Destin just two short decades ago was truly a small fishing village, something today's visitors can hardly imagine. Separated by just six miles is Fort Walton Beach, which has seen a much longer history as a vacation destination.

The area's incredibly green water and signature white beaches formed by Appalachian quartz, along with an abundance of natural resources have made it the destination of choice for hundreds of thousands of vacationers throughout the year.

Today, the area is simply booming. Just when you think there couldn't possibly be room or a market for more development, another project takes shape. Attracting mostly an upscale market, the area now boasts several championship golf courses, restaurants boasting cuisine from fine dining to family-style, sunset sailing cruises and of course, an ample deep sea fishing fleet.

The opening of the Mid-Bay Bridge several years ago gave travelers better access to the area, who mostly arrive by car. Some have given Destin the moniker, a "Little Atlanta" because of the large number of summer vacationers who hail from the South's largest city. Winters find an increasing number of Snowbirds who take advantage of low monthly rental prices to escape the cold and snow.