When you vacation to “The World’s Luckiest  Fishing Village,” (also known as Destin, Florida) there will obviously be many delicious seafood restaurants.  Some of these dining choices focus on fried seafood while others feature sushi.  Wouldn’t it be nice to venture out from your Destin vacation rental to find a restaurant that offers all kinds of seafood across the spectrum, or should I say plate? 

Located directly on the beautiful Destin Harbor, Harbor Docks is one of Destin’s oldest seafood restaurants and remains a favorite for locals and tourists alike.  Featuring fresh catches of grouper, snapper, cobia, amberjack and more you’ll be able to enjoy fried or broiled platters, sushi made to order, hibachi and even more. 

On top of all of the delicious entrees listed on the menu, you should let your eyes wander to their specials.  If you ever see the words, Grouper Parmadine, take my advice and order right away.  This perfect dish is a filet of fresh grouper topped with almonds, parmesan cheese and other spices that comes together with a few minutes on the broiler. After one bite of this, your tase buds will discover a whole new world.

So, take it from us (we’ve been around Destin for quite awhile), Harbor Docks is definitely one of the many delicious restaurants you should try when you’re in town.

Hailed as one of the most popular rock bands in the world with scores of smash hits, multi-platinum albums, and sold out concert tours, Foreigner will soon be coming to the Beaches of Northwest Florida.  During your stay in one of our gorgeous Panama City Beach vacation rentals, head over to the Marina Civic Center Thursday evening, March 18th, for a jammin’ concert from 7:00pm – 10:00pm. 

Foreigner has maintained a strong following but it is amazing how many younger generations enjoy the band’s music as well.  With chart toppers like I Want To Know What Love is, Hot Blooded, Cold As Ice, Waiting for a Girl Like You and Jukebox Hero, Foreigner’s presence is still felt today through mainstream TV and Film.

The thrilling mix of carefully orchestrated blues and pop continues to reach out to generation after generation of music fans.  Today, over 65 million albums later, Foreigner features an ensemble of talented artists each adding their individual talents into the mix making the band stronger and more powerful than ever.

Make your plans to break away from the emerald water and beautiful white sand shore along Panama City Beach for a concert to remember.  Foreigner provides a fantastic concert experience for the young and young at heart.  For more details check out the Marina Civic Center.

The weather couldn’t be more perfect for a visit to Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast and this weekend is also supposed to absolutely beautiful.  Take some time away from Destin vacation rental by Southern Resorts to come support a worthy cause for the American Cancer Society. 

The third annual Cattle Barons’ Ball will be held on Saturday, March 13 at 6:00pm in the Destin Commons, to benefit the American Cancer Society by raising funds for cancer research, advocacy, education and patient services.  Under tents and starry skies join us for a beautiful night to help this worthy cause. 

A high-energy, western themed community event, The Cattle Barons’ Ball includes tasty vittles from some of the Beaches of Northwest Florida’s leading restaurants completed with live and silent auctions, games, great entertainment by The Modern Eldorados, and dancing ’til the cows come home.

There are a limited number of Baron and Rancher table sponsorships still available.  Individual tickets are necessary. For more information please contact Diane Maldonado of the American Cancer Society at (850) 244.3813, Ext 3551, or email inquiries to Diane.Maldonado@cancer.org.

Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals invites you to join this fun charity event this weekend.  Bring your friends and family to support the cause and shop at the Destin Commons.

Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals is proud to present its newest Southern Perks partner, Marcus Pointe Golf Club.  Located in Pensacola, Florida and convenient to the Beaches of Northwest Florida,  designer Earl Stone has created a course with immense natural beauty, a classic feel and top of the line playability. 

In the center of 600 acres of lush woodlands, Marcus Pointe Golf Club is one of the top facilities along the Gulf Coast of Florida.  Rated by Golf Digest subscribers as a “great value,” this 6700 yard course includes subtle obstacles that allows for a fun time for every level of golfer.

When you come to Marcus Pointe, you will enjoy 18 holes of Championship Golf, large practice areas, fantastic professional instruction and a full service restaurant, Chef’s.  Found just 10 minutes north of Downtown Pensacola, visitors to Pensacola Beach will be excited about all of the fun found at Marcus Pointe, especially guests of Southern Resorts.

Southern Resorts’ guests receive $10 Off the normal Rack Rate at Marcus Pointe.  With Marcus Pointe’s current rates of $20 Monday through Thursday and $30 Friday through Sunday, guests of Southern Resorts can golf until their heart’s content.  (The charge for carts is extra).

The next time you’re visiting one of our Pensacola Beach vacation rentals, take some time to go golfing at the four star, award winning Marcus Pointe Golf Club.

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.