Throughout the winter, Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals welcomes snowbirds down from the colder climates of the North.  To show appreciation for our guests, we organize various Snowbird Socials with doughnuts, coffee, games, prizes and more in our offices along the Beaches of Northwest Florida. 

Yesterday, February 12th, our Destin Snowbird Social included our traditional food and refreshments along with an indoor putt putt golf course to save us all from the chilly weather outside.  The course design was well thought out and many of our visitors enjoyed the chance to relaxe and have a little fun with others in the area.  Some of the crowd decided to be spectators as they enjoyed their tasty treats while others engaged in the tough competition.  Along with the food and games, chances to win various prizes make each social even more fun.

Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals has also created a webpage catering to Snowbirds, www.SouthernResorts.com/Snowbirds.  This page lists featured properties and the upcoming social times for each of our offices.  When you visit this page, be sure to checkout the Snowbird referral plan and the list of local snowbird clubs. 

Take a look at the video shown below of the Destin Snowbird Social from yesterday, February 10, 2010.

For information on local events, accommodations and exclusive specials become our fan at www.thefacebook.com/SouthernResorts.

In case you’re not up to date on your sporting events, the New Orleans Saints won the Superbowl last weekend.  So, it’s safe to say that Mardi Gras has been kick started a little pre-emptively this year.  In fact, all along the Beaches of Northwest Florida, there have been countless fans (fairweather and die hard) showing there support for their team and love for Fat Tuesday! 

The traditional Mardi Gras is obviously in the Big Easy or as they are now referring to it, The Big Comeback (in reference to the reconstruction following Hurricane Katrina.) 

But, in recent years, Pensacola has become one of the best Mardi Gras celebrations of the southeast.  With a weekend full of activities, there is never a dull moment.  Get the weekend going with the Krewe of Lafitte Illuminated Parade.  This annual event includes many floats, ships and marching units.  On Saturday, The 2010 Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade will be held in Downtown Pensacola.  If you still have energy in the tank come Sunday, come enjoy the Krewe of Wrecks Parade.  This Sunday celebration is perhaps the largest event of them all as the crowd will rival that of the Blue Angels Air Show every July. 

Make your big plans this weekend to visit Pensacola Beach and stay with Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals.  To find information on more events, accommodations and exclusive specials become our fan at www.thefacebook.com/SouthernResorts.

The Northwest Symphony Orchestra is proud to present “Stars of Tomorrow” featuring the champions of the prestigious regional Concert Competition on February 19th at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center of Northwest Florida State College.

The performance will also feature tubist Chester Schmitz, the former 35 year principal tubist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops along with being the NFSO’s current principal tubist.  He will be performing Kleinsinger’s classic “Tubby the Tuba.”

The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra is the premiere professional symphony in the region.  The venue includes a custom orchestra shell, used for NFSO at each of their concerts which provides an optimum acoustical experience.  The NFSO also performs at special events throughout the region, provides a vivid musical education to area youth and has a dedicated guild of volunteers who support all of the different orchestra endeavors. 

As a special thank you for our active military, discounted tickets are available at $16 per ticket (limit of 4).  The box office opens at 6:00pm.

Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals invites you and your family out to this fun filled event just to the North of Destin in Niceville, Florida.  Northwest Florida State College and the Mattie Kelly Arts Center are located about 10 minutes away once you cross Choctawhatchee Bay.  The Mid-Bay Bridge will provide beautiful views as you head towards this event.  Take a Left on John Sims Pkwy (you should see a BP gas station on the corner and a McDonald’s right down the street).  Proceed west until you pass Wendy’s and take a right on Cedar Street.  Follow this road all the way down until you reach Northwest Florida State College.

The Northwest Florida Symphony Guild will also host a Food & Wine Tasting Event on Sunday, February 21st.

What are your plans for Mardi Gras in Panama City Beach?  The 13th annual St. Andrews Mardi Gras Festival and Parades will last from February 10-13, 2010.  However, the main events will be this weekend February 12-13.  Historic St. Andrews is located in Panama City and will come alive with Mardi Gras festivities, sponsored by The Krewe of St.Andrews.

With a focus on community and family, the Krewe of St. Andrews arranges many family-oriented activities throughout the festival such as a special Pet Parade and Kids’ Parade.  The overall tone of St. Andrews Mardi Gras is meant to bring together fun-loving people of all ages.

February 12th ~ Kid’s Parade & Mardi Gras Pet Parade; 4:00 PM
The Kids’ Parade will travel down Beck Avenue from 15th Street to 11th Street, as they will throw out beads, stuffed animals, toys and more. Adults are asked to stay back and allow the children to have a chance at some Mardi Gras  fun.

February 13th ~ St. Andrew’s Mardi Gras 5K Run/Walk;  8:00 AM
The Mardi Gras 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Family Fun Run/Walk will begin at Oaks by the Bay Park on 10th Street and Beck Avenue in St. Andrews.  $15 early registration for 5K; $10 early registration for 1 Mile.  Contact Joe at 763-5005 or 774-0018 or Marty at 265-8439.

February 13th ~ Mardi Gras 13th Annual Grande Parade; 1:00 PM
Over 14 Krewes with more than 20 vividly colored floats will begin the parade at Oakland Terrace Park, down 11th to Beck and Beck to 15th. There will be plenty of awesome beads, doubloons, and other unique treasures to catch. This serves as the Grand Finale parade for Bay County’s Mardi Gras Season.

Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals invites you to come enjoy the fun with the Krewe of St. Andrews.  For information on events, exclusive specials and accommodations along the Beaches of Northwest Florida, become our fan at www.thefacebook.com/SouthernResorts.

Looking for a place to stay during the festivities?  Check out one of our newest accommodations, Tidewater 1016.

Do you love wine? Do you enjoy the beautiful emerald water and sugar white sand along the Beaches of Northwest Florida? Isn’t it great when we get to combine these two?

Alright, enough with the questions.  In case you didn’t know, Florida is home to 22 commercial wineries with a focus on producing vinifera and native Muscadine wines.  Northwest Florida is home to five of these wineries including Emerald Coast Wine Cellars in Destin, SeaBreeze Winery in Panama City Beach, Chautauqa Vineyards in Defuniak Springs, Monticello Vineyards and Winery in Tallahassee and Three Oaks Winery in Vernon.

Muscadine grapes have high levels of polyphenols and other nutrients that help fight off various bacteria and fungus.  Whether you’re a fan of red or white wine, Muscadine grapes may be found in each order.  In their natural habitat, they proved a good food source to wildlife. 

The Vinifera grape is a common grape that has been grown and harvested in different varieties.  It is known as the main source of old world wine and table grapes.

So, to my father and all of you other wine lovers out there, you now have a little more knowledge about wine along the panhandle of Florida.  Enjoy your wine, drink responsibly and revel in the fact that a glass of wine a day may keep the doctor away. 

To find more information about the Beaches of Northwest Florida including events, exclusive specials and accommodations, become a fan of Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals at www.thefacebook.com/SouthernResorts.

Do you love untouched natural surroundings and wildlife?  The Buffer Preserve in Port St. Joe, Florida serves as a place of protection for various native species, archaeological and historical sites.  It also serves as a place of recreation for you nature lovers out there who love to visit the Forgotten Coast.   

Tomorrow, February 6th, The St. Joseph’s Bay Preserve Center will host a shrimp boil and open house with walking and riding tours to benefit the Buffer Preserve.  Live music, nature and a delicious meal will make your night complete as you come out to this worthy charitable event.  For only $10, you’ll be able to enjoy all of the food including shrimp, kielbasa sausage, corn, potatoes, garlic bread, tea and soda.

Come on out to the St. Joseph Bay Preserve Center at 3915 State Road 30-A, Port St. Joe, FL 32456.

Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals offers many wonderful properties along the Forgotten Coast in Port St. Joe, Mexico Beach and WindMark Beach.  If you’re looking for tranquility, this is perhaps one of the best areas along the Beaches of Northwest Florida.  To find out more information on upcoming events, exclusive specials, new properties and more, become our fan at www.thefacebook.com/SouthernResorts.

When you vacation along the Beaches of Northwest Florida there are some instant ideas of what to do while you’re here.  A few objectives on this list may include: enjoy the beach, swim in the pool, get a tan, shop, eat, watch the sunset, hang out in the hot tub and watch the moon glisten on the Gulf.  There are definitely many other fun things to but there is one experience in particular that I encourage you to try.  TAKE A DOLPHIN CRUISE!

Aquatic Charters is located in Pensacola Beach and offers fabulous two hour dolphin cruises through Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound.  As you search for the playful bottle nosed dolphins you’ll also get to see historical sites such as Fort Pickens, Fort Barrancas. Fort McRee and the lighthouse.  Leatherback turtles, manta rays, heron, pelicans and ospreys are also sighted throughout the area on a regular basis. 

These trips are a great way to connect with the area on a much deeper level than just a place to relax.  A dolphin cruise offers unforgettable memories and a unique experience with the environment.  Also, Aquatic Charters is a “Southern Perks” partner. This means that as a Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals guest, you will receive $3 off each Adult and Child admission when you dolphin cruise with Aquatic Charters.   

Less than 5% of the time, the dolphins will be busy in their own habitat and may not be seen during your two hour trip.  In this event, Aquatic Charters will gladly schedule you a complimentary trip. 

So what are you waiting for?  Our Pensacola Beach vacation rentals will provide you an amazing vacation to the beach and the dolphin cruise will be the perfect topping.  For more information on events, businesses, properties and exclusive specials  become our fan at www.thefacebook.com/SouthernResorts.

The 2010 Mardi Gras celebration in Panama City beach has now expanded into a two day festival along the Beaches of Northwest Florida.  Come on out to Pier Park Friday night and experience one of the best Mardi Gras parties around.  There will be a street dance with live bands, delicious cajun food, classic cars, pirate beads, doubloons, Krewe Royalty and much more.   

On Saturday, February 6th, enjoy the children’s parade at 10:00am followed by the formal Panama City Beach Mardi Gras Parade by the Krewe of Dominique Youx at 2:00pm.  The Krewe of Dominique Youx is Bay County’s original organization of nearly 200 members who have celebrated the Mardi Gras season for the last 22 years.

Dominique Youx is the nickname of a buccaneer named Fredri Alexander Lafitte who sailed the southern seas in the early 1800s.  Fredric served France during the war with Spain and eventually organized hundreds of rogues into the Scourge of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.

Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals invites you to round up the kids and call your friends to come have fun at this annual getdown.  For more information about events, exclusive specials and other happenings along the Beaches of the Florida Panhandle, become our fan at www.thefacebook.com/SouthernResorts.

As winter comes to a close and the temperatures continue to rise, more and more people will travel to the beautiful Beaches of Northwest Florida. Many people, me included, like to have a vacation that has many things to do nearby, but is not crowded either. I know that last sentence seems contradictory. But, sometimes when you’re done being around a crowd you want to find a quiet place to just relax and reflect.

Henderson Beach State Park is the perfect place to get away from the crowds and find your own spot along the shoreline. Resting in Between Crystal Beach (to the east) and Downtown Destin (to the west), there are no through roads or buildings to block the sky. If you’re interested in Crystal Beach, visit the Dunes of Crystal Beach for great accommodations.  If you’re more interested in downtown Destin, check out Sterling Shores.

Both of these outstanding properties are close to the edges of Henderson Beach State Park and have plenty of fun shopping, entertainment and restaurants nearby.  All of us here at Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals take great pride on helping each of our guests find their ideal place at the beach.  Stay with us and experience true southern hospitality.

For more information on the Beaches of Northwest Florida including exclusive specials, accommodations and more, become our fan at www.thefacebook.com/SouthernResorts.

Have you made your plans for the weekend?  Lace up your shoes, find your best sweat pants and head over to the 2010 Pensacola Double Bridge 15k Run.  The run will be accompanied by a 5k run/walk. 

On February 6, 2010 at 8:00am, the 15K will begin downtown and the 5k will begin from Gulf Breeze High School.  This annual 15K takes runners over two bridges, across Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound.  The 15K also takes runners through the historic district, Bayfront Parkway, Gulf Breeze and onto Pensacola Beach. 

This competition attracts runners from near and far who love the challenge of competition.  Also, both of the races serve as a great way to promote community wellness along our Beaches of Northwest Florida.

There is so much fun to experience when visiting Pensacola Beach or Navarre Beach.  Check out Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals to find your perfect spot at the beach for a last minute winter getaway.  Natural beauty, outdoor fun, art, entertainment, history and shopping will make your trip complete. 

Want access to more event information, exclusive specials and more?  Become our fan at www.thefacebook.com/SouthernResorts.  Come experience real southern hospitality with Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals.     

For more information contact the Pensacola Sports Association at 850.434.2800.