Imagine driving through the countryside south of Annapolis, Md., and suddenly coming upon a tropical paradise. Drawn by the pink luster of buildings seen through tropical foliage, you drive through the gates and enter Herrington Harbour, a vacation spot that makes you feel you have landed in the Caribbean. Here you will find a marina and Herrington Harbour Inn, where you can spend the night and get up the next morning to the sound of water lapping the sandy beach. If the peacefulness is too much for you, you can check in with your hectic life anytime via the complimentary high-speed wireless access. Herrington Harbour Inn is situated right on Herring Bay, just off the Chesapeake Bay. Its Caribbean atmosphere is created by the palm and banana trees, hibiscus and other tropical plants. A walk around the grounds will convince you that you want to stay for a long time. Life slows down and satisfies here.

Beginning with the free continental breakfast eaten in a sunroom of pale blue walls and bright tropical furnishings, you wind down by degrees. After breakfast, you can sit under a tropical thatched umbrella on the private beach, reading a good book or simply watching the birds. If you want to get some exercise, try the two-mile roundtrip Eco-Trail. This walk consists of 19 stops that feature plants and animals. You will see beaches, butterfly habitats, terrapin nesting sites, tree-lined shorelines and beautiful gardens. Note as you stroll the low bulkheads that allow nature to thrive right up to the water. You may even see a turtle or great blue heron.

If that is not enough exercise, you can always work out at the fitness center or take advantage of the tennis courts. If you are visiting between Memorial Day and mid-September, you may want to spend some time at the Olympic-sized pool while keeping an eye on the little ones at their own kiddie pool.

When you get hungry, you can go to Mango’s. Bar and Grill where lunch and dinner are served in the summer and dinner the rest of the year. In addition to dinner entrees of seafood, chicken, beef and pasta, the menu features appetizers, sandwiches, salads, soups, desserts, and a kids menu. Mangos serves poolside as well. If you like to fish, you can catch a fishing charter from the marina.

A new feature is the Beach Trolley, which will take you to North Beach, Chesapeake Beach, Deale and lots of places in-between . It runs the circuit every two hours Friday through Monday. A trip into North Beach means shopping at antique shops and gift shops, and stopping by the bakery, cafe or deli and having something hot or cold to drink along with something really yummy to eat. In Chesapeake Beach, you can play at the water park and find other good places to eat. If you stay on the bus and go to Deale, you can visit Herrington Harbour North where you will see buildings from the 1800s, which have been moved there in an effort to preserve local architecture. The nine buildings include a school, dairy, outhouse, farmhouse, and slave quarters.

Herrington Harbour is a popular site for weddings. With bay and boats in the background and tropical flowers everywhere, it is a romantic Polynesian setting. The wedding arbor is custom decorated for each wedding, and in the background is a waterfall fountain, surrounded by flowers. Weddings can also be held indoors in the historic Yacht Club. Herrington on the Bay caters weddings and all other events, such as anniversary celebrations, business meetings, family reunions. The friendly staff at Herrington on the Bay will work with you to plan your event. Events can be held year around. Weddings can be held outdoors May–November.

Carved out of an area rich with legends of Indians, peaceful Quakers and pirates with buried treasure, Herrington Harbour was the creation of Joseph Rose, who in the 1940s looked at the swampy land and visualized a thriving community, marina and resort. His dream materialized as the town of Rose Haven and the Rose Haven Yacht Club, now Herrington Harbour.

Herrington Harbour is an award-winning resort and marina that is environmentally friendly and is always conscious of how any planned change could affect the environment. For more information, visit www.herringtonharbour.com or call 1-800-213-9438.