Panhandle Highlights

Welcome to one of Florida’s best-kept secrets – the glorious beaches, charming cities and fabulous natural escapes of The Panhandle, the state’s extreme north-west. This wide-ranging region includes the state capital, Tallahassee, several major state parks – including the scenic Wacissa River and timeless vibe of Wakulla Springs – and miles after mile of fabulous coastline. Not for nothing is this known as the Emerald Coast, with wildlife-rich waters that are usually crystal clear. It’s not uncommon to spot Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles and even stingrays from the shore, while the extensive powder-white beaches seem to offer unbroken sands to both east and west, a full 100 miles, in fact. This holiday provides you with the opportunity to experience the highlights of the region and really get under the skin of an oft-overlooked part of the state. The coastal gems here include Pensacola, Fort Walton, Destin and Panama City Beach, which each boast unique history, as well as a real get-away-from-it-all feel for much of the year. From the fascinating Naval Aviation History Museum in Pensacola to St Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge just south of Tallahassee, this is an area packed with surprises that rewards visitors ready to take their time and fully explore a destination. It is a near six-hour drive from Orlando, but, happily, there is also a daily 90-minute flight to Pensacola from both Orlando and Tampa, so you can mix and match fly-drive options. Take the drive from Orlando and you can enjoy a taste of old world Florida at Cedar Key on the return journey.