AMELIA ISLAND, FL – Northeast Florida’s Fernandina Beach, located on Amelia Island, was named one of “America’s Happiest Seaside Towns” by readers of Coastal Living magazine, finishing in the #4 spot. Continue reading
The clicks are counted and it’s nearly announcement time!
On Friday, January 27, at noon EST, the team at Coastal Living will reveal the results of this year’s Happiest Seaside Towns in our first-ever, LIVE broadcast via Facebook Live! Continue reading
Amelia Island, FL – Northeast Florida’s Amelia Island has one again placed among the Top 10 U.S. Islands in the 2016 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. Continue reading
We have received word that the Happiest Seaside Towns online voting resumed Tuesday, October 18, 2016, after Hurricane Matthew. Continue reading
strong>New York, NY – Time Inc.’s (NYSE: TIME) Coastal Living, the leading authority on coastal home and travel, today announces its sixth annual top 10 list of America’s Happiest Seaside Towns. Continue reading
Here is the latest list of the bus tour arrivals for Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach provided by Tour Time, Inc., (Diamond Tours) for June 2016.
These tours arrive between 11:30 am and 3:30 pm and each bus has an average of 40 passengers, so that is a nice chunk of folks to walk our streets, shop in our local businesses and perhaps dine in one of our fabulous restaurants. If you see any of these tours, lets show them some of our Fernandina hospitality.
Wednesday, June 15 – 3 buses
Wednesday, June 22 – 1 bus
Wednesday, June 29 – 1 bus
Diamond Tours, a tourism bus company, plans to bring buses of tourists to historic Fernandina Beach in April 2016. As the largest bus tour company in America, they began offering bus tour destinations over 25 years ago.
The Amelia Island, St. Augustine and Jacksonville Bus Tour shows groups of about 40 people the age old spendor of St. Augustine, Jacksonville and they receive a guided tour of “stunning Fernandina Beach”.
While our downtown merchants indeed enjoy the benefits of busier shops, it may make a congested shopping day for locals.
The tours arrive between 11:30 am and 3:30 pm, and each bus has an average of 40 passengers. Here is the schedule of Tour Time, Inc. bus tours for April:
Wednesday, March 30 – 1 bus (last March bus arrival)
Wednesday, April 13 – 2 buses
Monday, April 18 – 3 buses
Wednesday, April 20 – 4 buses
Wednesday, April 27 – 2 buses
Other bus companies may make brief stops in Fernandina, too. Local business owners need this extra traffic, so please show them our fabulous Amelia Island hospitality should you encounter one of these groups.
Representatives of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association traveled to Fernandina Beach today to announce the Great Places in Florida People’s Choice Award, granted to Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach. The Great Places Award celebrates communities that have a true sense of place, cultural and historic interest, and strong community involvement. Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach received the most votes out of the finalists.
From the Florida APA website, “Great Places in Florida is an awards program created to highlight Florida’s Great Places and the communities and people that have created them. Florida is full of amazing places that keep our communities thriving and make this state a wonderful place to live. Great Places stand out with their exceptional character and lasting value. They are memorable, perhaps even famous, but each deeply cared for and valued. Citizens, planners, business leaders and elected officials work hard to create, sustain and improve the places that we love and enjoy in our cities.”
The Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) named four finalists in the People’s Choice Awards category of the Great Places in Florida contest. Fernandina Beach was among the final four, which also included Lakeland, Lake Worth, and the Gaines Street District in Tallahassee. The City thanks the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council for submitting the nomination, and all who voted to help Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach win the award.
For more information, visit http://www.floridaplanning.org/great-places/.
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Amelia Island, FL – Northeast Florida’s Amelia Island has placed among the Top 10 U.S. Islands in the 2015 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. Amelia Island finished in the #10 spot in a list comprised of destinations such as Maui, Kauai and Oahu, and only one other Florida island – Longboat Key – in the 28th annual competition.
“We’re proud of the year we are having on Amelia Island as our list of accomplishments and recognitions grows,” said Gil Langley, managing director of the AITDC. “It’s especially encouraging to see our efforts pay off as we continue to promote the destination to travelers around the globe who recognize the uniqueness of our little island paradise through awards such as this.”
Three of Amelia Island’s award-winning accommodators also placed among the Top 25 Florida Resorts: the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, a 446-room beachfront resort (#11); the Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, a 25-room, oceanfront boutique hotel (#17); and Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, a 404-room beachfront resort (#23).
Conde Nast Traveler announced the results of its 28th annual Readers’ Choice Awards on October 20, ranking the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, airlines, and cruise lines in the world. More than 128,000 dedicated readers cast votes for more than 5,000 hotels, hundreds of cities and islands, dozens of cruise ships, airlines and airports, and in an average survey time of 20 minutes. The result? More than 1,500 of the best travel experiences in the world. The Readers’ Choice Awards are announced in the November issue of Conde Nast Traveler on newsstands nationwide on October 28, 2015.
The full list is published exclusively online, at www.CNTraveler.com/rca.
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Amelia Island, FL – Amelia Island is continuing to invite travelers to enjoy its popular “Free Night, Any Night” deals throughout 2015. Visitors can choose from 20 participating island accommodators including celebrated bed and breakfast inns, vacation rentals, and family-owned and popular chain hotels, each offering a free night to guests who book a qualifying stay. The year round offer allows visitors to use their free night with their current stay or during a return visit.
The participating accommodators include:
*Third Night Free
Amelia By the Sea
(800) 335-0984
Amelia South Condominiums
(800) 543-0664
AmeliaVacations.com by ERA Fernandina Beach Realty
(800) 741-4011
Beachside Motel
(877) 261-4236
Ketch Courtyard
(904) 261-0677
Oceans of Amelia
(800) 331-7428
Summer Beach Resort
(800) 862-9297
*Fourth Night Free
Amelia Hotel at the Beach
(877) 263-5428
Amelia Island Williams House
(800) 414-9258
Amelia Surf & Racquet Club
(800) 323-2001
Blue Heron Inn
(904) 445-9034
Comfort Suites
(904) 261-0193
Days Inn & Suites
(904) 277-2300
Fairbanks House
(888) 891-9882
Hampton Inn & Suites, Amelia Island
(904) 491-4911
Hampton Inn, Amelia Island at Fernandina Beach
(904) 321-1111
Ketch Courtyard
(904) 261-0677
Residence Inn – Amelia Island
(904) 277-2440
Seaside Amelia Inn
(844) 347-5283
Summer Beach Resort
(800) 862-9297
Additional information is available at www.ameliaisland.com/free.
*All free night deals are based on availability and include restrictions and black out dates. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Prices vary. Please contact individual hotels for more information or to book a room.
About Amelia Island
Northeast Florida’s coastal treasure, Amelia Island is a barrier island rich in colorful history and breath-taking natural beauty. Amelia Island offers long, beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife, and pristine waters. Upscale resorts with world-class spas, championship golf and exclusive dining blend effortlessly with a captivating collection of bed and breakfast inns and historic districts. The island is home to Fernandina Beach, once a vibrant Victorian seaport village, and now a charming downtown district of eclectic shops, attractions and eateries. Forget the everyday getaway; come make memories on Amelia Island. For visitor information and online planning, visit www.ameliaisland.com.
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Get Your Game On with Special Rates and Offers on Amelia Island During the Georgia vs. Florida Football Weekend
Amelia Island, FL – On Saturday, November 1, the University of Georgia Bulldogs and University of Florida Gators will hold their annual rivalry game at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. Football fans from both teams will enjoy Amelia Island’s all-star line-up of special offers, discounts and a chance to win a three-day vacation. Located 45 minutes from downtown Jacksonville, Amelia Island is home to several award-winning hotels, resorts, and inns offering discounted packages. Gator and Bulldog fans can turn a game day trip into a weekend getaway or enjoy watching the game from the comfort of their hotel room or favorite sports bar.
Amelia is also running the “Gridiron Getaway” contest in which one lucky fan will win a three-day, two-night stay at Omni Amelia Island Plantation and two tickets to the Florida vs. Georgia football game on November 1 as well as round-trip transportation to the game. To enter the contest, visit www.floridageorgiaweekend.com.
The following packages and specials are available:
-Stay at the Amelia Hotel at the Beach with a special starting rate of $149 and enjoy a Manager’s Reception on Friday evening (Oct. 31). Sunday’s breakfast for guests will also include $4 mimosas and Bloody Marys. ameliahotel.com
-Amelia Rental and Management Services is offering a 10 percent discount on stays of three or more nights at their popular rental properties located on Amelia Island Plantation, Summer Beach Resort and Surf & Racquet Club, during the Georgia vs. Florida Football Weekend. ameliarentals.com
-The 11-room Amelia Island Williams House is providing Gator and Bulldog fans with a 15 percent discount. Guests can enjoy the inn’s daily breakfast and evening social. williamshouse.com
-ERA Fernandina Beach Realty Vacation Rentals, along with Amelia by the Sea, Oceans of Amelia and Amelia South, is featuring a 15 percent discount for the Georgia vs. Florida Weekend. The discount will apply to stays between October 29 and November 1 on select properties for reservations made on or after August 18. Ameliavacations.com
-The Hampton Inn at the Beach is offering a special $1 rate for Sunday, November 2 for guests who stay Friday and Saturday night. Rates start at $159 plus tax, for Friday and Saturday nights and include complimentary breakfast each day. Offer is only available by calling the hotel directly at 904-321-1111. ameliaislandhamptoninn.com
-The Hampton Inn & Suites in downtown Fernandina Beach is featuring guests a festive Bulldog and Gator welcome reception on Friday, Oct. 31. The reception, held from 4 to 7 p.m., will feature complimentary beer and wine, as well as an assortment of food and game day paraphernalia. hamptoninnameliaisland.com
-The Omni Amelia Island Plantation is offering fans of both teams a special overnight package, including luxurious accommodations, transportation to and from the Georgia vs. Florida game, tickets to the property’s Georgia vs. Florida Bash, and arrival amenity with tasty treats representing each state. The property will also be offering a number of special events during the weekend, including a pumped up bash on Friday night, spa services tailored to devoted fans, and a special sale at The Shops. omniameliaislandplantation.com
-The Residence Inn Amelia Island is gearing up for the return of one of the biggest college football rivalries with rates starting at $159 per night. Guests will receive all the Florida and Georgia fan party favors they can handle, an invitation to a Kickoff Cookout on Friday night, as well as the hotel’s full, hot complimentary breakfast, free island shuttle, evening socials, and more. Must visit http://bit.ly/1lRXTGV or call 866-245-6099 to book. residenceinnameliaisland.com
In addition to the packages, guests can celebrate before the big game by participating in the Omni Amelia Island Plantation’s Florida-Georgia Bash. Taking place on Friday, Oct. 31 from 7 to 11 p.m., the event will feature live music from the Swingin’ Medallions, costume contests, food, drinks and more. Please visit www.flgabash.com for more information.
About Amelia Island:
Northeast Florida’s coastal treasure, Amelia Island is a barrier island rich in colorful history and breath-taking natural beauty. Consistently ranked in the top 10 North American Islands by the readers on Conde Nast Traveler, Amelia Island offers long, beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife, and pristine waters. Upscale resorts with world-class spas, championship golf and exclusive dining blend effortlessly with a captivating collection of bed and breakfast inns and historic districts.
The island is home to Fernandina Beach, once a vibrant Victorian seaport village, and now a charming downtown district of eclectic shops, attractions and eateries. Forget the everyday getaway; Come make memories on Amelia Island. For visitor information and online planning, visit www.ameliaisland.com.
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Amelia Island, FL – The Omni Amelia Island Plantation invites Georgia Bulldogs and Florida Gators to celebrate the biggest weekend in college football with a special GA vs. FL Tailgate package at the oceanfront resort including game day transportation and drinks as well as a plethora of parties, specials and football celebrations!
From the Nature Center excursions to the annual GA/FL Boardwalk Bash or Falcon”s Nest Jagermeister After Party to a Game Day 5K, spa services tailored for the devoted fan and a special sale in The Shops.
The GA/FL Tailgate Package features luxurious accommodations in the Omni Amelia Island Plantation resort and free round-trip transportation with tailgate beverages starting at $299 per night. And guests can book either the Georgia Bulldogs or Florida Gators package.
To round out the weekend, a full calendar of football events include:
Thursday, October 25
Okefenokee Swamp at Night
4pm, Nature Center
Take an adventure to the Land of the Trembling Earth with spectacular views of the sunset over the swamp by boat while searching for emerging alligators and roosting wading birds. Includes a southern style dinner and transportation.
Friday, October 26
Camp Amelia (9am-4pm, Nature Center **Reserved for resort guests and Club members**)
Kid’s enjoy special adventure day camp while parent’s explore their own beach vacation. Available as a full day for $70; Half day from 9am-1pm for $55; or 1-4pm for $45.
Just For Kids (6:30-9:30pm, Nature Center **Reserved for resort guests and Club members**)
Nighttime themed kid’s dinner party for resort guests, the perfect evening of fun for the youngsters while the parents attend the Boardwalk Bash. $55 per child, includes dinner.
GA-FL Boardwalk Bash (5-9pm, Marché Burette at The Shops)
Football boardwalk bash featuring bounce house, crafts and tennis for kids; football toss and corn hole games; and live music with DRB from 6-9 pm featuring swinging arrangements from the ’40s to the sizzling top hits of today with a wide variety of music including big band, blues, funk, pop, rock and country. Full bar and sampling of food including grilled gator, pizzas, pork sliders, burgers and more will be available!
Movie Under the Stars (9pm, The Shops)
Grab the family and bring your blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy a complimentary family friendly flick under the stars.
GA/FL Jagermeister After Party (9pm-1am, Falcon’s Nest)
Continue the pre-game celebration with the Ron Perry Connection playing live outside on the deck from 9pm-1am with a blend of classic rock, dance favorites, acoustic music and current hits. Specialty cocktails, giveaways and prizes, full bar, and sampling of food including pork sliders, wings, burgers, and more will be available.
Saturday, October 27 – GAME DAY
Game Day 5K (9am, Racquet Park)
Benefiting Relay for Life, run or walk in your team colors at the Game Day 5K! $20 pre-registration for adults, $10 for children with a $5 increase on race day. To register email kakelly@omnihotels.com.
Camp Amelia GA/FL Special (11am-7pm; Nature Center **Reserved for resort guests and Club members**)
Kids are busy with a day of recreation extreme fun while the parents attend the GA/FL football game! $95 includes 2 meals & snacks. 24-hour pre-registration required. Camp will begin 30 minutes prior to game bus departure and end 30 minutes post return.
Falcon’s Nest Game Day Specials (9am-2am, Falcon’s Nest)
Join us for an early pre-game breakfast from 9am-12pm featuring a Southwestern Breakfast Burrito, Scramble Egg Platter, Breakfast Sandwiches, Florida Sunnyside Combo, Georgia Pancake Platter and more! From 12-6pm catch football specials on our tailgate menu including Fried Gator Bites and Bull Dawg Bites. Regular menu and drink specials available after 6pm.
Game Day Transportation (12pm, Racquet Park)
Starting October 13, guests that are not booked on the special GA/FL Tailgate Package can purchase any remaining game day transportation tickets on the bus for $75 per guest including 3 tailgate beverages per guest. Buses will park in stadium tailgate lot and return 30 minutes after end of the game. Call 904-261-6161 to book your seat after October 13th.
Beach Fire (7-9pm, resort beach **Reserved for resort guests and Club members**)
Wrap up the game day celebrations with a relaxing beach fire under the stars.
Sunday, October 28
Naturalist Brunch Kayak (9:30am, Nature Center)
Take a two hour paddle with the naturalists through the tidal marsh creek at walkers landing. After the relaxing paddle, enjoy lunch at the picnic tables along the waterfront while viewing the spectacular scenery. Choose from a variety of options on the menu. $75 adults/$65 children
Spa Specials
Relaxing 50-minute services for just $99*
*Available October 21-31, 2012. Specials can not be combined with any other discount.
The Shops Sale
Receive 15% off anything with red, black, orange or blue in it at Harrison’s Mercantile and Amelia’s Signature Shop. Sale valid October 26-28, 2012.
For more information visit www.omniameliaislandplantation.com or call 1-800-The-Omni.
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There is a sightseeing helicopter service interested in operating near the historic Fernandina Beach waterfront. Test flights are scheduled for Saturday, March 31st, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, weather permitting, from Mr. Cook¹s property (south of the City Marina).
This will be a great opportunity to see how this operation may or may not interfere with the usual functions of other downtown businesses and attractions.
The planning advisory board is considering this request from the helicopter sightseeing tours to add this to the list of permitted usages in the Industrial Waterfront (IW) and the Waterfront Mixed Use (W1) zoning districts. If approved by the City Commission, any property within those zoning districts could be used for that purpose.
This matter will likely come before the City of Fernandina Beach Commissioners. PAB members and the commissioners have been advised to refrain from any discussions about their reaction to the demonstration until the Public Advisory Board meets again at their next scheduled meeting on April 11th at 5:00 PM.
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Nostalgia and the passing of time
While doing some research for the Nassau County Economic Development Board for its new website, I ran into a story that the original Amelia Island Plantation was the brainchild of Charles Fraser, the famous Hilton Head Sea Pines developer/conservationist, who died in a boating accident in the Turks and Caicos in 2002. Fraser had bought the land for a reported $4,650,000 and projected that in finished state the plantation would employ some 600 people. Not bad I thought, knowing that in 2010 there were 680 employees on the books of Amelia Island Plantation.
Plum Orchard Mansion on Cumberland Island
After visiting Cumberland Island three times in the past 10 months, I was excited to read that soon there will be an opportunity to tour the island motorized — in a single day. I do not mind the walking itself, but there is no way you can see all the historic attractions and natural beauty of our neighboring island to the north, if you have to do it by foot.
Park Superintendent Fred Boyles announced a couple of days ago that it looks like August, when the guided motorized tours will be going into operation, more than seven years after Congress passed legislation that required the National Park Service to operate vehicle tours on Cumberland from the Dungeness ruins on the south end to The Settlement on the north end and also for the Park Service to provide transportation for the disabled at attractions on the south end.
But democratic due process which required public hearings and impact studies, combined with extended periods that the Park had to operate without a full-time superintendent, made seven years go by. Boyles is actually widely credited for making the tours a reality, as he pushed for the hearings and other requirements to complete the bureaucratic process. Four vehicles and Four guides are the plan and three of them have already been hired.
“All that’s left is some more hiring and historical fact training,” Boyles said last Wednesday
On weekdays the Park offers two “Land and Legacy” tours and three on weekends and holidays. The tours will start at the Ice House Museum and Dungeness, follow the Main Road north and stop at Plum Orchard just past the halfway point to First African Baptist Church at The Settlement, the same church where John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette got married Sept. 21, 1996 and has since become a big attraction.
Until now it has been quite a hassle to take in the sights of Cumberland in one day. Visitors had the option to take a ferry to the south end and walk or ride rented bikes to a few places and only on second and fourth Sundays could they take another ferry to the dock at famous Plum Orchard and tour it.
The massive 22,000-square-foot, 106-room Georgian Revival mansion was built in 1898 by Lucie Carnegie, as a retreat for her son George and his wife Margaret for a “mere” $10,000. Yes people…ten thousand dollars, that’s how much inflation has eaten away the purchase power of a US dollar. But George and Margaret where not completely satisfied with the size of the mansion and build two additions, which were finished by 1906. In any case, the Carnegies lived there seasonally and sometimes full-time, until George Carnegie died in 1921 and Margaret in 1924. They passed the home on to their daughter, Nancy, who turned it over to the Park Service in 1972, when Congress created Cumberland Island National Seashore, mainly as a result of this contribution of Plum Orchard.
When the need for renovation and restoration demanded a $6 million dollar price tag several years back, the wise decision was made to open the Mansion up for guided visitor tours. The island tours will be conducted in vans unless there’s a group of 15 or so. Those may take the trip in an open-sided tram, park superintendent Boyles said. He also pointed out that the ride maybe less-than-comfortable at times given the Main Road is dirt with a washboard surface in places. I may feel a bit like riding a donkey between the island’s famous wild horses population.
For those of us who have explored the beauty and history of Cumberland Island by foot and bicycle in the past, the decision to open the island up for visitors with guided tours, may be a smidgen bittersweet, considering that once the first step is taken, massive development in the future is often the reaction, especially when governments run out of maintenance funds.
Under those circumstance, Mr. Boyles did the only smart thing in his effort to make Cumberland Island better accessible. For the Ferry Services from Fernandina Beach, it means loaded vessels for every scheduled guided tour. For Amelia Island it means, one more great attraction of natural and historical value to add to its action palette and for St.Marys it means more tourism, because not everyone can fit nor afford Greyfield Inn.
Of preservation interest for Cumberland Island is the fact the on July 11, two days before the motorized tours announcement, Cumberland Island released the Former Reserved Properties Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for a 30 day public comment period. The plan outlines how seven properties will be used by the National Park Service to further its mission of resource protection and visitor service. The comment period will be open for 30 days through August 12, 2011. After the close of the 30 day comment period, the NPS will review the public comments and prepare a decision document to finalize the plan.
If you are interested in reading up on the plan and provide comments, click on the respective links.
