The Beach Vacation Blog » The Truman Show

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.

Red Bar

Garrett Realty Services — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:53:59 +0000

A funny thing I heard on my way to The Red Bar,

“What do you call a lawyer who hangs out in restaurants?

An ambiance chaser” ; }

Which nicely seques into our comments on one of our favorite local restaurants:

Garrett Realty Services Invites You to Experience:

Good Friends Good Food and Good Times at The Red Bar

My BFF since I was twelve years old is visiting from Germany and wanted authentic local atmosphere not to mention, food. I immediately thought of The Red Bar.

The first impression one has is that the vine covered restaurant has been there for a long time and deeply ensconced in the historical little town of Grayton Beach. The Red Bar’s eclectic Bohemian decor is artsy and creative and BOY are they ready for the Holidays. There is something interesting to look at in every square inch down to the international posters on the ceiling which patrons have contributed.

Needless to say, we LOVED the food. There were five of us so we ordered several different dishes for sampling. The Red Bar is famous for their Chicken Panne and Gulf-fresh seafood (especially the crab cakes). There is quite a selection of side orders: ranging from sweet potatoes, delightfully varied salads and freshly battered onion rings… YUM. The specials change daily and are quaintly hand-written on a large chalk board presented by the waitress.

My friends, Laura and and hubby Jerry, said their Shrimp PoBoywas the best they have had (and they are seasoned travelers). Laura also added that the bread was as good as she gets in Europe. That is quite the compliment.

The two important things Laura and I have in common are our tastes in food and laughing (We haggled over a few beaus but that is fodder for another blog!).

We had so much fun (of course we always do… that is why we are still friends after —?! zillion years) reminiscing about slumber parties and debating the best techniques for tormenting our little brothers. Some stories never get old…

A little Red Bar History 101:

The Red Bar is venerable. Belgian brothers, Olly and Phillipe Petit, have built The Red Bar from a former Grayton Grocery into one of the area’s most famous eateries. The restaurant is actually called Picolo’s, but the whole place is best known by the bar’s name, The Red Bar.

The Red Bar Jazz Band plays almost nightly and is the best in NW Florida featuring the great Jabbo Starke, formerly James Brown’s drummer who played in Sex Machine and Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag. When Starke is not at The Red Bar, he still performs all over the world.

The Red Bar has always been known for featuring the best in South Walton County music, first and foremost with the Great Red Bar Jazz Band but also with regular appearances from area favorites like Dread Clampitt, The Waco Ramblers and Hubba Hubba.

Don’t be surprised to spot celebrities here late at night. “…But please, everybody just wants to chill at The Red Bar.”

Located in the old part of Downtown Grayton Beach, Florida on Scenic 30-A, (Just down the road and west of Garrett Realty Services) The Red Bar is also a short drive from Destin & Panama City Beach.

Phone: 850-231-1008

Check out their website: http://www.theredbar.com/ for more information.

Rent a Blockbuster Movie Tonight!

Garrett Realty Services — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:11:05 +0000

Seagrove Beach, FL September 23, 2009

THE VIDEO CORNER Special: Rent 2 New Releases for $8.00 plus tax!

Did you know that Seagrove Beach has its very own video store? The Video Corner is located in Seagrove Plaza on Scenic 30-A and has been open since March of 2008.

NEW RELEASES every Tuesday!

The Video Corner is the ONLY video store in the area and YES! We are open to the public and have the latest greatest video releases for everyone as well as our customers!

Don’t forget that the memorable film The Truman Show starring Jim Carrey was filmed just down the road at Seaside! We always keep plenty in stock for rent (Buy it for just $9.99!). Take the Truman Show home for a souvenir of your vacation on beautiful Scenic 30-A.

Fall Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Times of operation are seasonal so please call for current hours) Located inside Garrett Realty Services and is OPEN to the Public.