Tag Archive for summer

Hot Town, Summer in New York City

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New York City has a way of making everything more magical—even summer itself. From theatrical performances in the park to rooftop cocktails with Hudson River views, NYC offers summertime activities for everyone. And a stay at The Blakely New York (just a few blocks from Central Park) puts you in the center of all the action. If you’re still debating a Big Apple getaway, here are 3 free summer 2013 events (one for each month!) that will definitely convince you to book a city stay.

Photos courtesy of Bite Sized, Bloomberg and NYCxplorer

June: If good food and good music are your thing, head to Madison Square Park for the 11th annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party (June 8-9). In addition to top-notch BBQ dished out by pit-masters from across the country, you’ll find free, live blues and rock performances and cooking demonstrations. Better get your bib ready.

July: In addition to the city’s famed Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, the city celebrates independence (this time, French) with a festive Bastille Day street fair (July 14). The fête is fun for the whole family, with crêpes, cheeses and baked goods for sale, live music, cultural dances, face painting and more!

August: On 3 consecutive Saturdays each summer (exact dates to be announced), nearly 7 miles of NYC streets are closed down to vehicles—creating the pedestrian-friendly Summer Streets celebration. The event comprises food, entertainment (think a zip-line and a climbing wall) and eye-catching outdoor art installations.

Great Memorial Day Getaways with the Family (or Without!)

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Guess what?! Memorial Day is just around the corner, meaning the unofficial start of summer is finally, mercifully upon us. Here in Boston we’ve endured another typical New England winter, with January’s snow, slush, and ice giving way to March’s mud, chilly rain, and steel-grey skies.

But–but!–lawns are finally greening up, flowers are blooming, and we’re ready to plan some summer getaways.

To that end, Sniqueaway will be highlighting sales with Memorial Day availability, such as the Stage Neck Inn in York, Maine, and The Inn of Fifth in Naples, FL. Keep an eye out for more Memorial Day offers in the coming days.

Portsmouth, NH; photo courtesy of Shutterstock

 

Here are a few great options for the upcoming long weekend:

Washington, D.C. – To honor the patriotic side of this very patriotic holiday, there’s no better place to go than D.C. Expect a few crowds, sure, but fair weather for exploring the city’s sights.

Cape May, NJ – Beach towns all over the country start their season Memorial Day weekend, and this gem of the Jersey shore is a great spot to ring in another summer.

Santa Cruz, CA – “Summer” is relative here (expect wake up to chilly, foggy mornings) but this seaside surf haven kicks into high gear on Memorial Day–rides on its famous boardwalk are open until 11pm.

Portsmouth, NH – One of our favorite local towns, Portsmouth embodies everything we love about New England: Crisp, salty sea air; historic architecture; eclectic cuisine, and tight-knit community feel.

Austin, TX – Memorial Day is the de facto kick-off for boating season in Austin, making this a perfect chance to hit the water (and grab some of Austin’s famous BBQ, of course).

Seattle, WA – Everyone thinks Seattle has terrible weather, but the reality is that summers are fantastic–think temps in the 70s and less rain than we get here in Boston! Memorial Day, and May in general, is a great time to visit this beautiful, vibrant, and unique Pacific Northwest city.

Chicago, IL – Chicago, like Boston, emerges from its winter doldrums with much fanfare. The city’s beaches officially open, and on Sunday the 26th, Lakshore Drive closes (temporarily) for cyclists to enjoy.

Sanibel Island, FL – May is considered for this quiet Gulf Coast retreat–the snowbirds have gone but summer’s humidity is (usually) still holding off, meaning visitors in May get the best of both worlds.

Summer Dreamin’

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He’s at it again. Old Man Winter has been wreaking havoc around our Boston office. So, while sloshing through slush on the morning commute to work, it’s hard not to daydream about white-sand beaches and piña coladas. One hotel that boasts both of these things—plus an infinity pool and an ocean-view restaurant—is the Bacolet Beach Club on the island of Tobago. Oh, and did we mention it’s owned by former fashion model Gloria Jones-Knapp? Très chic, indeed. If you can’t make it to Tobago, we think the best way to survive the winter is by splurging on a few summertime accessories (and cranking that heat waaay up).

Bacolet Beach Club, Tobago

Photos courtesy of Target, Lockerz and Sephora

{From left}

Target Tribal-Print Swimsuit, $30

Rebecca Minkoff Sunglasses Case, $75

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, $25

Still can’t get a warm-weather getaway off your mind? Enter our Dream. Pin. Win. contest by February 5th to win $1,000 in SniqueAway credit toward a dream escape! See details here.

Say it ain’t so, Summer!

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With Labor Day come and gone, summer has tragically, albeit unofficially, come to a close. Sure, fall doesn’t truly start until September 22, but as we find ourselves once again sipping a pumpkin spice latte while stuck behind some lumbering school bus on the way to work, there’s no denying it: Summer has taken leave of us.

Fortunately, there are places in the world where summer never ends. Places where warm weather and sunshine reign year round, and where snow, sleet, and freezing rain never dare show their grim, unwelcome faces. If a never-ending summer sounds good to you, check out these hot destinations!

Clockwise from top right:
Point Estero Beach Resort, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Hotel St. Francis, Santa Fe, NM

Sunshine Suites, Grand Cayman

Royal Solaris Los Cabos, Los Cabos, Mexico

End-of-Summer Cocktail: The Spicy Secreto

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Contrary to popular belief (and, well, Florence Welch), the dog days are not over. Before we trade in our beachwear for booties, we’re going to celebrate the lingering summer weather with an equally sizzling cocktail: the Spicy Secreto.

Hotel St. Francis, Spicy Secreto Cocktail

Photo courtesy of Liquid Living Magazine

Hotel St. Francis in historic Santa Fe, New Mexico, mixes up the award-winning cocktail using jalapeños and Brazilian rum. Here’s the recipe:

Shake up:

-1 1/2 oz. Cabana Cachaça

-3/4 oz. St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur

-2 oz. fresh sour mix (2 parts simple syrup, 2 parts lemon juice, 1 part lime juice)

Pour over ice and garnish with:

-2 slices cucumber

-1 slice jalapeño (seeds removed)

-New Mexican red chile rim

If your palate can handle the punch (we promise it’s worth it), why not let the creator of the drink—Hotel St. Francis’ Daniel Gonzales—whip one up for you in person?