At the Northwest end of Pensacola Beach’s Portofino Boardwalk, next to the staircase, is the best place in the area to grab a big slice of paradise – Papa’s Pizza. Papa’s Pizza specializes in famous New York Style pizzas, made with traditional tools and methods, dating back to the 1940s. “It’s the best pizza anywhere around here,” said owner Mike Pinzone. “It’s the filet minion of pizza.” And he has the guarantee to prove it. “We have a two-bite, money-back guarantee,” Pinzone said. “If you take two bites and you don’t like it, we’ll give you your money back, no questions asked. You can’t lose with that.”

The most popular menu items are the Celebrity Pizzas, which are weighed down with tasty toppings. The Frank Sinatra comes with sausage, pepperoni, ham, beef, mushrooms, onions, green peppers and olives. The Al Pacino offers sausage, pepperoni, ham, beef and bacon. Other famous Italian-donned pies come with equally palatable combinations. “These are our most- odered pies,” Pinzone said. “The names make them a little more fun to order and the pies, themselves, are great.”

Pinzone, who has worked in the restaurant industry since he was 14, knows his pizza. “My family has been in the food industry for over 70 years,” he explained. “My grandfather, who was a baker in New York City and my grandmother, who was Sicilian, opened a pizzeria in the 1940s.” Though times, and pizza ovens, have changed drastically since those days, the time- tested traditional hand-made methods of making delicious pies continues at Papa’s. “Lots of people have stepped away from (traditional methods), using frozen, prepackaged dough and they just can’t compete with what we have,” Pinzone explained.

All of Papa’s pizzaiolos – as they’re called – are professionally trained in the traditional methods of making the dough, preparing the crust and baking the pies on 35-year-old slates to create a dining experience that can’t be matched this side of the Hudson River. It’s true, as Pinzone said the baking slates he uses aren’t even available for purchase in the United States anymore. So, why locate right here in Northwest Florida? I guess there’s nothing better than a slice of pizza right here in our slice of paradise. “This is paradise,” Pinzone said. “We have the cleanest, whitest beaches in the world. Lots of people have paradise in their mind, but we actually have it here.” Located on the Boardwalk 400 Quietwater Beach Rd. Gulf Breeze, FL 850.934.1198

Relax by the Gulf of Mexico

Navarre Beach sits on a strip of Santa Rosa Island between the undeveloped beaches of the Gulf Islands National Seashore and Eglin Air Force Base. This unique location offers a somewhat secluded destination for visitors seeking a pure- beach vacation. There are no shopping malls, entertainment centers, sprawling marinas or private beaches.

Navarre Beach has Santa Rosa Sound to the north and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and undeveloped beaches to the east and west. For all it lacks in man- made entertainment, this beach town offers everything within walking distance, a bike ride or a short drive.

Along the narrow island, there is the longest fishing pier on the Gulf Coast, a county park with pavilions, amenities and plenty of parking, bike paths, boat launches, public parking with beach accesses, houses and condominiums, a couple of restaurants and shops and rental locations for sailboats, waverunners, bicycles and scooters.

To the north of the island is Navarre, accessed by a bridge requiring no toll. Here you will find a small town with expanded amenities including the welcome center, hotels, post office, grocery stores, restaurants, shops and other things you may deem necessary to complete your vacation.

Navarre Beach is truly a beach town, and if you want a 100% beach vacation-this is the place to have it!

Perdido Key, does, however, have miles of undeveloped beach on which to admire and play. Two passes to the Gulf of Mexico, from its protected Intercoastal Waterway, are close in proximity offering great fishing opportunities in Perdido Bay, Big Lagoon, or the Gulf of Mexico.

Seventy percent of the key is state- park land or part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

A two-lane road is the main thoroughfare, and it is the westernmost coastal town of Northwest Florida tucked in between the much larger Pensacola and Orange Beach and Gulf Shores areas of Alabama.

Perdido Key’s translation is “Lost Key,” and its meaning seems appropriate since it seems so far separated from the large developments of the Alabama beaches and the city of Pensacola. Being lost, sometimes, isn’t such a bad thing.

FloraBama Lounge at the Florida and Alabama state border on Perdido Key. This annual tournament has participants compete in an actual mullet toss. Live music, food and drinks accompany this weekend. For information, call 850-492-0611 or visit www.florabama.com.

Flora-Bama at 17401 Perdido Key Dr. Call 850-942-0611 or visit online at www.florabama.com.

Seville Quarter at 130 E. Government St. in downtown Pensacola. Starts at 8 a.m. Ph: 850-433-6512. Web site: www.fiestaoffiveflags.org.

From 11-4 on Pensacola Beach. Chefs and restaurants will showcase their culinary skills. Sponsored by the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce. Ph: 850-932-1500.

Pensacola Beach. Ph: 850-932-1500. Web site:  www.visitpensacolabeach.com.

Pensacola Beach. Ph: 850-932-1500.

Weekends in November starting the 22nd through December 23rd- ZOOlights.  Weekends at The Zoo at 5701 Gulf Breeze Pkwy. Open from 6-9 p.m. Call 850-932-2229. Web site: www.thezoonorthwestflorida.org.