John

Castillo De San Marcos: Bastion of Saint Augustine

On your “Things to Do” list in Saint Augustine, visiting the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States should easily make the top five. Of the few vestiges left over from North America’s colonial roots, Castillo De San Marcos (est. 1672) is a long-lasting relic that offers a glimpse into the life of the settlers that built and manned the fort over three-hundred years ago. Located just over a hundred yards off of Florida’s A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Highway, the fort serves as the northeast pillar of Saint Augustine’s downtown historic district, easily accessible from the city’s downtown historic district parking deck,

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Coastal Restaurants: Pizza Alley’s, St. Augustine

Don’t be fooled by the narrow entrance; this unique 2-in-1 Italian restaurant has plenty of space.   Pizza Alley’s is an Italian restaurant catering to the tourists of St. Augustine like none other. Nestled in between St. George Street and Charlotte Street in the historic district of St. Augustine, Florida, this two-sided restaurant offers casual booth seating on the St. George side for those looking for pizza and soft drinks, or you can opt for a more serious selection of Italian specialties in Pizza Alley’s Chianti Room on the Charlotte Street end. Either way, you won’t be disappointed. We decided to drop in

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3 Things to Check Before Visiting Saint Augustine, Florida

Saint Augustine, Florida is the oldest city in the United States, so naturally it’s a must-see for the history buff in all of us. Founded by the Spanish in 1565, the city is famous for its centuries-old national monuments, colonial-era buildings, and cobblestone streets meandering between various shops, restaurants, and churches. Unfortunately, there are some colonial-era attributes of Saint Augustine that don’t quite coalesce well with 21st century conveniences – like where to park an SUV on a busy Saturday. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 3 things you need to make sure you check before heading to Saint Augustine. These

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Coastal Restaurants: Marché Burette, Amelia Island

If you ever find yourself wondering around north Florida’s Amelia Island and looking for a good place to stop and grab lunch, there are dozens of restaurants to choose from. While trying to avoid the obvious tourists traps and oceanfront restaurants that cater to dinner guests, it can be hard to find a great lunchtime meal at a reasonable price. We decided to stop by a market that caters to the breakfast and lunchtime crowd only, Marché Burette at Omni’s Amelia Island Plantation Resort. Marché Burette is just one of many shops located at The Shops at Amelia Island Plantation

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Harbor Sunset

  The setting sun casts a variety of warm colors across the waters making up Jekyll Harbor every clear evening. Boats from all over the world are regulars at the Jekyll Island Harbor Marina, a convenient pit stop for sailors looking to take a break from the Atlantic for a night or two. Jekyll’s premier marina, Jekyll Harbor caters to boaters’ needs by providing a fully enclosed storage facility, high-grade gasoline and diesel for marine craft, water, cable and Wi-Fi access for dock users, and several island transportation services that include complementary bikes loaned out to overnight guests. The marina also offers discounts for members of

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Indian Mound: A Rockefeller’s Winter Retreat

While we’re not sure where the Rockefellers are spending their winters these days, around a hundred years ago it was a no-brainer: at Indian Mound Cottage, nestled on a little-known island off the coast of Georgia. Jekyll Island was the wintertime retreat for William Rockefeller and company, and Indian Mound was their home away from home. Indian Mound Cottage remains a symbol of American opulence enjoyed by the wealthiest oil tycoons, bankers and businessmen during the early 1900s. The three-story cottage, originally built in 1892 for Gordon McKay, was purchased by William Rockefeller (of Standard Oil notoriety) in 1905. Rockefeller was one of the founding

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An Afternoon at South Jekyll Island

If you’re looking for a little peace and quiet while visiting Jekyll Island, St. Andrews picnic area is a great place to spend a pleasant afternoon. Located on the southern tip of Jekyll Island, St. Andrews offers panoramic views across Jekyll Sound toward Brunswick and abroad from a convenient location that’s easy to get to via bike, vehicle, or on foot. This portion of the island receives minimal traffic year-round, with tourists spending most of their time at either the central portion of the island surrounding Jekyll Island Historic District, or at the beaches on the island’s eastern seaboard. Much of St. Andrews picnic area is shaded,

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