The Florida Panhandle is situated on the Gulf of Mexico on the coast below Alabama. From Pensacola to Panama City, spring and summer find the Florida Panhandle beaches filled with fun. Tallahassee, the state capital, is on the eastern end of the panhandle. Jacksonville across the north on Florida's Atlantic coast is set for summer's traditional fun and events. Traversed by Interstate 10, all of Northern Florida and the Florida Panhandle is easily accessible by automobile travelers. Visitors, don't bite off too much ~ the drive from Jacksonville Beach on the east coast to Fort Walton Beach on the gulf takes more than five hours. The beaches on both coasts are equally enjoyable.

A major agricultural producing region of the United States, Northern Florida celebrates the bounty at various summer festivals: Chiefland's largest celebration is the Watermelon Festival in June; Wellborn, near Live Oak, celebrates with a Blueberry Festival; and a unique North Florida celebration is the Hot Sauce and Pepper Festival in Gainesville. In its 14th year, the 2010 Pepper Festival is June 19th and 20th.

The Best Western Gateway Grand in Gainesville is centrally located for access to North Florida. The Best Western Suwannee River Inn in Live Oak and Chiefland's Best Western Suwannee Valley Inn are ideal local accommodations. Conveniently located near local attractions and businesses, they also have wonderful outdoor pools to keep the kids entertained.

Pensacola, with 52 miles of beaches nearby, makes a perfect summer vacation spot. Pensacola hosts one of the largest 4th of July celebrations on the Gulf Coast. Gather family and friends for the all-day celebration in Pensacola's Old Seville. A full day of fun featuring live entertainment, arts, crafts, a special children's area and plenty of food. The day ends with the fireworks show over Pensacola Bay – always an inspiring sight.

The Best Western Blue Angel Inn in Pensacola is ideal for a getaway. Conveniently located off I-10 with easy access to downtown and the beaches. Stay for a few days and enjoy the Red, White and Blues week, culminating with the Pensacola Beach Air Show on July 10th.

Panama City is home to the 27th Annual Bay Point Invitational Billfish Tournament and 40/40 Shootout. Billed as Gulf Coast Florida's premier Billfish tournament, this event draws visitors to enjoy the fun, entertainment and parties. Scheduled July 14th through the 18th, come watch as fishermen reel in Tuna, Wahoo and Dolphin. See the biggest Blue Marlin hoisted up as the tournament champion is crowned. Friends and fans will enjoy live music on stage, the Festival on the Docks, an artist's colony and kid's activity area. Plenty to keep the whole family entertained.

The Best Western Suites in Panama City is ideal for a getaway. The suites make an ideal home away from home. With affordable rates, you may want to stay a few days longer and enjoy Zoo World, Pier Park or simply relax on Panama City Beach.

Daytona Beach Shoreline

Florida's Atlantic beaches, from South Beach's riviera like atmosphere to casual St Augustine and Jacksonville Beaches ~ seemingly endless stretches of wide, white sand beach to discover. Cocoa Beach, Orlando's closest beach, and Daytona Beach, well-known destinations for spring break, are full of fun. The unspoiled beaches near Titusville, Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral, draw visitors looking for natural out of the way beaches. Florida's treasure coast runs from Palm Bay and Sebastian south to Jupiter, north of Palm Beach and West Palm Beach. Ft Lauderdale is called “America's Venice”, with its maze of waterways and canals featuring beautiful homes and thriving businesses. There's a beach scene for everyone along Florida's Atlantic Coast.

Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach are terrific destinations for fitness enthusiasts or anyone kicking their summer exercise program into gear. A surf contest, 5k run/walk and Trident Relay are all part of the Never Quit Beach Fest on June 5th. The 2010 wellness event is a full day of fun, clinics and free health screenings at the beach. Think you're in shape? Take the Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge at the festival – if you are young enough you may qualify to be a candidate for SEAL training and every who passes the challenge gets a special warfare t-shirt.

Best Western Hotels have over ten locations in the Jacksonville metropolitan area. Pick a location close to the airport, major freeways, or surrounding communities to fit your travel itinerary. The Best Western Oceanfront on Jacksonville beach is ideal for events at the beach and even has a heated outdoor pool for your relaxation.

Florida's Space Coast is always exciting when a shuttle launch is scheduled. Plan now for a getaway to see the launch of STS-134 Shuttle Endeavour with a delivery for the International Space Station. Space shuttle missions are coming to an end, take the chance to watch one with family and friends. The Kennedy Space Center has a limited number of tickets for viewing, and there are many prime viewing areas outside the center. Check the beaches south of Port Canaveral or the Cocoa Beach Pier.

The Best Western Ocean Beach Hotel and Suites is on the beach and sits adjacent to the Cocoa Beach pier ~ perfect for any Kennedy Space Center Launch. Stay for a few days and enjoy the beach or the two outdoor pools.

The greater Ft Lauderdale celebrates gay pride at the 2010 Stonewall Street Festival and Parade on Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors – the heart of the South Florida's gay community. Saturday June 19th will feature an always entertaining and affirming parade followed by the street festival. Enjoy live entertainment, two dance tents and plenty of food and beverages. A special activity area for children makes the festival fun for everyone. The Best Western Oakland Park Inn is less than two miles from Wilton Manors, an ideal location for accommodations. You will love the pillow-top mattresses and upgraded bedding!

Downtown Orlando Skyline

Florida's Gulf Coast extends from Key West in the far south, through well-known Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach, north to the St Petersburg, Tampa and Clearwater area and through the Panhandle. Linked to the Atlantic coast metropolitan areas in South Florida by Highway 41and Interstate 75, the gulf coast draws visitors looking for the beauty and peace of Florida's west coast cities. Naples, Bonita Springs and Punta Gorda are popular vacation cities in the Southern gulf area. The Tampa Bay metropolitan area is Florida's second largest metropolitan statistical area. Travelers have great options on the gulf: the slower pace of the beaches in the south, shelling and relaxing in the beautiful summer weather; or the nightlife and urban excitement of Tampa Bay. Either way the kids will love the beaches!

Page Field Airport in Fort Myers is the launching point for the all Women's Air Race Classic June 22nd. This unique event celebrates transcontinental air racing for women. The 2010 Air Race Classic will depart Fort Myers on June 22nd on a race course that ends in Frederick MD on June 25th. The Best Western Inn and Suites in Fort Myers is conveniently located across the street from Page Field, ideal for an overnight stay.

Cape Coral hosts the only festival of its kind in the US – MangoMania. This summer festival celebrates the tropical fruits of Pine Island including it's favorite, the mango. MangoMania 2010 is July 10th and 11th. A fun family festival that includes just about any food or drink that a mango can be put into, arts and crafts vendors, carnival rides and games for kids and of course the latest MangoMania T-shirt. Live entertainment is scheduled throughout the festival for everyone to enjoy.

The top rated Best Western Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach has beautiful ocean views and a relaxed atmosphere for visitors to Pine Island and Cape Coral. The Best Western Fort Myers Waterfront is another great option. Set on the Okeechobee Intracoastal waterfront, the hotel has views of the water and the Fort Myers skyline. Enjoy a short getaway, relax and keep your eye out for a dolphin or manatee swimming by.

Florida State Parks celebrate their 75th Anniversary in 2010. The warm weather of August makes a water park a nice option before schools start. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is a long time favorite of Gulf Coast visitors. Weeki Wachee ~ the City of Mermaids, is famous for the mermaid shows at the springs, featuring live mermaids in underwater performances. Since 1947, the Weeki Wachee mermaids have been entertaining visitors. Buccaneer Bay, also at the park, will cool your group down with thrilling flume rides or a float down the lazy river – a water park is the perfect place to visit in August.

The Best Western Nature Coast is less than a mile from Weeki Wachee Springs, the ideal location for travelers. The hotel is pet-friendly so bring the family dog along for the ride. With beaches nearby as well as canoeing, snorkeling and scuba diving you can stay a while and make the trip a family vacation.

Miami Beach, Florida

South Florida with Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties is the most populated region of the state. The Florida Keys, in Monroe county, swell in population during spring and summer as Florida residents and visitors flock to enjoy the cooling ocean breezes surrounding the islands. Florida City, just south of Homestead and Kendall, is a gate way to the keys as well as Everglades National Park in Southwest Florida. Palm Beach crowns South Florida as a playground for the well-heeled. Attractions like Mar-A-Lago and Worth Avenue are legendary. South, the thriving communities of Boca Raton, Ft Lauderdale and Miami are full of world-class shopping, dining and events.

Smaller communities like Lantana and Hallendale Beach offer visitors a hometown feeling amidst the urban excitement of the region. South Florida, whether traveling for fun, a family visit or business, has a diversity of happenings to add excitement to your itinerary. The Best Western Inn of America in Lantana is conveniently located off Interstate 95. Within minutes of a relaxing day on Palm Beach's white sand, a fishing adventure off the coast or a day of shopping.

Miami - birthplace of offshore powerboat ocean racing welcomes thunderboats for the 3rd Annual Sunny Isles Beach Offshore Powerboat Challenge June 10th through 13th. Featured events include the 106 mile open water race to Bimini and back, and the offshore powerboat races. Bring family and friends to the beach to see these amazing boats fly (literally at times) through the water. Enjoy the Rum Runners Festival, with plenty of live music, food and drink for everyone.

There is no excuse to not enjoy a nice 4th of July in the Miami metro area. Few sights top fireworks over the ocean, and there are plenty of locations in South Florida to enjoy a dazzling show. Key Biscayne includes a parade on the 4th, Miami Beach and Miami's downtown Bayfront Park light up the sky, and there is a full day of 4th of July fun in Coconut Grove's Peacock Park. Take your pick and enjoy the holiday!

Ernest Hemingway, one of Key West's most notable residents is celebrated at the 30th Annual Hemingway Days July 20th through 25th, 2010 - a unique festival honoring Hemingway who made Key West his home during the 1930s. Participate in the running of the bulls, join the billfish tournament or simply enjoy the street festival. Meet authors and you can even enter a short-story contest directed by Hemingway's granddaughter.

Key West's two Best Western Hotels, the Best Western Key Ambassador Resort Inn and the Best Western Hibiscus Motel are ideal locations to enjoy your time in the Florida Keys. Choose from an oceanfront location or room central to the best restaurants and fun in Key West. Both properties have pools so you can stay right where you are at and relax by the water. Enjoy summer's ocean breezes on a Key West getaway.

Key West Lobsterfest 2010 is August 6th through 8th. A celebration of crustaceans on our list of favorite foods. A weekend of live music, dancing and arts and crafts. Begin the weekend at the kick-off party and join the crowd strolling down Duval Street (Key West's main drag). The weekend continues with performances and the street fair and culminates with a scrumptious brunch filled with delectable delights made with lobster.