Looking for vacation houses to rent close to one another? Southern Resorts has acquired four cottages in the Maravilla complex in Destin, Florida. They are right next to each other in a row. They even have the same general floor plan and are a short walk to the community’s private beach. They are named Beachside I & II and Maui I & II.

Brand new to the Southern Resorts rental program is Crystal Dunes #407.
This luxurious 3 bedroom, 3 bath unit is one of the nicest in Destin, Florida. So nice, it is one of our Southern Treasure properties. You will enjoy spectacular views from this 4th floor end unit. We are currently accepting reservations beginning May 1st. Don’t delay, this one will book quickly!

Flurry of Snowbird Specials

February is a month of specials for Snowbird visitors to the Destin Commons with FREE Sunday Concerts and special discounts. Free Snowbird Sunday Concerts kick off with Elvis impersonator Ron Adams and The Relics on Feb. 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. in Center Plaza. Month long February discounts are for Snowbird visitors age 55 and up. Click here for more info on participating stores and restaurants offering a 10% Snowbird discount throughout February.

For a fabulous February you should spend the month at Summerplace #207 in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida.
This 3 bedroom condo is directly on the beach with a full view. You will enjoy the sunshine along with the heated pool & hot tub. The Gulfarium and the fishing pier are close by as well for you to visit.
If I could take the month off, I would spend it here!

Southern Living's Reader's Choice- Destin

For the 12th year in a row, Destin, Florida has been voted the Best Beach Town of the South in Southern Living's 2006 Readers' Choice Awards. In print, you can find it in the January 2007 issue of Southern Living or look right now on-line. Scroll down, because Destin is mentioned again, as the third best Family Vacation. Take readers advice and visit us at Southern Resorts!

New YMCA for Destin, Florida!

The Destin YMCA may be open by summer. Destin has been eagerly awaiting this new part of our community. The first phase of construction will include the administrative offices, a jogging track, locker rooms and parking. It will also include the construction of two pools, one for competition and one for families. This will allow for community swimming lessons to be held. To read the entire story click here.

Beach Re-Nourishment Update

The Beach Re-nourishment in the Walton County portion of Destin, Florida is complete! The 2 mile section in east Okaloosa County will resume in April. The addition of beach is significant and just in time for our winter guests to enjoy and then, of course, setting the stage for Spring & Summer travelers. Check out Southern Resorts beachcam!

Did you know that shopping is the most popular domestic trip activity, and is included in 30 percent of all domestic trips?How great it is to have incredible shopping in Destin, Beaches of South Walton and Fort Walton Beach, Florida. From our famed Silver Sands Outlet Mall to our newest Destin Commons, our area has it all!

Water's Edge 402 is still available for a winter stay.
It's located directly on the beach in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida.
If you must work, there is a desk set up in the bunkroom where you can use your computer.
See the property for yourself here. Don't forget to check out the virtual tours!

Happy Arbor Day!
The City of Fort Walton Beach will celebrate the State of Florida Arbor Day today by planting a Southern Magnolia at Liza Jackson Park. The tree planting will take place at 1:00 p.m. The City hopes to promote the importance of trees in our urban landscape and how they improve the community, provide wildlife habitat, generate oxygen, stabilize soil, filter pollutants from groundwater and air, and beautify the landscape.

Other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future.

— J. Sterling Morton.

Cusines of the World in Destin

Destin boasts some of the best dining! A friend told me about a fun opportunity to sample the wonderful creations at Rutherfords 465 at incredibly reasonable prices. From 4-7 pm, Monday-Friday, they feature cuisines from around the world. This week was Chech cuisine while next week highlights Mississippian. Check out the schedule here. Thanks Sue!!

Radio Live Returns to Baytowne Wharf

“RadioLive” will return to The Village of Baytowne Wharf tonight at Sandestin Resort. The evening event will feature Andi Hoffmann and B-Goes, Dana Cooper and Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart. In a partnership with WUWF in Pensacola, this concert event will be broadcast live on WUWF 88.1FM from the Events Plaza. Open-air seating begins at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 6 p.m. Admission is one or more non-perishable food items for the Manna Food Pantries of Walton County.

New Port St Joe Operations

Southern Resorts of Destin is now offering vacation rentals in Port St. Joe, Florida with the new development at Barefoot Cottages. Charming cottages, nature walks and many amenities make this a dream spot for vacationers wanting a relaxing retreat. For more details and sales opportunities, visit their site www.barefootcottages.com. For rental information look here.

Here's your chance to share your best recipe with Sarah K's Gourmet and possibly have it as one of their menu staples. Each month Sarah K's will hold a contest to find the best local recipes.
This months theme is "Dessert for Two". The winner of each month will be on the next months menu. For complete details click here.

Tomorrow is the 18th Annual Great Southern Gumbo Cook-off at the Market Shops at Sandestin. Live Cajun music will be provided by Chubby Carrier and The Bayou Swamp Band. Nearly a dozen local restaurants will be serving their best gumbo recipes in the gazebo courtyard from 11am - 3pm. Childrens events will also be going on for the younger group who might not appreciate gumbo tasting. It is a great time for children and adults. A portion of the proceeds from the event benefits the United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties.

With so much political talk in the air, it is nice to see that coastal conditions and beach renourishment are issues for Congress. Living and working on the Coast in Destin, I am encouraged that lobbyists and representatives are working on our behalf. We tend to think of the beach as mostly a fun place to vacation, which it is, but preserving our coastline has a huge impact on much more. Look to Marlowe and Company for latest developments.

The Boeing Golf tournament was a big time for Destin. With properties in Sandestin and close by, directly on the beach, Southern Resorts has wonderful accommodation opportunities. With so many schools ending just before Memorial day this year, families can make a quick run to the coast for a relaxing and fun time for everyone.

Boeing Championship

I can't wait to go back to Destin for the week of the Boeing Championship at Sandestin May 28 - June 3. It was the best PGA Tour event I've ever been to. A who's who of golf greats- Crenshaw, Floyd, Watson, Trevino, Erwin - you name it they were there.
We stayed Thursday to Sunday last year and all of the players were great to talk to. They signed autographs for the kids and everything. The Raven course looked incredible. We may go early for Memorial Day so I can play the Raven before the tournament.

If you are looking for a vacation getaway reminiscent of days gone by, look at Southern Resorts' Shell Shocked cottage. It is in the Sunrise Beach neighborhood Dune Allen, just east of Destin. The wood, architecture and details make you feel like you are visiting an old beach house, with modern, up-to-date conveniences. It is fun and playful. Take a look.

Welcome Winter Guests

2006 was a busy year in Destin, but with the start of each new year, we welcome back our snowbirds! If you are a Winter Guest, please share your thoughts and experiences here, too!

We look forward to your arrival, and enjoy having you here!

The beach renourishment in Destin and the Beaches of South Walton is progressing nicely! For a current visual update, just take a look at our beachcam. The dredging company is setting up behind one of our homes, temporarily, to re-build the beach. They have been moving quickly and we are excited about their expansion.

That is great news about golf carts in Destin. With so many properties on or close to the beach, areas like Crystal Beach will have a safe alternative to getting around the community. Some Southern Resorts' properties already have golf carts for private use of guests to get to community pools and the beach when bringing a load of beach toys.

Pretty soon you will begin to see more golf carts in Destin.
The Destin City Council members passed an ordinance in early December that would allow golf carts on any street in the city where the speed limit is 35 or below.
Before the golf carts are allowed on the road they will have to be modified with headlights, stoplights, seatbelts, and turn signals. City council members say they voted to phase the golf cart changes in over two years because they wanted to give people a chance to save up the money needed to make the modifications to their carts. The cost to modify a golf cart for street use has been estimated between $500 - $1500.

Local artist Donna Burgess will be autographing her artwork at the Donna Burgess Gallery at the Market Shops at noon on most Wednesdays this month.
Stop by the Market Shops at Sandestin to meet with Burgess and get her to personalize your art purchase.
If you are not familiar with her wonderful watercolors check her website out here.
Burgess will be available for signing from noon to 3 p.m. on the following days:
Wednesday, Jan. 3, Jan. 10, Jan. 17, Jan. 24 & Jan. 31.

For more information call (850) 837-1887.

Happy New Year Destin Style

New York may have the ball dropping at the stroke of midnight, but nothing really compares to watching the firework displays throughout Destin and surrounding areas. You could have watched incredible public displays made possible by the city or even the privately owned Baytowne or relaxed, as we did in Crystal Beach. We were not directly on the beach, but close enough to witness a myriad of shows over the water. This small coastal community knows how to ring in the new year!