Escapes Month is in full swing and we want to hear from you, our readers, about your favorite summer vacation escapes. Send us your summer escapes photos and description, and if they're chosen we'll send you a free Apartment Therapy t-shirt! Details below.

To jumpstart our Northwestern Reader Escapes, I'm revealing my secret, favorite vacation getaway (although it's not a summer one -- I can't remember the last time I went anywhere in the summer)... and crossing my fingers that there will still be a room waiting for me when next I venture south...

Name: Leslie
Location: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Link: Casa Amorita
Description: I've traveled all over the world, lived in a bustling European capital and on a quiet Mediterranean island, sailed on ships. There are several places in Europe that I'd move to within 24 hours if given the chance. So it's a little funny to me that three times in the past three years I've ended up at a little B&B in this Mexican resort town...

...and that I only ended up in Puerto Vallarta the first time because it's a short flight from San Francisco. And at Casa Amorita because I didn't want to stay at a huge resort, and it got rave reviews on TripAdvisor.

Now I go stay at this lovely B&B in the center of town because as soon as the taxi drives away, all my tension and stress leave with it. Rita, the owner, has become like family. I sleep in, sit on my balcony (the view is shown above the jump), leave the French doors open the entire visit, eat delicious breakfasts, and read, read, read. No telephone, no television, no computer, no iPod. I don't spend time shopping because most shops cater to the tourists and cruise ship crowds. I can walk all over and feel safe. I've listened to jazz, had the best tapas of my life at La Esquina de los Caprichos, and even met up with a friend who traveled the world with me and happened to be in PV at the same time. I go because I love being by the water, because I sleep better than I do anywhere else (despite the sounds of church bells and falling mangoes), because the people are friendly, and because I leave feeling rejuvenated by the scents and tastes and colors and Mediterranean design influence, the sunshine and the slower pace. ___________________________________________________________

Welcome to Our Escapes Month at Apartment Therapy!

Join us by sending in your own pictures or links to your favorite summer escapes. In return, if we post you, we'll send you the AT t-shirt of your choice (take a look here). Whether it's a summer place, a roof deck, a lake house, a hotel, a tent, or a B&B in a foreign country, we're looking to share the touches, tips and inspiration that are brought home. Share the wealth.

Email your:
• Images
• Name
• Location
• Lodging Link
• Short Design Description

to: sf (at) apartmenttherapy (dot) com.

We'll let you know when we post your pics, and ask you for your AT t-shirt choice and address.