Strung like jewels along Florida’s gorgeous Emerald Coast between Destin and Panama City Beach, the exclusive beachfront communities that are collectively known as the Beaches of South Walton are popular vacation destinations for people who want to enjoy the ultimate luxury beach vacation. Accessible from the Panhandle’s scenic Highway 30-A, the quiet, secluded, sugar-sand beaches of Seagrove Beach, Santa Rosa Beach and Seacrest Beach beckon discriminating vacationers to luxurious Beaches of South Walton vacation rentals.

Blending the idyllic charm of Old Florida with modern sensibilities, the attractive Beaches of South Walton communities are designed to promote a welcoming sense of community while protecting the privacy of residents and vacationers. Miles of scenic walking paths and bike trails provide easy access to centrally-located shopping, fine dining, luxurious spas, swimming pools, tennis courts, beautifully-landscaped parks, picturesque harbors and pristine natural beaches. Championship golf courses draw golfers from across the country, and the Gulf waters off the SoWal coast offer some of the world’s best sports fishing.

Vacationers staying in luxurious Beaches of South Walton condo rentals will find plenty of free activities to enjoy after a lazy day on the beach. Each SoWal community offers a number of free activities that are open to all, providing a continual smorgasbord of exciting things to do during your beach getaway. Weekly concerts at the marina, outdoor movie nights, canoe and kayak cruises, nature hikes and cycling excursions form the backbone of community life in the Beaches of South Walton with numerous festivals and special events adding delightful spice. Some of the area’s most popular free (or low-cost) activities are coming up in October, including: 

• Destin Fishing Rodeo October 1-31
• Back to Nature Festival October 14-16
• Baytowne Beer Fest October 21-22.

 Don’t miss out on the fun, book your Beaches of South Walton getaway on iTrip.net today.

This week iTrip is featuring Seaview Villas B401, situated in South Walton, Florida. The superb three bedroom, three bath condo has plenty of room for family members and friends. The fourth floor provides a great view of the shore. Relax and view the beautiful sunset from the balcony. Take a stroll down the beach; the sand has the texture of powder.

Each spacious bedroom has a private bath. The master bedroom includes a master bath, a Jacuzzi tub as well as a separate shower. The fantastic luxury condo has televisions and DVDs as well as an attractive granite counter top, large leather sofas, arm chairs and exceptional works of art. It’s a great place to hang out after enjoying the beaches of South Walton.

From the gate to the east of the pool you’ll find a wonderful private path, available only to the guests of Seaview Villas. It takes only four to five minutes to walk to the shore of Seagrove Beach.

Let’s take a look at some of the amenities: Full kitchen, air conditioning, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, cable, Internet, Big screen TV, fireplace and private pool.

The area includes historical downtowns, plush forests, coastal dune lakes, sugar white beaches and emerald green waters. The region includes fine dining, casual dining, a variety of recreation activities, fun events and great fishing opportunities. While on a South Walton vacation play some golf or tennis.

For a great sandwich visit Cocoon, a little hole in the wall deli located on Hwy 30A. While you’re there have some delicious smoked tuna dip. Stop by Goatfeathers fish market for some tasty fresh shrimp, local fish and oysters.

Look at photographs, the availability and pricing for the Seaview Villas B401 condo or browse other iTrip vacation rentals.

Like precious pearls strung along Florida’s breathtaking Gulf Coast, the 15 beachside communities that are collectively called the Beaches of South Walton beckon vacationers with miles of soft, golden sand beaches and sparkling, clear blue Gulf waters. A serene and secluded oasis surrounded by the Emerald Coast’s most beautiful beachscapes; the Beaches of South Walton are the perfect spot for a romantic vacation. Beaches of South Walton condo rentals offer luxurious accommodations in the heart of an area known for its secluded beaches, fabulous cuisine, rejuvenating spas, and relaxing lifestyle.

A favorite wedding and honeymoon destination, the Beaches of South Walton is an equally ideal choice for an anniversary celebration or romantic vacation. If you need a little inspiration, try one of these romantic getaways to the Beaches of South Walton:

1. Pamper yourselves with a spa day at the award-winning Serenity by the Sea spa. Try a refreshing sea salt body treatment followed by a relaxing couple’s massage.
2. Toast your love with an elegant champagne dinner at Seagar’s Prime Steaks and Seafood. This 4-diamond restaurant serves beautifully prepared fresh fish and seafood and marvelous, melt-in-your-mouth steaks.
3. Rent a bicycle built for two, pack a picnic lunch and a bottle of wine, and pedal down the Timpoochee Trail.
4. Pick up a carryout order of shrimp and a 6-pack at one of the local seafood shacks and head for a secluded beach for the day.
5. Watch the sun melt into the ocean from the Sunset Deck at the Fish Out of Water restaurant while you nibble on delicacies from the raw bar and sip martinis. Stroll along the beach in the dusk and steal a kiss or two.

For an unforgettable romantic getaway, book your Beaches of South Walton vacation rentals on iTrip.net today.

Among the Beaches of South Walton you’ll find Alys Beach. And for Easter, Alys, the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter are inviting you to a tea party!  How perfect is that?  You get an Easter bunny and a wonderland overlooking a beautiful sugar sand beach and an emerald sea. The price is right too – the event is free and open to the public. 

The Beaches of South Walton are located in the Panhandle of Florida on the Gulf of Mexico, nestled between Destin and Panama City.  So a vacation rental in any of these places would give you access to all that Florida’s Emerald Coast has to offer. 

As you may know, this stretch of Gulf Coast is preserved by zoning laws that keep the beach pristine and clear of billboards and storefronts. In fact, The Clean Beaches Coalition, the country’s only environmental-certification program for beaches, has certified it as a Blue Wave Beach.  

So take the family to Wonderland for Easter.  You and your family can enjoy a Sunday brunch of fairy tale food, tea with classic characters and the creation of hats that the maddest of hatters would envy.    Of course, as the White Rabbit would want to remind you, don’t be late!  Only the first 150 youngsters will receive a hat to decorate. 

Though the event is free, a donation of as little as five dollars would go to supporting the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation. They provide resources for the promotion of the arts through cultural events such as this one, as well as educational programs that help children and families enjoy cultural experiences.  

For more information on the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, visit So Wal.com   

Find a list of Beaches of South Walton beach rentals at iTrip.net!

The perfect combination of sun and fun, Florida’s panhandle is lined with idyllic sugar-sand beaches and crowded with fabulous restaurants and fun things to do. From Santa Rosa to Panama City, Florida’s Gulf Coast is dotted with one delightful Panama City vacation rental after another like gleaming seashells scattered on the beach. The towns along what Floridians call “the big bend” offer a delightful potpourri of vacation styles to choose from. Each town seems to have a personality all its own and each offers visitors unique delights beyond the Gulf Coast’s universally gorgeous sandy beaches.

Vacationers to Florida’s panhandle will want to return again and again to sample the various delights of the Gulf Coast’s many vacation spots.

Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway at the luxurious Beachside Villas on relaxing Santa Rosa Beach or a week of family fun at the Destin West Beach & Bay Resort in family-friendly Fort Walton Beach or want to be at the center of Spring Break action at 1812 Shores of Panama in Panama City,  you’ll find an outstanding selection of Beaches of South Walton vacation rentals or Panama City vacation rentals.

Vacationers will find the largest and most eclectic selection of things to do, shopping, restaurants and nightlife centered on the panhandle’s “Emerald Coast” from Fort Walton Beach to Destin. If you want to experience the pristine, natural beauty of the area, pack a picnic, rent some snorkeling gear and take a day trip to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park on the eastern edge of the coastal barrier islands. A quiet oasis of breathtaking natural beauty, the park attracts more than 300 species of birds and offers picture postcard views, miles of white sugary sand, snorkeling and hiking. End your day with a glass of wine on the beach while you watch the sun melt slowly into the ocean. Vacationing doesn’t get much better than that!

Search for Panama City Beach condo rentals, Panama City vacation rentals or Beaches of South Walton vacation rentals today!

Piled up snow and gloomy, frosty forecasts are a common occurrence in many areas of the country during the month of February, but 2011 has brought even more of the cold white stuff than usual.  Areas of the country that normally only see snow on the rarest of occasions have been battered over and over with snow over the course the winter months.

If you’ve been suffering the winter blues due to the weather in your area, you might want to consider sneaking away for a week, or even just a long weekend, to someplace warmer, brighter and sunnier.  According to the latest forecasts the weather at the beaches of South Walton will get up to a balmy sixty degrees, with plenty of sun, over the course of the next week.  For those of you who’ve been trapped under several feet of snow and sub freezing temperatures since shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday, temperatures in the 50s and 60s will make you feel as though summer has arrived.

Though the primary reason for your trip might be to thaw out from the winter chill, the Beaches of South Walton offer a lot more than just beautiful weather.  While visiting the Beaches of South Walton you’ll have easy access to four of Florida’s incredible, award winning state parks.  These state parks offer visitors endless opportunities to explore Florida’s rich history, bask in undeniable natural beauty or simply take to the trails for a wonderfully scenic workout.

You don’t have to wait for summer to roll around to enjoy the sun.  Put down the snow shovel and ice melt and start planning that much needed getaway to a warmer and sunnier place to take a break from your winter woes.

The Beaches of South Walton are one of Florida’s best kept secrets.

So Wal is home to 15 of the most beautiful beaches in the world, (all 26 miles of coastline are certified as Blue Wave) and several naturally preserved coastal dune lakes, where you’ll find an abundance of unique wildlife.

South Walton is only one of iTrip.net’s many markets along the Florida Panhandle, the Gulf Shores, Costa Rica, and the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee; but, because of its exquisite beauty and esoteric nature, we decided to feature South Walton, in-depth, in an exclusive video clip.

 Kayce Stark, the daughter of Dennis Stark, who is a licensee for our 30-A market, was an intern for us this summer. She did a remarkable job in putting together an accurate account of  the Beaches of South Walton.

So, without further adieu, here is the fabulous video clip introducing the Beaches of South Walton.

Thanks Kayce.

The beaches of South Walton are second to none, and the town itself is a rare peach. “So Wal” certainly sets itself apart from the rest of Florida. It’s a quieter, more secluded area that has a natural beauty about it- but, at the same time, South Walton brings out the creative crowd. “So Wal” prides itself on its fine art galleries, festivals, ritzy dining, and unique shopping districts.

The thought of BP’s oil spill reaching South Walton’s gorgeous beaches and it’s quaint, artsy town has been devastating. So, in order to assure the town keeps its reputation, the Walton County Tourist Development Council (TDC) launched a clever campaign. The national campaign, titled, ”Be Beaches of South Walton,” was designed to combat the ”negative effects” of the BP oil spill along scenic Highway 30- A.

“Be Beaches of South Walton” is made up of 30 second TV and radio segment ads, which are a part of a 90-day marketing campaign. According to an article posted on SouthWaltonScene.com, “The ads are being funded by the $1.35 million grant from BP and directed to Walton County by Governor Charlie Crist.

The campaign is aiming to be a “long-term strategy and approach” for consumers. Questions like, “What will you Be in Beaches of South Walton?” will be asked. “With all the different activities that our area has to offer; there is truly something for everyone,” said Loretta Shaffer, TDC’s director of marketing and internet.

The article also reports that the campaign will invite its viewers to “Be Inspired” while in “photography, culinary, or art classes at Studio B.” Likewise, the campaign will invite its viewers to “Be Adventurous” while “YOLO boarding“, and to “Be Daring” while “riding the zip line in the Village of Baytowne Wharf.”

If you’re wondering where to look for the ads, they are “currently airing on CNN, Fox News, The Weather Channel and several other stations.” The radio spots “are being aired in top markets, as well as new emerging markets, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Dallas, Houston and Nashville.

If you’d like to see the entire article, you can find it here- but, the best way you can help is to be in the heart of it. Here at iTrip.net, we can easily make your dream a reality. We’ve got a beautiful mediterranean style condo right along scenic Highway 30-A, and it’s calling your name.

Public relations is too often overlooked and underestimated when it comes to business – at least, that’s how one PR expert sees it.

In an article written by PRNewsonline.com, Karen Hinton, president of the Washington D.C.-based public relations firm Hinton Communications, calls BP “the poster child for bad PR practices.”

“At the beginning of the spill, company executives sounded the right tone, but they couldn’t maintain it because of the lies, misrepresentations and careless decision-making revealed through anonymous sources, leaked memos and, in many instances, the company’s own utterances—many of which have been foolish, half-witted and naive”, said Hinton.

Two weeks ago, BP decided it would be a good idea to launch an ad campaign in relation to their oil spill disaster- they were wrong. Spending money on an ad campaign while oil is still desolating our beautiful beaches and their wildlife inhabitants, is never a good idea.

As for the ad campaign itself, Hinton tells PRNewsonline.com, ““It comes across as insincere and manipulative in the midst of 24/7 television coverage that hasn’t even begun to capture the destructive images on the Gulf Coast.”

This calamitous PR ploy by BP is going to be scrutinized by marketing gurus, and remembered by business owners and executives for years to come- hopefully as a lesson on what not to do in a crisis.

As a leading company in the vacation rental management industry, we here at iTrip.net have seen the affects of the oil spill firsthand and we are appalled by the actions of BP over the last couple of months. Honesty and loyalty are just as important to the success of a company as the income that keeps the company afloat. We understand that a happy client creates a loyal client, and that’s one of the many concepts we’ve built our business model upon.

We offer a “Worry-Free Guarantee” to all of our clients, and we have several testimonials from clients who have found solace in our services. We strive to be the poster child for good public relations, marketing and customer service, and we’re confident you will find that at iTrip.net.

Here is the horrid BP ad campaign via Youtube.

Calling all artists and art connoisseurs, South Walton is proud to present the third annual Digital Graffiti Festival at Alys Beach on Saturday June 12.

You won’t find canvas or easels at this art show, instead you’ll see a variety of talented artists using the most modern technologies to project avant-garde video art onto South Walton’s iconic white walls and rooftops.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist has said “Nowhere else does the architecture of an entire community become a canvas for digital art.” adding that ”Digital graffiti embodies the innovation and originality that Florida prides itself on supporting.”

Since its inception, South Walton’s Digital Graffiti Festival has attracted thousands of spectators each year, individuals who are drawn to the aesthetic beauty such innovative art possesses.

This year, there will be 36 works of art to be displayed for your viewing pleasure, with artists from all over the globe, including the U.K., Belgium, Italy, Australia, New York, and Los Angeles- even a few local Floridians will be on hand for this spectacular digital art show.

2010′s Digital Grafitti Festival is shaping up to be even more dramatic than the previous year, and tickets are selling fast. This is one art show you don’t want to miss.

There’s no need not to share this event with your friends and family. Here at Itrip.net, we can help you find pure paradise with the perfect beach front rental large enough to fit everyone.

Check out scenes from last year’s Digital Graffiti Festival: