Take the opportunity to look deep into the night’s sky and discover awe-inspiring stars, planets and more. The Gulf Islands National Seashore has announced that stargazing programs will be available on March 19, 2010 and April 16, 2010 at the Battery Worth Picnic Area at the historic Fort Pickens Area from sunset to 10:00 p.m. Take some time away from your Pensacola Beach vacation rental to enjoy this fun and educational event perfect for people of all ages.   

Volunteers from the EAAA (Escambia Amateur Astronomers’ Association) will provide excellent telescopes for public viewing of the stars, planets and constellations. (Weather permitting).  Everyone, locals and visitors, are encouraged to visit the Seashore to join the Stargazing Program.  The program is free but there is an entrance fee of $8 to get inside the Fort Pickens Area. 

Whether you’re on vacation with your family or visiting the area for Spring Break along the Beaches of Northwest Florida, be sure to pack some snack snacks before you go check out this knowledge expanding activity. 

For additional information about this program or others offered at the Seashore, call the Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center at (850) 934-2600 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/guis.

Have you made your plans for St. Patrick’s Day yet?  If you’re visiting the Beaches of Northwest Florida this weekend, lace up your best running shoes and join the crowd for the McGuire’s 33rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day 5k Prediction Run. 

Beginning at McGuire’s in Dowtown Pensacola, this is one of the largest runs in the city and the nation’s largest prediction run.  Awards will be given to the fastest runner of the 3.1 mile course as well as the most accurate in predicting the time it will take to complete the course.   

Participants of the race must be able to complete the 3.1 mile course in less than an hour.  The course will re-open to traffic at 10:00 am.  But, don’t be afraid if you’re a straggler, McGuire’s bus will be by to pick you up if you can’t quite make it.  For more information go to McGuire’s Irish Pub and check out some Pensacola Beach vacation rentals if you’re planning a visit to the area.

The weather is warming up, emerald water is looking great and the beach is as beautiful as ever.  We look forward to seeing you along the shoreline during your stay with Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals.

Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals is proud to introduce our free value adding amenity program known as Southern Perks.  Through the Southern Perks program, Southern Resorts’ Guests receive free passes and special discounts to various business and activities throughout the Beaches of Northwest Florida. 

Perhaps when you come down to your Destin vacation rental you’d like to take the family out to a nice dolphin cruise.  With the Southern Perks program, you will receive one free adult ticket for an Olin Marler Dolphin Cruise at absolutely no extra charge onto your vacation.  The same goes for our Panama City dolphin cruise partner, Sea Screamer and our Pensacola Beach Dolphin Cruise Partner, Chase-N-Fins Dolphin Cruises.

If dolphin cruising doesn’t sound like a fun thing to do, enjoy discounts on area golfing with outsanding courses at Emerald Bay in Destin, Holiday Golf Club in Panama City Beach and Marcus Pointe Golf Club in Pensacola Beach.  Southern Perks still doesn’t end there.  Discounts on charter fishing, surf lessons and spa services are just a few of the other specials you’ll be entitled to as a Southern Resorts guest. 

For a full list of our current Southern Perks Partners you can check out our Southern Perks page at www.SouthernResorts.com/Perks.

The 12th Annual Destin Cobia Tournament presented by HarborWalk Marina is a two month event beginning March 7th.  Each year, hundreds of anglers come to Destin, “The Worlds’ Luckiest Fishing Village,” for a fantastic experience and great payout for their prize catches.  In 2009, more than $37,000 in cash and prizes were awarded.

The Destin Cobia Tournament Kick-Off Party will be on March 7th at the Emerald Grande Vista Deck at 6:30pm. Entry forms and rules are available at the HarborWalk Marina.  You may reach them at 850.337.8250.

All proceeds go to the Miss Destin Scholarship Fund.  Started in 1951, this fund has helped dozens of aspiring young women reach their educational goals.

Look at our Southern Resorts’ beautiful Destin Vacation Rentals to find the perfect place to stay during the Destin Cobia Tournament.  If you’re not competing but would love to stay close to the action, Emerald Grande, is a wonderful suggestion with an extremely close proximity to HarborWalk.

To gather more information about the 2010 Destin Cobia Tournament, contact tournament director Frances Montalvo at 850-837-2343 or email him at fmontalvo@harborwalk-destin.com.

If you are a Southern Resorts guest and are interested in some fishing trips, check out your Southern Perks.  With discounts and more, you are sure to have a great time with any of our Perk Partners including Only Way, Back Bay and Salty Jig.

The Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire in Pensacola is a two day festival spanning March 6th and 7th featuring medieval jousting knights, falconry, swashbuckling swordsmen, storytellers, Arabian dancers, gypsy dancers, musicians, sword swallowers, jesters and fire breathers to name a few.  Delicious renaissance food and drinks, medieval camel and pony rides and merchants complete this great event taking you back to a simpler time.   

Pride and honor will be themed through the weekend’s various activities.  However, the real highlight of all of the festivities is the live jousting.  This event is the only real jousting tournament on the Gulf Coast where the combatants are competing and “risking life and limb.”   

Admission for adults is $10.00 and $5.00 for children 12 and under.   Kids ages 4 and under receive free admission.  Spend a weekend at the Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire to enjoy the unique and historic entertainment. 

If you’re traveling to the event, take a look at our beautiful Pensacola Beach vacation rentals to find your perfect place at the beach.  The weather is heating up and it’s definitely time to start heading down to the beach for some fun filled weekends.

Come enjoy yourself for a medieval weekend of fun along the gorgeous Beaches of Northwest Florida.

The 1st Annual Billy Pierson Memorial Golf Tournament will be held March 7, 2010 at Holiday Golf Club in Panama City Beach.  Every participant will get to tee off next to John Daly.  Or, let John Daly tee off for you and keep the drive as you strive to win the many fabulous prizes. 

Billy Pierson was an incredible country musician, singer and songwriter.  He is known for performing songs such as “One Candle Burning,” Enough to Make a Grown Man Lie,” “Holding the Bottle,” and “Eternally Broke.”  He performed with many musical superstars including Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Hootie and the Blowfish and more. 

The 1st Place prize is called the ”Live Like a Rock Star Package” and includes a 3 day/2 night stay at the Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi along with a slew of extra gifts to make your stay even more enjoyable.

The 2nd and 3rd place prizes include cash, plaques and goody bags with plenty of fun extras.  Hole-in-one prizes, putting challenges, and longest drive mini-competitions add a whole extra dimension to the event. 

Come into town early to spend a few extra days in your Panama City Beach vacation rental.  There will be a Rules/Pairing party at Dusty’s Oyster Bar on Saturday, March 6th, from 5:00pm-7:00pm.  On Sunday, March 7th, there will be a Panera breakfast at 9:00am followed by a shotgun start at 10:00am.  The Banquest and Awards Ceremony will directly follow the tournament.

Seaside is a world renowned beach location constructed with a foundation and focus on family.  Uniquely and masterfully planned, Seaside combines the feel of a quaint coastal community with lovely specialty shops and world class dining.  Many of the shops are centered around the Seaside Green, a location for festivals, blanket on the grass movie nights, celebrations, concerts and more. 

Seaside was founded in 1979 and has been offering peaceful bliss ever since.  Known as a pioneer in the New Urbanist development, Seaside was constructed before zoning ordinances were in place by Walton County.  This gave the developers a wide open pallet to create the masterpiece known as Seaside.

Seaside has been so popular that Hollywood even caught on to its charming touch.  Much of Jim Carrey’s 1998 film, The Truman Show was filmed at Seaside after the director’s wife happened across pictures of the area while thumbing through an architectural magazine. 

Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals continues to grow and expand into new areas.  Our focus remains as strong as ever to offer the best vacation rentals along the Beaches of Northwest Florida and we are proud to now represent our first Seaside vacation rental, “Bit O’ Heaven.”  Our cozy vacation home is the perfect place for a small family looking for an unforgettable vacation to the beach.

When you’re planning your next trip to our shores, be sure to check out Seaside along with all of your favorite places at the beach.  The weather is starting to heat up and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Do you love the sound of Jazz? Listening to the soul moving tones around our soothing emerald water seems to be the perfect combination for a weekend away from all of the stresses of everyday life.  Book a trip down to the Beaches of Northwest Florida and stay in Panama City Beach during the Seabreeze Jazz Festival.   

Celebrating the 12th year along the Gulf Coast, the 2010 Jazz Fest is a perfect chance to enjoy yourself at the beach. Featuring performers such as Brian Simpson, Kim Waters, Jackiem Joyner, Oli Silk and many more, this musical celebration is sure to be a treat for all who come.  Nick Colione will be the festival host and you will love his rhythmic jazz guitar performances.   

In celebration of the Seabreeze Jazz Festival, Southern Resorts is offering 15% off any new reservation for April 15-18th at these selected Panama City Beach vacation complexes: Sterling Breeze, Grand Panama, Majestic Beach Towers and Tidewater Beach Resort.

Pier Park Ampitheater (Aaron Bessant Park)  is hosting the event which is just west of The Grand Theater at Pier Park.  There are plenty of shops, restaurants and entertainment to keep you and your family busy for days and days.

Make your plans to visit our beautiful beaches for some sun, jazz and sand. Your ears, body and mind will love all of the experiences during  your trip to a Panama City Beach vacation rental with Southern Resorts.

*15% not combineable with other special offers.  Not Valid on existng reservations.  Subject to availability.

Join the fun for an evening of great food and entertainment with an Old Fashioned Fish Fry along The Beaches of Northwest Florida.  The Destin History and Fishing Museum will hold this tasty event on Saturday, February 27, from 11:00am to 3:00pm.  Fried grouper, hush puppies, cole slaw, baked beans and a drink will fill your stomach right.Live music by Cadillac Willy and raffles will add to the fun mood.  Advance tickets are $10 each while tickets at the door are $12.

The Destin History and Fishing Museum preserves the area’s treasured past with great displays of the area’s fish, antique fishing rods and reels and the ability to catch glimpses of what Destin life was like in the 1930’s before electricity arrived. Vintage photographs of Destin’s earliest settlers, fishermen, boat captains, businesses and more reveal that Destin’s treasures easily transcend generations.
The museum is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm.  Admission costs are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and Military, $3 for Children and children under 6 are free.

Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals is proud to represent some of the best aspects of Destin and encourages you to visit the Destin History and Fishing Museum during your visit to our beautiful beaches.

If you’re a fan of country music, then you are in for a treat tomorrow night, February 26th, in Panama City.  Known for his long list of hit records, George Jones is an American country music singer known for his distinctive voice and phrasing. Over the past 20 years, Mr. Jones has been commonly referred to as “the greatest living country singer.” Having clocked up to more than 150 hits during his career, George has done so both as a solo artist and in duets.  George is not the only performer entertaining at this event.  He will be accompanied by Joe Diffie. 

Joe Diffie topped the charts for the first time in 1990 with his hit, Home.  Since then, Joe has remained on a steady path, staying close to his roots and producing hit after hit with a grand total of twelve #1’s and twenty top 10’s along with four gold and platinum albums. When you’re at a Joe Diffie concert, every one of his hits feel like your own.  Whether it’s Ships That Don’t Come In, Pickup Man, John Deere Green, or If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets), Joe’s artistry always makes you remember the first time you heard it.

Take some time away from your Southern Resorts Panama City Beach vacation rental and come enjoy this fun concert located at the Marina Civic Center.  Tickets are on sale now for $25, $35, $40, $50.