ResortQuest Offers Competitors of Helen Drake Invitational Tennis Tournament 10 Percent Off Luxury Accommodations

The largest U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) event in Florida returns for its 28th season to TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort in Destin, Fla.

TOPS'L Beach and Racquet Resort, a professionally managed luxury property by ResortQuest^® by Wyndham Vacation Rentals, will welcome the Helen Drake Invitational Tennis Tournament this month for its 28th season on the breathtaking beaches and emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. As one of the largest USTA events in Florida each year, this sanctioned tournament is expected to attract participation by hundreds of competitors from across the southeastern United States from its kickoff date on Wednesday, April 13 through Sunday, April 17, 2011.

As the proud host of the annual Invitational, ResortQuest is offering 10 percent off a three-night stay for registered tournament players at resort condominiums in TOPS'L Beach Manor, TOPS'L Tides, TOPS'L Summit, TOPS'L Tennis Village and TOPS'L Captiva. This special rate is available from the beginning of the tournament through its close on April 17.

Situated on 52 acres in Destin, Fla. and bordered by both the Gulf of Mexico and a tranquil nature preserve, TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort is renowned as a top tennis destination year round. Tennis Magazine has named TOPS'L among the "Top 50 Tennis Resorts in the U.S." every year since 1987. Tennis Resorts Online, rated it a "Gold Medal Resort" for 2010, designating it as one of the 10 best tennis resorts in the world.

Tournament Director for the Helen Drake Invitational, Joe D'Aleo, has run the tournament for more than a decade and also serves as the District 1 President of the USPTA. D'Aleo leads the team of professionally certified tennis instructors on staff at TOPS'L. The Tennis Desk at the TOPS'L Club offers player-matching services, round robins, tennis clinics, and private and group lessons. Resort guests enjoy complimentary use of 12 newly resurfaced rubico clay courts, including 10 that are lighted for night play.

To take advantage of ResortQuest's Helen Drake lodging discount, guests should call 1-800-380-4808 and mention Promo Code A3030. Availability is limited, and reservation must be booked by phone. More details, including terms and conditions, are available online at www.ResortQuestDestinVacations.com/helen-drake-tennis-tournament.htm.

Destin Cobia Tournament

With a name like “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village”, Destin is a town that takes their fishing very seriously.  That’s why the 15th Annual Harborwalk Marina Destin Cobia Tournament is one of the highest anticipated events of the year.  Weigh-ins will take place at the Harborwalk Marina (66 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541).  Anglers come from all across Northwest Florida (along with some visitors, too) to compete for cash and prizes.  The tournament begins in March and ends on May 6th with an Awards Ceremony at Harry T's (46 Harbor Blvd., Destin, FL 32541). 

There are many categories to the tournament, including 30 foot and under, ladies, senior, junior, pee wee, and more!  Anglers look forward to the excellent payout, in which last year over $35,000 in cash and prizes were awarded.  All proceeds benefit the Miss Destin Scholarship Fund, helping local girls further their educational goals.

Even though the tournament has already begun, as of today, no one has caught the first Cobia!  Join us this spring in one of many Destin and Ft. Walton Beach vacation rentals, and maybe you can take home the prize!

The Orange Beach Festival of Art

If you’re visiting the Gulf Coast in March, be sure to check out the Orange Beach Festival of Art, the first fine art and fine craft show of the season.   The festival will be at the Orange Beach Art Center (26389 Canal Rd., Orange Beach, AL, 36561) on March 12th and 13th.  It is held each year during the second weekend in March, and has been a highly anticipated event for almost twenty years.  There will be over 65 artists, two stages, and two specialty tents to choose from at this FREE event.

The Literary Arts Tent will showcase local and celebrity authors for book readings and signings.  See dance perfomances and theater troops in the Performing Arts Stage.  Kids will be able to dabble in six hands-on exciting art experiences in the Kid’s Art Alley.  Catch a glass blowing demonstration at The Hot Shop, or enjoy amazing regional talent at the Songwriters and Musicians stage as they share their wonderful music.  There will also be artwork on display from artists from all over the nation.

Throw some fine art into your family vacation, as this festival has something to please everyone!  There’s still a lot of availability for spring along the Alabama Gulf Coast and in Perdido Key.  Don’t miss out on this great event!

Mardi Gras on the Emerald Coast

Laissez les bon temps roulez!  Mardi Gras is coming up, and although Fat Tuesday isn’t happening until March 8th, there are plenty of upcoming celebrations happening all along the Gulf Coast.  Bring out your masks, boas and beads and join us for these unforgettable festivities!

Panama City will play host to the St. Andrew’s Mardi Gras Festival on February 25th & 26th.  There will be a Kids Parade on the 25th down Beck Avenue, and the 26th will feature the Annual Grand Parade along the same route.  In addition to the parades, there will be a two-day festival in the Oaks by the Bay Park (1000 Beck Ave., Panama City, FL, 32401) with entertainment for the entire family.

HarborWalk Village on the Destin Harbor (10 Harbor Blvd., Destin, FL, 32541) is bringing us two celebrations: Enjoy the parade on February 26th with beads, live music, and traditional New Orleans revelry, or join them March 8th for the Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Bash featuring free red beans and rice, performers and live music that’s sure to be a good time!

The islanders of Pensacola Beach definitely know how to have a good time, as they are also featuring two parades.  February 26th will host the Kids & Kritters Parade ($5 fee for your furry friend to participate) from the Beach Fire Station (901 Via de Luna Dr., Pensacola Beach, 32561) to the Pensacola Beach Community Church.  Check out the costumed kids and pets in this fun and furry parade.  March 6th will feature the big celebration, the Krewe of Wrecks, down Via de Luna Drive at 12pm.

The Gulf Shores area is the closest to Mobile (the true birthplace of Mardi Gras), and they are having five separate parades!  March 4th is the Mystical Order of Mirams Mardi Gras Parade in Orange Beach at 6:30pm from Wintzell’s Oyster House (24131 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach, AL, 36561) ending at Rite Aid.  The Mystics of Pleasure Mardi Gras Parade is March 5th in Orange Beach at 6:30pm from Live Bait (24281 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach, AL, 36561) ending at the Perdido Beach Resort.  March 8th is Fat Tuesday, so there are three parades to choose from: the Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade at 10am along Highway 59, the Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade at 1:30pm beginning at Wintzell’s, and LuLu’s 7th Anniversary Celebration and Boat Parade, an all-day event at LuLu’s at Homeport (200 E 25th Ave., Gulf Shores, AL, 36542)

The Emerald Coast is proof that you don’t need to be in New Orleans or Mobile to celebrate Mardi Gras in style.  Come join us in one of many properties all along the sandy white beaches, and be ready for lots of beads (and maybe a Moon Pie, too).

Sandestin Gumbo Festival

When I think of good southern food, gumbo is always one of the first things that comes to mind.  It has a flavor that only comes from true southern home-cooking.  Get your own taste of southern hospitality at the 22nd Annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival on February 18th and 19th.  This year, the festival has moved to The Village of Baytowne Wharf and is now stretched over two days during the President’s Day weekend.  

Friday will offer the first-ever “Taste of the Village” from 6-9pm, where guests can enjoy samplings of the region’s finest cuisines from assorted Village merchants.  The main event will take place on Saturday from 12-4pm.  Guests can sample gumbo and Bloody Mary’s and cast their vote for People’s Choice.  Celebrity judges will have a blind judging to determine the award for Area’s Best Gumbo.  Our own Hank Taylor, Executive Chef at TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Resort, is the current two-year reigning champ!  There will also be an award for the business or restaurant with the most innovative booth.  Enjoy live entertainment in the Events Plaza courtesy of Dikki Du & the Zydeco Krewe, and Cajun dancers.  

Tickets can be purchased at Graffiti & Funky Blues Shack in The Village of Baytown Wharf, or online.  Weekend passes are $15 in advance and $25 the day of the event.  If you need to purchase a ticket the day of the event, bring in five or more non-perishable food items and receive a $5 discount off the ticket price.  Proceeds will benefit The United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties.  Take advantage of this President’s Day weekend and book your stay today with ResortQuest! 

Alabama Lifestyles Expo

Looking for places to see and things to do while vacationing in Alabama?  Look no further: The 18th Annual Alabama Lifestyles Expo is coming to Caribe Resort (28103 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach, AL 36561) on February 10th from 9am to 2pm.  The event is presented by the Alabama Advantage for Relocation, the Caribe Resort, and the Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce, promoting healthy living and quality of life for people age 50+ and their families.

This FREE event will feature informative sponsors and vendors for activities such as tours, day trips, parks and recreation, golfing, concerts, and various other entertainment.  Check out area restaurants and places to shop, as well as gather some information about healthy living.  There will be FREE health screenings, eye exams, and wide arrange of other medical, dental, and personal services.  There will also be a plethora of information on financial planning, asset protection, real estate, and much, much more. 

If you are not already one of our beloved winter guests, we still have plenty of availability for this event.  Check out our units in Alabama or Perdido Key online, or call (888) 909-6807 to book your reservation.  You don’t want to miss this spectacular event!

ResortQuest Welcomes Vision Airlines to the Emerald Coast

ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals is proud to welcome Vision Airlines to the Emerald Coast. Vision Airlines recently announced the expansion of its service to 17 new destinations from Northwest Florida Regional Airport. Vision Airlines will provide service from the Destin/Ft. Walton Beach airport to cities such as Baton Rouge, Knoxville, Little Rock and Atlanta. Low fare, non-stop service will provide the opportunity for customers to visit Florida’s Emerald Coast in a more timely fashion and allow for a longer stay. 

Lino Maldonado, Vice President of Operations for ResortQuest, said, “We are very excited about the potential Vision Airlines brings to the table. This area has been in need of a low-cost air carrier for a very long time. Additionally, it is my understanding that 5,800 seats per week will be delivered into our area as a result of Vision’s presence. This is not only an addition to the industry but a wonderful boost to the community.”
 

Vision Airlines is based in Suwannee, Georgia and is providing service from smaller cities to popular tourist destinations such as those along the Emerald Coast. Currently, rates as low as $49 each way are available through the carrier. Cities served by Vision Airlines include Asheville, NC, Atlanta, GA, Baton Rouge, LA, Birmingham, AL, Chattanooga, TN Columbia, SC, Destin, FL, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Ft. Myers, FL, Greenville, SC, Gulfport, MS, Houston, TX, Huntsville, AL, Knoxville, TN, Little Rock, AR, Louisville, KY, Macon, GA, Miami, FL, Niagara Falls, NY, Orlando, FL, Savannah, GA, Shreveport, LA, St. Petersburg, FL
 

“ResortQuest and Vision Airlines make for the perfect guest experience. The non-stop service to the area will give vacationers an opportunity to get away to ResortQuest properties for an extended stay or even a weekend getaway. It’s a wonderful way to stretch the tourism dollars and the Northwest Florida experience,” Maldonado added.
 

ResortQuest offers vacation rental properties in the Northwest Florida area from Panama City Beach to the Gulf Shores, Alabama area. ResortQuest joined the Wyndham Exchange & Rentals program in 2010, to form the largest full-service vacation rental business in the world with a diverse portfolio of more than 85,000 vacation properties in over 100 countries.

Pensacola Double Bridge Run February 5th

By Kristin Destin, ResortQuest Northwest Florida
 
Get ready for a fun run with some of the most amazing views in Northwest Florida.  Pensacola’s Double Bridge Run will take place on February 5th.  There are two events for the run: a 15K beginning at 7:00am and a 5K at 8:00am.  Join over 3,000 participants as you cross over the Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound.
 
The 15K will start downtown in front of Plaza de Luna (900 S. Palafox St., Pensacola, FL), deep in the historic district of Pensacola, at 7:00am.  The race route takes you north on Palafox Street, east on Garden Street, south on Alcaniz Street through downtown, then east on Bayfront Parkway, across Pensacola Bay Bridge to Gulf Breeze, and a final turn to Bob Sikes Bridge taking you into Pensacola Beach.  The 9.3 mile USATF certified course does have a minimum pace requirement; you are required to keep within a 14-minute mile, which keeps a fierce competition.  A fresh addition to the 2011 run is that the 15K will have a corral start. There is a cap of 2,500 runners for this category.  The 5K run/walk begins in Gulf Breeze at the Gulf Breeze Schools (649 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Gulf Breeze, FL) onto Bob Sikes Bridge, entering Pensacola Beach.  There is a max of 1,200 runners and 300 walkers in this event.
 
In the 15K division, there are awards for the first three overall finishers for men and women: $1,250 for 1st place, $500 for 2nd place, and $250 for 3rd place.  There will also be awards for the top three masters, grand masters, and senior grand masters.  Prizes for the 5K go five deep to men and women in 0-39 or 40+ age divisions. 

You can register for the Double Bridge Run online at www.active.com until February 1st with a registration fee of $35.  If you miss this deadline, they are holding a Race Expo at the Pensacola Beach Hilton on February 3rd and 4th.  There will be no race-day registration, so be sure to register now!  If you are looking for accommodations for the event, check out our beautiful properties in Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach.           

Treasure Chest Found Along Northwest Florida Gulf Coast

Sapphires, emeralds, rubies, diamonds, and gold have been found on Northwest Florida and Alabama’s gulf coast shore. Northwest Florida and Southeastern Alabama boast sapphire and emerald green waters, ruby red sunsets, sand as sparkling white as tiny diamonds, and golden opportunities for spectacular vacation accommodations. ResortQuest Vacation Rentals offers beach-front condominiums, villas, townhomes, patio homes and even private homes along the treasure-laden shore.
 
TOPS’L is one of the ResortQuest jewels.  Whether you’re on a quest for a top-rated tennis facility…or a top-shelf beach resort …or top-of-the-line views from spacious balconies ….there’s only one answer. TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Resort.  TOPS’L, managed by ResortQuest, offers a resort within a resort. Courtside villas, private townhomes and patio homes, and hi-rise condominiums that overlook the beach are nestled among 52-acres of beauty that has made Destin famous.
 
Also nearby are top-flight golf courses, incredible fishing, watersports, hiking and biking trails, dolphin watching, nature preserves, historic forts, museums, wave pools, amusement parks, all levels of dining, upscale and bargain shopping, and so much more.
 
For more information about ResortQuest on Florida and Alabama’s beautiful gulf shores, please visit www.resortquestnwfl.com or call 800-336-GULF (4853).

Bayou, Bay & Back 5K/10K Walk/Run Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011

By Kristin Destin, ResortQuest Northwest Florida

Gear up for the first Bayou, Bay & Back 5K/10K Walk/Run, taking place in the heart of Destin.  ResortQuest is proud to be the official Accommodations Sponsor!

Presented by the Destin Area Sports Commission, the race begins at Clement Taylor Park on Calhoun Avenue on January 29th at 8am, rain or shine.  The park sits on Choctawhatchee Bay, and the race route will take you along Choctawhatchee Bay along Calhoun Avenue, down to Beach Drive following Joe’s Bayou, through side streets to Benning Drive, and back to Calhoun Avenue for the 10K route.  For the 5K route, the turnaround point is Joe’s Bayou at Beach Drive.

There are categories for runners and walkers, male and female.  Awards will be given to both male and female First Place Overall and First Place Master, and First, Second, and Third in each age division. 

To register for the run/walk, you can complete the registration form prior to January 27th on http://www.active.com/running/destin-fl/destins-bayou-bay-and-back-5k10k-runwalk-sponsored-by-shoreline-2011?int=29-6, or by contacting the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce at (850) 837-6241.  Prior to January 28th, the race registration fee is $25, and the fee changes to $30 if you register the day of the race from 6:30-7:30am.  Complimentary race T-shirts will be guaranteed to the first 400 participants.

So come on out and join us for the first  Destin Bayou, Bay & Back 5K/10K Walk/Run!  Check out our website for great deals over the race weekend.  See you there!