Last week I had the pleasure of meeting up with my favorite bloggers for another fun-filled weekend in Destin, Florida for Brandcation: Final DESTINation.

If you have never been to Destin, you absolutely must add it to your bucket list. Growing up just an hour west of Destin I have spent many vacations enjoying the powder white sand and emerald green waters, so I was excited to show off the area again with my closest friends.

We stayed at the amazing Emerald Grande at Harborwalk Village, a premier Destin Resort right on the Harbor.

The weekend began with my friend Kari and I driving over from Pensacola. It was a bit cloudy that day, but as soon as we hit the Destin Bridge we could see the Emerald Grande standing tall. It was just as beautiful as I remembered it.

We arrived a bit early, so we parked in their spacious parking garage and headed off on foot to find the others and grab some lunch.

One of the things I love most about staying at the Emerald Grande is that you can park your car one time - for free - and literally walk to anything you may need. Within minutes we were sitting down to dine at the infamous Margaritaville Restaurant.

Related Post: Best Restaurants in Destin Florida

 

A photo posted by Lynsey Jones (@moscatomom) on Sep 11, 2015 at 10:54am PDT

Before we knew it, it was time to check into our rooms.  The Emerald Grande offers up to four bedroom luxury condo-hotel suites to fit you and your loved ones. In fact, the four bedroom can fit up to ten occupants - so you can take the whole family!

Plus, no matter where you room is, the view is spectacular! The two towers overlook the pool, the Destin Harbor, and/or the pass to the Gulf of Mexico from Choctawhatchee Bay. Just imagine waking up to this every morning:

My roommates Mickey and Jennifer were kind enough to let me have the Master Suite in our room. Let me tell you - they do not call them "luxury suites" for nothing. Every detail is luxurious - from the fine smelling soaps to the fuzzy robes. I even had a little buddy waiting on me in the room. How cute is this?! 

After checking in we all met up to do our Brandcation Scavenger Hunt. I had so much fun putting it together for this group that I thought everyone who vacations here should have one! So I made one just for you too!

The Destin Scavenger Hunt has items you will find all around The Emerald Grande Resort and Harbor Walk Village! It is a great way to explore the property and discover all the great things in the area! Click here to download the pdf.

After the Scavenger Hunt was over we headed off to dinner and play games and enjoy some night life - more on that later - but one of my best memories of the weekend was being totally exhausted and walking back into the Master Suite.

It was so beautiful and so relaxing. I drew a hot bath in the enormous garden tub and relaxed while reading a book on my iPad. It was the perfect way to end my first night in paradise.

If you are considering a vacation to Destin, Florida, check out The Emerald Grande at Harborwalk Village. Whether it is a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or a girls trip to the coast - The Emerald Grande has everything you need for the perfect vacation.

Have you ever been to Destin?

Disclosure: media rates and in some cases comped activities were provided to showcase this venue properly.

Last year I took some really amazing trips. I went to Los Angeles for the DVD release of Frozen, I went on my very first cruise for Brandcation, I got to go drive BMWs on a wet track in San Antonio - and that was just in the first quarter of the year! But I ended 2014 with one final amazing trip to Pembroke Virginia where I stayed at the Mountain Lake Lodge, a 2,600 acre nature preserve in the heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains... and where Dirty Dancing was filmed.

I flew in to Roanoke Virginia where I was picked up by one of my best bloggy buddies Mickey from AHelicopterMom.com. We headed off in to the mountains - literally - with the GPS even looking lost. However the moment the trees cleared - we immediately recognized Kellerman's.

When we pulled up to the registration desk... it began snowing. SNOWING. That is like the third time in my life that I have even seen snow. But I immediately fell in love with the place -"OMG that is where Baby talked with her Dad!" and "OMG that is where Johnny jumps off and punches Robby!" "OMG THAT IS THE CABIN WHERE BABY AND HER FAMILY STAYED!!"

Yes, I was that completely obnoxious tourist. 

We checked in to the beautiful cozy lodge - literally feeling like we had stepped back in time. The place was absolutely gorgeous. Even though it was snowing outside, it was warm and welcoming inside. We checked in and asked where the elevator was... which was met with a laugh. There is no elevator. I wish I had a picture of Mickey standing there trying to comprehend that with her enormous suitcase, miscellaneous bags, and over stuffed pillow. However we managed to get up the stairs and to our room to get settled in before heading downstairs for dinner at the Harvest Restaurant where everything is served family buffet style... and unlike most hotel buffets - ab.so.lute.ly. amazing.

Interestingly enough in the last few years the lake has actually dried up, leaving a literal mud puddle. However, that enormous mud puddle is still breathtaking, and home to all kinds of wildlife, which Mickey and I saw as we walked around the grounds - freezing to death while recounting just about every single word and scene from the movie. History shows that the lake as risen and declined many times over the years, and geologists and engineers monitor the lake daily, and believe it will some day refill to the former glory it had back in 1987 when it made the perfect backdrop to one of the best films of all time. I can only hope that it is in my lifetime, and I can go back and take my family there.

Now, the Mixed Conference was incredible too - but the location is what will forever stand out in my mind as one of the best trips ever. If you are looking to go on vacation - or to have a great meeting location - Mountain Lake Lodge should be on the top of your list. The history, the culture, and the accommodations will be hard to beat anywhere else.

You can book your reservations here and be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure: Absolutely no compensation was received for this post. Just sharing what I love - with who I love.

This past weekend I had the pleasure of getting to stay in absolute paradise at the Best Family Vacation DESTINation on the Gulf Coast - The Emerald Grande Resort at Harborwalk Village on the Destin Harbor.  Now, being a "local" I know how amazing Destin is - I practically grew up there as my Uncle has a condo and grandparents both loved it out there - but this weekend I got to see a new side of Destin and one that I will not soon forget.

The Emerald Grande is located just east of the Destin Bridge and has access to literally everything.  This was the first Brandcation that required ZERO driving.  Once we parked (for free I might add) we did not get in the car again until it was time to leave.  Everything we needed - from activities to shopping to dining - was all located in Harborwalk Village with easy access from the resort.

We had 24 Bloggers in our group and got to see both the 2 and 3 bedroom condos - all of which are just breathtakingly beautiful.   The two towers overlook the pool, the Destin Harbor, and/or the pass to the Gulf of Mexico from Choctawhatchee Bay.   Translation: There isnt a bad view in the house. 

Over the three days we stayed there we had the chance to sample up the activities and dining, as well as have some down time to just lay by the pool.  It was easily my favorite Brandcation so far.

I will be posting more details about all of the events of the weekend, but just had to give a huge shout out to the Emerald Grande at Harborwalk Village for showing us the absolute best that Destin has to offer.  I have no doubt that we will be back to enjoy a family vacation very, very soon.

Disclosure: media rates and in some cases comped activities were provided to showcase this venue properly.

Thank you to everyone who caught my Paul Simon reference there. *cough*

It has kind of become Brandcation Tradition to have ziplining as part of our event, so imagine our excitement when Climbworks contacted us to see if any of us wanted to go ziplining during our stay in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  Now, I would say I have become quite a pro at ziplining - having been  in Kissimmee and Milton, Florida - but nothing would have prepared me for ziplining through the Smokey Mountains.

Being surrounded on three sides by the Smoky Mountain National Park, CLIMB Works Canopy gives you a bird's eye view of what makes the Smokies so unique.  We start off by taking you on a fun four-wheel adventure to the top of the mountain and once you take that first step onto our beautifully constructed tour your feet won't touch the ground for the next 2 ½ hours.

First of all - something I didnt even consider until we arrived at Climbworks - was the difference in HEIGHT that Climbworks will have compared to the other two locations.  Let's face it - Florida is pretty FLAT.  Yeah, you get a bit of a vertical incline in Florida - because of climbing those crazy scary stairs - but nothing like Climbworks, where the only "climbing" you have to do is a small bridge and the rest is zipping down...literally.

Now I have to admit something here, and tell you that the morning we were supposed to go to Climbworks, the temperatures dropped into the low 50s and there was a constant cold, drizzling rain.  NOT what I would have thought was an ideal day for zipping.  In fact, I tried to back out of it.  I imagined us all freezing and wet and miserable.  Turns out it was the absolute highlight of the entire Blog Cabin Event.

Our guides Matt and Thomas - later nicknamed Lorax and One-With-Nature, respectively - were absolutely amazing.  Never in my life have I laughed so hard, for so long, and had such a great time with people I dont even know.   All of the Ziplining Guides I have had have been cool... but these two take the cake.  I am not sure they knew what they were getting in to with a group including myself, Joy, Blondie, Mickey, Jen, Cyndy, Summer, and Lindsey - nor do I think they will ever see a group like us again - but I sure hope they had as much fun as all of us girls did.

The zips were longer on this course and absolutely beautiful with the Fall leaves beginning to change.  We were all laughing so hard and having so much fun, the cold never even bothered us, so do NOT let the weather deter you from zipping.   I loved how we did not have to stop ourselves on this course, but learned a new meaning of "Starfish"... which Joy has officially earned the nickname for.  The harnesses were also a bit different and actually more comfortable - even having little "handle bars" so you felt more secure and I seemed to relax more during the actual zip and enjoy really looking around and taking in the Smokey Mountain scenery.

If you are in or near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, you have GOT to check out Climbworks, and Get Your Zip On through the Smokey Mountains.  And request Matt and Thomas when you go - but do not call them Lorax and One-With-Nature... they may decide to call in sick that day.

One of the things I love about "touristy" kind of towns are dinner shows like Dixie Stampede.  When I was a teenager I remember going to Medieval Times with a bunch of friends from school.  During Brandcation #2 - Global Getaway - we went to Arabian Nights and Sleuth's.  So when we were told about Dixie Stampede - a themed dinner show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee which features Dolly herself - we knew that was the perfect event to kick off the weekend at Blog Cabin.

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When Trisha and I decided to do our 3rd Brandcation event right here in Pensacola, I knew I wanted to show the attendees everything the Gulf Coast has to offer.  Obviously we knew the Beach is a big attraction, but there are soooo many other things to do here!!  Since Trisha and I went tubing about a dozen times last summer, I thought it would be a perfect way to spend the day with 31 of my closest Bloggy Buddies.  When I learned that Adventures Unlimited now has ziplining - I knew I had found the absolute perfect way to spend the main day of Brandcation.

Discover the FUN of outdoor adventure! Adventures Unlimited offers  Canoeing, Kayaking, Tubing, and Camping  along Coldwater Creek past secluded, sugar white sandbars, through Blackwater River State Forest of Northwest Florida .  Zip on the canopy tour, on Zip Adventures (www.floridaziplineadventures.com) at Adventures Unlimited's Coldwater Creek Headquarters near Milton, Florida. Rent a cabin or cottage, spend a weekend in the Adventures Unlimited campground.  Adventures Unlimited is a short drive from Mobile, Pensacola, Montgomery, Fort Walton Beach and Panama City. Did you know that northwest Florida is your nation's premiere canoe destination? Canoe Florida today!

We began our day bright and early with Ziplining with the two best guides in the place - Jacques and Kevin.  (yes, each group says that, but ours really were the best... #justsayin) We had an absolute blast, and since I had been ziplining before at the last Brandcation, I knew what to expect.  I was so beyond proud when the rest of my crew - Joy, Maryanne, Sheri, Theresa, Coleen, Jenn, and Denise - sailed through the air like pros.

After all 32 of us "flew" through the air on our Ziplines, we all gathered for lunch on the deck and then headed off to float down Coldwater Creek for four miles of screaming laughter, "graceful" maneuvering on the tubes, and paddling like maniacs to keep from getting hung up on stumps in the middle of the river. I was put in charge of the water cooler, so I not only was trying to maneuver myself, but trying to keep from clothes-lining everyone I passed with the rope to the cooler... it was quite a feat.

Tubing is one of my all time favorite ways to stay cool on a Summer afternoon (umm, can I just say "yay for fresh water and no sand!?!") and having 31 friends with me made it THAT much better.

By the time we all made it back to the main cabin we were exhausted from laughing and paddling all day long.  It was the perfect way to spend the main day of Brandcation.  Thank you again a million times over to Jack Sandborn and his awesome crew at Adventures Unlimited.  I know that me, Toni, Joy, Denise, and Trisha will be seeing you all again very very soon!