Dare to be Bare

When we visited St. Martin in the Caribbean 3 years ago, we visited a little isle off the shore named Ile Pinel. A sort of large sandbar, it had a beach restaurant or two, with lounge chairs from each restaurant dotting the shores. Children ran up and down the calm beach, enjoying the almost total lack of surf. It was great fun watching them, particularly since many of the tots were naked and completely carefree. And being on the French side of the St. Martin, in many cases, the moms were topless too.

While we'd never done the topless thing before, given that our 9-month old daughter was still nursing, all of a sudden it seemed like a fabulous concept. Instead of trying to be inconspicuous and looking all the more obvious for covering a baby in 90-degree weather, we were able to feed her in peace. No one looked askance or seemed to notice, and we're sure D appreciated being able to fall asleep with a sea breeze caressing her face instead of a blanket.

Thanks to Kelly Amabile over at Gadling, we've just learned that there's a guide to nude beaches for your, ahem, perusal. Aptly titled Bare Beaches, this book was originally published in Great Britain (who said the Brits were prudes?), and the authors also penned Bare Britain - interesting, because we would never have thought there was enough to fill a book about Britain alone.

While Ile Pinel was only topless, perhaps you're looking for even more freedom, and even if you may not feel that nude beaches are for young ones, many families visit them - and the beaches to accommodate them are out there. The book includes a list of the most family-friendly spots, and other cool lists include celebs who like to bare it all (which we rather figured was all of them, so it should be interesting to see who made the cut...) There's also a blog that posts continual updates, should your quest for a nude beach be so urgent as to demand immediate attention.

How's that for a family vacation idea?


Bare Beaches, $32 (including postage)
available at barebeaches.com

Villa Rental of the Week - St. John, USVI

2B at Peter Bay porch view
copyright McLaughlin Anderson Luxury Villas


Oops!

We really should have posted this on Tuesday, which is when we normally bring you our Villa Rental of the Week. But no fear, your villa rental is here. And in keeping with today's theme of warmth, warmth, warmth, we're bringing you a breathtaking villa via McLaughlin Anderson, which has a superb collection of villas throughout the USVI and the BVI, most with gorgeous views. We wouldn't be surprised if they've had to force people to leave...


2B at Peter Bay Pool View
copyright McLaughlin Anderson Luxury Villas


The villa, called 2B at Peter Bay, can host a maximum of 8 people (children included). The bedrooms include 1 king suite and 3 queen suites, all air-conditioned (elevated twin airbeds can be provided for people not sharing a bed). All bedrooms have safes for valuables. Two of the upper queen suites have alfresco showers with lush landscaping for privacy, while the third queen suite has its own private balcony and private indoor shower. The spacious king suite enjoys a surrounding balcony, and lighted stone walkway connects this suite to a garden terrace complete with hot tub.


2B at Peter Bay bedroom
copyright McLaughlin Anderson Luxury Villas

One of the most lovely features of this villa is the way outdoors meets indoors, with its covered gallery and high ceilings that allow for soothing sea breezes. The villa also has its own pool, and is a mere 100 feet away from Peter Bay Beach. The villa is well-equipped with 36-inch satellite TV, DVD-player & VCR along with a collection of movies, and books and games. Maid service is currently provided once a week.




2B at Peter Bay bathroom
copyright McLaughlin Anderson Luxury Villas

2B at Peter Bay is available on a weekly basis. Rates for the summer season (April 14 - November 16) are $8200 a week. For more information or to book this villa, see the website's extensive page of information or call McLaughlin Anderson at 800.666.6246.

Special Offer of the Week - Mandarin Oriental, Miami

We don't know about you, but to us this has been an odd winter. Just when we thought we were getting by with a relatively mild season and were headed blissfully into spring, temperatures went below freezing. Then we had some beautiful days that turned out to be flukes, because where we are, we're in for a cold Easter. No, we don't care that it was still a short winter with a rather late arrival - where we are, it was snowing outside today, and we're a tad snippy about it.

So of course, we're thinking of places where the weather is warm with no hint of snow. (You will find we are warm-weather fans here, although we try to keep in mind that, much as we hate it, some of you actually like snow...) For us, the first place that comes to mind is Miami, a city we happen to love. While you often hear about the celebrity scene, hot clubs, and newest restaurants, Miami is definitely not just for singles and celebs.


Oriental Suite bedroom, The Mandarin Oriental, Miami


The Mini MO package from one of Miami's first-rate hotels, the Mandarin Oriental, Miami, delivers fun for adults and children, both on and off the property. The 3-night package includes:
-Luxurious accommodations
-American breakfast daily
-A complimentary crib or rollaway bed
-Age appropriate kids' welcome gift, special bathroom amenities and bathrobes
-Complimentary DVD player and and iPod upon request
-A family picnic on the private beach with a beach butler
-Entrance to Miami Children's Museum, which includes: admission for the day including access to the Museum's 14 exhibit galleries, one rock climb per child and adult on the 30-foot Mt. MiCiMu rock climbing wall and lunch.
-Complimentary Valet Parking

Special Touches: Among many welcoming features for children is the hotel spa's little yoga program for the 5-11 group, in which the kids can contort themselves into cool animal poses.



Oasis Beach Club, The Mandarin Oriental, Miami

The Mini MO package is available through May 31. From now until April 30, rates for the 3-night package begin at $1899 for a superior room. From May 1 to 31, rates begin at $1689 for a superior room. To book this package or for further information, click here, or call the Mandarin Oriental reservation line at 866.526.6567