When I get a little time off, it gives me the chance to explore even if it’s in my own back yard and that’s what I did last week.

I found a few places that were new to me if not necessarily new to the area. I did way more looking than buying, but it was interesting and enjoyable.

I didn’t take notes – hey, I was on vacation – so if you want to know more, feel free to call the individual shops. Most are surprisingly large, often encompassing more than one room, so don’t let the word “shops” fool you.

I pass Dee’s Treasures often but didn’t stop in until recently. It’s at 632 N. Beal Parkway on the right-hand side going south right after the little bridge and right before you reach Mary Esther Cut-Off.

There were a lot of collectibles in the shop although the only ones I remember now are Coca-Cola memorabilia and baseball cards. Call 581-2424.

Another place I kept telling my husband I needed to visit and finally did is De’ France Indoor Flea Market Antiques & Collectibles. It’s on Eglin Parkway in the strip of stores north of Arby’s. The shop is beside Godfather’s Pizza.

What caught my eye was the jewelry at the front of the store, but many other intriguing items inhabit its various nooks and crannies. Call 314-7500, and you’ll find the nice lady who answers probably will shorten the name to simply De’ France.

Also in Fort Walton Beach is The Old Beaded Purse, 124 S.E. Eglin Parkway, to be exact.

I spent quite awhile in this wonderful place. You should go see what I’ll call “the bridal room” if nothing else. The décor is styled around a beautiful wedding dress displayed in one corner. Gorgeous.

Appropriately enough, the item I found there and decided I couldn’t do without was a vintage purse. The proprietor said they do restorations and searches if you are looking for something in particular. Call 243-7500.

I also took my time in Flutterby Antiques. It’s at 211 Main St. in Destin, just past the post office. Although the shop is set back off the road, there is sign visible from the street that will help you find it.

I was mildly surprised when the store’s owner told us she’d been there almost seven years, and mentally chided myself for not finding it sooner. Although I didn’t buy anything that day, I expect to on a return visit. Call 269-3200.

We actually went to Destin to track down a book store listed in the Emerald Coast Antique Dealers’ Association pamphlet. The Book X-Change is at 305 Mountain Drive and took some serious persistence to find primarily because the road is under construction.

But find it we did — tucked in the corner of a suite of spaces — and we both left with unique purchases. Call 269-3273.

Then it was off to Niceville where we visited a booklovers paradise called Read It Again. It’s at 703 East John Sims Parkway on the corner with Partin Drive. The building is sea foam green.

The bookmark I brought home says the store has “new, used and rare books & music,” and I’d say that’s a succinct description. Go when you have lots of time to browse. We were there an hour and a half and did not leave empty-handed.

The store’s Web site is Readitagain1.com or call 279-4646.

We also visited Pink House Antiques in Niceville, which was the one exception to the it’s-bigger-than-it-looks rule. It’s at 714 Bayshore Drive. Go down Partin from the book store, past First United Methodist Church and past First Baptist Church and turn left onto Bayshore.

Keep going (not far) until you see the pink house. It’s a cute place with some nice things, just a bit limited. Call 678-1117.

Now you know what I did on my spring break, plus seeing ABBA-Mania (awesome fun), going to the beach (not in the water), watching the Oscars (Quentin Tarantino should’ve won best original screenplay) and doing lots of laundry and cooking for my two college men.

I wouldn’t have had it any other way.