PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (February 15, 2006) – Surf’s up, and rates are down in Panama City Beach, Fla., welcoming travelers with spring packages and steep discounts - up to one-third off - at popular beachfront properties.

“March and April are exceptional months to visit,” says Bob Warren, president and CEO of the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Typical daytime temperatures are in the 70s, and the water is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, parasailing and other sports.”

Beckoning with clear emerald-green waters and sugar-white sand, this Northwest Florida destination averages 320 days of sunshine annually. Travelers enjoy affordable fun in the sun, with these savings and packages below, just in time for spring vacation.

By The Sea Resorts offers unique packages at its three beachfront resorts, Legacy by the Sea, Beachbreak by the Sea and Beachcomber by the Sea.

Families seeking togetherness should explore the all-new Explore the Shore package. They can hunt and identify seashells together with a “Peterson First Guide to Shells of North America” book, a local guide to the best beachcombing spots. As part of the package, they also get five magnifying lenses, a souvenir pail with a Frisbee™ lid and, just in case shells are scarce, a shell assortment. Packages start at $84 per night based on double occupancy.

With the Passport To Play program, guests’ key cards or parking passes double as Discount Cards, earning them big savings at the hottest area attractions. Guests get 20% off admission at Zoo World, 20% off admission at Gulf World, 15% off of local spa services, up to $10 off at Holiday Golf Club, $1 off bowling and skating at Rock’It Lanes and more. BY THE SEA RESORTS is continually adding new Passport To Play partners.

Travelers just looking to save opt for the Pizza in Paradise package. Why worry about where you're going to dine while you're on the road? Stay three nights at any BY THE SEA property and get a large two-topping Domino's pizza and a two-liter bottle of soda for free. Rates start at $69 based on double occupancy and include a gulf-front suite and free continental breakfast. The offer is valid for Sunday, Monday or Tuesday arrivals only, and advance reservations are required. Delivery charges apply.

Located in the heart of Panama City Beach, BY THE SEA RESORTS offers a variety of room types, including standard rooms and one and two-bedroom suites with fully-equipped kitchens and private balconies overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Amenities include heated gulf-front pools, free continental breakfasts, free airport shuttle service, game room and more. Call toll-free 888-627-0625 or visit www.bythesearesorts.com.

The landmark Edgewater Beach Resort’s Family Fun Package provides spacious accommodations in a one-bedroom condo with private gulf-front balcony and fully-equipped kitchen. The family-friendly rate is $439 per unit for two nights. Guests get complimentary breakfast each morning as well as daily beach chair set up with umbrella, access to the Edgewater health club and complimentary daily cleaning service. The Family Fun Package is valid through May 17 with blackout dates, March 30 - April 6.

Spread over 110 acres of beachfront property, the Edgewater Beach Resort features 550 full-service one, two and three-bedroom suites. Visitors have access to a half-mile of private beach and 12 pools, including the 11,000 square-foot Lagoon Pool with waterfalls. Additional amenities include: a nine-hole executive golf course, spa and fitness center, as well as Hombre Golf Club's 27 holes of championship golf. The resort also offers a Starbucks Coffee® shop and The Shoppes at Edgewater, with an ice cream parlor, Mediterranean deli, surf shop and Internet café. Call toll-free 800-874-8686 or visit www.edgewaterbeachresort.com.

Embark on a true beach getaway with Sterling Resorts. The Sailing with Sterling package features a complimentary sunset cruise through the pristine waters of the Gulf of Mexico as part of a three-night stay at several of its luxury condominium resorts. Starting at $176 per night, Sailing with Sterling is available, April 14 – May 20, at Sterling Reef, Sterling Beach and the new Splash, Northwest Florida’s first vacation condominium resort with an onsite water park. The package must be booked seven days or more before arrival.

Sterling offers other specials too, including exclusive access to some of Northwest Florida’s premier golf courses and spas. As part of the Sterling Plus program, for instance, guests are entitled to discounts and membership privileges at nearby Bay Point Resort with the acclaimed Nicklaus-Design golf course.

Sterling Resorts is one of the leading vacation rental management companies in the Southeast, offering beachfront condominiums and vacation homes, including studios, units with one – four-bedrooms, and penthouse suites. Each of the luxury condominiums features a fully-equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, and private gulf-front balcony. To book a Sailing with Sterling package or to learn more about the resorts, call toll-free 888-632-8905 or visit www.SterlingResorts.com.

For more top value, The Summit Condominiums Spring Family Getaway package offers a stay in a spacious one-bedroom condominium at weekly rates starting at $694, down from the summer rate of $1,054 per week, a savings of nearly 35 percent. Each furnished condominium has a fully-equipped kitchen and private balcony affording stunning Gulf views. Rates are valid, April 7 – May 23. Special rates are available for two and three-bedroom condominiums too.

The beachfront Summit offers one, two and three-bedroom condominiums sleeping up to eight people. Guests find plenty of activities, including parasailing, banana boat rides and wave runner rentals. The property boasts two pools, children’s pools, fitness centers, game room and Internet café with wireless access. After a day at the beach, guests can relax over dinner at The Summit’s full-service restaurant or sip refreshing drinks at the poolside tiki bar. For more information, call 800-824-5048 or visit www.reservethesummit.com.

Value reigns at The Princess Condominiums too. From March 1 – June, guests pay $230 per night for a luxurious two-bedroom condominium, down from $300 per night during the summer for a savings of nearly 25%.
The upscale, 74-unit Princess houses two, three and four-bedroom condominiums with nine-foot ceilings, spacious living and dining areas, fully-equipped kitchens and private balconies.

Amenities include two gulf-front outdoor heated pools, indoor heated pool, a large sundeck and shaded pavilion, state-of-the-art fitness center, and game room. For more information, call toll free 877-565-5651 or visit www.princesscondo.com.

Also this spring, the beachfront Osprey Motel treats travelers to savings of up to 30 percent. Each package includes a double efficiency room with two queen beds, fully-equipped kitchen and private beachfront balcony.

Now through March 1, the Sweetheart Getaway package starts at $200 for four days and three nights. Couples are greeted with champagne and chocolate, while families receive an assortment of souvenir shovels, buckets and other beach toys upon arrival.

Savings continue with the March Rates special. Guests who visit during the week stay for as low as $75 per night with a minimum three-night stay, March 2 -- 22. Can’t make it to Panama City Beach till April? No problem. The Spring Fling package offers even greater savings: Rates start at $65 per night for midweek stays, with a minimum stay of three nights, from April 14 – May 2, 2007.

Osprey Motel offers spacious units and suites, full kitchens and private balconies with Gulf views. Amenities include heated pool, sundeck, toddler playground and picnic area, as well as children's activities, cookouts, sandcastle competitions and Easter egg hunts. For more information, call 850-234-0303 or visit www.ospreymotel.com.

Panama City Beach boasts 27 miles of silky, white-sand beaches bordering the clear, emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. The Northwest Florida destination enjoys recognition as a top U.S. beach from Condé Nast Traveler, The Travel Channel, USA Today, Southern Living, Dr. Beach and the Clean Beaches Council. Family attractions, championship golf courses, sporting events, award-winning dining, predictably sunny weather and a vast number of recreational activities draw visitors to this seaside destination annually. For more information, call 1-800-PCBEACH (850-233-5070) or visit www.thebeachloversbeach.com.