Foodies get your taste buds ready, because the long anticipated 32 Annual Destin Seafood Festival is set to kick off September 17-19, 2010. The festival will include loads of yummy seafood, (obviously) arts and crafts, and live music.

The Destin Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Destin Fishing Fleet Inc., has announced that the 32nd Annual Destin Seafood Festival will set up along the Destin Harbor, in the Fishing Fleet Marina, City of Destin Royal Melvin Heritage Park and Fisherman’s Wharf.

According to the official Destin Area Chamber of Commerce and Destin Seafood Festival website, “the change in location positions the festival amid Destin’s fishing docks, and the change in dates makes it a true kick off to the Destin Fishing Rodeo, which takes place the entire month of October.”

Besides the seafood, the highlight of the festival will undoubtedly be the music line up. Two major record label pop sensations from the 70′s and 80′s will be headlining the festival. Friday’s (September 17) headliner will be Starship, featuring Mickey Thomas. Thomas will be performing  “Top 40″ hits such as, “We Built This City”, “Nothings Gonna Stop Us Now,” and ”Sara,” from the bands, Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, and Starship, respectively. Saturday’s (September 18) headliner will be LOVERBOY. They have released four multi-platinum records, and several international gold records. LOVERBOY is most notably known for their songs, “Working for the Weekend,” “Turn Me Loose,” and “The Kid is Hot Tonight.”

Talk about nostalgia!

Admission for all three days of the festival is $15, or you can purchase daily tickets for $5 each on Friday and Sunday, and $10 on Saturday. (One word, LOVERBOY.)

The festival hours are Friday, September 17, from 4-10 p.m., Saturday, September 18, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, September 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased now at the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 4484 Legendary Drive, Suite A, in Destin. Tickets may also be purchased on the days of the festival from any festival admission gate, or you can call (850) 837-6241 for additional ticket info.

Just abide by your general festival site rules, and you’ll be good to go! Come on down to Destin Florida and spend a month- or two. iTrip.net has the perfect condo rental in Destin for your triple whammy vacation. (Great seafood, live, nostalgic music, and championship style fishing.)

We’ll see you there!

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.

Destin Florida has always been an attractive destination choice for vacation goers. It has a sort of vaudeville vibe about it, offering a multitude of diverse activities for tourists.

You name it, and Destin’s sure to have it. Golfing, fishing, scuba diving, parasailing, all types of boating, sunbathing, dynamic shopping centers, exceptional dining, and a spate of water and amusement park adventures- all within arm’s reach. But, the attraction that seems to have captured the hearts of most of Destin’s yearly visitors is Henderson Beach State Park.

A popular vacation review website has ranked Henderson Beach State Park number three among 24 of Destin’s attractions in their “popularity index.” Similarly, Henderson Beach State Park ranks 4 1/2 “stars” out of five for traveler ratings on this site.

Dubbed as one of the most pristine and flawless beaches that “border the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico,” Henderson Beach State Park is not an attraction that should be overlooked.

According to the Henderson Beach State Park section of the Florida State Parks website, the “natural features in the park include, sand pines, scrub oaks, and dune rosemary.” Nature and herb enthusiasts will be captivated by the beauty these natural wonders behold. The boardwalks provide convenient entry into the beach, where visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing and fishing, and there are two large pavilions available for your picnicking and grilling pleasures.

In addition to these enticing features, there is a ¾-mile hiking and nature trail, which “meanders though ancient, but still growing and shifting dunes and unique vegetation known as (Coastal Scrub).” If you decide to make the trek up to the highest dune, you will be able to see the entire park from a bird’s-eye view. The trail also ”provides visitors a rare glimpse of the coastal dune ecosystem and abundant wildlife.” At the beginning of the nature trail, you’ll find a modernized playground overlooking the best of the Gulf of Mexico, which is sure to be a hit with the kids.

Don’t let the BP oil spill scare you away from pure bliss this summer. Destin’s beaches and parks are unaffected and open for business. So, come on down and experience a little slice of heaven in one of iTrip.net’s gorgeous Destin rental properties.

Henderson Beach State Park is waiting for you.

The BP oil spill incident that caused a devastating explosion along the Gulf of Mexico has kept all eyes and ears glued to a variety of media outlets since it first occurred on April 20, 2010.

Even so, all the publicity in the world couldn’t keep tourists from flocking to the Gulf Shores of Florida- at least not yet, and iTrip.net is proof.

Last week their Panama City Beach market was booked solid. All 80 vacation rental properties were occupied by vacationers eager to dig their toes into the sugary white sand and splash in the emerald green waters of Panama City Beach.

Was it caused by fascination, the tourists fascination with the beauty of this area of Florida?

Maybe it was due to the ease of flying into Panama City via their new airport, Northwest Florida Beaches International. (ECP) Whatever it was, tourists arrived in droves ready to enjoy their Panama City Beach vacations.

Although the aforementioned theories are quite plausible, one cannot over look another cause, fear- fear that the oil spill will indeed reach the beautiful white sand and emerald green waters of Panama City Beach. If it does happen, it may take some time to restore Panama City Beach to its original Utopian existence, and visitors will almost assuredly continue jumping through hoops for the chance to experience the area should it be affected.

The state of Florida and several websites are keeping a close eye on the impact of the Deepwater Horizon (BP) oil spill. Most of the websites are using real-time updates for travel conditions.

For the most in-depth coverage in the state of Florida, go to  www.visitflorida.com. Here, you will find up to date information, you can view real-time video clips of all of Florida’s cities and their beaches, you can see recently uploaded images of Florida’s beaches, and you can get real-time “tweets” from whichever Florida city you are planning to visit- all with just a click of the mouse.

As of June 8, 2010, the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) reports that “There have been no impacts at this time, the beaches are open and the swimming is still safe. Should there be an impact, it will likely be in the form of tar balls, and should not disrupt visitors enjoying the beach.”

Besides, Panama City Beach has plenty of fabulous attractions, dining, and shopping centers to make your holiday as bright as the “Sunshine State” itself.

Discounts are plentiful, and now is the time to visit, so come on down and let iTrip.net help you find the perfect Panama City Beach vacation rental.

Die hard NASCAR fans have Orlando and Daytona Beach Florida on their minds as they count down the days to the “Great American Race,” better known as the Daytona 500.

Friday, July 2, 2010 will play host to the Subway Jalapeno 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, the first race of the weekend. The Subway Jalapeno 250 is a NASCAR Nationwide Series race that takes place under the lights of the Daytona National Speedway the night before the Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400. While it is the first race to take place in the Coke Zero 400 weekend, it is also the final restrictor plate race that is held each season in the Nationwide Series.

An exciting addition to this year’s Subway Jalapeno 250 is the new NASCAR Nationwide Series car, which will make its on-track debut in this 100-lap, 250-mile race. Testing of the new Nationwide Series car has already begun, with 24 drivers, including Kevin Harvick and Trevor Bayne, participating in the two-day test run that exposed a few glitches in the car. But-there’s no need to panic, NASCAR is appropriately addressing the glitches and both the drivers and fans seem to be impressed with the “newer, sportier-looking car”.

Following the Subway Jalapeno 250, will be the Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400, which is set to take place on Saturday, July 3, 2010 as the final race on Daytona’s International Speedway before Speedweek and the Daytona 500 in February 2011. This 160-lap, 400-mile race will celebrate Independence Day in style, with fireworks lighting up the night sky both on and off the track.

The Subway Jalapeno 250 will begin at 8 p.m. EST, and the Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 will wrap things up the following night beginning at 7:30 p.m. EST.

For more information on schedules and tickets, visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

While you’re revving up for the profusion of noise, high-powered engines, speed, pre-race music, and colored flags, Itrip.net can secure your dream vacation rental; a vacation rental fit for a king or queen, at a price anyone can afford.

If plans to visit Panama City Beach are on your agenda for vacation this summer, you hit the nail right on the head; if it isn’t, it should be.

Over one-million visitors each year are drawn to the sensational white sandy beaches and emerald green waters of Panama City Beach Florida. But- that’s not the only reason tourists seek out Panama City Beach for vacation. This area of Florida has become a vacation hotspot for those looking to include unique shopping experiences and entertainment into their beach vacation.

In recent years, the Pier Park Summer Concert Series has become another popular attraction, for both visitors and locals alike. It’s become so popular in fact, it’s in its fifth season. Part of what makes the Panama City Beach concert series so enticing is that it’s a free event. That’s right- a free concert.

This year’s  5^th annual Pier Park Concert series will run every Tuesday night from 7pm– 9pm,  June 10^_ August 13,  at Aaron Bessant Park. Along with  live beach music, there will also be a wide array of activities, food and beverage stands, and promotional giveaways. Small coolers and pets on a leash are welcome.

Pier Park Concert Series 2010 summer line-up:

June 10th Air National Guard Band of the South

June 17th Eric Lindell

June 24th Michelle Malone

July 1st Donnie Sundal

July 8th Good Enough For Good Times

July 15th Heritage

July 22nd George Porter Jr. & the Runnin’ Partners

July 29th De Lions Of Jah

August 5th Colonel Bruce Hampton and Quark Alliance

August 12th Heartbeat City

Bring the family (and your dancing shoes) on down to Panama City Beach Florida for a great vacation and some excellent beach music. While planning for your Panama City Beach vacation, let iTrip.net help by providing you with a gorgeous high-end luxury condo that’s just a walk away from Pier Park.

The Emerald Coast is celebrated for its sugary white sands and gleaming aqua-green waters, and Sandestin is a world-renowned golf and beach resort just east of Destin, FL on the Emerald Coast.

But- beginning June 22, the beauty of Sandestin will come in second place as the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic reigns over Sandestin.

According to their website, The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic fishing tournament is one of the “Top Ten Big Money Tournaments” in the world, adding that, “The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic is one of the fastest growing fishing tournaments on the Gulf Coast of Florida.”

Along with all the other fishing tournaments taking place on the Gulf Coast, the oil spill will not keep the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic down. It will take place as planned June 22-27 at Baytowne Marina in Sandestin- for now.

A staff writer for the ECBC has stated that , proceeding with the tournament sends a “positive signal, not only to the fishing community, but to the world, that Florida’s Emerald Coast is open for tourism and fishing.”

The annual ECBC tournament has been strategically timed to correspond with the peak of the Gulf Coast’s Blue Marlin season, and the competition is taking place in one of the most prolific fisheries in the U.S.  It was within these waters that two blue marlin “granders” (blue marlin weighing over 1,000 lbs.) have been weighed over the course of several years. Florida state records for the blue marlin, and Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna, have also been broken in the Gulf.

The ECBC is an eco friendly “modified release tournament”, meaning, release points will be awarded for blue marlin, in addition to the white marlin, sailfish, and spearfish.

The ECBC will offer cash prizes to the top three teams entered in the Release Division, the top three Crews entered in the Crew Division, and to the three heaviest weighed blue marlin, dolphin, tuna, and wahoo.

Individual angler trophies will be presented to the tops in the each division: release, lady, and junior anglers. The top overall release team has its name engraved on the Magnificent Blue Perpetual Trophy, quite an honor for any fisherman (or woman).

This annual event offers something for everybody-  bring the family and enjoy a unique dining and shopping experience at the Baytowne Wharf.  Offshore, there will be plenty of activities for the kids, and for yourself, there’s golfing, tennis, and a booming nightlife.

Let us here at Itrip.net help you get set up for this week-long Sandestin adventure. We have the ideal Sandestin townhouse right in the heart of the Sandestin Beach and Golf Resort, a vacation rental fit for the whole family.

Without a doubt, Florida is one of the most frequently visited vacation destinations in the world. And, not surprisingly, Orlando is ranked the #1 cities to visit in 2010. Orlando steadily attracts tourists who are looking for both value and substance in their vacation.

Whether it’s your first time visiting Orlando or your 10th, there is always something new and exciting to investigate. Orlando may be known as the “theme park capitol of the world,” but there are an endless number of activities available outside of the theme parks as well.

Rest assured, families, business executives, friends, couples, and retirees alike will find themselves inundated with the superfluity of Orlando area attractions awaiting them right around the bend.

Walt Disney World has long been the top attraction in Orlando, hosting a large variety of activities for both children and adults. Four theme parks, (EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studio’s, and Animal Kingdom) two water parks, (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon) and 22 different themed resorts will be sure to keep families visiting Orlando full of frenzied fun for days on end.

Then there is the infamous La Nouba Cirque du Soleil, perfect for the fan of anything boasting eccentricity. A circus of sorts, the Cirque du Soleil is a show with acrobatics, music, dancers, mimes, cyclists, and trapeze artists.

Still, for others, there are “Saturday Nights in Old Town,” featuring free rock concerts and classic car-cruising. And a day trip to Daytona Beach, the “World’s Most Famous Beach”, can be a perfect addition to your Orlando area vacation.

If you’re looking for more, and perhaps a less conventional means of fun, you can always check out “209 Things to Do in Orlando”.

One thing’s for certain, you’ll never see a dull moment when visiting Orlando.

iTrip.net is proud to offer vacation rentals in Santa Rosa Beach located in South Walton, Florida!  Our Santa Rosa Beach Rentals are located along one of the Top 10 Beaches in the World!