From The No. 17 To No. 2 Drive Destination While Maintaining Natural Charm

Enticing beach-goers for decades, the southern sea towns of Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island along Florida's Emerald Coast continue to lure vacationers looking for a revitalizing retreat where the only castles are made of sugar-white sand and the only glitz is the captivating reflection of the emerald green waters. Undoubtedly, the most mesmerizing distraction is the combination of the natural grace of the coast and the wholesome purity of the unspoiled beaches, where more than 60 percent of the area's beaches will be preserved forever in sweeping, virgin clarity. With its natural draw, the Emerald Coast has risen in popularity from the No. 17 to No. 2 most popular drive destination in Florida behind Orlando while also being named "Best Beach" by Southerners for 13 consecutive years by Southern Living readers (www.destin-fwb.com).

Generations have relished in the simple beauty of the Emerald Coast, from proud dads watching sons reel in a first catch and playful children sculpting sandcastles in the hot, lazy summer sun in sandy swimsuits to adventurous families setting sail side-by-side dancing dolphins and postcard-perfect sunrises and sunsets over the Emerald Gulf, all compliments of Mother Nature. Nostalgic guests relive the same laid-back coastal identity where families return year-after-year to "come see where I played in the sand," creating lasting memories that inspire the vision of Emerald Coast today where "the moments you live for live here." Visitors also embrace the legacy of Florida's Gulfarium, the first and longest running Gulfarium in the world and one of the few Florida attractions located directly on the beach.

Without Mickey Mouse ears, Shamu's big splash or the pretentious private beach clubs, this care-free slice of Florida's upper coast continuously remains southerners beach of choice by flaunting its natural assets in hopes that vacationers have not forgotten how to enjoy life's simple pleasures. The Emerald Coast remembers when family beach vacations were the highlight of the summer -- celebrating simplicity with nothing fancy, just fun "flip-flops" -- where the preferred activity is "relaxing and doing as little as possible."

Each year vacationers continue to flock to the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village" to enjoy spirited seaside celebrations, links of great championship golf, undeniably fresh seafood and of course, the beautiful beaches.

Source: Florida's Emerald Coast

Web site: http://www.destin-fwb.com/