Journeys Near and Far

Exploring St. Augustine...

Spanish Architecture, Chocolate and a Museum of Victoriana

In an earlier post I wrote about St. Augustine, Florida -- the oldest permanent European settlement in the continental United States.  My friends and I had been touring the city by Red Train, from which you can hop on and off at twenty different stops.

Flagler College

We hopped off at Flagler College, once Henry Flagler's Hotel Ponce De Leon.  There, we took a peek at the school's opulent dining room -- where students chow down under a domed ceiling ringed by 79 Louis Comfort Tiffany windows.  The building is also renowned for its ornate murals and Spanish Renaissance architecture.

Claude's Chocolate

The Spanish influence in St. Augustine goes beyond architecture, however.  The aroma of chocolate -- that decadent treat brought to America in 1755 via Spain -- lures you into Claude's Chocolate shop on Hypolita Street.  Chef Claude Franques makes the chocolate by hand, free of preservatives and additives.  His wife, Nicole, handles the display and packaging.

At Claude's, peer into the glass case filled with luscious confections, and you'll face a tough decision:  Which of the twenty-four bonbons should you choose?  It's not difficult:  Try Claude's Sampler for $3.50.

Of course, with the chocolates sporting fanciful, foreign-sounding names such as "Cognac Truffle", "Mayan Spicy" and "Dark Heart of Passion", you might forget you're in Florida.  That can be remedied, however, by going outside for a stroll down the pedestrian-only St. George Street, just a block away.  Here, you'll find a delightful variety of shops and plenty of bistros where you can grab a bit to eat.

The Lightner Museum

For lunch, I grabbed a Spinach Pie, with feta in a puffed pastry -- very fulfilling -- at the Athena Restaurant on Cathedral Place before visiting the Lightner Museum.  Replete with relics of America's Golden Age, the museum was built in 1887 as the Hotel Alcazar (another of Flagler's hotels).  It featured a retractable roof over the grand ballroom, a Turkish bath, tennis courts, and a huge indoor swimming pool.  My kind of place!

In an upcoming post I'll write about the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum, some  chic restaurants that you must visit, and St. Augustine's Inns of Elegance.

Top photo:  The Lightner Museum, courtesy of the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, & the Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau.

St. Augustine: A New Look at America's Oldest City

Romance, Raiders and Restless Spirits

In St. Augustine, Florida, it's not hard to believe in ghosts.  Take the Spanish Dragoon seen sitting in a wing chair at the historic Casa de Solana Inn.  I searched for him for three nights.  Had I seen him, I wouldn't have been surprised.  After all, this city, founded in 1565 by Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, is the oldest permanent European settlement in the continental United States, a place ripe for haunting.  Bashed by the French and British armies, plundered by pirates, and hammered by Indian uprisings -- not to mention disease and hurricanes -- many people have lived, loved and died here.

Castillo de San Marcos

Ghosts aside, how did St. Augustine survive all of these attacks?  One reason was the Castillo de San Marcos, a fort located just outside the historic Spanish Quarter's still-standing gates, which provided refuge to townspeople during turbulent times.

Constructed of coquina (quarried rock composed of crushed shells), the Castillo de San Marcos was Spain's northernmost outpost in their New World empire, providing good defense against pirates and the French and English forces that attacked.  The fort is well worth a visit -- even if just to wander along the sun-drenched bastions as the breeze blows softly across the waters of Matanzas Bay.

The Red Train

While it's a great city for walking, an entertaining way to explore St. Augustine is by Red Train.  You'll be able to hop on and hop off the seven-mile circuit at twenty different stops.  Dan Carignan, our train "conductor", gave us a narrated tour, pointing out the Tradewinds Tropical Lounge where Jimmy Buffett got his start, quirky boutiques and art galleries, and the huge live oak with a sago palm sprouting from its trunk called the "love tree". 

Also on the Red Train route:  The original Ripley's Believe it or Not! Museum, once known as "The Castle" -- a Moorish Revival Style hotel that catered to a multitude of famous guests; the Fountain of Youth, a legendary spring that reputedly restores youth to anyone who drinks of its waters; and Flagler College, built as the Hotel Ponce De Leon by Henry M. Flagler in 1887. 

Henry M. Flagler

Flagler, who with John D. Rockefeller founded Standard Oil Co., honeymooned in St. Augustine in 1883.  Realizing the tourism potential of the town, he built the Ponce de Leon Hotel to entice wealthy northerners down to escape the snow.  When electric lights were first installed, Carignan told us, Flagler hired staff to control them, as the guests were too nervous to flip the switches.

Next post:  Explore St. Augustine's maritime history, dine in the city's chic restaurants, buy luscious chocolates, and learn about the Inns of Elegance!

Bottom photos courtesy of the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Ride Disney's Magic Carpet of Fantasies...

...during their Year of  a Million Dreams

In a previous post I wrote about Disney's Year of a Million Dreams, a 15-month dreams giveaway promotion launched in October, 2006, that will continue through December 31, 2007.  While I wrote about the new royal Cinderella Castle Suite, I want to let you know that there are also lot of other new things at the Disney Parks this year.

Disney's Year of a Million Dreams celebration is highlighted by the debut of several innovative Disney attractions and entertainment spectaculars, many of which I had a chance to experience during the three days I spent at Walt Disney World in January.  Here are a few that I especially liked:

Like pirates?  When you're ready for some action, go to Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom -- it's brimming with pirates these days.  The kids are going to love Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial.  Sparrow, whose looks and mannerisms are almost an exact replica of Johnny Depp, is looking for new pirate recruits.  Watch as he and his mate Mack lead guests through a series of pirate skill tests.  Before you can utter "Yo Ho, Yo Ho, the Pirate's Life for me," the new recruits will be sworn in as honorary buccaneers of Sparrow's crew on the Black Pearl.  Savvy?

And if that doesn't shiver yer timbers, you can have a rootin' tootin' good time in dusty Frontierland as Woody, Jessie and Bullseye invite everyone to Woody's Cowboy Camp.  I watched as kids giddied- up their way through a cowboy obstacle course and guests of all ages sang and danced in this rollicking hoedown.

The just-opened 400-seat Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club in Tomorrowland is one of my favorites.  Guests match wits with the Disney-Pixar characters from Monsters, Inc.   This interactive show features one-eyed hero Mike Wazowski, who has opened a Comedy Club to collect laughs that will generate power for the future.  And be warned -- before the show begins, the comedians secretly scan the audience for someone to be chosen as "That Guy" (or gal), the one who will be continuously singled out by the characters on the screen. 

Have some jokes of your own?  While waiting in line, guests can text-message jokes on their cell phones for possible use in the show.

At Epcot, ride The Seas with Nemo & Friends, where the stars of Disney-Pixar's Finding Nemo seem to swim with the marine life in the 5.7 million-gallon saltwater aquarium in The Seas with Nemo and Friends pavilion (formerly The Living Seas).

Rollercoaster-phobia kept me from experiencing Expedition Everest in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom, but my braver friend who rode it tells me it was a thrilling high-speed ride along icy mountain ledges and inside dark, snowy caves.  Brrrr....

Also in Animal Kingdom, don't miss Finding Nemo -- the Musical, a lavish musical stage production fit for Broadway.  With original songs, this stage show tells the heartwarming story of an overprotective clownfish father and his son through a dazzling combination of puppetry, dancers, aerialists and animated backdrops.  Presented in the 1,500-seat Theater in the Wild, the show represents the first time Disney has taken a non-musical animated feature, as well as the first Pixar film, and transformed it into an original musical production.

These are only a few of the new attractions at Walt Disney World unveiled during the Year of a Million Dreams.  Experience them all and see which ones become your favorites.  And while you're at the Disney Parks this year, don't be surprised if a member of Disney's Dream Squad taps you on the shoulder.  Your dreams could come true, too!

Bottom three photos © 2006 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Disney's Year of a Million Dreams

A Dream that Money Can't Buy

Stars shimmer beneath a deep indigo sky, so close that you want to reach out and touch them.  Gazing out the window of your castle turret, you sigh with contentment.  You've been granted a dream that money can't buy -- the chance to spend the night in Disney's brand new, first-ever royal suite inside Cinderella Castle.

Spending a night in Cinderella Castle is only ONE of the more than a million dreams being randomly awarded to guests of Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts this year, however.  Each day during Disney's Year of a Million Dreams program, dreams will range from the special, such as a Dream FASTPASS, to the spectacular, such as a spending a night in the Cinderella Castle Suite.  And some dreams will even be extraordinary, such as a trip to every Disney park in the world.  Launched in October, 2006, the 15-month, Year of A Million Dreams program will continue through December 31, 2007.

Each day, the guest who wins a stay in Cinderella Castle and up to five members of their party begin the evening at Cinderella's Royal Table, the popular restaurant in the Castle.  Then, after the rest of the Magic Kingdom guests have gone home, they'll snuggle down in the beautiful late 17th/early 18th century dream suite, amid surroundings that hark back to the days of fairy tales and the French chateaux that inspired the design of Cinderella Castle.

And I must say that the surroundings are stunning!  I saw the Suite in January, the day the First Family was chosen to spend the night there.  Upon arrival at the Castle, guests enter a small, concierge room at ground level, then take a fancy elevator which whisks them up four stories to an elegant foyer decorated with a mosaic tile floor depicting Cinderella's Coach.  The floor, made from more than 30,000 tiles, took four months to hand-cut by four talented craftswomen.

The Royal Bedchamber contains venetian glass sconces which adorn either side of the antique fireplace.  Above the fireplace, a portrait of Cinderella magically transforms to a flat screen TV (yes, the suite has some nice 21st century details).  Playful mice, inspired by the Cinderella story, cavort on columns above rich mahogany and maple furniture.  Regal canopies drape over two queen beds.

The Royal Sitting Room is no less dramatic.  A magic mirror transforms into a TV; stained-glass windows tell the story of Cinderella, and the windows face west toward Cinderella's Golden Carousel in Fantasyland.

And the bathroom -- I wanted it for my home!  A Jacuzzi sits in a grotto, its ceiling a dome of twinkling stars.  Three mosaics containing a total of 30,000 tiles continue the Cinderella theme, featuring a crystal slipper, a crystal pumpkin, and a mouse, looking up toward the castle.

It's definitely a suite fit for a Prince or Princess!

So while you're at the Disney Parks this year, don't be surprised if a member of Disney's "Dream Squad" taps you on the shoulder.  Your dreams could come true, too!

[Note:  Having once worked for Disney as a member of their Magic Kingdom College Program, I have a little secret to tell you:  even if you don't win one of Disney's million dreams, just being at Disney World is a dream come true.  And if you've been there before, think about visiting again.  Both Disneyland and Walt Disney World have a lot of new things to see and do this year -- more on that in future blog posts!]

Read the Year of a Million Dreams rules.

Photos ©2006 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Touring Amelia Island

... By Segway Human Transporter or by Bike

In my previous two posts, I wrote about Amelia Island Plantation, a peaceful resort tucked away in Florida's extreme Northeasternmost corner. 

Exploring Amelia Island Plantation by bike my last afternoon was invigorating.  Some of my friends, however, took a guided Segway Human Transporter Sea Side Safari tour, which is all the rage.  For those not in-the-know, the Segway HT is a self-balancing device that relies on dynamic stabilization, which allows the two-wheeled machine to work with body movements.  This three-mile tour around the resort's twisting trails offers gorgeous views of the ocean surf.

Finally, we took an excursion to Fernandina Beach, a Victorian showplace of cobblestone walks and an eclectic assortment of galleries, eateries, and antique shops.

There is something for everyone at Amelia Island Plantation, whether you like tennis, golf, or horseback riding; kayaking, shopping, or spa-going; or simply sitting on the warm silky sand, gazing at the waves as they dance upon the shore.

The important thing for me was that I returned from Amelia Island with something more than I'd gone there with -- peace of mind -- which, I think, is just what the folks at Amelia Island Plantation are hoping for.

Photo courtesy of Amelia Island Plantation.

The Spa at Amelia Island Plantation

A Spa that Uses the Healing Power of Nature

In my last post I began to write about my visit to Amelia Island Plantation in the Northeasternmost corner of Florida.  My story continues with the Spa at Amelia Island Plantation...

Just footsteps from the sea, settled among moss-draped oaks and quiet lagoons, a wide range of therapies awaits visitors to The Spa at Amelia Island Plantation.  The Spa's neutral tones make it a comfortable place for men as well as women, and the scent of rosemary and mint permeates the air, a combination used since ancient times to rejuvenate the senses.

"We look to use indigenous plants such as acorns and rosemary to enhance the experience, the sense of place," said Thor Holm, the Spa Director at the time of our visit.  "We've always used the sea, now we are working more on the marsh portion."

The Spa's Watsu pool, a gentle form of body therapy that combines warm water and shiatsu, was next on our tour.  This signature treatment is a unique concept for rejuvenation and wellness, and the facility, Watsu Island, was designed exclusively for the Spa at Amelia Island Plantation.

The scent of rosemary and mint stayed with me that evening, when, after a dinner of Tequila Lime Chicken and Shrimp followed by a Warm Blondie a la Mode, I fell asleep listening to the rhythm of the shore.

When the next day's first beam of light peeked above the horizon, I awoke to my curtains billowing in the breeze, and stepped onto my balcony to watch the sunrise, magnificently rendered in shades of peach, copper, crimson and gold -- a wonderful way to begin a new day!

Then I ventured outside to stroll beneath the island's lush canopy of ancient live oaks, which swept westward, away from the prevailing onshore easterly winds.

After breakfast, my friends and I explored the property before taking  a two-hour kayak tour of the marsh with a Naturalist.  Later, at the Nature Center, we learned about the Plantation's many nature programs, such as Shell Walks, Woodland Walks, Bike Hikes, Nature Crafts, and Nature Photography.

"All the animals here are native to this area," said Christa Nelson, who works in the Center, "except Bunny the lop-eared New Zealand white rabbit," she added as she petted the center's furry resident.  Open every day except Christmas, the Nature Center does animal rescues as well as works in tandem with BEAKS, a nearby bird sanctuary and rehabilitation center.

That evening, dinner with my friends at the Verandah, overlooking Amelia Island Plantation's Racquet Park, gave me a chance to sample Pecan Dusted Fried Flounder with Spicy Rémoulade and Lobster Fritters.  For desert, I couldn't resist the object of every chocoholic's dream -- the signature house Amelia Island Mud Pie.  And as if this wasn't enough, we later ventured over to the Falcon's Nest, Amelia Island Plantation's aviation-themed bar and restaurant, for drinks and stimulating conversation.

The next morning, I awoke to the cackle of Laughing Gulls, prompting me to hurry out of bed for my 10 AM Spa appointment.  No encouragement was needed -- I'd signed up for a Sea Dream Anti-Stress Body Wrap and Massage and I knew it would be an unforgettable experience.  In fact, that hour I spent cocooned in luxury was one of the most relaxing in my life.

Later, I joined my friends on the terrace of Marché Burette for Wood Oven Fired Pizza -- the perfect aprés-spa lunch.

Next post:  a bike ride or a Segway tour along Amelia Island Plantation's lush trails, and a trip to Fernandina Beach!

Photos courtesy of Amelia Island Plantation.

Finding Serenity at Amelia Island Plantation

The Ultimate Island Getaway

Pirates loved it; nations fought over it.  Today, it is a haven for visitors seeking serenity.  Amelia Island, situated in the Northeasternmost corner of Florida just across the St. Mary's River from Georgia, is known as "Florida's Golden Isle," and it's the home to the ultimate island getaway -- Amelia Island Plantation.

I've written about this peaceful island resort before; now I'd like to tell you more. What's special about it?  What's the island's history?  What activities does the resort offer, and what kind of restaurants does it have?

Nestled between the salt marshes of the Intracoastal Waterway and the blue Atlantic Ocean, the resort's 1,350 acres are a sanctuary for native flora and wildlife.  Noted for its environmentally conscious development, Amelia Island Plantation was envisioned as  a place people could live and vacation every day of their lives.

This concept intrigued me, and when I heard that Condé Nast Traveler rated the resort as "one of the best places to stay in the whole world,"  I decided to check it out for myself.

Oddly, this island that is so treasured for its tranquility wasn't always as peaceful as it is today.  Long battled over by nations and hounded by sea robbers, Amelia Island was visited by the French, developed by the Spanish, tamed by the Americans and named by the English (for Princess Amelia, the daughter of England's King George II.)  It is the only U.S. location to have been under eight different flags.  Visitors today find it hard to believe that the picturesque harbor at nearby Fernandina Beach was once a refuge for pirates and rumrunners.  Now, the island is one of the most productive shrimping and fishing centers in the South.

Fortunately, the Buccaneers were long gone when I arrived with a small group of friends, and it seemed just minutes before the island's calming breezes began to work their magic.  To banish stress entirely, we had one thing on our agenda:  a visit to Amelia Island Plantation's Spa.

Next post:  Amelia Island Plantation's Spa...

(Here's a map showing the location of Amelia Island.)

Photos courtesy of Amelia Island Plantation.

Pirates Invade Miami!

Pirates Mutiny, that is...

Ye be warned, me hearties, but don't worry -- 'tis a fitting show for the whole family!  Coming ashore for its U.S. premiere, Pirates Mutiny is a rollicking good adventure set on the high seas.  This lavish spectacle tells the story of dashing pirate captain Sir Henry Morgan and his band of merry men who battle it out with the vile French Captain Jacques Lafitte and his horde of cutthroat brigands.

I recently wrote about this show for What's Hot in Miami.  Similar to Cirque du Soleil in that it has heavy acrobatic content, Pirates Mutiny appeals to a broader audience, offering lots of comedy and audience interactivity.

The show, in Miami until January 21st, is based on real-life characters kids really identify with.  The subject -- pirates -- is topical, of course.  And while you won't see Johnny Depp as swashbuckling Captain Jack Sparrow, you will meet a host of other pirate heroes -- and villains.

Based on its sister show, Pirates Adventure, which has been thrilling audiences in Europe for 20 years, Pirates Mutiny features an elaborate set, beautiful costumes and electrifying special effects.  Acts include the Pirates Swing, where performers are propelled 30 feet in the air, and the trampoline, where drunken pirates perform death-defying stunts diving from the masts of a 50-foot galleon.

Trying to describe the show doesn't do it justice.  As Andrew Clemence, CEO of Pirates Mutiny told me, "It's very difficult to put into words.  I tell people you just have to come and see it."

So Ahoy, Mateys, if ye be in Miami from now through January 21st, unfurl those treasure maps and gather yer doubloons!  'Tis time to see Pirates Mutiny... if ye dare.

Note:  The Pirates Mutiny website offers video clips of the show to give you an idea of what it's like.   Check it out...

Photo courtesy of Pirates Mutiny.

Amelia Island Plantation, Florida

Looking for a relaxing getaway?  One of the most tranquil places I've been to in a long time is tropical Amelia Island Plantation, a peaceful barrier island resort located on the extreme northeast tip of Florida, just across St. Mary's River from Georgia.  I went to Amelia Island Plantation in the dead of winter to escape the bitter New Jersey cold, but it's a place I'd want to visit any time of year.

One of the nice things about Amelia Island is the sheer variety of activities available -- and when I  say "activity", I don't just mean horseback riding, swimming, tennis, golf, visiting The Spa, riding bikes, kayaking or wheeling along on a Segway Human Transporter tour.  I also mean strolling along miles of deserted sand dunes as the sea oats sway in the breeze, lying under the warm Florida sun while listening to the waves lap upon the shore, or walking beneath an age-old canopy of oak trees that bend gracefully away from the sea. 

This lush 1,350-acre sanctuary was called "One of the Best Places To Stay In The Whole World" by Conde Nast Traveler, and I have to agree.  And you know what?  It has an interesting history, too.  The island was named for Princess Amelia, daughter of England's King George II, and it is the only territory in the United States to have been ruled under eight flags of sovereignty.  And the charming nearby harbor of Fernandina Beach, once a haven for pirates and rumrunners, is now one of the most productive shrimping and fishing centers in the South.

The most difficult part of an Amelia Island Plantation vacation is deciding what to do each day.  Should you visit The Spa for a Relaxing Sea Dream Massage, and Aromatherapy Salt Glow, or a Luminous "C" & Sea Facial?  Or should you spend the day strolling along the Plantation's miles of uncrowded beaches, exploring the island's natural beauty by bike, or perhaps, venture into the marshes by kayak?

The truth is, it doesn't matter.  Because whatever you choose to do at Amelia Island Plantation, you will leave feeling refreshed and ready to tackle your everyday life when you return home.

In upcoming posts I'll write more about this privately-owned resort, and why the island's a haven for nature lovers -- plus, if a visit isn't enough for you, did you know Amelia Island Plantation is also a residential community?  More to come...

Photos courtesy of Amelia Island Plantation.

Miami's 43rd Annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival

During the seven years I lived in Miami, my favorite event each year was the annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival.  The Festival features more than 330 artists from throughout the Americas and the Caribbean displaying their work, and takes place this year from February 18th to the 20th.

Festival-goers will enjoy art in a variety of mediums, including painting, drawing, watercolor, sculpture and photography as well as clay work, metal work, wood work, digital art, fiber, glass, jewelry and two-and three-dimensional mixed media.

I like the Festival not only for the fascinating variety of artwork on display, but also because of its setting.  Tropical Coconut Grove is the perfect backdrop for the Festival and one of Miami's most charming neighborhoods, known for its chic and trendy shops. 

The Grove, as this neighborhood is called, hugs the brilliant azure shores of Biscayne Bay, an idyllic location to celebrate the visual arts.  Palm trees sway overhead as visitors meander along the festival's mile-long path of artists' booths that begins on McFarlane Road, then winds down to South Bayshore Drive.  There, they'll find spectacular views of the Bay, the greenery of Peacock and Myers Parks, and the cityscape of downtown Coconut Grove.

Coconut Grove is also in the vicinity of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, built by the agricultural industrialist James Deering who wintered on the property from 1916 - 1925.  I'll write more about this beautiful mansion in another post!

There's more than art at the Festival -- a variety of musicians will entertain with world music, Latin beats, rock, pop and jazz.  And all kinds of food will be available from pushcart vendors for on-the-go snacks to full sit-down dining experiences.

If you love art festivals, this is the one to see!

More information is available online or call 305/447-0401 or 1-877-724-2787. 

Bottom two photos courtesy of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.