Do you find yourself imagining the glorious view from one of our area’s penthouses? Do you wish you could take a peek into—and out of—one of those luxurious, top-floor residences? This Saturday, you can stop imagining and let your eyes take in the View From the Top.

Tour 6 exquisite penthouses with gorgeous views this Saturday to help Sirens of the Sea award scholarships and assist Mary's Shelter.

The Sirens of the Sea organization presents this 5^th annual tour of condos and penthouses to raise funds for their scholarship awarded to a local high school senior, and to give assistance to Mary’s Shelter, a provider of family-style living for homeless mothers-to-be. Your $20 admission helps to make both of these programs possible.

This year’s tour includes six exquisite residences on the gulf and the bay in Gulf Shores (Oceania), Orange Beach (Phoenix West, Sea Chase, Caribe) and Perdido Key (Spanish Key, La Serena). When you purchase your tickets, you will receive directions to each building, plus six raffle tickets. A beautiful basket will be on display at each property, along with a list of its contents; simply place your ticket(s) in the raffle jar(s) of your choice for your chance to win. Plan to stay long enough at each location to absorb the view as you chat with friendly folks and snack on delicious treats.

Simply go to any of the properties Saturday, February 4, 2012, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to purchase your six-property pass and begin your tour. For advance purchase, you may contact Peggy Martin at 251-942-6440 or Century 21 Meyer Real Estate agent Angela Martin at 251-923-6082.

Stay informed of local activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Real Estate on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

Valentine greetings have been popular since the Middle Ages. The first commercially printed Valentine cards in America appeared in the 1840s. Today, an estimated one billion cards are sent each year, often accompanying the popular gifts of candy and flowers.

Make Valentine's Day even more special when you bring your valentine to the beach.

Those gestures are wonderful, sweet, and certainly appreciated by anyone who receives them. But wouldn’t you like to do something a little different for your sweetheart this year? Say “I love you” by creating a wonderful memory together at the beach.

We can help by offering some love to your budget. When you take advantage of the Valentine Special through Meyer Vacation Rentals, you’ll receive TWO free nights. Rent a romantic 1-bedroom beach or bay property for four nights, but just pay for two. That’s a 50% savings!

If you prefer to celebrate the occasion with spacious, private accommodations for the whole family, rent a house for seven nights and get the sixth and seventh nights free.

Even if you can’t stay the extra nights, you can use them for an early check-in and late check-out, allowing for more leisure time along the coast.

So instead of thinking red or pink this Valentine’s Day, think white sands and blue water—and a little extra green in your pocket. Your sweetheart will love you for it.

Stay informed of local activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Real Estate on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

Think ahead to February 5, 2012. It’s the height of the winter season. You need to escape to the beach for a bit of warmth, a change of pace, relaxation . . . and football.

Imagine watching the biggest football game of the year while looking out over the beach. Meyer Vacation Rentals can help make that happen for you!

That combination may not be top of mind, but why not? On Super Bowl Sunday, wouldn’t you love to chuckle at the idea of parkas, hats and gloves to get to and from the stadium as you admire the beach view from your condo?

Let us help you make the decision by sweetening the pot with FREE nights. Pay for 2, 3 or 4 nights in a condo and get an extra night free, or book a house for 3 or 4 nights to get another night free. Better yet, come enjoy the beach life for a week—pay for 5 nights in either a house or condo, and we’ll give you TWO more free nights! (Even if you can’t stay the extra nights, you can use those as a late check in or check out.) You’ll find the details at our Lazy Winter Special page.

If you’d like to watch the big game among a cheering crowd AND play some games (how about a grand prize of $5000?), join the folks at The Hangout for their Super Bowl Sunday party. The first 200 people in the door an hour before kickoff will receive free tailgating food, and the regular menu also will be available.

Stay informed of local activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Real Estate on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

The staff and patrons of the world-famous Flora-Bama Lounge, Package and Oyster Bar know how to party. (If you’ve been there, no doubt you can attest to that fact.) So it’s no surprise that the biggest party night of the year will have the state-line roadhouse jumpin’.

From a dinner buffet to breakfast, with 4 bands on 2 stages, Flora-Bama has it covered for New Year's Eve.

Beginning at 7 p.m., two stages of entertainment will keep things lively—and you’ll enjoy two bands on each stage. The Deck Stage will host Big Muddy and Troy Brannon, while J. Hawkins and Lucky Doggs will appear on the Tent Stage.

A sumptuous dinner buffet will be served throughout the evening, and there will be party favors for everyone. The champagne toast at midnight will kick off 2012, followed by a delicious breakfast.

Get your New Year’s Party tickets in advance to ensure your place at the party. Those 21 and older will pay just $35 for a night of festivities, while the 18–20 set will pay $45. You can also purchase tickets at the T-shirt trailer at Flora-Bama.

Last-minute beach trips are always welcome, so come celebrate the arrival of 2012 in our backyard. We’ll even give you TWO FREE NIGHTS! Make it a romantic getaway in a 1-bedroom property in Orange Beach or gather a large group and share a roomy 5-bedroom Perdido Key condo.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

For four hours on Saturday, October 1, 2011, you can claim German heritage—or at least get a peek at some aspects of it—by attending the 2^nd Annual Perdido Key Oktoberfest.

Sample beer and traditional German foods at Perdido Key Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 1, 2011.

A $15 ticket will allow access to an unlimited sampling of specialty, brewed and imported beers, and you get to keep the official Oktoberfest beer mug. Or with the $25 package, you will also go home with an official event T-shirt. Not interested in the beer sampling? No problem—your admission is free.

Immerse yourself in traditional German foods and the upbeat music of the Oompah band. For even more fun, dress in your best German folk outfit and you could win the grand prize!

You’ll find the festivities in full swing between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. under the tent at the The Oyster Bar on Perdido Key, 13700 River Road, on the northeast side of the bridge. For more information, call 850-492-4660.

Do you need somewhere to stay this weekend? Meyer Vacation Rentals offers many wonderful possibilities across the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast. Take a look at the 1-bedroom properties in Perdido Key that are perfect for couples. Or maybe a 4-bedroom Perdido Key property will best suit your family for a weekend or week of family fun that includes Oktoberfest and the beach.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

UPDATED Friday, September 2.

Flora-Bama knows how to party, and this weekend they are setting out to prove it again.

Beach Party! SEC football, beach concert, food and drink specials September 3, 2011.

Saturday, September 3, 2011, brings soulful music, food and drink specials, and SEC football to veteran partiers and first-time guests at this roadhouse on the Alabama/Florida state line.

Doors open at 10:00 a.m. to get everyone in the mood for the 11:00 Auburn game, followed by Alabama at 11:20 and Florida State at 12:30. After a short break, the cheering sections will rev up again, this time for Florida at 6:00 and LSU at 7:00.

Get your fill of food and drinks all day, including Labor Day specials throughout the weekend and $1 Flora-Bama hot dogs. (Don’t miss your chance to experience the best Bushwackers on the beach!)

The musical entertainment will keep you dancing throughout the afternoon and evening, beginning with Spoonful James at 2:00 and followed by Rollin’ in the Hay at 4:00. Then settle in for the headliner show as Alabama’s own Taylor Hicks takes the stage at 6:00.

Due to inclement weather, the beach party has been moved inside, and special tickets will not be required; those who already purchased tickets may receive a refund at the door. The regular cover charge will be collected (21 and over $10, under 21 $15, 12 and under free). Parking will be free. For more information, call the Flora-Bama folks at 850-462-1639.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.