The West Wing Cottage, Torquay, UK

When visiting Torquay, make for the harbour to see the sailboats and cruisers.  If you love fashion, stop off at Hoopers, the exclusive department store overlooking the Marina on Torquay's seafront for a coffee and then check out the latest in designer shoes, bags and clothes.  A couple of doors down from there visit Maggie's, a shop that would be at home in both Bond Street or Rodeo drive.  Friendly personal service and the most beautiful range of luscious hand picked designer clothes & incredible costume jewellery. Sarah, the personal shopper, guides you through the collections and if you are just browsing she is happy just to chat about the clothes and the top designers they stock.  For the guys, sip a beer in a waterfront cafe and watch the world go buy and the sailboats slip into the marina before sampling the freshest local caught seafood at No.7 Bistro just along at the crescent.  Summer days in spent Torquay. Then go back to the peace and tranquility of West Wing Cottage  http://www.torquay.uk.com/ with its extensive lawns and gardens overlooking Tor Bay. Picnic on the lawn, laze in the sunshine and take the time to read the newspaper.  Evenings can be spent at the theatre, watching a movie or trying one of the local restaurants.

The Bwlch Tre Banau Estate, Carmarthenshire, UK

Wheatsheaf, Barley and Meadow Cottages to put up on U tube.  Just search for "Bwlch Tre Banau" which is Welsh for for gap through the hills.       You can take a visual stroll through the cottages and around The Bwlch Tre Banau Estate.     This morning we are taking a  drive over to the nearby historic town of Lampeter for lunch in the restaurant that won The Best Fish & Chips in Wales followed by a stroll 2 doors down from there to Conti's Ice Cream for their delicious home-made ices & a cappuccino or espresso.  Heaven!  Parking in the town is free and a walk through this pretty town reveals individual small shops, boutiques and bakeries .  Don't miss the traditional ironmongers, stepping back in time to our parent's era - I can never pass it without picking up some useful item for the Estate.   

Anna Maria Island, Florida, USA

Discerning travellers go to  Anna Maria Vacations for their superb group of properties on Anna Maria Island, Florida.  The island lies in the Gulf of Mexico on the west coast of Florida just below Tampa Bay.  Peaceful and friendly with great restaurants and easy access over either of 2 bridges to the mainland to Tampa and Orlando.  Take the children up to Busch Gardens or enjoy a couple of family days in Disney then return to the natural seaside pleasures of 7 miles of pristine white sand beaches and a gorgeous villa with its own private swimming pool http://annamaria.com/ A visit to The Sign of the Mermaid restaurant is a must during your vacation - sample their prize winning home made Key Lime Pie - it is sensational

Here in the UK, the British coastal areas of the southwest are preparing for their sailing regattas.  Dartmouth and Torbay are among the best and include a daring flying demonstration by the Red Arrows with an extraordinary display of aerobatics over the water. The West Wing Cottage is part of a 1923 coastal Lutyens's style Arts & crafts era mansion house that is perched right on the edge of the water.  A divine destination for the best of Britain.

http://www.torquay.uk.com/

Warm balmy Summer days make it such a pleasure to enjoy the beautiful hills and valleys of Carmarthenshire

http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/ Book a vacation cottage and spend time with families and friends in this rural paradise.  There are amazingly good top restaurants within easy reach of the Bwlch Tre Banau Estate including The Angel Inn, The Carlton Riverside and The Lasswade.

Over in Florida they are right in the middle of turtle hatching season on Anna Maria Island.  Turtles lay their eggs in the beach and then cover them with sand and return to the sea. Guess who have booked a vacation property  though Anna Maria Vacations will have the chance to see a turtle hatching.  Just keep an eye on the local press for news updates.   There are a few vacancies left for the Summer so come on down to Anna Maria Island and enjoy nature, sunshine and some real southern style hospitality.  It's easy to organize, just click on http://annamaria.com/