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.

It’s the 1930s, and the fictitious Sanders Family Singers is holding a “singin’” of traditional and bluegrass gospel music on a Saturday night in North Carolina. And you are a member of the congregation, eager to hear the music, witness the witnessing, share in the lives of the realistic (and non-preachy) characters, and be uplifted by a big helping of laughter.

Down-home gospel and bluegrass music woven into the lives of the fictitious Sanders Family Singers of the 1930s. Be part of the "congregation" at South Baldwin Community Theatre in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

As the dozen-plus cast members tell their stories, they segue naturally into great old hymns, some well known, others obscure. You’re sure to recognize sacred standards such as “Rock of Ages,” “I’ll Fly Away” and “Church in the Wildwood”—but even the unfamiliar tunes will bring on a sense of nostalgia for the little ol’ one-room community church that everyone in town attended.

Smoke on the Mountain will play Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1 at 7:30 and Sunday, October 2 at 2:30—and again the weekend of October 7–9 at the same times. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students; group rates are available. Call to reserve at 251-968-6721. South Baldwin Community Theatre is located at 2022 W. Second St. in Gulf Shores, across from the Erie Meyer Civic Center and Bodenhamer Recreation Center.

If you are looking for a vacation property to call “home” during this show or any time, how about choosing a 2-bedroom condo in Gulf Shores? Meyer Vacation Rentals would love to help you find the perfect place to relax so you can take advantage of all our area has to offer!

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.

Fast-paced action on a soft, sandy beach. Teams of two, four or six in pool play, elimination and championship rounds—men’s, women’s and coed divisions, and corporate and recreation leagues. And yes, plenty of excitement, sunshine and bikinis on and off the courts.

Compete or cheer on the players. Either way, September 18–19, 2010, will be an action-packed weekend on the beach

September 18 and 19, 2010, brings the 2^nd Annual Perdido Key Open Beach Volleyball Tournament to the sand behind the Flora-Bama. It’s not too late to join in the competition or to make your plans to attend and cheer on your favorites.

An inexpensive entry fee ($40 for 2-person teams, $80 for 4-person teams or $100 for 6-person teams) makes it possible for anyone to enter. The action begins Friday with a captain’s meeting followed by a player’s party, then pool play takes place Saturday and championship play on Sunday.

All participants will receive a T-shirt, but there are also gifts, trophies, medals and cash prizes to be won. So grab one or more folks to form your team, brush the rust off your serve and go for it. Visit the official website or call 850-492-4660 for further information.

Save 50% with Meyer Real Estate’s fall specials on beach condos and houses. 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.

“Run, Spot, run!”

Residents and visitors used to hear (or shout) this quite often along the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach shorelines. When laws were drafted to require our little and not-so-little four-legged friends to be kept on leashes and away from the public beaches, state park, Fort Morgan and wildlife refuge, that command faded away. But now both cities offer a welcome alternative.

Let your best friend play freely at a dog park in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, Alabama.

Recently opened is a fenced area near Sportsman Marina on Canal Road. The Orange Beach Dog Park makes it possible for your pet to enjoy unleashed playtime within its boundaries, thanks to the many folks who donated money and/or time to make this possible. Those in charge obviously had a sense of humor, as the park boasts strategically placed fire hydrants!

Just across the street from the Adult Activity Center and just south of the Bodenhamer Recreation Center in Gulf Shores is the Beason Wilkes Dog Park. Water is available in the small fenced area that will accommodate dogs of all sizes, with smaller dogs in the front and larger dogs just behind it. And yes,  fire hydrants are available there, as well.

If you are planning to bring your dog with you when you visit the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast, Meyer Real Estate will be pleased to help you locate dog-friendly vacation rental properties.

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.

It has been nearly 12 years since Jimmy Buffett played for local audiences—a 1998 fundraiser in Mobile benefited hurricane relief efforts. In just a few days, Jimmy will once again lend his musical fame to raise money for the Gulf Coast, this time appearing in Gulf Shores as a response to the oil spill disaster. The concert’s goal is to promote beach tourism and raise money for wildlife-related organizations to better respond to the crisis.

Upon learning of the fundraising effort, some of Jimmy’s friends offered to help out by donating their talents, as well. Joining Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band for this free show are the Zac Brown Band, Kenny Chesney, Sonny Landreth, Allen Toussaint and Jesse Winchester.

A large stage will be erected at the west end of the Gulf Shores Public Beach, where attendees will be able to enjoy the performances accompanied by the gentle sounds of the surf on Sunday, July 11. Gates will open at 3:00 p.m., and the first performer will take the stage at 5:00. Cable channel CMT will broadcast live from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m.

More information will be shared as it becomes available, including other star-studded, benefit beach concerts this summer.

Although admission is free, a ticket is required for entrance—and we can help. If you have a reservation with Meyer Real Estate, you are eligible to register for a pair of tickets. Multiple pairs are available, so your chances of winning are very good! Simply have your confirmation handy, and fill in the registration information by no later than 5:00 p.m. (CDT) on Tuesday, July 6. Winners will be notified on Wednesday, July 7.

To help you enjoy the free concert even more–or to make your summer vacation more affordable–Meyer Real Estate is now offering a great savings opportunity: Stay between June 24 and August 6, 2010, and take advantage of a 40% discount on condos or 30% discount on houses. Call 877-887-0461 or book online and use promo code XJUL40 for condos or XJUL30 for houses. See online for details.

(Psst…Just for the concert, 1-night reservations may be made by calling 877-887-0461. Reservations for 2 nights or longer may be made via phone or online.)

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.