Daily candy- delray beach

Delray of Light
Road Trip to Delray Beach

You rarely explore that space between bubbe in Boca and filthy rich Aunt Deirdre in West Palm. Why not? Doesn’t a weekend in Delray Beach sound nice? (Yeah, we didn’t think so at first, either).

STAY
Enjoy maximum quaintness at the historical Colony Hotel (525 East Atlantic Avenue; 561-276-4123). Not only have they kept most of the original 1920s furniture and fixtures (including an old-timey elevator), but the property is also environment and pet friendly. Or impress your honey at Sundy House (106 South Swinton Avenue; 561-272-5678). Lush tropical landscaping and a lagoon pool make the boutique hotel a popular destination for weddings — or just a romantic getaway.

SHOP
Speaking of romance, pick up luxury lingerie by Cosabella, Eberjey, and Princesse Tam Tam at Katie’s Place (424 East Atlantic Avenue; 561-265-1305). Love Shack (137 East Atlantic Avenue; 561-276-7755) has funky Moss Mills rings plus lines like Loomstate, ParkVogel, and Ella Moss, while House of Vintage (123 South Swinton Avenue; 561-276-7477) stocks great old school finds like Catalina swimsuits and Gucci shades. Save room for a cupcake: The House of Sweets bakery is in the back.

SEE (and DO)
What? Japanese pioneers settled in Delray in the early 1900s? ’Tis true, and the lovely, serene Morikami Japanese Gardens (4000 Morikami Park Road; 561-495-0233) are proof. Chow on sushi at the cafe, then work it off with a stroll through the bamboo grove, rock garden, and bonsai displays. Still not feeling quite Zen? Work out your aggression at the Delray Shooting Center (1505 Poinsettia Drive; 561-265-0700). Two words: machine guns.

SCARF
Grab breakfast on the beach at Caffe Luna Rosa (34 South Ocean Boulevard; 561-274-9404). For dinner, Lemongrass (420 East Atlantic Avenue; 561-278-5050), where the owner is Thai, the decor is NYC chic, and the food is tasty. Order the curry puff, meek kob, and duck entree. If you’re on South Beach time (as in dinner after 11), head to Dada (52 Swinton Avenue; 561-330-3232), a cottage-turned-lounge where the crab cakes are as good as the G&Ts.

SPA
Cap off (or start) your trip with a stop at The Maui Spa (2100 Northwest Boca Raton Boulevard; 561-395-7733). It’s 7,000 square feet of pure bliss. Start out in the Hana room — waterfall shower, infrared sauna, and aromatherapy steam room — then go for the Wai Meli (honey) scrub and a Lomi Lomi (“rub out”) massage. The spa also offers party packages for both girls and boys, tea tastings, yoga, and hula classes.

Bubbe in a grass skirt? Now that’s one for the family vacation album.