Category Archives: Florida

Destin, FL

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Keeping up with the theme of “Beautiful Places” which I seem to be on this week. I think we need to talk about Destin, Florida. Located on “the handle” of Florida, this place is as close to paradise as I’ve come.

We should get something straight before I start talking about the whitest, smoothest sand you’ve ever put your feet in and the crystal clear blue water that you never want to get out of. Growing up, every year we would go to Old Orchard Beach in Maine. Every year. It was awesome. I would play in the water all day and build all sorts of things in the sand and most of all my mom and I would scour the beach looking for shells and sand dollars. The difference in all this was even in August, the ocean water in Maine was cold and murky. I remember one year it was only like 50 degrees (I still went in it everyday and even got a cold) but it was worth it. I guess I’ve always been as much of an ocean gal as a country gal. The Maine sand was brown and granular, not as nice as the Destin sand. Maine was always an awesome fun getaway from landlocked Vermont but now I truly have a feeling for why my grandparents loved Florida so much!

Destin has become a personal paradise. Who are we kidding, I have a few of them don’t I. But I truly love this place and I can’t think Mitch and Judy enough for introducing it to me. A place where I actually get up fairly early (on vacation standards) to get on with the day and go to bed earlier than usual because I can’t wait to get on out there again the next day (except for the night before we have to leave). The drive there always seems to take forever and the drive home is just heart wrenching that I have to get back to “reality”. It’s the same every time… “Can’t I just have another day?!”

Destin. Pictures don’t do it any justice. The summer crowd is gone and it’s like you have paradise to yourself. I get up, go for a walk and look for shells, go for a swim and run from weird fish that look unfamiliar (I really don’t care for fish coming too close unless I’m on a boat and have a fishing pole in my hand), repeat walk and shell searching. Go in for lunch go back out and swap between reading books and passing out until the sun goes down and that is usually the time that I’m called in saying dinner is coming soon. Grilling! The brisk sea air putting that little extra bounce of curl into my hair that I really do love. “Snap out of it Diana, you are at your desk.”

As I was saying, Destin in awesome. There’s a lot to do. Beat boyfriends at mini putt down the street (or attempt), board games, parasailing (something that I though I would never do). Relaxing. Ah. Parasailing – there are a few different businesses that offer this and I will tell you to do it whether you are or are not scared of heights. Case in point – I am TERRIFIED! Sy wanted to go so bad so I said I would go. I said I would go, deep down I wasn’t sure if I was 100% on board it was more of a “If I don’t do this I’m going to kick myself kind of thing”. (This does not apply to me with skydiving by the way – another story, another day.) We are on the boat with another couple. They go first. Let’s just say I was nervous, on the verge of shaking. The two, we’ll call them “boat parasailing dudes” point out I’m nervous. I’m put into my harness, told to sit on the back of the boat and latched onto this rod/parachute. I screamed the first 100 feet up then when we reached 450 feet I was so mesmerized by the view it was breath-taking. Dolphins! My favorite thing about Destin, hands down. About 10-20 of them just outside of the cove. They brought us down, dipped us in the water and asked us how it was. My response “Let’s do it again! 2 for 1?!”

If you go to Destin, half the fun of sitting out on the beach all day is waiting for the show. By “show” I don’t mean anything dirty. Dolphins swim by early morning or at sunset and jump and spring from the water! They’re putting on a show! It’s my favorite part! Makes me feel pretty lucky to see something so beautiful

For more dolphin video’s check out my YouTube page.

Where is your paradise?

Miami, FL

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A few years ago, the Kardashian’s didn’t have anything on Miami like we did. Two co-workers and myself traveled down to Miami as part of a company wide business trip. We left behind the snowy, chilly weather of a typical February in New England and departed for sensational Miami!

We flew Jet Blue (great airline) and had a layover in NYC, because there are no direct flights out of Vermont to go anywhere farther than D.C. (probably not true but it sure feels like it sometimes). We stayed on our flight, waiting for the passengers to board to head to our final destination. The pilot was nice enough to come back and show us a few magic tricks, even though he refused to tell me how he pulled them off. A little while later, we arrived my first sighting of palm trees and flatness. Toto, I don’t think we’re in Vermont anymore.

Our company was gracious enough to accommodate our stay in The Diplomat, Westin Hotel. The most high end hotel that I’ve had the privilege of staying in thus far. The Diplomat was beyond beautiful. We were greeted by a bell hopper who helped us out of our car and held the door to the hotel open for us. The lobby was beyond phenomenal with palm trees, fountains and a grand view of the ocean. Various fine dining restaurants can be found in each corner for the lobby.

The Diplomat, is situated between the Atlantic and intercoastal canals and the views are fantastic. (Be sure to ask for a room on the intercoastal side! Thank me later!)

First thing was first, we had to check out our room. Holy moly – the views were ridiculous and frankly, so wasn’t the room. From the large soaking tub I could look out over the bed and see the canal and the city!

 
When we finally had a chance, we tried to check out some of the amenities available. The pool area outside was gorgeous! (See the pictures on the website.)
But why go in the pool when you can go into the ocean! It was so nice to hit the beach after a winter in Vermont. The Diplomat is also within walking distance to the boardwalk where you will find souvenir shops, restaurants and most importantly its a prime people watching site.
After all the fun outside you are bound to get a little hungry. We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to dine at the Hollywood Prime Restaurant. This was the best feast I could have imagined. Wine, seafood, steaks, and the BEST lobster tail. It was delicious. If you would like to venture out of the hotel (although at this point I’m sure you are questioning whether there is a point to) there are more restaurant options across the street. The Diplomat has its own bridge so you will not have to mess with playing Frogger thru the traffic. We also ventured across the way, stopping at a very nice restaurant that New Englanders would feel out of place in. Everything was solid white, there were even beds against the back wall if you prefer to eat your meal in a bed(?).

 The overall experience was great. If I had to pay for this out of my pocket is is on the higher end of the scale but if you really want to treat yourself this is the way to go. We later found out that the day we left, one of the teams playing in the SuperBowl was moving in. That’s right, the NFL loves The Diplomat too!

I never get why hotels dismiss the 13th floor. You are not fooling anyone, there is not a 13th floor that is empty folks.