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Sunquest Cruises Wedding Special

Clear cruising ahead for brides and grooms  aboard the SOLARIS luxury yacht

From January 17, 2012 until March 31, 2012, Sunquest Cruises is offering a special 1-year anniversary gift for any wedding booked aboard the SOLARIS for any date, in any year.

Everything is ship shape aboard SunQuest Cruises’ luxury yacht, the SOLARIS, at the Baytowne Marina in Sandestin, Florida.  The awards keep rolling in – SunQuest Cruises recently received the 2012 Bride’s Choice Award from nationally known WeddingWire, putting their weddings in the top 5% of wedding professionals in the United States.  For the third consecutive year, they have received the prestigious honor of being named the knot’s Top Wedding Venue in North Florida. As well, readers of Emerald Coast Magazine voted SunQuest Cruises the 2011 Best Wedding Venue.

“We are honored to receive these accolades,” commented general manager, James Murray, Jr. II. “It’s testimony to the once-in-a-lifetime experience we always strive to provide our brides and grooms.” Handling in excess of 100 weddings a year, the professional team at SunQuest Cruises is in place from management, to Event Planners, Chefs and Servers. They take care of the bride to be’s wedding needs, down to the last detail, from planning through implementation of the big day. The two full-time Event Planners on staff can work directly with the bride, or with the bride’s wedding event coordinator.

The sumptuous hors d’oeuvres and food, along with a full service bar, are unparalleled aboard the SOLARIS yacht. An on-board Chef prepares gourmet meals in the ship’s galley, with 100% of the food being fresh and elegantly presented.  From the rich mahogany interior features, sky deck, private bridal suite, to the sweeping views and friendly staff, a wedding experience aboard the SOLARIS is guaranteed to be the memory of a lifetime for the bride and groom, as well as their family and guests. SunQuest Cruises offers a variety of wedding ceremony and reception options that can accommodate any budget with up to 150 guests.

From now until March 31, 2012, Sunquest Cruises is offering a special 1-year anniversary gift for any wedding booked aboard the SOLARIS for any date, in any year. The bride and groom will receive a free SOLARIS dinner cruise and a 1-night deluxe accommodation in partnering hotel property in the Sandestin, FL area.

Providing premier dining and entertainment events to the Emerald Coast since 2004, SunQuest Cruises offers public dinner dance cruises year round,  is available by reservation to host special events, weddings, private parties, receptions and corporate events. The SOLARIS is a magnificent 125 foot, 3-deck, 5,200 square foot yacht docked at Baytowne Marina in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.  For further information, visit www.SunQuestCruises.com, or call (850) 650-2519.

Destin Florida – Destin Harbor Sunset Photos

Destin Florida – Destin Harbor

October 17th — Sunset Photos of the Destin Harbor, Destin Bridge,  HarborWalk/Emerald Grande from across the Harbor,
and AJ’s…enjoy!

 

Destin Harbor October 17, 2011

Destin Harbor at Sunset.

 

Destin Harbor at night.

Destin Harbor at Sunset.

 

Photo taken from the South side of the Destin Harbor, looking towards the East Pass.

 

Destin Bridge at Sunset

Photo of the Destin Bridge taken from the South side of the Destin Harbor.

 

 

Destin Harbor - Emerald Grande

Photo of the HarborWalk Emerald Grande (North side of the Destin Harbor). Photo taken from the South side of the Destin Harbor.

 

Destin Harbor - AJ's at Night

Photo of the AJ’s taken from the South side of the Destin Harbor.

September spotlight: Sunrise Beach Condominiums Panama City Beach, FL

Sunrise Beach Condominiums Panama City Beach Florida

From time to time, the staff at Destin-ation.com randomly stays in condominiums or beach homes to experience “first hand” the multitude of beach vacation rental options from Okaloosa Island eastward to Panama City Beach.  It’s a tough part of our job, but somebody has to do it right?

Our spotlight this month is ResortQuest’s Sunrise Beach Condominiums located in the heart of Panama City Beach.  Located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, this beautiful resort highlights an elevated Gulf-front deck with two tropical pools (one seasonally heated), 2 relaxing spas, children’s water play area with cascading mushroom, Gulf-front exercise room with state of art equipment, Gulf front meeting room and convenient covered parking under the building.

The view from Sunrise Condominium #2308

We chose a 3 night stay in unit #2308 based on very good information available on the ResortQuest website for this location.  We arrived to a very welcoming staff that was very accommodating and helpful with getting us checked in.  The Sunrise Beach management has taken measures to ensure that only registered guests use the pool facilities and parking garage, giving the renter a sense of comfort and security one expects from an upscale location.  Unit #2308 was everything we expected and more. This unit has been recently updated with tile throughout, modern styled furniture and tasteful accessories. The view of the gulf from this unit is magnificent from both the living area and master bedroom. The second bedroom is furnished with a Queen bed and the third room features double bunks.

Kitchen view of #2308

The kitchen is equipped with all necessities but visitors should make sure to bring paper products, dishwasher soap, extra trash bags and shampoos unless planning to purchase after arriving.  Access to the pool areas and the beach is convenient thanks to high speed elevators.  You will have to get back into the elevator to go from the pool area to the beach, but this is not a big deal.

 

"Mushroom Fountain" at Sunrise Beach Condominiums

Water features include 2 Pools (One Heated Seasonally), 2 Hot Tubs and a Children’s Water Splash Area

Pool area at Sunrise Beach Condominiums

 

 

 

 

 

Beach view from #2308

If you are planning a trip to the beach, and you want a place on the beach with a fabulous view of the gulf, then you really can’t do much better than ResortQuest’s Sunrise Beach Condominiums in Panama City Beach, FL.

Complimentary in-season beach service

Amenities include:
Complimentary Beach Service (March-October)
2000 Square Foot Fitness Center
Complimentary DVD Rentals (Short Term Only)

33rd Annual Destin Seafood Festival on the Harbor

With a theme of ‘Heritage on the Harbor’, the 33rd Annual Destin Seafood Festival is from September 30 to October 2. The event is free and open to the public this year. This highly anticipated tradition draws 30,000+ visitors each year and will be set up along the length of the Destin Harbor from Harborwalk Village at the foot of the Destin Bridge, to the Boathouse Oyster Bar. The new and expanded venue will bring the Destin Seafood Festival back to its roots on the Destin Harbor. The Festival will kick off the 62nd Destin Fishing Rodeo, which takes place the entire month of October.

Activities include artists on display; fresh local food; kid’s activities and attractions. Other activities are Gulf seafood cooking demonstrations by well-known area chefs at the Fresh From Florida sponsored demonstration kitchen; Sandy the Swordfish mascot welcoming Festival goers; and live entertainment will take place throughout the Festival along the Destin Harbor.

Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association will be bringing in some of the most talented songwriters in country and popular music to entertain throughout the Festival venue. These award-winning musicians are a who’s who of songwriters of country music and have
written for and collaborated with such stars as Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Rascal Flats, Faith Hill, Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith, Vince Gill and many more. Local music favorites, Forrest Williams, Heritage, Coconut Radio and Cheryl Jones will once again perform for their loyal crowds each day.

Destin Seafood Festival parking will be in the vicinity of the event, Emerald Grande’s parking deck, the Destin Community Center. As well, free shuttles offered to and from Destin Commons and The Track, both on Highway 98 in Destin.

The free event is presented by The Destin Charter Boat Association. Presenting sponsors include The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, Visit Florida and ResortQuest. For further information, call 850-218-0232, visit the Festival’s Facebook page, or www.DestinSeafoodFestival.org.

Howl at the Moon benefit event

Join us Friday, October 28 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm  for a fun filled evening at Howl at the Moon in Fort Walton Beach for the kick-off party of Halloween Weekend!

Wearing orange for us means fighting the battle against MS, a battle we fight every day! Your $10 ticket for this event is a donation to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and includes your first TWO beverages and a raffle ticket for some amazing door prizes!

Advance purchase of a ticket is recommended as we are expecting a HUGE turn out! Please mark your calendars and invite all of your friends! Let us know if you plan on attending and we will get you ticketing info!

This is an 18 and over event.

 

National Geographic names Destin, FL a “Top 10 Best Fall Trip”

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/best-trips-fall-2011/#/destin-florida_37629_600x450.jpg

The accolades for Destin just keep coming, and deservedly so! Cooler temperatures, striking colors, smaller crowds—autumn is the perfect time to travel, and here are ten of the best fall trips, picked by National Geographic Traveler editors.

GMA says Destin is one of Americas “Most Beautiful Places”

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/explore-america-emeril-lagasse-14280195

For those of us blessed to live in Destin year round, we sometimes take it for granted…It’s always awesome to watch someone enjoying “Destin, FL” for the very first time. We think he will be back soon!

Northwest Florida Regional Airport – More Direct Flights

FLY VPS

Northwest Florida Regional Airport (*VPS) is the gateway to the Emerald Coast beach communities of Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island, Sandestin®, South Walton, Pensacola and Seaside. Check us out at FlyVSP.com and see how many nonstop flights we have added this year. Fly VPS: Convenience you expect, low fares you deserve!

Northwest Florida Regional Airport *VPS

Main airport for the Destin/Fort Walton Beach area.
Situated on Eglin Air Force Base in Valparaiso Florida.
850.651.7160

Air Service Carriers

  • American Eagle
    Provides non-stop service to Dallas, TX (DFW).
  • Continental Airline
    Express Jet provides nonstop service to Houston TX (IAH).
  • Delta
    Service may be provided by Delta or a Delta Connection carrier. Provides nonstop service daily to Atlanta, GA (ATL) and seasonal service to Cincinnati, OH (CVG).
  • US Airways
    Provides non-stop daily service to Charlotte, NC (CLT).
  • Vision Airlines
    Provides non-stop service to Asheville, NC (AVL) Atlanta, GA (ATL) Baton Rouge, LA (BTR) Chattanooga, TN (CHA) Columbia, SC (CAE) Greenville-Spartanburg, SC, (GSP) Knoxville, TN (TYS) Huntsville, AL (HSV) Little Rock, AK (LIT) Louisville, KY (SDF) Miami FL (MIA) Niagara Falls, NY (IAG) Orlando-Sanford, FL (SFB) Ft Myers/Punta Gorda, FL (PGD) Savannah, GA, (SAV) Shreveport, LA, (SHV) Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL (PIE).

“12 Days of Christmas Trees” in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin

Area non-profits benefit from tree decorating contest

Come out and enjoy ten beautifully decorated Christmas trees on public display for 12 days as area non-profit organizations vie to win cash prizes for Best of Show and People’s Choice awards. “12 Days of Christmas Trees” is a Christmas tree decorating contest taking place at Grand Park in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, Dec. 10 – Dec. 21, during which the public can vote for their favorite decorated tree.

The participating organizations are Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Seaside Neighborhood School, Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, American Cancer Society, South Walton Montessori Academy, Shelter House, Children in Crisis, Okaloosa AIDS Support and Information Services and Alaqua Animal Refuge.

The public is invited to attend the kick-off on Friday, Dec. 10 at 4:30 p.m. as all ten trees are “turned on” while Pro Arte Chorale performs Christmas music. The trees remain on display every day and night and the public can vote for their favorite tree at the Visitor Services Kiosk located at Grand Park. On Saturday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m., the contest winners will be announced in Grand Park while Canterbury Brass plays Christmas music and hot chocolate and cookies are served. The public is invited to attend.

The trees will remain on display through Dec. 21 at Grand Park in Grand Boulevard.

Vince Gill FREE Concert September 25, 2010

GRAMMY-winner Vince Gill will headline a FREE outdoor Back to the Beach concert Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, from the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin, FL. It will be held at an outdoor venue with open lawn seating, gates will open to the public at 4 p.m., so guests can come early to set out their beach blankets and claim a spot. The concert will begin at 6 p.m