Why You Need to Take a New Orleans Swamp Tour

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: The Mighty Mississippi River and it's auxiliary streams and swamps in Louisiana Bayou Country is one of the prettiest parts of America. Nestled somewhere between downtown New Orleans and scenic Plantation Country is a rugged wilderness packed with fantastic displays of regional flora and fauna. Explore the wild and wonderful Delta on a guided New Orleans Swamp Tour for an up close and personal adventure into the wild! Always educational and entertaining, our New Orleans Swamp Tour guide will fill you in on the why, what, and how of this magical excursion! [read more...]

11 Best Places to Photograph in New Orleans

As a budding photographer in New Orleans, the whole city is your canvas! Arguably one of the most culturally significant regions in the world, New Orleans is loaded with historic buildings and eclectic architecture seen nowhere else. Visitors could spend days in the French Quarter alone snapping pics of creole townhouses and talented street performers, but there is so much more to New Orleans than those few square blocks. Discover the 11 Best Places to Photograph in New Orleans for artwork, albums, or Instagram walls! (read more...)

Budget Sightseeing on a New Orleans Double Decker Bus Tour

The multiple districts of New Orleans, Louisiana can complicate travel to the "Crescent City". Visiting Jackson Square, the French Quarter, Garden District, and more essential hot spots require knowledge of New Orleans known only by the residents themselves. As a sightseeing traveler, I was not looking forward to navigating unfamiliar streets by rental car to reach the destinations on my list. From prior experience I knew that in any major city driving is disastrous, parking is expensive, and time is always of the essence, so for my trip to New Orleans I purchased a ticket on a New Orleans Hop On Hop Off Double Decker Bus Tour. (read more...)

Mardi Gras World - New Orleans, LA

Family Fun at New Orleans Family Gras 2015

Find all the fun of Mardi Gras in a family-friendly atmosphere at New Orleans "Family Gras". Family Gras takes place in Metairie, just a short distance from downtown New Orleans hotels, restaurants, and shopping. This event offers food, games, parades, and entertainment for the whole family! (read more...)

This is why you are not getting the best deals for your vacation

Every year we get travelers asking us how they can get exclusive deals for their next trip. The truth is, we never hold back our offers and actively promote them on-site, email and social media. The problem that most face is that they are just not ready to book yet. Just like anything else you buy, making an early purchase will save you money (sometimes a lot of it). Yes, you may find last minute deals when hotels don't fill their rooms, but when you are talking peak summer season on the Gulf Coast, this happens rarely. Next time you see a great deal, but you are weeks or months away from your trip, keep these tips in mind.

1) If you are not ready to buy when good deals are available, buy anyway and make sure you can move the dates around for limited or no fees. Sometimes it is much cheaper to pay $50 to move dates around than pay another $250-300 for the same room at a later date.

2) Did you know that some travel agencies offer flexible payment plans? It doesn't hurt to ask if you can't afford to pay the deposit at the time of booking. If you see a great offer and pay day doesn't come for another 2 weeks, ask and you may receive a lower deposit amount.

3) If the deal expires before you get paid, ask the agent if you can extend the promo for them or book it on a courtesy hold. This is not an option if you book online, but letting us know what your needs are can help get what you want.

The main theme here is it doesn't hurt to ask for flexible options if you need them. We want your business and will do our best to get it! Happy booking in 2015!

Visit a Louisiana Plantation and You'll See This...

Oak Alley Plantation

I had the chance to visit Plantation Country this past week. Plantation Country is a region Northwest of New Orleans that has several Plantations strung along the Mississippi River. Some of the Plantations are open for tours and events, but most are private and still in operations (Sugar cane farming). Back in the 18 and 19th century, Plantations owners were near celebrities and very wealthy. Most of the families had lavish lifestyles and had more money than they knew what to do with! This allowed them to build incredible homes that travelers get to tour and appreciate to this day.

During my visit, I went to three different plantations: Laura Plantation, Oak Alley Plantation, and Houmas House. Each Plantation has its own unique story and different things to see. Oak Alley Plantation was my first stop. I was met with 200+ year oaks and well manicured grounds. We took a tour of the house and learned about the Roman family, who occupied the home during the 19th century. After the tour, we stopped for lunch and ordered some gumbo, which was absolutely delicious. Before leaving, we met with a civil war historian that gave us some insight about how Oak Alley fared during the war. Due to a corrupt union general, most of the plantations were spared at the cost of being taxed heavily to use shipping ports. Before we left, we made sure to take plenty of photos because it's insane for someone to not take photos of this incredible place!

Laura Plantation was our second stop, which is one of the few original Plantation homes still standing. When I say "Original", I'm talking more so about the architecture. The typical plantation homes you see in modern media are actually not what most plantations looked like in Plantation Country. The Greek architecture was brought to New Orleans from the Northeast as men studied in colleges and brought the ideals back to the region. Laura plantation has a deep French history and their tour guides even offer French speaking tours. The part I enjoyed most about the tour is the basements where the family had a wine distribution business during early 19th century. It was said to be one of the first in the region to distribute fine French wines throughout the South.

My last stop during the trip was at Houmas House. This plantation is notably one of the most lavish of them all with incredible grounds and gardens. I can't imagine the cost of keeping up this place because it's so big. The tour guide was very informative and we learned a great deal about the history of Houmas House. The most interesting fact was that the land was sold by the Houma Indian tribe for only $150 (300,000 acres) in the the late 1700's. We had lunch on-site and the meal was excellent. As always, don't forget to bring a camera or else you are just missing out on some incredible memories.

You Will Regret Not Booking These Extraordinary Low Rates During Black Friday

It's that time again, BLACK FRIDAY. I'll be honest, I could care less fighting aggressive shoppers for a half-off blender at Walmart, but I'm no stranger to a great deal. This year, we have some incredible deals on 2015 lodging that need to be taken seriously. Why do I say that? 50% off during Spring and Summer is just ridiculous considering the whole area will be 100% sold out! Popular resorts such as Sterling Shores in Destin and Calypso in Panama City Beach are booked up weeks in advance at full price, but starting 11/29 you can take advantage of 50% OFF.

Our top offer for Black Friday weekend is 50% OFF activity gift cards. They can be used on over 150 tours and attractions we offer. There is only a 500 limit on the gift cards so don't wait until the last minute to buy! Here is a running list of all of our BLACK FRIDAY/CYBER MONDAY offers.

Seascape Villas Black Friday Promo - Up To 50% OFF 2014-15 Stays!

Nov 19, 2014 09:47 am | Destin

BLACK FRIDAY SALE STARTING 11/26 through 12/5. 

11/26 through 03/10: BOGO + FREE 8x10 beach portrait, 2 FREE dolphin cruise tickets, and 50% off Golf!

3/11-8/31: 30% off all stays regardless of length of stay or 5+ night stays 35% off plus $50 resort credit, FREE Beach Service, 2 FREE dolphin cruise tickets, and Free 8x10 beach photo.

Blackouts: July 1 – July 8 ONLY 10% off PLUS FREE Beach Service, 3/15 – 3/30 NO Resort Credit

50% OFF Laketown Wharf Panama City Beach - Black Friday Sale

Nov 19, 2014 09:47 am | Panama City Beach

BLACK FRIDAY SALE 11/19-12/1

50% OFF travel dates 11/28/14-12/31/15 with minimum 3 night stay. Black Outs Dates: March, May 23-May 26, July 2- July 7, Sept 2- Sept 7, Nov 4- Nov 8.

Black Friday &Cyber Monday @ Sterling Resort Properties: 50% OFF 2014-15!!!

Nov 19, 2014 09:47 am | Destin/PCB

BLACK FRIDAY SALE: 11/28-12/1

50% OFF Sterling Beach Properties in Panama City Beach and Destin with travel dates 11/28-12/31/15. Minimum of 3 nights required. 

Properties Included: 
Splash Resort -PCB
Calypso Resort - PCB
Laketown Wharf - PCB
Sterling Breeze - PCB
Sterling Beach - PCB
Sterling Reef - PCB
Sterling Shores - Destin
Sterling Sands - Destin
Huntington By The Sea - Destin

Black Outs: March 20-April 4th (Sterling Beach and Sterling Breeze ONLY), April 23- April 27 (Calypso, Sterling Reef, Splash and Sterling Breeze ONLY), May 22-May 25, June 5- August 16, Sept 2- Sept 7 (PCB Properties ONLY)

Military Museums On the Gulf Coast

Next time you're visiting the Gulf Coast, stop by one of the many popular military museums. There is so much history to be told about how the Gulf Coast helped shape the wars of our past. From New Orleans to Fort Walton Beach, there is story to be told in each city. Here are a few stops that you can't miss on your next trip.

Pensacola Naval Air Station - Pensacola, FL

Fort Pickens - Pensacola Beach, FL

Air Force Armament Museum - Fort Walton Beach, FL

World War II Museum - New Orleans, LA

USS Alabama - Mobile, AL

5 Reasons Why Fall Is The Best Time To Travel To the Gulf Coast

As the Summer starts to wind down and the kids go back to school, the Gulf Coast changes from a bustling tourist town to a sleepy beach destination as it was before the area was promoted worldwide. Those that are able to visit the Gulf Coast in the Fall can take advantage of less traffic, short waits at restaurants, and discounted lodging and tours. Here are the top 5 reasons why Fall is the best time to visit the Gulf Coast (In no particular order).

1. Weather

The weather on the Gulf Coast would be considered perfect by some. Mild humidity and temps (75-85 degrees) make it comfortable to be outside for long periods of times. It may get a little cool at night, but a light jacket or sweater is all you need to fix that. Just because it's cooler out, don't underestimate the powerful sun! Use sunscreen when on the beach at all times to prevent sunburns.

2. Traffic

The traffic on the Gulf Coast during the Summer is worse than any major city in the US during rush hour. It certainly makes you want to stay in your hotel all week long! However, in the Fall the traffic is 1/4 of what you'll see in the Summer. Don't waste your precious vacation time sitting in a car.

3. Deals

My favorite part of visiting in the Fall has got to be the deals! Hotel rates will decrease by up to 50% from Summer and activity prices also drop significantly. This makes a great opportunity to make a quick getaway if you're on a budget. Visit TripShock.com for a lot of great deals on hotels and lodging. 

4. Festivals 

Some of the best festivals on the Gulf Coast happen in the Fall. In Destin, the annual Seafood Festival is in September that kicks off the October Fishing Rodeo. Also, the popular Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores kicks off in early October. Check out the city or county websites for your Gulf Coast destination for more information on festivals and events in the Fall.

5. Parking & Restaurant Waits

Who likes spending hours trying to find parking spots at crowded shopping malls or wait hours for a table at a restaurant? In the Fall, you don't have to worry about that! Restaurants are so hungry for business that not only do you get seated right away, but a lot of coupons and specials are available. 

Did we make a good case for the Fall? :-)

A Record Summer on The Gulf Coast - Sun, Sand & Happy Travelers

The Summer season is nearly half over and there are very little complaints about how great of a season it's been (Other than the traffic). The weather has been favorable with only a few days of rain days making this outdoor destination very favorable for travelers. If you have traveled to the area last year, you may have noticed the significant rainfall the Gulf Coast had that made for a very tough vacation for some. With more than 80% of our activities based outdoors, the area loses it's appeal when the fishing charters and waterparks are closed down most of the week.

Because the Summer has been so busy, travelers are noticing that booking tours and other activities last minute is difficult. Even some of the most flexible tours are being booked up several days in advance. Even more, the hotels are completely sold out entirely for the month with occupancy percentages near 100%! We are definitely not saying to avoid the Gulf Coast because it's so busy, we are just making sure that there is some advanced planning going on. Here are a few tips we recommend to make sure your vacation is a win during these busy times.

1) We know you hate waking up early on vacation, but as they say, the early bird gets the worm! Most tour companies will have last minute availability and maybe even a discount if you take early tours. Sometimes, it's not bad to take an early trip because the weather is nice!

2) Book your hotel Sun-Thur for the best chance of getting a room. If you only can travel weekends, I would call the hotels directly and keep checking if they have cancellations. If you are put on a waiting list, they will probably NOT call you back because they are so busy. Just keep calling and you should get a room!

3) The traffic is really bad here right now due to the influx in tourism. Make sure to plan your routes carefully and show up extra early for your tours so you don't miss them.

4)  Confirm your reservations with the hotel or tour company because with it being so busy, people make mistakes and you don't want to be on the short end of the stick. Have an itinerary planned out just to make sure you are on time and have the right tickets and contact info.

Lastly, have some patience during this busy time. With the influx of phone calls and customers these businesses are getting, they are very busy and may need some more time to assist you. Vacations are supposed to be a relaxing time so kick back, enjoy and think a little less. Enjoy your time on the Gulf Coast!

Summer is in Full Swing, Here are some Happenings on The Gulf Coast!

Summer is officially here and families from all over the country are pouring into the Gulf Coast for some sun and fun. There is a lot going on in the next couple months and we invite you to explore your destination for cool happenings. Here are a few popular events you can't miss!

1) Red White & Blue Celebration - Harbor Walk Village in Destin, FL

Every Thursday night through Labor Day. Fireworks display on the harbor at 8pm, live music, art, and more. More info at http://www.emeraldgrande.com/harborwalk-village.aspx

2) Star Spangled Spectacular - Pier Park in Panama City Beach, FL

Pier park is having a neighborhood block party on July 4th from 11am-5pm with food, music and vending. Then fireworks start at 8pm. 

3) Wings, Rhythm, and Blues Festivals - Elbert Town Park in Elberta, AL

2-day event starting July 19th from 8am-8pm featuring art, music, food, water slides, kid's games, and blues! 

4) Gallery Night - Downtown Pensacola, FL

Gallery night is one of the hottest places to be on the Gulf Coast. Art vendors and street musicians line up on Palafox for 1 night of great entertainment. Gallery night is June 20th and starts at 5pm. 

5) Runny of The Bulls - New Orleans, LA

Ok, so this is not the real running with the bulls, but you do get chased down by "bulls" in roller blades and fuzzy bats if you're too slow! The festival runs from July 10th-13th. Go here for more info - http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/festivals/multiculturalfestivals/runningofthebulls.html

A Walking Tour is The First Thing You Should Do When You Get To Your Vacation Destination

When I first visited New Orleans last year, I remembered checking into the hotel and opening up my laptop to browse the numerous attractions, restaurants and things to do in the city. I found myself spending 2 hours going through various reviews when I realized that I didn't want to waste another minute of my vacation on the computer. So my first thought was to find a local to ask about the city, so I went to the front desk as it would be the most economical thing to do. Although the front desk was willing to help, I felt like I was being referred to certain businesses that gave kick-backs in return for my participation - This wasn't going to cut it! All I wanted was some non-bias feedback of New Orleans from someone that wasn't trying to profit off of my visit. 

So I decided to book a French Quarter walking tour of New Orleans because it would be my chance to not only ask the tour guide questions, but an opportunity to meet with tour participants and ask them for their opinions. It seemed like a good idea at first, but it turned out to be an even better idea when the tour was finished. For the $40 I spent on the tour, I not only learned a lot of great things about the French Quarter, but it was very informative and gave us ideas for the next 3 days of our stay. The tour participants also were helpful and gave us some restaurant and nightlife ideas. One participant was also nice enough to give us some safety tips, that saved us when we were approached by a scammer on Bourbon Street later in our vacation.

That $40 investment was the best thing we could have done for our vacation. I highly recommend a walking tour for any city vacation is the first thing anyone should do before they get started.