Whether it’s your very first trip or you’re seasoned Gulf Shores regulars, the basics are simple. Just pack a beach bag, find a spot on the white sand beach and don’t head back to your vacation rental until you start getting peppered with persistent “What’s for dinner?” inquiries. Wave everyone in and play 20 questions on the short walk back to your spacious two-bedroom condo. Inside, the full kitchens are perfect for layering your famous lasagna, or letting the kids get creative with taco toppings. Your private balcony is open for lounging anytime, but mornings and evenings are likely to get voted “most popular.” Looking for things to do? You can walk to shops and restaurants, or hit the nearby waterpark. Let the kids try their hand at fishing in the nearby lagoon, or go after that elusive hole-in-one at Zooland Mini Golf. You can even spend a half-day at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo – it’s less than a ten-minute drive.