Free Entertainment

I always try to save up for my vacations. At a minimum, I save enough to easily book my Gulf Shores or Orange Beach condo. Then I try to save as much spending money as I can before my trip. And then I try to spend as little of this money as possible.

This is easy to accomplish in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area. Nature itself offers an abundance of entertainment: strolling the beaches, hiking nature trails like the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail and the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, and picnicking at scenic beachfront parks. Certain museums and historic sites are free, too, like the Orange Beach Arts Center (a good choice if you enjoy glass-blowing), the Gulf Shores Museum, and the Civil War Trail.

The Free & Fabulous sample itinerary on Brett/Robinson’s Orange Beach Today website provides a range of ideas for free things to do. Have fun and save some money—maybe enough for another Alabama Gulf Coast vacation.

Get Romantic

There seem to be a lot of wedding anniversaries this time of year. For about the past month I’ve seen Facebook posts announcing anniversaries at least once a week, and I know more are coming.

It’s understandable—spring/early summer is an ideal time for having a wedding and going on that long-anticipated honeymoon. Romance is in the air!

Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, honeymooning, or just spending a romantic getaway with someone special, Gulf Shores/Orange Beach is an ideal location, and Brett/Robinson’s romance vacation package can add a nice touch to your stay. A gourmet basket and dinner for two at the Sunset Cork Room in Gulf Shores are included in the package.

Brett/Robinson has a variety of vacation packages to choose from—click here to learn more about them.

It's Cookout Time

One of my favorite things about summer is cooking out. Ever since I was a kid, when my dad would breakout the charcoal (you gotta love the smell of charcoal), cooking out on a grill has been one of my most beloved summer time activities.

It’s a convenient and easy way to make dinner, too, and is particularly useful on “eat in” nights during a vacation. Just buy some burgers, steaks, or chicken (or all three), toss them on the grill and let them cook while you enjoy the evening outdoors.

Barbeque grills are just one of many amenities offered at Brett/Robinson’s properties. Visit their website to browse the available condos, hotels, and beach houses.

Free Fun

It can be fun to splurge while on vacation, particularly in an area like Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, where there so many worthwhile ways to spend money (golf and drinks at a bar being a couple of my favorites). But we all have a financial limit, so knowing where to find free fun is a good idea.

Hiking and biking are popular activities, and the nature trails along Alabama’s Gulf Coast are excellent places for nature and wildlife observation. There are many parks in the area that are good spots for picnics and just hanging out. And if you enjoy history, the Civil War History Trail makes for an interesting—and free—outdoor experience.

Of course, if you booked your vacation with Brett/Robinson, you don’t have to go far to find free activities. Pools, saunas, tennis courts, and fitness centers are some of the amenities guests can enjoy.

Father's Day

It’s time once again to think about what to get Dad for Father’s Day. In my experience, dads are some of the hardest people to shop for. They seem to have everything, and they aren’t vocal about what they do need or want.

So I’m not even going to bother asking mine this year. He’s simply going to get a weekend in Gulf Shores at Brett/Robinson’s Phoenix All Suites or Phoenix All Suites West. Two nights for $388.50, which includes a “Dad’s survival kit”—men’s travel case, snacks, a Sports Illustrated magazine, and the all-important beer. And for a little extra, I think I’ll throw in a round of golf. Should be a pretty good weekend.

Click here to check out this and other hot deals offered by Brett/Robinson.

Summer Fun

It may not officially be summer yet, but school is coming to an end (if it’s not already over in some places), which means summertime family activities are beginning. And if your kids are like most, you’ll find the amusement parks in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area to be a big hit.

The water park at Waterville USA opened on May 22nd, and will be open daily—not just weekends—starting May 29th. With the hot weather of the Gulf, this is refreshingly fun excursion for people of all ages, with waterslides and rides for the youngest of kids to the oldest of “kids.”

For some dry fun, you could check out The Track in Gulf Shores and Adventure Island in Orange Beach: sky coaster, bungee jumping, go-karts, miniature golf, and laser tag are some of the diversions at these locations.

Check out these and other attractions here.

Hot Tubs and Saunas

I’ve always found strange that one of the things I look for when booking a vacation is whether the condo or hotel has a hot tub and sauna. Particularly when I’m vacationing on the Gulf—it’s already really warm. Why is there this compelling need to soak in a hot tub?

The only answer I can come up with is, it’s just nice. It’s relaxing. And probably for the same reason that I enjoy lounging on the toasty beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in the first place: I just like being warm. (Plus, I sometimes like to revert back to my childhood when I would run back and forth between jumping in the pool and warming up in the hot tub—except I don’t actually run and jump anymore.)

Hot tubs and saunas are common amenities at Brett/Robinson’s many rental properties. You can learn more about these properties and their amenities here.

LuLu Palooza

If you’re looking for some money-saving fun for Memorial Day weekend, I have a couple good ideas. First, take advantage of Brett/Robinson’s Stretch your Memorial Weekend offer, where you can stay five nights for the price of four.

Then while you’re in the Gulf Shores area, check out the 6th annual LuLu Palooza on Sunday, May 30th at LuLu's at Homeport Marina. Live music and a fun atmosphere, with performances by Coconut Radio, Grayson Capps & the Stumpknockers, Ilo Ferreira, and The Radiators—and of course LuLu’s delicious food. Best of all, it’s free (the concert, not the food).

With the extra vacation time and saved money, you can explore other attractions and entertainment outlets in the area, or just relax and enjoy the beach and resort amenities.

Night Life

We’re all well aware of things to do during a day at the beach. (And anyone familiar with the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area knows that there are many other activities and sites to enjoy away from the beach.)

But when the sun starts to set in the evening, I know I’m not always content to just call it a night. Whether it’s dinner out, or a concert, or drinks and live music at a bar, I like to have options for my twilight plans. So I’m finding Brett/Robinson’s Music & Nightlife events calendar to be particularly useful, as it provides a calendar of music and evening events going on around the area.

You can check out this and other features of the new site here.

Importance of Ratings

There’s something about knowing that someone else agrees with me that is so satisfying. It’s not that I need approval that what I think is “correct”—and certainly not when it comes to golf. I know whether or not I enjoy playing a particular course. I know that Kiva Dunes and Cypress Bend in Gulf Shores are both excellent golf courses based on my own experience.

But it’s still nice to know that others think the same, especially when those “others” are the Golf Digest folks. Both Kiva Dunes and Cypress Bend have been ranked as top golf courses by Golf Digest. Somehow it adds to my enjoyment when I play those courses. It’s Golf Digest, after all—those people must know what they’re talking about regarding anything golf.

Both of these golf courses, as well as several others, are part of the golf packages offered by Brett/Robinson. Check them out here.

It's Almost Music Fest Time!

The first day of the Hangout Beach, Music and Arts Festival is just a little more than a week away. If you haven’t already made plans to attend, there’s still time to book a room at a Brett/Robinson property.

The Phoenix All Suites Hotel and the Island Winds and Island Winds West properties are right in the middle of where the action will be. Staying onsite will be the best way to enjoy this music fest—you’ll have the option of being on the beach with all the festivities or listening to the music from the balcony of your hotel/condo.

Phoenix All Suites is offering music festival packages, and guests who stay at one of the Island Winds condominiums can save 20% off of three nights or stay four nights for the cost of three.

Memorial Day Deals

We’re coming up to one my favorite holidays: Memorial Day. The long weekend, so alluringly close to summer, is always a perfect occasion for celebration (as evidenced, for me, by all the couples I’ve known over the years to marry on Memorial Day weekend—if I’m not celebrating an actual wedding, I’m celebrating someone’s anniversary).

It’s also a great opportunity for a vacation, and Brett/Robinson is making that opportunity even more attainable. Up until May 31st, you can stay at a Brett/Robinson property for five nights at the cost of four nights. Now that’s how you stretch and already lengthy weekend!

And what a way to celebrate—cooking out on the white-sand beaches of Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Or take some of the money you save and enjoy dinner out at one of the many local restaurants.

Check out their website for this and other hot deals.

Plan Some Off-the-Beach Time

When we think of a beach vacation, we tend to envision activities like lounging on the beach with a good book and an iPod, building sandcastles, perhaps playing a little beach volleyball, and then cooling off in the ocean waters and maybe catching a few waves. These are all excellent beach activities, particularly when your destination is the white-sand beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast.

But there is such a thing as too much of a good thing, and the last thing you want to do is burnout on beach time. In addition, in an area like Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama, where there are so many things to do and see, it’s hard to justify spending the entire trip solely on the beach. Taking time for some off-the-beach pursuits and exploring the local culture can really enhance the beach experience.

One popular pastime for many beach-goers is golf, which is no short-coming in and around Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The area offers a variety of scenic golf courses, and visitors can often find deals that will help save them money. Brett/Robinson Vacation Rentals, for example, offers golf vacation packages where guests can save on multiple rounds of golf.

Nature excursions offer additional opportunities for off-beach adventures. Nature trails and centers, wildlife preserves, estuariums, and zoos are some of the ways visitors can explore the plant and animal life native to Alabama’s Gulf Coast. The area is also a good location for fishing, whether it’s pier fishing or via charter boat.

Those interested in history and culture should plan to visit historical sites, such as museums and old homes and churches, and attend concerts and art exhibits of local artists.

Knowing ahead of time what sites of interest are near your accommodations, or booking accommodations based on what off-beach activities interest you will help with the travel planning process. Brett/Robinson offers a selection of lodging options located near several area attractions.

Get Lazy

The countdown to my first vacation of the year has begun. The weather is warm (and even warmer at the Gulf), and life has gotten a little too hectic lately. To say I’m ready to make the trek down to Orange Beach is an understatement. And when I get there, I’m not going to relax—I’m going to get lazy.

Because there is nothing more relaxing to me than letting a nice cool current carry me along while I gaze up at the sky and at the palm trees lining the path of the lazy river (which is what’s carrying me, of course). I always look forward to my trips around the lazy river. I’ll be staying at Brett/Robinson’s Phoenix West, which pairs a water slide with its lazy river. So if I get a little too lazy, I can make a run down this winding slide.

Brett/Robinson’s Phoenix on the Bay and Phoenix on the Bay II also feature lazy rivers.

A Vacation Night Saved is a Vacation Night Earned

Spring is finally here: trees are in bloom, the weather is warm, department stores are fraught with summer clothing and the summer-spending fever has hit. Many of us are already revamping our warm weather wardrobes, and we have two important questions to answer: where do we wear this new wardrobe, and how do we save money after our spending spree?

The Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area is an excellent choice. There’s something about the pristine, white-sand beaches that makes wearing a new bathing suit that much more invigorating. Then later on you can sport some stylish fashion while checking out the local night life.

As for saving money, check out the hot deals on the Brett/Robinson website when booking your vacation. Deals include free night specials, which range from 20% off of 3 nights to “10 for 7” deals, and specialized vacation packages. Spend the extra money on one of the many area attractions (or do some more beach shopping!).

No Need for Improvement

Golf always makes my beach vacation better. Not that a vacation along the Gulf Coast needs much (or any) improvement—golf is more of an enhancement. I love the game, I love trying out new courses and re-visiting old favorites. And it’s a great way to spend quality time with certain family members (or escape family altogether for a little “me” time).

Brett/Robinson golf vacation packages make interspersing golf throughout my vacation that much easier. The packages are personalized and include green fees and cart fees for multiple rounds of golf, as well as accommodation expenses. Everything is already planned by the time I arrive at my vacation spot, so all I have to do is check in, relax, and play golf.

More information about Brett/Robinson golf vacation packages and area golf courses can be found here.

The Hangout Beach, Music and Arts Festival

I think most people would agree that the beach, particularly along the Gulf Coast, is an ideal place to be in May. Throw in some live music and a festive atmosphere and you’ve got quite a party—or The Hangout Beach, Music and Arts Festival.

This is a first-time event that will take place May 14th, 15th, and 16th on the beach, next to the Hangout in Gulf Shores, and will feature more than 60 musical artists—including some Grammy Award winners (view a complete list of artists here). Bring a friend or two, a group, or the entire family. It’s a great opportunity to have fun on the beach and enjoy an assortment of music.

The best way to enjoy this festival is to never have to leave. Brett/Robinson vacation properties are available onsite, so traveling to and from doesn’t have to be a concern. Go to the Brett Robinson web site for more information.

Picture This

It is a beautiful day on the Alabama Gulf Coast. You and your family just checked in to one of Brett/Robinson’s fabulous properties and you are ready to hit the pools and beaches. You have everything you need for your beach vacation including your most important tool, your camera.

When you get home, you want to be able to remember every detail of every fun moment. Capturing memories is so much easier today in the age of digital cameras. All you need is a digital camera, memory card and batteries and you are good to go.

Here are some tips to make sure you take home some great photographs.

• Cameras and sand do not mix. Be very careful with your camera on the beach. Just a little sand can make a camera inoperable. Always have your camera in a water/sand-proof container when it isn’t in your hand. A zip-close plastic bag or a six-pack cooler make good camera protectors.
• For the best lighting when taking pictures of your family, hit the beach in the “magic hour” just before sunset or just after sunrise. The softer light compliments skin tones and you do not have to fight the harsh shadows of the mid-day sun.
• If you want to take pictures during the day when the kids are building sandcastles, swimming in the pool or playing in the surf, use a fill flash. Most cameras have the option of having the flash operate on each picture. Using the flash will fill in shadows on faces and offset some of the light reflecting from the white sand and water.
• If you want some group family shots, dress everyone in a similar color (white shirts and khaki or denim pants/shorts are nice) and go to your chosen location about an hour before sunset. I recommend doing this on your first or second day at the beach while everyone is still fresh and before someone gets too much sun.
• Don’t forget, the beach isn’t the only place the family is having fun. Keep your camera with you on excursions to go cart tracks, mini golf or when dining out. Our fun restaurants have a lot of places for picture opportunities, too. Even a trip to souvenir stores in Gulf Shores can produce a family picture in the mouth of a shark or under the tentacles of a purple octopus.
• Please be careful of the dunes and sea oats on our beautiful beaches. They are protected areas. They prevent beach erosion and serve as a buffer between the Gulf of Mexico and the properties that line the beach. They also add to the beauty of the area. When photographing them, please do so from the boardwalks or walking paths.

The main thing to remember when you have a camera in your hand is to have fun. When you are having fun, you are taking fun pictures. That is what memories are made of.

Springing forward

Daylight saving time is here. It is the wonderful time of year when it seems the sun shines a little longer on a beautiful day. For me, it means more time to spend outside and more beach time with my family. Daylight saving time also makes it easier to be on the beach at the break of day and the setting of the sun.

I am a photographer and my favorite times of day are just after sunrise and the hour before sunset. The light at these times of day is perfect. It is hard to describe what I feel when I am on the beach with my camera in the afternoon as the sun sinks low on the horizon. There is a magical change in the colors. The light softens and the sugar-white sand reflects some of the colors of the sky. The Gulf water transforms from a sparkling green-blue to a glowing turquoise, to deep cobalt as the sun sets. Standing in the soft white sand and watching this transformation takes my breath away.

Mornings are just as magical. When the sun begins its ascent and trickles of light reach out to hide the stars, the perfect time of soft light returns for the camera lens. Once again, I am left breathless as I watch the breaking of the day and feel the Gulf breeze on my face.

On your next visit to the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast, schedule some time to be on the beach for the “magic hour” at sunrise or sunset. I bet it will leave you breathless, too. Don’t forget your camera.

Post provided by Luanne Burnett

Changing seasons

I love living on the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast, especially when the seasons change. There is something good about every season and when a new one starts, I am ready for the change. I have a new favorite four times a year and right now, my favorite is spring.

There are patterns I follow throughout the year. One of them is taking my grandchildren to lunch after church on Sunday. After a winter of trying different places around Pleasure Island, we finally got back to our spring, summer and fall favorite, Bahama Bob’s in Gulf Shores. The sun was shining, the beach was beautiful and the Gulf of Mexico was reflecting the azure of the sky. The staff at Bahama Bob’s had the plastic rolled up and the porch was filled with the sweet smell of sand and surf. It was a perfect day.

Of course, kids being kids, they almost always get the same thing, chicken tenders. On this trip, I had the fried shrimp. As always, everything was excellent. Combining good food, a perfect view of the dunes and beach and quality time with my grandchildren is my favorite way to spend a Sunday.

Another sure sign of the new season is the 2010 Orange Beach Festival of Art. This annual event takes place March 13 and 14, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Waterfront Park, 26389 Canal Road, Orange Beach. This year, it is part of the state tourism department’s Year of Alabama Small Towns and Downtowns. The first fine art and fine craft show of the season features juried artists from the region and across the country. This year, four complimentary attractions have been added to the festival. A literary arts tent will house regional and celebrity authors, book readings and book signings. A drama and dance stage, children’s art alley and songwriters and musicians stage complete the list.

Early spring is a great time to visit the coast. A weekend getaway to the beach is the perfect way to experience the change of the season and see why the locals love this time of year.

post provided by Luanne Burnett