Bed and Breakfast Luxury in Maryland!

Washington, DC maybe the nation’s capital but Maryland is quickly becoming one of the country’s most popular vacation destinations.  The National Harbor has become a weekend favorite for Maryland, DC and Virginia residents with is free summer jazz concerts and holiday events like Gaylord Nationals’ “ICE”.  Residents and tourists love the great restaurants like Ashton Kutcher’s “Ketchup” and trendsetting boutiques like ‘Tiki & Me Pet Boutique.’

If you are planning on visiting Maryland or the DC area anytime soon we have a fabulous alternative to the traditional hotel scene.  Quietly nestled in the historic Tantallon North section of Fort Washington, Maryland is the first bed and breakfast opened in Prince George’s county Maryland.  Owners Candice Camille & Mariby Corpening opened “Private Stay by Madly Living” in 2007. This elegant retreat wonderfully blends chic affordable travel, contemporary luxury with unique Afro-Centric accents.

The beauty, elegance and luxury of Madly Living surpasses the traditional concept of the B&B experience.  Madly Living features four luxurious suites all with their own private spa style baths.  The signature Madly Living suite sleeps four and also has a luxurious private lounge area.  The suites old Hollywood inspired bath even has a whirlpool tub. The Quiet Earth suite is a mini art gallery filled with rare and distinctive art. The Zen Fusion suite is perfect for rediscovering your inner peace while surrounded by total beauty and luxury.  Our favorite suite, The Boudoir (also called the Queen’s Room) is a tribute to the beauty of the black woman through photographs and poetry.  All suites feature heavenly beds smothered in goose down pillows with pillow top mattresses.  You will feel like you are sleeping on a cloud.

The retreat also features a special Gathering Room  (guests common area) filled with limited edition books and magazines documenting all aspects of African American history and culture.  For quiet time have a glass of Madly Living signature wine while enjoying the spacious outdoor patio area.

Madly Living is extremely affordable with rates ranging from $159-$249.  Be among the first to receive news on upcoming deals of the month by joining the mailing list on www.madlyliving.com.   Madly Living is also available for Sunday brunch, small intimate events (baby/bridal showers, rehearsal dinners), private weddings and corporate retreats.

All guests receive complimentary breakfast featuring the owner’s famous buttermilk biscuits.  For more information, please visit: www.madlyliving.com or call 301-292-9008.

Tell them the Travelin Diva (Kirstin Fuller of Reservations Travel Guide) sent you!

Safe Travels...

Follow me on twitter for daily travel news and great vacation deals…@thetravelindiva

**Images graciously provided by the Owners of “Private Stay by Madly Living.”

Anna Maria Island is an ideal place to relax and get away--The island's three cities provide access to spectacular beaches and outdoor activities. Beaches are an idea hot spot for family vacations.

One of the treasures I miss most about not living in Florida are the beaches, they're great for de-stressing, relaxing, fun and most of all free. We've visited more beaches than I can count on one hand in Florida and although beaches are like babies it's hard to find something you don't like about them, Anna Maria Island by far has the characteristics and atmosphere that is most memorable.

It's sugar-white coastline and emerald Gulf waters are ideal for family-time and fun in the sun, this treasure offers a beautiful beach, ocean views, shopping, and other attractions.

Honeymooners, Celebrities, Wedding parties and people from around the world have discovered this Paradise and so should you. -- Anna Maria Island, Florida.

The United States Virgin Islands is nicknamed “America’s Caribbean” for good reason. This group of islands is located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, not far from Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands. Because the U.S. Virgin Islands are a U.S. territory, U.S. citizens may travel through the islands without a passport as they would travel through any state. Plus, English is spoken throughout the entire region. The islands offer something for all travelers, whether they are families, singles, couples or groups.

The three main islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands are St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. St. Thomas is home to Charlotte Amalie, the capital city of the entire U.S. Virgin Islands. St. Thomas is also home to over 40 white sand beaches and all the opportunities for water recreation you can imagine. If you prefer to stay dry, look into the submarine cruises and glass bottom boat rides available. You may get to spot the vibrant marine life easily visible in the islands’ pristine waters. For a more face-to-face encounter with the natural ecosystem, visit the Coral World Marine Park & Observatory.

St. Thomas is a mountainous island, so you can go from under the sea to under the sky. The mountains offer views as high as 1,500 feet above sea level. Drake’s Seat, Valdemar Hill, Flag Hill and Paradise Peak are some of the scenic “high” points of the island. If you want to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground, visit Fort Christian. This U.S. national landmark was built in 1672, making it the oldest standing structure in the Virgin Islands. The fort has been converted into a museum documenting the islands’ history.

If you visit during early spring, you can catch the colorful, month-long Carnival celebration. Any time of the year, the West Indian and Caribbean dining and nightlife is a carnival experience of its own.

The next island to visit is St. Croix, the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Heritage tours and trails highlight St. Croix’s cultural mix of Danish, French, Spanish, West Indian and African influences. You can explore local art, jewelry and crafts vendors, particularly the island’s hook bracelets designed with the rare larimar gemstone. Take in the rhythms of quelbe and quadrille, the French and African-influenced native music and dance of the Virgin Islands. In winter time, things heat up during the Crucian Christmas Festival which runs from December to January.

Buck Island National Monument off St. Croix’s shore is the only naturally-occurring underwater national monument in the U.S. The monument is 700 acres of a protected home for underwater flora and fauna, an ideal spot for snorkeling. Visitors to the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve can explore the natural wildlife refuge via scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking and kayaking.

St. John, the smallest of the three islands, still retains an unspoiled natural environment. The island offers many ecotourism activities to keep it that way, and two-thirds of the island is protected land as the Virgin Islands National Park. Trunk Bay and Hawkesnest Bay are popular attractions both for their beaches and underwater activities. There are even ecotourism resorts and campgrounds for the environmentally-minded. St. John is home to highest point of elevation in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the town of Coral Bay. The island is also noted for its lengthy Fourth of July celebration, covering June through July 4th.

These are just a few of the many reasons to make your next exotic vacation to America’s Caribbean. (BLACK PR WIRE)

By JACQUES MILES

I was walking to my bedroom when all of a sudden I felt the ground moving. My clothes in my closet were swaying from side to side; a long crack rips up through the wall, causing my wife to scream in terror. As fast as it started it was over. In Ecuador these shaky times comes normally when a volcano is erupting.

I remember the first time I saw a volcano. I had only been in Ecuador for a few months. I remember going outside and seeing the sky red and orange and thinking what a beautiful sunset, but then I realized it was four o’clock in the afternoon and this was not a sunset, I was observing my first volcanic eruption.

I learned that volcanoes come in all shapes and sizes and there are over 30 volcanoes in Ecuador and thankfully not all of them are active. Chimborazo is the highest mountain and active volcano in Ecuador, due to its position on the equator it is the closest point on the earth's surface to the sun. Chimborazo is a monster of a volcano but, this monster is not the volcano that makes many people live in fear. That monster’s name is Tungurahua. Tungurahua is a 16,478 foot volcano that has erupted many times since 1999. In August 2006 and February 2008, there were several major eruptions, which claimed many villages and human life as well. We traveled through ground zero, after the 2008 destruction. Parts of the roads were closed and on the side of the mountain, we could see the trail that the lava left behind. I was shocked into the reality of the magnitude, when I was told that the dark rock material I was standing on was cooled lava. It went on as far as the eye could see. Imagine this place just a short while ago; it must have been an awe inspiring sight. Many people lost everything they had. In 2008, when Tungurahua erupted, it shot lava and volcanic rock several miles into the air. Words can't describe the terror many villages faced when flaming rocks rained down from the sky, destroying their homes, livestock and even taking life. Ash and poison gas at times can reach over a hundred miles away from the eruption point.

On May 30, 2010, Tungurahua once again flexed its volcanic muscles shooting ash and volcanic materials over three miles in the sky, causing many to flee from their homes. Ash reaching over a hundred miles away forced the closure of The Guayaquil Airport. Everything is covered is heard many times over as the inhabitants marvel at nature’s powerful hand. This time, thank goodness, I am here safe and sound in Augusta, Ga., far away from the ash, tremors, and chaos. Even so, I know soon I will be back continuing with my work in Ecuador. I am sure I will have to come face to face again with Ecuador’s mighty volcanoes, but that’s just life in ‘The Middle of the World.’

JACQUES MILES jacqandraq@att.net