Vacation Rentals & Villas

Sandwiched between Alabama in the North and The warm Gulf waters in the south, the Florida Panhandle is location offering holiday rentals which are popular with Floridians and visitors alike. Some of the best beaches in Florida, or indeed the USA, can be found here. Sheltered by a series of barrier islands extending along the coast from Pensacola in the far west to Apalachee Bay, just south of the state capital, Tallahassee (no it's not Orlando). Its location relative to the main bulk of Florida means that this region is far more culturally “Southern” than the melting pot that is Florida as a state (think Gone with the Wind in shorts).

For the visitor looking to rent holiday accommodation in the area, this means that they can look forward to experiencing a very different Florida to the one everybody thinks of. Beachfront development along the coast has been increasing in the last few years, resulting in a wide variety of vacation rentals becoming available year round, whether it is summer sun or winter warmth, luxury villa rentals or simple holiday cottages. Away from the coast, the land is a little more sparsely populated, with National Forests and State Parks offering a chance to trek, fish and camp among the magnolia, pines and oaks that are so emblematic of the South. Almost touching the Alabama state line, Pensacola – affectionately known as the Western Gate to the Sunshine State or the Western End of the Redneck Riviera – is home to a major US Naval base and home to the Blue Angels aerial display team who can often be seen practicing in the skies of the area, particularly on Tuesdays and Wednesday mornings during the show season (March onwards) .

As the birthplace of naval aviation, it is home to a number of aviation museums and related attractions as well as some of the whitest sand beaches at the Gulf Islands Nation Seashore. Some of the best Redfish fishing in the world can be done here in the lagoons and inlets of the barrier islands around Pensacola Bay. It was also the oldest European settlement in the continental USA, founded in 1559 by a cooperative of five European countries.Panama city and Port St Joe to the east make up the remaining parts of the Emerald Coast, comprising of a string of small towns and fishing ports, including Destin (a popular celebrity hangout) and Seaside – a town whose pastel painted building and distinctive architecture was made famous in The Truman Show. It is a popular location for big game fishing and has seen increasing architecturally sympathetic development over the last few years to provide the holiday accommodation to fulfill the demand for vacation rentals in the area.

The Forgotten Coast and Big bend areas of the Panhandle offer further opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts, more sparsely populated and encompassing vast areas a wetlands and state parks. Vacation accommodation in this area is not as prevalent, with cabin rentals in these quiet areas being the norm over busy holiday homes.Tallahassee is the largest city in the region and offers attractions and amenities one would expect from a major metropolitan area including numerous festivals and annual events such as Food and Wine, Film Festival, Shakespeare and even Greek Food. As a major college city, there is a vibrant and youthful nightlife and strong sporting events calendar with sports as diverse and cross country horse trials and roller derby complimenting traditional football, baseball and basketball.The Panhandle is an oft overlooked destination for those considering vacation rentals in Florida but it is certainly worth considering for those who have already experienced the South and Central regions or those looking for a quieter location.