India, March 3 -- Florida hits differently in the Panhandle, where the sand is a brighter shade of white, the water a deeper hue of emerald and blue, and a distinct and delightful Southern inflection permeates the air.

"Destin-Fort Walton Beach is not like the rest of Florida. You won't see a skyline full of high-rises. This is a place to experience the best that a beach town has to offer, but diving into all the adventure opportunities is where we really pull away," says Alex Fogg, Coastal Resource Manager of Destin Fort-Walton Beach. "Snorkel the Gulf of Mexico, paddle a spring-fed creek, and hike the Florida Trail. This is a place to adventure, and to be able to do it all without the large city atmosphere makes it even better."

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