Tag Archives: Beaches

Tropical Architecture: The Dominican Republic

The house reveals itself slowly. On a remote stretch of the Dominican Republic coast, a stone footpath winds its way through a dense landscape of old-growth trees, zamia, and native flowers. Gradually, a timber structure comes into focus, its undulating form seemingly afloat above the jungle floor.

Only upon stepping past that wood-clad volume, under a 70-foot-wide span and up into the central courtyard, do you see the ocean. 

That progression is all expert choreography on the part of architect Bryan Young, principal of the Brooklyn-based studio Young Projects and nowadays very much a name to know. “Every decision facilitates the experience of the landscape,” he notes of the property, which includes two additional houses of his design. One is a low-slung string of four adjoining stucco bungalows, the other a monolithic enigma—chamfered at the corners and covered in graphic, almost pixelated tile, earning it the name Glitch House. Together this trio of buildings provides the ultimate escape, a place for friends and extended family to come together and decompress, as envisioned by his intrepid clients, Mike and Sukey Novogratz, a New York City couple with wellness on the brain.

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Architecture: ‘Life’s A Beach – Homes, Retreats and Respite by the Sea’

Life’s A Beach takes readers into beach homes around the world – from the hills of New Zealand to beaches of Brazil to the remote islands of the Aegean – exploring the many ways to decorate a cozy home by the sea.

Handmade touches, natural materials and eclectic interiors all imbue a sense of wellbeing, and are found throughout the homes in Life’s a Beach. From humble little beach cottages to extraordinary modern bungalows, these spaces are designed for respite and relaxation, and for enjoying the beachy surrounds.

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Walks: Rambla Pocitos – Montevideo, Uruguay

The Rambla of Montevideo is an avenue that goes all along the coastline of Montevideo, Uruguay, and also the longest continuous sidewalk in the world. At a length of over 22.2 uninterrupted kilometres, the promenade runs along the Río de la Plata and continues down the entire coast of Montevideo.

Caribbean Views: Cancún – Southeastern Mexico (4K)

Cancún, a Mexican city on the Yucatán Peninsula bordering the Caribbean Sea, is known for its beaches, numerous resorts and nightlife. It’s composed of 2 distinct areas: the more traditional downtown area, El Centro, and Zona Hotelera, a long, beachfront strip of high-rise hotels, nightclubs, shops and restaurants. Cancun is also a famed destination for students during universities’ spring break period. 

Walks: Kailua Beach On Oahu, Hawaii (4K Video)

Kailua Beach been voted the Best Beach in America in several different surveys, with special attention to it’s walking aspect. The 3 miles of beautiful fine, soft white sand along this crescent shaped bay borders the clear turquoise waters which have a consistent year round temperature of about 75 degrees F (25 C). The steady off shore trade winds, water temperature and protective reef make this bay a popular arena for all sorts of water sports. Looking to the north from the beach, you will see the Mokapu Peninsula (pic of the base) which houses the Kaneohe Marine Corps Base.  To the south are the world famous Mokulua Islands. 

Aerial Views: Cancún – Southeastern Mexico

Cancún, a Mexican city on the Yucatán Peninsula bordering the Caribbean Sea, is known for its beaches, numerous resorts and nightlife. It’s composed of 2 distinct areas: the more traditional downtown area, El Centro, and Zona Hotelera, a long, beachfront strip of high-rise hotels, nightclubs, shops and restaurants. Cancun is also a famed destination for students during universities’ spring break period. 

Spring Break Ocean Walk: Destin Beach, Florida (4K)

Destin is a city in northwest Florida, in the area known as the Panhandle. It’s known for its Gulf of Mexico beaches and many golf courses, as well as the Destin Harbor Boardwalk. Nature trails pass through the dunes of Henderson Beach State Park in the south, where the coastline is dotted with pine and oak trees sheltering wildlife. To the west are the tall slides, waterfalls and pools of Big Kahuna’s water park. 

Beach Walks: ‘Ölüdeniz – Southwest Turkey’ (4K)

Ölüdeniz is a resort village on the southwest coast of Turkey. It’s known for the blue lagoon of Ölüdeniz Tabiat Parkı and the wide, white Belcekız Beach. Overlooking the village is Babadağ mountain from where paragliders take to the skies. The Lycian Way is a long-distance marked footpath starting in Ölüdeniz, and has coastal views. To the south, Butterfly Valley is a nature reserve with a secluded bay.

Walks: ‘Fort Lauderdale – South Florida’ (4K Video)

Fort Lauderdale is a city on Florida’s southeastern coast, known for its beaches and boating canals. The Strip is a promenade running along oceanside highway A1A. It’s lined with upscale outdoor restaurants, bars, boutiques and luxury hotels. Other attractions include the International Swimming Hall of Fame, with pools and a museum of memorabilia, and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, featuring trails and a lagoon.