Photo: Baytowne Beer Festival

Known as the Best Beer Fest on the Emerald Coast, the Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival puts a modern twist on traditional Oktoberfest celebrations by shining the spotlight on more than 100 premium craft beers. The popular annual event will take place rain or shine on Friday and Saturday, October 21 and 22, in the village of Baytowne Wharf in the exclusive Sandestin Gulf and Beach Resort. Located on Emerald Coast Parkway West, Baytowne Wharf is just 8 miles east of luxurious Destin vacation rentals that provide sun-loving vacationers with easy access to the Gulf Coast’s many delights. Tickets to the beer festival are $20 and can be purchased online or at the gate.

Forty craft brewers will be on hand at the Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival to share their special brews and answer questions about beer and beer making. Beer lovers will be able to sample more than 100 domestic and international lagers and ales, including seasonal and specialty brews. Festival goers will also have the exciting opportunity to be the very first to sample brand new specialty beers that have not yet been released for sale.

The beer festival kicks off at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday with a beer pairings barbecue on the Baytowne Wharf Events Plaza Lawn. Hosted by the Marlin Grill, the tasty event pairs succulent gourmet grilled meats and delicious side dishes with locally-brewed ales and favorite craft beers from the U.S. Southeast. Live music will regale guests as they quaff a few cold ones and fill up on great barbecue. Tickets for the BBQ are $35 and can be purchased online at Xorbia.com or at the Marlin Grill in Baytowne Wharf.

Don’t miss the fun; book your Destin beach vacation on iTrip.net today.

Our beach vacation rentals are available in a number of different coastal locations to allow you to choose your favorite, or to become a beach connoisseur by experiencing every type of coastline that North and Central America have to offer.

In the Northeast, Delaware Shores and Maryland’s Ocean City give you miles of beautiful Atlantic beaches as well as one of the country’s top boardwalks. The Atlantic Ocean on the Delaware and Maryland coasts offer some of the best recreational opportunities available — swimming, sunbathing, surf fishing, boating, deep sea fishing, surfing, skimboarding, dolphin watching, beachcombing, a relaxing walk. The ocean warms up to swimmable temperatures in May and remains warm enough to swim in as late as October. 

In South Carolina, vacation rentals in Charleston and North Myrtle Beach offer Southern hospitality and powdery sands. Exciting activities for the entire family include miniature golf parks, water sports, seaside amusement parks, theatres and of course the dance craze that was born in North Myrtle’s Ocean Drive, The Shag!

Along the Gulf of Mexico, in Alabama and Florida, we have Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, as well as Perdido Key, South Walton, Panama City, and Destin.  The Emerald Coast has sugary soft sand and mesmerizing green waters, as well as environmentally certified clean beaches. Further south, we offer vacation rentals around the award-winning St. Petersburg and Clearwater beaches, too.  

Going even further south into Central America, experience the exotic in vacation rentals in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Then, on your way up the West Coast, stop in Mexico’s Baja California and visit Cabo San Lucas.  And as you travel up past San Diego toward Los Angeles, you can experience the warmth and glamour of Southern California beaches with vacation rentals in Laguna Beach and Newport Beach. 

Let iTrip.net help you and your family become beach connoisseurs!

Excercise or enjoy water sports to stay healthy on vacation!

Everyone likes to splurge when they’re on vacation, but there’s no reason you can’t have your cake and then walk it off, too.  

Beach vacations (shameless plug: find affordable beach condos at iTrip.net) encourage plenty of physical activity which will keep those little splurges from winding up on your waistline. Water sports, beachcombing, swimming, kayaking and even walking to the beach from your beach rental are good, heart-healthy aerobic activities. Preparing nutritious breakfasts and picnic lunches in the well-equipped kitchen of your rental encourages healthy eating while leaving room to indulge in a few vacation splurges.

You may not want to read this, but trust me you’ll thank us come next year’s swimsuit season. To enjoy a beach vacation that is fun and healthy, follow these tips: 

1. Book a vacation rental (on iTrip.net!) versus a hotel. You can “exercise” better control over meal and snack choices when you have the option to prepare them in the full kitchen of your rental instead of constantly ordering in room service or snacking on minibar sweets
2. Pick up fresh fruits and vegetables at the local farmers’ market for snacks and meal preparation
3. Take a daily walk along the beach. Carry a pail or plastic bag to hold any shells and treasures you find. Walking on sand gives muscles and tendons a great workout and expends 2.5 times more energy than walking on pavement. Jog if you must, but walking burns more calories
4. Walk or bike to the beach from your vacation rental
5. Get off your beach blanket and play with your kids. Building sand castles tones the arms and swimming works the legs
6. Stay relaxed. Alternate energetic activities like kayaking, scuba diving and surfing with a relaxing day on beach or a boat cruise
7. When you go to the beach, always take plenty of water and set your phone alarm to beep every 2 hours so you remember to reapply sunscreen

For affordable and amazing condos and vacation rentals on the beach, check out our Destin vacation rentals, Panama City Beach rentals and Laguna Beach rentals.

One of America’s favorite playgrounds, Destin, Florida is known for its sugar-sand beaches, warm Gulf waters, championship golf courses and exciting sport fishing. An excellent selection of beautiful Destin vacation rentals makes Destin the perfect place for a family vacation, romantic getaway, family reunion or relaxing weekend.

Vacationers will find plenty to do, but don’t miss these Top 10 Destin attractions: 

1. Soar like an eagle on a parasail adventure. Just Chute Me Parasail, Dockside Water Sports and Hang Em High Parasail get top ratings from Destin vacationers.
2. Picnic and play on the pristine white beaches of Henderson State Park.
3. Experience the thrill of battling giant fish. Home of the largest charter fishing fleet on the Gulf Coast, Destin is internationally known for its sport fishing. Pelican Adventures will make sure you reel in a big one!
4. Get up close and personal with Florida’s most fearsome predator at Gator Beach where you can feed the alligators.
5. Rent a pontoon boat at Aloha Pontoon in Destin Harbor and head for Crab Island for a fun day swimming.
6. Go exploring under the sea and swim with the fish. Keep an eye out for playful dolphins. Destin Snorkel provides gear and shuttle service.
7. Cook with a local celebrity chef at Kitchenique Cooking School and Gourmet Pantry in Sandestin.
8. Challenge yourself at one of Destin’s 25 championship golf courses. Kelly Plantation Golf Club, Emerald Bay Golf Club and Sandestin Golf Resort are scenic and demanding.
9. Dine al fresco and watch the sun set at Harbor Walk Marina. Stay to enjoy the music.
10. Check out the size of the fish that inhabit the Gulf and learn about Destin’s history at the Destin History & Fishing Museum.

For an unforgettable vacation, reserve Destin vacation beach rentals on iTrip.net today.

Photo compliments of George M. Groutas

If you haven’t made plans for the upcoming July 4^th weekend you have some great options at some of the nation’s best, scenic seaside destinations. Enjoy the beach by day and fireworks at night. The kids will have a great time.

While staying at a Destin condo rental over the 4^th of July weekend, have a wonderful time at the Red, White &  Baytowne celebration  at the Village of Baytowne Wharf.  On July 4^th they’ll light up the sky over the lagoon with a fantastic fireworks celebration starting at 9:15 P.M. You can also have a great time fishing from the Destin charter boat Phoenix.

Stay at a Gulf Shores vacation rental and enjoy the Gulf Shores fireworks extravaganza,  starting at 9:00 P.M. The Gulf State Park Pier serves as the launching pad for the fireworks. The show includes a variety of specialty shell fireworks.

The Salute to Freedom at the Panama City Marina offers all day live entertainment and concludes with a $25,000 fireworks display on July 4^th. Have a good time while staying at your Panama City vacation rental.

Enjoy the 4^th of July celebration on the beach in Ocean City, Maryland.  A free concert begins at 8:00 P.M., followed by a fantastic fireworks display at 9:30 P.M. While staying at your Ocean City vacation enjoy tasty seafood at Phillips Seafood House (Philadelphia Avenue). The restaurant was voted Ocean City’s “Best seafood restaurant” by Metropolitan Magazine. Try the scrumptious all-you-can-eat seafood buffet.

Stay at a superb Charleston vacation rental on the 4^th of July weekend and enjoy the fireworks display at Folly Beach. Before the fireworks display, have fun at the wonderful beach or go fishing at the Edwin S. Taylor Pier (located at Folly Beach). Have dinner at one of the restaurants. 

Have a great 4^th of July weekend! Go to iTrip.net to find more great vacation rentals!

There are plenty of fun things to do while staying at a Destin vacation rental. Besides hanging out at the beach, take a wonderful dolphin or boat cruise or perhaps catch a big fish on a fishing charter boat. Destin has one of Florida’s largest and best equipped fleet of deep sea fishing charter boats.

Southern Star Dolphin cruises offer dolphin cruises on their 80 foot glass bottom boat. The two hour cruise is a great experience for the entire family. The cruise has been featured on CNN and National Geographic. The climate controlled boat has restrooms, snacks, gifts and a sound system. Kids are allowed to steer the boat.

While staying at one of the excellent Destin vacation rentals have a great time dining, dancing and cruising aboard the SunQuest Cruises’ Solaris, the wonderful dinner dance yacht. Experience the beautiful Emerald Coast from the yacht’s three decks. Have a party with friends and family, or a celebration or a romantic dinner for two. Solaris can carry up to 150 passengers. Solaris is available for any type of special event.

The Destin charter boat Phoenix caters to all levels of anglers and types of fishing. Captain Scott Roson has over thirty years of experience fishing in Destin, Florida. He has a 48 foot custom built boat. The Phoenix has the speed required to get you to the big fish. The deck provides plenty of room for fishing. The boat includes A/C, heat, TV, DVD a bathroom, a shower, bunks and a microwave.  Have great time fishing while staying at a Destin condo rental.

Destin Deep Sea Adventures provides great fishing aboard its Hatteras yacht boat. Serious anglers can fish from the fast AussieCat catamaran boat and have a fantastic full day of sport fishing.

Have a great time in Destin, Florida! To find great Destin vacation rentals, visit iTrip.net!

Photo compliments of Rollan B.

Located on Florida’s Emerald Coast, the city is known for its emerald green waters and white sandy beaches. Yes, you can have pets with you while staying at a Destin vacation rental. Your family and your pets can have a great time in Destin, Florida!

HarborWalkVillage (Harbor Blvd) is a major shopping, entertainment, dining and recreational destination. The place has something for almost everyone. Friendly dogs and other animals are welcome along the harbor, but you must keep them on a leash.

Henderson Beach State Park offers an array of land and water recreational activities. Well mannered dogs are allowed for no extra fee. Dogs are allowed on the nature trail and on the sidewalk in the day use area. However, dogs are not allowed on the beaches.

Located along the shores of the Choctawhatchee Bay, in nearby Niceville, the Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park offers a variety of land and water recreational activities. Well mannered dogs are lowed at the park for no additional fee.

Photo compliments of Mike Baird

While staying at your superb Destin condo rental [http://www.itrip.net/destin-vacation-rentals/fl] browse the extensive menu at Harry T’s (46 Harbor Blvd). The menu includes appetizers, fresh fish, homemade salads, specialty sandwiches, steaks and scrumptious desserts. Leashed dogs are allowed at the outside dining area.

Cuvee Beach Cellar & Wine Bar (36120 Emerald Coast Pkwy) has a casual yet elegant atmosphere and pet-friendly seating.  The wine bar offers an impressive list of wines and champagnes by the glass. The place offers a variety of tasty meals.

Dewey Destin Seafood Restaurant (9 Calhoun Ave) located along the beautiful Emerald Coast has an outdoor dog-friendly seating area. The restaurant offers delicious fresh seafood and wonderful scenic views.

Have a great time while staying at your Destin vacation rental! Go to iTrip.net for more information on where to stay in Destin, FL.

White, sugar-sand beaches and emerald-green Gulf waters have made Destin one of America’s most popular vacation destinations. Selected a Top 10 Family Vacation Destinations in Trip Advisor’s 2011 Travelers’ Choice Awards, Destin was also voted Best Beach in America by USA Today and No. 1 Beach in the South by Southern Living.

Gorgeous beaches are only one reason to book Destin vacation rentals on iTrip.com. Here are 10 more unique reasons to vacation in Destin:

1. Its wonderful variety of Destin vacation beach rentals, earned Destin recognition as one of Trip Advisor’s 10 Top Vacation Rental Destinations.
2. Before Destin’s incorporation in 1984, the entire 30-mile strip of pristine beaches that curves along the Gulf Coast was known as Destin. A string of parks preserves 60% of those beaches in their virgin purity.
3. The site of the largest saltwater Indian mound, Indian Temple Mound Museum chronicles Destin’s Native American history back to 600 A.D.
4. In 1845 Captain Leonard Destin arrived from Connecticut to pioneer Destin’s thriving fishing industry. Destin’s 400 restaurants offer a daily selection of at least 20 different types of fish.
5. A top sport fishing site that boasts Florida’s largest charter boat fleet, Destin is the Billfish Capital of the World.
6. With 100 live gators, Gatorbeach exhibits one of Florida’s largest alligator communities.
7. The 100-fathom curve draws closer to Destin than to any other Florida location. Fast deep-water access to the Gulf has made Destin one of the world’s top 5 offshore shelling sites.
8. An annual October event, the first Destin Gulf Coast Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo was held in 1949 to raise funds for Destin’s first community center.
9. Destin is home to Elgin Air Force Base and the U.S. Air Force Armament Museum, one of only 3 in the U.S.
10. Opened in 1955, Florida’s Gulfarium is the oldest continuously operating marine park in Florida.

Find a variety of Destin vacation beach rentals at iTrip.net!

The results of TripAdvisor’s inaugural Travelers’ Choice Family Awards for the Top 10 best family vacation destinations were recently announced; and American families voted overwhelmingly for sun, sand and fun. Sunny Florida dominated the Top 10 listings with more family-friendly vacation destinations than any other state. Millions of unbiased reviews posted to TripAdvisor by vacationing families were tabulated to determine the 2011 Travelers’ Choice Family Award winners. Vacation destinations were evaluated on outstanding attractions, family-friendly activities and affordable vacation rentals.

The sun-drenched, sugar-sand beaches that line Florida’s scenic Gulf Coast put Destin, Florida and Panama City, Florida in the running for favorite family vacation spots. But it was the Gulf Coast’s exciting variety of family-pleasing activities and wealth of affordable vacation rentals that earned these two vacation playgrounds inclusion on the list of America’s most family-friendly vacation destinations. Located in the heart of Florida’s famed Emerald Coast, Destin was also recognized as one of the Top 10 award-winning Great U.S. Destinations to Discover. Panama City earned rave reviews as an award-winning amusement park destination.

Mouse ears and wizard wands put Orlando, Florida on the “must-do” list of most American families and made it a top family pick for award-winning amusement parks,. But it was Orlando’s location at the heart of Central Florida’s outstanding variety of family-pleasing activities and eclectic attractions, coupled with a great selection of Orlando vacation rentals priced to fit any budget that U.S. families said kept them coming back to Orlando year after year.

Despite a lack of sandy beaches, the natural beauty of Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains, plenty of family-friendly outdoor activities and a heaping helping of down-home fun made Gatlinburg, Tennessee at the entrance to Smoky Mountain National Park and neighboring Pigeon Forge, home of Dollywood, favorite family vacation destinations. Although each town has its own unique personality, both were named to the Top 10 list of Great U.S. Destinations to Discover.

Discover one of these family-friendly vacation destinations for yourself. Book your vacation rental at iTrip today.

Vacation is the time of year that absolutely everyone looks forward to.  It’s impossible not to get excited as that one week of the year when you get to throw off the shackles of your nine to five job and break free from your cubicle in favor of brighter and sunnier scenery approaches.

Looking for fun in the sun? View Destin Beach vacation rentals, Orlando area rentals and Costa Rica condo rentals.

The trick to putting together an absolute dream vacation is a twofold process.  First you’ve got to find a destination that has activities that everyone in your family will be able to partake in and enjoy.  Your intended locale needs the right mix of sun, fun, adventure and great food to help ensure that you not only be miles away from your job but that you’ll feel miles away as well.

Secondly, you’ve got to find the perfect place to stay while on your break from the everyday.  Your decision on where to stay shouldn’t just be determined just by the appropriate number of beds and baths, you’ve got to look into all of the additional amenities as well.  Do you need a rustic cabin in Gatlinburg with a fireplace, master bath with a tub big enough for two or luxurious Destin Beach vacation rental with great amenities and even better views?  A vacation should be about cutting loose, having fun and enjoying yourself, not sacrificing. 

Find cozy cabins, chalets and condos in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Wears Valley.

That’s why so many people are looking to iTrip to find build the ultimate vacation for their family.  The iTrip website gives you instant access to absolutely incredible properties located right in the middle of the hottest vacation destinations in the world.  At iTrip.net you can find everything from a cozy, affordable cabin nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains to a breathtaking four bedroom condo just off the edge of a beautiful sandy white beach.  Don’t just dream about the perfect vacation; actually make it happen with the incredible selection of properties and easy to use tools of iTrip.