Frommers Names Florida Gulf Coast a Top Ten World Destination for 2010

Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast and its quaint beach towns are no longer best kept secrets – they are international hot spots thanks to a recently-published top ten destination list by Frommer’s Travel Guide.

Frommer’s named the beaches of the Florida Panhandle as one of its top ten destinations for 2010. The Gulf Coast, along with Hawaii’s big island, represented the only two North American destinations to make the list. Other locations included Melbourne in Australia, Vietnam’s capital Hanoi, Copenhagen, Denmark and Abu Dhabi of the United Arab Emirates.

According to Frommer’s Travel and Lifestyle Guide, the Florida Panhandle contains “some of the most diverse recreation choices along Florida’s drastically under-appreciated Gulf Coast and some of the best options for visitors seeking an affordable family vacation.” Lesley Abravanel, author of Frommer’s Florida, added that visitors can experience “stunning beaches, nature trails… great restaurants and a cozy yet quirky sense of community.”

One of the Panhandle’s more popular destinations, Seaside, was described as being ‘a perfectly planned community’ – a sentiment that its fortunate residents and delighted visitors most definitely share. Destin, a darling of the Emerald Coast, was mentioned by name as “the place to hire fishing or sailing charters.” Of course, this comes as no surprise to locals. The combination of sugar-white, quartz-derived sand, emerald waters filled with captivating sea life and charming personality would be difficult to find anywhere else.

Florida’s Gulf Coast is home to several undiscovered and breathtakingly-beautiful beach communities. According to Frommer’s staff, it’s a place to enjoy and experience before it becomes overrun by tourists and crowds.

Find comprehensive information on Florida’s Panhandle by referring to an online Gulf Coast Travel Guide, where you can find a schedule of events, news, accommodations and information on Panhandle communities.

Published on Wednesday, December 9, 2009