Boca, Baby!!!

Are you headed to the sunny state of Florida? Be sure to add Boca Rotan to your list of cities to hit. It's clean, lively and exudes Florida living. It's easily accessible from Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach airports.

Now we are past logistics and on to the fun stuff. I spent a long weekend with my girlfriends in Boca. From the time you touch down, you are surrounded by beautiful water and palm trees everywhere. We were graciously hosted by our friend, whose condo is conveniently located a short walking distance to the beach, the Boca Raton Museum of Art, The Boca Raton Golf Club and many restaurants.

We started our time together with cocktails on the balcony and then over to dinner at Casa D'Angelo, an upscale Italian restaurant, which was quite the culinary experience. First of all, our waiter was full of personality but also very knowledge about the cuisine and had great recommendations. Being raised with Italian grandparents, the smells and the flavors of Italy, took me back to my childhood. This is a great spot if you enjoy fine dining.

The next morning unfolded with a day of shopping and walking around Atlantic Plaza in Delray. The plaza is laid out nicely and the shops and restaurants overlook Atlantic Avenue's city life, Veteran's Park and the Intercoastal Waterway. After we worked up an appetite, we headed over to have lunch at Deck 84. This quintessential Florida restaurant is open air and located on the waterway. It is a local favorite and has been named a Top 100 al fresco restaurant by Opentable for years. Take in the intercoastal views while enjoying American cuisine, unique sushi and fresh seafood. You can also arrive by boat, dock adjacent to the restaurant and enjoy happy hour on the water.

For a late night dining experience, we enjoyed Oceans 234, another unique and alluring waterfront restaurant. Oceans 234 features an open layout offering complete views of the Atlantic Ocean, plus an expansive outdoor patio and lounge. They can host large parties and private events. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by an "expert" waiter. He was knowledgeable about the dishes and every ingredient, perfect if you or anyone in your party has dietary restrictions. The menu is complete with land-to-sea dishes complimented with fresh ingredients, herbs and spices, award-wining cuisine, signature cocktails and tempting desserts.

The incredible Florida weather was perfect for getting in your daily exercise, a long walk on the beach or strolling the shops. We were treated to an outdoor yoga session under the palms, the perfect way to unwind and relax. We then headed over to the picturesque Worth Avenue in Palm Beach for some real shopping and even some picture taking. The shops are adorned with awnings and the streets lined with lighted palms. Worth Ave. is lined with luxury shops from Gucci to St. John.

Getting ready to hit the shops. All the ladies are wearing White House Black Market

Shopping builds up an appetite; am I right? On to the Meat Market for dinner. Friends, the Meat Market is a vibe with beautiful ambient lighting with large oversized chandeliers. We had a beautiful round corner booth to celebrate a few birthdays. The service was impeccable and the menu divine. Again, perfect for vegetarians and meat lovers alike.

As you would expect, there are so many community activities for families and large groups, everything from a scavenger hunt, private jet ski sessions or the butterfly museum. For the more cultural experience, you can easily spend a day at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. It is set right on Biscayne Bay and is surrounded by beautiful gardens, in which you will see fountains, grottos, statues, busts and vases.

There are several amazing walking tours. Your first step is to go to Florida Stories Walking Tours and get the free app, “Florida Stories” and select what piques your interest.

So if you’re not sure which part of Florida re to land, Boca is an amazing starting point!