This morning, we depart Natchez, making our way down through MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, and into the Sunshine State of FLORIDA, eventually stopping at our home for the next FOUR NIGHTS … PANAMA CITY BEACH. Our new home, HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS, is located on the WHITE SANDY BEACHES of PANAMA CITY BEACH.  We will have plenty of FREE TIME over the next three days. Although a lot of your time might be spent walking barefoot along the beach or venturing around town shopping, don’t forget about relaxing at the hotel as well. Take the time to enjoy an ice-cold tropical daiquiri or indulge in a delicious meal served poolside. The INDIGO GRILLE is open for lunch and dinner. Don’t forget about the LAZY RIVER, the ZERO GRAVITY ENTRY POOLS, nor the INDOOR POOL. All located at our hotel, you can enjoy endless laps of fun and relaxation in the beach front lazy river pool, or enjoy a nice swim outside in the large zero gravity entry pool, or take a break from the sun and indulge in the indoor pool with a view. Tonight’s dinner will be just off the beach at RUNAWAY ISLAND. A new restaurant, with a heralded theme from the past, is now on Panama City Beach. Offering the freshest seafood with a local flair on each unique menu item, Runaway Island Beach Bar & Grill has something to please every palate. Two floors of savory specialties, live entertainment and frosty drinks provide a breathtaking view of Panama City Beach like no other location on the Coast.  MEALS INCLUDED … Breakfast & Dinner

FREE DAY #1 … simply a day to do whatever you like.  We’ve already mentioned all there is to do around our hotel. But don’t forget about PANAMA CITY BEACH itself!! There is so much to be enjoyed.  A great resource to plan your FREE DAY is VISIT PANAMA CITY BEACH. Take the opportunity to enjoy the best ATTRACTIONS, BEACHES, PIERS, NIGHTLIFE, SHOPPING, FISHING CHARTERS, PARKS, and WATER ACTIVITIES that PANAMA CITY BEACH has to offer. To help get around this fascinating city, you will surely want to get familiar with their inexpensive Public Transportation System known as the BAY TOWN TROLLEY.    

MEALS INCLUDED … Breakfast

Today is filled with plenty of GROUP FUN. We begin our day with a DOLPHIN CRUISE. A relaxing and fun-filled cruise on the GULF COAST of PANAMA CITY BEACH. See the emerald water in all its’ glory while looking for dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, and manta rays. We will spend the middle part of the day at the PANAMA CITY BEACH BOARDWALK (also known as PIER PARK) where you will have plenty of lunch options as well as some great shopping. We can’t forget about the kids and grandkids!! So before returning to our hotel, we will stop by ALVIN’S ISLAND STORE for some souvenir shopping. The rest of the day is at leisure.

MEALS INCLUDED … Breakfast

FREE DAY #2 … simply a day to do whatever you like.  NOT A REPEAT OF FREE DAY #1!! This is another opportunity to experience all of the exciting things you did not have time to check off of your TO DO LIST two days prior. Maybe your first FREE DAY was spent shopping, getting familiar with your surroundings, or simply walking the long sandy beach. Today, you get to take your VACATON GAME up a notch!! PANAMA CITY BEACH has ZIP LINE, DUNE BUGGY ADVENTURE, DEEP-SEA FISHING, and SO MUCH MORE! Another great resource will be TRIP ADVISOR - PANAMA CITY BEACH - TOP 15 ATTRACTIONS.   

MEALS INCLUDED … Breakfast  

Although we might be saying goodbye to the Florida Gulf Coast and sandy beaches, the fun continues as we begin our journey towards home. We will end our day in BATON ROUGE. However, before we get there, we will make a small stop in MOBILE, AL for some fun at the USS ALABAMA BATTLESHIP MEMORIAL PARK. We will tour the USS ALABAMA as well as the USS DRUM.  Our lunch today will be in the WARDROOM of the USS ALABAMA. We will eat lunch right where the naval commissioned officers ate their meals. We can only imagine the conversations they must have had back in during World War II. Tonight’s dinner will be a KICKBACK style meal at the Drury Inn in Baton Rouge.     

MEALS INCLUDED … Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner 

 Well, it’s time to head home. Before getting there, we will make a small stop in NATCHITOCHES, LA for a nice lunch and a small amount of FREE TIME to allow for some shopping in this quaint little town. Along MAIN STREET is truly a shopper’s paradise. You will certainly want to visit KAFFIE-FREDERICK GENERAL MERCANTILE.  Established in 1963, makes it the oldest general store in the State of Louisiana. From hardware to kitchen supplies, you’ll find everything you need here. If you are all shopped out from your time at Panama City Beach, then take a trolley or horse and buggy tour of the RESTORED CENTURY-OLD HOMES around the DOWNTOWN AREA. After our visit to NATCHITOCHES, we make our way back to East Texas, you will certainly enjoy visiting with all of our new friends as we end our PANAMA CITY BEACH TOUR!

MEALS INCLUDED … Breakfast & Lunch