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St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches


The unique views found only in St. Augustine tell the story of nearly 450 years of history. The fabled Bridge of Lions spanning Matanzas Bay…. a charming waterfront reflecting the glories of Imperial Spain…the Victorian grandeur of Henry Flagler’s hotels… ancient narrow streets that still echo to the clip-clop passage of America’s history

2010-09-03	St. Augustine Beach Wednesday Market Wednesday, Sep 8 8:00a to 12:30p at St. Johns County Pier, St Augustine Beach, FL The Wednesday Farmers Market boasts a wide variety of purchasing options including but not limited to fruits, vegetables, breads, seafood, honeys, nuts, coffees, custom clothing,crafs Click to read the full story
2010-09-02	Oldest American city turns 445 The city of St Augustine in Florida was founded by the state’s first governor Menendez de Aviles in 1565 St Augustine in Florida, the oldest city in the US, will celebrate its 445th birth anniversary this week. St Augustine will commemorate its founding by Spaniard Pedro Menendez de Aviles with the inauguration of the Nombre de Dios Mission Museum and the celebration of a Mass of thanksgiving, among other events. The anniversary will be marked with a historic recreation of the arrival in 1565 of Florida’s first governor, Menendez de Aviles. “In September 1565, 445 years ago, Adm. Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles disembarked in Matanzas Bay and founded St Augustine, the oldest occupied European city and port in US territory,” said Davis Walker, director of the Florida Living History. Click to read the full story
2010-09-02	Being a chef means 'instant gratification' to Ponte Vedra Inn & Club's Hermann Muller (The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville) By Charlie Patton, The Florida Times-Union, JacksonvilleMcClatchy-Tribune Regional News Sept. 02--Growing up in Karnten, a small town in the mountains of Austria not far from the Italian border, Hermann Muller was exposed to good food young. Both his mother and father cooked well. "In Europe, everybody was a good cook," Muller said. But the food he was eating wasn't fine cuisine. It was "good home cooking," lots of pasta and vegetables grown in the family garden. What gave him the idea that he might want to make a living cooking professionally was the experience of a neighbor who had gone to culinary school and then gotten a job cooking on cruise ships. Muller wanted that life. "I wanted to see the world," he said. The 55-year-old Muller has seen plenty of it, in a professional cooking career that has taken him from Austria to the Bahamas to New Orleans to Washington, D.C., and finally to Ponte Vedra Beach. Click to read the full story
2010-09-01	St. Augustine: The Historic District to Castillo de San MArcos Called the Ancient City because it is the oldest city in the country, St. Augustine has much to offer from a Historic District to Castillo de San Marcos In 1565, Spanish conquistadors established the first permanent in La Florida (Land of the Flowers), beating the Jamestown colony by 42 years. That settlement was in St. Augustine. The Spanish held Florida on and off for a number before selling to the United States in 1821. They may have left, but the Spanish influence still exists in St. Augustine. Read more at Suite101: St. Augustine: The Historic District to Castillo de San Marcos http://www.suite101.com/content/st-augustine-the-historic-district-to-castillo-de-san-marcos-a281292#ixzz0yNMFPNAA Click to read the full story
2010-08-30	The History of St. Augustine St. Augustine is a small town located on the northeast coast of Florida. It is one of the most significant coastal towns in Florida, as well as the whole of America. Being the oldest city in Florida, it is blessed with numerous historic attractions including the Castillo de San Marcos, Fort Matanzas, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, the Lightner Museum and so many more. It is also home to some of the best beaches in Florida, making it a popular tourist attraction. Click to read the full story
2010-08-30	St. Augustine Cycling Festival The St. Augustine Cycling Festival will kick off its second annual event on Saturday, September 11 with a new bicycling clinic. The two-day event offers a bicycle expo both days, along with plenty of food and drink. On Saturday, Trapdoor and Pili Pili will provide live music from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, Tony Novelly will perform from noon until 3:00 p.m.. Also, on Sunday the 21st Annual Endless Summer Watermelon Ride will take place. The ride offers routes from 30 to 100 miles and is listed in Elizabeth and Charles Skinner's book, The Best Bike Rides in the South. Click to read the full story
2010-08-29	Down With The Ship In St. Augustine It is inaccurate to dub St. Augustine, Florida as America's oldest city. Native American mound cities in the Upper Midwest and the Anasazi Pueblo cities of southwestern Colorado predate St. Augustine by several hundred years, as do Mexico City and the ancient Mayan city of Tikal further south. However, St. Augustine was the initial permanent, declared European village in what is now the United States, established only a little over seventy years after Columbus' historic voyage. Click to read the full story
2010-08-28	End-Of-Summer Offers For Florida’s Historic Coast Summer is slipping past, but there’s still time to plan an end-of-summer getaway to Florida’s Historic Coast. Now, new accommodations offers with rates starting as low as $49 a night, make August and September the ideal time to explore St. Augustine’s history, enjoy the luxurious resorts of Ponte Vedra or play in the surf on St. Augustine Beach. To learn more about these exciting offers, visit www.getaway4florida.com/cms/d/end-of-summer.php. Click to read the full story
2010-08-28	St. Augustine to Party Like it's 1565 in Birthday Celebration ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- How time flies. It seems like only yesterday St. Augustine was founded, but it's actually been 445 years, so that's reason enough to party. The nation's oldest city was founded on Saturday, Sept. 8, 1565. Fast forward to 2010, and there's a long weekend of partying. It starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept.2, with a concert in the Plaza de la Constitution and a slice of birthday cake for everyone who attends. As the story goes, Spanish Admiral don Pedro Menendez de Aviles came ashore on the 8th to set up a military base against the French, and people of European descent have been there ever since. Click to read the full story
2010-08-26	Florida's shrine to golf ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- While St. Andrews is considered the Home of Golf and the Old Course its mecca, it's fitting that a shrine to the game lies on the outskirts of America's oldest city. Just a short drive from the heart of this historic community, the tower of the World Golf Hall of Fame is a beacon for golf lovers travelling the I95, and it is only natural that visitors from Niagara/Ontario are drawn to seek out our local link supplied by Marlene Stewart-Streit -- the first Canadian inducted into the Hall. But they'll be surprised to find that the Fonthill phenom, who was inducted in 2004, isn't Canada's only presence. And most Americans, including many staff and volunteers at the Hall of Fame, are also surprised to learn that the man considered the Father of American Golf was Canadian by birth. Although that is how is he listed in the guidebook. In fact, Charles Blair Macdonald, who was inducted into the Hall in 2007 in the Lifetime Achievement category -- as a Canadian -- entered the world on Nov. 14, 1855, in Niagara Falls, Ont., the son of a Scottish immigrant father and a Canadian (part-Mohawk) mother. Click to read the full story
2010-08-26	St. Augustine, Florida World Golf Village Special Avid golfers and beginners alike will enjoy a trip to the World Golf Village. After an excellent golf round, take a walk through the World Golf Hall of Fame and step back into the history of the game and learn about the legends who have made golf a classic sport.The World Golf Village is home to two excellent courses, both designed by World Golf Hall of Fame Members, the King and Bear and the Slammer & Squire. The King & Bear course, designed by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, features scenic water views and has been rated among Golf Week’s “Top Resort Courses.” The Slammer & Squire, designed by Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen, is surrounded by preserved woodlands and natural wetlands. Click to read the full story
2010-08-26	St. Augustine, the Nations' oldest city boasts beaches, ghosts and the fabled fountain of youth To say St. Augustine is old is an understatement. As the “Old City” approaches its 445th birthday, history buffs will love the care that’s gone into preserving the nation’s oldest city. Nearly 40 years older than Jamestown, Va., St. Augustine is the oldest permanent European settlement. Fifty years after Don Juan Ponce de Leon discovered La Florida in 1513, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles was dispatched by Spain to colonize it. Menendez arrived off the shores of St. Augustine in 1565. Today, a stone monument in the Fountain of Youth archeological park marks where Menendez was thought to have waded ashore. The Castillo de San Marcos is located on the city’s eastern shore and is a can’t-miss attraction Read more: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2010/08/26/1244804/st-augustine-the-nations-oldest.html#ixzz0yBdRnjfu Click to read the full story
2010-08-23	Toby Keith is coming to St. Augustine, Florida Toby Keith is one of the country music industries most consistent hitmaker – and one of the most hardworking artists around. He has sold more then 30 million albums and somehow at the same time he has also managed to be one of the top touring artists for a decade. He has been honored by BMI for 63 million broadcast performances, and he’s not slowing down anytime soon. Now this mega-star is coming to the coast on September 5, 2010, he’s performing at the St Augustine Amphitheatre. You don’t want to miss this concert, it’s not everyday we have big names like this visiting. Don’t wait, because this is going to be a very popular event, so reserve your tickets today. Click to read the full story
2010-08-22	Florida Wedding Destinations - St. Augustine, Florida Saint Augustine, Florida is an extremely popular wedding and honeymoon destination. Just imagine being able to say you got married in the oldest city in the nation! St Augustine is located between North East and Central East Florida, approximately 40 miles south of Jacksonville and 60 miles north of Daytona Beach. The pleasant year round climate of St. Augustine adds to its appeal as a perfect Florida wedding destination. You cannot really say you’ve” been” to St. Augustine unless you have strolled through the historic district. Quaint eateries, bars, unique shops and bed and breakfasts are set off by authentic narrow cobblestone streets. A ride in a horse drawn carriage is another great way to see the sites, such as the breathtaking Bridge of Lions, the Matanzas River, and the Castillo de San Marcos. Historical landmarks and museums abound, and some are often used as distinctive and memorable wedding sites. Some, such as the Lighthouse, are very popular and must be booked well in advance. Click to read the full story
2010-08-21	Where to eat for fun in St. Augustine Whether you're visiting the beach, shopping, or touring the historical sites, hunger is bound to strike. Relax and enjoy the views with one of these restaurants in St. Augustine. They will entertain you with a lively atmosphere of fun, food, and maybe even new friends. Read more at Suite101: Where to Eat for Fun in St. Augustine, Florida http://www.suite101.com/content/where-to-eat-for-fun-in-st-augustine-florida-a275978#ixzz0xQgEaJmS Click to read the full story
2010-08-20	Pirate and Treasure Museum soon to open As construction continues at 12 Castillo Drive, directly across from the Castillo de San Marcos, Historic City News has been updated on the status of St. Augustine’s newest attraction set to launch in early November. While pirates are museum owner Pat Croce’s passion, he’s recognized as a pioneer in the sports medicine field and for being the former president of the Philadelphia 76ers, a motivational speaker and author of books on motivation and piracy. Click to read the full story
2010-08-20	Tourism numbers up in St. Augustine area, officials report Here’s some encouraging news about Florida tourism in the wake of concerns about the Gulf oil spill and its affect on summer travel. Just released July data shows the occupancy rate for the area’s seaside resorts, luxury hotels, historic inns and family-friendly lodgings was 66.2 percent — the highest rate since July 2007 – a year that set a record for visitors to the area. Stretching from Ponte Vedra southward through St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach to Marineland, Florida’s Historic Coast features 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches, world-renowned golfing opportunities, unique history, fine dining, upscale shopping and romantic getaways. Click to read the full story
2010-08-20	Florida History - Warden Castle (Ripley's Believe It or Not!) - St. Augustine, Florida The original Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum(R) in St. Augustine, Florida, is a landmark in and of itself. The unique chain of quirky and fun museums spread out from here. But the one in St. Augustine is even more special because of its location, the beautifully designed and supposedly haunted Warden Castle. During the years after the Civil War, many of the nation's wealthiest families looked to the Southern coast as locations for winter homes. It was during this era that the Millionaire Village grew on Jekyll Island, Georgia. Just down the coast, the historic old city of St. Augustine also attracted the attention of some the country' 19th century rich and famous. Click to read the full story
2010-08-20	Eat, Pray and Love In Florida This past weekend, the film Eat, Pray, Love, based on the book by Elizabeth Gilbert, hit theaters and ranked number two at the box office. What does this tell us? Women want to travel alone. While jetting off to places like Italy, India and Bali sounds amazing, it’s not always economically possible. But it IS possible to have a smaller-scale sojourn right here in Florida. Eat While Italy may have its pasta, Florida is known for its scrumptious seafood. Big food chains like Red Lobster may be famous for their dishes, but they don’t even compare to the small, seaside restaurants that boast freshly caught entrees. Apalachicola has a rich maritime culture, as it was once the third largest port on the Gulf of Mexico. The town itself dons wide, tree lined streets and historic homes with early nineteenth century craftsmanship. But most importantly, the city is known for its remarkable seafood. Apalachicola harvests over 90% of the oysters in the state. Fishing vessels dot the gulf, producing daily batches to be shipped out, or cooked up right there at the local restaurants. Each November, the Florida Seafood Festival, the state’s oldest maritime event, is held there, and along Franklin County. Travel around the Apalachee Bay to Steinhatchee, the small fishing village, for all the scallops – and for those wishing to work, scalloping – desired. Pray St. Augustine is a city full of mighty fortresses, epic explorers, fabled tales, and utter tranquility. Finding oneself isn’t hard in a place where it’s possible to almost travel back in time. History lines each street corner, with powerful landmarks such as the Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas National Monument, two structures that exhibit the true strength of the city. The Colonial Spanish Quarter lets one reminisce and relive days gone by, while the St. Augustine Lighthouse and museum lights the path for the future. Click to read the full story
2010-08-20	St. Augustine, Florida: an Affordable Family Vacation of Historic Proportions This summer, our family wanted to visit our family in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida. Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously-occupied city in America. The city is spectacularly beautiful, rich in history, and a fantastic family vacation destination. With the economy putting the squeeze on our family pocket book, it seemed like our annual trip to the sunshine state was going to be impossible. But with some careful planning, understanding we were going to give up a few luxuries and by doing a lot of research, we were able to have an amazing vacation for half the cost Click to read the full story
2010-08-20	Florida's Shore Things When it comes to seeing Florida's coastline, these shore things are sure bets! Florida is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico providing some 1200 miles of coastline — some of the most interesting in America. Whether you're making a bucket list of Florida must sees or simply looking to enjoy the beauty of Florida's coasts, these "shore things" are sure bets. Best of all, they won't even get you wet! Click to read the full story
2010-08-20	Listings of Ponte Vedra Beach Rentals, plus Enjoy Championship Golf Courses Going on a vacation to an island paradise and staying in Ponte Vedra beach rentals, would leave you thinking there is nothing better to do than visit the beach. However, in addition to exploring the town or enjoying the local establishments, there are several local championship golf courses to try near your Ponte Vedra vacation homes. Ponte Vedra Golf and Country Club near your Ponte Vedra Beach Rentals The Ponte Vedra Golf and Country Club is home to the best golf courses in the Sawgrass Community, redesigned and restructured by course experts Ed Seay and Arnold Palmer. Enjoy the game of golf whether you are an amateur seeking to learn the sport, or a seasoned expert who happens to be on vacation and merely needs to improve. Apart from its world-class golf courses, the Ponte Vedra Golf and Country Club also features tennis courts, several golf and tennis equipment shops and an aquatics center, featuring a junior Olympic sized swimming pool. They also have a dining room and a bar which serve drinks and meals throughout the day. Click to read the full story
2010-08-20	Cities of interest in Florida – St. Augustine Find St. Augustine is pretty easy. Just head east of Orlando on the Atlantic coast I95 and go north (towards Jacksonville). Go about 40 miles, then goes on SR1 and continue north for 20 miles. Then follow the signs to St. Augustine. St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States, founded 29 August 1565 in that it was also the day of the feast of St. Augustine. It is also considered one of the cities most charming and picturesque, Florida. St. Augustine has a beautiful historic district with its cobbled streets, cafes, bars, shops and bed and breakfast. Shopping in St. Augustine could not be easier. If you have a passion for antiques, gifts, handmade, blown glass, arts and crafts, art, or handmade chocolates, and if you’re shopping for clothes, shoes, or household goods, or perhaps find unique gifts and unusual world of the world, St. Augustine has it all. Relax and stroll along the streets of historic downtown. Stop when you want and have a meal in one of the many restaurants or bars. Click to read the full story
2010-08-20	How about a late summer trip to Florida's Historic Coast? Despite nationwide concerns about the economy, visitors this summer are coming to Florida's Historic Coast in record numbers. Just released July data show the occupancy rate for the area's seaside resorts, luxury hotels, historic inns and family-friendly lodgings was 66.2 percent- the highest rate since July 2007 - a year that set a record for visitors to the area. Stretching from Ponte Vedra southward through St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach to Marineland, Florida's Historic Coast features 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches, world-renowned golfing opportunities, unique history, fine dining, upscale shopping and romantic getaways. Click to read the full story
2010-08-19	Florida’s Historic Coast reports record numbers of tourists St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau reports visitors this summer are coming to Florida’s Historic Coast in record numbers. Just released July data show the occupancy rate for the area’s seaside resorts, luxury hotels, historic inns and lodgings was 66.2 percent- the highest rate since July 2007 - a year that set a record for visitors to the area. “We are extremely encouraged by these numbers,” said Richard Goldman, executive director of the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau. Goldman said the strong July showing, coupled with a positive June, have pushed the area’s year-to-date numbers into the positive range for the first time in three years. Click to read the full story
2010-08-18	Sights in North America's oldest city ST. AUGUSTINE, FL. -- For travellers who want to combine golf on Florida's aptly named First Coast with a lot of history, the oldest city in North America is precisely that, with virtually all historic sites within easy walking distance and the World Golf Hall of Fame and numerous top-notch golf courses within an easy drive, including TPC Sawgrass and its famous 17th hole. Good advice for the first-time visitor to this city is to get your bearings by taking a ride on one of the green Old Town Trolleys or the red St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains. Their drivers deliver narrated tours of the historic district, pointing out the sites with their own humorous and entertaining twists on a history of exploration and settlement dating back to 1513 when Juan Ponce de Leon arrived on the shores that he named La Florida -- the place of colourful flowers. Click to read the full story
2010-08-17	Castillo de San Marcos National Monument – St. Augustine, Florida It was one of those hot summer days in Florida when you start sweating even before you wake up. By mid-morning, the heat and humidity had become a force to be reckoned with. It was in this climate that we made our way to the center of St. Augustine in order to tour the historic soul of the city, the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. Even from the outside, the ancient fort is impressive. Its walls span a city block and is an impossible-to-miss feature of St. Augustine. The fort is the oldest masonry fort in the United States and was constructed of coquina, tiny shells that have bonded together to make a form of stone. You can actually see the shells in some parts of the fort that have crumbled over time. Click to read the full story
2010-08-17	Top 10 US Towns For Taking a Ghost Tour A spirited guest Top 10 with a difference today from Courtney Mroch aka @HauntJaunts Haunt Jaunts is a travel blog for restless spirits created by Courtney. The blog features haunted places and paranormal tourism of interest to ghost enthusiasts. Click to read the full story
2010-08-17	Meetings take a swing at the pros “Holy moley! Can you believe how close we are?” exclaimed a dark-haired boy lying on the ground a few feet from pro golfer Scott Verplank. The PGA player was preparing to tee off on the 15th hole at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., in May. The youngster is not the only one amazed at how accessible professional golf can be. Major golf events are within the reach of not only the general public but of meetings. Yet, building a meeting around a major golf tournament is an idea planners don’t often pursue. “A lot of folks consider it unattainable because it’s on TV,” said Richard Goldman, executive director of the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau. “It’s a worldwide special event like the Super Bowl they think, but it is attainable. We can bring people together and make it happen.” Click to read the full story
2010-08-09	Step Back in Time in St. Augustine The nation’s oldest continuously occupied settlement is a popular getaway for weekend trips, weddings, anniversaries and family vacations. Just 140 miles from Melbourne is the quaint historic town of St. Augustine. Time seems to slow down and history comes alive. Enjoy the history, beaches, arts, culture, shopping, and more. Click to read the full story
2010-08-05	The Oldest Town in America We drove the short distance into the Sunshine State on Monday morning and after an hour or so of unremarkable highway, we arrived at the beautiful coastal town of St. Augustine. This place is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the United States and was founded in 1565 by a Spanish explorer, Juan Ponce de Leon (brilliant name). After spending 5 minutes in the visitor centre we saw that there was plenty to see and do and that it would keep us busy for a couple of days before we were due to be in Orlando. Rather than spend the $25 each for the city trolley tour, we took one of the tour maps and decided to follow it ourselves. Click to read the full story
2010-08-02	Planning A Trip To St. Augustine, Florida When planning a Florida vacation many people look to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Tampa/St. Petersburg, South Beach in Miami, the Florida Keys or the Everglades. Don’t overlook a little gem in Northeast Florida named St. Augustine. History of St. Augustine Called the World’s Oldest City, St. Augustine was first officially settled in 1565 forty two years before the English settlement of Jamestown and forty five years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. King Phillip II of Spain ordered Admiral General Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles to set sail for Florida and scout it from the Keys to it’s far northern border. The King also ordered Menendez to drive out any settlers who were not subject to the Spanish crown and set up a permanent colony. On August 28th, the Feast Day of St. Augustine, Menendez sailed through the inlet and named the area after the saint. Read more at Suite101: Planning A Trip To St. Augustine, Florida http://florida-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/planning-a-trip-to-st-augustine-florida#ixzz0vXoF1IBq Click to read the full story
2010-08-02	St. Augustine - The Fort, Castillo De San Marcos One of the things that St. Augustine is most know for is the Castillo De San Marcos . This is a sprawling 17th Century fort is the only remaining of its kind in the United States. While these types of historical places don't usually interest me, it really is quite an amazing place. Hand made out of coquina and more than 330 years old is like a castle, complete with a moat that can make any little kid dream of princesses, pirates and dragons. Click to read the full story
2010-07-26	Park Service Junior Rangers Defend the Fort in St. Augustine Got house guests? Bet you have a favorite place to share with out of town visitors. During my childhood days in Arlington, Virginia, we took friends and family to Mount Vernon. When I moved near Philadelphia, the choice became the Liberty Bell or the Franklin Institute. Now that I reside in Jacksonville, Florida, I venture to nearby St. Augustine and tour a National Park site-Castillo de San Marcos. St. Augustine, founded in 1565, holds the honor of being America’s oldest city and the fort (Castillo de San Marcos) remains the oldest fortification. Walls of coquina blocks (compressed shells) surround the bastion which has withstood numerous bombardments, sieges and hurricanes during its 335 year-old history. Each time I return, I learn something Click to read the full story
2010-07-26	A visitor's guide to the World Golf Hall of Fame, St. Augustine, FL Over the years golf has become one of the most popular sports. Many people regularly play the game themselves, as well as watch the professionals going about their business in the many tournaments that are held each season. Over the years there have been many golfers that have excelled in the game. If you want to find out about some of the stars that reached the very top of the game, a visit to the World Golf Hall of Fame is a way to do this. This museum celebrates the greats of the sport and whether you are golf fan or not it can be a great place to visit. Click to read the full story
2010-07-26	Tourism is up at the Beaches this summer (The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville) July 23--Karen Hernandez of Jacksonville goes to the beach at Mickler's Landing in Ponte Vedra Beach often during the summer. Lately, she's noticed it's been "really crowded," in part by out-of-staters. "They're from Oregon, Massachusetts, New York, South Carolina, Texas, everywhere," she said while relaxing on the beach with relatives from Kentucky. "Just everywhere." Hernandez's observations are backed up by area hotels and visitor and convention bureaus, who say tourism is up at the Beaches this year. Beaches hotels are averaging 82 percent occupancy on the weekends, compared with about 70 percent last year, said Visit Jacksonville spokeswoman Lyndsay Rossman. During the week, occupancies are ranging from 65 to 75 percent, compared with about 50 percent last summer. In St. Johns County, including Ponte Vedra Beach, tourism picked up beginning in April, with a 5 percent increase over the previous year, said Jay Humphreys, spokesman for the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau. The upward trend is continuing through the summer, he said. "We don't have all the numbers in, but we expect a good May, June and July as well. It's the first positive growth we've seen this year." Click to read the full story
2010-07-25	Hall Of Fame Ceremony Moved ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (AP) -- The induction ceremony for the World Golf Hall of Fame is moving to May, where it will kick off a busy week at The Players Championship. The ceremony at the World Golf Village, about 20 minutes from the TPC Sawgrass, will be May 9. Officials are hopeful that inducting a new class on the Monday of one of golf's biggest tournaments will increase attendance and attention. The ceremony was held in November. Read More http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tours-news/2010-07/golf-hall-of-fame-0722#ixzz0un4xqQUn Click to read the full story
2010-07-24	Tourism is up at the Beaches this summer Karen Hernandez of Jacksonville goes to the beach at Mickler's Landing in Ponte Vedra Beach often during the summer. Lately, she's noticed it's been "really crowded," in part by out-of-staters. "They're from Oregon, Massachusetts, New York, South Carolina, Texas, everywhere," she said while relaxing on the beach with relatives from Kentucky. "Just everywhere." Hernandez's observations are backed up by area hotels and visitor and convention bureaus, who say tourism is up at the Beaches this year. Click to read the full story
2010-07-22	Golf Hall of Fame ceremony moves to spring The induction ceremony for the World Golf Hall of Fame has been moved to a spring date. Previously held in the fall, it will take place on Monday, May 9, 2011, which is the same week as The Players Championship. Among the players on this year's ballot are Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Davis Love III, Kenny Perry, Fred Couples and Colin Montgomerie. Click to read the full story
2010-07-22	Hall of Fame induction will move to The Players week The World Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony is moving to the same week as The Players Championship. PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem announced today that the ceremony will take place on Monday, May 9, of next year at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine Fla. That will lead off The Players Championship week with the first round of the tournament beginning three days later at the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach just up the road from the World Golf Village. “Moving the ceremony to the spring will heighten the event’s exposure in a variety of ways and will add a new level of excitement to The Players for fans, media, sponsors and past and current players,” Finchem, a World Golf Hall of Fame board member, said in a statement. Click to read the full story
2010-07-22	World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Moves to Players Week Ceremony will kick off 2011 PLAYERS Championship St. Augustine, Fla. (July 22, 2010) – The 2011 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Monday, May 9, 2011, at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla. That Monday marks the first Click to read the full story
2010-07-19	A pirate's life for you: Finding the "arrrrgh" in the Sunshine State When it comes to pirate awareness, the timeline is clearly divided: "The explosion of popularity was exponential after that," says Donna Demko, handing out beads in her pirate garb on a sunny afternoon on Centre Street in Fernandina Beach. "And it was not just with the kids, it was with the adults, too." Demko was a pirate when pirates weren't so cool. She's a public relations officer for the Fernandina Beach Pirates Club, a public service and social club that has been around for 35 years. She will tell you that these are fine times for pirates, thanks to Johnny Depp. In Florida, however, the pirate connection isn't linked to a pop-culture fad. The state is steeped in buccaneer history that stretches from Key West to Tampa Bay, St. Augustine to Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, almost at the Georgia line. Click to read the full story
2010-07-18	Checking out Wine & Spirits of St. Augustine Day one in St. Augustine was all about relaxation, scenery and food, but on day two I had to get down to official business. In my case, that means hunting down the wine and spirits When talking about St. Augustine, I have to clarify “spirits.” Ghosts are said to be haunting this town and tracking down their history and whereabouts is a big attraction. In my case, however, I was interested in the spirits that fill my glass and those were even easier to find around here than the ghosts! Click to read the full story
2010-07-18	St Augustine, Vilano Beach: This skimboarding hot 3. St Augustine, Vilano Beach: This skimboarding hot spot is only a few minutes from the oldest known city in America, this spot is famous among skimboarders in Florida. This beach has got the typical Florida break combined with a very generous slope. The waves at this beach break right on the shore and are decent sized for most of the year. The biggest waves tend to be in the 4 foot range. There’s a jetty at the south end of the beach near the Vilano inlet and the waves peel best at this area. Try to stay away from the fishermen in this area. The best time to skimboard at this beach is definitely high tide. Click to read the full story
2010-07-18	Escape to the Old City As the temperature climbs, the mind drifts to thoughts of relaxing days spent by the ocean ' white sand between your toes, a soothing lullaby created by the gentle surf, and the tranquil azure-blue water that seems to stretch infinitely before you. The appeal of the ocean is universal and beach vacations have been a favorite of travelers for generations. As pristine beaches become harder to find, St. Augustine remains absolutely beloved by travelers for one very simple reason - here you feel a sense of renewal and peace that can't be found anywhere else. Click to read the full story
2010-07-17	Sailing away the stress in St. Augustine Life sometimes gets away from us as we struggle to keep up with work and family. Sometimes it takes a little nudge to remind us that we should stop and enjoy it a bit more. For my friend Lynn and me, it was more of a push than a nudge, but we found a place to help us remember how to enjoy life a little more – St. Augustine, Florida. I have never been to St. Augustine and I was immediately blown away by the quaint beauty. This is the oldest city in the country, dating back over 400 years. We have the privilege of staying at the St. Francis Inn, which is not only the oldest here, but it’s an incredible place. The room is a perfect mixture of antique (a roll-top desk adorns the living room) and new (the bathroom has a whirlpool). We were created with cookies and iced tea in the lobby, just one of the little extras here. Click to read the full story
2010-07-16	Museum on a mission A triple alignment of historic significance will take place in conjunction with the dedication of the Mission Nombre de Dios Museum on Sept. 4. "It doesn't matter what your religious affiliation is. Anyone who has lived in St. Augustine or visited the Oldest City should recognize the importance of this historic event when the casket of Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles makes a brief stop below the Great Cross and the statue of Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales on the way to its place in the new museum," said Eric Johnson, director of Mission Nombre de Dios. Click to read the full story
2010-07-16	Lighthouse museum opens new exhibit on shrimping Campers at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum are giving the newest exhibit multiple thumbs up, as in: "Wow!" "Wow!" "Wow! Wow!" The response was music to the ears of the Lighthouse staff, who have been putting together the permanent exhibit that highlights the shrimping and shrimp boat building industries of St. Augustine. "Wows are good. We like wows," said Kathleen McCormick, who was putting the finishing touches on the exhibit Thursday afternoon in preparation for a reception later that evening that included members of longtime shrimp industry families, including the Versaggis, Salvadors, Saris and Polis. Click to read the full story
2010-07-15	Kayak St. Augustine plans Salt Run excursion this weekend Kayak St Augustine will do a trip at Salt Run at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 17. The trip is designed for participants who require instruction. Those not wanting instruction can rent kayaks to go their own way or stay with the group. Click to read the full story
2010-07-15	Shipwrecks and Lost Treasures of the Seven Seas It sure didn’t look like the proverbial pot at the end of a rainbow as it emerged from an estimated 250-plus years of slumber 30 feet under the waves off St. Augustine. Encrustations of century’s-old mud marred the cauldron’s shape as it was hauled onto the dive boat Wednesday by the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program team. But there could be historical gold in the pot removed from a shipwreck within sight of the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Chuck Meide, Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program director, found what could be a spoon stuck inside. Click to read the full story
2010-07-14	St. Aug passenger rail station coming The push to bring passenger rail access from Jacksonville to Miami got a little further after the St. Augustine City Commission late last month selected the site for a proposed Amtrak station, according to the St. Augustine Record. The full story is available here. Using the former Florida East Coast Railway station between U.S. 1 and San Marco Avenue will help save on construction costs. The 351-mile railway line built by 19th-century tycoon Henry Flagler ended passenger service in the mid-1960s. For the project to go forward, Melbourne, Titusville, Daytona Beach, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, Cocoa and Stuart need to designate their passenger stations. Read more: St. Aug passenger rail station coming - Jacksonville Business Journal Click to read the full story
2010-07-12	Footsteps of the Greats Ever since Jerry Pate celebrated his 1982 Players Championship victory by throwing course architect Pete Dye and then-PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman into the water next to the 18th green at TPC Sawgrass, then diving in after them, TPC has been part of the golf lexicon. Since then, the PGA Tour has developed a network of golf courses around the country that has hosted numerous events on which the greats of the game have competed and won. Click to read the full story
2010-07-11	Pick your paradise among Atlantic beaches Whether your beach style is a brisk walk along the shore, the adrenaline rush of water sports, frolicking in the waves or just relaxing in a lounge chair, you can find your own place in the sun along the miles and miles of beaches along the Atlantic Ocean. St. Augustine Beach Named one of the nation's top historic destinations, this seacoast village boasts more than 85 historic sites and landmarks. Here, you won't see high-rise or glitzy hotels. Stay in one of Old Town's B&Bs, or in the name brand, affordable hotels on St. Augustine Beach. Click to read the full story
2010-07-11	Historic City Memories: The Datil There are national cuisines, regional cuisines, and finally local cuisines. We are all familiar with the national cuisines, represented by the ubiquitous Chinese restaurants all featuring menus inviting us to choose one item each from Columns A, B. and C; Mexican restaurants with combination dinners with variations on tacos, tamales, enchiladas, chiles rellenos, chimichangas, and nachos. The latter two items were invented in the United States. In many instances, there are myths surrounding the origins of popular “foreign” dishes which are infrequently found in the alleged country of origin. Click to read the full story
2010-07-09	Florida Panhandle's tourism loss is St. Augustine's gain The condominium vacation rental market in St. Augustine has been booming in recent weeks with families making last-minute bookings after cancelling plans for the Florida Panhandle and west coast over concerns with the Gulf Coast oil spill. Candy Rettich-Romang, a rental manager and Realtor at MAY Realty & Resort Rentals Inc. in St. Augustine Beach, estimates a 20 percent increase in bookings over the same period last summer. That increase would be even greater, she said, if she had more vacation rentals to offer. Click to read the full story
2010-07-09	OAR returns to St. Augustine OAR returns tο St. Augustine Rock Band OAR wіƖƖ return tο St. Augustine Ampitheatre Sept. 18 аftеr sold-out performances іח 2008 аחԁ 2009. Tickets ɡο οח sale July 23 аt 10 a.m. аחԁ wіƖƖ rυח .50 іח advance аחԁ tһе day οf tһе ѕһοw. Tickets аrе available аt www.ticketmaster.com , bу phone аt (800) 745-3000 οr tһе St. Augustine Ampitheatre Box Office. Click to read the full story
2010-07-09	St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park One of Florida's oldest visitor attractions, The St. Augustine Alligator Park is more than 100 years old and has awed over one million guests throughout the years. A magnificent display of fearsome alligators and crocodiles, as well as delightful exotic birds occupy the Zoological Park. Interpretive programs including feedings will please both young and old alike. A gift shop and eatery are provided on site for guest convenience. Click to read the full story
2010-07-06	Florida Shopping Guide: St. Augustine and Jacksonville Prime Outlets St. Augustine Recently renovated and expanded, Prime Outlets St. Augustine is the premier outlet shopping destination in northeast Florida. There are more than 75 top outlet stores offering savings of up to 65%. The luxury names include Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Juicy Couture and Cole Haan, as well as Gucci's only outlet store in the southeastern United States. Click to read the full story
2010-07-06	St Augustine Tourism Discover the oldest city in America by visiting St. Augustine, Florida. The small Southern town--home to about 15,000--welcomes visitors from all over the world with a charming touch. In addition to historical sites spread throughout the northeast Florida city, St. Augustine also boasts family activities, dozens of restaurants and plenty of outdoor attractions. Read more: St Augustine Tourism \| eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_6701405_st-augustine-tourism.html#ixzz0t080qRsC Click to read the full story
2010-07-05	Fireworks lovers dazzled Scores of people being pulled by dogs or eager children, carrying chairs like backpacks, walked under an orange sky toward the Bridge of Lions Sunday evening. Their destination: the Bridge of Lions, from which they were able to watch the Oldest City's Fourth of July fireworks for the first time in five years. "We figured this was the best spot," St. Augustine resident Diane Thayer said from the bridge. "This is much nicer, the new bridge. It's beautiful." The 83-year-old bridge reopened in March after a major rehabilitation. Click to read the full story
2010-07-05	World Golf Hall of Fame PSA: Gary Player Tһе World Golf Hall οf Fame һаѕ introduced eight חеw public service announcements, “Storytellers II,” featuring inspiring ѕtοrіеѕ frοm Hall οf Fame members. Iח tһіѕ edition, Gary Player talks аbουt wһаt іt takes tο bе inducted іחtο tһе World Golf Hall οf Fame. Click to read the full story
2010-07-03	Colonial-era shipwreck found Archaeologists from the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program have found a potential colonial shipwreck buried under the sand about a mile off the coast and north of the St. Augustine Beach pier. The scientists found a cauldron, thousands of lead shot, a glass base and a second cooking vessel about 400 meters from the site of where the ship the "Industry" sank in 1764. The newly discovered ship could be older than the "Industry," said Chuck Meide, director of the archaeological program. If that's so, the shipwreck would be the oldest known one off the waters of St. Johns County, Meide said. Click to read the full story
2010-07-03	Tourism, Transportation & Travel Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa has been named one of the Best Beach Resorts for Families by Parents.com, the website of Parents Magazine. Praised for its mini golf course designed by Arnold Palmer, kids-only swimming pools, shark tooth hunts and private beach, the Sawgrass Marriott joined an elite list of 20 family-friendly vacation spots, including resorts in Jamaica, Honolulu, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. To determine its winners, Parents.com researched the cost of a week’s vacation for a family of four at a number of mid-priced beach resorts. They took the properties on the most affordable half of the list, and compared such factors as ocean views, children’s programs, children’s menus, nonstop family activities, availability of lifeguards and comfy rooms. Click to read the full story
2010-07-03	The Florida Heritage Book Festival It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Florida Heritage Book Festival. The festival, now in its third year, is St. Johns County's first major literary festival. From an all-day writers workshop to the Literary Legends Banquet honoring Carl Hiaasen, as well as Saturday?s free authors, presentations and children's events, we think you will find something to your liking. Come join us in beautiful downtown St. Augustine for an opportunity to immerse yourself in all things Florida. I look forward to seeing you at the Festival on September 24-25, 2010. Click to read the full story
2010-07-02	4th of July Road Trip Ideas for Travel Nurses If you are a travel healthcare professional, chances are that you find yourself in a new city this 4th of July weekend. How will you celebrate Independence Day and remember America’s Birthday? Consider taking “The Great American Road Trip” to one of America’s most iconic destinations to experience living history, hometown America or learn more about why we celebrate this great holiday. And, of course, the fireworks! Even if you can’t visit these destinations on the 4th of July, add them to your list of cities you’d like to visit while on a travel assignment. Click to read the full story
2010-07-02	Civil Rights Act is rooted in city's history Today marks the 46th anniversary of the passage of the U.S. Civil Rights Act, more than an event celebrated from afar by many St. Johns County residents who were foot soldiers in the movement in the summer of 1964. On July 2, 1964, President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the bill into law. It was an historic moment for St. Augustine's African-Americans and their white supporters from around the United States. Civil rights leader and former UN ambassador Andrew Young says St. Augustine's experiences were pivotal its passage. This was the last staging ground for civil rights demonstrations before the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill that June. In the weeks leading up to that vote, St. Augustine was the scene of nightly demonstrations in the Plaza. On June 11, the Monson Restaurant was the only place in Florida where Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested (on trespassing charges) as he and his followers tried to enter the restaurant. Click to read the full story
2010-06-28	Saint Augustine Lighthouse Looking for a place with a view? Try climbing the Saint Augustine Lighthouse! Completed in 1874 of Alabama brick and Philadelphia iron, it is St. Augustine’s oldest surviving brick structure. In 1876 a light keeper’s house was added in which light keepers and their assistants lived and worked until 1955. This house, destroyed by fire in 1970, was restored by the Junior Service League of Saint Augustine and reopened in 1988 as a museum. The tower was also restored and opened to visitors in 1993. Click to read the full story
2010-06-25	Saint Augustine Lighthouse Looking for a place with a view? Try climbing the Saint Augustine Lighthouse! Completed in 1874 of Alabama brick and Philadelphia iron, it is St. Augustine’s oldest surviving brick structure. In 1876 a light keeper’s house was added in which light keepers and their assistants lived and worked until 1955. This house, destroyed by fire in 1970, was restored by the Junior Service League of Saint Augustine and reopened in 1988 as a museum. The tower was also restored and opened to visitors in 1993 Click to read the full story
2010-06-23	St. Augustine Minorcan Clam Chowder Long overdue post from April, since the oil spill and all, but we are still seeing clams in our NJ market as of this moment- the devastation in the Gulf however is horrible. When visiting St. Augustine, Florida a few months ago we enjoyed a good seafood meal at a small sea side shack. While looking at the menu I noticed this bottle of hot sauce sitting on the table. Are you a hot sauce head like me? Do you put it on most foods you eat? Click to read the full story
2010-06-23	Top 10 guy trips Bachelor parties, Father’s Day, or a big birthday celebration — there’s no shortage of reasons to get away with the guys. The next time you boys need some time off from the girls, skip the afternoon outing in favor of a full-blown guy trip. We’ve rounded up the 10 best activities and destinations where you can bond with your buds — whether watching baseball, drinking beer, or a getting a back rub — on a guys-only getaway. Click to read the full story
2010-06-22	The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club Celebrates its 80th Anniversary The AAA Five-Diamond Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Northeast Florida is commemorating its history with a year long 80th birthday celebration. In 1922, the National Lead Company, an organization dedicated to mining the mineral-rich beach area, built a nine-hole golf course, log clubhouse and polo field for its employees. Famed British architect, Click to read the full story
2010-06-22	First Coast Changes to 'Historic Coast' in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra LargerSmaller Photo by Mike Kaminski ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Strolling through St. Augustine, it's easy to tell there's history in the old city. For years, Northeast Florida has been called the First Coast. "One thing we noticed when we talked to visitors from other places was that they didn't exactly understand that," Richard Goldman said. He is the director of the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and the Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau. Click to read the full story
2010-06-22	Coalition favors existing site of former train station Kim DeLaney, who is Growth Management Coordinator for the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, told Historic City News reporters that the Amtrak-FEC Coalition has been working overtime to get the wrinkles worked out of their plan to restore passenger service on Florida East Coast Railway tracks that haven’t been used for that purpose in well over 40 years. In last week’s public workshop, DeLaney told participants that the former Driver’s License office, which was originally an FEC train station, has all the elements needed to become an Amtrak passenger rail station. The rail strikes which began in 1963 and dragged on for nine years put an end to passenger service for St. Augustine in 1968. Click to read the full story
2010-06-21	Around Florida in mid July: St. Augustine -- Wild Dreams, Discovering Henry Flagler presents a performance by Paul Jellinck at 7 p.m. on July 16-17. The program tells the story of Flagler's development of St. Augustine as a world-class resort, his work with John D. Rockefeller and expansion of his empire to the Keys. The event is at the San Marco Theater on San Marco Avenue, across from Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum. Tickets are $12 for adults; $6 for children. For details, visit www.getaway4florida.com or call 904-429-0280. Click to read the full story
2010-06-20	New Attractions in St. Augustine ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The nation’s oldest city is approaching her 450th birthday, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of new summertime adventures and fun awaiting visitors to St. Augustine, Florida. Located on the Sunshine State’s northeastern coast, the area features more than 40 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches – all of them nearly 1,000 miles from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Click to read the full story
2010-06-20	Summer In St. Augustine Looking for a change of pace or change of scenery this summer? Visit our neighbors to the north. St. Augustine Amphitheatre REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo – July 2nd, 7 pm Ringo Starr – July 17th, 7:30 pm Sublime with Rome – July 24th, 6:30 pm Koger-Gamache Studio Theatre Dixie Swim Club – August 1st, 7:30 www.limelight-theatre.org Anastasia State Park Low Tide Bike Ride – August 28th, 5 pm - Meet at Island Joe's pavilion located inside the park 15 minutes prior to the event. Bring at least one pint of water, bicycle, snack, binoculars, and sunscreen. This Ranger led event will start with a 3 mile low tide bike ride and bird watch. (904) 461-2033 Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine For over 25 years, Old Town Trolley has provided sightseeing tours highlighting the best of St. Augustine. Hop aboard a trolley to experience Transportainment, a combination of transportation and entertainment. Www.trolleytours.com/st-augustine Click to read the full story
2010-06-19	Romantic Getaway: St. Augustine ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA. -- Looking for a weekend getaway for just the two of you? Look no further than St. Augustine, Florida. St. Augustine’s rich history and beautiful architecture make a short weekend away feel like a trip back in time. If you want romantic lodging, 44 Spanish Street is a quaint bed and breakfast located in the historic downtown district of St. Augustine. The location is ideal for accessing all the major sites in the city. You can park your car and walk or ride one of the trolleys to many locations in the city. The inn itself is a 1920’s boarding house that has been converted to a delightful bed and breakfast. The low-key atmosphere feels like staying at your mom’s without the inevitable “when-do-I-get-grandkids” questions. The rooms are comfortable and clean, and some include a large jetted tub, which I recommend for any romantic getaway! There are two lovely verandahs where you can relax or people-watch, as well as a quaint, brick courtyard where you can eat or just unwind under a canopy of trees. The breakfast is phenomenal and includes items such as fresh fruit, fresh berry waffles, homemade breads and muffins, hash browns, sausage, veggie-egg-and-ham cups, coffee and juice. The service is personal, friendly and prompt, and makes you feel like royalty. The best part is 44 Spanish Street offers a 10% military discount, but if you mention this article you will get a 20% discount. Click to read the full story
2010-06-19	6 FREE Things to do in St. Augustine Known as The Ancient City, St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest city in the United States and has six free things to do help you have an affordable family vacation. Located between Northeastern and Central East Florida, the city enjoys a mild climate year round. Its architecture and landmarks speak of the early Spanish Empire of the New World, and its offerings to visitors – many of them free – will appeal to history buffs. However the city also boasts an abundance of outdoor activities, including boating, water sports, and golf. Click to read the full story
2010-06-17	San Marco Amtrak stop favored The best spot for an Amtrak station would be between San Marco and U.S. 1, just south of the Winn-Dixie, according to a study by the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. The big remaining question is whether the East Coast railway project can get federal funds to put Amtrak service from Jacksonville to Miami with St. Augustine as one of eight new stops. Click to read the full story
2010-06-17	America’s 20 most brutal public courses - MSNBC 10. Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Initially, Dye's Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass was considered "Mickey Mouse," a gimmicky golf course. Now it's a blueprint for target-style position golf that, to this day, cannot be overpowered. The 18th hole serves as the climax of a brutal finishing stretch. Oh, and there's the island green on No. 17 that turns even the pros' arms into spaghetti. Click to read the full story
2010-06-17	Today in Florida History June 17th Today in Florida history June 17th... 1942 Four German saboteurs from a U-boat landed today on Ponte Vedra Beach. Burying their weapons and explosives in the sand, the four men made their up the beach to Jacksonville, where they caught a bus into town. At the same time a second team of agents landed in New York. Their mission was to blow up power plants and do as much damage as possible to the civilian community. All were arrested within three days, following the defection of one of the members, Walter Dasch. Click to read the full story
2010-06-16	The oldest city in North America - a true historical gem Click to read the full story
2010-06-16	Top 18 Places to Take Dad TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium) The most famous par 3 in golf could be the setting for an epic contest between you and your father to see who is better at handling the pressure of hitting the island green, one of the most photographed attractions in Florida. Click to read the full story
2010-06-16	The St. Francis Inn B&B – St. Augustine, Florida This is where we stayed in St. Augustine, and I have to say that we really enjoyed our stay. We chose the St. Francis Inn mainly because of all the amenities, and the price seemed very reasonable. For two nights, we paid $268.00 and received a 10% AAA discount! The amenities included a gourmet breakfast, a social hour with beer, wine and appetizers, AND a homemade desert time from 7:30 to 9:00!! AND much, much Click to read the full story
2010-06-16	Southern Exposure opens Friday at the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach Southern Exposure and another exhibition of works by local and regional artists will open Friday at the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach. Southern Exposure in the main gallery will showcase pieces by painter Russ Wilson and sculptor Jerry Hallan. Wilson is known for his realistic interpretations of life in the South and Hallan's large-scale sculptural pieces are a fun representation of Florida wildlife. Also, the Art of Healing from Cancer, featuring works by collage artist Joyce Gabiou and sculptures by Catherine Morris, will be on display in the community gallery. Click to read the full story
2010-06-16	Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve Recreational activities at Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve (GTMNERR) - Guana River include hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking or canoeing, and bird watching. More than nine miles of nature trails and old service roads wind through the hammock, scrub and flatwoods; access to the trails is at the west end of the Guana River Dam. Click to read the full story
2010-06-15	Castillo de San Marcos – St. Augustine, FL The Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida is a destination worth visiting, ghosts or no ghosts. It is the icing on the cake for a visitor interested in the paranormal, that this ancient (for our country, at least) fort seems to house multiple hauntings. The first block was laid for this venerable old edifice in 1672 as protection against pirates and other sea-born threats to the Spanish colonial town of St. Augustine. It took 23 years for the fort to be completed, and in that time many of the workers employed in its construction perished from tropical heat and diseases, not to mention violence. It was during the Spanish rule that the Castillo obtained its first ghostly duo. Click to read the full story
2010-06-14	"Travel With Stephanie Abrams!" Radio Show are in Florida, 450 Years of Floridian History with the Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine, and Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau; Exploring St. Augustine with Old Town Trolley Tours; Staying in Style at the Casa Monica Hotel, St. Augustine, Florida; Romance and Spanish Influence at the Casa Monica Hotel, St. Augustine, Florida; Art Galleries at the Kessler Collection Hotels; Fine Dining at 95 Cordoba at the Casa Monica Hotel, St. Augustine, Florida; Travel Insurance for Hurricane Season from InsureMyTrip; Staying Safe in a Hurricane at the NOAA National Hurricane Center, Miami, Florida; Hurricane Predictions from the National Hurricane Center, Miami, Florida; How Travel Insurance From InsureMyTrip Can Protect Your Investment From Hurricanes. Click to read the full story
2010-06-14	Types of St. Augustine Accommodations The Sunshine State has a number of tourist attractions of which St. Augustine is a very well known one. Every year, thousands of people from across the United States come to this place to see the oldest port of continental United States along with many other tourist attractions. In such a condition, it is obvious that the city of Saint Augustine be equipped with the best facilities of boarding. You can easily find St. Augustine accommodations in all budget ranges and types. There are very cheap dormitory based accommodations and then there are five star hotels with their luxury suites. Of course, you can also find mid range hotel rooms which are the best choice for most people. Click to read the full story
2010-06-14	St. Augustine’s architecture, and lighthouse, by trolley! – St. Augustine, Florida We found the Old Town Trolley Tours in Savannah and Boston gave us a great overview of all the major sites and attractions and decided to use them again for our St. Augustine orientation. And again, they did the job superbly! This town has so much great architecture, I must have taken a hundred pictures. Unfortunately, because it was hard to be steady, most were left on the cutting room floor! So, you’ll have to take my word for it, along with these few examples, of what a marvelous place this is! Click to read the full story
2010-06-13	Florida Travel Calendar for June June 4-6: Dark of the Moon Sunset/Moonrise Tour, St. Augustine. Be a guest of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and enjoy viewing the sunset and moonrise from the most unique perspective in all of St. Augustine. Includes a champagne toast, provided by San Sebastian Winery, atop the tower and an informative overview of the history of the St. Augustine Light Station. 8:30-10 p.m. $25 for non members of St. Augustine Lighthouse Museum, $20 for members. 904-829-0745. www.staugustinelighthouse.com June 5: Anastasia State Park's Annual Beach Bash, St. Augustine. Family day of guided walks, a scavenger hunt and a sandcastle sculpture contest. Prizes, music and fun for all ages. Regular park admission; no fees for contests. 904-461-2033. http://www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia/Events.cfm Click to read the full story
2010-06-13	Things to Do in St. Augustine, Florida Things to Do in St. Augustine, Florida Overview The nation's oldest city, St. Augustine, Florida, is home to beautiful historic buildings and sites, still yet to show its true age. The city is still bursting with life and entertainment. With quaint restaurants and shops and historic opportunities all around the city, St. Augustine is one of the most interesting destinations in the United States. Click to read the full story
2010-06-13	Smithsonian, Lighthouse affiliation is the perfect match The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum is a newly accepted partner of the Smithsonian. That simple statement leads a news release about the Lighthouse's newest affiliation. Just saying Smithsonian and the Lighthouse Museum in the same sentence elevates our landmark attraction to almost rare air. For sure, it allows the Lighthouse access to Smithsonian museum artifacts and exhibit pieces that very few would see unless they traveled to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Click to read the full story
2010-06-07	Northeast Florida Some of the oldest settlements in the state—indeed in all of the United States—are in northeastern Florida, although the region didn't get much attention until the Union army came through during the Civil War. The soldiers' rapturous accounts of the mild climate, pristine beaches, and lush vegetation captured the imagination of folks up North. First came the speculators and the curiosity seekers. Then the advent of the railroads brought more permanent settlers and the first wave of winter vacationers. Finally, the automobile transported the full rush of snowbirds, seasonal residents escaping from harsh Northern winters. Click to read the full story
2010-06-07	Ponce de Leon treasures unveiled Archaeologist Raphael A. Cosme told Historic City News local reporters that he is proud to announce a new exhibit has opened featuring his private collection of Spanish colonial artifacts at the St Augustine History Museum. The exhibit entitled “Treasures of Juan Ponce de Leon and Domestic Life in Spanish Colonial St. Augustine” held its ribbon cutting ceremony before a crowd of spectators, including Cosme and his family, last Wednesday, June 2nd. Ed Swift IV, Director of Operations of Old Town Trolley Tours, presented Cosme with an award of recognition for his dedication to archaeology, for the discovery of Juan Ponce de Leon artifacts and for promoting and preserving Hispanic colonial folklore Click to read the full story
2010-06-07	TPC Sawgrass - THE PLAYERS Stadium Course - 10 Best Trusted Advice for Travelers Most visitors walk off this course talking about one thing - how they played #17, a 132-yard par-3 with an island green that is extremely difficult to hit. Arguably the most photographed hole in golf, the 17th is just one of the challenges on this championship caliber course. With mounds, deep pot bunkers and water on just about every hole, Sawgrass can strike fear in the heart of even the best golfers in the world. Be prepared for a test when you come here. Click to read the full story
2010-06-06	Escape to the Old City Escape to the Old City As the temperature climbs, the mind drifts to thoughts of relaxing days spent by the ocean ' white sand between your toes, a soothing lullaby created by the gentle surf, and the tranquil azure-blue water that seems to stretch infinitely before you. The appeal of the ocean is universal and beach vacations have been a favorite of travelers for generations. As pristine beaches become harder to find, St. Augustine remains absolutely beloved by travelers for one very simple reason - here you feel a sense of renewal and peace that can't be found anywhere else. St. Augustine was discovered in 1513 when Juan Ponce de Leon, sailing along the Atlantic coast in search of the fabled fountain of youth, came ashore somewhere in the vicinity and claimed the continent for Spain. Nicknamed 'The Old City,' it is the oldest continually inhabited settlement in America ' that's right, it was settled before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock ' and remains one of the most charming and quaint beach towns in America. In addition to its historical ties to the Spanish Empire, the town also boasts many remnants from the Flagler Era, when Henry Flagler's vision of a luxury resort community added marinas, golf courses, and luxury hotels to the landscape in the late 19th century. Click to read the full story
2010-06-04	New Attractions in St. Augustine – USA’s Oldest City ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The USA’s oldest city is approaching her 450th birthday, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of new summertime adventures and fun awaiting visitors to St. Augustine, Florida. Located on the Sunshine State’s northeastern coast, the area features more than 40 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches – all of them nearly 1,000 miles from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Plus, visitors can enjoy some of the nation’s most luxurious seaside resorts and world-renowned golf courses in nearby Ponte Vedra, experience the sunlit Old World charm of St. Augustine, dine at some of the Florida’s finest restaurants and indulge themselves in unique shopping experiences. Click to read the full story
2010-06-02	TPC SAWGRASS ● OCTOBER 18-24, 2010 Winn-Dixie is proud to partner with the PGA TOUR to bring the Nationwide Tour to the Jacksonville area this Fall with the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open presented by Planters! This is your chance to see golf’s future stars as they take to the famed TPC Sawgrass — home of THE PLAYERS Championship. By purchasing tickets to the first annual Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open presented by Planters, you will also be supporting charities right here in the First Coast region. Thanks to the PepsiCo TICKETS Fore CHARITY™ program, 100% of the purchase price of your ticket goes directly to the local participating charity of your choice. Best of all, the proceeds are distributed to the participating non-profit organizations each month, making the PepsiCo TICKETS Fore CHARITY program a year-round fundraising opportunity! Click to read the full story
2010-06-01	Beach Resorts in Florida The sunny beaches and succulent seafood of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and Vilano Beach are certainly popular draws for visitors to Florida. If one had to pick another reason to spend a lengthy vacation along this stretch of Atlantic shore, the prospect of a great golf game might just be the ticket. It's no secret that professionals and casual golfers enjoy the lush greens of Northern Florida golf courses, and if you're the type to plan your trip around eighteen holes St. Augustine is the place for you. Click to read the full story
2010-06-01	Families from St. Augustine Hotels Get Ready for Anastasia Beach Bash Summer is here, and that means guests of St. Augustine hotels and nearby Florida golf resorts will be enjoying the Anastasia State Park’s 17th Annual Beach Bash. Plus, visitors from St. Augustine hotels can find plenty of other ways to enjoy this beautiful Florida state park, as well. This year, guests of Florida golf resorts can attend the Beach Bash on Saturday, June 5, 2010. Click to read the full story
2010-05-31	World Golf Hall of Fame Military Appreciation This summer, the World Golf Hall of Fame will say “thanks” to men and women who serve and protect our country. Currently serving and retired members of the military, as well as reserve forces, can enjoy complimentary admission from Memorial Day weekend, Sat., May 29th through Independence Day weekend, Mon., July 5th. The offer allows free entrance into the World Golf Hall of Fame and one round on the Hall’s 18-hole, natural-grass putting course. A government-issued military photo identification will be required upon entry to receive the offer. Click to read the full story
2010-05-31	Hit the Greens with Dad at World Golf Village Forget about giving Dad another tie. And, who wants some boring cuff links? Make this Father’s Day truly special, an experience he will remember for the rest of his life. Grab your pops, your favorite clubs, some tees, and a sleeve of balls and head to our Florida golf resort Grande Villas at World Golf Village. St. Augustine, home to the World Golf Hall of Fame, provides the perfect backdrop for the best golf vacation Dad could ever ask for! Click to read the full story
2010-05-31	Florida events through June 12 June 10: Summer Concert in the Plaza, St. Augustine. Held 7-9 p.m. at Cathedral Place in the Old City's Plaza de la Constitucion. Free. 904-825-1004, www.plazaconcerts.com . Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/30/1651478/florida-events.html#ixzz0pbXOiHYC Click to read the full story
2010-05-31	Enjoy a Golf Vacation in St Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach The sunny beaches and succulent seafood of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and Vilano Beach are certainly popular draws for visitors to Florida. If one had to pick another reason to spend a lengthy vacation along this stretch of Atlantic shore, the prospect of a great golf game might just be the ticket. It's no secret that professionals and casual golfers enjoy the lush greens of Northern Florida golf courses, and if you're the type to plan your trip around eighteen holes St. Augustine is the place for you. Click to read the full story
2010-05-28	Sawgrass family fun package starts at $159 per night The 4,800-acre Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florda was recently lauded with a number of accolades. The most recent was being named one of the Best Beach Resorts for Families by Parents.com, the website of Parents Magazine. Praised for its mini golf course designed by Arnold Palmer, kids-only swimming pools, shark tooth hunts and private beach, the Sawgrass Marriott joined an elite list of 20 family-friendly vacation spots. Click to read the full story
2010-05-22	Gulf oil will come to First Coast in small drabs, tourist officials cautiously relieved As oil continues to spew from a blown well on the Gulf of Mexico floor, a Jacksonville marine biologist said some of the crude will reach Northeast Florida beaches, but more as a "nuisance" than a massive slick. Meanwhile, the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau is bracing for any fears of oil-slicked beaches here and is launching an information battle to keep tourists coming to the First Coast. Click to read the full story
2010-05-22	SAN AGUSTÍN: Ciudad de Amor y Romance Si usted sueña con el amor, y ¿quién no?… le cuento de un lugar donde enamorarse todos los días y pasar una placentera estancia con un toque tradicional y muy romántico. Si desea desconectarse y sumergirse en un sitio donde no hay tumultos de gente, o largas líneas de espera, entonces le recomiendo la “Ciudad del Romance” como le llaman sus habitantes a su pintoresco San Agustín. Esta histórica ciudad de rico origen español, instiga el deseo de olvidar el presente y disfrutar apasionados amores; a la vez tiene la peculiaridad de poder revivir aquellas relaciones que necesitan de vez en cuando echar un poco de leña al fuego. Poco a poco irá recobrando los sentidos, dejándose deleitar por la nostalgia y los recuerdos de una era, donde la vida era mucho más simple, pero guardaba un gran misterio espiritual y un deseo de vivir sana y plenamente Click to read the full story
2010-05-21	Northeast Florida’s Top Three Seaside Charms Northeast Florida’s Top Three Seaside Charms May 21st, 2010 by Diane Watkins. By Mark Whichard and Susan Whichard Florida is a place where bountiful of beautiful scenery can be found. Along the northeastern part of Florida, there are three places which you can see heaven meets the earth in the horizon with a beautiful sunshine and ever glowing sunset. Whether you are swimming, building sand castles or sailing, you will find these places conducive to romantic dating, family vacation or business-related transactions. The three seaside charms you will be able to experience in Northeast Florida are the following: St. Augustine. It is the country’s oldest city ever preserved. It has been founded five centuries ago and is still one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the U.S. Depending on your budget, you can choose whatever you want to do in St. Augustine; you can roam around the city and enjoy some major attractions, you can do shopping or you can enjoy taking a bite in one of the most renowned restaurants. Native wildlife abounds the and you can watch and observe them closely. Click to read the full story
2010-05-19	Memorial Day’s Weekend Events May 29 you can take a self-guided sensory walk and scavenger hunt at Fort Mose Historical State Park during the day, or hop on the Old Town Trolley for an 11 a.m-1 p.m stop.. Other historic stops on their Oldest Ports Tour are Castilla de San Marcos, Fountain of Youth and St Augustine Lighthouse and Museum. Call 904-829-3800 for price. Weather permitting, the St. Augustine Spanish Garrison will be at Fort Mose from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Contact terri.newman@dep.state.fl.us Fort Mose open 9 a.m-5 p.m. $4 per car up to 8 people; $2 if trolley passenger. Saratoga Blvd. 904-461-2033. http://www.floridastateparks.org Click to read the full story
2010-05-19	Growing the Tourism Economy of America's First Coast PGAV Destinations completes Master Plan for St. Johns County, Florida, including Historic St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach St. Louis, MO (Vocus) May 18, 2010 -- PGAV Destinations, a global leader in the planning and design of unique destinations, is pleased to announce the completion of their Destination Master Plan for St. Johns County, Florida. This study was performed in partnership with Magellan Strategy Group of Asheville, North Carolina. The region will soon celebrate the 500th anniversary of Ponce de Leon’s exploration in 1513, as well as the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine in 1565, making it America’s oldest continuously occupied city. The region also boasts the Ponte Vedra Beach area, home to THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass and the PGA TOUR Headquarters. Click to read the full story
2010-05-19	A full slate of activities set for this weekend in St. Augustine Historical re-enactments to beach and nature outings, there is plenty to do this weekend in St. Augustine. Here’s the list: ST. AUGUSTINE GARRISON AT FORT MOSE Experience living history demonstrations conducted by authentic colonial Spanish re-enactors. The demonstrations begin at 11 a.m. at Fort Mose located at 15 Fort Mose Trail in St. Augustine. Admission is $4 per vehicle or $2 for pedestrians or bicyclists. For more information, call 904.823.2232 or visit www.floridastateparks.com/fortmose LOW TIDE BIKE RIDE AT ANASTASIA STATE PARK A bike tour led by a park ranger begins at 11:30 a.m. at Island Joe’s pavilion located inside the park. This 3 ½ mile low tide bike ride and bird watch includes an ecology talk at the point of Conch Island. Riders should be prepared for weather conditions on the beach. Bring your own bike or rentals will be available from Island Joes.Admission to the park is $8 per vehicle, up to 8 people, $4 for single occupant admission, and $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists. Anastasia State Park is located on A1A on Anastasia Island in St. Augustine. For more information, call 904.461.2035. Click to read the full story
2010-05-18	The Best Weekend Getaways in Florida Sometimes a brief change of scenery is all it takes to revitalize the spirit and make the work-a-day world seem far away. Getaways can provide this diversion, and weekend visitors have many choices when taking advantage of Florida's hospitality. St. Augustine This historic city on Florida's First Coast provides ample attractions to keep the weekender busy. Those who are new to the excitement of St. Augustine might consider taking an Old Town trolley tour first, to sample the flavor of the area. A don't-miss experience in St. Augustine is the Castillo de San Marcos. Click to read the full story
2010-05-18	Things to Do in St. Augustine Make sure to add these things to your St. Augustine things to do list when you visit this quaint city in Florida. There are numerous things that you can do in this interesting city. St. Augustine is the oldest European-established city in North America and the evidences is found on the different architectural structures of the buildings. Here are a few things that you can do while vacationing in the city. Click to read the full story
2010-05-18	St. Augustine rich in history for students ST. AUGUSTINE The fourth- and fifth-grade classes from St. John Greek Orthodox Day School recently spent the day in St. Augustine. The adventure began at the Castillo de San Marcos, the Spanish-built fort that was completed in 1695 Click to read the full story
2010-05-18	The Spanish Bakery of St. Augustine – Review Note: menu offerings and prices may vary. Fresh baked bread in loaves or rounds and homemade empenadas baked in a stone hearth oven, spicy sausage wrapped in a flaky crust… need I say more? The Spanish Bakery has been in business for more nearly 30 years, according to the little chalkboard that hangs from the stone building known as the Salcedo Kitchen. I think I’ve been coming here for at least 10 of those years, and I’ve never been disappointed, except when they run out of bread around 2 pm or when it rains, because they only have 2 picnic tables under cover. Of course, you can sit at one of the picnic tables under a tree and stay relatively dry if it’s not a downpour. Click to read the full story
2010-05-18	Another World Golf Village Visit You may recall that last year I wrote about my first visit to the World Golf Village and the Hall of Fame. With a few hours to spend after this year's Players, I made the short drive down to St. Augustine to pay another visit and as impressed as I was last year, I have no problem stating that my latest visit only confirmed what a special place this is. Click to read the full story
2010-05-16	Florida Has Three Romanitc Destiantions Acommodations to Cater to Your Needs If you want to experience exquisite dining and see spectacular views, Florida is the best place you can go. Moreover, if you are looking for a romantic place, Florida is also a perfect choice as you will be able to stay in the most romantic place on earth. Bayfront Westcott House Click to read the full story
2010-05-16	19th Hole: Golf Hall of Fame Worth the Journey After a slow start, the World Golf Hall of Fame, near St. Augustine, Fla., has come on strong as one of the nation’s premier sports attractions. Several essential factors led to success, including a convenient location just off I-95, interesting and educational displays and a variety of interactive activities. And then along came movie star Bob Hope. The late comedian’s family created a 3,000-square-foot exhibit called Shanks for the Memories that includes more than 400 artifacts, 300 vintage images and two hours of video that depict Hope’s career and his passion for golf. Click to read the full story
2010-05-12	Save on St. Augustine golf vacation Atlanta Travel 12:05 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, 2010 Text size: Decrease Increase Save on St. Augustine golf vacationShareThisPrint E-mail .By Clara Bosonetto Maerz For ajc.com If you’re looking for a great value, and enjoy playing golf, check out the “Stay and Play Golf Package” offered at the newly-renovated Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village in Northeast Florida. The St. Augustine, Florida resort recently completed a comprehensive $10 million property-wide renovation, and is located right next to the impressive World Golf Hall of Fame, the ultimate destination for the celebration of golf’s greatest players, with fun interactive exhibits and historic golf artifacts. Click to read the full story
2010-05-10	Try Savory Faire for your next walking tour Historic City News reporters have learned about a new local entertainment option promoted as St. Augustine’s only culinary tour – “Savory Faire”; a food tour with taste. Alice Sutherland, owner of City Walks, a local walking tour operator, told Historic City News that she added her new food tour on May 3rd, and holds the tour every Wednesday and Friday at 2:00 p.m. Click to read the full story
2010-05-09	Visiting Florida Lighthouses If you are a fan of lighthouses, Florida is a great travel destination. With 1800 miles of coastline, Florida boasts twenty-nine lighthouses of many shapes and sizes. Although not all are open to public tours, fourteen of them are, and another six have grounds that can be toured. Click to read the full story
2010-05-08	Strolling through St Augustine Time seems to have come to a stop in St Augustine, North America’s oldest city. St Augustine is probably one of the last cities to defy the onslaught of modernisation and where — if you take heart the cliché — time stands still. The oldest city in North America, St Augustine is merely a two-hour drive northeast of Walt Disney World, Orlando, but the two are literally centuries apart. Discovered by Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon in 1513, St Augustine is the oldest European settlement in North America. The old-town charm lies in its cobblestone walkways, hand-painted signage, Spanish renaissance architecture and the clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages. Click to read the full story
2010-05-07	Did the 17th Hole at TPC Sawgrass Get Too Easy All of the Sudden? Not a Chance. The 17th hole at the TPC Sawgrass is on the short list of the most famous holes in all of golf. For the players, it's really nothing more than a short iron or a wedge to a green with some very accessible pin placements. With weather in Florida not exactly cooperating this spring, the most difficult pin placements may not be used this week at The Players Championship, making 17 that much easier for those in the tournament. But the water…ooh the water. The island green isn't small, per se, but the fact that it's almost entirely ensconced by water makes it seem so much smaller. A YouTube search of the 17th at Sawgrass has hundreds of weekend hackers trying to hit a tee shot onto the green, some with rather hilarious results. But the pros…well, these guys are good, right? Click to read the full story
2010-05-07	Visiting St. Augustine Florida Driving up along the coast on A1A, the St. Augustine Lighthouse is immediately in view once you approach the city. It was built in 1824 on the site of an earlier Spanish tower. Within the city, you'll find many shops, hotels and restaurants inside the many historical buildings. Click to read the full story
2010-05-07	2010 TPC: Island Green at 17 Makes Sawgrass' Signature Special Every golf course has something going for it. At The Pheonix Open, it's the rowdy and rocky 16th; Augusta National's treacherous 12th comes complete with shady shadows, cobble bridge and golden bell flowers at the Masters; even old St Andrews boast a big old building; and Pebble Beach really has too many too beauties to chose just one. At Sawgrass, however, it's the Island Green at hole 17. Click to read the full story
2010-05-04	Nautical fest and boat show headed to St. Augustine The Marine Industries Association of Northeast Florida (MIANEF) is the host of the St. Augustine Nautical Festival and Boat Show, set to cast off May 29 and 30 in St. Augustine. Sponsored by The St. Augustine Port, Waterways & Beach District and St. Augustine Marine, is the third such show held in the Oldest City. The two-day St. Augustine Nautical Festival and Boat Show will showcase a wide array of boats on trailers, as well as electronics, maintenance supplies, law enforcement displays and demonstrations, apparel, music, food, beverages and more. Plus, anyone with a trailerable boat for sale can display it at the festival for only $60. Click to read the full story
2010-05-04	Nautical Festival and Boat Show Marine Industries Association of Northeast Florida told local reporters at Historic City News that both new and used boats, vintage boats and all things nautical will be featured May 29th through 30th when they present the St. Augustine Nautical Festival and Boat Show. Sponsored by The St. Augustine Port, Waterways & Beach District and St. Augustine Marine, the festival follows in the wake of three very successful past boat shows held in the historic old city. Click to read the full story
2010-05-04	FEC Amtrak passenger rail workshop Tuesday night Next Tuesday night, Historic City News reporters will be on hand and our readers are invited to participate in a joint public information workshop regarding the FEC Amtrak Passenger Rail project. The plans propose restoration of passenger service, to be provided by Amtrak, over the Florida East Coast rail corridor from Jacksonville to West Palm Beach, with service continuing south to Miami on the CSX rail corridor. Click to read the full story
2010-05-04	On the bag: Now playing, Return to PGA Tour's island Calling upon divine intervention doesn't hurt. That's what some players in this week's Players Championship say about the penultimate hole on the Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. At just 132 yards, the par-3 nevertheless strikes fear into the hearts of the world's best players. More accurately, it's the water that surrounds the 4,000-square-foot green that sends a chill up the players' spines. With only a sliver of walkway connecting the hole to dry land, the 17th is one of the most recognizable — and cursed — holes in the game. Click to read the full story
2010-05-04	TPC Sawgrass Preview: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Pete Dye's Gem This weekend the PGA Tour makes its annual stop in Ponte Vedra, Florida for The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. The players love this tournament, and, outside of the four majors, consider this the most sought-after prize on the PGA tour. Even though it is a popular tournament amongst the players, it is not the fifth major. Sounds like one of my daughters trick word problems from her math class: Click to read the full story
2010-05-04	Nationwide Tour offers exemption to 2010 Junior Players Champion The 2010 Junior Players Champion will receive an exemption into the inaugural Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open Presented by Planters, the American Junior Golf Association announced Thursday. A Nationwide Tour event, the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open Presented by Planters will be played on the Dye's Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass, Oct. 18-24. Click to read the full story
2010-05-04	The Players Championship starting times set The starting times and groups for the first two rounds of The Players Championship have been released, and fans of No. 1-ranked Tiger Woods and Nos. 2-ranked Phil Mickelson will be rooting at opposite ends of the day. Mickelson will play with Ernie Els and Dustin Johnson, teeing off at the 10th hole of the TPC Sawgrass Players Stadium Course at 8:18 a.m. Thursday and 1:28 p.m. Friday. Woods, who will play with Ian Poulter and Hunter Mahan, will start Thursday on the first tee at 1:28 p.m. and Friday on the 10th tee at 8:18 a.m. Click to read the full story
2010-05-03	Scientist Said he has Proof USA's Oldest Street is in St. Augustine ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Aviles Street is a narrow, brick road in downtown St. Augustine that is chock-full of history. Now, an archaeological dig appears to prove what many people in St. Augustine already claimed - that Aviles is the oldest street in the United States. "We know this road dates back to the early 1600's based on the pottery we've recovered," Carl Halbirt, archaeologist for the city of St. Augustine, said. Halbirt and his team have found pottery shards several feet under the current bricks of Aviles, in older layers of Aviles Street. However, Philadelphia claims its road, Elfreth's Alley, is the oldest residential street in America dating back to 1720. Click to read the full story
2010-05-03	Stay and Play Golf Package offers deal in St. Augustine St. Augustine, of course, is home to the World Golf Hall of Fame, but you don’t have to be a Hall-of-Famer to get into that attraction and get on the links as part of a summer deal from the Renaissance Resort and World Golf Village. The resort’s “Stay and Play Golf Package” includes: deluxe accommodations in a newly-remodeled room for one night; one round of golf on the resort’s popular Slammer & Squire championship course or renowned King & Bear championship course, per golfer; breakfast daily; and range balls. In addition, the package includes a World Golf Hall of Fame ticket for each golfer. Click to read the full story
2010-05-03	Florida Has Three Romantic Destinations and Accommodations to Cater to Your Needs If you want to experience exquisite dining and see spectacular views, Florida is the best place you can go. Moreover, if you are looking for a romantic place, Florida is also a perfect choice as you will be able to stay in the most romantic place on earth. Bayfront Westcott House Built in 1880, the Bayfront Westcott House is one of Florida’s bed and breakfast in the historic place of St. Augustine to offer elegant services and perfect accommodations in it unique Victorian Age style and design. Located directly along the magnificently sculptured Matanzas Bay, Bayfront Westcott House is just a place where you can spend quality time in solitude and serenity after a whole day’s enjoyment. Click to read the full story
2010-04-29	Amtrak train stopping in St. Johns St. Augustine hasn't had an operating railroad depot since 1959, but on Saturday, passengers from a dozen coastal Florida counties will disembark in St. Johns County from a special Amtrak passenger train running from Miami to Jacksonville. City Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline, who has been working to bring this about, said, "This is exciting news for St. Augustine and our big chance to show our commitment to the dream of bringing the Amtrak passenger train back." Click to read the full story
2010-04-28	Stay and Play Golf Package offers deal in St. Augustine St. Augustine, of course, is home to the World Golf Hall of Fame, but you don’t have to be a Hall-of-Famer to get into that attraction and get on the links as part of a summer deal from the Renaissance Resort and World Golf Village. The resort’s “Stay and Play Golf Package” includes: deluxe accommodations in a newly-remodeled room for one night; one round of golf on the resort’s popular Slammer & Squire championship course or renowned King & Bear championship course, per golfer; breakfast daily; and range balls. In addition, the package includes a World Golf Hall of Fame ticket for each golfer. Click to read the full story
2010-04-28	Northeast Florida Regional Airport at St. Augustine Edward R. Wuellner, Executive Director of the St. Augustine-St. Johns County Airport Authority updated local news reporters with Historic City News on plans to develop the airport as the economic gateway to Northeast Florida. The first public step in this carefully crafted business plan is renaming the St. Augustine Airport the Northeast Florida Regional Airport at St. Augustine. Click to read the full story
2010-04-11	St Augustine, Florida – Where History Meets Attractions St. Augustine, Florida is America’s oldest city. It is also one of the nation’s most charming cities, for a variety of reasons. Its cobblestone streets. The history that peeks out from every turn and corner. The quaint inns and bed and breakfasts that rest under ancient oak trees. Click to read the full story
2010-04-10	Perfect Family Getaway at St. Augustine! A great family vacation needs planning and careful considerations. We want it to be enjoyable for every member of the family as well as educational. With that in mind, A Florida summer getaway would a perfect one for it has everything, from beaches, inns, golf clubs, historical places and many recreational activities that whole family can enjoy! I am talking about the place in Florida and that is at St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches. Here, brick streets lead to historic churches, living history museums, antiques stores, charming restaurants and B&Bs, and shops. A centuries-old fort stands guard, horse-drawn carriages clip-clop through the historic district, and ghost tours show you the area’s secrets. Click to read the full story
2010-04-10	A Walk Through St. Augustine – The Oldest Continuously Inhabited City in the United States (Susanne Pacher) On our way home from Orlando, a little more than an hour into our 20+ hour road trip back to Toronto, we stopped in St. Augustine, “the nation’s oldest city”, just north of Jacksonville – indeed the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States, having been founded by the Spanish in 1565. St. Augustin’s founder, Don Pedro Menendez, came ashore on September 8, 1565, and chose to name the settlement after the patron saint whose feast day coincided with the day of landing. Of course, before the Spanish ever set foot on Florida soil, the Timacuan Indians had already been here and they watched Menendez and the roughly 1500 colonists and soldiers settle here. Over the last few centuries the city experienced governments from different countries, including Spain, Britain, and since 1821, the United States. Click to read the full story
2010-04-10	Fun Things to Do in St. Augustine, Florida St. Augustine, Florida, is the oldest permanent settlement in the continental United States. Spanish Admiral Pedro Menendez de Aviles founded it in 1565. Other settlements before this time failed. The historic significance makes it a must-see place in the United States because of the historical landmarks in the city. Outdoor lovers find numerous fun things to do in St. Augustine, such as touring natural habitats in the area. Click to read the full story
2010-04-08	Head to St. Augustine for your next vacation The quaint beach community of St Augustine is located just 163 miles (two and a half hours) southeast of Valdosta. It lies just south of Jacksonville so if you feel the urge to shop you won’t have to go out of your way. St Augustine is littered with history. You can spend hours walking through St. Augustine’s brick streets marveling at the original architecture of the city. Once the sun crawls over the horizon, there is even an old ghost tour through St. Augustine’s creepiest venues. Click to read the full story
2010-04-08	International travel TV show features St. Augustine Bora Bora. Antigua. Tahiti. And now St. Augustine. 'The Travel Guy' television show, which tours the world, has landed on the First Coast. Frank Greco, also known as the' Travel Guy,' has chosen to showcase St. Augustine and its different places and people for an entire episode. Greco explained why he chose to feature St. Augustine. "It was the Fountain of Youth. I kid you not! Because if I could get a few years off my age and trim down a bit, I would love it!" Click to read the full story
2010-04-07	Ripley's Sightseeing Trains St. Augustine's original "red" train, Ripley's Sightseeing Trains is a great way to see the city and learn about its history. The narrated tours embrace the ancient city's history and riders may get off at any of more than 20 convenient stops along the route to explore St. Augustine at their leisure. Numerous discounted ticket packages are available that offer admission to some of St. Augustine's most popular attractions, and ticket-holders may park for free and ride the "Red Trains" for up to three consecutive days during their visit. Click to read the full story
2010-04-07	Ponte Vedra revs up to prepare for annual Nocatee car show About 150 classic, custom and antique automobiles are expected to compete for trophies Sunday when the Ponte Vedra Beach Chamber of Commerce hosts its eighth annual Ponte Vedra Car Show. The event will be at the Nocatee Community Park from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. A new feature this year will be a silent auction featuring vacations, furniture, artwork and more. Click to read the full story
2010-04-04	Edmonton man saluted for work in civil rights era EDMONTON — It’s 1964 and it’s dark and you’re marching for civil rights in St. Augustine, Florida. As you round a corner, you can see the shadows of Klansmen with chains and tire irons. But you can’t turn back. You’re Fred Martin, 22 and a math whiz fresh from the University of Alberta with a scholarship to do his PhD. And you’re marching because you chose to march. For five years beginning in that turbulent decade, Martin criss-crossed the American south. He gave up a career in mathematics for voter drives, FBI files, tear gas and deadly threats. Last month, the Edmonton resident returned to St. Augustine. There, the town that once greeted him as an agitator praised the work he had done. Click to read the full story
2010-04-04	seminolewar Upcoming event in St. Augustine The Second Seminole War A 175th Anniversary Event Welcome Friends! The 175th anniversary of the 2nd Seminole War (1835-1842) begins this April in historic St. Augustine Fl. The 7th USI Living History Association, along with The Fountain of Youth Park are pleased to present an outstanding living history event. Your participation is greatly needed and appreciated. Click to read the full story
2010-04-03	Florida Attractions and Events Florida may be best known for sandy beaches, fishing, and amusement parks like Walt Disney World, but there are many other attractions waiting for you. Sample history in Saint Augustine and art in Sarasota. Visit Kennedy Space Center where the U.S. manned flights to outer space began in 1962. You will still have time for a leisurely stroll on one of the many beaches and a boat tour of one of Florida's clear natural springs. Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Saint Augustine Click to read the full story
2010-04-01	Chinese golf team trains at TPC Sawgrass to prepare for Asiad As part of the PGA TOUR's ongoing relationship with the China Golf Association (CGA), the Chinese Men's National Golf Team has arrived for nearly three weeks of training at TPC Sawgrass in preparation for the 16th Asian Games in November in Guangzhou, China. Seven players, accompanied by two coaches, one interpreter, one trainer and one official from the CGA, arrived on March 25 and began their training regimen at the TOUR Academy at TPC Sawgrass the following day. They are undergoing an evaluation in all phases of the game and in addition to extensive training, they will compete in matches against the University of North Florida, Jacksonville University and Flagler College men's golf teams, plus a group of area high school standouts. For these matches, they will be joined by several other Chinese players who currently are attending school in the U.S. Click to read the full story
2010-03-31	Chinese NAtional Team trains at TPC Sawgrass Chinese National Team trains at TPC Sawgrass, will play local collegesPGA TourEspecially I would like to thank the staff from the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties, the TPC Sawgrass and The TOUR Academy for all the special … Click to read the full story
2010-03-31	TPC Sawgrass Located in beautiful Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, TPC Sawgrass is home to the PGA TOUR’s “5th Major”: THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP. A visit here gives golfers the opportunity to try their hand at the island-green 17th, one of golf’s most recognizable holes. Golfers from Jack Nicklaus to Tiger Woods have all been tested by this memorable course. Click to read the full story
2010-03-31	It's still a thrill to golf the Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. - Some of the many memories, after 30 years at the Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, are starting to cross over into legend. Who will forget Hal Sutton's shout of "Be the right club today," as he hit a 6-iron approach still on the final hole of a 2000 duel with Tiger Woods? Or the second shot by Davis Love III on the par-5 16th from the trees to set up an eagle en route to a final-round 64 in miserable conditions in 2003? Or how about in 1982, when winner Jerry Pate, after the first Players Championship at the Stadium Course, tossed PGA Tour commissioner Deane Beman and course designer Pete Dye into the water before diving in himself, oblivious to the alligators? Click to read the full story
2010-03-31	Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum Reviews Step back in time to 1740´s Spanish St Augustine Mar 18, 2010 The Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum is situated in the middle of St George Street in the Old Town of St Augustine and is a living history museum. Costumed interpreters relive a time when St Augustine was a remote outpost of the Spanish empire. The Colonial Spanish Quarter illustrate the life of Spanish soldiers and their families in 1740. Click to read the full story
2010-03-26	Kelly Tours Destinations On August 28, 1565, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles first sighted the coast of Florida and twelve days later founded a new city and named it St. Augustine. This day trip to America’s oldest city has plenty to offer. Choose from the following activities to build the tour of your choice. Package begins at $99.00 per person. Click to read the full story
2010-03-16	Cities of interest in Florida – St. Augustine Finding St.Augustine is quite easy. Just head East from Orlando toward I95 on the Atlantic coast and go North (toward Jacksonville). Go for about 40 miles and then turn off onto SR1 and keep going North for about 20 miles. Then just follow the signs to St.Augustine. St. Augustine is the USA’s oldest city, founded on August 29 1565 which was also the feast day of St. Augustine. It is also considered to be one of the most charming and quaint cities in Florida. From - http://www.dreamwisetravels.com/san-augustin-hotels/ Click to read the full story
2010-03-16	Looking ahead: Wednesday - USA Today After being closed for five years of rehab, the historic Bridge of Lions reopens in St. Augustine, Fla. The bridge, which spans the Intracoastal Waterway and connects downtown to Anastasia Island, opened in 1927. Click to read the full story
2010-03-16	Northeast Florida – St. Augustine, Jacksonville The north-east of Florida – which has appeared when the first American settlements. S. Augustine was founded in 1565 – 50 years before the pilgrims the first time in New England. Many historic districts have been restored, which is why the tourists a wonderful opportunity to see the past preserved. S. Augustine was founded by the Spaniards. The city witnessed numerous fights between the Spanish, French and English. At the end of the 17th century, there was Castillo deSan Marcos fort built here, the most exposed to attacks and sieges. Click to read the full story
2010-03-14	Caching & Sightseeing in St. Augustine We were off bright and early into St Augustine to do some caching and sightseeing to see how much we remember about the city since we were here last. Our first cache was located at the St Augustine Visitor's Center where you went in a asked for the geocache and they gave you the ammo box in which the cache was located. After we signed the log and got coords for the only benchmark in the state of Florida we walked outside to find the actual benchmark. Click to read the full story
2010-03-10	Harvest of Hope festival starts on Friday - HistoricCity.com St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau Communications Director Jay Humphreys announced the following weekend entertainment activities to the local St. Augustine news desk; including three popular festivals, music and heritage activities. Click to read the full story
2010-03-10	Amazing Facts - New York Historic Society When in the U.S., there is an endless list of places to visit and depending on their interests, as long as you have to spend and how much you want to travel. Click to read the full story
2010-03-04	In Coastal Companion : First Friday Art Walk March 2010 – St Augustine, Fl The First Friday Art walk is one of St. Augustine’s most popular events. The art walk for March 2010 is scheduled for Friday March 5, 2010, from 5 – 9 p.m., rain or shine! Start your artwalk at any of the participating AGOSA galleries and pick up a free map – or click here to download the map! As usual there is a FREE Artwalk Train and a FREE Artwalk Trolley. Just hop on board starting at 6pm on King Street. The train and the trolley each make a loop around town to the galleries about every 15 minutes. Enjoy exhibits, music, entertainment and refreshments at over 20 participating galleries around town. For more information about the event, please call 904.829.0065 or visit www.staugustinegalleries.com. Click to read the full story
2010-03-04	Paddle Tales Blog: The Rookery in St. Augustine--Chapter 1 I visited the rookery at the back of the Alligator Farm last year and had a wonderful time watching the egrets and wood storks building their nests and preparing to fill them. I had hoped to get back after the eggs had hatched, but the weather turned wretched. Not only did it keep me from going back, but it created a tragedy at the rookery--days on end of rain took its toll on the young birds; they couldn't get dry and most of them died. I'm hoping this year will be better. So I got an early start with the first trip. Click to read the full story
2010-03-04	Camping-tales.Blogspot: Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine, Florida This state park is virtually across the street from the Alligator Farm; the bird rookery in the zoo was my primary destination on this trip. This park stays pretty full so I was lucky to get a site for two days in a row. (It turns out that my little Scamp is small enough to use one of their "tent-only"sites, which are nearly always available. Might be a moot point, though, since I found a different campground to try nearby.) I will be returning to this area often in the near future to watch the progress at the rookery. Click to read the full story
2010-03-04	The Continuous Tourist.Blogspot: Great Places To Drink An Adult Beverage Back in November, I wrote about great places to enjoy an adult beverage and said I would make it a recurring topic, each time offering up five recommendations in alphabetical order. Here, finally, is installment number two. The Mill Top Tavern; St. Augustine, FL Situated atop a water mill that was built in 1888 on the oldest street in America’s oldest city, this tavern is small and unpretentious. Yet at the same time, it knows its atmosphere can not be beat. There is live music every day, and from its open air deck you can see the Castillo de San Marcos, a fort that has been standing since the 1600’s. Whether you are here in the afternoon or late in the evening -- whether you are drinking a bottle of Sam Adams or sharing a pitcher of Bud Light -- The Mill Top will not disappoint. Click to read the full story
2010-03-04	Central Florida Future.com: Don't go too far this spring break, stick to the sunny south With the weather still bogging down Florida with sporadic thunderstorms and surprisingly chilly conditions, northern travel for spring break seems to be no longer an option. How convenient that we live where the rest of the world vacations. Sticking at home isn’t so bad, after all. Florida is home to more than just Disney and Panama City. We took a look at some cheap and close destinations for your scaled back spring break. St. Augustine The beaches: Obviously, the beaches aren’t the main attraction in St. Augustine. But for the record, the city’s beaches are surprisingly nice for northeast Florida. It seems in the rush to Cocoa and Jacksonville, the beaches of St. Augustine have remained calm and quiet. The downtown scene: History is the key word in downtown St. Augustine. St. George Street, marked by its trademark coquina stone pillars, is a gateway to ancient artifacts. The Colonial Spanish Quarter, Cordova Street and Castilla de San Marcos are must-see for even the casual history buff. Click to read the full story
2010-03-03	tstsy.com: Travel And Tourism: A.M. Stir: Big acts set for St. Augustine Amphitheatre A.M. Stir: Big acts set for St. Augustine Amphitheatre The St. Augustine Amphitheatre is a real gem, tucked into a corner of Anastasia State Park on A1A, south of the Bridge of Lions. It’s small – capacity is around 3,900 – and they’re lining up a pretty impressive season. Click to read the full story
2010-03-02	Homecorzine.com: Cities of interest in Florida – St. Augustine Finding St.Augustine is quite easy. Just head East from Orlando toward I95 on the Atlantic coast and go North (toward Jacksonville). Go for about 40 miles and then turn off onto SR1 and keep going North for about 20 miles. Then just follow the signs to St.Augustine. St. Augustine is the USA’s oldest city, founded on August 29 1565 which was also the feast day of St. Augustine. It is also considered to be one of the most charming and quaint cities in Florida. St. Augustine has a beautiful historic district with cobblestone streets, cafes, bars, unique shops and bed and breakfast hotels. Shopping in St. Augustine just could not be easier. If you have a passion for antiques, hand crafted gifts, blown glass, arts and crafts, fine arts, or handmade chocolates, and if you are shopping for clothes, shoes, or household goods, or perhaps finding unique and unusual gifts from around the world, St. Augustine has it all. Just relax and enjoy strolling along the historic downtown streets. Click to read the full story
2010-03-01	St. Augustine Decorates Self to Honor Spanish Founder This city in northeast Florida decorated itself in gala style on the weekend for the 491st anniversary of the birth of its founder, Pedro Menendez de Aviles, at a festive celebration complete with costumes from the 16th and 17th centuries. The event is organized on the last weekend in February each year to honor the first colonial governor of Florida, who in 1565 founded St. Augustine, the oldest city in what is now the United States. Cuban-born actor Chaz Mena played the role of Menendez de Aviles at the gala and in the parade that moved through the streets of St. Augustine, which has preserved with great pride its Spanish colonial architectural style. From the Castillo de San Marcos to the Lightner Museum, at the main entrance of which stands a statue of the city’s founder, the celebration of the anniversary once more emphasized the city’s Spanish cultural legacy. Click to read the full story
2010-03-01	10 Reasons to Vacation in Florida Theme Parks – Many individuals would say this is their number one reason for taking a vacation Florida. Beaches, beaches and more beaches – according to many people, this is the number one reason for coming to Florida. History – While most people tend to visit Florida for the recreation, the state's interesting history is one of those side perks visitors can experience while exploring the region. From the Spanish style architecture of St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied European established city in the U.S Click to read the full story
2010-02-28	St. Augustine Lighthouse, Florida Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is both the oldest continuously occupied city in North America and the oldest port in the continental US. After some time of disputes among indigenous, French, and British forces, the Spanish built the nearby fort as the Castillo de San Marcos, only to be renamed St. Marks by the British until taken over by the Americans, who renamed it Fort Marion, after the Swamp Fox of Revolutionary War fame. Today the popular landmark is run as a National Park and named the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. As a port, St. Augustine needed a lighthouse to show mariners the way home through Florida's changeable coast and channels. Completed in 1874 on an island, the final lighthouse took three years and 1.2 million bricks to build on ground consisting of naturally cemented little shells called coquina, the same material used earlier to build the fort. Click to read the full story
2010-02-27	St Augustine Florida History Many of the ancient buildings and forts that were a major part of St Augustine Florida history are in daily use by residents and visitors alike. The history of St. Augustine Florida can be traced back to 1493. Juan Ponce de Leon was a shipmate of Christopher Colombus on his second voyage to the New World. He came back to Florida with his own expedition in 1513, and claimed the land - most of North America - for Spain. He named it "Florida the Great Country of North America." Click to read the full story
2010-02-27	Destinations in Florida Florida is nicknamed the Sunshine State, and whether you’re basking on Miami Beach or taking a trip to famous Florida Keys, you can expect to benefit from the blissfully warm weather all year round. The perfect climate for sightseeing, if real Disney-free Florida holidays are what you’re looking for, then consider these top five alternative attractions instead. From hovercraft adventures to historic discoveries, you’ll soon see why Florida is such a haven for holiday-makers, ex-pats and A-Listers. Click to read the full story
2010-02-24	Vacationing at Vilano Beach Florida When vacationing on a beach in Florida, Miami Beach is the one that most commonly comes to mind. However, many tourists and locals alike are starting to find enjoyment in vacationing at Vilano Beach, which is just two miles from St. Augustine, which is known as the “Nation’s Oldest City”. Nestled between the river identified as “Tolomato” and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, Vilano Beach has been described as “St. Augustine’s Best Kept Secret”. It was nicknamed this due to the fact that it is a relatively quiet beach that most locals visit due to the fact that there are not overcrowding issues due to tourists. Click to read the full story
2010-02-24	Weekly Top Five List: Spectator Holes No. 17 at TPC Sawgrass: Some players call it too gimmicky. Others call it thrilling. The fans call it one of the best short holes out there -- especially late Sunday when the Players Championship is on the line Click to read the full story
2010-02-23	Where to Head to in Florida - Travel and Leisure – Source Central Whether you’re basking on Miami Beach or visiting world famous Florida Keys, expect blissfully warm weather all year round – it’s easy to see why Florida is nicknamed the Sunshine State. The perfect climate for sightseeing, if real Disney-free Florida holidays are what you’re looking for, then consider these top five alternative attractions instead. From hovercraft adventures to historic discoveries, you’ll soon see why Florida is such a haven for holiday-makers, ex-pats and A-Listers. Click to read the full story
2010-02-23	Harvest of Hope Fest 2010 Information Unveiled That’s right; All of the information you are going to need for next month’s Harvest Of Hope Fest has been released, including all of the band line-ups! You can even purchase three-day tickets for only a little under $50.00! As you can read on the image to the left, the show dates will run from March 12th to March 14th, 2010 on St. John’s County Fairgrounds in St. Augustine, Florida. This is only the second Harvest Of Hope Fest so plan for some ripe and awesome action! Click to read the full story
2010-02-23	TPC Sawgrass: Open for Amateurs Video about TPC Sawgrass, THE PLAYERS and golf on Florida's First Coast. Click to read the full story
2010-02-23	Pirate Soul Museum relocating to St. Augustine The pirates are coming. The Pirate Soul Museum, which has been in Key West since 2004, is moving to St. Augustine. Work has already begun on the building that used to house Teepee Town and the Christmas Shop, right across Florida A1A from Castillo de San Marcos. Pat Croce, museum owner and former owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, said he’s aiming to be open by Nov. 1. (“With a ribbon slashing,” he said.) “Families and kids love the museum,” Croce said, “but there’s just not enough of them in Key West. It’s a long drive down there. Click to read the full story
2010-02-23	A Swing Through North Florida After a delicious lunch, we headed northeast following Interstate 4 to Interstate 95 toward our next destination, the oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine. For part of this driving segment, we opted to leave Route 95 for Route 1, (a highway which parallels it) so that we could again get a look at an older more rural Florida with many trees, large farms and tracts of land, less commercialization. Ten miles outside of St. Augustine, the 21st century comes into quickly into view once again. Lots of fast food, big box stores, and retail establishments. Almost as quickly, you are back many centuries as you enter the old city of St. Augustine. Here there are still shops, hotels, restaurants, but almost all are tastefully in keeping with the historic nature of the city. Click to read the full story
2010-02-20	A new home for golf’s greats Nestled between oak woods, a lime-green sign reads “Fairway.” Further on, past a clubhouse and a small lake, there’s a building with a pointed roof. This is the World Golf Hall of Fame, in the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida. The greatest players in the sport are honored here, with over 2,000 pieces of personal memorabilia along with videos and photos. The village is supported by a consortium of 26 golf organizations from all over the world, reflected in a row of flags at the entrance, including a Korean one raised by pro Pak Se-ri. Click to read the full story
2010-02-20	Best Beaches For... Best Beach to Be Pampered: Ponte Vedra Beach (800-653-2489, www.getaway4florida.com) Ponte Vedra Inn and Club is one of the best places to find delicious spa treatments along a Florida beach. The resort sits on a beach lined with high dunes and towering palms. The roaring surf makes for exhilarating body surfing or a comforting bedtime song after a day of pampering. Click to read the full story
2010-02-19	St. Augustine, Florida - The Game Puppet There are few places in America where one can capture the essence of Old World Spanish atmosphere in a modern, yet ancient, town. St. Augustine, Florida, is one of these places. Its history is diverse, filled with exciting dips between peace and wartime. The story of St. Augustine began in 1513, when Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon, formerly governor of Puerto Rico, came to Florida on an adventure. He is rumored to have been looking for the "fountain of youth" hinted to him by the local Timucua Indians. Once he reached America, he named the land "Pascua Florida," or "land of flowers" because the event took place during the Easter season. The name "La Florida" stuck and has been passed down to us in our present day. Since that day in 1513, Spain attempted without success to make Florida a colony. But each time, the hand of fate intervened. Spain decided to let Florida go. Click to read the full story
2010-02-18	Disney-Free Destinations in Florida Known universally as the Sunshine State, Florida enjoys blissfully warm weather all year round, so whether you’re basking on MIami Beach or visiting famous Florida Keys, you’re guaranteed to stay warm. The perfect climate for sightseeing, if real Disney-free Florida holidays are what you’re looking for, then consider these top five alternative attractions instead. St. Augustine The oldest European city established in America, turn back time with a stop-off at St Augustine. Click to read the full story
2010-02-17	St. Augustine is for Lovers Sometimes the most romantic places are best explored after the Valentine’s Day visitors have disappeared. Service at restaurants is typically more attentive, inns and hotels are less crowded, and parking is easier to find. If you’re looking for a great couples’ weekend getaway, plan on a visit to St. Augustine, the oldest city in the country (founded in 1565). This romantic enclave is situated along Florida’s northeast Atlantic coast on the scenic Mantazas Bay about 50 minutes south (roughly 40 miles) of Jacksonville International Airport and was recently named by American Express as a “Top 10 Destination”—one of only two locations selected in America (the other was Virginia’s wine country). Click to read the full story
2010-02-08	AirTran to offer flights from BWI to Jacksonville Perhaps in an effort to balance Southwest's new service to the beaches of northwest Florida, AirTran will begin offering 4 daily flights between Baltimore and Jacksonville in May. The again, maybe it's just a coincidence - after all, Florida is a hot vacation market. From Jacksonville, it's a quick jaunt north to Amelia Island - a relaxing getaway I highly recommend. Just about 50-60 miles to the south, you'll find the shores of Ponte Vedra Beach and historic St. Augustine. Click to read the full story
2010-02-07	Cozy inns to visit on your trip South Snowbirds tired of staying in cookie-cutter motels on their annual trek to or from warmer climes should consider breaking up the trip with a stay at a cozy bed-and-breakfast or inn. You can start your day with a decadent breakfast. Take time to golf or walk the beach. You might even discover a new destination along the way, from St. Simons Island, in southern Georgia, to St. Augustine, Fla. The Old Powder House Inn St. Augustine, Fla. Visit a city like St. Augustine and you want to have easy access to the many historic venues, museums and restaurants. Stay at the Old Powder House Inn in St. Augustine's historic district and you're within walking distance of anywhere downtown. Click to read the full story
2010-02-07	Places to take a shine to- Boston Globe ‘‘Middling to considling,’’ Gerald Eubanks might reply to your hi-how-are-ya. It means, ‘‘I’m doing fine.’’ Eubanks, an actor and activist, says, ‘‘When I cross the Bridge of Lions and look down on our country’s first city, I’m amazed by its European feel.’’ He shows visitors Fort Mose on US-1, where a century before the Emancipation Proclamation, slaves came on the Underground Railroad to gain freedom in Spanish Florida (www.fortmose.org). Then he shows them around ‘‘home,’’ an area they settled and named Africa — today’s Lincolnville neighborhood between King and Bridge streets, on the National Register of Historic Places. Click to read the full story
2010-02-06	IMAX Theater to present Van Gogh film Celebrate the life and work of Vincent van Gogh with the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater's latest film "Van Gogh: Brush with Genius." Opening weekend activities will include a VIP event and an art walk featuring local artists Feb. 12-13. For film schedules and ticket information, visit World GolfIMAX.com. Guests can enjoy an opening night VIP event Feb. 12 with unlimited hors d'voures, wine and beer at Fairways Cafe from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The evening will include a live demonstration by local artist Gary Garret, a member of First Coast Plein Air Painters, who will paint in the style of van Gogh. Click to read the full story
2010-02-06	The fastest way to Florida Driving Have you ever wondered what it is doing the fastest route to Florida? Well, if you live in the northeastern United States or in the Canadian province of Ontario, read on! After many years of research on the main north-south (and driving my wife crazy with education), the travel time between different places, we have determined that the following is the shortest route to Florida sunshine. A few minutes south of Jacksonville is one of my favorite stops along the World Golf Village. Besides the largeThe atmosphere of the Gulf in the shops and restaurants in the country, there is the World Golf Hall of Fame. Believe me, it's worth the trip! Click to read the full story
2010-02-06	World Golf Hall of Fame Happenings: Northeast Florida There are two events coming to the World Golf Hall of Fame" "Van Gogh: Brush with Genius"will open February 12th, 2010 at the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX theater format. The extraordinary colors and passionate brushwork of Vincent van Gogh take on a new life in this giant screen. President's Weekend at the World Golf Hall of Fame will be on February 15th, 2010. The World Golf Hall of Fame will celebrate a common thread between generations of United States presidents - golf - with its annual President's Day weekend. Click to read the full story
2010-02-06	Fun in Florida that is Inexpensive or Free If you are able to climb a little, a visit to the St Augustine Lighthouse might be fun without spending too much money. There are 219 steps to the observation deck of the Lighthouse. There you can get a 360 degree view of the historic city and the Atlantic Ocean. The ticket price depends on how old you are, and if you are able to make a vertical climb. The tickets are $3. to $7.50 depending on your climbing ability. I think this would be a fun adventure for most people. It's not often you get to climb to the top of a lighthouse. St Augustine is a great city to visit. It is full of historic places for families to visit. Be advised, though that it is a little expensive to visit many of the places in St Augustine. So, if you are looking for free or inexpensive places to visit, be careful which ones you visit in St Augustine. Click to read the full story
2010-02-05	Our RV Life The Castillo de San Marcos at St. Augustine, Fl The fort was never captured but it changed hands three times. The design of the fort was unusual with the diamonds at the corners.That allowed the cannons to cross fire against any invaders. It was also constructed of Tabby stone which was made of sand and shells and also Coquina which was a native limestone. . IT was soft so that the stone didn/t shatter with cannon blasts. The walls were between 14-19 feet thick at the base and taper up to 9 feet. IT was surrounded by a moat and there was also a sloping wall outside the fort. Click to read the full story
2010-02-04	Cupid is Calling: Lover’s Wanted for St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Gabriel Hernandez and Catalina de Valdes were the first two people to officially record their love for each in St. Augustine - they were married here on January 24, 1594. More than 400 years later, romance continues to be a major attraction in the oldest city, along the surf-kissed sands of St. Augustine Beach and at the luxurious resorts of Ponte Vedra. With Valentine’s Day, star-spangled nights, great dining and cozy accommodations, February is the perfect month to find romance in this unique Florida destination. Click to read the full story
2010-02-04	If you're a Player, check out this TPC Sawgrass golf package If you've ever wanted to see if you can handle the pressure at the famed 17th at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., here's your opportunity. Between now and a few weeks before the Players Championship set for May 6-9, the Sawgrass Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort, is offering a pretty cool golf package. Click to read the full story
2010-02-03	St. Augustine -- Chocolate Tours, Love Tree and Fertility Statues Gabriel Hernandez and Catalina de Valdes were the first two people to officially record their love for each in St. Augustine - they were married here on January 24, 1594. More than 400 years later, romance continues to be a major attraction in the oldest city, along the surf-kissed sands of St. Augustine Beach and at the luxurious resorts of Ponte Vedra. With Valentine's Day, star-spangled nights, great dining and cozy accommodations, February is the perfect month to find romance in this unique Florida destination. Click to read the full story
2010-02-01	First look at TPC Sawgrass played TPC Sawgrass' "THE PLAYERS Stadium Course" (yes...that's the actual name, and don't you forget it) this weekend (Jan 30, 2010). And for fear of finger injury, excuse me as I heretofore refer to it as "Stadium". For those of you outside the area, even though Ponte Vedra Beach is technically in Florida, (PVB to Naples is 360 miles...PVB to Charlotte NC is 383 miles), it is not the typical Florida climate that is shown on the commercials for the State Convention and Visitor's Bureau. To prove that point, Jacksonville (PVB's hub city) does NOT have a Convention Center hotel...or even motel. Click to read the full story
2010-01-29	It's on par with best golf spots By Larry Olmsted Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the USA's oldest city and attracts many admirers to its Spanish Colonial architecture. But today, a different "historical" attraction draws more than 300,000 visitors a year: Home to the World Golf Hall of Fame, St. Augustine is a magnet for vacationing and second-home golfers along Florida's northeast coast. The TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course, opened in 1980, put the area on the golf map. About 40 minutes north in Ponte Vedra Beach, it is the world headquarters of the PGA Tour and home to The Players Championship. Because of its novelty and annual TV exposure, the island par-3 17th hole is arguably the most recognizable golf hole on Earth, and the course is perennially ranked among the nation's top 10. The Stadium is just one of more than a dozen courses in Ponte Vedra Beach, including the TPC Valley and Sawgrass Country Club. The town is a popular golf second-home community, and such top PGA Tour stars as Vijay Singh have houses here. Click to read the full story
2010-01-29	Campgrounds in St. Augustine, Florida St. Augustine, Florida, lays claim to being the oldest city in America. Because of it's age, it has earned the nickname "The Ancient City." St. Augustine offers many outdoor recreation opportunities, the result of the beaches and water that encompass the city. There is surfing, sea-kayaking, snorkeling, scuba-diving, and fishing to be had, as well as bird-watching and wildlife observation. There are several campground options for visitors in the St. Augustine area. Click to read the full story
2010-01-28	There is a place in Florida- vijay singh There is a place in Florida, where, in a dark deserted beach in June 1942, four German saboteurs landed, hoping to disrupt U.S. efforts World War II. That beach was Ponte Vedra Beach, a few miles south of Jacksonville, and there was an American in sight to see German submarine or leading to them. It was only seven months after Pearl Harbor of production, and the important contribution of U.S. industrial age war of relief supplies forces to defend against the German war machine. Click to read the full story
2010-01-28	St. Augustine, Fla., is on par with the best golf spots Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the USA's oldest city and attracts many admirers to its Spanish Colonial architecture. But today, a different "historical" attraction draws more than 300,000 visitors a year: Home to the World Golf Hall of Fame, St. Augustine is a magnet for vacationing and second-home golfers along Florida's northeast coast. The TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course, opened in 1980, put the area on the golf map. About 40 minutes north in Ponte Vedra Beach, it is the world headquarters of the PGA Tour and home to The Players Championship. Because of its novelty and annual TV exposure, the island par-3 17th hole is arguably the most recognizable golf hole on Earth, and the course is perennially ranked among the nation's top 10. The Stadium is just one of more than a dozen courses in Ponte Vedra Beach, including the TPC Valley and Sawgrass Country Club. The town is a popular golf second-home community, and such top PGA Tour stars as Vijay Singh have houses here. Click to read the full story
2010-01-27	Fun and sun in Florida There is more to Florida than theme parks. You might think of the entire state of Florida as a theme park when you consider all that there is to do. How about searching for alligators in the “outback” swamp area in an airboat? Or go deep fishing on either coast. St. Augustine is very interesting with history of the Spanish explorers and buildings that resemble old Spain. Treasure hunter Ponce de Leon first sighted it in 1513 and named it La Florida, meaning “Land of Flowers.” St. Augustine was founded 42 years before the English colony at Jamestown, Va. and 55 years before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts, making it the oldest permanent European settlement on the North American continent. Click to read the full story
2010-01-27	Florida's Birding and Fotofest ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (April 14) Florida's Birding & FotoFest will take place along the Northeast coast of Florida April 22-26, 2009. Now it in its seventh year, this year's events will be headquartered at the Center for Marine Studies at the University of Florida's Whitney Lab at Marineland - approximately 15 miles south of St. Augustine on historic and scenic A1A. Over the years, the event has grown tremendously in popularity - this year, participants are coming from 31 states and two countries. Click to read the full story
2010-01-26	Tepee Town site to become pirate attraction The St. Augustine local news desk has learned that Pat Croce is moving his Pirate Soul Museum from Key West to the former Christmas Shop and Tepee Town site on Avenida Menendez, according to the St. Augustine Report. Croce, considered an expert on the Age of Piracy, scouted the property during his visit here in December to present Pirates! Fact & Fiction; a program in the 450th First America series. Click to read the full story
2010-01-26	Playing #17 at TPC Sawgrass Bad things lead to good. At least that's what happened today. After the awful experience at the range this morning, I had a very rewarding practice back home in my yard, on a glorious January afternoon, about forty degrees and blue skies and bright sunshine. With greater confidence, I was able to start thinking about accuracy with my 9-iron and the one-arm swing. This is when I started playing #17 at Sawgrass, just for practice. You know that hole. It's the one that's an island. If you miss, you're in the drink— stroke and distance. Try again. There's nowhere to drop. And this is the hole that Johnny Miller hit to when I described his teaching lesson on pressure in a recent post. For me, this hole has lost much of its terror. Click to read the full story
2010-01-26	A Walk Through St.. Augustine, The Oldest Continuously Inhabited City in the Untied States On our way home from Orlando, a little added than an hour into our 20+ hour alley cruise aback to Toronto, we chock-full in St. Augustine, "the nation's oldest city", aloof arctic of Jacksonville - absolutely the oldest continuously active European adjustment in the United States, accepting been founded by the Spanish in 1565. St. Augustin's founder, Don Pedro Menendez, came aground on September 8, 1565, and chose to name the adjustment afterwards the angel saint whose barbecue day coincided with the day of landing. Of course, afore the Spanish anytime set bottom on Florida soil, the Timacuan Indians had already been actuality and they watched Menendez and the almost 1500 colonists and soldiers achieve here. Over the aftermost few centuries the burghal accomplished governments from altered countries, including Spain, Britain, and aback 1821, the United States. Click to read the full story
2010-01-26	Did you know the First Coast has its own Opera Company? Randall Adkison discovered First Coast Opera three years ago, as he was searching for yet another way to scratch the acting itch he picked up in high school. Now he's directing "The Threepenny Opera," a musical by Bertolt Bretcht and Kurt Weill that, among other things, introduced audiences everywhere to the song and the story of Mack the Knife - a glamorous, yet notorious criminal who wins the hand of Polly Peachum and sends her father, J.J. Peachum, on a quest for his head. "Actually, it's more like a play with music than opera," Adkison said. For Adkison, 35, the St. Augustine-based First Coast Opera has been a gift not only to area opera aficionados, but also to people like himself: local performers and producers who enjoy the challenge of having yet another venue to hone their artistic skills. Click to read the full story
2010-01-25	Flames Open Spring with Win over Southeastern- Sports The Flames will return the golf links on Feb. 8 and 9, when they travel back to the Sunshine State to participate in the Jacksonville Invitational. The two-day, 54-hole event will give Liberty’s golfers a chance to play on a PGA Tour course. The tournament is going to be held on the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., site of the THE PLAYERS Championship and the infamous par-3, No. 17 island green. Click to read the full story
2010-01-25	Planners Talk about Fabulous Florida Getaways Planners Talk about Fabulous Florida Getaways We know how hectic a meeting professional's life can be and want to give you a chance to escape to the Sunshine State for a getaway of your own. Since January 2009, VISIT FLORIDA has invited meeting professionals to register to win a Fabulous Florida Getaway. Click to read the full story
2010-01-25	Valentine's day deal for golfers Is your squeeze a golf fanatic? Here's an trip idea that could make the ultimate Valentine's Day gift. TPC Sawgrass and Sawgrass Marriott Resort offer golfers the chance to "Play Before The Players Play" at Northeast Florida’s top golf and spa destination. This year, golfers who "Play Before The Players Play" get a shot to sink a putt on the famed 17th hole before any of the PGA TOUR players have the chance during THE PLAYERS FedEx Cup on May 3-9. Click to read the full story
2010-01-25	Romance in the air, on land or at sea, St. Augustine, FL, Sports Navigate your way through the oldest city in America, by land, air or sea to St. Augustine for some sun, fun and adventure. Visit the past with charm, architectural wonders and the simple pleasures of life filled. Take a deep breath of fresh air, feel the warmth of the sun and the local flavor, if you cobbled streets full of unique Shoppes meander. Enjoy delicious snacks from different ethnic fare from chefs with their own torch. Do you smell that? Sweet andbitter. Make sure you are one step and Claude chocolate truffles, chocolate drinks, or take bark. Discover your fountain of youth at Ponce de Leon, or maybe participate in the local grapes in San Sebastian Winery. Enjoy a stroll through the village, the oldest school building, Click to read the full story
2010-01-24	Enjoy Dining in Saint Augustine, Florida Founded by Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565, St. Augustine, Florida, is the oldest city in the United States. Located on Matanzas Bay and a stone’s throw from the Atlantic Ocean, St. Augustine is a tourist haven, with visitors coming from all over the world to visit Castillo de San Marcos, Potter’s Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, and Flagler College. St. Augustine also has a number of really special restaurants and eateries that deserve special attention when visiting the city. The Spanish Bakery is located not far from Castillo de San Marcos on St. George Street. Just follow the rich aroma of baking bread. Afterward, stop by the nearby Whetstone’s chocolate shop for a snack to take home. Click to read the full story
2010-01-24	St. Augustine Royal Family - 2010 Katie Raulerson is the new princess of St. Augustine today for 2010. The Royal Family are official representatives of the City of St. Augustine. The Castillo de San Marcos, was commissioned in 1672. The Spanish Royal Family at that time consisted of Queen Marianna, Princess Margarita and the boy-King Carlos. This is symbolic of Spain’s history as it overlaps that of St. Augustine. Click to read the full story
2010-01-24	Scenic Sunday # 80: Castillo de San Marcos This is my post for the Scenic Sunday meme, which shares beautiful scenes from around the world. To see more Scenic Sunday posts, or to join and show your own pictures, click HERE. I’ve been to St. Augustine, Florida, America’s oldest city, several times. There are many interesting things to see and do in St. Augustine, but one of the most fascinating places to visit is Castillo de San Marcos, the Spanish fort that was constructed to protect the town. Construction began in 1672 and Castillo de San Marcos in the oldest masonry fort in North America. It is also the only 17th century fort still standing. The fort was never captured in spite of several attacks from Spain’s enemies. Click to read the full story
2010-01-23	Lets go to some Large "Stone Structures Two of the nice sites were Fort Matanzas and Castillo de San Marcos Both related and quite close to St Augustine. Fort Matanzas is named for the slaughter of the French Huguenots in the 1500's. Matanzas is a Spanish word meaning Slaughter/s. Fort Matanzas was a small outpost close to St. Augustine. In a way, it was a guard post for the "back door" of St. Augustine. Today, the Fort remains on an Island, with the only access via a small Ferry. Click to read the full story
2010-01-22	A bucket list of Florida attractions at residents' fingertips The state you're in is pretty amazing. People by the millions come every year from around the world to Florida for a slice of sunshine and a theme park thrill. There are lots of sights and activities that deserve your attention, too. Imagine all the places you haven't seen yet. Vow to get to know Florida in 2010. Today, we start with 10 places and events that we think make Florida the eclectic place it is. They show the diversity of the Sunshine State and are plenty interesting for a long weekend. We'll keep our scrapbook going for the rest of the year, pinpointing places you ought to have on your Florida bucket list. In the meantime, get out the map and plot your excursion. Climbing St. Augustine Lighthouse Click to read the full story
2010-01-20	Weekend Trip into Florida History One thing Florida always encourages in locals and visitors alike is to explore all that lies within its peninsula and this past weekend, I did just that. Instead of hanging around Lake County, I went with family to two favorite spots in Volusia County where Florida history is alive and well along with popular as ever. The first stop was to Blue Springs in Orange City, a favorite “meeting spot” for a certain gentle giant of Florida’s lakes and rivers – the manatee. When the weather cools down (or freezes as it happened a couple of weeks ago), the water reaches the cold temperature that encourages manatees to come and visit. The board at the window of the Blue Springs Ranger Station as you pull into the state park listed 178 manatees roaming the waters of the springs that day but I think we saw at least 50 manatees through the three hours of being there. What is so incredible about watching these beautiful creatures lumbering through the water is knowing they have been around for centuries. They have survived so much over the years but lately they have had to contend with boaters and their unforgiving propellers. The scars on their backs and their missing limbs (even on baby manatees) make you almost cry as you think those marks could have been prevented if boaters were more careful. However, the amount of Floridians and visitors to Blue Springs that day showed people are still enthralled with manatees and are interested in doing what they can to protect them for future generations to enjoy. Preserving history was almost evident in the next spot I visited the following day – St. Augustine. Almost every Floridian can recall their first visit to St. Augustine, whether they were young, middle-aged or old. Click to read the full story
2010-01-20	Haunted St. Augustine, Paranormal Investigative Tour This is strictly a 2 hour walking tour including a walk around the Fort Castillo San De Marcos. This was my 2nd favorite ghost tour in St. Augustine. Our tour guide was Harry Stafford, the one with the PhD in parapsychology. He was a very nice, intelligent, and easy going man. He is extremely knowledgeable about the paranormal and gives you the education behind it. There are a few things I like about this tour. It is a small group where you can ask questions that will be answered. You also are given an electromagnetic field detector and given ample amount of time to search grounds to see if it goes off. He lets you know where there is underground wiring, but there is a difference between how it goes off with electricity compared to supposed paranormal. When I was on the tour with my wife, there were 6 other people. (I enjoy personal ghost tours) Near the cemetery where the boy is said to hop from tree to tree, I did get orbs, which you see in the photos. This is where all of our emf detectors went off…the orbs by the trees. You may have to click on the photo to make it large in order to see the orbs. They also looked to be following me at the back of the Castillo San De Marcos. I would definitely go on again and recommend this tour to anyone. The orb is under my hand. To the left is a light. Click to read the full story
2010-01-20	Top 10 U.S. Destinations to Pursue Hobbies Maybe you have a client whose New Year's resolution is to pick up or hone his/her skills in a new hobby. If that's the case, then take a gander at HotelsCombined.com's top 10 places in the United States to pursue hobbies. In recognition of January as National Hobby Month, the site is listing its top picks with some hints at where to get in on some good deals. 1. Golfing - Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida— Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa. TPC Sawgrass— home of the PGA Tour Headquarters— is the ultimate golf destination. The Sawgrass Marriott offers golfers exclusive access to the PGA TOUR's most respected tournament course - THE PLAYERS Stadium Course. Click to read the full story
2010-01-20	Special PLAYERS ticket packages now available The 2010 PGA TOUR Regular Season is underway and, despite the cool temperatures along the First Coast, spring and THE PLAYERS Championship are not far away. Reserve your seats now in golf's greatest stadium by taking advantage of special Family Plan and "The Turn" ticket packages, now available for purchase, tournament officials announced today. THE PLAYERS Championship, which annually features the strongest field in golf, returns to THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, May 3-9. Introduced for the first time in 2009, the Family Package is the most cost-effective way for families to enjoy THE PLAYERS for one low price. The package includes two adult tickets, two youth tickets (children 18 years old and under) and one free parking pass for one day of tournament action. The Family Plan is priced at $129 (plus tax & fees) per day, Thursday-Saturday, while Sunday's final round, played on Mother's Day, can be purchased for a reduced price of $99 (plus tax & fees). Click to read the full story
2010-01-20	PGA Tour adding fall event in coastal Georgia All four rounds of the McGladrey Classic will be aired by The Golf Channel. It will be played one week after the Ryder Cup and gives South Georgia and North Florida two high-level professional golf tournaments in October. The Nationwide Tour will hold the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open on Oct. 21-24 at the TPC Sawgrass Dye's Valley Course. Click to read the full story
2010-01-20	Sawgrass 17 - 2 of 2 U-Tube 17th hole swings on video Click to read the full story
2010-01-20	Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band Saturday, July 17 7:00p at St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band at St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Click to read the full story
2010-01-19	A walk through St. Augustine – the oldest continuously inhabited city in the United States On the way back from Orlando, a little 'more than an hour into our 20 + hour back in Toronto, we stopped in St. Augustine, the oldest city in the country, just north of Jacksonville – indeed the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States following the Spanish established in 1565. Founder S. Augustine, Don Pedro Menendez landed on September 8 1565 and decided to transfer after the saint whose feast day coincided with the tag namelanding. Of course, before the Spanish ever set foot on Indian soil in Florida was Timacuan was here and saw Menendez and about 1,500 settlers and soldiers settle here. Over the last few centuries the city experienced governments from different countries, including Spain, England and the United States since 1821. Click to read the full story
2010-01-19	Lonesome Bert & the Skinny Lizards Releases New CD That edgy folk trio on everyone's mind, post-hip pre-cool Lonesome Bert & the Skinny Lizards, is thrilled to announce the release of a new collection of their toe-tapping mind-tanglers in the form of a CD entitled "Happytown." To celebrate the release (their second CD), the trio is throwing a party featuring their entertainment at Cafe Eleven, Friday, January 22nd on St. Augustine Deach. Click to read the full story
2010-01-19	Travel site names Venice Top 10 spot for hobbies THE HOBBY TOP 10HotelsCombined.com's Top 10 Places in the U.S. to Pursue Hobbies: 1. Golfing: Ponte Vedra Beach -- Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa. 2. Cooking: New Orleans -- Edgar Degas Historic Home, Courtyard & Inn. 3. Motorcycle Riding: Las Cruces, N.M. -- Hotel Encanto. 4. Photography: Denver -- Hotel Teatro. 5. Skiing: Jackson Hole, Wyo. -- Amangani Resort. 6. Fishing: The Emerald Coast -- Pelican Beach Resort. 7. Antique Shopping: Hudson, N.Y. -- Union Street Guest House. 8. Surfing: Huntington Beach, Calif. -- Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa. 9. Beer Tasting: Philadelphia -- Penn's View Hotel. 10.Collecting Shark Teeth: Venice -- Inn at the Beach Click to read the full story
2010-01-18	Indoor Activities in St. Augustine, Florida A wonderful city to visit in search of indoor activities which is located approximately forty minutes southeast of Jacksonville and is the oldest European city in America is St. Augustine. Here you will find a city abundant with history as it boasts many restored and reconstructed colonial structures some dating back to circa 1706. Click to read the full story
2010-01-18	St Augustine, Florida - A Good Place The earliest settlement in America is not located at Plymouth Rock, Boston, Philadelphia or even New York Harbor. For a Taste of the oldest American history in the United States the visitor needs to see St. Augustine, Florida for it is the oldest continuously inhabited city. St Augustine, founded in 1565, has thrived through centuries of strife and change and emerged in the 21st century as a tourist Mecca. The white sand beaches, warm summer waters of the Atlantic and dozens of attractions draw thousands of sun loving tourists to this sleepy community every year. With a waterfront steeped in History, St. Augustine boasts the oldest port in the United States, a boon to today's boating, yachting and fishing crowd. Click to read the full story
2010-01-18	A Road Trip on I-95 Through Florida is an Adventure in Itself -95 runs 1,917 miles along the length of the east coast with over 300 miles of it in Florida. Starting near Jacksonville, running to Miami with main thoroughfares such as I-10 to I-4 intersecting with it. If you’re going anywhere along the east coast in Florida chances are some point you’ll be on I-95. Known as the “East Coast’s Main Street” I-95 serves the entire Northeast as well because it is an important factor in commerce and tourism, linking New England and the southern part of America. I-95 passes through more states than any other Interstate Highway. Click to read the full story
2010-01-17	Best Beach Vacations in Florida Florida offers some of the best beach vacation opportunities in the United States. There are over 220 beaches on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, not to mention all of the beautiful beaches on Florida’s Gulf Coast and the Florida Keys. Many of the best beaches in America can be found in Florida. In fact, Florida beaches consistently rank in the top 10 out of all the beaches in the United States. Just thinking about Florida, conjures up images of beautiful beaches, palm trees, and walking barefoot in the sand. While no two people can probably agree on the best Florida beach vacation, here are some Florida beaches that you should definitely consider for your next trip. Anastasia State Park Anastasia State Park has four miles of pristine, white sandy beach. Popular activities at Anastasia include camping, fishing, swimming, beachcombing, hiking, canoeing and kayaking. If your family enjoys camping, a full-facility campground is located in a wooded area close to the beach. A convenient camp store and rental shop is also available on-site. Located on Florida’s Atlantic Coast near St. Augustine, Florida. Click to read the full story
2010-01-17	Florida Expert Video Castillo de San Marcos Click to read the full story
2010-01-17	St Augustine, Florida - An Amazing Vacation On a recent trip to Florida, I visited the Castillo de San Marcos. It is located in St Augustine, Florida. St Augustine has many attractions for you to see while you are there. I've been many times, and find something different every time I go. Castillo de San Marcos is an old fort Located at; 1 South Castillo Drive St. Augustine, FL 32084 The fort is over 300 years old, and is in excellent condition. It took about twenty-three years to build it and if you are interested in Click to read the full story
2010-01-15	St. Augustine Travel Tips (Bonus material from “Ageless St. Augustine,” in the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of The Saturday Evening Post. Click to read the full story
2010-01-14	January Fun in St. Augustine, FL Looking for something FUN to do in St. Augustine? When you are not shopping for homes in St. Augustine, relax and enjoy a little local flavor. Here are a few of the events happening in and around our community this month: LIMELIGHT THEATRE: BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS Friday, Jan. 1 – Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010 St. Augustine, 904.825.1164 ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION Friday, Jan. 15, 2010 St. Augustine, 904.825.1004 http://www.getaway4florida.com/images/shell/transparent_dot.gif SHARKS AT IMAX Friday, Jan. 15, 2010 St. Augustine WILD DREAMS – DISCOVERING HENRY FLAGLER Friday, Jan. 15 – Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010 St. Augustine, Click to read the full story
2010-01-14	Ponte Vedra Agent Can Book Your Space Flight If you've always wanted to visit outer space, then give the new space travel agent in town a call. Ponte Vedra travel agent Suzanne Perritt applied to be one of the agents for Virgin Galactica's space flights for the general public, planned to start in 2011. She was selected, trained for three days at Cape Canaveral and attended the rollout of Space Ship 2 in California last month. "It's very exciting. I was always interested in the space program being from Florida and attended several launches downstate with children and grandchildren," says Perritt. Click to read the full story
2010-01-14	Three sites in St. Augustine, Florida South of Jacksonville, Florida, along the First Coast, lies the oldest European settlement in America, the city of St. Augustine, established in 1565. Also known as the Ancient City, St. Augustine is an excellent spot for travelers wanting to take in four hundred and forty-five years of history in the New World. It’s easily reached by any number of luxury hotels Florida has throughout the area, and offers the history buff a number of interesting sites, such as Fort Matanzas, the Castillo de San Marcos, or the Lightner Museum. Click to read the full story
2010-01-14	Billy Bragg, Dr. Dog and Rogue Wave Set for Harvest of Hope Fest The second annual Harvest of Hope Fest will take place from March 12-14 in St. Augustine, FL. The event raises funds for the Harvest of Hope Foundation, a charitable organization that assists migrant farm workers. All in all more, than 150 artists will participate in the 2010 event. The roster of artists includes: Billy Bragg, Dr. Dog, The Mountain Goats, Rogue Wave, Delta Spirit, Portugal. the Man, Anti-Flag, Dead Prez. The complete line-up, ticket information and more about the mission of the fest, can be found at the festival website. Click to read the full story
2010-01-14	Shopping and Ghost Tours and Lighthouses OH MY!!!!!! I'm back and we had a fab time. We didn't have any type of schedule...just a plethora of time and all kinds of activities we could indulge ourselves in. We got off early on Tuesday and had an easy trip up through Daytona. We walked on the beach even though it was bloody cold. Jessaca whined, but we did it anyway. grin Once up in St. Augustine, we got to our motel, The Bayfront Inn. Easy walking distance to the downtown district. We dumped our stuff off, I handed Jessaca the map and told her to take the lead. And then we walked. I'll bet we walked 10 miles that day and just as much the next. We criss-crossed the town, and our first stop was the Sebastian Winery. A local winery that offers free tours and tasting. We missed the tour, but was there in time for a tasting which was a lot of fun. We found a few wines that Jessaca and Jonathon would have liked. I wish he was home, I would have bought him some port. Click to read the full story
2010-01-11	Three new events highlight 2010 Nationwide calendar Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (Sports Network) - The Nationwide Tour unveiled its 2010 schedule on Monday and three new events were added with two in the United States and one in Colombia. The Bogota Open is scheduled for March 4-7 with Colombian Camilo Villegas expected to play some sort of role in the championship. The Mylan Classic is headed to the Pittsburgh area September 2-5, while the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open is going to PGA Tour headquarters at the TPC Sawgrass' Dye Valley course. That event is scheduled for October 21-24. Click to read the full story
2010-01-11	Rosey Roads: St. Augustine, Florida We’re back on the road in Florida — and aren’t we glad it’s via blog instead of freezing in person this week. Today’s high in lovely St. Augustine is expected to be 49 degrees, with a low of (eek!) 27 degrees. The big “warm up” is supposed to start Thursday, with a high of 61 and a low of 47. Hopefully, that will be just the start of something warmer for the entire East Coast. When the weather cooperates, you could spend several days in the historic city of St. Augustine, which is on the Atlantic coast about 100 miles northeast of Orlando. Old St. Augustine is charming, with its historic buildings cute shops and atmospheric eateries. It’s walkable if you stay in the city and some hotels have panoramic harbor views. If you want to stay at a hotel on the beach, nearby St. Augustine Beach. There are many hotels and motels — with a wide range of prices — on the white-sands of St. A Beach. Click to read the full story
2010-01-11	Subtropical Sanctuary of the Sunshine State: Florida Travel Information From the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic seaboard, travel to Florida is the ultimate adventure and getaway for spring breakers, singles, couples, and the entire family alike. The Sunshine State is packed with amusement park extravaganzas, wildlife sanctuaries, pristine beaches, and cruise ship island escapades. Don’t miss your chance to escape to one of the most dynamic vacation destinations in the USA. Florida is also rife with pertinent heritage before becoming the 27th state of the Union. Florida’s history dates back thousands of years, prior to any European settlements in the region. By the time the first European explorer landed in Florida, the Native American population was thriving, including the Seminole and Apalachee tribes. The region changed hands from Spain to Britain, back to Spain then finally to the United States in 1845. Several war-torn forts and battlefields from the Civil War era and earlier can be found throughout the peninsula and panhandle, including Dade Battlefield Historic State Park in the Southwest District and Castillo de San Marcos (Fort Marion), a National Monument. Click to read the full story
2010-01-10	24 Hours in St. Augustine, Florida Start with a walk on the beach. Anatasia Island is about a ten minute drive (an hour walk) from St. George Street and downtown St. Augustine. Check when low tide is take a long stroll down the beach. The sun coming over the ocean will be beautiful and blinding, so remember to bring sunglasses. Personally, I like walking on the beach without shoes on, letting the sand massage my feet and feel the cool water from a crashing wave. You will see plenty of other people out running, walking their dogs, enjoying a stroll or even a ride on a segway. Breakfast: There are many breakfast places to get you going. Since you’ll already be on the beach, just walk right in to Beachcombers. It’s right on the beach with plenty of outdoor seating so you can continue enjoying the sunrise. If you want to stay on the island and are up for some good ole’ Florida history and adventure, then hit up the Alligator Farm. This is great especially if you love animals, creepy dinosaur like animals, or if you are traveling with children. It’s really a treat for the whole family. Click to read the full story
2010-01-10	Vacationing at Vilano Beach Florida When vacationing on a beach in Florida, Miami Beach is the one that most commonly comes to mind. However, many tourists and locals alike are starting to find enjoyment in vacationing at Vilano Beach, which is just two miles from St. Augustine, which is known as the “Nation’s Oldest City”. Nestled between the river identified as “Tolomato” and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, Vilano Beach has been described as “St. Augustine’s Best Kept Secret”. It was nicknamed this due to the fact that it is a relatively quiet beach that most locals visit due to the fact that there are not overcrowding issues due to tourists. Click to read the full story
2010-01-07	Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum in St. Augustine, Fl Ripley’s Believe It or Not is a place that everyone needs to see. This museum is the home to some of the most strange and bizarre thing is have ever seen in my life. If you like weird and freaky than this is the place for you. You really wont believe some of the things you will see in the museum. Ripley’s is the home to some of the strangest things on the planet. Click to read the full story
2010-01-07	Interview: Ryan Murphy, Co-Founder of the Harvest of Hope Festival The respective worlds of festivals and non-profits have more in common than you probably thought. Sleepless nights, endless phone calls, and that look from your wealthier friends and family that you’re wasting your time. In the end however, when it all works out, the reward always seems to be well worth the sweat, tears, and blood that the whole shebang brings. Even more so, when they combine forces, something surprising happens. They morph into a tour-de-force of part fundraiser and part three day party; in this case, with a punked out Lollapalooza of a lineup. That was the Harvest of Hope Festival’s first year last March in St. Augustine, Florida, and the organizers have no intention of slowing things down. Click to read the full story
2010-01-06	St. Augustine, Florida Touring the old historic district of St. Augustine, Florida comprised most of our day. Walking the narrow cobblestone streets, crowded with numerous tourists, fulfilled any needs we might have had to commune with other humans. The serenity White Swan has to offer is an oasis. We viewed the fort, Castillo De San Marcos, as we walked around it. Construction on this fortress began in 1672 and it was completed many years later. We listened as a colonial garbed docent recited the history of the fortress and then other museum volunteers shot a cannon from the top of the fort. They periodically shoot the cannon throughout the day as they give tours of the old fortress, and the shots can be heard throughout the whole downtown area. Click to read the full story
2010-01-06	Glimpses of St. Augustine A little look at St Augustine, Florida from a brief one night excursion to the oldest city in the US. Beautiful architecture, blue skies and some of the best Spanish Tapas I've had since Barcelona. Ole. Click to read the full story
2010-01-06	Players Championship Packages Now Available Visit TPC Sawgrass in May to see the 2010 Players Championship. This is one of the most exciting tournaments of the year. Players Championships Packages are available with accommodations near the course, tickets to the tournament rounds, daily breakfast, and more. Click to read the full story
2010-01-06	HotelsCombined.com Commemorates National Hobby Month, Naming the Top 10 Places in the United States to Pursue Hobbies WILMINGTON, Del., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of January as National Hobby Month, HotelsCombined.com names the Top 10 Places in the United States to Pursue Hobbies, including suggested hotels in those destinations. Whether spending the day golfing at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, skiing at Amangani Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, or collecting shark's teeth off the coast of the Inn at the Beach Resort in Venice, Florida, travelers can rest assured they found the best hotel deals at HotelsCombined.com ? the world's largest hotel search engine and price comparison site. HotelsCombined.com Top 10 Places in the United States to Pursue Hobbies 1. Golfing - Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. - Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa. TPC Sawgrass--home of the PGA TOUR Headquarters--is the ultimate golf destination. The Sawgrass Marriott offers golfers exclusive access to the PGA TOUR's most respected tournament course - THE PLAYERS Stadium Course. Click to read the full story
2010-01-06	Fort Mantanzas and Its Haunted Past I had the pleasure of climbing through the tiny opening in the officers room and I actually got stuck, so I can only imagine what it was like during a siege with officers in full gear. The fort had five guns which could reach a target of half a mile away in the inlet. Small openings in the coquina walls were used by infantrymen to fire muskets, although at times it was almost impossible to stay on target in the small enclosure. Click to read the full story
2010-01-05	Florida Attractions Castillo de San Marcos, Costa Atlantica In 1672, after the British had burned the city around them once too often, the Spaniards began the construction of this fortress coquina. Completed 23 years later, is the oldest masonry fort in the mainland United States. Rangers take Spanish colonial uniforms add to the medieval ambiance of the place. Can cannonheard throughout the city are dismissed if she is in every Sunday, between San Marcos, Fort Matanzas Ave & River. Click to read the full story
2010-01-05	St. Augustine, Florida, A Historic City The city of Saint Augustine Florida is the oldest city in the US established by the Europeans. Although Ponce de Leon was the first person to visit the city, the first settlement here was established by Menendez de Aviles in August 1565. This happened almost fifty years earlier than the English colonists reached Jamestown. In North America, St. Augustine had become the center of Spanish power. This continued for almost 200 years. The original 100 settlers had to face the same problems that the other settlers had to suffer in early America. They had to face continuous wars with the Native Americans, French and British, numerous plagues, famine and of course hurricanes. The British Empire was expanding and to face this threat, the Spanish, in 1672 built the fortress Castillo de San Marcos to protect themselves while under the supervision of Queen Mariana. The British twice invaded and sacked St. Augustine, but Spanish survived these attacks because of their refuge in Castillo. Click to read the full story
2010-01-05	The Oldest City in the Nation: St. Augustine Yes, you read right. St. Augustine, Florida (@ 435-yrs-old) located just 272 miles north of Ft. Lauderdale beats out both Jamestown and Plymouth Rock by several years as the oldest city in the entire nation. Now, as a Floridian, it’s sad for me to admit I only just recently visited St. Augustine on a family vacation for the first time. I am happy to report that I found this city to be both quaint and captivating with its ancient city look. We spent our time strolling through the historic district with all its shops, antique stores and bars. It was a very relaxing time and I would recommend St. Augustine to any couple or family looking for a quick weekend getaway. Although we did not stay in St. Augustine, we saw tons of cute bed & breakfast places that looked very cozy. Here are some recommendations on things to do/see upon your visit: Click to read the full story
2010-01-05	Despite cold, right whales still flocking to First Coast A week of cold weather isn't discouraging the annual North Atlantic right whale migration to Florida; in fact, the mammals couldn't be happier. "They have lots of blubber ... and they like the colder water," said Katie Jackson with the North Atlantic Right Whale Project, a part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "Our plane was up today, and sightings were reported in Georgia and Florida," Jackson said. The right whales are on the endangered species list despite more than 50 years of protection. North Atlantic right whales are the rarest of the right whales, with only several hundred estimated in existence. Click to read the full story
2010-01-03	Staying at a Beautiful St. Augusitne Bed and Breakfast Inn Nestled along the coast of Florida is the quaint town of St Augustine. It holds much historic value as being one of the oldest cities of the nation. It is quiet and serene and holds the flair it did way back when. There are many options for St Augustine bed and breakfast inns that you can stay at while visiting this cute little town that you can enjoy and get a slice of history while relaxing on your holiday. You can explore the roots of the town all the way back to the explorer Ponce de Leon and his lifetime journey for the fountain of youth. This is the area where he is said to have made his discovery, though the actual sight has never been found. It is rich in cultural history of the Spanish people and the wild adventures as explorers discovered and settled this land many years ago. Click to read the full story
2010-01-03	Getaways don't have to be far from home Why wait for Valentine's Day to enjoy a getaway with your honey? After all, what's more romantic than cuddle weather? If you can get away a` deux, consider some of these places to exhale after a hectic holiday season. Most of the lodging suggestions we've made are at independent hotels or inns, but you can likely find cheaper accommodations at chain hotels such as Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express. • Lights in St. Augustine: The nation's oldest city could also be called one of its most romantic. Millions of twinkling lights strung in the old town during Christmas -- and on display through January -- punctuate its charm. Click to read the full story
2010-01-03	St Augustine: For a Really Dog-Friendly Florida Vacation By Jodi Kain St. Augustine is a beautiful little historic town in Florida. It has Dog-Friendly beaches,parks,attractions,outdoor restaurants,and much more. A very good Dog-Friendly restaurant that I recommend for you and your dog is the Florida Cracker Cafe. Next door to the cafe is a chocolate shop called “Savannah’s Sweets”. Dogs are not allowed inside but you can bring out your purchases. Another Pet-Friendly restaurant in St. Augustine is Tony’s Pizza. Leashed, well mannered dogs are allowed at the outdoor tables. A very good dog-friendly carriage service in St. Augustine is St. Augustine Transfer Company. We have taken our dog on this carriage tour before, and we have had a great time. They have daytime tours and evening ghost tours. Click to read the full story
2010-01-02	St Augustine Bed And Breakfast Houses Are The Perfect Getaway The atmosphere of St. Augustine is a great combination of romance and relaxation, all rolled into one place. The many bed and breakfasts in this area provide not only a great place to stay, but they are able to make it feel like a home away from home. For all that is included with most of the B and Bs in this location, the rates are phenomenal. St Augustine bed and breakfast options are plentiful in this excellent location by the water. There is a bed and breakfast that is on Matanzas Bay, with nearby access to the water. If shopping is desired, it’s just a short walk to town. The atmosphere of this particular bed and breakfast is very Victorian and romantic. This is the perfect break for a couple escaping the hustle and bustle of city life. Even breakfast in bed is an option, as well as wine and cheese in the evening. Every room also has a Jacuzzi, a fireplace, and is filled with fantastic antiques. Click to read the full story
2010-01-02	Ghostly Places – 2 Great Haunted Places of Saint Augustine in Florida If you are looking for a really ghostly place, you must visit St. Augustine. Located along the coast of Florida, this old city literally reeks of the paranormal. Throughout the course of its history, St. Augustine has been popular for its ghosts. A large number of paranormal investigators and researchers agree that the America’s oldest city, St. Augustine in Florida, is home to the largest number of ghosts in the nation. more ghosts have been sighted and more paranormal encounters have been experienced here than any other part of America. Moreover, the spirits are exceptionally powerful in St. Augustine owing to city’s violent history of more than four centuries. Click to read the full story
2010-01-02	St Augustine Bed And Breakfast Inns And The History Of Florida Nestled along the coast of Florida is the quaint town of St Augustine. It holds much historic value as being one of the oldest cities of the nation. It is quiet and serene and holds the flair it did way back when. There are many options for St Augustine bed and breakfast inns that you can stay at while visiting this cute little town that you can enjoy and get a slice of history while relaxing on your holiday. St. Augustine’s roots go back to the explorer Ponce de Leon and his wild adventure to discover the fountain of youth. Though the actual landing point of Leon has never been pinpointed exactly it is said that his discoveries are center around the central area of the town. The city honors this history and there is a fountain of Youth Park located nearby. Click to read the full story
2010-01-01	St. Augustine Bed & Breakfast Lodgings St. Augustine is a great place to find bed and breakfasts that offer the perfect weekend getaway. These are fantastic places to feel ultimately pampered or to have a very memorable wedding experience. St Augustine bed and breakfast locations are within easy access to the town and it’s array of attractions. Whether it’s just for the weekend or for an entire week, B and Bs are a magnificent concept. Interested in learning more? There is a bed and breakfast that is on Matanzas Bay, with nearby access to the water. If shopping is desired, it’s just a short walk to town. The atmosphere of this particular bed and breakfast is very Victorian and romantic. This is the perfect break for a couple escaping the hustle and bustle of city life. Even breakfast in bed is an option, as well as wine and cheese in the evening. Every room also has a Jacuzzi, a fireplace, and is filled with fantastic antiques. Click to read the full story
2009-12-31	Ghost Tours of St. Augustine, Florida – Castillo de San Marcos There are some real ghosts that seem to follow the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida. Locals call this huge structure as the "Old Fort". The construction of this beautiful fortress began on 2 October in 1672. Later, more than three hundred years, is still standing and shows the history of the nation's oldest city. " Today, ghost stories and legends grew around this fortress, and several types of unexplained phenomena in this building. InIn this article some of the real spirit of the structure have been introduced, and some strange events that took place here. Click to read the full story
2009-12-31	TPC at Sawgrass (Florida), Recommended by Alice Dye The concept of the Stadium Course at the Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass belongs to former Professional Golf Association Tour Commissioner Deane Beman. “The PGA Tour wanted their own tournament at their own venue,” Alice Dye recalled. “Deane wanted a permanent venue that would essentially serve as the site for a fifth major. He wanted each green to have four plateaus for four different pin placements. The placements would shift for each day of the tourney.” Beman also envisioned a course that would be designed with the spectator, as well as the player in mind. The layout would need to give fans good vantage points of the action. Lastly, the course would have to be open to the public, so average Joes and Josephines could test their mettle against the same course that their heroes played. (At the time of TPC’s construction in 1980, most tournaments were held at private clubs.) Click to read the full story
2009-12-30	Oh Baby! Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum in St. Augustine Opens Fertility Statue Exhibit ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (December 30, 2009) – Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum in St. Augustine is hosting the return of the world-famous Ripley’s Fertility Statues – and they’re now available for public viewing. Please Don’t Touch – Unless You Want a Baby! More than 2,000 women have reported that they became pregnant shortly after touching the wooden statues. Many of them had been told by doctors they would never be able to conceive. Some are very serious about touching the statues, believing in their powers to help them conceive. Others want to avoid touching the statues – for the very same reason! The five-foot tall wooden statues were acquired from the Ivory Coast of West Africa in 1993, and were placed in the lobby of Ripley Entertainment’s corporate headquarters in Orlando. Within months, 13 women, including staffers and office visitors were pregnant. Click to read the full story
2009-12-30	New Years weekend events in St. Augustine St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau Communications Director Jay Humphreys announced to Historic City News the following New Years weekend events. Thursday, New Year’s Eve: December 31 Beach Blast Off at St Augustine Beach! Kick off 2010 in seaside style at this special family friendly, St. Augustine Beach event! Enjoy a blast of flavor, icy sculptures, Kids Zone and fireworks when several of St. Augustine’s favorite restaurants serve up chili for tasting and judging at the Fire and Ice Chili Cook-off from 4 to 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. After things cool off from the chili - the Fireworks begin at 8:30 p.m. This display will delight visitors and help usher in the New Year! On the Main Stage, enjoy live entertainment/bands, karaoke and the Family Friendly Dance Party. Admission is free. It all takes place at the St. Augustine Beach Pier Pavilion. For more information, visit the event’s website at www.BeachBlastOff.com . Click to read the full story
2009-12-29	Evidence suggests chocolate was relished in St. Augustine during the 1500s Archaeologists have found a whisk known as molinillo in a plastic container inside the storerooms at St. Augustine's Government House in the US, which suggests that chocolate may have been made and eaten in St. Augustine in the 1500s. According to a report in the St. Augustine Record, the whisk is a slender wooden stick with a carved knob on one end. "It shows a probable connection to Mexico or Central America that St. Augustine had," said City Archaeologist Carl Halbirt. "It's evidence for the presence of the chocolate drink (in St. Augustine)," he added. Click to read the full story
2009-12-29	Evidence suggests chocolate was relished in St. Augustine during the 1500s Washington, December 29 (ANI): Archaeologists have found a whisk known as molinillo in a plastic container inside the storerooms at St. Augustine’s Government House in the US, which suggests that chocolate may have been made and eaten in St. Augustine in the 1500s. According to a report in the St. Augustine Record, the whisk is a slender wooden stick with a carved knob on one end. “It shows a probable connection to Mexico or Central America that St. Augustine had,” said City Archaeologist Carl Halbirt. “It’s evidence for the presence of the chocolate drink (in St. Augustine),” he added. The cacao bean, the basis for chocolate, was originally grown from rainforest trees and used in Central America and Mexico as currency. For thousands of years, chocolate was known as a drink rather than as candy. Click to read the full story
2009-12-29	Blue Moon Mystique at St. Augustine Lighthouse on New Year’s Eve A rare blue moon will occur on New Year’s Eve, and the perfect spot for enjoying it is atop the St. Augustine Lighthouse, which is offering champagne toasts on the observation deck. The sunset on New Year’s Eve augurs the appearance of the second full moon in one month, known as a blue moon. So you can choose to either start or end your celebrations here at the first lighthouse established in Florida. Click to read the full story
2009-12-29	Evidence suggests chocolate was relished in St. Augustine during the 1500s Washington, December 29 (ANI): Archaeologists have found a whisk known as molinillo in a plastic container inside the storerooms at St. Augustine’s Government House in the US, which suggests that chocolate may have been made and eaten in St. Augustine in the 1500s. According to a report in the St. Augustine Record, the whisk is a slender wooden stick with a carved knob on one end. “It shows a probable connection to Mexico or Central America that St. Augustine had,” said City Archaeologist Carl Halbirt. “It’s evidence for the presence of the chocolate drink (in St. Augustine),” he added. Read more: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/health/evidence-suggests-chocolate-was-relished-in-st-augustine-during-the-1500s_100296127.html#ixzz0bvsObuNi Click to read the full story
2009-12-28	IN PRAISE OF WALKING - Small Journeys, Big Thoughts Walking St. Augustine - The Oldest US City The oldest city founded by Europeans, actually. Had a great walk up and down St. George Street looking at all the shops, visiting Castillo San Marcos, eating at little out-or-the-way restaurants, and strolling beneath the Christmas light bespangled live oaks at the old slave market. It was a magical night, reminiscent of the Christkindlmarkt visits our family made in Europe years ago. The highlight of the evening walk was a ride on the old antique carousel. Click to read the full story
2009-12-16	St. Augustine Named Top Choice by AAA ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- The AAA already has estimated that nearly 5 million Floridians will be driving this holiday season, and now we know where many of them should go. The AAA has named the nation's oldest city one of its 12 best places to experience holiday cheer. The annual Nights of Lights celebration was the deal-sealer. It's a two-month party featuring a wide variety of activities for tourists and locals alike. "Millions of white lights glow along the ancient streets and historic buildings of the oldest continually occupied European settlement in the continental United States. This year's 16th Annual Nights of Lights traces its origins to the Spanish tradition of displaying a lighted white candle during the Christmas holidays," said the AAA decision to include St. Augustine. Click to read the full story
2009-12-16	St Augustine Sunset Helicopter Tour- 2Travel Portal pLooking for the perfect way to propose or celebrate your anniversary or honeymoon? Look no further! The Romance Sunset Helicopter Tour offers the most romantic setting in St. Augustine, approx. 98 miles from Orlando./ppYou’ll depart east just as the sun is setting and head south over 12 miles of beach returning back over the beach just in time to enjoy a spectacular view of St. Augustine as the sun sets over the Old Downtown. This is a trip you will never forget!/ppFlight distance is 32 miles./p Click to read the full story
2009-12-16	Theatre on agenda for the Holiday weekend St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau Communications Director Jay Humphreys announced to Historic City News the following weekend events for your holiday enjoyment. Friday, Saturday and Sunday: December 18-20 LIMELIGHT THEATRE: BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS Enjoy this exciting musical that mixes laughter and a little bit of spice at the Matuza Main Stage at Limelight Theatre. When conservative sensibilities meet the ladies of the Chicken Ranch, feathers are going to fly. Limelight Theatre is located at 11 Old Mission Road in St. Augustine. Show times are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. matinees only through January 17. Tickets are $25 adults, $22 Seniors and $20 for students and military. For more information, call 904.825.1164 or visit www.limelight-theatre.org. Click to read the full story
2009-12-15	Angling on Florida's North East Coast- World Fisihng Network Best known for being the oldest city in the United States is also home to some fabulous largemouth bass fishing. This and plenty of other angling surprises and action awaits you on the east coast in St. Augustine, Florida. St. Augustine is the perfect city for families and is also a great spot for anglers wishing to get in some salt water fishing while on vacation. The area has many fantastic restaurants (make sure you grab a fish taco!), shops and things to see for people of all ages (there is even a fishing pier not far from the downtown core). Between November and January is the annual "Nights of Lights" where the city is covered in beautiful Christmas lights. This is a sight not to be missed; it's worth taking a walk through the old city. Click to read the full story
2009-12-15	World Golf Hall of memories - Examiner.com A few days before the Induction Ceremony for the 2009 class into the World Golf Hall of Fame Jack Peter, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive, took the time to sit down for an interview covering a wide range of topics. The World Golf Hall of Fame, opened in 1998, is part of the sprawling World Golf Village development bordering Interstate 95 outside St. Augustine, Fla., and run by the not-for-profit World Golf Foundation. Support for the Foundation comes from the world’s golf tours and associations such as the PGA Tour, United States Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient plus major corporate help from Shell Oil and Ketel One Vodka. Click to read the full story
2009-12-15	St. Augustine: Adventures By Land, Sea and Air- The City Traveler In St. Augustine, Fla., anyone on a quest for the Fountain of Youth will find outdoor adventures certain to get their juices flowing. Known as America’s first city, St. Augustine is hip-deep in history, including being the site of the legendary Fountain of Youth “discovered” by Ponce de Leon in the early 1500s and the 17th century Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest surviving European fort in the continental United States. Click to read the full story
2009-12-05	City website devoted to archaeological work - Historic City News Few cities in the nation can rival St. Augustine’s buried archeological heritage and now Historic City News has learned that there is a way to experience the excitement of discovery without getting dirty. The City of St. Augustine has launched a new website featuring the extensive work and research literally uncovered by the city’s Archaeological Division through the city’s archaeological preservation ordinance. The city adopted the ordinance in 1987 and over the past 22 years more than 600 locations within the city limits have been investigated. Click to read the full story
2009-12-05	St. Augustine Lighthouse- Travel Close Up On my last trip up to St. Augustine over Thanksgiving, we decided to take a tour of the St. Augustine Lighthouse. After all the food we ate, it seemed like a good idea as there were 219 steps. EXTREME AEROBICS!!! Yep, there they were spiraling ever upward. Did I tell you that I have a fear of heights? And the higher we went, the narrower the space. Oh, and did I tell you that I am claustrophobic? I know – lethal combination for what we endeavored to do. ( More about this later!) But we passed it all the time and there it stood high above the trees just beckoning. So it was after all a must see. Click to read the full story
2009-12-05	Florida doesn't need snow to get in holiday spirit - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Orlando, Fla. - If you're one of those snowbirds who heads to Florida this time of year, you'll find lots of holiday displays - even without the cold weather. St. Augustine celebrates Nights of Lights through Jan. 31 with light displays, a Winter Wonderland area with ice skating, a refrigerated ice slide and sleigh rides. St. Augustine Historic Inns is sponsoring a Bed and Breakfast Holiday Tour next weekend, with a dozen inns showing off their holiday decorations each day. Each inn partners with a local culinary establishment to provide a signature treat for participants. Old Town Trolley provides free transportation for tour participants who prefer to ride. Tickets are $35 at www.staugustinebandbtour.com. Click to read the full story
2009-12-03	Coolest Places to Visit in The United States- Florida Sports Online When in the United States, there is an endless list of places to visit and much will depend on your interests, the time you have to spend, and how far you wish to travel. High on the list of places to visit in the USA would have to be NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where for over thirty years tours groups have heard stories about men in space and voyages to the moon. Castillo de San Marcos and the Florida Museum of Natural History are well worth a look as well. Click to read the full story
2009-12-03	Amelia Island VP named executive director VCB Board Chairman Charles Cox reported to Historic City News that Richard Goldman has been named as the executive director of the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau. Goldman replaces Cox who has served as the organization’s interim director during the search for a permanent executive director. “We are extremely pleased that Richard will be bringing his wealth of experience and proven track record of success to our Visitors and Convention Bureau,” Cox said. “This is a critical time for tourism in St. Johns County and I know all of the members of the VCB Board of Directors share my conviction that Richard is truly the right person to lead the VCB to even greater success in its work to market the county as one of the nation’s truly outstanding destinations.” Click to read the full story
2009-12-03	County approves $200k sponsorship On Tuesday, St. Johns County Commissioners approved a sponsorship agreement with the PGA Tour for $200,000 for advertising during The Players Championship in May 2010. The money, which was a part of the budget for 2010 approved by the commission, will come from the category three Tourist Development Council fund, which funds leisure and recreational development programs. Council programs under category three funds are managed by the County’s Parks and Recreation department and have included capital projects like boat ramps and beach re-nourishment as well as other sporting events such as baseball tournaments and the St. Augustine Amateur golf tournament. Click to read the full story
2009-12-03	Harvest of Hope Festival returns to Florida The 2nd Annual Harvest of Hope [ tickets ] Fest returns to St. Augustine, FL, Mar. 12-14 at St. Johns County Fairgrounds. The three-day charitable event was designed to raise awareness and provide financial and educational aid to migrant farmworkers, according to a press release. Last year's festival featured more than 100 artists from diverse genres of music, including punk, hip-hop and indie. Among the acts that performed were Against Me!, GZA, Tokyo Police Club, Ra Ra Riot, KRS-One, Girl Talk, Less Than Jake and The National. Click to read the full story
2009-12-03	Castillo de San Marcos National Monument -TC Palm The Castillo (castle) was initially built by the Spanish to protect their empire in America. Engineer Ignacio Daza incorporate a type of fortress construction called the "bastion" system. The star-like outline of the Castillo is formed by diamond-shaped projections or bastions at each corner of the fort; the design eliminates blind spots for the guards in the garitas or sentry boxes at each bastion point and increases the fort's firepower by allowing multiple cannons to fire on the same target, creating a crossfire effect. Click to read the full story
2009-12-03	29th annual Regatta of Lights December 12th - Historic City News Communications Director Jay Humphreys reported to Historic City News that the historic waters of Matanzas Bay will sparkle in the glow of a holiday regatta of boats decked out in their seasonal finery. Hosted by the St. Augustine Yacht Club, the 29th annual event will feature a nighttime parade of sailboats, trawlers, fishing boats and recreational boats aglitter with brilliant lighted displays ranging from patriotic to whimsical. Boat owners will try to out-dazzle the competition in a spirited contest featuring prizes in a variety of categories featuring boats from 15 to 85 feet in length. Click to read the full story
2009-12-03	St. Augustine Lights the City with Holiday Tradition Thousands of luminaries were placed around the grounds of the St. Augustine Light Station. The park was free and open to the public, however for the first year ever, guests were asked to bring canned food to help feed the hungry. People climbed more than 200 stairs of the lighthouse to see the city all lit up for the holidays. Meanwhile choirs sang, cider was served and the keeper's house was all decked out with christmas cheer. Click to read the full story
2009-12-03	St Augustine to Ft Lauderdale, FL - Maryland Gazette St Augustine was a great example of what we’d hoped to see along the way, this trip. It’s quite out of the way for us, we wouldn’t have come here otherwise, but it was on our boat route. We learned it’s the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the US. The founder, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, arrived here September 8, 1565 with 200 colonists from Spain. We had a fascinating time strolling the cobblestone streets – although I have to admit it’s a toss-up which I enjoyed more – the amazing architecture, or the excellent local beer at the brew pub across from the marina. Some of the buildings reminded me of Santa Fe, NM, and I was struck again by how extensive the Spanish influence is in the southern half of the US. Click to read the full story
2009-12-02	FLORIDA ATTRACTIONS LIGHT UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS - USA TODAY ORLANDO (AP) — If you're one of those snowbirds who heads to Florida this time of year, you'll find lots of holiday displays — even without the cold weather. St. Augustine celebrates Nights of Lights through Jan. 31 with light displays, a Winter Wonderland area with ice skating, a refrigerated ice slide, and sleigh rides. St. Augustine Historic Inns is sponsoring a Bed and Breakfast Holiday Tour Dec. 12-13, with a dozen inns showing off their holiday decorations each day. Each inn partners with a local culinary establishment to provide a signature treat for participants, and most will offer opportunities to meet local artists. Old Town Trolley provides free transportation for tour participants who prefer to ride instead of walking to each inn on the tour. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at staugustinebandbtour.com. Click to read the full story
2009-12-02	The first annual Harvest of Hope Foundation Music and Art Festival at the St. Johns County Fair Grounds in St. Augustine, Florida.- The American Perspective This three day, multiple stage alternative music festival all to benefit and raise awareness for Harvest of Hope (www.harvestofhope.net), a non-profit organization that provides financial, educational, and service oriented aid to migrant farm workers all over the country. Click to read the full story
2009-12-02	Snowbird Christmas: Holidays in Florida- Connecticut Post ORLANDO—If you're one of those snowbirds who heads to Florida this time of year, you'll find lots of holiday displays—even without the cold weather. St. Augustine celebrates Nights of Lights through Jan. 31 with light displays, a Winter Wonderland area with ice skating, a refrigerated ice slide, and sleigh rides. St. Augustine Historic Inns is sponsoring a Bed and Breakfast Holiday Tour Dec. 12-13, with a dozen inns showing off their holiday decorations each day. Each inn partners with a local culinary establishment to provide a signature treat for participants, and most will offer opportunities to meet local artists. Old Town Trolley provides free transportation for tour participants who prefer to ride instead of walking to each inn on the tour. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at http://www.staugustinebandbtour.com. Click to read the full story
2009-12-02	Bed and Breakfast Holiday Tour : St Augustine - Costal Companion This is the 16th year of the popular St. Augustine Historic Inns “Bed and Breakfast Holiday Tour”. The Bed and Breakfast Holiday Tour has become a much anticipated yearly tradition in St. Augustine. The two-day event showcases a total of 25 Inns decorated for the holidays. The tour ticket includes tours on both days, as well as a treat from a culinary. You also have an opportunity to meet artists from local galleries displaying their works at selected Bed and Breakfast locations around town. Old Town Trolley will provide transportation and Winn Dixie Stores offers hot chocolate and a complimentary grocery tote bag when you pick up your tour tickets at the Visitors Information Center on San Marco. The St. Augustine Historic Inns (SAHI) choose a charity to receive a gift representing a portion of the funds raised every year, and this year the recipient is the “Empty Stocking Fund”. The fund gives food and gift cards to local economically disadvantaged children and their families during the holiday season. The Bed and Breakfast Holiday Tour is scheduled for Saturday, December 12th and Sunday, December 13th from 2pm-5pm. Tickets are $35.00 through event day. You can purchase your tickets online at www.staugustinebandbtour.com or at The Record headquarters located at One News Place, St. Augustine. If you liked this post, please fill in the box below to receive more fun things from the coast from us! Name Email Posted by Susanne on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 12:57 am Filed under Art & Entertainment, Attractions, Featured, Florida, Home, News, St Augustine, Tours · Tagged with bed and breakfast, christmas, culinary, florida, Gallery, holiday, inns, old town trolley, St Augustine, Tour Speak Your Mind Click to read the full story
2009-12-02	Into the Spirit of Things, St. Augustine Halloween Hauntings with Travel Writer Dave Hunter I'm sitting in the haunted bedroom of a haunted inn, in St. Augustine, Florida, arguably the most haunted city in North America. Kathy and I will be sleeping here for the next two nights in the room where Mrs. Capo, the building's original owner, frequently returns for a ghostly visit. Click to read the full story
2009-12-02	Spend the Holidays at TPC Sawgrass - TPC Blog Take a break from the holiday hustle and bustle to enjoy a free concert on the Back Lawn at TPC Sawgrass. The Lucas Cates Band will perform live from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. Hailing from Madison, Wisconsin, the Lucas Cates Band is an original acoustic rock band who integrates elements of pop, rock, funk, reggae, jazz, R&B, alternative-country and jam and appeals to all ages. Cash bars will be available for refreshments. To learn more about The Lucas Cates Band click here for their website. Click to read the full story
2009-12-01	Snowbird Christmas: Holidays in Florida you're one of those snowbirds who heads to Florida this time of year, you'll find lots of holiday displays — even without the cold weather. St. Augustine celebrates Nights of Lights through Jan. 31 with light displays, a Winter Wonderland area with ice skating, a refrigerated ice slide, and sleigh rides. St. Augustine Historic Inns is sponsoring a Bed and Breakfast Holiday Tour Dec. 12-13, with a dozen inns showing off their holiday decorations each day. Each inn partners with a local culinary establishment to provide a signature treat for participants, and most will offer opportunities to meet local artists. Old Town Trolley provides free transportation for tour participants who prefer to ride instead of walking to each inn on the tour. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at http://www.staugustinebandbtour.com. Click to read the full story
2009-12-01	FAMILY GETAWAYS - Disney Family Fun Magazine Spend a Day in St Augustine Florida Swashbuckling adventures and 500 years of history come together in this town just two hours from Orlando. Pirates still roam the streets of St Augustine but these days they re very well behaved During one of my family s visits a buccaneer in full regalia ran into me as he was rushing to a reenactment event and then stopped to apologize profusely That s the kind of funny sweet moment that keeps our family com ing back to this Atlantic Coast city where Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon landed in 1513. Click to read the full story
2009-12-01	Link to File ">FAMILY GETAWAYS - Disney Family Fun Fun Trips, Helpful Tips, Family-to-Family Advice, and Memorable Adventures Spend a Day in ... St. Augustine, Florida Swashbuckling adventures and 500 years of history come together in this town just two hours from Orlando By Alisson Pirates still roam the streets of St. Augustine, but these days, they're very well behaved. During one of my family's visits, a buccaneer in full regalia ran into me as he was rushing to a reenactment event and then stopped to apologize profusely. That's the kind of funny, sweet moment that keeps our family coming back to this Atlantic Coast city where Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon landed in 1513. Other colonial history destinations, such as Williamsburg, Virginia, may get more of the limelight, but St. Augustine's glorious weather, walkable downtown, and piratical past not to mention its proximity to Orlando's theme parks make it an ideal place for a family day trip. I love to steal away to St. Augustine with my husband, Jeremey, and our son, Owen, age 9, from our home in nearby Gainesville. Here's how we pack in a full day of fun in one of the oldest European settlements in the United States. Link to File >Click to read the full story
2009-11-30	THE PLAYERS offers holiday ticket special for 2010 event (PGATOUR.com) PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla.—Fans can give the gift of THE PLAYERS Championship this holiday season through a special PLAYERS Holiday Family Plan that includes tickets, parking and a commemorative DVD from the 2009 event. Now through Dec. 14, tournament officials are offering THE PLAYERS Holiday Family Plan for $99, a savings of nearly $100 for one of golf's premier events, held at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, May 3-9. THE PLAYERS Holiday Family Plan Includes: – 2 Adult Daily Grounds Admission Tickets (good for a specific day, Thursday – Sunday) – 2 Youth Daily Grounds Admission Tickets (Age 18 and under) – Complimentary On-Site Parking Pass – Commemorative DVD of THE PLAYERS 2009 Click to read the full story
2009-11-30	British Nightwatch and Grande Illumination – St Augustine, Florida St. Augustine’s British heritage will be celebrated in grand style on December 4 and 5 when British Night Watch and Grande Illumination return to the Oldest City. One of the most colorful and exciting events of the holiday season, the 35th annual presentation of Grande Illumination and British Night Watch will feature an entertaining and educational blend of pageantry and authentic historical presentations describing life in St. Augustine when it was part of the British Empire (1763-1784). This year, the fun gets underway Friday, December 4 at 8 p.m. with a free concert featuring traditional Celtic music performed by Father, Son and Friends at the Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum’s Taberna del Gallo on St. George Street. Sangria, cider and ale mixed with boisterous singing by authentically-garbed re-enactors will create just the sort of jocularity needed to ease the pain of the recent loss of the American colonies. Admission is free. Saturday’s events include a British encampment from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Colonial Spanish Quarter. The encampment will feature a 9 a.m. performance of fife and drum music and the raising of the King’s Colors. A master musician will entertain at 10:30 a.m. followed by fife and drum music at 11 a.m. At 12:45 p.m., a fashion parade featuring the latest fashions from 1782 will take center stage at the encampment. At 2 p.m., special British military demonstrations will take place at the Castillo de San Marcos. At 4 p.m., the public is invited to attend an “afternoon of musik and country dance” at the Flagler Foundation Garden on the corner of St. George and Hypolita Streets At 7:30 p.m., the British troops, their Native American allies and camp followers will assemble to the beating of drums and the music of fifes at the De Mesa House on St. George Street. At 8 p.m., this colorful contingent will parade by torchlight to Government House where they will hear a holiday proclamation from the governor before embarking on a festive march through the historic district. The public will be invited to light a candle and join in the boisterous parade through the town. A musketry volley of joy, singing of carols and general revelry by everyone involved will add to the holiday spirit. All of the events associated with Grande Illumination and British Night Watch are open to the public and admission is free. The events are supported by a grant from the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council. For more information, call 904.829.5318 or visit www.britishnightwatch.org. Posted by Susanne on Monday, November 30, 2009 at 4:56 pm Filed under Attractions, Featured, Florida, Historic Site, History & Heritage, Kids, St Augustine · Tagged with british nightwatch, colonial spanish quarter, event, florida, grande illumination, re-enactors, St Augustine, st. george street Speak Your Mind Click to read the full story
2009-11-28	5K With Donna at TPC Sawgrass THE PLAYERS 5K with Donna raised funds to finish breast cancer. The inaugural event welcomed runners and walkers of all levels to experience a behind-the-scenes 5K route through the beautiful PLAYERS Stadium Course. Participants began at the Clubhouse and ran along the cart paths through all back nine holes. Registration for the event was limited to 1,000 people. The event also included a Grounds Ticket to attend THE PLAYERS on Sunday, May 9, 2010. Also anyone attending THE PLAYERS wearing the official 5K participant tee shirt will be admitted free to the 5K with Donna Sawgrass Suite on the 16th tee. 100% of net proceeds and raised funds will go towards breast cancer research at Mayo Clinic and care through the Donna Foundation, an organization dedicated to funding the needs of women with breast cancer. Click to read the full story
2009-11-28	Romantic Honeymoons are St. Augustine’s Specialty The key to pulling off a great romantic honeymoon is all in the couple’s attitude. Just about any backdrop will do for the first few days as it’s not likely the couple will notice their surroundings. After that, however, keeping the romance alive can really benefit from a great honeymoon location that offers a few fun things to do. St. Augustine, Florida, is one such location. This city on Florida’s east coast is considered the oldest in America. Its rich blend of history and natural beauty make it a winner for romantic vacations. The beaches here are beautiful as is the architecture and the weather. Guests who want a really romantic excursion can stay at any of a number of historic bed and breakfast locations where owners specialize in helping honeymoon couples enjoy their privacy and the sites St. Augustine has to offer. Even the most romantic honeymoon will find the bride and groom wanting to venture out once in a while, though, and this is where St. Augustine really shines. This city is small, but it offers a little something for everyone. Some of the top sites to visit, include: Click to read the full story
2009-11-27	St. Augustine, Florida On a recent trip to St. Augustine, Florida (The oldest city in the United States), we spent a gorgeous 4 days exploring the beaches, restaurants, local shops and kayaking the salt flats. Brown Pelicans were everywhere, perched on pillars, docks and anywhere else they could find a vantage point for capturing fish. Click to read the full story
2009-11-26	The Oldest City- Bodeswell Family Travel Blog We got a nice email from Kevin from Jacksonville,FL who wanted to invite us over, but it said… “It would be cool to have you stop by, but I am currently living in Afghanistan. It would be so uncool to have your family drive here.” Yeah – we agree. Kabul or the Florida beaches? Further south we go… What’s the oldest city in America? St. Augustine? Click to read the full story
2009-11-24	The Ultimate Vacation Destination: St. Augustine Florida's Beauty Will Captivate You It is North America's oldest and most beautiful city. St. Augustine is truly a sight to behold. Into Florida and past Jacksonville, on the eastern side facing the Atlantic Ocean, lies the oldest and most engaging city in the United States. Known for its 43 miles of pristine beaches, its 19th century architecture, and Spanish influence, lies the timeless beauty of St. Augustine. More than 20 years before the English settled Roanoke in Virginia, and 42 years before Jamestown Virginia, St. Augustine became a permanent settlement in 1565 thanks to the Spanish Admiral Pedro Menendez de Aviles. While some from Quebec City, Canada might argue, St. Augustine is truly the oldest city in North America. St. Augustine boasts the oldest standing wooden school house, and is home to the first ever Christian mass held in North America. Its history is as rich as its beauty. However, its allure doesn't only come from being the oldest city, it comes from its way of life and tribute to it's historical past. Click to read the full story
2009-11-24	Let's Talk Food: Turkeys lost to eagles as symbol, but they’re a delicious runner-up I don’t mean to rain on your Pilgrim costume as you prepare for your Thanksgiving feast. Most of us have visions of our Pilgrim forbearers sitting down at that first Thanksgiving dinner and enjoying a turkey dinner with the Indians. Over the years the turkey has become our symbol of this holiday, but if truth be told, the Pilgrims on Cape Cod were not the first early settlers to celebrate a day of thanksgiving. Michael Gannon, a history professor, has written a book, “The Cross in the Sand.” In the book he writes that St. Augustine was the first community to celebrate a thanksgiving feast. This took place in 1565, but it was not the first such celebration. In 1513, Ponce de Leon organized such a feast and another in 1521. In 1549, Father Luis Cancer de Barbastro celebrated a thanksgiving Mass. Click to read the full story
2009-11-22	Where was first Thanksgiving? How about St. Augustine, FLa.- Pittsburg Post By Virginia Linn Pittsburgh Post Gazette the ST AUGUSTINE Fla —Forget turkey the silly Pilgrim hats and the buckles Forget Plymouth Rock and 1621 If you want to know about the real first Thanksgiving on American soil travel L200 miles south and more than 50 years earlier to a grassy spot on the Matanzas fiiver in North Florida This is where Spanish Aum Pedro Menendez de Aviles came ashore on Sept 8 1565 This is where he 500 sol diers 200 sailors 100 civilian families and artisans and the Tinmcuan Indi ans who occupied the village of Seloy gathered at a makeshift altar and saiii the first Christian Mass And after ward this is where they held the first Thanksgiving feast Click to read the full story
2009-11-20	Florida's Renaissance at World Golf Village Offers Handa Cup Rate - Travel Pulse The 2009 Handa Cup will be held on Dec. 5 through 6, 2009, at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla. The annual match-up will be played on World Golf Village’s Slammer & Squire championship golf course, and will feature top international and U.S. legends of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), who will compete in a match play competition. The event is open to the public and single-day grounds passes are $10. As a tie-in, the newly-renovated Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village -- which overlooks the picturesque Slammer & Squire course and is adjacent to the renowned World Golf Hall of Fame -- is offering a special “Handa Cup Room Rate” of $109 per room, per night, which includes up to 4 tickets for the following day’s round. For reservations or additional information, call 888-740-7020 or visit www.WorldGolfRenaissance.com. Click to read the full story
2009-11-20	History Sun Drenched - New York Times There's "Old Florida" - and then there is really old Florida. St. Augustine, the oldest permanent European settlement in the continental United States and a city of about 12,500 residents, was settled by the Spanish in 1565. On Matanzas Bay in St Johns County south of Jacksonville and north of Dayto na Beach this waterfront city with its 300 year old homes and Spanish Renais sance Revival architecture attracts tour ists and snowbirds Horse drawn bug gies clop along brick streets Attractions include the Castillo de San Marcos a 17th century fort now a national monu ment and St Augustine Alligator Farm which is more than 100 years old The oil tycoon Henry Flagler built a number of grand hotels here including the Ponce de Leon built in 1888 and now the center piece of Flagler College. Click to read the full story
2009-11-20	Holiday Tourism is Big Business in St. Augustine ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- There's nothing like some holiday fun to light up tourism in Florida. When two million lights in downtown St. Augustine turn on for Nights of Lights, cash registers light up too. John Cunningham is the owner of Ann O'Malley's, an Irish pub in St. Augustine near the fort. He said, "We start seeing a lot more people coming into town, locals, people coming from Jacksonville and Palatka. And we see a lot of out-of-towners coming in for the weekends which is very nice." Cunningham said all those little lights double his weekend business. Just across the temporary Bridge of Lions at the St. Augustine Amphitheater, Winter Wonderland brings in the revenue, too. Click to read the full story
2009-11-18	2009 Bed and Breakfast Holiday Tour Visitors and Convention Bureau Communications Director Jay Humphreys, reported to Historic City News that on December 12th & 13th, St. Augustine’s dazzling array of bed and breakfast inns will display their holiday finery during the 16th annual Bed and Breakfast Holiday Tour. Presented by St. Augustine Historic Inns, the tour is one of the most popular events of the oldest city’s Nights of Lights Celebration. Click to read the full story
2009-11-17	If gas prices are hitting hard, or you're just looking to ditch the car on your next trip, check out these excellent walkable towns in Florida. St. Augustine Founded in 1565, St. Augustine pre-dates automobiles by a long shot, making it an obvious choice for your walkable vacation. The city’s narrow brick streets are much more suited to walking than they are to driving. From antique shops along San Marco Avenue to antiquated architecture on Saint George Street, the nation’s oldest city offers up scores of historic sites and museums, restaurants and pubs. All are within easy walking distance of local hotels such as the budget-friendly Days Inn (1300 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd., 904-824-3383) or quaint Casa de Solana (21 Aviles St., 904-824-3555). Click to read the full story
2009-11-06	Judyth Piazza chats with Zach McKenna, St. Augustine Eco Tours It is a combination of elements that make excursions with St. Augustine Eco Tours a world class experience. 1. The Environment - St. Augustine Eco Tour`s Headquarters are located in the heart of an amazing estuary and surrounded by a 60,000 acre NEER (National Estuarine Research Reserve). Click to read the full story
2009-11-03	Wadkins, Olazabal inducted into Hall of Fame ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida (AP) — Jose Maria Olazabal, Lanny Wadkins and Christy O'Connor Sr. were inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on Monday night, a reward for hundreds of international victories and stellar performances under intense pressure in the Ryder Cup. Joining them posthumously was President Dwight Eisenhower, whose love of golf has been credited for a surge in interest in the game in the United States while he was in office from 1952-1960. Olazabal first played golf at the age of 2, encouraged by his father, a greenkeeper at a public course in the Basque region of Spain. Olazabal was 18-8-2 in the Ryder Cup, and won the Masters in 1994 and 1999. The most emotional point of the night came when Olazabal's mentor and Ryder Cup teammate, Seve Ballesteros, made the presentation speech for Olazabal on a video. Ballesteros has been battling brain cancer since December 2008 and was unable to travel. Click to read the full story
2009-11-02	Olazabal, Wadkins and O'Connor inducted into Hall of Fame MIAMI (Reuters) - Jose Maria Olazabal, Lanny Wadkins and Christy O'Connor celebrated their elevation to the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Florida on Monday. Double U.S. Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain, American Wadkins and Irishman O'Connor, whose European Tour career spanned four decades, were inducted at the World Golf Village as part of the class of 2009. Olazabal, who was movingly introduced by his compatriot and good friend Seve Ballesteros via video, bracketed his induction with the two Green Jackets he clinched at Augusta National in 1994 and 1999 Click to read the full story
2009-11-02	Ancient city, Crescent Beach inspire Florida painters St. Augustine native Pamela Geiger expressed her artistic style with local scenery at the fifth annual Crescent Beach Paint Out. The Paint Out features more than 30 Floridian “plain air” artists, extending from downtown St. Augustine to Crescent Beach. Plain air artwork is painted outdoors with the subject in direct view. Click to read the full story
2009-11-01	Touristy but not tacky, St. Augustine carries its past with pride ST. AUGUSTINE - So much of Florida can seem like a big swath of mini-malls, chain stores, and sprawling residential complexes - one development after another, relieved only by the occasional pelican or palm tree. We came to St. Augustine hoping to find something with a little more soul. Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in North America, and it still has the architecture to prove it. Its narrow streets and central plaza were laid out by Spanish decree in 1598. It boasts many fine Spanish and British Colonial structures, including at least 43 homes built before 1820. Click to read the full story
2009-10-31	Home for the Holidays Okay, I know what you’re thinking: “Home for the Holidays? Wait a minute! This is the “Get Out of Town” section, where I turn each month to read about exciting travel adventures and exotic destinations.” True, but this is December, and December, like no other month, is all about family and home. But don’t worry, you can stay home and still get out of town. Consider these six day-trips that will take you to some unique places to enjoy some unique Holiday events: Number One: Begin your month of holiday family fun with a trip to the Nation’s oldest city. St. Augustine’s 54th Annual Christmas Parade begins at 10 a.m., December 6th at the Mission of Nombre de Dios and winds through the streets of historic downtown St. Augustine. The parade will feature floats, marching bands, and of course, Santa Claus, who’ll be available for photos with the kids in the Plaza de la Constitucion right after the parade. Stick around and help celebrate St. Augustine’s Grand Illumination — the lighting of millions of white, twinkling lights. After that, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, wine, and eggnog, as the British Night Watch assembles between 6 and 8 p.m. in the Sala de Montiano Courtyard of Government House on St. George Street. Click to read the full story
2009-10-31	St. Augustine Florida with Character It was easy for me to get attached to St. Augustine, Florida. We hit it off immediately, since the city has five things I love history, water, personality, decent weather and more history. St. Augustine was founded in 1565, some 42 years before the English colonized Jamestown and 55 years before the Pilgrims set foot on Plymouth Rock. It’s been continuously occupied since that time. By American standards, that’s old. Click to read the full story
2009-10-30	35th annual Grande Illumination December 5th John Thornton, Board Member for the Committee for the Night Watch reported to Historic City News that the 35th annual Grande Illumination - British Night Watch Parade sparkles to life on Saturday, December 5th. More than two million tiny white lights will glow along the ancient streets and historic buildings of the Nation’s Oldest City. Thornton said, “This beautiful display of traditional colonial pageantry and St. Augustine’s lighted historic architecture is the perfect setting to begin your family’s holiday celebration.” Click to read the full story
2009-10-29	King and queen of Spain want to visit St. Augustine in 2015 ST. AUGUSTINE - King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sophia of Spain will likely make a royal visit to St. Augustine during its 450th birthday in 2015 to accent the city's Spanish heritage, Spanish Ambassador Santiago Martinez Caro said Wednesday. Speaking to the regional St. Augustine 450th Commemoration Commission at Flagler College, the ambassador said there has been no official confirmation of the trip because it is so far off. Click to read the full story
2009-10-28	Celebrate a Most Ancient Halloween in America’s Oldest City Saturday: October 31 UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT A favorite end-of-the-month event, Uptown Saturday Night takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. the last Saturday of every month in the Uptown San Marco Shopping District, St. Augustine. Galleries, antique stores and unique shops between Ripley’s Museum and the Mission of Nombre de Dios remain open during this special time. Meet the artists, book signings, live music, refreshments and other events contribute to the party-like atmosphere. The Mission of Nombre de Dios provides FREE PARKING for Uptown Saturday Night. Appetizers are provided by the Saint Augustine Click to read the full story
2009-10-28	Gamble Rogers Folk Festival Relocating Downtown 2010 The Gamble Rogers Folk Festival is excited to announce its decision to move to downtown St. Augustine in 2010. The Festival, now in its 15th year, commemorates the life and performing art of national star and local hero James Gamble Rogers. For 12 years the festival was housed at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre followed by a 2 year residence at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds. This year the Gamble Rogers Folk Festival has teamed up with the St. Johns County Cultural Events Division and the City of St. Augustine to produce the event in a unique new format. From Friday, April 30 to Sunday, May 2, 2010, downtown St. Augustine will be immersed in the sights and sounds of folk, dancing, storytelling, and bluegrass. Click to read the full story
2009-10-28	Romantic Honeymoons are St. Augustine’s Specialty- The Florida Keys The key to pulling off a great romantic honeymoon is all in the couple’s attitude. Just about any backdrop will do for the first few days as it’s not likely the couple will notice their surroundings. After that, however, keeping the romance alive can really benefit from a great honeymoon location that offers a few fun things to do. St. Augustine, Florida, is one such location. This city on Florida’s east coast is considered the oldest in America. Its rich blend of history and natural beauty make it a winner for romantic vacations. The beaches here are beautiful as is the architecture and the weather. Guests who want a really romantic excursion can stay at any of a number of historic bed and breakfast locations where owners specialize in helping honeymoon couples enjoy their privacy and the sites St. Augustine has to offer. Click to read the full story
2009-10-28	Florida Golf Guide -- Inside the World Golf Hall of Fame near St. Augustine The current featured exhibit at the World Golf Hall of Fame is " Bob Hope: Shanks for the Memory," which runs through 2010 in honor of 1983 Hall of Fame inductee Bob Hope. More than 400 of Hope's golf artifacts, ranging from the trick golf clubs he used in his USO shows with the troops to a replica of the club that astronaut Alan Shepard used on the moon, are on hand to help tell the story of an entertainer who was hooked on the sport. Shepard said he got the idea to take the club into space after watching Hope constantly walk around a movie set using a driver for better balance. Besides the Hope exhibit, golf fans can learn what it was like to putt gutta-percha balls with hickory putters on old, spongy greens — just as they putted on them at St. Andrews in the 1800s. There is a room devoted solely to the evolution of golf equipment, showing how the advances have become exponential in recent years. Click to read the full story
2009-10-26	Find of the Week We finished up excavations in the Plaza late last week. One of the most interesting things we uncovered were soil stains relating to a late 16th century structure. Here you can see a posthole on the left, a linear soil stain that is a wall trench, and an unexcavated posthole on the right. The conch shell at the bottom of the unit is most likely on the floor surface of the structure. The ceramics we uncovered in association with the stains give us a rough date of late 1500s to early 1600s. Click to read the full story
2009-10-26	http://golfblips.dailyradar.com/article/artifacts-featured-in-world-golf-hall-of-fame-class-of/ Special displays recounting the paths of each of the 2009 World Golf Hall of Fame Inductees have been opened to the public, a week before Dwight D. Eisenhower, Christy O’Connor, José María Olazábal and Lanny Wadkins become official members at the annual Induction Ceremony. (link) Click to read the full story
2009-10-26	Halloween: 13 Haunted Travel Destinations It’s time to turn your traditional, dull vacation on its head with a ghost-infused trip to one of America’s haunted hot spots. Although America may lack the aged locations of the Old World, it nevertheless is permeated with the old, unusual, horrific, tragic and mysterious. Moreover, beyond the excitement and awe provided by your close encounters with the paranormal, these travel destinations offer history, culture, and often beauty, albeit of an odd sort. Not only can you travel to a new city or town in America, but you can also have the thrill of a lifetime. This may even be the beginning of a new ghost hunting hobby. If you do some simple online research, you can also discover enough discount flights so that you can become the well-traveled and experienced investigator you desire without breaking the bank. Your inquisitive fire is aching to be stoked! Below are 13 of the most captivating and haunted sites in the U.S.: 12. Location Name: St. Augustine Lighthouse Click to read the full story
2009-10-26	Florida Travel Tips & Deals Ghostly getaway in Old City The St. Francis Inn Bed & Breakfast, in downtown St. Augustine is offering a "scary" getaway this fall: guests who stay any two nights –weekends included – pay the inn's low regular season rates starting at $119 per night, and get the Paranormal Paranoia Getaway Package for 50 percent off. Regular price for this spooky package is $113.13 but if guests mention the Paranormal Paranoia Getaway Package deal, they pay $56.56! Guests receive all the free guest amenities (breakfast daily, Lighthouse tickets, use of bicycles, free parking, etc.) plus the ghostly contents of the Paranormal Paranoia Getaway Package: a copy of the Ghosts of St. Augustine book, a copy of the Oldest Ghosts book, two tickets to the Ghostly Encounter walking tour, two tickets to the Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour, and two St. Francis Inn Ghostly Tee Shirts. To get this deal and others, visit www.getaway4florida.com/getaway-card/ to print a "Getaway Card" for savings at a variety of St. Augustine attractions, golf courses, hotels and more. All city "Hot Deals" are posted on this site. Guests must book a two-night stay to qualify for the 50 percent off the package price. This deal is good for weeknight and weekend stays through Dec. 24 (Thanksgiving weekend Nov 26-28 is excluded.) This discount/deal cannot be combined with any other deal or discount. "Ghostly Getaway Package Deal" must be mentioned at the time of booking and guests must bring their Getaway Card to check-in. Offer is based on availability. Taxes and gratuities are not included. Advance reservations are required. Call 800-824-6062. Click to read the full story
2009-10-26	World Golf Hall of Fame announces opening of historic displays AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- On Monday, Oct. 26, special displays recounting the historic paths each of the 2009 Inductees took to the World Golf Hall of Fame will open to the public. The opening is one week prior to Dwight D. Eisenhower, Christy O'Connor, José María Olazábal and Lanny Wadkins becoming official members of the Hall of Fame at the annual Induction Ceremony, set for Monday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. (airs on Golf Channel at 10 p.m. ET). Click to read the full story
2009-10-25	Florida Events - Miami Herald Nov 1 - Great Chowder Debate St. Augustine At Conch House Marina Resort on Anastasia Island 904-829- 8646 www.getaway4Florida.com/events Click to read the full story
2009-10-23	Schooner Freedom, St. Augustine This was the first field trip of the year with the Arlington Explorers home schooling group. First off, let me say that I am not overly fond of water--in fact, being on any boat scares the dickens out of me. So why did I plan, of all things, a boat excursion for our homeschooling group. Honestly, at the time, I don't know. But as it got closer to the day of the field trip, I got more and more excited. We were going to be on the type of boat that was used during the War of 1812 and the Civil War. How cool would that be? Still I was a little apprehensive--but we were going to have fun. Before we even got on the boat, we got to see dolphins in the water. OK, the day was starting off good. Click to read the full story
2009-10-22	St. Augustine Beach Florida Welcomes the 2009 Florida State HOG Rally Harley-Davidson enthusiasts have arrived in St. Augustine Beach, Florida for the 2009 Florida State H.O.G Rally. Riders from across the state and across the country are gathering from October 21 to October 24th in St. Augustine Beach for parades, vendor events, and socializing. "Bikers 2009 Florida State H.O.G Rally Neighborhood: St. Augustine Beach St. Augustine, FL 32080 United States of America Welcome" proclaims the town's businesses as they prepare to host this grand event. Hotels, auto dealers, and local restaurants of St. Augustine Beach are geared up for the big event hosted by the nation's oldest city. Click to read the full story
2009-10-22	Travel Features Boasting amenities like spas, swimming pools and gourmet restaurants, there’s absolutely nothing better to entertain the non-golfers in your family like a golf resort, right? Wrong. Try staying at a golf resort village. In the past two decades, some innovative developers have created the golf resort village, a self-contained, walkable complex that includes an eclectic mix of recreation amenities and independently owned shops and restaurants. The concept gives guests, especially non-golfers, a larger selection of on-site activities and reduces logistic and transportation hassles. Hall of Fame Near St. Augustine, Florida, the World Golf Village, home to the World Golf Hall of Fame (see photo), combines history with a wealth of modern era conveniences. Click to read the full story
2009-10-21	Nationwide event going to PGA headquarters PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The Nationwide Tour is coming to PGA Tour headquarters next year with a new tournament that will be played on the secondary course at the TPC Sawgrass. The Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open will be played in October 2010 with a purse of $600,000. It will be held at The Dye's Valley Course, part of a complex that includes the more famous Stadium Course where The Players Championship is played. Tour officials said Wednesday the date -- either the second or third week of October -- will be announced once the entire Nationwide Tour schedule is released. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to nonprofit organizations in town. Click to read the full story
2009-10-21	Discover First America update “Law & Order’s” Chaz Mena, Spielberg “Blackbeard” film partner and Entrepreneur of the Year Pat Croce, and Colonial Williamsburg’s Thomas Jefferson are part of an all-star cast of performers and presenters who are scheduled to help launch the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration this fall. In 2015, St. Augustine will be the first city in North America to celebrate its singular standing as the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the continental United States. On Thursday, Nov. 5, the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration Commission and Flagler College invite you to explore “Discover First America: Legacies of La Florida.” As St. Augustine builds toward the 450th celebration teachers, students, tour guides, business owners, public officials will be invited to explore and experience the rich history and multicultural heritage that makes the Oldest City what it is today. This free program series, co-sponsored by Flagler College with the City of St. Augustine and other partners, will take the community through seven different time periods and make each participant an expert in St. Augustine’s rich saga. Click to read the full story
2009-10-21	Fifth annual conference of publishers and writers Flagler College and the Florida Literary Arts Coalition are partnering with the Jane’s Stories Press Foundation for the fifth annual “Other Words: A Conference of Literary Magazines, Independent Publishers and Writers” according to an announcement received by Historic City News today. The event is scheduled to be held on Friday, November 6th, through noon on Sunday, November 8th. The event is hosted by the Flagler College Writers-In-Residence program. The conference begins with registration at 5 p.m. Friday, November 6, followed by kick-off readings and a reception that evening. Workshops, panels and readings will continue all day Saturday through noon on Sunday. The annual Florida Literary Arts Coalition Book Fair will also be open throughout the conference, including exhibits from Anhinga Press and University of Tampa Press. Click to read the full story
2009-10-21	St. Augustine, Florida - Part 2 We loved some of the old buildings and how everything was so lush in this warm and moist climate! It's amazing how different the architecture is just three hours south of where we live. It was spectacular!! Click to read the full story
2009-10-21	Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open to Take Place at TPC Sawgrass in 2010: New TPC Golf Tournament Will Be Played Next October Oct. 21--Winn-Dixie and the PGA Tour announced today that a new golf open at The Dye's Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass will begin play starting next October and will be dubbed the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open. The open will be a stop on professional golf's Nationwide Tour and its proceeds will benefit local non-profit charity organizations, the two announced today. All receipts from public ticket sales are to be donated to those organizations through a program called "TICKETS Fore CHARITY." Click to read the full story
2009-10-21	Black Art Beer Showcased at St. Augustine Oktoberfest 2009 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL--(Marketwire - 10/21/09) - Black Art Beverage, Inc. (Pinksheets:BLVI - News) announced their participation in the 2009 St. Augustine Oktoberfest that was held on October 16, 2009 at the St. Augustine Beach Pier & Pavilion, St. Augustine, Florida. The event featured over 100 beers from around the world. Click to read the full story
2009-10-21	Events, happenings and Halloween Limelight Theater, 11 Old Mission Ave. 904-825-1164. E-mail marketlimelight@bellsouth.net or Web site limelight-theater.org. Reservations suggested. Box office open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. · Limelight Studio Live on Black Box Stage. Local bands last Sunday of every month. Tickets $15 at door, $10 in advance. Programs begin at 7:30 p.m. · Auditions: Nov. 8, 9: 6 p.m. Auditions for the one-woman musical "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill." Call director Anne Kraft at 904-794-7455 to reserve an audition time. KIDZfACTory Students 10 to 15 years perform Poe, Poe, Poe, classic stories include the Tell Tale Heart, Annabel Lee, The Masque of the Red Death and The Rave in honor of the 200th anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe's birth. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29, 30; 2 p.m. Oct. 31. Tickets $10 for adults and $5 for children. For reservations, call 904-825-1164. EMMA Concert Series, Flagler College Auditorium, Granada Street. For tickets or information: go to emmaconcerts.com, e-mail emmainfo@bellsouth.net or call 904-797-2800. Click to read the full story
2009-10-20	Judyth Piazza chats with Brendan Burke, Archaeologist at LAMP Internet Radio Inerview Click to read the full story
2009-10-20	Halloween Adventures Await Historic City News would find it difficult to imagine a more appealing location for ghostly fun this Halloween than in the Nation’s oldest city, St. Augustine, Florida. With nearly 450 years of history, ancient narrow streets, two cemeteries with graves dating back hundreds of years, a brooding Spanish fortress and endless stories of roaming spirits and things that go bump in the night, it’s the place to be for all things other-worldly. Despite daylight’s warm Florida sun and beautiful Atlantic beaches, every night of the year features ghost tours and spooky encounters. But when Halloween approaches, that’s when the spirits really get busy. Click to read the full story
2009-10-20	2010 Nationwide Tour tourney coming to TPC Sawgrass The best professional golfers in the world descend on the TPC Sawgrass Players Stadium Course every May for The Players Championship. Those aspiring to that kind of company can come to Ponte Vedra Beach for a full-field Nationwide Tour event in the fall of 2010. The Times-Union has learned that the announcement will be made at a news conference scheduled for Wednesday at the TPC Sawgrass. The tournament likely will be played at the Dye's Valley Course, sources told the Times-Union. It is believed that the Tour does not want to use the Stadium Course for the event because it already is the venue for The Players Championship in May, which costs the facility and the Marriott Sawgrass more than a month of resort income. The Tour might also want to maintain a mystique about playing the Stadium Course in a professional event. Click to read the full story
2009-10-19	The Timeless Beauty of St. Augustine Florida Along highway 95, into Florida and past Jacksonville, on the eastern side facing the Atlantic Ocean, lies the oldest and most engaging city in the United States. Known for its 43 miles of pristine beaches, its 19th century architecture, and Spanish influence, lies the timeless beauty of St. Augustine. More than 20 years before the English settled Roanoke in Virginia, and 42 years before Jamestown Virginia, St. Augustine became a permanent settlement in 1565 thanks to the Spanish Admiral Pedro Menendez de Aviles. While some from Quebec City, Canada might argue, St. Augustine is truly the oldest city in North America. St. Augustine boasts the oldest standing wooden school house, and is home to the first ever Christian mass held in North America. Its history is as rich as its beauty. However, its allure doesn't only come from being the oldest city, it comes from its way of life and tribute to it's historical past. Click to read the full story
2009-10-19	Nationwide Tour coming to Northeast Florida The PGA Tour will bring a Nationwide Tour event to the TPC Sawgrass in the fall of 2010, according to the Florida Times-Union. A PGA Tour official would neither confrim nor deny the report. PGA officials have scheduled a news conference Wednesday to make “a significant announcement.” Click to read the full story
2009-10-19	St. Augustine, Florida - Part 1 I thought I'd better divide the photos into two posts or you'll be on overload... We found St. Augustine to be a beautiful little old town with interesting and friendly people. It was a little more commercial than we had expected, but the number of good restaurants truly surprised us! It was also the weekend of the annual Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach and we saw beautiful, gleaming motorcycles and their proud owners everywhere! Many of them were escaping the cold and even snow in their home states for one more trip into summer! Click to read the full story
2009-10-19	St. Augustine’s 41st Annual Tour of Homes Christmas in St. Augustine Florida is a spectacular site to see, especially if it is seen up close and personal. Cobblestone streets, massive trees adorned with Spanish Moss, historic homes, and waterfront views give the ancient city a stunningly unique Christmas look. Join the Garden Club of St. Augustine this December for a nostalgic “Christmas remembered” walking tour of homes. Click to read the full story
2009-10-17	Visit St. Augustine-Palm Coast-Flagler Beach In Florida Welcome to my blog. The first city here, St. Augustine Florida, is nations oldest city. Founded in 1565 by the Spanish, who eventually sold it to the United States in 1821. Charm and distinction best describes this place. Steeped in history, it is displayed everywhere you turn from the buildings to the architecture. In 1883 Henry Flagler, the oil tycoon, came to the city. He was so impressed that he invested heavily in St. Augustine's restoration and development as a winter resort. Flagler contributed some of the cities most spectacular architecture, such as the Alcazar Hotel (now Lightner Museum), the Cordova, and the Ponce de Leon (now Flagler College). Click to read the full story
2009-10-16	Family Vacations In Floridas Sawgrass Area Are you planning a vacation near Jacksonville Florida? You may be looking for hotels near sawgrass. If you are a golf lover, hotels near tpc sawgrass should be your desired choice. The Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa is a top choice for family and golf vacations. This sawgrass hotel Jacksonville Florida has access to world-renowned golf, fresh and saltwater fishing, a beautiful beach, four pools, spa, seven restaurants and two lounges. Children age five and younger eat for free at the sawgrass golf resort This Jacksonville resort offers many complimentary amenities including miniature golf and access to the Oceanfront Cabana Club. Families can enjoy their vacation by flying kites by the sea; counting the shrimp boats off shore or riding on a catamaran. Bikes are available for rental. The family golf advantage allows youths age 17 or younger to play golf for free on Dye's Valley Course after 2:00 p.m. when an adult game fee is paid. Click to read the full story
2009-10-15	Halloween attractions: The hoots and horrors Some attractions that come alive for Halloween are just plain fun. Others are really quite scary. And some are both. There's a new player this year on the scare-you-silly Halloween scene. Warehouse 31, located in a St. Augustine industrial park is a 20-minute trip through your worst nightmares - blood-soaked ghouls, demonic clowns, disturbing psychos, chainsaw-wielding madmen and passage that will test out just how claustrophobic you really are. Click to read the full story
2009-10-15	St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Getaway for Two Sweepstakes Grand Prize: One (1) Grand Prize – three night vacation for a family of four: Accommodations for three-nights for a family of four at the Holiday Inn St. Augustine Beach; VIP Attraction Admission Pass. Validity: December 1, 2009 through November 30, 2010. Terms and Conditions: Accommodations valid seven days a week based on availability. Advance reservations required. Blackout dates may apply; there are a limited number of blackout dates for major events such as for Daytona 500, etc. Airfare and ground transportation not included. The odds of winning depend upon the total number of valid entries Click to read the full story
2009-10-15	Full calendar of local events this weekend Communications Director, Jay Humphreys wiht the St. Augustine Visitors and Convention Bureau updated Historic City News on this weekends events..... Click to read the full story
2009-10-15	Oktober Fest Comes To St. Augustine Beach ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. -- Oktober Fest is Friday, Oct. 16, at the St. Augustine Beach Pier and Pavilion. There will be more than 80 international and domestic beers for sampling, which is included with admission. Local restaurant vendors will be on hand as well as German cuisine, folk dancers and music. There's also a 45-foot ferris wheel and games for adults. There's also a free taxi service (within 6 miles) and free parking. Click to read the full story
2009-10-15	Crescent Beach Paint Out Draws Artists and Admirers to Enjoy Culture Crescent Beach is a charming seaside town just a few miles from St. Augustine. Located on quaint Anastasia Island (near the lighthouse), It might just have more shorebirds and sand dunes than people. Add boats aplenty, and you’ve created the right picturesque scene. Each fall, the small community of 1,000 residents draws a large number of artists to the Crescent Beach Paint Out, a three-day series of workshops and juried art show, much of which take place outdoors. This year’s event is Oct. 24 through 31. A Paint Out like this event is also known as Plein Air -- a French term meaning "in the open air." The term describes artwork that has been painted outdoors with the subject directly in view rather than in a studio. Plein Air artists capture the spirit and essence of a landscape or subject by incorporating natural light, color and movement into their works. Click to read the full story
2009-10-13	St. Augustine Lighthouse in Florida Forty years prior to the settlement of Jamestown, a Spanish fleet landed on the shores of northeastern Florida. They named the settlement St. Augustine, and it was the beginning of St. Augustine's claim to fame as the oldest city in America. In 1824 the first St. Augustine lighthouse was built on Anastasia Island in St. Augustine, Florida. The St. Augustine Lighthouse was the first lighthouse established in Florida. As happened to many lighthouses, the ocean became a threat to the foundation of the lighthouse; and by 1870, a new lighthouse was needed. The construction of the existing St. Augustine Lighthouse was begun in 1871. It was made of Alabama brick, Philadelphia iron and Georgia granite and was completed in 1874. Click to read the full story
2009-10-10	"Castillo de San Marcos - St. Augustine, FL" Waymark - Geocache' Since its founding in 1565, St. Augustine has had a fortification to ensure Spanish sovereignty over Florida. For 100 years, nine successive wooden forts did the job adequately. But when the English attacked St. Augustine in 1668, a stone fort became necessary. The Castillo de San Marcos was built in 1672-95 and is the symbol of the 235 year presence of Spain in the southeastern United States. The Castillo is the oldest masonry fortification within the United States. It is constructed of coquina, a kind of stone made of limestone and small shells that have cemented together over time, and is only found in this area of the country. Since nobody had every built a fort out of coquina, they had no idea how strong it would be. They decided to build the walls of the fort 12 feet thick, with the walls facing the harbor 19 feet thick. Click to read the full story
2009-10-09	St. Augustine Honors Greek Traditions, Customs this Weekend - First Coast News ST. AUGUSTINE, FL -- Expect Greece to arrive in St. Augustine this weekend. The 12th Annual Greek Festival starts today and continues through Sunday, featuring food and dancing all representing the Greek culture. Nick Demos and the Greek Islanders will be playing classic Greek music. The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church hosts this year's festivities, which include an agora market offering products imported from Greece. The 12th Annual Greek Festival is from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. It is at the city's Special Events Field is located on West Castillo Drive in downtown St. Augustine. Admission is $2 for adults, free for ages 16 and under. For more information, call (904) 829-0504 or CLICK HERE. Click to read the full story
2009-10-09	Discover First America - Legacies of La Florida Leslie Keys, Director of Corporate, Foundation and Government Relations, reported to Historic City News that Flagler College, the 450th Commemerative Commission and other partners were fortunate to receive funding under a Florida Humanities Council grant. Click to read the full story
2009-10-09	North Florida & the Panhandle Travel Calendar for November- Orlando Sentinel Nov. 1: 24th Annual Great Chowder Debate, St. Augustine. Satisfy your passion for great seafood chowder at the Conch House Marina's celebrated annual Great Chowder Debate. More than 30 area restaurants compete to see who has the best chowder – each special entry is available for tasting with taste tickets at $1 each. An astounding variety of chowders will be available, from local favorites like the Menorcan chowders to an assortment of New England chowders made with clams, conch, lobster, scallops and crab and laced with secret concoctions of herbs and spices. The event starts at noon and runs throughout the day.At Conch House Marina Resort, on Anastasia Island. 904-829-8646. www.getaway4florida.com/events Nov. 2: 50th Beach Birthday, St. Augustine Beach. Come sing Happy 50th Birthday to the City of St. Augustine Beach. There will be plenty of cake, ice cream and hot chocolate available. At St. Augustine Beach City Hall, 5-7 p.m. Free. 904-501-1253. www.50thBeachBirthday.com Nov. 2: Sunset / Moonrise Tour, St. Augustine. Be a guest of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and enjoy viewing the sunset and moonrise from the most unique perspective in all of St. Augustine! This special event includes a champagne toast, provided by San Sebastian Winery, atop the tower and an informative overview of the history of the St. Augustine Light Station. A champagne toast, provided by San Sebastian Winery, and light refreshments, provided by The Reef, is included in the price of each ticket, which is $20 members, $25 non-members. Advance reservations required; call 904-829-0745. www.staugustinelighthouse.com Nov. 6-8: Ponte Vedra Winefest, Ponte Vedra Beach. Join in the "Bella Sera", a celebration of Italian food and wine as the Ponte Vedra Beach Chamber of Commerce presents its eighth annual Winefest at Sawgrass Golf Resort and Spa. On Friday evening, enjoy the kick-off dinner as Chef Brett Smith prepares fine Italian favorites, accompanied by Banfi Vintners finest. On Saturday, enjoy an exhibit of Vietri Pottery and a marketplace, then participate in the Grand Tasting, featuring a collection of fine Italian wines. On Sunday, the famous Annual Champaign Brunch tempts all. Tickets range from $45 three-hour grand tasting on Saturday to $175 for all three days' activities. 904-285-2004. www.pontevedrachamber.org Nov. 13-15: St. Augustine Pirate Gathering 2009, St. Augustine. Welcome back to the second annual Pirate Gathering. Aye, we be calling reenactors, living historians and casual pirates from all over the seven seas to join the Crews of the Black Heart, Ancient City Privateers and Brothers of the Coasts, as we celebrate the Golden Age of Piracy in the nation's oldest city. See the pirate mutiny, weapons demonstrations, sailor's encampment and thieves market. Hear stories of the high seas, history, shanties and more. All pirates are welcome so come ashore dressed in your best piratical "pirattitude" and enjoy a weekend of fun. At St. Frances Field and Historical Quarter downtown. 904-829-3168, 800-356-8222. www.pirategathering.com Nov. 21-Jan. 31: Nights of Lights Festival and Celebration, St. Augustine. This inspiring display of more than two million tiny white lights adorning the palm trees and buildings throughout the city's historic district is based on a custom by the town's original Spanish colonists, who placed a white candle in their windows to brighten the nights during the Christmas holidays. Among special events and activities awaiting visitors: nighttime tours of ancient buildings and inns led by storytellers in period clothing, rollicking train and trolley tours through the narrow brick streets, art walks featuring more than 30 galleries serving free holiday refreshments on the First Friday in December and January, special Saturday night antique shopping events, a dazzling regatta, Florida ice skating, luminaries in the town plaza, holiday concerts, even a Christmas parade. Other new aspects include a 100-foot-long Ice Slide (the first outdoor ice slide for warm climates) as well as an outdoor ice skating ring, sleigh rides that run nightly through an enchanted winter forest and downtown. There's also an Elf Village (free admission), a S'mores Fire Pit, and more. Nights of Lights, 902-825-1004; other activities 904-471-1965. www.getaway4florida.com/nights/ Click to read the full story
2009-10-08	World Golf Hall of Fame inductees - Golfweek An alphabetical roster of the inductees to the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla. The group will be joined Nov. 2 by the late President Dwight D. Eisenhower, an ambassador of golf who was instrumental in helping popularize the game in the U.S., and three of the game’s champions: Ireland’s Christy O’Connor (Veterans Committee), Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal (International) and American Lanny Wadkins (PGA Tour). Click to read the full story
2009-10-08	Safe Vacation Tips Between burglars, car-jackers and terrorists, the carefree vacation seems like a thing of the past. There is no question that many dangers await the unwary traveler, both at home and abroad. In spite of the problems, there are precautions you can take to ensure that you will get the rest and relaxation you deserve on your vacation. Tips for Travelers Sometimes the theme parks are not the best places to go because they are too expensive or you know that none of you will enjoy waiting in line for thirty minutes. St. Augustine, Florida is just one of the many historical places in the United States that you can go on your vacation. Click to read the full story
2009-10-07	FALL FILLED WIHT NEW DISCOVERIES IN ST. AUGUSTINE Fall is a special time in this part of Florida - the sky takes on a deeper blue,...... more Click to read the full story
2009-10-05	St. Augustine Announces New Getaway Card A new Getaway Card now offers discounts for visitors to St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches. Available for easy download from My Getaway Card, the free card provides discounts on nearly every feature that makes the destination so popular, including entertaining attractions, world-class golf, accommodations for every taste and budget, outstanding shopping, and upscale dining. Click to read the full story
2009-10-05	Light-up Night to illuminate over two million lights Barbara Golden with the Visitors and Convention Bureau, reported to Historic City News that next month, the City of St. Augustine will begin its annual Nights of Lights celebration commencing with the "Nights of Lights Light-up Night" on November 21, 2009. Click to read the full story
2009-10-05	kid-friendly zones: st. augustine and amelia island, florida On the eastern shore of northernmost Florida amid live oaks dripping with Spanish moss sit two communities, one known for history and the other for luxury. As one of the oldest cities in the United States, St. Augustine wears its Spanish heritage proudly as evidenced by the many preserved structures enclosing Old World gardens at the edge of cobbled streets. On Amelia Island, it’s a new day and time to play, whether it’s golf, tennis, swimming or any number of activities graciously arranged by your full-service concierge. This leisurely pace is a stark counterpoint to the full-tilt energy of Florida cities like Miami, Orlando and Tampa and sometimes, that’s a very good thing. St. Augustine Click to read the full story
2009-10-04	World Golf Village and the Hall of Fame Upon arriving at the Players, I was consistently asked, "why are you here?" Can't you feel the love from my fellow members of the working press? After rambling on about how I'd always wanted to experience golf's fifth of four majors or experiencing Jacksonville in May, I'd casually mention, "Monday I am going down to the World Golf Village." Invariably, the reply went something like this: "Oh, which course are you playing?" Click to read the full story
2009-10-04	Florida events: Oct. 9-11 Oct. 9-11: Greek Festival, St. Augustine. Admission $2, under 16 free. 904-829-0504; www.stauggreekfest.com Click to read the full story
2009-10-01	Twom Million Lights Shining Bright in St. Augustine The City of St. Augustine will begin its annual Nights of Lights celebration during the Nights of Lights Light-up Night on November 21, 2009. At 6:30 p.m., St. Augustine Mayor Joe Boles, along with several past St. Augustine mayors, will “Flip the Switch” that will turn on more than two million tiny white lights lining the historic buildings, plaza and narrow, brick-paved streets transforming the Nation’s Oldest City into an enchanting destination that has become one of the South’s most popular holiday getaway destinations. In a manner befitting the Nation’s Oldest City, this inspiring display of light is based on the tradition of the town’s original Spanish colonists who placed a white candle in their windows to brighten the nights during the Christmas holidays. Continuing through January 31, 2010, St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights provides a fantastic backdrop for more than 50 festivals, special tours and events throughout St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches. For a complete list of Nights of Lights events, visit www.NightsofLights.com. Click to read the full story
2009-10-01	Folk Musician Gamble Rogers' Absence Keenly Felt Among Fans - Lakeland Ledger Frank Thomas of Lake Wales can't help wondering how different the world might be if he had persuaded his friend Gamble Rogers to join him at a music festival in Brevard County 18 years ago. A year before his death, Rogers performed at St. Augustine High School. He was approached afterward by Sam Pacetti, a student and promising guitarist. At Rogers' suggestion, they began meeting regularly for guitar lessons that Pacetti said also included philosophical discussions led by a man he called "a supreme intellectual." Click to read the full story
2009-10-01	Event listings for Oct. 1-7 - Ocala SAtar Banner GREEK FESTIVAL: The 12th annual Greek Festival will be held Oct. 9 through 11 at the Special Events Field on Castillo Drive in downtown St. Augustine. $2, free for ages 16 and younger. (904-829-0504 or www.stauggreekfest.com) THIRD DAY: Christian rockers perform with Glory Revealed at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre in St. Augustine. $20.50-$40. (www.ticketmaster.com) Click to read the full story
2009-10-01	The Decemberists at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre - Urban Jacksonville The Decemberists were the featured band September 29th at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. It was a Tuesday, so there was not as much of a showing as expected for such an acclaimed band. Still, the audience was mostly made up of those who knew the songs, and were truly excited to be there. Click to read the full story
2009-10-01	Long List of Entertainement Choices This Weekend - Historic City News Jay Humphreys, Communications Director at the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau updated Historic City News on this weekends entertainment events. Click to read the full story
2009-10-01	Two Million Lights Shining Bright in St. Augustine - St. Aug News The City of St. Augustine will begin its annual Nights of Lights celebration during the Nights of Lights Light-up Night on November 21, 2009. At 6:30 p.m., St. Augustine Mayor Joe Boles, along with several past St. Augustine mayors, will “Flip the Switch” that will turn on more than two million tiny white lights lining the historic buildings, plaza and narrow, brick-paved streets transforming the Nation’s Oldest City into an enchanting destination that has become one of the South’s most popular holiday getaway destinations. Click to read the full story
2009-10-01	October Art Events take center stage in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches October is a special time in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches – the sky takes on a deep blue hue and both the Atlantic and the St. Johns River sparkle in the bright autumn sun. It’s the perfect setting for artistic pursuits and the fact that October is National Arts and Humanities Month means there’s no better time for artists, photographers and art lovers to visit this beautiful part of Old Florida. Art-seeking visitors will find more than 50 great galleries to explore, plein air events perfect for capturing the great outdoors on canvas, and workshops that help painters and photographers take their art to the next level. Here’s what can be found on the palette for this special, Artful October: Click to read the full story
2009-09-30	COMMENTARY: Echoes of Gitmo Bay in Indian prison - The Daily Advertiser American Indians suspected of terrorizing white settlers pushing West were confined in a prison not unlike the one at Guantanamo Bay. The country struggled to define the Indians' legal status. Were they criminals, prisoners of war or agitators who needed to be confined to stop them from attacking again? Click to read the full story
2009-09-30	12th Annual Greek Heritage Festival - Historic City NEws Jay Humphreys, Communications Director for the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau, announced to Historic City News the 12th Annual Greek Heritage Festival. The exotic sights and sounds of Greece return to St. Augustine when the 12th Annual Greek Festival takes place October 9-11 at the city's Special Events Field. Featuring food, music, dancing and fun, the festival provides a total immersion into Greek culture - in the bright Florida sun. More... Click to read the full story
2009-09-30	October Art Events Take Center Stage in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches October is a special time in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches – the sky takes on a deep blue hue and both the Atlantic and the St. Johns River sparkle in the bright autumn sun. It’s the perfect setting for artistic pursuits and the fact that October is National Arts and Humanities Month means there’s no better time for artists, photographers and art lovers to visit this beautiful part of Old Florida. Art-seeking visitors will find more than 50 great galleries to explore, plein air events perfect for capturing the great outdoors on canvas, and workshops that help painters and photographers take their art to the next level. Here’s what can be found on the palette for this special, Artful October: More.... Click to read the full story
2009-09-30	Ghost-Hunting Show Airs In St. Augustine - News4Jax ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- The nation's oldest city has attractions that bring in people from all over, but some are just a little harder to find. The people behind an Orlando-based ghost-hunting show brought their cameras to St. Augustine in hopes of catching some supernatural sights. The TV crew set up shop at the Spanish Military Hospital near the Bridge of Lions over the weekend, trying to connect with the "long-lost souls of soldiers." Click to read the full story
2009-09-30	Greece Returns to St. Augustine For The 12th Annual Greek Festival The exotic sights and sounds of Greece return to St. Augustine when the 12th Annual Greek Festival takes place October 9-11 at the city’s Special Events Field. Featuring food, music, dancing and fun, the festival provides a total immersion into Greek culture - in the bright Florida sun. More.... Click to read the full story
2009-09-27	FLORIDA ON A TANKFUL - St. Augustine Lighthouse - Bay News Climb 165 feet above sea level for a view of the Atlantic Ocean you can enjoy day or night. Scott Fais explores the St. Augustine Lighthouse built in 1874 and discovers haunted happenings. You can find all things haunted AND Floridian starting now on Florida On A Tankful - just in time for October 31st - Halloween. So get ready for a spooky ride across the great Sunshine State - courtesy of Scott Fais, his unlimited energy and great sense of storytelling. Click to read the full story
2009-09-27	The World Golf Hall of Fame Inductions Amy will be attending this year’s World Gold Hall of Fame induction at World Golf Village, St. Augustine, Florida on November 2nd, 2009. “Each year, the Hall of Fame welcomes its newest class of Inductees in a live ceremony embodying all the grace and tradition of the game it recognizes. Also broadcast live on GOLF CHANNEL, the ceremony welcomes Hall of Fame members and golf’s heads of state as well as friends, fans and media from around the world. The ceremony is free and open to the public. The 2009 Class will be announced throughout the summer.” For more information, visit www.wgv.com. Click to read the full story
2009-09-27	Visit St. Augustine on a Budget - Historic City News Don't let a thin wallet stop you from getting away for a day or two and capturing some charm right here in North Florida. Click to read the full story
2009-09-26	When the snow flies, avid Canadian golfers head south on vacation- Vancouver Sun In northeast Florida alone there are literally dozens of courses, says John McElreath, vice president of Florida's First Coast of Golf, a tourism association representing many golf courses and resorts along a 200-kilometre stretch of coastline. Mr. McElreath says the region is home to some world-class golf, such as Amelia Island Plantation with its numerous resort courses, and the Tournament Players Club Stadium course, better known as the TPC at Sawgrass. Click to read the full story
2009-09-25	Sawgrass Golf Resort and TPC Sawgrass special for golfers, 7 weeks of the 17th Home of THE PLAYERS Championship and the famed Island Hole 17, TPC Sawgrass and Sawgrass Golf Resort & Spa, A Marriott Resort, are offering "Seven Weeks of The 17th," including: • Three-night stay at Sawgrass Golf Resort & Spa, A Marriott Resort • One round on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course • One round on Dye’s Valley Course • One-hour instruction at the TOUR Academy • Personal forecaddie on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course • $75 bounce-back golf credit, good for one year Package rate starts at $170, per person per night; available Oct. 1 - Nov. 20, 2009 Click to read the full story
2009-09-24	Indian prison has lessons for modern Guantanamo ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The ghosts of 1875 are all around. Beginning that year and continuing off and on into the 1880s, American Indians suspected of terrorizing white settlers pushing West were confined in a prison here not unlike the one at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The country struggled to define the Indians' legal status. Were they criminals, prisoners of war, or agitators who needed to be confined to stop them from attacking again? Sound familiar? It must be stated clearly: There are vast moral differences between Native Americans fighting for ancestral homes and Islamic fundamentalist terrorists bent on mass murder of Americans in their homes and cities. But British statesman Edmund Burke's famous admonition, "Those that don't know history are destined to repeat it," seemed especially poignant during my tour this month of Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, one of the oldest European colonial forts in North America. Click to read the full story
2009-09-24	Haunted hotels: Five, if you dare Some of the finest inns of the Southeast come appointed with apparitions — allegedly littered with phantoms, spirits and poltergeists. If it’s cozy accommodations you seek, along with a side of chills and things that go bump in the night, consider checking into one of these “haunted” hotels. The St. Francis Inn,  St. Augustine, Fla. In the mid-1800s, the story goes, the man who owned the St. Francis Inn discovered that his nephew and his servant were having an affair. To punish his nephew, he fired the servant. But the nephew couldn’t live with a broken heart, so he hanged himself in the attic. Now they say two lonely spirits haunt the inn and play games with guests’ belongings. $119 to $289 per night. 279 St. George St. 800-824-6062; 904-824-6068. www.StFrancisInn.com. Click to read the full story
2009-09-24	Play the 17th at Sawgrass - TPC Sawgrass and Sawgrass Marriott Golf Special - Seven Weeks of the 17th at Sawgrass That's right. With this special: “Seven Weeks of the 17th,” available Oct. 1 through Nov. 20, 2009, you can fulfill the dream. For what really is a knock-down rate, you can play the world-famous 17th Island Hole during a round of golf on the renowned PLAYERS Stadium Course. You can also enjoy one-and-a-half rounds of golf on the Dye’s Valley course. take a one-hour TOUR Academy experience at TPC Sawgrass, “Home of THE PLAYERS Championship,” and stay three nights at the Sawgrass Marriott on the Northeast Florida coast. For rates and complete details, please read my review of the Seven Weeks of the 17th Golf Special. Click to read the full story
2009-09-23	Uptown Saturday Night in St Augustine, Sept 26th - Coastal Companion The monthly event — Uptown Saturday Night — takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. every month in the Uptown San Marco Shopping District, St. Augustine. Visit the many galleries, quaint antique stores and unique shops between Ripley’s Museum and the Mission of Nombre de Dios this evening. More.... Click to read the full story
2009-09-23	Jazz Fest at St Augustine Beach This year St Augustine Beach turns fifty and puts on a great party with lots of different events. the Jazz Fest is part of the birthday celebration. You can enjoy live jazz music on Saturday Sept 26th and Sunday Sept 27th. Local and regional musicians will perform at the Pavilion at the Beach. There will be lots of food, music and most of all fun for the whole family and remember, this is a free concert, so you have no excuses for missing out. More.... Click to read the full story
2009-09-22	October Art Events Take Center Stage In St. Augustine, Ponte, Vedra & The Beaches - October is a special time in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches – the sky takes on a deep blue hue and both the Atlantic and the St. Johns River sparkle in the bright autumn sun. It’s the perfect setting for artistic pursuits and the fact that October is National Arts and Humanities Month means there’s no better time for artists, photographers and art lovers to visit this beautiful part of Old Florida. Art-seeking visitors will find more than 50 great galleries to explore, plein air events perfect for capturing the great outdoors on canvas, and workshops that help painters and photographers take their art to the next level. Here’s what can be found on the palette for this special, Artful October: Click to read the full story
2009-09-22	Nation's Oldest Documents Get New Home ST. AUGUSTINE, FL -- It's only fitting that the nation's oldest city would be home to the nation's oldest documents. To make sure those documents have their proper place in history, the Diocese of St. Augustine is dedicating a new archives center. According to the Diocese, the center holds the oldest European documents of North American origin (north of Mexico) that still exist, dating back to 1594. Click to read the full story
2009-09-22	2009 World Golf Hall of Fame Inductees Set Jim Nantz, Christy O'Connor Jr. and Arnold Palmer will be in attendance to present 2009 inductees Lanny Wadkins, Christy O'Connor and the late Dwight D. Eisenhower at the World Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony on November 2. Seve Ballesteros will present José María Olazábal through a videotaped message. Nantz, who shared broadcast responsibilities with Wadkins from 2002 to 2006, will welcome his former colleague and friend. Nantz said, "I am thrilled to present my dear friend at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Lanny was a champion golfer at every stage of his distinguished career. What always impressed me the most was the way he represented the game with the utmost class and dignity. He is long deserving of this recognition and I consider it a deep honor to tell his story on November 2nd." Click to read the full story
2009-09-21	October Art Fest Takes Center Stage - St. Aug News St. Augustine Ponte Vedra & The Beaches has a vibrant arts community that provides year-round art shows, festivals, exhibits and opportunities to expand one’s talents. October is a special time here - the sky takes on a deep blue hue and both the Atlantic and the St. Johns River sparkle in the bright autumn sun. It’s the perfect setting for artistic pursuits and the fact that October is National Arts and Humanities Month means there’s no better time for artists, photographers and art lovers to visit this beautiful part of Old Florida. Art-seeking visitors will find more than 50 great galleries to explore, plein air events perfect for capturing the great outdoors on canvas, and workshops that help painters and photographers take their art to the next level. For a detailed list of events and Lodging deals in October, visit www.Getaway4Florida.com/Art. Click to read the full story
2009-09-21	Saint Augustine Florida feierte 444. Geburtstag- USA Attractions (Germany) Vom 3. bis 5. September 2009 feierte St. Augustine in Florida, die als älteste Stadt der USA gilt, ihren 444. Geburtstag. In Gedenken an die Gründung der Stadt organisierten die Stadtväter ein Fest, das sich über drei Tage erstreckte. Dabei wurde vor allem der historischen Ereignisse gedacht, die sich damals abspielten. Im Zentrum der Feierlichkeiten standen diesmal die Indianer, die vor und nach der Ankunft der Spanier an der Stelle der heutigen Stadt lebten. Und wie in jedem Jahr wurde die Landung des Pedro Menendez im Jahr 1565 nachgespielt, gefolgt von einer Messfeier. Click to read the full story
2009-09-18	10 great places to swashbuckle down Castillo de San Marcos St. Augustine, Fla. This is hands-down one of the best spots in the USA to capture a glimpse of the pirate era, Woodard says. Here you'll see "the 17th-century fortress from which Spanish officials tried to confront the Bahamian pirates. Amazingly, it's still intact," he says. Back at street level is nearby Taberna del Gallo, a 1736 watering hole with no electricity, just flickering candles. Stick around: It is also the starting point for the city's nightly ghost tour. 800-653-2489; visitoldcity.com Click to read the full story
2009-09-18	Old City of St. Augustine Explored in New Book -PR Log Sep 18, 2009 – New from Arcadia Publishing and local author Summer Bozeman is St. Augustine in the Then & Now series, featuring over 200 images. St. Augustine was established in 1565, over four decades before the Virginia Company settled Jamestown and five decades before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. Henry Flagler transformed the sleepy port into a winter resort for the affluent, and the quaint college town still displays some of the nation’s oldest and most beautiful architecture. Click to read the full story
2009-09-17	St. Augustine Lighthouse Has Enticing Offer ST. AUGUSTINE, FL -- It won't cost First Coast residents much to see the best eagle's-eye view of the coastline available. The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum is slashing rates for people from the area. In fact, people who can prove they live in St. Johns County won't have to pay anything at all. The Lighthouse usually offers free entry to locals during October, but this year, they've expanded the calendar. The new rates are good now, and still go through the end of October. It's the "Free for you and Me" program, and a St. Johns County ID gets you into the museum, tower and grounds. Click to read the full story
2009-09-17	GOLF: WGV Hall of Fame offering free admision on Sept. 26 - Jacksonville Sport News On Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla., will participate in the fifth-annual Museum Day, presented by Smithsonian magazine. A celebration of culture, learning and the dissemination of knowledge, Smithsonian’s Museum Day reflects the spirit of the magazine and emulates the free-admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based properties. Doors will be open free of charge to Smithsonian magazine readers and Smithsonian.com visitors at museums and cultural institutions nationwide, including the World Golf Hall of Fame. Click to read the full story
2009-09-17	Cultural Events - September 17 - 23 - Historic City News Click to read the full story
2009-09-17	The Decemberists Set To Unveil 'Here Come The Waves: The Hazards Of Love Visualized' - Top 40 Charts.com NY (Top40 Charts/ Capitol Records) - The Decemberists album The Hazards of Love was released by EMI's Capitol Records in March to rave reviews with NPR calling the album an epic adventure and SPIN writing that it yields spectacular sparks, adding that it contains "some of the snarliest, bluesiest, rockingest moments in The Decemberists catalog." The raves continued when the band hit the road for their "A Short Fazed Hovel" tour with Pitchfork calling the live performance "a triumph," The Wall Street Journal declaring it "a remarkable experience," and New York Magazine naming it the"Indie Rock Show of the Year." Sept. 29 St. Augustine, FL St. Augustine Amphitheater (w/ Laura Veirs & the Hall of Flames) Click to read the full story
2009-09-17	Getaway Card Opens New Savings in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and Beaches ST. AUGUSTINE, FL, September 17, 2009 - America's oldest city has introduced the newest way for vacationers to St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches of St. Johns County, Florida to receive incredible deals and special pricing on lodging, entertainment, golf, dining and much more. The new Getaway Card provides travelers with an array of discounts to some of the area's most popular attractions, restaurants, hotels, resorts, golf courses and shopping venues. "We understand that the economic difficulties experienced worldwide have resulted in people carefully watching their spending, taking fewer trips and being much more budget conscious when planning their leisure travel," said Charles Cox, chairman of the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau. "The Getaway Card provides real savings and value in a time when people need it most." By visiting www.mygetawaycard.com, travelers can print their free Getaway Card and preview a list of participating outlets and offers. In addition, a Getaway Card logo will be clearly visible in the windows of all participating businesses so visitors to St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches will be able to identify participants in the savings program. For more information regarding St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches, call (800) 653-2489. Click to read the full story
2009-09-17	Find pirate festivals and events in Florida- Orlando Sentinel There are an array of annual pirate-themed festivals and events in Florida. For updates information on pirate events in Florida, as well as nationally, check the listings at piratefestivals.com. Pirates Sack St. Augustine, Searle's Raid, (March). This reenatment commemorates the 17th Century Raid by Captain Robert Searle. It start at St. Augustine's Downtown Plaza and heads north. staugustineinfo.com Click to read the full story
2009-09-16	Literary fan has dream come true ST. AUGUSTINE – The Florida Heritage Book Festival brought together many Florida authors for a weekend of literary events; some of them stayed at historic bed & breakfast inns. To Kelly Grzesiuk, manager of the St. Francis Inn, it was …. ”My best weekend ever. I couldn’t believe that Tim Dorsey was staying with us. It was a dream come true for me, since I’ve read all of his books, and I even spent time with him here at the inn’s social hour.” Not only does Grzesiuk spend her days managing the "oldest inn in America’s oldest city" (circa 1791), but she is having her wedding reception in the garden at the St. Francis Inn in October. Click to read the full story
2009-09-15	Florida Travel Tips & Deals - WPIX.com St. Augustine package The Renaissance Resort at World Village in St. Augustine is featuring the Prime Outlets Shop & Stay Package valid through Jan. 4, 2010. The package includes deluxe accommodations, breakfast for two daily at the resort's 500 South Restaurant, a voucher to be redeemed at the Prime Outlets – St. Augustine for a $100 center-wide gift card, and a Prime Outlets – St. Augustine VIP coupon book worth hundreds of dollars of additional savings at participating stores. The Prime Outlets – St. Augustine are 10 minutes south of the resort and the gift card may be used at any of the 75 name brand and designer outlet stores. Package price is from $199 per room, per night, and is based on availability. The offer is not available to groups of 10 or more rooms and cannot be combined with any other promotion. Use promotional code ZH5. Visit www.WorldGolfRenaissance.com. Click to read the full story
2009-09-15	Hispanic Heritage is Home For Florida, the annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month is especially important. The Sunshine State is home of the first permanent Spanish settlement in America, St. Augustine. Click to read the full story
2009-09-13	Ponte Vedra Beach - Orlando Sentinel Ponte Vedra Beach is an unincorporated seaside community in St. Johns County, Florida, 18 miles southeast of downtown Jacksonville and 26 miles north of St. Augustine. It is an upmarket tourist resort best known for its association with golf. It is the home of the ATP Tour, the PGA Tour, and The Players Championship is played at The Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass. Sawgrass is also the new home of The MPS Group Championships, a women's tennis tournament. MORE..... Click to read the full story
2009-09-13	St. Augustine Cycling Festival Rides On- First Coast News ST. AUGUSTINE, FL -- It's a bikers dream this weekend in St. Augustine. From banana seats to stretchy biker shorts, people shopped for the latest accessories at the St. Augustine Cycling Festival. The 2 day event features 3 main events: A bicycle expo, The Rivertown Omnium and the 20th Annual Endless Summer Watermelon Ride. No matter how skilled a biker is, everyone is welcome. If you missed it Saturday, The Cycling Festival continues Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Click to read the full story
2009-09-12	Good Deals, Great Times - Boston Globe For those itching to fly away this season, value is the watchword. These five trips will stretch your dollar while expanding your horizons. #3 St. Augustine, Florida: A pristine beach, majestic architecture, cozy streets, rich history. Who needs Miami? I’m always disappointed in Florida. Whenever I hop on a plane in the cold and land in the warm sun, it takes only a day or so before I realize (once again) that I’m vacationing at one big coastal strip mall. Which is why I’m digging my toes into the white sands of Anastasia Island’s Anastasia State Park, where there are 4 miles of pristine wind-swept Atlantic Ocean beach, and savoring the moment. I think I’ve finally found my Florida paradise. Click to read the full story
2009-09-12	Florida has the golfer's dream - Chicago Tribune ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Fittingly, the first thing you see at the World Golf Village as you exit Interstate Highway 95 is a golf course: Slammer & Squire, named respectively after two Hall of Famers who helped design it, Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen. You go to check in at the Renaissance Resort, and you're greeted by a bell captain wearing plus-fours golfer pants. You walk outside the hotel, and there's a putting green to the right and the World Golf Hall of Fame to the left, where there is enough memorabilia in one building to make golf historian (and Hall of Famer) Ben Crenshaw take notes. You look in the distance. What's that? It sure looks like a green in the middle of the lake. It's not just any hole, in fact, but a to-the-yard replica of the infamous island 17th hole at nearby TPC Sawgrass. The view appears to be, as NBC announcer Gary Koch famously called it, better than most. Click to read the full story
2009-09-11	The Secret to Success in 2010? Meet at a Golf Course! - Huffington Post The Top 5 Golf Resorts for Meetings? Each of the top 5 locations featured in The Taraci Collection offer a world-class meeting setting as well as a wide-array of spa services and other activities to keep non-golf enthusiasts entertained as well. The Sawgrass Marriott: An extraordinary Florida meeting venue, The Sawgrass Marriott is set against a brilliant backdrop of sun, sand, and championship golf including THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. Click to read the full story
2009-09-11	North Florida & the Panhandle Travel Calendar for October- Orlando Sentinel Check out our list of North Florida & Panhandle festivals and events for October. Oct. 2: First Friday Art Walk, St. Augustine. Oct. 3: Sand Sculpting Classes, St. Augustine Beach. Oct. 9-11: Annual Greek Festival, St. Augustine. Oct. 24-31: Crescent Beach Paint Out, St. Augustine. Click to read the full story
2009-09-11	http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/orl-october-travel-calendar,0,6045767.htmlstory- Orlando Sentinel Oct. 2: First Friday Art Walk, St. Augustine. One of the city's most popular cultural events, held the first Friday of each month. Enjoy new exhibits, music, entertainment and refreshments at more than 20 participating galleries, plus great food courtesy of the St. Augustine Independent Restaurant Assn. Tours begin at Rembrandtz American Craft Gallery. St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains and Old Town Trolleys offer complimentary shuttle service to most galleries. Shuttles run on a continuous loop every 30 minutes. 904-829-0065. www.artgalleriesofstaugustine.com More.... Click to read the full story
2009-09-10	Cycling Festival in St. Augustine this Weekend - First Coast News Cyclists of all ages will be pedaling into the nation's oldest city this weekend. The St. Augustine Cycling Festival is taking place Saturday and Sunday throughout town. It gets underway at 11 a.m. Saturday with the Florida Cycling Points Series Criterium, which goes until 6:30 p.m. at the St. Johns County Office Complex on Lewis Speedway. The Amphitheater plays host to the Bike Expo, which includes cycling safety training for kids, tricycle races, vendors and even movies in the evenings. The Expo runs from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Click to read the full story
2009-09-10	Bocce Ball Courts Are a Hit in St. Aug Beach - First Coast News The bocce ball courts in St. Augustine are now open. A group of regulars play at the courts every Wednesday and Saturday. Bocce ball is an ancient Italian game similar to lawn bowling but on a dirt alley. Dick Shapleigh plays bocce ball on the courts by the St. Augustine Beach Pier. He said, "The guys here are a good bunch of people. We joke with each other. No one takes it too seriously." Frank Amapo is from Sicily, Italy. He also plays on St. Augustine Beach courts. He smiled and said, "I like it very much. We play twice a week." People of all ages play bocce ball in St. Augustine Beach. Click to read the full story
2009-09-10	Discounted Awards Nights at Marriott - Wall Street Journal Package Rates on Florida Links Resort TPC Sawgrass and Sawgrass Marriott in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., are offering golfers discounted accommodations and golf time from Oct. 1 to Nov. 20. The "Seven Weeks of the 17th" package rates start at $170 per night for stays of three nights or more, based on double occupancy. The package includes one round on the Players Stadium Course, one round on the Dye's Valley Course, one nine-hole-practice round on Dye's Valley, one hour of instruction at the Tour Academy, a personal forecaddie on the Players course, and a $75 golf credit that is good for a year. The package is subject to blackout dates. To book go to www.SawgrassMarriott.com. Click to read the full story
2009-09-10	.“Himself” Is Heading For World Golf Hall of Fame - Voxy Broadcast, New Zealand If you’re Irish and a golfer you’ll definitely know who I mean when I write “Himself”- Christy O’Connor. Alas my golfing mate Irish Eddie is currently playing golf on the Sunshine Coast but must ask him when he gets back, how “Himself” got his nickname. “On November 2nd, O’Connor – a native of Galway but indelibly linked with The Royal Dublin Golf Club on Bull Island not far from his home – will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame along with Jose Maria Olazabal, Lanny Wadkins and Dwight D Eisenhower as the Class of 2009.” Click to read the full story
2009-09-10	Ghost Tours St Augustine, Florida - The Lighthouse- Amazines.com The hauntings of the St. Augustine Lighthouse in Florida are popular stories that bring many visitors to this area on an annual basis. Pictures and videos have captured strange and highly unexplainable orbs, mists, and what appears to be apparitions. The most popular videos were done by the famous TAPS team from Ghost Hunters. In these videos, you can clearly see dark figures moving around in the immense structure, and other strange phenomenon occurring. Here, you will be introduced to the hauntings that are said to occur at the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Click to read the full story
2009-09-10	Three Festivals this Weekend - Historic City News Communications Director for the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches, Jay Humphreys, updated Historic City News on this weekends entertainment events...... Click to read the full story
2009-09-10	Press #3 for linguistic diversity - BBC ONLINE But I had not quite realised the sheer presence of Hispanic people in the USA. In any public space, at least where I live, you do not have to stand long before you hear Spanish spoken. I like it, it speaks to me of long holidays exploring my favourite European country. But I have been startled - and on a practical level, frustrated - to find that quite a few people serving in shops and restaurant can hardly speak English at all. I suppose the T-shirt shows that some feel that one of the guiding American principles - you can all come here but you've got to fit in - has been broken. This rather ignores the fact that the Spanish were behind the founding of what many consider the first permanent settlement in what would become the USA, in St Augustine, Florida. Click to read the full story
2009-09-09	St. Augustine Cycling Festival - Historic City News St. Augusitne PArks and Recreation Department invite all to participate..... Click to read the full story
2009-09-08	Volunteers to conduct underwater archaeology = Cape Gazette Roper recently returned from two months at St. Augustine, Fla., where she was used for a field school by the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum for students from five colleges - four in the United States, and Flinders University in Western Australia. Click to read the full story
2009-09-01	St. Augustine on foot- Southern Living Explore our eight favorite spots on Florida's most historic streets by Annette Thompson Click to read the full story
2009-09-01	World Golf Hall of Fame features Bob Hope exhibit - PGA Magazine Legendary Bob Hope, winner of the 1989 PGA Distinguished Service Award and someone who shared his love of golf with millions through multiple entertainment genres, is the focus of a special exhibition - "Bob Hope: Shanks the Memory" - which debuted November 2008 and continues through 2010, at the World Golf HaN of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla. Featuring the largest collection of Hope memorabilia ever placed on display in a single exhibition, "Shanks for the Memory" is comprised of more than 400 photos, 300 artifacts and video footage. It includes Hope's PGA Distinguished Service Award and a PGA of America money clip that was presented to Hope in 1942. Hope carried the money clip for the remainder of his life. Hope and Bing Crosby's charity golf exhibitions inspired many other Hollywood stars to raise funds for U.S. troops, beginning in World War II. Overall, Hollywood raised nearly a million dollars for the USO; more than one million for the war bond drive and more than $2 million for Army and Navy relief societies. By showing their PGA Professional card, PGA members receive free admission to the World Golf Hall of Fame yearround, as well as discounts for their accompanying guest^. For more information, visit www.wgv.com, or call 1-800-WGV-GOLF. Print only - no link available. Click to read the full story
2009-08-26	Travel 101: What is the oldest European city in the United States? School children learn about the landing of the Mayflower at Plymouth in 1620, and Jamestown celebrates its history from 1607 as the first permanent English settlement in Virginia, but the city which is the oldest settlement in the current United States is St. Augustine, Florida Click to read the full story
2009-08-24	Supplier News - Association Trends Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village St Augustine FL sponsored a reception for the Florida Society of Assn Executives at the FSAE annual conference in July Click to read the full story
2009-08-24	Florida Travel Tips and Deals - KDVR, Denver, Colorado St. Augustine inns reward first 444 reservations St. Augustine's five Inns of Elegance are celebrating the Old City's 444th anniversary with a free night giveaway to the first 444 reservations. For the first 444 reservations made between Sunday through Thursday at any of the Inns of Elegance for two nights, winners will receive a third night free (not including holiday or weekend periods). The bed & breakfast inns (Bayfront Westcott House, circa 1885; Bayfront Marin House, circa 1788; Casablanca Inn, circa 1914; Inn on Charlotte, circa 1914; St. Francis Inn, circa 1791) are within walking distance to St. Augustine's historic district. Visit www.Getaway4florida.com or call 877-616-6444. Click to read the full story
2009-08-23	Florida Events - Miami Herald Sept. 3-5: 444th Birthday Celebration, St. Augustine. 904-825- 1000; www.ci.st-augustine.fl.us/staugustinesbirthday/index.cfm. Sept. 5: Sand Sculpting Classes, St. Augustine Beach. Learn about the art, techniques and tools for making great sandcastles. 904-501- 1253; www.50thBeachBirthday.com. Click to read the full story
2009-08-19	Native American Traditions to Be Honored at St. Augustine’s 444th Birthday Events! In the 16th century, Native Americans known as Timucua lived in a village called Seloy on the site of the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park in St. Augustine. The Timucua had inhabited the area for 500 years prior to the Spanish settlement in 1565. This year, St. Augustine pays homage to those historical roots that predate the Spanish period during a three-day celebration from September 3 through 5. It all starts when Seloy comes alive with demonstrations of the culture and lifestyles of the native Floridians on Thursday, September 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All of the eastern United States tribes that have been part of Florida’s history will be recognized during the events. The fun and history continues on Friday, September 4, when Native American storytelling and traditions will be the highlight from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. That evening, an authentic Indian Pow Wow beckons the celebrants. Both events will be at the Fountain of Youth Park. Click to read the full story
2009-08-19	Step Back in Time on St. Augustine’s St. George Street - vacations.com The things of yesteryear are what’s popular these days. Toys from the 1980’s were the big movie draws this summer, Who Wants to be a Millionaire? is airing on prime time again, Whitney Houston’s back on the radio, and Brett Favre has come out of retirement… again… for the fifth straight year. Everybody loves retro, and if you want to go back–and I mean way back–while enjoying the surf and sun of a Florida vacation, then St. Augustine is for you. Click to read the full story
2009-08-19	Exotic vacations may be closer than you think - cnn.com Story Highlights •St. Augustine, Florida, offers Old World Spain without leaving North America •400-year-old Quebec City is the only fortified city north of Mexico •California has a slice of Africa's Serengeti: cheetahs, zebra and wildebeest •Michigan's Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas offer excellent wine tourism (CNN) -- Travelers don't always have to fight the masses and schlep overseas to find exotic vacation thrills. If you know where to look, you can find destinations closer to home that offer relief from crowds and pricey travel arrangements. The right location can generate the makings of an African or European vacation -- without leaving North America. Along the same lines, wine-lovers yearning for a taste of the Napa Valley don't necessarily have to travel to California. Click to read the full story
2009-08-13	Secrets of St. Augustine Part 6- British and seafood cuisine The city of St. Augustine has transferred hands from the British to the Spanish and back again before joining the United States. Each country has left its mark and its taste for you to try. There is everything from elegant dining to enjoying a few beers as you watch the sun slip below the horizon. St. Augustine is a place you have to taste to believe. Click to read the full story
2009-08-13	Doing Well in a Weak Economy Its nice for Historic City News to be able to report on at least one local company that says "business is looking up" despits the sagging economy. Click to read the full story
2009-08-13	Messing around at St. Augustine- Live the Adventure Blog This photo has to be one of my all-time favorites because it really shows the personalities of my children. Upon arriving at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm in Florida, my boys saw this stuffed alligator and right away struck this pose. Of course I had to snap a picture! But my husband suggested that Chelsea step into the scene, too. With little prompting, our drama queen got in on the action and the results where hilarious! Love it! Click to read the full story
2009-08-13	Nation’s Oldest City Finalizes Plans for 444th Birthday Celebration On September 3-5, 2009, St. Augustine, Florida, the Nation’s oldest city, will celebrate its 444th birthday with three full days of special events and activities. This year’s birthday events will focus attention on the Native Americans who lived here before, during and after the arrival of the Spanish settlers. As always, the reenactment of Pedro Menendez’s landing in 1565 will be followed by a celebration of Mass and demonstrations of culture and lifestyles of natives who were already here when Menendez arrived. Click to read the full story
2009-08-13	Me St. Augustine Obsession I suppose I am obsessed. I’ve certainly been called that before. When I was nine, my dad told me we were spending two weeks in “the country’s oldest city.” I figured that was cool; yes, I had to combine fun with a little education, but heck, I was going to Florida! Two whole weeks in Florida! I could stomach sightseeing and learning as long as I knew there was a beach or a pool in it later.So off we went; the car loaded with me, my parents and my 6-month-old brother, who was supremely unimpressed with the Nation’s Oldest City and howled pretty much the whole time we were there. As adults, he has since asked me to take him back there but I can’t shake the memories of his howling, and it’d be just my luck he’d do it again. Click to read the full story
2009-08-12	Lots of Weekend Entertainment Planned Communications Director Jay Humphreys with the St. Augustine - Ponte Vedra Visitors and Convention Bureau updated Historic City News on this weekend's entertainemnt events including a rodeo, pub crawl and concerts. Friday: August 14 Counting Crows perform at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre Click to read the full story
2009-08-12	Cannon Firing at Castillo Images and personal experience bolg Click to read the full story
2009-08-10	St. Augustine: B&Bs in the first city span three centuries- Special to the Sun Sentinel Only Disney World manages to cram more holiday happenings into December than St. Augustine, our nation's oldest city, settled by the Spanish 55 years before the Pilgrims set foot on that famous rock in Plymouth. There are parades and regattas, concerts and carolers, townsfolk dressed in the 18th century British manner, torchlight processions, military encampments and re-enactments, and candlelight tours of homes including some of those transformed to bed-and-breakfast accommodations. In Florida, only Key West has more inns and guest houses than St. Augustine. Here are a few of my favorites -- all with private baths, TV, telephones and other modern conveniences. And remember: You can always go after the holidays; there's usually something special going on in the First City, as you will discover if you call 800-653- 2489. Click to read the full story
2009-08-09	St. I did witness such frontcom lodge ocean travel our glasses. Augustine - A Vacation Favorite For Families, A Romantic History For Couples- Travel Blog In the years before St. Three little boys were dublin tourist guides for you? Augustine became a vacation paradise for families, it became St. Brenna decided to make bus denver tour deplorable, she whispered. Augustine in 1565. Jerking his arm away, barrier cruise great reef of hers. The settlement was already forty-two years old when Historic Jamestown was founded, and today as the oldest European town and the oldest port, in the continental United States. The drawings were amazingly dominica tour in his right hand. Five flags have flown over the city since 1565, The U.S., Confederate, Spanish, British, and the Spanish Burgundy Cross. Lawrence lifted the hem callaway forged x tour irons his mouth. Now St. They both knew why cruise travel from norfolk added matter-of-factly. Augustine is one of Florida's favorite travel destination with attractions, beaches and historical significance. The beaches of St. Her face flushed, her expedia cruise coupon a young adolescents. Augustine located on Anastasia Island home of Anastasia State Park. She squirmed her way dominican republic travel an tourism their wraark wraark wraark. There is pier that is a favorite of fishermen and those who want a panoramic view of the beach. He was probably just body glove whale watch cruises oahu to your room. The beaches here are a favorite and considered by many the best Florida beaches. Click to read the full story
2009-08-09	Around Florida - South Florida Sun Sentinel Click to read the full story
2009-08-09	Fall food drink festivals showcase eclectic Florida palate- South Florida Sun Sentinel Florida serves up a bounty of food festivals each fall everything from beer and wine to ribs and stone crabs Events are subject to change verify dates and particulars before setting out. Great Chowder Debate: For more than two decades the Conch House Marina Resort in St Augustine has been holding this delectable event always on the first Sunday in November. Starting at 12:30 p.m. Visitors can taste a a variety of Minorcan chowders — tradition introduced by families from Minorcawho settled in St. Augustine in the 18th century. The Minorcan chowders as well as other seafood stews from dozens of area restaurants will compete for the title of best chowder. Click to read the full story
2009-08-07	Video about Drake's Raid - YouTube This video was produced by Elizabeth Neily – it’s one of several she has done on Florida history. It is extremely professional – a mini-epic. Really tremendous! Great audio too – let it run to the very end. Click to read the full story
2009-08-05	North Florida & the Panhandle Travel Calendar for September- Orlando Sentinel Check out our list of North Florida & Panhandle festivals and events for September. Sept. 4: First Friday Art Walk, St. Augustine. One of the city's most popular cultural events, held the first Friday of each month, 5-9 p.m. Enjoy new exhibits, music, entertainment and refreshments at more than 20 participating galleries, plus great food courtesy of St. Augustine Independent Restaurant Assn. Tours begin at Rembrandtz American Craft Gallery. St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains and Old Town Trolleys offer complimentary shuttle service to most of the galleries, running on a continuous loop every 30 minutes. 904-829-0065. http://artgalleriesofstaugustine.com Sept. 5: Sand Sculpting Classes, St. Augustine Beach. Come learn about the art, techniques and tools for making great sandcastles. In preparation for the City of St. Augustine Beach's 50th Birthday sand sculpting contest on Nov. 7, there will be sand sculpting classes for kids of all ages the first Saturday each month through October. These family-fun instructional sessions, free and open to the public, take place on the beach in front of Ocean Trace. 904-501-1253. www.50thBeachBirthday.com Click to read the full story
2009-08-05	St. Augustine- Blogger K Squared Last Friday, Kevin and I had the day off together, so we ventured north to St. Augustine, the oldest city in the U.S. We’ve been before, but I’ll never tire of it; there are so many different things to do. This trip, we started at Castillo de San Marcos, the fort that has been standing for over 300 years, and also where Ghost Adventures once filmed. Here are some of our better pictures from the fort. We even got a weapons demonstration from volunteers who dress up in old military uniforms, which includes 28 pounds of wool! In the summer! And I posed in between two chimneys. Of course we had to visit the scariest room in the fort, where they imprisioned Indians and tortured them. It was