-special advertising section - 



BEACHCOMBING 



The GULF COAST OF ALABAMA is a place to 

 relax on white sand beaches with dunes and 

 turquoise waters, or to stay as active as can be. You 

 can golf on championship courses (the area has 288 

 holes) in the year-round sunshine or charter a deep- s S 

 sea fishing boat on waters known for their smooth- 

 ness. Saltwater catches include snapper, yellowfin |j 

 tuna, and cobia. At Bon Secour National Wildlife §] 

 Refuge (off state highway 180) catch bass, bluegill, | 

 and bream in the 40-acre freshwater Gator Lake; or 3 



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cast for trout and flounder; or search for crabs on the 

 nearby lagoon. The refuge, which preserves native || 

 Gulf Coast flora and fauna and is on the beach, is also Sunsd on fcke I 

 a good place to hike. Try the scenic Pine Beach Trail, which meanders two miles 

 through a forest of palmettos, live oaks, and Spanish moss, past Gator Lake and Little 

 Lagoon, to a spectacular ridge of dunes and a pristine beach. Along the way, you'll see 

 an astounding variety of birds and other wildlife; the refuge is a springtime stopover for 

 migratory birds. Gulf State Park is home to Lake Shelby, where you can boat, swim, 

 water-ski, fish, or take an educational guided beach walk along the parks Gulf side. 



Head to Alabama's beautiful Gulf Coast, where you'll not only find 

 sugar-white beaches but hundreds of species of indigenous birds 

 and neo-tropical migrants among some of the world's most 

 glorious preserves, forests, and saltwater marshes. 

 It's a nature lover's paradise, calling to be explored. 



m 



toll-free I -866-324-7776 

 closer by the minute 



Gulf Shores 

 orange beach 



ALABAMA 



www 



alabamasnaturalcoast.or 



DISCOVER A MORE 



INTELLIGENT 



WAY TO CRUISE TH E 

 MEDITERRANEAN. 



Sailings From 



3234 



SWAN 



HELLENIC 



DISCOVERY CRUISING 



Our seven Mediterranean cruises in 2006 

 feature unique itineraries on the majestic 

 Minerva II. Fares include guest speakers, shore 

 excursions, port charges, taxes and gratuities. 



Destinations Include: 



Rhodes • Aghios Nikolaos • Valletta 



Palermo • Cagliari • Venice • Livorno 



Barcelona • Malaga • Casablanca • Cadiz 



Portofino • Brindisi • Naples • Ancona 



Fora brochure, call 1-877-800-SWAN 

 or visit www.swanhellenic.com 



