On the relaxing island of Anna Maria, Florida amisland.com, Anna Maria Vacations has a superb group of properties.  The island lies just off the mainland in the Gulf of Mexico on the west coast of Florida below Tampa Bay.  It has a peaceful and friendly atmosphere, a great variety of individual restaurants from gourmet to beach side cafe and has easy access over either of 2 bridges to the mainland.  It is an easy drive to Tampa and Orlando.  Take the children up to Busch Gardens or enjoy a couple of 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/ Try to visit an island favorite,  The Sign of the Mermaid restaurant. It is a must to experience the art of Floridian culinary perfection during your vacation -  their prize winning home made Key Lime Pie is first class.

Torquay, UK

Walk down to the harbour to stroll around past sailboats and cruisers, shops, cafes and restaurants.  For the ladies, drop into Hoopers, an exclusive department store that overlooks the seafront overlooking the Marina for a coffee and a look through their latest consignment of designer shoes, bags and clothes.  If you love fashion, Maggie's is a must see - it is the type of exclusive shop you would normally find in Bond Street or Rodeo drive. for friendly personal service and the most beautiful small range of hand picked designer clothes & costume jewellery.  Maggie's personal shopper will guide you through the collections and if you are just window shopping they are happy just to chat about the clothes and the top designers they stock - definitely passion for fashion.   For the guys, while you are waiting enjoy a cooling beer sitting overlook the water in one of the waterfront bars or cafse and watch the world go by and sailboats slip into the marina. Meet up and sample fresh local caught seafood at No.7 Bistro just along at the crescent.  Stay at the exclusive West Wing Cottage  www.torquay.uk.com with its extensive lawns and gardens overlooking Tor Bay. Halcyon Summer days in Torquay. 

Carmarthenshire, UK

You can now see video footage of Wheatsheaf, Barley and Meadow Cottages  on U tube if yousearch for "Bwlch Tre Banau".  Translated from Welsh this means gap through the hills, but the historical name is used locally and it is important to the Welsh community to preserve old and new traditions.      Over on U Tube you can take a visual stroll through all the cottages and also around The Bwlch Tre Banau Estate.     This morning we are taking the pretty drive over to the nearby historic university town of Lampeter for leisurely lunch in the restaurant that won The Best Fish & Chips in Wales followed by a stroll 2 doors down  to Conti's Ice Cream for their delicious home-made ices & a cappuccino or espresso.  Forget the waistline, this is heaven!  Free parking in the town and a walk through the Lampeter reveals individual small shops, boutiques and bakeries .  Don't miss the exploring the traditional ironmongers, I can never pass it without picking up some useful item for the Estate. www.walesholidaycottages.com