| Your perfect vacation in Destin, Florida. | | | | Don't go after dinner... everyone thinks its a good |
| Greetings! As a long time local of Destin, FL (over | | | | idea... if you know what I mean. |
| 30 years) many of my clients ask me about | | | | Afternoon: Check out the Destin Commons. They |
| places to go and things to do on the Emerald | | | | have shops and an playground/water area for the |
| Coast. I have developed the perfect vacation | | | | kids. |
| week for "going local" on the Gulf Coast. It is a | | | | Evening: Go out to dinner early...about 5pm. Then |
| balance of beach time, shopping, and activities. | | | | you will beat the dinner rush and lines. I |
| My first recommendation is a 10 day trip. Why? | | | | recommend a restaurant along the Destin Harbor. |
| The reason is the weather. Florida is a tropical | | | | The Lucky Snapper has a nice view and you'll be |
| state and we have regular afternoon | | | | able to see the sunset. If you want to go out for |
| thunderstorms or rain. It usually doesn't rain all | | | | drinks, there are places at the Harbor Walk. |
| day. In fact if you are willing to drive, you can find | | | | Day 3: Enjoy the beach in the morning then |
| another beach area that is sunny. | | | | schedule an afternoon sailing trip with one of the |
| I want you to get the most "bang for your buck" | | | | boats in the Destin Harbor: Southern Star, Silent |
| during your beach vacation. In 10 days, I'm sure | | | | Lady AJs sailing boat, and Nathaniel Bowditch. |
| you will have enough beach time for the perfect | | | | Normally you will see Dolphins. They also have |
| tan. | | | | sunset cruises. Sometimes they offer special |
| My second (very important) recommendation is | | | | cruises with wine and cheese. In the evening head |
| sunscreen and being mindful of the time you | | | | over to Baytowne Warf. They have outdoor |
| spend on the beach. Our beaches have some of | | | | concerts and fun things for kids and adults. |
| the whitest sand in the world. It's also highly | | | | Day 4: Relax on the beach (you should have a |
| reflective and umbrellas do not offer complete | | | | base tan by now). There are also several golf |
| protection. By the time you realize you are | | | | courses in the area to enjoy as well. Just Google |
| sunburned,it's too late. For the first couple of days | | | | Destin Golf courses. In front of the Surfside |
| of your trip spend only a couple hours in the | | | | condo, their are beach vendors with jet ski |
| morning and late afternoon on the beach. That | | | | rentals or again go back to the Destin harbor for |
| way you will have a base tan. Be mindful to put | | | | boat or jet ski rentals. |
| sunscreen on the tops of your feet, your ears, | | | | Day 5: Take a break from the beach with a trip |
| hairline, and under your nose. If you do forget | | | | to the Spa at the Hilton Serenity by the sea NOT |
| those spots...you will not forgot them next year. | | | | the Sandestin spa. It's still needs renovation. Then |
| My third recommendation. This is very important | | | | head down to South Walton for shopping and |
| too. We do have a garden variety of | | | | sightseeing. Stop by Grayton beach, Seaside and |
| thunderstorms that pop up along the Gulf Coast | | | | Water color. If you want to go farther down 30A |
| very quickly. Lighting is often associated with | | | | check out Rosemary beach. Each township has |
| these storms. It can be deadly. More people die | | | | interesting shops and cafes. |
| from lighting strikes then hurricanes and both are | | | | Day 6: Deep sea fishing in the morning. You will |
| preventable. If you see a storm coming, leave the | | | | have to get up early for this. There are also back |
| beach. It's not safe to be in the water or on the | | | | water fishing tours as well. For the ladies I would |
| beach. Period. If you can hear thunder, you can be | | | | stop by Silver Sands outlet mall and the Grand |
| hit. Fortunately, most storms (unless it's a large | | | | Blvd at Sandestin. |
| front moving through) only last about an hour or | | | | Day 7: Enjoy the beach all day.. you deserve it. |
| two. Be safe. Don't take chances. | | | | Day 8: Rain day... there will be only one or none.. if |
| Are we ready to have fun now! | | | | you are really lucky. At the Destin Commons |
| There are three major resort areas to choose | | | | they have the RAVE theatre. There are also a |
| from on the Gulf Coast: Ft. Walton Beach, Destin, | | | | couple of paint n place stores for the kids to do |
| and South Walton. There are within 45 minutes | | | | their own pottery: Fired up in Seaside. There is a |
| driving time from one end to the other. I will pick | | | | Barnes and Noble and Books a Million close to the |
| activates from all three so that you get familiar | | | | Destin Commons. Just kick back, rent a movie |
| with the area. | | | | and relax at the condo. |
| Day 1. Arrive. Most hotel or condo check in times | | | | Day 9: Enjoy the beach one last time or take a |
| are after 3pm. I suggest just get settled in and | | | | canoe trip through the coastal dune lakes in South |
| relax. The sunset time during the summer months | | | | Walton. Rent a bike and take a ride along 30A. |
| is between 6pm and 7:30pm. I recommend | | | | Head over to Ft. Walton beach and enjoy the |
| getting a couple of plastic glasses (no glass on the | | | | shops and excellent restaurants just over the |
| beach) and a beverage to to go out and enjoy | | | | Brooks bridge in Historic FWB. |
| the sunset with. | | | | Day 10. Time to leave. Hopefully it won't be too |
| Day 2: Beach time! Sunrise is beautiful on the Gulf | | | | sunny this day.. that makes it harder to go. But |
| Coast if you are inclined to get up that early. The | | | | don't worry we will still be here next year and we |
| beach is empty and it's the perfect time to | | | | look forward to welcoming you back. |
| exercise. Enjoy the beach till about 10:30. Then go | | | | I hope you have enjoyed your vacation to |
| to Publix supermarket to get groceries. The lines | | | | Northwest Florida. Be sure to come back down |
| are shorter during the day and it's not as crowed. | | | | and see us. The door is always open. |