Whether traveling with kids, pets or just yourself, packing and planning for a beach vacation can be overwhelming when you try to remember everything you should bring for safety and fun. Check out these awesome time saving tips and some of our featured beach retreats.
BEACH TIPS
1. Spring for a Pop-Up Tent or Shelter
This will make your day that much better.
This will make your day that much better.
2. Plan Your Haul
Rolling carts with tough, sand-ready wheels are a smart asset, and some brands, including the popular Wonder Wheeler, feature main compartments made of mesh to allow wet or sandy toys to drain while you walk back to your car.
Rolling carts with tough, sand-ready wheels are a smart asset, and some brands, including the popular Wonder Wheeler, feature main compartments made of mesh to allow wet or sandy toys to drain while you walk back to your car.
3. Stock up on Shopping Bags
Plastic shopping bags may be an environmental foe, but they're your friend at the beach, and shoving a handful of them into a pocket of your diaper bag or beach bag will save you in any number of situations.
Plastic shopping bags may be an environmental foe, but they're your friend at the beach, and shoving a handful of them into a pocket of your diaper bag or beach bag will save you in any number of situations.
4. Rethink the Beach Blanket
What's the magic middle ground between bulky beach blankets and a row of individual towels?
What's the magic middle ground between bulky beach blankets and a row of individual towels?
5. Arrive Early
Timing is everything, particularly when it comes to staking out a good spot at a popular beach.
Timing is everything, particularly when it comes to staking out a good spot at a popular beach.
6. Choose a Spot by the Lifeguard
It makes it
easier for your kids to remember where you are in case you get
separated.
7. Do Sunscreen Right
Use a cream-based sunscreen before hitting the beach, but switch to spray sunscreen for repeated applications to avoid the messy mix of sandy skin and creamy sunscreen.
Use a cream-based sunscreen before hitting the beach, but switch to spray sunscreen for repeated applications to avoid the messy mix of sandy skin and creamy sunscreen.
8. Plan a Beachy "Treasure Hunt"
When your kids tire of building sandcastles (and they will), try this fun trick.
When your kids tire of building sandcastles (and they will), try this fun trick.
9. Use Baby Powder to De-Sand
Rest assured
that a liberal sprinkling of baby powder on sandy—but relatively
dry—bodies will make getting clean(er) a breeze.
10. Establish a No-Touch Zone
Keep your phone -- in a zip-top bag -- and other must-have items there and knows they'll be safe and dry, and won't get built into the architecture of any sandcastles.
Keep your phone -- in a zip-top bag -- and other must-have items there and knows they'll be safe and dry, and won't get built into the architecture of any sandcastles.
12. Pack Small Lunch Containers
Bringing lots of foods in individual containers means that if one sandwich goes overboard into the sand, all is not lost.
Bringing lots of foods in individual containers means that if one sandwich goes overboard into the sand, all is not lost.
13. Freeze Foods to Save Cooler Space
Don't worry about ice, and at the end of the day, you better believe that cooler is light as a feather and completely empty.
Don't worry about ice, and at the end of the day, you better believe that cooler is light as a feather and completely empty.
OUR FEATURED RETREATS
REEL PARADISE
Beautiful
3 bedroom, 2 bath home perfect for 8 guests with King bed, Queen bed,
two twin beds and sofa bed. All freshly painted the bright cheery
interior is perfect for a sunny Florida vacation. The updated kitchen
has stainless appliances, granite counters and beautiful custom wood
cabinets. The vaulted ceilings add to the open area of the kitchen,
dining room and living room. The large front deck is the perfect spot
for sitting and sipping morning coffee or evening cocktails! Great
location within walking distance to hop on the trolley and head to Times
Square or the beach. Lots of water activities and sports in the area
and entertainment too!
Rates and AvailabilityClick here for a 360 Virtual Tour
Newly
updated 2BR 2 Bath unit, approximately 1100 sq ft on the 3rd floor.
Furnished and includes washer/dryer in the unit. Very cute with all the
rental necessities. Plenty of off-street parking in gated community.
Resort style living with a heated community pool, hot tub and bar area.
Fitness center and Billiards room. Close to beaches, shoppes &
restaurants. Fully furnished. Monthly rental. Sleeps 6. Prices vary by
season.
Rates and Availability
Rates and Availability
Beautifully
decorated and furnished 2 bedroom apartment. Fully furnished huge
kitchen with gorgeous granite counter-top. Propane stove for cooking.
Awesome fireplace with historical value in the living room. All linens
and towels included. Bright and colorful to make you feel like you're in
a tropical paradise. So close to the beach....just cross over Estero
Blvd. & you're there. Beach chairs, umbrella, cooler provided to
take with you! Use of the yard for BBQ and outdoor seating. Close to the
Library and Bay Oaks Center & Community Pool. Walk to TOPPS
Supermarket also. Washer/dryer on site. Internet & WiFi included.
Off street parking.Pet friendly retreat. Restrictions apply. Prices
vary by season.
Rates and Availability
Rates and Availability