Recommend April 2013 - (Page 80)
FLORIDA’S ISLANDS
Old Florida beckons in the state’s island destinations.
lane nieset
Amelia Island on the northeast coast and sister islands Sanibel and
Captiva on the Gulf offer a quaint charm, luring Florida-bound travelers looking for a more intimate vacation on uncrowded beaches.
“Both areas give the discerning traveler a nice balance of beach,
shopping and relaxation,” says Shonda Gibson, CTA with Abundant Journeys, who books clients in both destinations. “Attractive
to the premium to luxury traveler, both areas are popular among
honeymooners, retirees and families alike.”
amelia island
Why: “As a destination, Amelia Island offers just about anything a
visitor could want in a great Florida getaway—beautiful beaches,
upscale spas and restaurants, unique shopping, entertaining special events, outdoor adventure and an intriguing history,” says Gil
Langley, president and CEO of the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council. Known as the “Isle of Eight Flags,” once home
to everyone from Timucuan Indians to pirates and nobles, the old
Victorian seaport village of Fernandina Beach, now known as the
historic district, offers visitors a great selection of cafes and eateries
to choose from.
“Travelers are more captivated with the high-end boutiques on
Centre Street in Fernandina Beach, fishing, a bit of surfing and
perhaps even some boogie boarding,” Gibson says. “I would highly
recommend chartering a boat for a sunset dinner cruise to soak in
the beauty known as Amelia Island.”
What not to miss: At 13 miles long and two miles wide, “getting
around the island is a breeze,” Langley says. Many of the B&Bs and
inns have complimentary bicycles for guests to use, or travelers can
rent bikes from one of the many area vendors. They can also, and
this is a unique element, go horseback riding. The island, which
features protected park reserves in the northern and southern
tips, can also be explored on a tour with options including Segway
tours, river cruises, guided bike tours, horse-drawn carriage rides,
and ghost or pub tours with the Amelia Island Museum of History.
Historic pub crawl, anyone?
Restaurant pick: Set in the heart of Fernandina Beach, Joe’s 2nd
Street Bistro features New American cuisine served on the New
Orleans-inspired courtyard or inside the restaurant, a restored
1900s home. Also in Fernandina, Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant,
Grill & Cantina serves up fresh Mexican food—think fish tacos and
seafood fajitas—and imported beers. We hear the margaritas are a
must-have, too.
Where to stay: “Visitors can set the tone for their visit by choosing from a variety of accommodation styles, from luxurious resort
experiences to family-owned favorites, or a charming collection of
award-winning bed and breakfast inns,” Langley says.
For clients looking to sit back and take in the ocean views,
suggest boutique hotel Elizabeth Point Lodge, which features a
wraparound porch on the Main House. The cozy, 20-room B&B
offers a Park and Pedal package perfect for guests looking to ex80 april 2013
80-81 NA Florida.indd 80
plore the island. The 3-night package includes accommodations;
oceanfront breakfast each morning; daily picnic lunch for two; and
complimentary bicycles to borrow. Rates start at $1,308 for an
Oceanfront King Superior dbl.
Families with children and teens will find something for every age
group at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation, which re-opened
last month after an $85 million re-imagination. After adding 155
oceanfront guestrooms, the resort now offers 404 oceanfront
rooms, as well as a new lobby; renovated spa with two new couple’s relaxation rooms; $3.8 million improvements to the golf facilities; and the new Heron’s Cove Adventure Golf, 18-hole putt-putt
golf. Programs for kids and teens are also expanding with a teen
concierge; new recreation at Camp Amelia; and the teen hangout,
Gamers. Golf-lovers heading to the resort can take advantage of
the Unlimited Golf package, starting at $339 per night, featuring
accommodations and unlimited rounds of golf and a cart on the
two signatures courses, Oak Marsh and Ocean Links.
Best time to go: While Langley says mild temperatures and the
sea breeze make Amelia Island a year-round destination, the island
also offers some of the coolest temperatures in Florida during the
summer.
Getting there: The Jacksonville International Airport is a 30-minute drive from Amelia Island and offers service from both major and
regional carriers including Delta Air Lines, Jet Blue, Southwest
Airlines and US Airways.
sanibel & captiva islands
Why: It’s no surprise that sister islands Sanibel and Captiva don’t
have stoplights and that no building is taller than the tallest palm
tree. Visitors come here for island atmosphere, so different from
the rest of Florida, and the abundant nature. “It’s a very peaceful, quiet side of Florida known for its nature. It’s really an area
that has been preserved and conserved over time because that’s
what people who come here love, and that’s the attraction to the
islands,” says Nancy Hamilton, communications director for the
Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. “It’s a place where
you park your car and get on your bike and you explore, or you
walk through wildlife refuges, or take a boat tour and go wildlife
watching.”
What not to miss: Birdwatchers won’t want to miss the main
attraction at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge—a 7,600acre wildlife refuge with 272 bird species, 60 types of reptiles and
35 mammal species. The refuge spans more than two-thirds of the
island, offering travelers everything from kayaking to biking or taking a tram ride. The islands are also known for their shelling, with
hundreds of thousands of shells washing up on the beaches daily.
Recommend your clients go beach combing and then take their
finds to The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum—the only museum
in North America solely dedicated to sea shells—where they can
try and identify their shells. Also, don’t miss the Sanibel Historical
recommend.com
3/20/13 8:52 AM
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend April 2013
Editor's Notes
The Islands of Tahiti
Hotel Desk: Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia
Tour Talk: Islands in the Sun
A Med Escape: Greek Isles & Cyprus
Set Sail
The Seychelles' Private Island Resorts
Portrait of Israel
Booking 2 on the Isles: Easter Island & Galapagos
Island-Hopping in Mexico: Cozumel, Isla Holbox & Isla Mujeres
The Pulse of Poipu, Hawaii
Florida's Islands: Amelia, Captiva & Sanibel
The Real Caribbean: Grenada & Martinique
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