Beaches of Northwest Florida
May 20-23, 2010
INTRO TO THE REGION:
Nestled along Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast, the Beaches of Northwest
Florida,
including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island, Beaches of South Walton
and
Panama City Beach, boast 77 miles (123.9 km) of sugar-white sand beaches.
Surrounded
by natural bodies of water, including the emerald-green waters of the Gulf of
Mexico as
well as lakes and bays, the area offers an abundance of recreational activities
and water
sports. This area is home to St. Andrews State Park and Grayton Beach State
Park, which
have both been named one of Dr. Beach's #1 beaches in the United States. The
area also
enjoys recognition as a premier beach destination by Condi Nast Traveler, The
Travel
Channel, USA Today and was recently chosen among Frommer's Top Destinations
2010.
This pristine area of Florida, which is virtually undiscovered, will soon be
more accessible
to beach lovers around the world. The Northwest Florida Beaches International
Airport,
opening in May 2010, will be the first international airport to open in the
United States
since Sept. 11, 2001. The airport will provide international travelers direct
access to the
brilliant, white sands of the beaches of Northwest, Fla. and a gateway to the
region
which is only 295 mi. (475 km) from New Orleans, La. and 292 mi. (489 km) from
Atlanta,
Ga. This post-Pow Wow Fam will include one of the inaugural flights from the new
airport and an exciting three days of discovery.
THURSDAY, MAY 20
9:00 M (EST) Depart Orlando Convention Center
South Concourse (POV Lane for delegates)
9899 International Drive
10:20 AM (EST) Depart Shelterair Aviation Serives
Phone: 407-896-2799
EMERALD COAST (DESTIN/FORT WALTON BEACH)
The tour will begin with a visit to Florida's Emerald Coast, comprised of Destin-Okaloosa
Island-Ft. Walton Beach, where you'll notice plenty of diversions along the 24 miles of
emerald-green waters and sugar-white sand beaches. The Emerald Coast is home to
world-class charter fishing, designer and eclectic shopping, and championship golfing.
Fresh seafood is caught right offshore in the Gulf and served up in dozens of
restaurants. The area offers exciting family and group adventures with many festivals,
events, water sports, and attractions. See why Southern Living Magazine readers have
chosen the Emerald Coast as the "Best Beach in the South" for 14 years in a row.
10:38 AM (CENTRAL) Arrive Destin/Ft. Walton Beach Aviation Airport
10:45 AM TDC/CVB Representatives arrive at airport and board motorcoach
and travel to Destin Harbor home of the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village." The
Destin Harbor hosts the largest charter fishing fleet in the state and Emerald
Grande Resort to enjoy a delicious seaside (pool deck) luncheon. It takes
approximately 15 minutes to get from the Destin Airport to the Emerald Grand.
Destin/Ft. Walton Beach Aviation Airport
1001 Airport Road, Destin, FL 32541
850-424-6890
Following the luncheon, we will have a tour of the lovely Emerald Grande Resort,
Commander's Palace Restaurant, Spa & Charter room.
Emerald Grande Resort
10 Harbor Boulevard, Destin, FL 32541
Phone: 1-800-676-0091 or 850-337-8800
After tour, we will stroll down to the Harbor and Board the "Emerald Dancer"
catamaran and Capt. Rex will give us a one hour narrated tour of the Choctaw Bay
and Destin Harbor.
2:30 PM Board the motorcoach and head to Henderson State Park for a group
photo on the beach.
Henderson Beach State Recreation Area
17000 Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin, FL 32541
Phone: 850-837-7550
3:00 PM Depart Emerald Coast and head east to Beaches of South Walton.
BEACHES OF SOUTH WALTON
Just east of Destin, Beaches of South Walton provides visitors a relaxing escape: an
upscale, yet casual, place to unwind and rejuvenate. Fifteen diverse beach communities,
including Seaside, Grayton Beach, WaterColor, Rosemary Beach and Sandestin, offer
world-class accommodations, challenging golf, eclectic shops, funky art galleries, and
award-winning dining.
3:30 PM Check in at your accommodations at Sandestin
Golf and Beach Resort.
An award-winning resort with 30 charming neighborhoods featuring
1,700 condominiums, villas, town homes and a wide variety of hotel
accommodations. The resort boasts more than seven miles of beaches
and pristine bay front, four championship golf courses, 15 world-class
tennis courts, 19 swimming pools, a 98-slip marina, certified children's
programs, a fitness center and spa, 65,000 square feet of meeting space
and a pedestrian village featuring a host of boutique shops, casual and
fine dining restaurants and nightlife venues. Sandestin is part of Intrawest
Hospitality Management, a world leader in operating and managing
destination resorts.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
9300 Emerald Coast Parkway West, Sandestin, FL 32550
Phone: 866-293-4832 or 850-267-8000
5:00 PM Meet in the lobby of the Grand Sandestin for a Tour of
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.
6:00 PM Dinner at FINZ overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. FINZ Beacheside Grille
offers beachside dining where only the cuisine outshines the view. Under
the direction of FINZ Restaurant Chef Justin Stark, FINZ Beachside Grille
offers a combination of flavors that will have guests wanting to return for
more. Entrees include a memorable collection of seafood, fish, steaks,
lamb and chicken. FINZ Beachside Grille's unique flavors are inspired
from the Gulf Rim including the Caribbean Islands, Jamaica, Haiti as well
as hints from New Orleans.
Finz Beachside Grille
9300 Emerald Coast Parkway
Phone: 850-267-4800
8:00 PM Then it's on to the vibrant Village of Baytowne Wharf for an evening of
adventure and fun. The "heart and soul" of Sandestin, The Village of
Baytowne Wharf features an array of boutiques, eateries, galleries and
nightlife— not to mention a jam-packed schedule of outdoor festivals and
special events for the entire family. This spectacular setting, nestled
along the Choctawhatchee Bay, is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon
or evening exploring.
Village of Baytown Wharf
9300 Emerald Coast Parkway W
FRIDAY, MAY 21
7:30 AM Meet with bags packed in the lobby to take transportation to
breakfast.
8:00 AM Breakfast at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa. The Hilton is
the largest beachfront resort hotel in Northwest Florida. Located on the
2,400-acre Sandestin Resort, the Hilton Sandestin gives travelers a taste
of paradise offering four championship courses, luxurious amenities and
a large selection of recreational activities. The group will enjoy breakfast
al fresco overlooking the sugar white sand beaches and emerald green
waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
4000 Sandestin Boulevard South, Destin, FL
Phone: 850-267-9500 or 800-367-1271
9:45 AM Depart the Hilton Sandestin to explore one of the area's four
state parks.
10:00 AM Guided tour at Topsail Hill State Preserve. Topsail Hill Preserve offers a
wide variety of natural resources including 3.2 miles of secluded, white
sand beaches with majestic dunes over 25 feet tall. Three rare coastal
dune lakes provide excellent freshwater fishing. Turpentine is the legacy
of Topsail Hill State Preserve, named after Topsail Hill, a high, picturesque
dune standing 25 feet above sea level. The park encompasses 1,640 acres
of stunning Gulf-front pine forests, including 14 natural wild plant
communities from beach dunes to pine flatwoods.
Topsail Hill State Preserve
7525 W. Scenic Highway, 30 A Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Phone: 850-267-0299 or 850-267-83330
11:15 AM A guided walking or biking tour of Seaside. Seaside is an 80-acre award-
winning holiday town where wooden cottages with picket fences line
brick streets leading toward beachfront gateways. This picture-perfect
beach town has all the ingredients of a classic beach holiday, from the
ice-cream and gelato parlors on every corner and the pastel-colored
cottages with wistful names like "Sunkissed" and "Ooh La La" to the Gulf-
front boardwalks with grand beach pavilions and traditional town square.
Seaside was used as the backdrop community for "The Truman Show"
starring Jim Carrey. Boutique shopping, art galleries and classic beachside
architecture create a memorable experience.
Also tour at the Art of Simple Gallery in Ruskin Place in Seaside where
the group will be hosted by Michael Granberry, Beaches of South
Walton 2010 Artist of the Year. Enjoy his photographic art as well as that
of various artists he represents through the Southeast. Also, enjoy a
behind the scenes tour of his live-work space as the group is invited to
see his home upstairs and climb to the top floor terrace for a bird's eye
view of the picture perfect town.
12:30 PM Experience WaterColor Inn and Resort. This expansive 499-acre Southern
coastal resort and residential community is located between Seaside and
Grayton Beach State Recreation Area and nestled against a rare, 220-acre
coastal dune lake. We'll take a quick tour of the David Rockwell-designed
WaterColor Inn, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, including one
of the well appointed rooms all overlooking the gulf, the InnSpa, and end
at the award-winning Fish Out of Water restaurant.
WaterColor Inn & Resort
34 Goldenrod Circle, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Phone: 850-534-5000
Lunch at Fish Out of Water. Fish Out of Water's Chef de Cuisine Philip
Krajeck, named a "Best Chef: South" semi-finalist by the prestigious
James Beard Foundation Awards 2009, will demonstrate his love of
cooking and philosophy of using the freshest, local ingredients. The mood
at Fish Out of Water is casually chic, and yet elegance is reflected in the
simplest detail. The freshest local fish and meats, combined with an
eclectic approach to traditional ways of preparing and serving food
translates into dishes unlike anything else offered in this area.
Fish Out of Water
34 Goldenrod Circle
Phone: 850-534-5050
45 PM Continue driving tour of Scenic Highway 30A through beach
communities including Seagrove Beach, WaterSound, Seacrest, Alys Beach and
Rosemary Beach.
15 PM Tour of Alys Beach and refreshments at Caliza Pool. Alys Beach draws its
architectural inspirations from Bermuda and Antigua, Guatemala. In fact,
Forbes recently named Alys Beach America's "Top Spot for Design-Savvy
Home Buyers." Every home is built to Fortified® standards, as designated
by the Institute for Business & Home Safety, as well as to Florida's Green
Home Designation Standard.
00 PM Depart Beaches of South Walton and continue east to Panama City
Beach
00 PM Arrive in Panama City Beach and check into your luxurious
gulf front accommodations.
Host Hotel: Sterling Breeze
16701 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach FL
Phone: 850-230-6110/866-573-7678
6:30 PM Depart for Pier Park. Relax at the ultimate tropical setting,
Jimmy
Buffett's Margaritaville in Pier Park, for a breathtaking sunset over the
Gulf of Mexico and a frozen margarita. Relax to the sounds of island
music and discover the "Parrot Head" in you.
Simon/Pier Park
600 Pier Park Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32413
Phone: 850-236-9974
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
16230 Front Beach Road
Phone: 850-835-7870
7:45 PM With your own complimentary Simon/Pier Park gift card, shop or
dine at one of the many restaurants in Pier Park or spend your time gathering
those last minute mementos of a wonderful visit to Panama City Beach.
Saturday May 22
8:30 AM Check out of hotel and transport to Treasure Island Marina.
9:00 AM Cast Off! Your breakfast awaits you in the galley! Enjoy your first meal of
the day aboard the Island Time, a sleek 55' long, 30' wide catamaran.
Cruise the calm waters of St. Andrews Bay with schools of dolphins as
your guides. It's the perfect opportunity to kick back, relax and leave the
work to the experienced crew.
11:15 AM St. Andrews State Park. A scenic drive through St. Andrews State Park,
ranked number two on the list of "Top 10 Beaches in the United States"
by Trip Advisor and one of the most popular outdoor recreation spots in
Florida. The Park offers 1,260 acres of rolling, white sand dunes
separated by low swales of pinewoods and marshes and 176 campsites
along Grand Lagoon. For the fishing enthusiast there are two piers within
the park - one bayside for light tackle fishing and one on the gulf for
heavy tackle fishing.
St. Andrews State Park
4607 State Park Lane
Phone: 850-233-5140
11:45 AM Boatyard Restaurant. Relax at the Boatyard Restaurant overlooking
Grand Lagoon and enjoy a tropical meal prepared especially for you by
popular chef Konrad Jochum - a local favorite. Enjoy true Florida fare
served with southern hospitality.
Boatyard
5323 N. Lagoon Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32408
Phone: 850-249-9273
12:45 PM Check into host hotels:
Marriott Bay Point Golf Resort & Spa
4200 Marriott Drive, Panama City, Beach, FL 32408
Phone: 850-236-6000
Reflections at Bay Point
4100 Marriott Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32408
Phone: 850-236-6190
1-5 PM It's your day. Create a REAL FUN memory that is all yours to take
home, share, and revisit time and again. It's your memory making moment, so you
decide:
Tee Time Recognized as one of America's top golf towns, Panama City Beach
offers five public courses - tee up for nine holes of golf.
Dolphin Encounter Panama City Beach, home to one of the largest concentrations of bottle nose
dolphin, offers the perfect chance to meet
one of these "locals" in a controlled
environment at Gulf World Marine Park.
Catch of the Day Enjoy a personalized fishing trip from one of the
largest fishing fleets on the Gulf Coast. Offshore or inshore - create your own
"fish tale."
Ship Ahoy Captain a pontoon boat to Shell Island for an afternoon of
boating, shelling, snorkeling or just walking the pristine beaches of the
barrier island.
Shopping Galore Enjoy the tropical atmosphere of Pier Park,
the newest addition to Panama City Beach.
With over 1,000,000 square feet, Pier Park
is Northwest Florida's largest shopping,
dining, and entertainment venue. This
open air complex includes restaurants and
shops comprising a mix of popular national
chains along with local boutiques, eateries
and nightlife.
Renew Ease your mind, body, and spirit at one of Panama City Beach's
relaxing spas.
6:45 PM Stroll down the dock for a sunset cruise and cocktails aboard a
private yacht, the S.S. Oaseas.
8:00 PM Dinner at the well-renowned Captain Anderson's Restaurant and
Waterfront Market. Captain Anderson's Restaurant is named among America's
Top 50 restaurants and is recipient of the "Best Seafood Restaurant" award from
Southern Living Magazine and Wine Spectator's "Award of Excellence". It is a
local tradition to watch the fishing fleets unload their catch while dining at
Captain Anderson's Restaurant on the shores of Grand Lagoon.
Captain Anderson's Restaurant
5551 N. Lagoon Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32408
Phone: 850-234-2225
Sunday, May 23
5:00 AM Transport to the new Northwest Florida Beaches International
Airport. You'll be the premiere group to celebrate the opening of the new
international airport, which will open the region to a worldwide audience.
Designed to be the nation's greenest airport with the first LEED certified
airport terminal in the United States, it is developed on a 4,000 acre site in
conjunction with a nature preserve that includes Florida's largest expanse of
undeveloped coastline.
7:32 AM Depart from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport
with wonderful memories of the beautiful Beaches of Northwest Florida. Arrive
Orlando International Airport for flights after 1:00 PM
Beaches of Northwest Florida Contacts
Pamela Watkins - CTIS
Director of Sales and Special Events
Beaches of South Walton TDC
25777 US Hwy. 331 South
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Phone: 850-267-1216
Fax:850-267-3943
E-mail:
pwatkins@beachesofsouthwalton.com
Tracy Louthain
Director of Public Relations & Visitors Services
Beaches of South Walton TDC
25777 US Highway 331 South
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Phone: (850) 267-1216 Ext. 122
Fax: (850) 267-3943
E-mail:
tlouthain@beachesofsouthwalton.com
Sherry Rushing - CTIS
Travel Industry Sales Director
Emerald Coast Convention 8B Visitors Bureau, Inc.
1540 Miracle Strip Parkway SE
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549-0609
Phone: (850) 651-7647
Fax: (850) 651-7130
E-mail: srushing@co.okaloosa.fl.us
Susan Estler
Vice President of Marketing
Panama City Beach Convention 8B Visitors Bureau
17001 Panama City Beach Parkway
Panama City Beach, FL 32413
Phone: (850) 233-5070
Toil-Free: (800) PCBEACH
Fax: (850) 233-5072
E-mail:
Sestler@visitpanamacitybeach.com
Ann Gager
Senior Sales Manager
Panama City Beach Convention 8B Visitors Bureau
17001 Panama City Beach Parkway
Panama City Beach, FL 32413
Phone: (850) 233-5070
Toil-Free: (800) PCBEACH
Fax: (850) 233-5072
E-mail:
agager@visitpanamacitybeach.com