged by our government. They should be red flagged by you. https://travel.state.gov/travel safely.
A lot of people from Texas, drive to the Florida Panhandle. Destin is very popular. You can even spend a day and night in New Orleans. You can’t go wrong taking a car trip.
But for now let’s plan on flying to those beaches..
THE BAHAMAS
You will need your passport. It’s a short flight from Fort Lauderdale or Miami airport. Airfare is reasonable. The Bahamas are the home of Paradise Island, unusual pink sandy beaches, like Flores Island and Harbor Island, lots of coral reefs and their famous Junkanoo Festival. Then of course on Nassau Island is the world renowned Atlantis Bahama Casino. The last time we were there we enjoyed the island of Grand Bahama. We stayed on the award winning beach of Lucaya, swam with the dolphins and partied like a local in the town of Freeport.
MIAMI BEACH
You could combine the Bahamas with Miami but, then again, why bother with the hassle and cost of a passport. In Miami Beach, you will find pristine beaches, blue, crystal clear water and lots to do. You have choices like the southern end, South Beach, known for its international jet set with celebrities and international models. To Be Noticed Is To Be Seen!
Then there is the Art Deco historic area with its pastel-colored restaurants, clubs and hotels right on Ocean Drive between 5th and 15th streets. If you drive 20 minutes north, away from the large city feel of the island along the beach, through small towns and neighborhoods, you will find a more luxurious atmosphere.
We stayed around 96th street, in a village so beautiful and so pristine, it didn’t seem real. Bal Harbour is known for one of the most exclusive shopping areas in the world, fine dining and white sand beaches. Yep, the famous Shops at Bal Harbour Mall is not to be missed. Our hotel, The Sea View, was built in the late 1900s and had a total Great Gatsby feel and ambiance. Plus, they have an extremely large pool with cabanas right on the beach. There are many 5 and 4 star hotels to chose from at very reasonable rates, especially during the off season which starts on May 1st until early fall. How about starting at $200 a night….I’ll take it!!
Enjoy Cuban coffee and great food! Some of the best restaurants in Miami are found in the area. Bal Harbour Mall, is very posh and tropical with indoor koi ponds and world renowned restaurants. Also, it’s just fun to sit and people watch. Miami Beach has lots of side trips and the night life is perfection. If you get a chance, drive to Key Largo and enjoy a piece of the best Key Lime pie you will ever savor.
PUERTO RICO
It’s a non-incorporated US territory. Travelers can use a government issued photo ID, like a drivers license for entry. Puerto Rican’s are, of course, US citizens. You’ll find beautiful, soft sanded beaches, great scuba diving, snorkeling, mountains and waterfalls in the El Yunque National Forest that rival parts of Hawaii. Another must see, Castillo San Felipe Del Moro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is worth the historical visit. The local rum is famous world wide.
US VIRGIN ISLANDS
Again, no passports are needed and the islands are your dream come true. Cruz Bay in St. John is the smallest island of three.
The population is only 4,000 and considered the safest island in the Caribbean. But…still, be aware of your surroundings.
St. Thomas is the most popular island and a true, tropical paradise with pristine beaches with lots of history. The Danish settled there in the 1600s and there is even a 1679 watchtower called Blackbeard’s castle.
Some French is spoken but English is the official language. The only thing you might want is a smaller private beach with a perfect setting. Keep in mind many cruise ships choose to stop in St. Thomas and when that happens it can be a little overwhelming.
PORTUGAL
Time to skim across the Atlantic and enjoy two countries where you will love the beaches, the culture, the food and the wines. First, welcome to Portugal! A country longer than it is wide and on the Atlantic Ocean. If you like professional surfing and would like to watch some of the worlds best surfers then Portugal is the place. The town of Peniche has become very famous in the international arena, with Supertubos beach having incredibly powerful waves. The Guinness World Record was broken in 2011 by Garret McNamara surfing at the world famous beach, Praia do Norte, on a 78 foot high wave. But, they do have areas for beginners to surf, just so you can say you surfed in Portugal.
Let’s go south in Portugal to an area called the Algarve where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. Hotel rooms can be had for $95 per night and 5 star hotels average $200. It is known for its picturesque cities, cuisine, golden sand beaches and natural rock formations. It’s also home to some of the best golf courses in Europe.
SPAIN
Finally, follow the coastline and cross the border into Spain. Go
through the Strait of Gilbratar and arrive in the Mediterranean along the Spanish beaches. The best beaches in southern Spain are in Malaga and Cadiz. Northern Spain, about 50 miles south of Barcelona, is where you will find soft, powdery sand. But the gem to visit is the island of Majorca. Not only one of the best places for Americans to retire but with breathtaking scenery, gorgeous stretches of sand, excellent nightlife and wonderful shopping. Rated the number one beach amongst locals and visitors is Cala S.Almunia.
FRANCE
Finally, our last destination with fabulous, chic beaches and the smooth cosmopolitan feel of bubbly Champagne is the Cote d Azur. It encompasses a large area of the French Riviera and the beautiful city of Nice, founded by the Greeks, and now a resort for the European elite. Nice has much to offer with mesmerizing views, impeccable sand and beaches, plus fantastic weather.Three days is all you need in and around the city. Monte Carlo is only 30 minutes by train and the Italian border is just a little further.
We have taken the train in the past and it was very comfortable and it even had a bar car for a quick glass of wine. The train also goes south to Cannes, another one hour ride. It’s worth the trip to enjoy some French wine or a freshly ground espresso or cappuccino. The cafes are exquisite and you can enjoy tasting specially prepared foods by world famous chefs and watching the large yachts slide into the harbor.
Wishing you safe and happy travels!
Ciao,
Dante
