With guaranteed sunshine, endless beaches, a buzzing restaurant scene, and vibrant art and cultural calendar, The Palm Beaches has so much to offer travellers in 2022 and we’ll be looking at everything from undersea art to music, new openings and food in this travel guide.
Here are the top five reasons why The Palm Beaches should be on everyone’s lists this year.
1. The destination to slow down, rebalance and rejuvenate
The best places for a spot of R&R in The Palm Beaches can be found outdoors with soothing open-air massages, beachside yoga classes on secluded sands and outdoor fitness activities on offer throughout the county.
The Palm Beaches is home to resort spas ranking among the best in the world. For a touch of glamour, the newly renovated The Boca Raton (above) recently reopened Spa Palmera in December 2021. The 54,000 square-foot Alhambra inspired spa offers a superb range of ayurvedic treatments, while the Amrit Ocean Resort and Residences, which is scheduled to open in Summer 2022 on picturesque Singer Island, will become the destination for those after a more holistic approach to wellness.
This cutting-edge health-centric resort will offer first-class service along with a programme combining Eastern wellbeing philosophies and western technology to create personalised journeys for each guest and resident.
2. Amazing diving experiences from art sculptures to giant fish sightings
Not only can divers enjoy an abundance of marine life sightings, but those with a passion for the arts can get their fill underwater.
Divers can enjoy submerged sculptures such as a double helix, hammerhead sharks and more – all to help The Palm Beaches’ reef systems to thrive. Other exciting dives include the Corridor Wreck Trek with its five wrecks. One of them is the Ana Cecilia, a 170-foot freighter that was scuttled in 2016 as an addition to the artificial reef system and is lying upright in 85 feet of water.
It is also a perfect spot to view the Goliath Grouper Aggregation during the summer months. Thrill-seekers will love Area 51; a deep drift dive parallel to Juno Beach – a great spot to witness the lemon shark migration between December and March.
3. A vibrant mix of music, art and events year-round
Mixing a beach holiday with cultural events is one of the greatest reasons the Palm Beaches shine. Its thriving art and culture scene, world-class exhibitions, and award-winning shows are all part of the experience.
In Delray Beach, travellers will enjoy the new Delray Art Trail showcasing a collection of art galleries, installations, murals and studios, as well as the new monthly art walk. The 2022 cultural diary includes Broadway acclaimed shows such as the Tony-nominated Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre from 22 March to 10 April 2022, The Machu Picchu, and the Golden Empires of Peru exhibition at the Boca Raton Museum of Art is on until the 06 March 2022.
SunFest, Florida’s largest waterfront music and art festival in West Palm Beach, will take place from 22 April until 01 May 2022, where over 50 performers and 100 artists will take centre stage. Autumn 2022 sees the return of The West Palm Beach renowned nightclub and jazz venue The Sunset Lounge following a multimillion-dollar renovation. Dating back to 1925, it once hosted the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong and will pay tribute to its musical roots and history.
4. There is a beach for everyone
With an abundance of beach parks spanning 47 miles along the Atlantic Ocean, there are ample options for those looking for seclusion, adventure, or wildlife. The expansive Carlin Park is amazing for families with its gentle water and excellent facilities, including covered picnic areas with grills, as well as playgrounds and changing areas.
For pure relaxation, serene and calm Atlantic Dunes Park is perfect, while Loggerhead Park in Juno Beach is ideal for spotting manatees and loggerhead sea turtles.
Visit Peanut Island (above) home to the former Cold War bunker built for John F. Kennedy for something a bit different. Delray Beach is another great option, often named one of Florida’s best beaches. This buzzy stretch is teeming with shops and restaurants, while the two-mile beach is ideal for sunbathing, swimming, surfing and snorkelling.
5. A foodie heaven
The Palm Beaches boasts over 3,400 dining venues for every budget. The destination is home to some of the most famous chefs globally, prestigious accolades, cocktail bars and a handful of vibrant distilleries.
2022 will see the launch of exciting new restaurants. They include Akira Back in Delray Beach from the Michelin starred Chef serving Asian fare drawing from his Korean heritage and travels around the globe, and Harry’s in The Square, a sister restaurant to the eponymous New York City steakhouse, which will open this Summer. Nominated the No. 1 farmers market in the U.S, the West Palm Beach Greenmarket is also worth a visit, home to 100 vendors and open every Saturday until 16 April 2022.
The annual Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival takes place from 8 to 11 December this year. Its 15th year will see a star-studded lineup of celebrity chefs set over four days. The programme includes intimate gatherings with some of America’s most-spotlighted culinary talent, wine tastings, cocktail events and cooking demonstrations.
For more information about The Palm Beaches, visit www.ThePalmBeaches.com.
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