Holiday Isle, Florida

On the western panhandle of Florida, Destin is among the towns of the Emerald Coast, named so because of the emerald-colored waters and whitest of white sands underneath. Holiday Isle is on the western end of Destin. Here you have Destin Harbor, canals, and the marinas you'll want to see. This is an especially good place to rent, because of its proximity to the marinas, the harbor, and all the shopping, dining, and entertainment within it. Before history is geology. The sands, white as snow, were originally residue from the Appalachian Mountains, which washed down the Apalachicola River, depositing in the Gulf of Mexico. Between Okaloosa Island and Destin is the East Pass. As with any good fishing story, it is tall. Locals still tell the story of how the Melvin, Marler, and Destin families had four men dig a two foot wide ditch from Destin to Okaloosa Island in 1926. Within hours, water rushed, widening the ditch by a hundred yards, then becoming the East Pass. However, the story doesn't hold water, so to speak. The East Pass was noted by Spanish, French, and English explorers as early as the 16th and 17th centuries. Before 1538, when Spanish explorers surveyed Destin; before Surveyor Don Francisco Tapia charted the Florida coast in 1639, and drew up the first known map of the East Pass, Native Americans date back to the 7th century. The name Destin originated from Connecticut fisherman Leonard Destin who settled in 1845. The city of Destin has been called, "World's Luckiest Fishing Village". Incorporated in 1984, according to the 2000 Census, 11,119 people reside in Destin. The draw of Holiday Isle, as is Destin, is the healing ions of the Gulf of Mexico, wind in the sails, and the cranking sounds of fishing rods. On Destin Harbor, Holiday Isle has two marinas, which, even if you don�t boat, are worthy of a glance. Active, Harborwalk Marina and East Pass Marina have a steady flow of boats and flow of visitors meandering, checking out the stores and restaurants. Any visitor should also check out the Destin History and Fishing Museum. See Ernest Hemingway's bamboo fishing rod or the assortment of fish of all shapes and sizes hung on the wall. Near there, check your email or take out on loan a book to read while you sun on the beach. Whether you are along the harbor, the Gulf of Mexico, or you follow the Gulf Scenic Drive, a park or public beach isn't far. Most notable ones are Calhoun, June White Decker Park, Silver Shells, Henderson Beach State Park, Shirah, the Stores at Crystal Beach, Crystal Beach Drive, Pompano Street, Barracuda Street, and James Lee Park Okaloosa County. And when you want to move around Destin, there is no shortage of things to do. If you're the type who soaks up history, the Old Post Office Museum will occupy your mind. If alligators fascinate you or your family, you can pet them at Gator Beach. Kids will be crying not to leave the Big Kahuna Waterpark. Also round up the family and head to the Track Recreation Center to ride go-karts, bumper cars and boats, play miniature golf, and more. The town of Destin wants you to know that their biggest attraction, the beach, is precious not only for all of leisure and fun, but as a natural ecosystem to be cherished. Strict rules protect the beaches. Sea turtles are protected. The beaches are constantly and consistently nourished and replenished. Destin is on the quieter side when it comes to events, but usually something is going on. Concert series, art gallery showings, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Independence Day, and other major holidays, Greek and Italian festivals, plays and musicals, events for kids, boat shows, boat races, fishing competitions - all are events you can take part in, while in Destin. If nothing interests you, Fort Walton is a quick drive. Snag a calendar and the Emerald Coast events are set up for you. Holiday Isle, Florida, has two major shopping areas: Shoreline Village Mall and Shores Shopping Center. Three others in Destin - Destin Commons, Harborwalk, and Silver Sands Factory Stores - expand your shopping parameters. As with shopping, restaurants can enhance your vacation experience. Top places to eat and drink in Holiday Isle: AJ's Club Bimini, Funky Blues Shack, Hog's Breath Saloon and Cafe, and Nightown. Other Destin ethnic restaurants serve good food: from Caribbean, Asian, to Italian and the freshest seafood, which reinforces the nickname, "World's Luckiest Fishing Village". However active, relaxed, or both, you want to be, Destin, Florida, is the ideal vacation spot. Kids will enjoy building sand castles, swimming, go-karts, water slides and the adventures to be had. You may enjoy any number of sports: boating, fishing, water skiing, jet skiing, parasailing, surfing, kite surfing, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, scuba diving, snorkeling, dolphin watching; and on land, tennis, golfing, nature touring, camping, bicycling, jogging. And of course, where both water and land meet, the beach, tanning under blinding sun and crashing waves. Emerald waters, white sand, Destin, Florida, can be a new experience. Known to the fisher as a great place to fish, you can enjoy the days by your rod or in the restaurants trying out the freshest fish. Rental homes and condos in Holiday Isle are near the beaches and Destin Harbor. You can launch into great beyond from the marinas or just feel the endless horizon in your bones. Destin, Florida, fits all the criteria of a great vacation. Explore it and a short trip might not be enough time to satisfy you. Driving or flying home, memories of Destin may linger. Future trips may be talked about for a long time to come.