Thanks to life’s leisurely pace, plenty of outstanding beaches, and a quaint yet fun-loving atmosphere, St. Simon’s Island is one of those places that screams vacationer’s paradise. You won’t find any venues for white-knuckled adventures, neither will you see teeming cities and heavy, polluted air. Rather, this barrier island off the coast of Georgia seems made for relaxing in the sun, swimming in the surf, and hanging out with the people you love in the most privileged of surroundings.

St. Simon’s Island is located in southwest Georgia on the Atlantic Ocean, and judging by the number of vacation rentals located here, the secret is out that this is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The warm weather of the Peach State combined with stunning ocean views and an interesting history make for an all-around fine reason to take your mind away from the real world.

The coastline alone will keep you and your traveling companions occupied for days on end, so bring plenty of sunscreen and prepare to feel the incomparable sensation of sand between your toes. Go for a tour of the shore via kayak, swim and float to your heart’s content, fish in the deep coves for a real whopper, or rent a boat and try out your waterskiing skills. If you’d prefer a more low-key approach, simply grab a towel or a beach chair and plunk yourself down for a satisfying snooze in the late afternoon sun.

For wildlife sightings, book a salt marsh or dolphin tour. Guides will take you through the interesting terrain where you’ll learn about the food chain, the vegetation, and the species of animal that live here year round or simply stop by for the winter. The kids will love to see the bottle nosed dolphins (hey, the adults will too), and no one will realize that they’re learning because they’ll be having so much fun. To do it alone, grab a pair of binoculars and keep your eyes peeled for pelicans, osprey, and great blue heron. Whether you seek companionship or solitude, the natural world will be there for you to ponder and appreciate.

If you’re interested in the historic side of things, then hop on the St. Simon’s trolley for a tour of the island. Narrated by an expert and designed to show off all that this Belle of Georgia has to offer, the tour will highlight all the local points of interest. Four hundred years of history as well as the best places to shop and eat will keep you in a state of rapt attention. This is the best way to get to know the island, so be sure to consider the trolley to make your visit complete.

Neptune Park is another attraction, and makes for a great place to take the kids. Picnic tables for low-key lunches, a bandstand that encourages plentiful live music, a playground for burning off energy, and fresh, salty air all combine to create a truly idyllic getaway spot. There’s just no way to feel anxious while you’re here, so get used to the idea of leaving it all behind.

Older kids might want to stay active too, so in lieu of playground time there’ll be plenty of opportunity to hit the tennis courts, golf courses, and hiking trails. Complement your leisure time with some healthy, heart-pumping activities and you won’t have to worry about feeling sluggish or gaining those pesky vacation pounds. Breathe deeply and enjoy everything within reach, and you’ll achieve that much sought after, ultimate feeling of refreshment.

If venturing to a land that was seemingly designed to host the vacation of your dreams sounds like a tempting possibility, then waste no time in making plans to visit St. Simons Island in the near future. The vacation rental options are plentiful, and their modern amenities and spacious layouts make the perfect setting for a sunny, sandy, sweet-as-a-Georgia-peach getaway. Ocean front condos and beach side houses have a lot going for them, including the fact that they’re disarmingly different from the usual hotel fare you end up sampling when you travel.

Go online to start planning your trip, and be sure to check out all the St. Simons Island Vacation Rentals that will push this holiday to the next level.