Posted by 2021 transpired into the year of rescheduled trips. I spent hours trying to understand my scribbled notes about flight vouchers and record locator numbers from the previous year, the year that wasn’t. Sound familiar? Each trip I finally made had a strong emotional connection making it almost worth the wait! Ultimately, 2021 was definitely my year for beach fun! So if you’re feeling the need for sand and surf, read on!
Beach Number 1: Destin, Florida, May 2021
This was a first trip to the Florida Panhandle, the “Emerald Coast.” I was there to visit my son and his new love. I had no expectations since I have visited Florida many times and thought I had seen all that its beaches have to offer. Destin was my destination, and our first beachy stop was Miramar Beach, a few miles outside of Destin, on the Gulf of Mexico. Since my focus was on my company and not my surroundings, I wasn’t in tourist mode, but that instantly changed. I was mesmerized by the white sand and azure sea. This was not what I was expecting! As I walked along the beach, I was wading in deep, pearly white sand, perfect for sandcastles and “burying” the kids! This was a beach that beach-lovers dream about, with nothing but glorious, perfect coastline ahead of me. We leveled out our chairs to sit back and observe the pristine white expanse in front of us, contrasted with rolling turquoise blue water. In May, the weather was perfect but the water still chilly. I happily paddled and strolled.
The following day was spent lounging with a fabulous group of people on the beach at Destin and enjoying more coastal perfection! As the evening crept in, shore side fishing poles appeared and soon reeled in a catch. Dolphins in the distance gave a very tropical feel to this area. The end of the trip left me convinced that the Emerald Coast is the best beach in Florida. This is a place I could happily retire to!
Destin itself is a very busy, decent sized tourist town with a lovely harbor and boardwalk. Check out AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar with outdoor seating overlooking the harbor activity. Rent Jet Skis, or take a Charter Fishing trip. Take a boat out to Crab Island, a large sandbar popular for fun in the sun! There are many choices! The only downfall was traffic congestion, which is not unusual in Florida!
Getting there: Fort Walton Valparaiso Airport (VPS) is the closest option. We did not need a car or a hotel, but I would highly recommend renting a car in order to explore. Check out my booking.com banner for hotel choices!
Beach Number 2: Folly Beach, South Carolina, June 2021
As my husband and I packed the last suitcase into our car in Green Bay WI, we mentally steeled ourselves for the 1200-mile trip ahead of us. This had not started out as a vacation but a trip with a purpose. It had been rescheduled from November 2020 and was a mission to bury my mother in law’s urn alongside her own mother in North Carolina. Since it was now June 2021, we decided to add on a few days of sightseeing. After the emotional service, we were ready to sightsee. My husband had spent some of his childhood on the coast of South Carolina, so off to Charleston we went!
Charleston merits a blog of its own. The history and architecture is awe-inspiring. The vibe is lively and tropical. We spent several days in the city. One of the best ways to get around is via horse-drawn carriage. There are many, but I was satisfied by how the horses were treated at Palmetto Carriage Works, and the guide delivered interesting history lessons. Surprisingly, he stated that many of the horses refused to walk by the “haunted” jail house and had removed it from the route!
However, our visit was centered around Folly Beach which took us about 20 minutes south of the city. My husband managed to find the street where he had spent several years of his childhood, 55 years ago. He even connected with the people who now live in his former home and remembered his mom! As we drove down to the beach, the experience for him was surreal. Everything had changed. We parked up and walked along the boardwalk towards my first glimpse of Folly Beach on the vast Atlantic ocean. My first thought was “this could be England, but with sunshine.” The beach was largely flat, with orange sand and a vaguely blue ocean. It was pleasant to walk along and the water temperature was swimmable. The pier where he remembered playing was under construction, and we could not find the very first house they had occupied just two streets away, when families could actually afford to rent a house on the beach! We did however find a very nice pub lunch at a local Irish Inn. Overall the beach was very clean, not too crowded, with refreshments available at a Tiki bar attached to Tides Folly Beach Hotel. The town center is a very short walk away from the main beach area also. It’s a good place to visit if you are combining it with a stay in Charleston, where there is so much to do. Or if you have a young family and are looking for open space with a small cozy seaside town at your disposal.
Getting there: Charleston International (CHS) is the closest airport. Renting a car is a must if you want to see the city and surrounding areas.
I recommend the Town & Country Inn and Suites, Savannah Hwy, Charleston for a great location, good price with clean accommodation. After a long day, you can have dinner in their own restaurant, or literally walk across the road to Ruby Tuesdays. https://www.thetownandcountryinn.com/
Click on the link for my home page and the Booking.com banner! Check out the prices on the hotels I visited! https://curlsgoroundtheworld.com/
Beach Number 3: South Beach, Miami, Florida, July 2021
Several weeks later and another thousand miles down the road, we landed in Miami. South Beach will always be one of my favorite beaches anywhere in the world, because it’s South Beach! Stunning white sand and miles of wide open walking are available to you once you set foot on the beach. The beach runs along side promenades and shopping areas, even leading directly to Ocean Drive for restaurants and the former Versace stomping ground. This was my rescheduled trip with my step daughter, who had never seen an ocean in her life. It was a perfect experience for her. We sampled the beat of Miami with a fun trip to Bayside Market place, which houses many restaurants and boat tour options. We had lunch at the Hard Rock Café and took a boat ride to see the ocean side homes of the rich and famous with Island Tours. https://www.baysidemarketplace.com/
Esplanade Way is a lively area for shops and cafes and within a walk of our beach side resort. This was my second stay at the Shelborne Hotel in the Art Deco district. It has a nice bar, restaurant, outdoor pool and free beach loungers (Umbrellas cost extra). This time I noticed the hotel needs some TLC, but it’s basically a good spot if you can get a room at a good price. www.shelborne.com There are many hotels to chose from in the historic Art Deco district. Try to choose one directly on the ocean with included beach loungers, so that you don’t have to drag your beach gear across the busy road. South Beach is a good area for all age groups. If you are an empty-nester, October or later is a good time to visit when it’s a little quieter and emptier.
Nearest Airport: Miami International (MIA) Do not rent a car, you will regret it! Traffic is bumper to bumper and parking is very difficult. Use a taxi, Uber, whatever your preference. There is an excellent bus service which runs all the way along Collins Avenue, the main road along the coast.
Hope you enjoyed my beach tour and got some inspiration for your travels!
Very informative travel blog. Love the special details including your personal experiences.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting!