The Beach Vacation Blog » The Truman Show

Celebrating 25 Years!!!

Garrett Realty Services — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:16:13 +0000

Garrett Realty Services

Celebrates 25 Years of Success in SouthWalton,Florida

It all started back on April 1^st of 1987, when real estate brokers Marie Garrett and Julia Arthur established their company onScenic Highway 30A. Their goal was simple: to provide top-notch real estate and property management services to the South Walton area.

“Our mantra has always been to treat our guest vacationers as extended family members, rather than just customers” says Marie Garrett. “So while we’ve spent the past 25 years building our business to now over 300 vacation rental properties, we’ve never stopped viewing our guests that way.”

Garrett Realty Services offers a full suite of real estate, vacation rental and property management services. Based inSeagrove Beach,Florida– a beautiful beach community located between Destin andPanama CityBeach– Garrett also services surrounding 30A locations, such asSeaside,SeacrestBeach,Santa RosaBeachandInletBeach.

“Now that we’ve reached 25 years of business, I think we all feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in our company” continues Marie Garrett. “When we first started,SeagroveBeachwas a tiny, unknown spot on the beach. Now we’ve seen it grow into a very popular destination with vacationers. And while sometimes we miss the old days, we’re grateful to have had the opportunity to meet so many new ‘extended family’ members who have vacationed with us throughout the years.”

About Garrett Realty Services, Inc:

Garrett Realty Services is a property management and real estate sales company. They are committed to friendly, knowledgeable and personalized property and vacation rental

management services. For more information, visit their website at www.GarrettRealty.com.

Spring to the Beaches of South Walton ~ Visit South Walton

Garrett Realty Services — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:29:09 +0000

This year the first day of spring lands on Tuesday, March 20^th. That means you have exactly 13 weeks and 1 day before the summer heat. The Beaches of South Walton have a calendar full of exciting events to keep you busy outdoors every day this spring!

Music fills the air from March through May in Rosemary, Seaside, and Alys Beach. Spring concerts are offered at 6:00pm every Wednesday and Thursday night. Bring your blanket, beach chair, and a bottle of wine and enjoy the sounds of talented musicians under the stars. For the movie buff, every Friday at 7:30pm take in a spring flick on the green lawn at the Seaside Amphitheatre. All spring concerts and movies are free and open to the public!

This time of year the Beaches of South Walton are famous for hosting our favorite annual events! Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach is the world’s first projection art festival, with artists using the latest technologies to project their original works onto the town’s famous white walls. This event draws over 3,000 guests to its now 2-day event in June!

Seaside hosts the 24^th Annual ArtsQuest and Music Festival. Over 130 international artists fill downtown Seaside with inspiring exhibits. A weekend of live music, artist workshops, KidZone activities, and fabulous fare can be had by all in the month of May!

The 26^th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival takes place in April. Unique wine events over a 4 day period include wine seminars, dinners, auctions, and tastings of over 600 domestic and international wines. Live music, gourmet food, and a never ending supply of wine makes this event a South Walton favorite!

Escape to The Beaches of South Walton this year and experience spring at its best! Come , Visit South Walton, today!

Call Garrett Realty Services @ 1-800-537-5387 for reservations.

www.Artsquestflorida.com www.digitalgraffiti.com www.sandestinwinefestival.com

South Walton is the Place!

Garrett Realty Services — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 23:28:45 +0000

“This is the Place” is the title of Susanna Hoffs’ South Walton Single. The songs official launch will take place at the 30A Songwriters Festival next week. However, the song is already a hit thanks to the lyric preview video on YouTube that is viewed regularly and local media.

Susanna Hoffs is not the only Songwriter that our beautiful City of South Walton has inspired. Recent releases such as “Life Shines (The 30A Song)” performed by Bryan Kennedy and written by Kennedy and Mike Ragsdale can be heard on YouTube. The Beaches of South Walton are truly music making material!

Susanna Hoffs will debut her song live at the upcoming Songwriter’s Festival. Music lovers don’t want to miss this event. I guarantee you’ll “like it right here”.

For more information and accommodations, contact Garrett Realty Services @ 1-800-537-5387.

30A ~ A Music Lovers Highway!!!

Garrett Realty Services — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:01:19 +0000

30A Songwriters Festival is back by popular demand and only a week away! Voted in 2011 as the hottest Annual Event on 30A, this year over 125 songwriters are ready to turn up the heat for 2012. From January 13^th- 15^th, you can enjoy three full days of folk, country, rock, and alternative music along the beautiful beaches of South Walton, Highway 30A.

Venues vary from intimate settings to open air amphitheaters and include 30A hot spots such as: Gulf Place Amphitheatre, Naked Grape, First Note Music Hall in Blue Mountain Beach, and Bud & Alley’s in Seaside. Performances by The Bangles, Rodney Crowell, Shawn Mullins, Matthew Sweet, Indigo Girls, Joan Osborne, and so many more. Truly a world class event of amazing performances at one of the most beautiful spots in the Country!

For a full list of artists and venues or ticket information visit www.30asongwritersfestival.com. Need accommodations, call Garrett Realty Services @ 1-800-537-5387

Calm after the Storm!!

Garrett Realty Services — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 20:30:21 +0000

Labor Day 2011 came and went. We said “Goodbye to the Summer and to Tropical Storm Lee”. He brought much needed rain and left us with a cool front along with beautiful clear emerald green waters. Come Rent & Relax with us! ! The Fall Season is perfect. It offers warm days, cool nights and the price is right!!

Fall in Love with a Beach Vacation Today. Call @ 1-800-537-5387 or visit our Fall Deals at www.garrettrealty.com/Specials.aspx

Sunsets from our Back Yards!!

Garrett Realty Services — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:25:01 +0000

Our sunsets aren’t the only reason to visit our wonderful Paradise!!!

Come Rent & Relax along Scenic 30-A with Garrett Realty Services, Inc.

Garrett Realty Services, Seagrove Plaza, 30A & The Beaches of South Walton!!

Garrett Realty Services — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:56:15 +0000

The Beaches of South Walton are Open for Business

Garrett Realty Services — Fri, 14 May 2010 20:17:20 +0000

Beaches of South Walton Coastline Unaffected and Ready for Summer Travel!

From: Nashville Lifestyles

Visitors continue to enjoy great weather and events along Beaches of South Walton’s 26 miles of unaffected coastline, as the destination prepares for a new international airport and an influx of summer travelers.

“The daily headlines might be full of doom and gloom, but what our visitors are seeing are emerald waters and white sand beaches,” said Tracy Louthain, director of communications for the Beaches of South Walton Tourist Development Council (TDC). “Our community is prepared for any potential impacts, but our primary message is that our destination is open for enjoyment.”

Visitors flocked to the destination for Mother’s Day weekend to enjoy a multitude of events, sunny skies and temperatures in the low 80s. The region is now gearing up for a busy summer travel season, marked by all-new air service from major cities around the country.

New air service by Southwest Airlines to Northwest Florida is on schedule to begin May 23 to the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. Nonstop service will be available from markets including Orlando, Nashville, Baltimore and Houston via Southwest and from Atlanta via Delta.

Lodging partners are preparing for the summer season with a host of travel packages and events, including sand sculpture demonstrations along Rosemary Beach, Le Grande Cirque performances in Sandestin, movie nights in WaterColor, the Digital Graffiti festival in Alys Beach, and many more.

Oil Status

According to the latest projections from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the oil slick in the Gulf is more than 150 miles from Beaches of South Walton and winds continue to move oil away from Florida waters. The TDC and lodging partners are monitoring conditions closely, and partners are developing generous travel policies should any of the beaches be impacted. Visitors are encouraged to contact their lodging provider directly to discuss specific policies and programs. To keep visitors informed about beach conditions and the county’s preparedness the TDC is continuing to post daily updates and images on www.BSWupdate.com, including information on a fully funded action plan to protect the destination in the event of oil reaching the shore. For more information about Beaches of South Walton, please visit www.beachesofsouthwalton.com or contact the Visitor’s Center at (800) 822-6877. To access a 24-hour information line devoted to information regarding the drilling incident, contact the Walton County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 267-2000.

About Beaches of South Walton

Beaches of South Walton is a destination located along a 26-mile stretch of Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast and comprised of 15 picturesque beach communities, and white sand beaches and emerald green waters for which the region is renowned. Named as one of the Top 12 travel destinations for 2010 by Frommer’s, visitors to the destination enjoy a relaxing escape: an upscale, yet casual, place to unwind and rejuvenate.

Frommer’s listed the “Florida Panhandle Beaches” in Top 10.

Garrett Realty Services — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:55:37 +0000

Just wanted to share the following good news with you…

Frommer Travel Recognizes the Lifestyle and Natural Beauty of the Florida Panhandle beaches as a “top 10 destination” for 2010

The “Florida Panhandle Beaches” is the only continental U.S. destination included in Frommer’s list of Top Destinations 2010! (Other places on the list include Melbourne, Australia; Tunisia; Hanoi, Vietnam; Kerala, India; and Mexico City).

Florida Panhandle Beaches, United States

Like the Rodney Dangerfield of the American Southeast, Florida’s panhandle never gets the respect it deserves. Dubbed the “Redneck Riviera” by dismissive northerners, northwest Florida, in fact, contains some of the most diverse recreation choices along Florida’s drastically under-appreciated Gulf coast, and some of the best options for visitors seeking an affordable family vacation.

From Destin to the west, where you can hire a fishing or sailing charter, to the smattering of National Seashores as you move east, there’s really something for everyone. Seaside’s planned community is so “perfect” it was the setting for the The Truman Show, yet you’ll also find old-school Florida towns with funky shops, tiny hotels, pristine beaches, and the perfect cottage to rent.

“Stunning beaches, nature trails … great restaurants, and a cozy, yet quirky, sense of community.” — Lesley Abravanel, author Frommer’s Florida

Read full article here

Southwest Airlines heads to Northwest, FL

Garrett Realty Services — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:44:51 +0000

Southwest leads the way to economic growth

By SCARLET SIMS | News Herald Writer Florida Freedom Newspapers

2009-10-29 21:56:15

SANDESTIN — Capturing Southwest Airlines as the low-cost carrier at the new international airport is just the beginning of boosting Northwest Florida’s economy, local leaders said Thursday.

“The next decade is going to be our decade,” said Janet Watermeier, Bay County Economic Development Alliance executive director. “Never have the global opportunities for Northwest Florida been greater.”

During the second annual Fall Leadership Summit, a daylong conference in Sandestin, hundreds of businesspeople and local leaders talked about working together to grow the economy.

Southwest Airlines announced earlier this month its plans to begin serving the new Northwest Florida-Panama City International Airport in May. The decision remains the talk among leaders.

Southwest hopes to expand the Panhandle’s tourism industry exponentially by convincing people who might drive to Northwest Florida to fly instead, said keynote speaker Bob Montgomery, Southwest’s vice president of properties.

Southwest is known for its low airfare. Northwest Florida has some of the highest fares in the region, but those are expected to drop when Southwest begins selling tickets in December. Low prices create a demand and that means more people will come to Northwest Florida, Montgomery said.

Other carriers will consider the new airport, said Cynthia Kennedy, Walton Area Chamber of Commerce member.

Airport Executive Director Randy Curtis said plans for the airport include construction to accommodate cargo planes. The airport also hopes to draw international travelers, Curtis said.

“It will take the entire region to make it work,” said Jerry Ray, a St. Joe Co. vice president. “What Southwest does for us is provide a global network.”

St. Joe is the major property holder in Northwest Florida and a major partner with Southwest. The company agreed to repay Southwest should the airline lose money during the first three years of operation at the new airport.

Southwest looked at serving the entire region when the company chose Bay County’s new airport, Montgomery said. Talks with the other regional airports, such as the one in Pensacola, will continue, but Southwest plans to focus on Bay County, he said.

Keynote speaker Brian Wilson said the airport and Southwest offer a golden opportunity to the region. Wilson is a veteran reporter for Fox News and part-time area resident.

“I believe that this particular part of the Florida Panhandle is poised for great things in the not-so-distant future,” Wilson said. “This is the right place, and the right time is just around the corner. The world is about to beat a path to your door.”

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Garrett Realty Services main office and all of our Vacation Beach Rentals are only 30 minutes from the new airport. Southwest Airlines tickets to & from the new airport will go on sale early December, 09. For more information about booking a vacation with us, call 1-800-537-5387 or visit us on-line @ www.garrettrealty.com.