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When the tragedy of the Katrina hurricane struck the Gulf Coast, many unwisely discounted this gorgeous and historically rich coastal region. However, this area has strongly recovered, and it is the same beautiful tourist destination that it was so many years ago. A vast and plentiful region that offers rich culture and scores of relaxation and luxury, the Gulf Coast is an amazing coastal adventure for United States residents who want to experience beach side luxury without having to pick up a new passport.
The Gulf Coast region spans many different states and areas, with each one having unique characteristics and distinct cultural differences to offer visitors. Whether it is bold Mississippi culture or warm Florida hospitality you crave, you are certain to find it during an extended luxury tour along the Gulf Coast. Since the Golf Coast is indeed so vast, here is a guide to aid you in planning your next Gulf Coast vacation; highly suggested are the Florida Gulf Coast and Mississippi Gulf Coast Regions.
Florida Gulf Coast: The Ultimate in Southwestern Luxury
The Florida Gulf Coast offers visitors spectacular beach side luxury, in addition to world class cuisine, nightlife, and shopping. The main counties along the Florida Gulf Coast are Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Collier, and Lee. The best city for luxurious indulgence is Naples, which is located in the county of Collier. Naples captures big city glamour in a little city experience. Indeed, Naples offers some of the best luxurious-albeit-understated tourism attractions and beaches in all of the Florida Gulf Coast.
When in Naples, get the most out of your Gulf Coast vacation by enjoying some of the city's most beautiful beaches and piers. Or venture slightly out of the city to visit the lovely Fort Myers Beach, which offers a slightly more upscale group of people, but is usually very crowded.
The hotels in the Florida Gulf Coast are phenomenal, offering some of the best Gulf Coast resorts in Florida. Try the Inn on Fifth Naples Hotel, a resort style hotel that boasts having the "charm of a boutique Inn with all the luxurious details of a major-brand resort." The Inn on Fifth Naples houses not only beautiful and charming suites and guest rooms, but also a fabulous European style spa and a charming Irish pub. This hotel successfully captures the duality of luxury and quaintness.
Mississippi Gulf Coast: You Are Really in the South Now!
The Mississippi Gulf Coast is truly the ultimate in southern tourism. A region that is drenched in history and culture, visitors will marvel at not only the beautiful cities and counties of this region, but at the inspiring and unwavering spirit of local residents as well. Most people are familiar with Biloxi, one of the former most thriving areas of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Biloxi caught national attention as it was one of the regions hit the hardest by Katrina. If you have ever planned to do any philanthropic work while traveling, this would certainly be the time to do so.
But all charity work and no play makes one a dull traveler! Enjoy all that this lovely region has to offer by heading to Ocean Springs, a small city in Jackson County along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Ocean Springs is a great little city that manages to capture both coastal luxury and small southern town charm. Front Beach offers some of the whitest sand that you have ever seen, and then you can head to East Beach to walk along the piers and bask in local charm. Both beaches offer great night views of the Gulf Coast casinos, which form a glittering skyline in Biloxi.
The local art available in Ocean Springs is truly marvelous, with much of it capturing the unique style that can only be found in Cajun regions of the south. Shearwater Pottery offers high end pieces from the area's best and brightest artists, while quaint shops along Washington Avenue offer some more original and one-of-a-kind pieces. The city of Ocean Springs also hosts an annual Art Walk, a street festival that proudly presents some of the best original art that the Mississippi Gulf Coast has to offer.
No matter what part of the region you choose to visit, a Gulf Coast vacation is absolutely sure to please. This region may have been once tormented by Mother Nature, but she is once again open for business.
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