The story below rings true. It sounds exactly like what you can expect in a Gulf Shores vacation. Plenty of warm sunshine and relaxation. The kind of vacation you learn to love. The kind of vacation that doesn't wear you out, but rather rejuvenates you.
It's rare the Gulf Shores vacationer who doesn't come away wanting to return as soon as possible. It's rare the Gulf Shores vacationer who doesn't come back again and again. This easy-going, relax and get your life on the right track atmosphere is why the Gulf Coast has become one of the most popular vacation destinations today.
Are we there yet? Are we there yet?
Having enjoyed a wonderful spring break a few years back at Gulf Shores, Ala., we longed to return.
When I received an e-mail about a couple that was looking to rent out their condo in Gulf Shores, our destination was assured.
...
We arrived at the third-floor condo - easy up, easy down. The Gulf of Mexico was just out back. The view from the balcony was magnificent.
Each day, my wife and kids swam in the Gulf while I read, went for a jog, toiled away on my laptop, and watched World Cup soccer games...
In the evenings, we tossed the Frisbee, played Kadima (two paddles and a ball) and played volleyball.
We shopped, ate at some nice places, watched TV, hunted around town for wireless Internet access and walked on the beach at night.
On the way back to Marion, we all agreed that this was one of our most relaxing vacations ever.
Southern Alabama is playing a starring role in television, music video and even in independent film documentaries lately. Recently the Antiques Roadshow people were in town to film a segment for their upcoming season
Today we learn that Southern Alabama will play backdrop to a number of country music videos. It seems the local film offices and communities are friendly and accommodating to production companies who need just the right scenes to serve as the settings for their art.
The State of Alabama has used funds from a federal grant in addition to its own to purchase over 2200 acres of additional lands from the Coastal Land Trust and from the Weeks Bay Foundation in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. The Mobile-Tensaw delta is an area rich in the kind of natural beauties typically associated with the deep south. The delta is a region of rivers, marshes and bayous; a rich habitat for wildlife and a popular locale for birders and nature lovers.
For a more in-depth look at the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, have a look at the Kayaking the Mobile-Tensaw Delta web site.
Get ready for it. Whether you're just visiting Alabama's Gulf Coast, vacationing in a Gulf Shores condo for a week or looking to invest in a vacation rental property on the Gulf Coast, you'll be paying more - a lot more - for insurance.
Fewer and fewer companies remain in the market to sell Gulf Coast vacation property owners insurance for their condos or vacation homes. Those that do remain are charging much more to insure against storm damage.
With the prices of Gulf Shores real estate escalating as they are and the ever increasing demand from Alabama Gulf Coast vacationers the daily, weekly and monthly prices for vacation rentals is about to rise significantly.
Seafood and southern cooking is at its best along Alabama's Gulf Coast. The unfortunately reality is the really good places are just not big enough to handle the summer crush of vacationers and visitors looking for one of those tasty meals.
Gulf Shores and neighboring Orange Beach visitors and vacationers are finding long wait times for restaurant seating this summer. Be prepared. Either rearrange your dining schedule for an early or a later meal. If you show up during prime time you may end up having a later meal anyway.
Mobile area tourism officials are embarking on a campaign to get more people from around the southeast to come to the Alabama Gulf Coast for vacation.
It's sort of like selling ice cold lemonade to people in the hot summer sun. But then again, how many of us have terrific vacation attractions in our own backyards that we never get to because we're always thinking that vacation means traveling a long way?