Long Island Coastal Homes

Yep,they say that the hurricanes scared some folks away from Florida. Well, I just came up with a really good reason for you to revisit the state. Florida contains some of the finest Bed and Breakfast inns in the nation, and below I present some of the ones that stood out to me.

1. The Addison is a serene 14-room inn representing a unique blend of old-style elegance with modern amenities. Traditionally, the values may seem to clash but the builders and owners have merged them together in a beautiful blend. This Inn was selected as one of the ten Best Overall Inns of 2009-2010 by BedandBreakfast.com. It also consistently maintains a number one ranking on TripAdvisor.com. Located on Amelia Island in the historic district of Fernandina Beach, the rooms feature porches for relaxation and an enchanting fountain courtyard. The area is a nature-lover’s paradise with pristine beaches, four major State Parks and a National Park. One can bike, hike, play golf, horseback ride, shell, bird watch, or go backwater or deep sea fishing. Signature breakfast dishes include fresh fruit smoothies, breakfast in a boat (baked potato shell stuffed with scrambled eggs, cheese, and crumbled bacon), banana pancakes with pecan toffee syrup, spicy breakfast quesadillas, praline French toast, and perfect Peruvian coffee.

2. If you can look past the wild and funky website, the Cedar Key B & B is an inn well worth visiting! Located in the second oldest city in Florida, the historic inn was built in 1880. Originally, the town was known for its cedar, out of which Eagle and Eberhardt pencils were produced; today its claims to fame are clam farming and tourism. Besides boasting some of the cleanest and most comfortable lodgings imaginable, this inn’s draw is also the amazing array of activities in the area: boating, kayaking, air boats, fishing, bird watching, playing with dolphins, biking, hiking, scuba diving, plus a famous Arts festival and the October Seafood Festival. Or if you like football, attend a Florida Gators game in nearby Gainesville. A few nice added features of the inn is the pet friendly status, last minute specials, delicious breakfast, and an endless array of amenities such as teas, cookies, biscotti, hot chocolates, coffees, and a bottomless jar of the freshest homemade cookies you’ve ever placed in your mouth.

3. Casa Grandview is located in the vibrant, upscale city of West Palm Beach. This Bed & Breakfast combines some of the most desirable features of the secluded and quaint B & Bs with the services of a luxury resort. The Casa offers romantic cottages, quaint bungalows, art deco cabana suites, stylish tropical coastal villas, and classic city oasis retreats. What a fabulous array of choices, many with kitchens, elaborate baths, and spacious living areas. The owners stock each suite with only the best gourmet foods for your breakfast, and, if desired, for additional meals. Everything you need is available including complimentary Wi-Fi, HD TVs, premium satellite service, music and movie channels, iPod docking stations, and CD players. You can even check emails and surf the web while catching some rays poolside or dozing in a hammock. You will be waited on with 5-star service or left alone for some glorious privacy. Whatever you want is what you get at Casa Grandview.

4. Elizabeth Pointe Lodge is a Nantucket ’shingle style’ inn that overlooks the rich blue Atlantic. What can I say? USA Today deemed this oceanfront inn as one of the 10 greatest places to sit on the porch. Travel and Leisure magazine recognized it as one of the fifty great beach resorts in our nation. The book, 1000 Places to See Before You Die, tagged this as a place where the emphasis is on pure relaxation. The Road Best Traveled distinguished the inn as one of the 12 Best Waterfront Inns in America. The honors go on and on. Besides offering full concierge service and 24 hour room service, there are also gourmet treats offered all day, a lavish wine and hors d’oeuvres reception each evening, and an oceanfront breakfast with scads of sumptuous offerings in the sunroom. In every way, Elizabeth Pointe is determined to go above and beyond your needs and expectations.

5. Florida Trend Magazine states that the Herlong Mansion of Micanopy, Florida is “easily Florida’s most elegant Bed & Breakfast.” In case you don’t know, this quiet little town is south of Gainesville, near Cross Creek, the village the author of The Yearling made famous. The ten fireplaces and high ceilings of the inn are perfectly accented with mission oak woodwork and mahogany inlaid floors. Photos can never do justice to the warm beauty of this place. Wide verandas between enormous pillars on the first and second floors contain cushioned swings that overlook an impeccably manicured lawn with ancient towering oaks. The breakfast isn’t wildly fancy but offers delicious traditional fare such as homemade biscuits and perfect omelettes, rich coffee, and apple bread. And, if you like, you can have a candlelit four-course dinner catered with roses, champagne, the works. Treat yourself to casual elegance for just one night, or more…

6. The Seven Sisters Inn is located in Ocala, Florida, region of rolling green hills and thoroughbred horse ranches. Built in 1888, the Queen Anne Victorian home was judged a “Best Restoration Project” and is listed prominently in the National Register of Historic Places. One startling uniqueness of this inn is the rooms, which feature décor from the four corners of the globe. One enters through elaborately carved Indonesian doors, then there is a Bengal Safari room, a Cape Cod Lighthouse room, an Egyptian Treasure room, an Oriental Zen-like room, and a room from Old Paris featuring imported French fabrics and décor. Visitors feel as if they are traveling the world as they lounge in front of their fireplaces or relax with spa showers, Jacuzzi, Victorian soaking tubs, and heated towel bars. And when you wake the next morning, get ready for an award winning breakfast on white china and crystal, including three-cheese French toast with Ginger Peaches, Eggs Pesto, Chicken Puffed Pastry, Raspberry-Oatmeal pancakes, or Tomato-Zucchini Quiche. The “Seven Sisters” will make you happy.

7. The Williams is a beautifully restored antebellum mansion located in the historic seaside village of Fernandina Beach. There are three separate buildings, each offering rooms for guests: the Williams House, the Hearthstone House, and the Carriage House. You will be captivated by intricate moldings, massive pocket doors, true wood floors, and hand-carved mantles created from heart pine, cherry, or mahogany. Sweeping verandas, original tiled fireplaces and crystal chandeliers make visitors feel as if they’ve slipped into a time warp. If you appreciate the days when great pride and craft were marks of the homes of the wealthy, you will love the William’s House. But it isn’t just a home to wander. The owners cater to your whims, including your desire to wake to a breakfast you’ll remember. Your first course will feature fresh fruit and muffins, scones, or pound cake. Your second course may include strawberry croissant French toast or blueberry strata. Enjoy this with fresh orange juice or rich Colombian coffee. No one will leave the William’s House either hungry or unhappy.

8. Can you keep a secret? There is a Bed & Breakfast inn in Key West called Atlantis House. This is one of those places you will not want to tell your friends about, lest the next time you want to book a night there, it will be booked two or three months ahead. It has only two exclusive rooms: that’s right, the Master suite and the Garden suite. The owners, Steve and Kayla Kessler designed, built, and maintain the property themselves. The inn is nestled in a lush tropical garden bordering the roiling Atlantic. Not long ago, this inn was awarded “The Best of the South” award from BedandBreakfast.com, and it was deserved. I just don’t know how they found the thing. If you want, you can kick back on your own sun deck or spend some romantic moments in the breezy, vine-covered gazebo. Or if you’re a little more adventurous, Steve happens to be a licensed Captain and with his boat, The Contender, he’ll be happy to take you fishing. Then Steve and Kayla will prepare you the perfect dinner with “the catch of the day,” or maybe a lobster Steve caught for your dining pleasure. Steve can also offer private, guided snorkeling tours of the most beautiful coral reef in the Continental United States. Then, after a hard day of sunning or fishing, Kayla, a massage therapist, can massage all your troubles away. Now remember, this is our little secret, cross your heart.

9. Palmer House is an inn nestled in a little town called Lithia, Florida. This is another B & B that was listed by BedandBreakfast.com as one of the “Best in the South” for 2009-2010. It’s a very tranquil place with grandfather oaks, butterfly gardens, hammocks, and bicycle trails. But, hang onto your hats, because nearby are almost all the tourist attractions Florida offers, including Orlando’s. In fact, Lithia is the perfect location from which you can go for day trips either to Busch Gardens or the Tampa Bay Bucs on the Gulf coast or Disney World and Universal Studios on the Atlantic coast. You’ll get home in time for some cookies and milk before bedtime and you’ll awaken the next morning to fresh coffee, quiche, a breakfast casserole, and their signature dish, almond-crusted French toast.

10. On charming Anna Maria Island, near Sarasota, Florida, you will find the Harrington House. It is actually comprised of the Main Inn, the Carriage House, the Huth House, and the Dodt House. You thus have the option of staying in a bungalow, a beach house, a villa or a condo. You can lounge on your balcony opening out onto the Gulf of Mexico, you can kayak with the dolphins, tour the island by bicycle, or swim in the Gulf or the heated pool. Nearby Sarasota and Bradenton offer the Ringling Museum of Art, Selby Botanical Gardens, the Bishop Planetarium, shopping at St. Armand’s Circle, or fine dining at Longboat Key. But, whatever you do, don’t miss the Harrington chef’s most popular breakfast dishes: Buttermilk Pancake Sundae or Jo’s Bacon and Crab Roll.

Yes, in a state chock full of Bed & Breakfast inns, these are a few of the ones I wanted to introduce you to. Maybe there are others to equal some of these. However, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with any of those described above. It’s time you discover the world of difference between a typical hotel and a Bed & Breakfast inn.

Debra Fortosis

Offering southern hospitality in a stunning beachfront setting, Folly Beach should be more than just a day trip on your next visit to coastal South Carolina. While most people flock to nearby Charleston for the ambiance and history, making Folly Beach a footnote on their vacation itinerary, this picturesque barrier island is actually the perfect centerpiece for getaway filled with relaxing pursuits.

Stretching for six miles just off the coast of South Carolina, Folly Beach combines the excitement of a waterfront vacation destination with the historical beauty of Charleston to provide an all-around amazing trip to anyone who steps foot along its shores. The waves of the Atlantic invite visitors outside for an afternoon on a soft sandy beach, while the wonderfully preserved atmosphere and buildings of the Old South are just a 15 minute drive away in Charleston. With surf, sand, sea, and history at your beck and call, you simply could not ask for anything more from an island oasis.

Should the sunshine and pleasant weather draw you towards the waterfront, the place to be is the Folly Beach County Park on the west side of the island. While you will certainly find plenty of sandy strips throughout the island, this soft expanse features not only 4000 feet of ocean frontage, with 600 feet designated for swimming only, but also 2000 feet along the Folly River for a distinct waterfront experience. Picture-perfect on 100 acres of highland, you can easily enjoy a day of sunning, swimming, surfing, and strolling in the sand as all of your cares melt away.

For those who prefer high-powered excitement on the Atlantic, Folly Beach is also teeming with watercraft rentals to make your adventures that just more memorable. Jet ski rentals are always popular, as are kayak rentals for those who want to explore the shoreline at a slower pace, but a more memorable excursion awaits when you set out with Reel Screamer Charters. Perfect for families, they combine bird watching, dolphin watching, shelling, and sightseeing around the Morris Island Lighthouse to provide a day of scenic beauty away from the crowds at the beach.

Beyond the waterfront adventures, Folly Beach offers fine southern cooking and ambiance in its many delightful restaurants. A cozy corner where you can mingle with the locals and enjoy a hearty breakfast, the Lost Dog Café is the perfect place to refuel before a long day of sun and sand. For delicious, uniquely-prepared seafood in a festive and inviting atmosphere, be sure to hit up the Folly Beach Crab Shack and relax on the outdoor deck for spectacular views and amazing food.

Since Charleston is one of those places in the country that everyone must see at least once, schedule a day or two to soak in the style and grace of this rich city. Overflowing with pre-Revolutionary War buildings, stunning antebellum homes, cobblestone streets, and the fragrant aroma of jasmine and wisteria, you can’t help but feel as if you have been swept away to another place and time. While you could simply wander around town and catch a glimpse of many historical sights, consider purchasing a Heritage Passport ticket for access to five fine homes and the Gibbes Museum. You can also contact the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for advance information about tours and special events.

In a land where schedules fall by the wayside and the water dictates the pace of the day, you simply cannot help but forget all of your worries in Folly Beach. Slightly off the beaten path and teeming with dramatic scenery, you can enjoy the very best of this island wonder in a Folly Beach vacation rental that nestles against the soft sand and offers easy access to waterfront delights. In addition to the breathtaking ocean views and gentle breezes that only serve to remind you of your stunning setting, Folly Beach vacation rentals are also only a stone’s throw away from the plantations, houses, museums, and ambiance of beautiful Charleston. Always well-rounded with nary a dull moment, Folly Beach invites you to experience its wonders from a cozy vacation rental that looks and feels just like home.

Jen W.
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/make-folly-beach-your-relaxing-home-base-near-charleston-114263.html

Cyprus is without a doubt a beautiful Island paradise teeming with natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage. For most tourist however the only parts of Cyprus they get to visit are the major holiday resorts and places that the organized tours visit. As you may imagine there is so much more to this lovely country and you will certainly benefit from a scratch below the surface. Cyprus has had a turbulent history dating back to ancient times right up until the 1970s. In fact the country remains divided North from South even as I write this article.

For those who are prepared to look a little further than the main coastal resorts of North West Cyprus there are some real gems to be found. For instance only a few will have ever heard of the village of Kapparis. This small resort about 5K North of the busy sea side resort of Protaras nestles up against the border with Northern Cyprus. The main street through this little town was once the main coastal road to Famagusta. Famagusta now a “ghost town” lies in crumbling dereliction just across the border in the Turkish occupied North. Until the the Invasion in 1976 the town was the principle port and possibly the most prestigious holiday resort in the Mediterranean. With its miles of white sand and safe beaches Famagusta was the jewel in the crown of Cyprus.

All the towns and villages from Kapparis down as far as Ayia Napa are still known as the Famagusta area or Municipality or Famagusta and many Greek Cypriots that fled in the conflict still consider themselves refugees. Lots of the shops and businesses around the area will proudly display large photographs of the homes or premises they were forced to leave behind. Most of these people left with only what they were able to carry and the pain of loss has not diminished over time. When you speak to some of these people about the flight from Northern Cyprus you can’t help but feel their sense of loss and the mention of Famagusta still breaks their hearts to this day. Many still dream of a time when they will be able to reclaim the homes they have lost. Homes where families had lived for generations, past down Farther to Son in the traditional Greek way.

A few minutes in land is the bustling town of Paralimini with it’s beautiful square and main church. The square is a hive of activity with both trendy cafe’s and traditional Cypriot Taverna’s where the locals spend the warm afternoons socializing over a Cyprus coffee.

There are lots of shops if you prefer satisfying your need for retail therapy or you can just relax in the square and take in the atmosphere. Remember that Wednesday is half day closing so don’t arrive there on that day expecting anywhere to be open apart from the bars and cafes.

Kapparis itself has grown into a lovely little resort over the past few years due to the ongoing development of the Island. Many of the new homes that have been built around the village are now permanent homes for the English who love to retire to Cyprus. With the long summers and low cost of living the Island is becoming a top destination for retirees from all over Europe. The irony is that although one of the smaller and lesser known resorts Kapparis is becoming the center of activity in the Famagusta area during the winter months too. In fact there are more shops and restaurants staying open right through the year in Kapparis than in all the other resorts put together.

If Kapparis sounds like the kind of place you would wish to spend your Cyprus holidays there is plenty of accommodation available. With the rapid growth in the Cyprus property market you will have no problems finding a luxury villa or apartment to rent. There are also some nice hotels in the village and no shortage of bars and restaurants to enjoy. The beach is only about 3 minutes walk from the main street and there is plenty to entertain the whole family so Enjoy Cyprus!

Kevino More
http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/cyprus-kapparis-the-hidden-gem-88779.html

Easter Island is comprised of an area of 64 square miles and is located in a remote area of the Pacific Ocean 2000 miles west of Chile. The climate is subtropical.

ORIGINAL SETTLEMENT – Archeologists surmise that the island was originally settled by Polynesians in around 400 A.D. The Polynesians, when they arrived, found an island made up largely of sub-tropical forest of trees and woody bushes. The Easter Island palm grew to up to 80 feet tall with a 6-foot diameter and could be used to make canoes as well as yielding nuts, and sap for syrups, sugar, and wine. Underneath the trees and bushes was other vegetation such as shrubs, herbs, ferns, and grasses. They found the island was home to many varieties of seabirds and land birds as well. The surrounding oceans were loaded with fish and porpoise-dolphins. The island was a pacific paradise.

THE GOOD YEARS ON EASTER ISLAND – From 400 to 800 A.D. were the good years for the people on Easter Island. Food was plentiful and living went well. They used the large palm trees for canoes and fished offshore for porpoise-dolphins. They raised the chickens, which they had brought with them; but sea birds provided additional fowl for their diet. The natural fruit was plentiful and the sap from the palm trees yielded syrups, sugar and wine. They had sufficient wood for their dwellings and winter fires. These were good years on Easter Island. Their numbers grew, but the environment sustained them and more importantly they sustained the environment.

THE YEARS OF SPLENDOR AND DRAWDOWN – From 800 to 1300 A.D. were the years for the people on Easter Island in which they became numerous and prosperous. The islanders possessed the only written language in Oceania, the Rongorongo Script. They erected the large rock carvings, called petroglyphs or monoliths, or Moai by the islanders. These are the huge crude statues, busts of stone with long faces and long pointed noses, for which Easter Island is most noted. In a very labor-intensive effort, these huge statues were quarried, carved and then transported, by being rolled on logs, to the coastal areas for display.

During this period the population increased substantially and was approaching the highest level to be reached on the island, estimated by archeologists to be seven thousand.

But also during this period the drawdown had begun. Drawdown is when the dominant species in the ecosystem begins to uses resources faster than they can be replaced. The islanders were using up the forests, for their canoes, houses, and the transporting of their statues, much faster than they were being re-grown.

If they had realized what they were doing to their environment and how it would impact their future, and if they would have had the will to make the necessary life style adjustments, they could have prevented what followed.

THE OVERSHOOT-From 1300 to1700 AD – Overshoot is when, environmentally, the point of no return has been reached, where the depletion of resources has reached that level where they cannot be regenerated to sustainable levels.

The islander’s population continued to grow and the forests disappeared at increasing rates. With the disappearing forests, springs and steams dried up and those plants and animals for which the forests provided cover, also disappeared. Land birds, snails, and many seabirds disappeared. Even the gardens suffered as deforestation allowed the winds and rains to erode the valuable topsoil.

In the 1400’s all the large palms were cut down and the palm became extinct. The consequences were terrible. Without the large palms, the fishing fleets of canoes were depleted. By 1500, porpoise-dolphins were no longer in the Islander’s diet and they soon ran completely out of all wood.

Politically chaos set in. In the 1600’s tribal warriors displaced the centralized government. Tribal wars and cannibalism became prevalent, as humans were the largest remaining meat source.

THE CRASH – 1700 and 1800 A.D. – The crash is the inevitable meltdown of the population that follows an overshoot.

In the early 1700’s, intense tribal warfare and cannibalism drove people into the caves. When the Island was discovered on Easter, April 15, 1773, by Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen, he found a small population of poor, impoverished people. When Captain Cook voyaged to Easter Island in 1775 there were only 600 Islanders left.

One hundred years later, 1885, only 155 Islanders remained. In less than 500 years the population of the Islanders went from 7000 to near extinction.

THUS PLANET EARTH – Globally, overall, although specific nations and areas may vary, planet earth is in the withdrawal stage, like Easter Island was between 800 and 1300 A.D. More trees from forests, more fish from fisheries, more fresh water from aquifers, and more area from grasslands are being consumed than are being replenished. All this is complicated by problems of waste disposal, pollution, global warming and related weather complications, and a growing world population, which will go from 6,000,000 to 9,000,000 in the next 50 years.

As there was with the Easter Islanders, within the withdrawal stage, there is a window of opportunity for us recover, to bring about ways of living that will sustain the world’s resources. If we do not make that recovery, the other stages as experienced by the Easter Islanders will surely follow, as night follows day.

REFERENCES – Easter Island Internet Home Page. Easter’s End by Jared Diamond.

The wise learn from the past. The people in charge and the people with wealth (with some notable exceptions) never do and don’t really care.

By MONICA RHOR, Associated Press Writer
Sat Oct 4, 1:58 PM ET

GALVESTON, Texas – The final hours brought the awful realization to victims of Hurricane Ike that they had waited too long. This storm wasn’t like the others, the ones that left nothing worse than a harrowing tale to tell.

George Helmond, a hardy Galveston salt, watched the water rise and told a buddy: I was born on this island and I’ll die on this island.

Gail Ettenger, a free spirit who adopted the Bolivar Peninsula as her home 15 years ago, told a friend in a last phone call: I really messed up this time.

Within hours, the old salt and the free spirit were gone as the powerful Category 2 hurricane wracked the Texas Gulf Coast on Sept. 13, flattening houses, obliterating entire towns and claiming at least 33 lives.

The dead — as young as 4, as old as 79 — included lifelong Galvestonians firmly rooted on the island and transplants drawn by the quiet of coastal living.

As young as 4 years of age, died in hurricane Ike. That’s sad. Very sad. A 4 year old isn’t able to make "rational" decisions like consenting adults. People were warned well ahead of time to leave. Some people stayed out of sheer stubborness. Willful pride or ignorance. My thoughts? If only they would have heeded the warnings. If only.

omg
thats makes me so angry at that 4 year olds parents!

Custom by every definition, the fine details in this opulent home are absolutely unmatched! Our custom neo-classic Open Bay colonial offers a superior cul de sac location with a truly sweeping southern exposure and every opulent amenity you can imagine. Stunning architectural details harmonize a floorplan that embraces panoramic waterviews and exquisit attention to detail-everything is state of the art and top of the line-no expense was spared in the execution of this signature open bay estate home. From the gleaming hardwood, custom granite and marble, imported onyx and designer cabinetry the workmanship is second to none-The fixturing, appliances and opulent amenities can not be duplicated. Fully computerized and lutron controlled this is certainly one of the “smartest” homes you will ever enter! But on the Gold Coast its all about the waterfront-Stylized as a dream of Positano the outside will amaze you; A must see to believe this is truly the “Diamond” of a fabulous bayfront lifestyle!

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There are many threats to Montauks Beaches .
The environmental group Concerned Citizens of Montauk
is hosting a free expert panel discussion on the threats of storms and erosion to
the survival of Montauks beaches. The panel features David Byer of Clean
Ocean Action, Sara Newkirk of The Nature Conservancy, and Thomas Muse of
the Surfrider Foundation.

CCOMs newly elected president, Bob Stern, feels it is important to bring various
local constituencies together with experts and local elected officials to
understand this critical situation and, hopefully, move toward sustainable, cost-
effective solutions.

Rising sea levels and natural erosion are stealing coastline at an alarming rate.
Montauks downtown and many homes and businesses are more vulnerable to
storm damage as a result.

Federal, state, and local governments are beginning to pay attention:

• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is finalizing a study and recommendations
for the entire coast, from Fire Island to Montauk
• A New York State task force is working on long term sustainability of our
oceans with the implementation of ecosystem-based management
• The East End Town Supervisors have been meeting to devise a common
approach to the threats to our beaches and communities.

Should hard structures be allowed? What about dune restoration and beach
replenishment? Should coastal homes and commercial properties be
condemned and moved from the shoreline?

CCOM believes that its time to add Montauks voice to this discussion. Our
forum is intended to involve the various constituencies in Montauk for a
discussion of possible solutions that make sense for us, says Bob Stern, newly
elected President of CCOM. Bob went on to ask, What should a small
community like Montauk do in the face of erosion that threatens homes,
businesses and our beaches?
Thomas Muse Environmental Director, Eastern L.I. Chapter, Surfrider Foundation. The Eastern L.I. Chapter has been at the forefront of numerous
environmental initiatives designed to preserve our beaches and coastline.

Local elected officials will also be on hand to comment and answer questions,
including E.H. Town Natural Resources Director Larry Penny, State
Assemblyman Fred Thiele, and County Legislator Jay Schneiderman.

We encourage all of Montauk fishermen, business owners, shore dwellers,
beach lovers to come and make your concerns and opinions known. Lets
listen to the experts, talk among ourselves, and plan the next steps, Stern says.
The world is beginning to wake up to the global threat to oceans and beaches.
All of us in Montauk need to be part of the discussion to come up with a clear
plan on what the best approach should be for Montauk.

Duration : 0:8:41

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Technorati Tags: CCOM, Erosion, Montauk, Surfrider foundation, Thomas Muse