If you've never visited the Destin area, you will be absolutely amazed by its natural beauty. The sand is a dazzling white, and the water is as clear as tap water, changing into a beautiful turquoise, then into a sparkling sapphire blue in the depths. The Caribbean-like scenery seems like an impossibility this far north, but Destin's beauty is spectacular and not an exaggeration.

Destin's physical attributes offer the perfect venue for swimming, sunbathing, sand sculpting, beach volleyball, and shell collecting, for which the area is famous. The warm gulf breezes provide plenty of kite flying, too. You can relax in your lounge chair and toss out a line in the surf for catches like whiting, pompano, spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout, and flounder. Kids of all ages will enjoy crabbing in the shallows, and a few large blue crabs will make a tasty meal. Destin's clear waters offer world class snorkeling and diving. Explore the depths to see a rare submerged petrified forest, or the ghostly shipwrecks.

If you tire of the beach activities, there are plenty of other things to do in Destin. Visit one of the numerous water sports centers and rent a wave runner or a pontoon boat, or go parasailing. A dolphin cruise puts you face-to-snout with the friendly sea mammals. Some of the most popular rental sites are Fishbones, Gilligan's, Blue Lagoon, and Paradise Water Sports. Or book a sunset cruise to view the dazzling array of soft colors splashed across the sky as the sun slowly sinks into the gulf.

Kids of all ages will love Pleasure Island Water Park, where they can swoosh down the water slides and race go-karts. The Track Recreation Center provides unique 3-tiered go-kart-roller coaster hybrids, sure to thrill. They also have bumper boats, miniature golf, and bungee jumping. For smaller children, there's a special Kids Country area, providing rides and activities just their size.

For a land-based excursion, visit Eden State Gardens and Mansion, where you can tour the stately southern mansion and the gardens, graced by flowering trees and shrubs and ancient oaks. Or pack a picnic and head to Grayton Beach State Recreation Area, where you can hike through native wildlife, plants, and trees and visit an extensive salt marsh at the park's Western Lake.

For golfers, Destin is a virtual paradise, with beautiful well maintained courses that offer year 'round playing. Some of the more popular courses are found at Blue Water Bay, Golf Garden, Hidden Creek, and Regatta Bay, which was included in Golf Digest's Top 200 Places to Play in North America. With such a variety of skill levels available, every golfer will find a suitable course to hit a few balls.

Bikers will enjoy the 10-mile loop in the Point Washington State Forest or the scenic paved trail at the 30-A bike Trail, offering spectacular gulf views. If pedaling isn't your idea of relaxation, try viewing the area from horseback. Area stables like Western Pleasure Riding Stables, Double D Stables, and Elk Dog Stables, where the horses are matched to the rider's skill level, provide mounts for both experienced and inexperienced riders.

For an unforgettable family experience, visit the Gulfarium. With daily shows displaying the antics of trained dolphins and sea lions, as well as marine life exhibits, this is sure to provide great entertainment for kids and adults alike. For a really special treat, visitors can participate in the Dolphin Interaction Program, where you can actually swim with Kiwi, a Spotted Pantropical dolphin. Visitors will enjoy the penguins, seals, otters, loggerhead turtles, sharks, and stingrays, and numerous bird species that will eat right from your hand. Also, children will delight in being able to touch and hold many creatures in the Touch Pool.

While in Destin, you have to try the famous seafood. The area restaurants offer twenty different types of delectable fish, straight from the gulf. And in my humble opinion, the gulf shrimp, oysters, and crab are the best in the world. I think it's because of the clean, clear water. But if you tire of seafood, Destin has plenty of other fare, ranging from fast food to steaks to sushi and other ethnic foods - over 400 restaurants in all!

Do yourself a favor and take the family to Destin. You can thank me later!

This tidbit of real travel advice was brought to you by Holle Abee.

For us, the scariest part of the "family vacation" is the family.  But when you rent a Destin vacation home you can ensure that you have enough space for time-outs, full-body tantrums, sulking, all the togetherness you need!