Archive for November, 2010
Discover Amelia Island – Floridas Best Kept Secret For A Fabulous Vacation Paradise
Amelia Island Florida is one of America’s few remaining unspoiled island paradises. If you haven’t discovered Amelia Island yet you’re in for a wonderful surprise. Just a thirtyminute drive north of the Jacksonville airport Amelia Island is situated in the southernmost part of the Atlantic coast barrier islands that stretch from North Carolina down to Florida. Amelia Island offers miles of pristine sandy beaches worldclass golfing and tennis magnificent and luxurious resorts charming bed and breakfast spots and a rich and fascinating history that make this a truly unique and thoroughly enjoyable vacation destination.
A Fascinating History
Amelia Island brings a rich and cherished history to life in a present day charming seaport village setting. This is the only area in North America to experience sovereign rule under eight different flags bringing together a variety of cultural influences that make Amelia Island so unique. The National Trust for Historic Preservation recognizes Amelia Island as one of the top distinctive vacation destinations.
Amelia Island is for Nature Lovers
For nature lovers the island is abundant with stunning flora and fauna that embraces nature’s tranquility in every way. Experience the beautiful wetland marshes the maritime forest the cool shade under the canopy of the centuriesold live oaks and the serenity of the wide stretches of beach and coastline. From May through October each year you can observe the loggerhead and green turtles that nest on the shores of Amelia Island. Amelia Island State Park protects over 200 acres of unspoiled wilderness to enjoy and explore. This is one of the few areas along the Atlantic coast that permits horseback riding on the beach.
World Class Resorts
There are several worldclass Amelia Island resorts where you can experience the ultimate in luxury and royal treatment.
The Amelia Island Plantation is an acclaimed AAAFour Diamond 1350 acre property located on Amelia Island. It was meticulously built in 1971 with the philosophy that every entity on the Amelia Island Plantation should preserve the beautiful sanctuary for native wildlife and tropical flora. This remains the mission today and is the primary reason that this Amelia Island resort retains its natural pristine beauty and tranquility.
Amelia Island Plantation offers three championship golf courses a magnificent tennis facility with 23 tennis courts the luxurious four star Amelia Inn Beach Club featuring all ocean view rooms fine dining a worldclass spa to pamper and indulge your senses and a variety of fine shops and boutiques.
The RitzCarlton Amelia Island is a magnificent resort renowned for their superb fivediamond service. Poised on a bluff of sand dunes overlooking the ocean the panoramic views feeling of tranquility and seaside elegance will delight you in every way. The Ritz has a special way of making you feel like royalty from the moment you arrive.
The RitzCarlton Amelia Island offers championship golf a beautiful outdoor pool massage and fitness center and nine oceanside tennis courts including five lit for night play. Accommodations at this fabulous resort include private oceanview balconies 24hour inroom dining marble baths and provide the ultimate in comfort and luxury. And the award winning cuisine and fine dining will delight and please the epicurean in every way.
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy a romantic getaway and still bring the kids along the RitzCarlton Amelia island has a wonderful supervised program for kids ages 5 through 12 and a kids night out program on the weekends.
Fun and Activities
When you visit Amelia Island there are so many activities to satisfy everyone. Outdoor activities include great fishing hiking biking sailing river cruises golfing tennis nature watching and nature tours. Of course nothing beats simply spending a day relaxing on one of the beautiful pristine beaches.
Spend a day wandering through the 55 square block Fernandina Beach historic district. The Victorian style architecture will transport you back in time. Enjoy a narrated horse drawn carriage ride through the historic district as a perfect way to experience the charm of this Victorian seaport village.
Amelia Island is home to a variety of annual events. In February visit the Restoration Foundation Annual Antique Show. In March you won’t want to miss the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Antique Car Show held every year at the RitzCarlton Amelia Island. For tennis enthusiasts the Bausch Lomb Women’s Tennis Tour event is a favorite every year at the Amelia Island Plantation. In May the annual “Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival” is going on its 43rd year. This festival celebrates Fernandina Beach as the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry. Also in May music lovers can enjoy the annual Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival. June brings the Nassau Sportfishing Kingfish Tournament of Champions held at the downtown marina in Fernandina Beach. October brings the Amelia Island Jazz Festival featuring worldclass jazz artists produced and directed by Les DeMerle in recent years.
About the writer: Mark Harris for more information and details about Amelia Island Florida visit: Amelia Island Florida
Overseen by the formidable eleventh century Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, the Scottish Capital and Seat of Scottish Parliament, is the second most visited tourist destination in Great Britain. Located along the Firth of Forth near the North Sea and framed by the dormant volcanic Pentland Hills and Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh preserved much of its past while embracing modern life. Divided into Old and New Town, Edinburgh has indeed much to recommend it to residents and visitors.
Four major universities and several colleges make Edinburgh home to over 10000 students and earning the city the nickname “The Athens of the North.” Over 223 hotels accommodate guests from all over the globe. In fact, there are a wide range of hostels and hotels in Edinburgh designed to meet the needs and desires of the wide range of visitors. Likewise, atmospheric restaurants serve traditional meals such as haggis along with contemporary cuisine suited to any palate. Edinburgh is a world-class festival destination, offering twelve major festivals throughout the year, including the Annual International Festival of Arts.
A great number of theatre troops play their trade from the city of Edinburgh, some touring while others perform in the excellent local theatres and houses. Several Repertory Cinemas film from Edinburgh, also. A city rich in heritage, Edinburgh offers a great number of tours, including a boat cruise with views of its famous bridge, wartime fortifications, and lighthouse. Other popular tours explore the vaults and underground of the city, some focusing on some of Edinburgh’s famous deceased and infamous haunting. Edinburgh has boasted a great number of literary greats, including Robert Louis Stevenson and the contemporary author of the world-famous Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling, earning it the classification of UNESCO City of Literature and UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Edinburgh also boasts a great variety of museums and galleries, including five national galleries with at least thirty free of charge destinations found in the city.
Sports such as Football, Rugby, Cricket, Ice Hockey, and American Football all add to the richness of life in Edinburgh, as does the musical heritage, both classical and popular. Edinburgh also is home to a world-class Edinburgh Zoo, Seabird Centre, Butterfly and Insect World, and the Almond Valley Heritage Centre. The Royal Yacht Britannia is docked and available for tours, also, and nightlife in Edinburgh is vibrant and interesting, all creating in Edinburgh a lovely destination.
The City of Dublin is a small city with about 1 million inhabitants. In spite of its size, the city is growing popularity among tourists. Whatever type of accommodation you are looking for: whether it is a Georgian guesthouse, a luxurious 5 star hotel or a laid-back hostel, you are sure to find a range of choices in Dublin. Dublin hotels can be expensive. However, this guide aims to help travellers find most affordable hotels on their visit to Dublin.
When to Go?
There is no peak or off-peak season as such in Dublin. However, sport fans, especially Irish football, soccer and rugby fans seem to flock the city when big matches are played. Moreover, night life in Dublin is popular and many concerts are held here. At these times, accommodations are generally full and you are bound to get high accommodation rates. Thus, if you are flexible with dates, avoid going at these times. Moreover, weekends are busy. Thus, it is a good idea to plan your holiday during weekdays when rates could be as low as 50 per cent.
Where to Stay?
Stay around the airport or the outskirts to enjoy low prices on your accommodation. However, do keep in mind that it may be a long drive back to the accommodation from the city centre. Thus, if you’re really keen on saving those bucks and time is not an issue for you, stay far from the city center. Also, keep in mind, you would be spending on flights too when travelling. The best and most central locations are St. Stephens Green and O’Connell Street. This is where some 50-70 accommodations are located. It goes without saying; these would be much more expensive than the accommodations located far from the city centre. This area, however, is close to most sightseeing attractions, theatre, pubs, nightlife and tours.
Group Stays
The more the better! This is because, if you travel alone, you would have to bear the whole room cost. However, if you are sharing the room, the cost gets divided by the number of people. Serviced apartments tend to be better and more convenient for 3 or more people in a group. It is also a good idea to check in advance with the accommodation, if they offer any discounts on multiple room booking.
How Long to Stay?
You will need at least 2 days to enjoy Dublin sights. However, if you stay for 3 or 4 days, the price of the accommodation might be discounted. This is because many accommodations offer special discounts for guests who book for more than 3 days together.
What Else to Look Out For?
Book an accommodation that offers bed and breakfast. This is because Dublin cafes and restaurants can be expensive. Moreover, accommodation rates for breakfast are much lower. Thus, book the bed and breakfast as a combined deal from the accommodation. When checking-in, ask the accommodation receptionist for an upgrade. There is absolutely no harm in trying to seek a better room at the same price. Book your accommodation through a general accommodation website. Search for your accommodations and check the availability. The search will offer many results to you. You can then compare and book in the best deal that suits your requirements.
