Though there seems to be progress in stopping the leak in the Gulf, the misperceptions about oil on beaches may take far longer for the travel industry to fix and may be problematic for future Gulf Coast and Florida tourism . Travelocity recently conducted a poll of over 2,000 Americans and found that many travelers believe the oil has spread far beyond its actual reach. For example, one in four respondents named the Florida Keys as one of the top three destinations they thought were impacted by the spill. One in four also named Panama City as affected, although the beaches are clean and open.

Travelocity asked: “Based on what you’ve heard in the news, which would you say are the top three destinations that you think are most affected by the oil spill?” The chart below illustrates the results of the poll.

You know how every traveler has that confession that makes people look at him or her sideways? Their “I thought Paris was overrated” or “I went to China and didn’t see the Great Wall” or even “I’m terrified of flying”? Mine is, I’m not much a beach person. Even when I’m so lucky as to find myself on one of world’s best beaches, I become more preoccupied with sun poisoning, sharks, and sand in the pants than with soothing waves.

So one of my favorite types of discoveries is the beach destination for non-beach lovers. And I don’t know how it took me so long to “discover” Cape Cod, because it’s the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a picturesque beach town with much, much more to offer.

Ever since I got my Kindle, I’ve been plowing through books, yet somehow I’ve been remiss this year about getting my summer reading list out in time. So, here it is! You’ve still got the rest of July and all of August to get in some of these reads on your next beach vacation. Just grab a folding chair and stick your toes in the sand… And, please don’t forget to leave your own beach-read recommendations in the comments section!

I grew up in Panama City, Florida, running wild and free on the "World's Most Beautiful Beaches." Here's what my hometown looked like when I visited last summer. I promise this wasn't photoshopped. It really is that perfect.

If you've been dreaming of a little fun in the sun, but you're nervous about the oil spill's path, we've got the perfect solution. Today, Travelocity announced its Gulf Beach Guarantee. If you travel by September 10, 2010 and stay at one of the more than 180 participating hotels, you can receive a refund for any/all unused nights if the government closes a beach within 20 miles of your resort.

Check it out! www.travelocity.com/gulfguarantee

As you can see from this interactive map, the oil spill has only impacted very specific areas at this time. (You can use your cursor to "grab" the map and move it around. Plus, you can zoom in and out.)

If you were up at 4a.m. this morning, maybe you saw me on CBS talking about vacationing in the Gulf region after the oil spill. But, I'm thinking you were probably still fast asleep. Watch my tips here and visit travelocity.com/oilspillinfo for the latest information, deals and tips on how you can help.

While L.A. residents fight the smog and sit in traffic, many do not seem to know that just 24 easy miles away lies the island resort of Catalina. In contrast to the giant city that lies across the Pacific to the east, Catalina Island has always been something of an anachronism, where golf carts outnumber cars, the clocks move on “island time,” and a herd of buffalo still roams.

Right now, there are a whole bunch of nervous tourists on Gulf Coast beaches ready to twitch away at the first sight of black oil washing onto those pristine white sands. Parents are expressing concern about having their children swim in Florida's western waters, diving and fishing charters are being called off in the Keys, birds and turtles crying tears of oil are washing up on shore in Mississippi, no one's ordering the N'awlins oysters, and many regional Gulf Coast resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals are fielding cancellation calls for as far away as August. But are the worries to tourists overblown?