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Josephine's French Country Inn
Seaside, Florida

The Tourist Development Council is also the first of its kind to partner with the Florida Division of Recreation and Parks and the Division of Forestry to create a nature preserve and boardwalk, slated for completion in 2002.

Eco-tourism doesn't end with the beaches. South Walton is also home to the Choctawhatchee Bay, and 17 fresh and saltwater lakes. Fish, kayak or hike. Trails at Point Washington consist of three double track loops of 3.5, 5 and 10 miles. Nearby, Eden State Gardens overflows with live oaks draped in Sp

anish moss. Some of these gigantic trees date back more than 600 years. Once the site of a turn-of-the-century lumber mill, the historic Eden Gardens' showcase is the Greek Revival-style Wesley Mansion, filled with antiques. A serene stroll through the manicured gardens of camellias and azaleas harkens back to Old Florida.

Grayton Beach does indeed reflect Old Florida. It's the oldest community on 30-A with a plethora of well-hidden century-old houses built from weathered cypress. Grayton seems to be a mixed bag of funkiness and diversity amid blocks of sand streets.

Seaside, the setting for the film "The Truman Show" is lauded for its planned development.

A short distance away, Seaside has rightfully earned all its accolades and awards as the blueprint for a small town planned development. Now celebrating its 20th year, Seaside still stands as a testament to porch sitting, promenading down narrow, tree-line lanes, and chatting with your neighbors. It harbors a strong sense of community of one-of-a-kind shops and pastel cottages fronted with white picket fences. It is truly charming. And you can even rent one of the cottages during your sojourn. The town center hosts outdoor concerts, art festivals and a number of special events throughout the year.

While taking their near-perfect beaches and pro-active coastal preservation to heart, the folks at Beaches of South Walton are also big on sunsets. And, yes, you will see some spectacular balls of color from the setting sun. Bud & Alleys takes it a step further. Visitors to the outdoor café perched on pilings get to guess exactly when the sun sets. The winner gets a drink on the house.

East of Seaside, Seagrove is home to an eclectic mix of homes and to The Gourd Garden and Curiosity Shop. This fun place features gourds, art, flowers and herbs from the Deep South and even from around the world.

Rosemary Beach is the newest Panhandle community.

The other beachside communities continue to offer outstanding eateries, quaint shops and small-town-feel neighborhoods where you can take a deep breath and exhale. Off-the-beaten-path, Seacrest is a new beach community made up of cottages and condominiums hidden behind natural dunes. It also boasts the largest pool along Scenic Highway 30-A. Rosemary Beach, a new development, features Caribbean-inspired homes connected to the shore by boardwalks and footpaths. The town square, eternity pool and neighborhood tennis courts contribute to the sense of community. Inlet Beach is named for the large lagoon on its eastern shore, Phillips Inlet, this peaceful community is known for its secluded areas and minimal development. Inlet beach is also home to a 19-acre beach access, an example of eco-tourism and preservation at its finest.

Beaches of South Walton is within a day's drive from most of the Southeast and also accessible by air via Fort Walton Beach or Panama City Beach Airports. The area is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Tallahassee.

For more information, call (800) 822-6877 or visit the web site at www.beachesofsouthwalton.com.