A Gulf Shores woman is behind bars charged with first-degree arson after allegedly setting her condo on fire last week.

Gulf Shores, Alabama, is easy to reach from the South ... This locale also boasts resorts and plenty of beachfront condos you can rent on Airbnb or VRBO for less than $200 per night.

But I've been to Gulf Shores, Alabama, twice now ... Florida. Upscale vacation rentals and a range of hotels and restaurants line 38 miles of a wide and lovely beach with soft white sand.

With its white sand, seafood, and wildlife sanctuaries, the Alabama coast was once the South's best secret. Here's what to do ...