in 2001, making it the only two-time award winner in the state of Florida. Only 10 communities in the U.S. receive this award each year.

From the moment you arrive in Delray Beach you’ll know it’s a special place, the kind of place you want to call home. This seaside city provides its residents a quality of life that is hard to match. Warm ocean breezes, crystal blue skies and a near perfect climate are enough to convince people to make their permanent home here.

Making a trip to the beach is the first priority of many visitors. The Delray Municipal Beach was selected by Travel Holiday magazine as the top public beach in the southeastern U.S. for swimming and one of the top 35 beaches in the country. South Florida Parenting magazine rated it as Number1 beach in Palm Beach County. You can park and take a short walk along a winding path that will pass through natural grasses and sea oats. Then you’ll be ready to relax, work on your tan, read a book or pursue more active interests like windsurfing, parasailing or sea kayaking. Scuba divers can explore the historic wreck of the S.S. Inchulva, which is located only a few hundred yards offshore.

Atlantic Avenue is the heart of Delray Beach’s thriving downtown area. It stretches from A1A along the beach to I-95, one of Florida’s major interstate highways. The brick-paved sidewalks are lined by live oaks, palm trees and decorative street lamps, creating the ambience of a charming small town. Yet Atlantic Avenue is home to over 250 restaurants, galleries and boutiques. This area is the result of an intense redevelopment effort that has drawn national acclaim. Delray Beach was awarded the Centennial Medallion Award, which acknowledges the nation’s most significant works of landscape architecture.

Delray Beach was founded by a combination of American, European, African-American and Japanese settlers in early 1900’s. The city’s roots are firmly entrenched with the idea that cultural diversity is a pillar of the community. Delray Beach has several museums that serve as a reminder of the city’s humble beginnings.

THE MORIKAMI MUSEUM AND JAPANESE GARDENS is an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the way early Japanese settlers lived and raised their crops in the Yamato colony. This 200-acre park includes the only museum in the Unites States dedicated to living Japanese culture. It originally opened in 1977 with a land gift from George Morikami, who emigrated from Japan in the early 1900’s. The original museum is fashioned after a traditional Japanese residence of that time period. The newer state-of-the-art 32,000 square foot museum features expansive galleries with Japanese art and artifacts. You can witness a Japanese tea ceremony during one of the museum’s regularly scheduled demonstrations. The museum’s Cornell Café is a great place to enjoy a traditional Japanese lunch

Among the highlights of my tour was the Shinden Garden (Heian period c.9^th-12^th centuries)- Japanese aristocrats adapted Chinese garden design that featured lakes and islands, often viewed from a boat. A side-by-side bridge and zig-zag bridge carry us over the water. The Bamboo Grove- The sound of wind through the leaves offers sensory pleasure. Bamboo forms a triad, with pine and plum, of auspicious symbols often found in gardens and throughout Japanese culture. Bonsai-Literally meaning “tray planting” and bonsai are trees or groupings of trees artistically shaped and cultivated in a container. The collection at The Morikami is the most outstanding public display pf the living art of bonsai in the southeastern United States and emphasizes species that flourish in Florida but not in more temperate climates. And Morikami Falls - this dramatic and powerful waterfall combines massive boulders and flowing water in a composition of dynamic tension.

I stayed at the Delray Beach Marriott that is within walking distance of historic Atlantic Avenue’s boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, fine restaurants, outdoor cafes and “Arts and Jazz on the Avenue.”   www.delraybeachmarriott.com

The Delray Beach Marriott is a tropical & inviting respite from everyday life. It is tucked away within a relaxing setting on South Florida’s Gold Coast, a Florida-travel treasure.. This property is perfect for those in search of seashore, serenity and service. It has superbly appointed guest rooms including 84 suites and four luxury suites in the total 268 guest room complex. Recreational services include: Outdoor pool, Jacuzzi and poolside activities, Cascade Pool Bar & Restaurant featuring light menu and tropical beverages. Seacrest Grill offers delightful blend of Caribbean and local flavors in  a tropical setting. O’Grady’s lobby Lounge offers light menu accompanied by live jazz and acoustical favorites.

One of the most popular events is the Delray Beach Garlic Festival in November There are three days of entertainment with the best garlic dishes including plenty of gourmet items. www.dbgarlicfest.com

Inspired by the world famous Garlic Festival in Gilroy, California, the Delray Beach Garlic Fest has set the precedent of being the most unique culinary arts and food festival in South Florida.. This is a celebration of the most widely used and loved food in the world…GARLIC!

The main attraction, Gourmet Alley, is the heart of the festival. The most original and original dishes are discovered here. In a gigantic kitchen area, local chefs perform magic over blazing fire pits to the delight of the spectators. Iron skillets sizzled with Festival Calamari, Garlic fries, Sausage and peppers. Brochette, Rosemary  & Garlic Marinated Pepper Steak sandwiches, Shrimp Scampi and mounds of Garlic bread. Another attraction in Garlic Chef Stadium was the 2^nd Annual Garlic Chef Competition, cooking demonstrations from area chefs and you can witness the judging of the Annual Professional recipe Contest.

As a world-class visitor’s destination, Delray Beach offers a wide range of options for your dining pleasure. One of the best fine dining establishments can be found along Atlantic Avenue at 32 East located directly across from scenic Old School Square, home of the Garlic Festival. It is a stylish restaurant defined by its setting…it was once an antique auction house. The exterior was custom-crafted to display its 1950’s era heritage, with an overhang defining an outdoor terrace. Interior has neighborhood “bistro” ambiance.

The Contemporary American menu changes daily, reflecting the chef’s commitment to sourcing the freshest seasonal ingredients available. My choice was Wood Roasted Whole Yellowtail Snapper with Avocado, Lime Mojo and Yucca Chips. The key Lime Mousse Tart topped off a delicious meal. It was no wonder they received the Florida Trend’s Golden Spoon Award. www.32east.com 

The Kyoto Sushi Sake Lounge put together the most magnificent sushi boat to serve eight of us.  Located 25 NE 2^nd Avenue, Ste, 208, Delray Beach We had a delightful outdoors lunch at Holiday Inn Highland Beach overlooking the ocean.  Located at 2809 South Ocean Blvd. 561-278-6241

A real treat for the spa–lover in me was a trip to NV Day Spa Wellness Center at 816 Palm Trail (1/2 mile North of Atlantic Ave.) Delray Beach 561-330-3003.This spa offers the finest Salon and Spa services from Thalassotherapy facials, massage and body treatments to Yoga classes and customized wellness programs.