The devout Muslim was wearing a  tailor-made aerodynamic veil – "Bahrain" stretched across the front of her uniform. Where is Bahrain, I said to myself and during my search for information, I came across this unforgettable snapshot of beauty – courtesy of Vladimir Arshinov.

Bahrain is an island country located in the Persian Gulf. About 3 ½ times the size of Washington, DC; the country is home to about more than 700,000 inhabitants. With mildly pleasant winters and heat-filled, humid summers, many tourists come in hopes of benefiting from the plentiful natural resources of fish and pearls. Besides catching a glimpse of the Bahrain Grand Mosque, additional points of interest include:

• Qal'at al-Bahrain: Also referred to as the Portuguese Fort, this archaeological site is considered one of the top prizes associated with the country. Excavations for this attraction started during the 1950s, revealing a fort positioned on the remains of previous cities. Seven layers were discovered with the earliest dating back to 2800 BC.

• Royal Tombs: While visiting a cemetery doesn’t sound like much fun, many tourists take pleasure in experiencing the largest and most remarkable of the 85,000 burial mounds found in Bahrain. Situated in the village of A'ali, many believe the towering tombs served as the final resting place of royalty – with some reaching 50 feet into the sky. A stop in A'ali also brings you to a well-known pottery workshop, where tourists often find treasures of their own to take home.

• Barbar Temple: This archaeological site with a religious and spiritual past consists of temples dating back to the 2nd and 3rd millennium BC. Most likely dedicated to Enki, the God of Wisdom and the Sweet Waters Under the Sea, the excavated wonders are visible when traveling about a collection of walkways.

When departing from the U.S., you should know that flights tend to be on the expensive side and harder to locate. Consider traveling during what is known as the low seasons (early January to mid-June; and mid-October to mid-December). For the best connections to Bahrain, Europe is a winner with better airline deals found in Greece, Italy, or London.

• The largest rare book collection in North America – including a rough draft of the Declaration of Independence and a Gutenberg bible (one of only four perfect vellum copies known today).
• 4.8 million maps
• 2.7 million sound recordings
• The Prelinger Collection – with more than 48,000 historical motion pictures, unique master materials, and items recently named to the National Film Registry.

The Library of Congress is found in three different buildings, each named after an influential president of the United States. The Thomas Jefferson Building is found between Independence Avenue and East Capitol Street on First Street SE. The John Adams Building is situated between Independence Avenue and East Capitol Street on 2nd Street SE. Between First and Second Streets on Independence Avenue SE, you will encounter the James Madison Memorial Building – home to the Law Library of Congress.

In case you were wondering where in the world you can find other spectacular libraries to explore – consider the New York Public Library (New York City, NY – 11 million books+); Vernadsky National Scientific Library of Ukraine (Kiev, Ukraine – more than 13 million books); Harvard University Library (Cambridge, MA – founded in 1638 with more than 13.1 million books); Institute for Scientific Information on Social Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow, Russia – over 13.5 million books since 1969); British Library (London, England – home to 16 million books and counting since 1753);  Deutsche Biblothek (Frankfurt, Germany – carries more than 18.5 million); National Library of Canada (Ottawa, Canada – home to more than 18.8 million books); Library of the Russian Academy of Sciences (St. Petersburg, Russia – stocks more than 20 million books since 1714); and the National Library of China (Beijing, China – with more than 22 million books since 1909).

Over the years, this destination has also caught the interest of tourists looking for the best views and beaches in Britain.

5) Camping Out – Grab all the necessary ingredients to create stomach-splitting S'mores in the backyard while huddling under makeshift or real tents for as long as you can stand it. Bring along a flashlight to tell ghost stories under the glow of the moon. Slather on the bug repellant, lay back, and listen to the creatures of the night. Reveal and share innermost secrets with the ones you love. The possibilities are endless when you really put your imagination to work.

6) State Lakes and Parks – Doesn’t a day lounging about the great outdoors sound like a decent day-cation? Pack a picnic lunch and sprawl out along a sandy beach while the children create castles and imaginary moats. Not too far from where I live, Jamesville Beach offers rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats for really decent prices – ranging from $2 (half-hour) to $20 (full-day) rentals.

Safe and Secure Setting

Oceano Village provides 24-hour security that does not impose on the beauty and atmosphere of the island's tranquil surroundings.

Fish All Day

If you've dreamed of retirement that offers the promise of endless fishing expeditions, allow Caribbean dolphins to guide you through the local waters of the Bay Islands – filled with marlin, sailfish, and tuna.

Great Value

The value of Oceano Village is undeniable when compared to the price of other regional properties, including luxury condos and beachfront real estate in the Caymen Islands, Bahamas, Barbados, and Hawaii. The first wave of Oceano properties includes Colonial-style White Sand villas, Cabana Beach homes with a Caribbean flavor, and South Beach condos displaying an inviting white stucco exterior.

For additional articles regarding the island of Roatan; Oceano Village; and the advantages of a luxury seaside getaway – check out:

Finding Treasure in Roatan: Scuba Diving, Caribbean Life and Gold

The Benefits of Relocating to a Luxury Seaside Village

I apologize for my absence. I have recently returned from an exciting vacation on the other side of the country. Once I am able to post images  - I will devote an entire week on the destination. Can you guess where I went? I will give you 3 clues.

2) Hot
3) Dry

Bennigan's – grill and tavern
Try the Turkey O'Toole with the Bennigan's Pretzel Roll – hmmm. They also send monthly Member Perks – like free desserts and appetizers. Locations  Freebie: Buy 1, Get 1 Free Entrée for Birthday

Houlihan's – Exotic and creative dishes; fun drinks
Receive coupons on the anniversary of your sign-up date. Locations Freebies: Free Birthday Entrée; Three's Company Mini Dessert Trio or Large Dessert on Sign-up Date Anniversary

BD's Mongolian Barbeque – Create your own stir fry
It is truly a delicious experience! They also recently opened a restaurant in Louisville. Locations  Freebie: Free Stir-Fry Meal

Ruby Tuesday's – Free Dessert