If it's a restful Florida vacation you're looking for, consider heading for the Panhandle and Gulf Coast area. Here, you can fish, golf, hike, bask in the sun, take in some interesting museums and have a laid back good time.

When you're planning your visit, be sure to book a vacation rental in the area. Staying in a Panhandle vacation condo or villa is the perfect antidote to cookie-cutter hotels and motels and offers you the opportunity to not only enjoy your own cooking and activities timetables, but provide you with all the conveniences of home as well.

There's a lot to do and see in the Panhandle of Florida. This area is known for its world-class beaches and golf courses and its interesting mix of history and nature.

If you visit Pensacola, you'll surely want to visit the famous National Museum of Naval Aviation. This museum is one of the largest air and space museums in the world, and is home to more than 140 restored aircraft from the Navy, Marine and Coast Guard. There are more than 290,000 square feet inside and more than 30 acres outside to explore and understand this country's aviation history.

After all that walking and exploring, take some time out at one of Pensacola's pristine white beaches. The Pensacola beach areas include the Gulf Islands National Seashore, which is 16 miles of beautiful, undisturbed beach.

In Destin you can enjoy all of Florida's simpler pleasures golfing, sightseeing, white sand beaches, and fishing. A good seafood meal will likely be included in any visitor's activities as well. If you made the wise decision to book a Florida villa or condo rental, you can buy some wonderful fresh seafood and cook it on your grill at home after a long day of enjoying Florida's Panhandle region.

In this beautiful area of Florida, the beaches are well known to be white, sandy and surrounded by emerald waters. These beaches are prime territory for sunbathers, who enjoy the quite, placid waters and undisturbed beaches. If you want more activity, consider the variety of water sports available here from snorkeling to parasailing, you can find it here.

Heading for the Panama City area of the Panhandle? After unpacking your bags at your Florida vacation rental, head for the beaches, golf courses or interesting destinations.

Water sports and activities fill the calendars full in Panama City. You might choose to go scuba diving or deep sea fishing. You might enjoy Alvin's Big Island, where you can see live sharks and alligators and have lunch at the same time. Head to the Ebro Greyhound Park where you can watch greyhound racing, or go crazy being a kid at Great Adventures Amusements Co., where you can drive a bumper boat or go kart, go bungee jumping or spend a few nickels on the midway.

Whatever you choose to do in Florida's Panhandle, it's sure to be fun and sun filled. Each night you'll enjoy the restful sleep you get at your condo rental. Then you'll be ready for more activity in the morning however you like it.