St. Augustine Ponte Vedra 2008 Travel Planner - (Page 35) F and Spanish cuisine. Dénoël French Pastry. heart of downtown. UNFORGETTABLE CUISINE From barbecue and “Cracker” fare (think alligator tail and frog legs) at Saltwater Cowboys to the ultimate in fine dining at 95 Cordova and Avilés, St. Augustine is acclaimed for its variety of dining options. At the Spanish Bakery, try traditional Spanish lunch items like empanadas (meat pies) and picadillo (Spanish chili) with fresh-baked bread. Another St. Augustine classic is the Columbia Restaurant, specializing in Cuban Try authentic French food at Le Pavillon, followed by dessert at CASABLANCA INN ON THE BAY The word is out about Casablanca Inn. U.S. Air “Ten Best”, Atlanta Journal “Top Ten in Southeast”, local residents voted “31 Bed & Breakfast”, Frommers “What Divine Decadence…stunning water views from rocking chairs on the colonnaded portico.” A National Register Historic Place. Find fresh local seafood – like grouper, snapper, shrimp and conch – everywhere, in restaurants along the coast as well as in the One thing’s for sure: You won’t go hungry while vacationing here. Paella “A la Valencia” at the Columbia Restaurant 24 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine www.casablancainn.com 800-826-2626 904-829-0928 Reader Response 7 G throughout the year. ECOLOGICAL JEWEL Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, a 55,000-acre wilderness located on a barrier island halfway between Jacksonville and St. Augustine, is one of the true treasures of Florida. The Guana River has access to a pristine stretch of the upscale South Ponte Vedra Beach and some of the best swimming, surfing and boogie boarding you’ll find on the East Coast of Florida. But head west, into the hardwood hammocks and pine flatwoods, and you’ll find great hiking and mountain biking on nine miles of unpaved service roads. The Guana and Tolomato rivers are a backcountry angler’s dream, with trout and red drum plentiful The Environmental Education Center has a variety of exhibits and activities for kids. The 21,000-square-foot center contains aquariums, interpretive exhibits, classrooms, laboratories for teaching and research, and an auditorium. An outdoor amphitheater offers additional space for educational programs. Regularly scheduled events include weekend nature walks in the fall and spring, astronomy parties from November through February, and Family Fun Hours the third Thursday of each month. The center shows nature-themed movies every weekend. Guided kayak tours and changing exhibits are among its special events. The center is open daily except for state holidays. Visit www.gtmnerr.org for more information. REKINDLE THE ROMANCE What a setting, with fireplaced antique rooms and suites, whirlpool tubs and full breakfasts. From our historic old city location you can walk to everything! Enjoy our swimming pool, rocking chairs, private balconies, garden courtyard, evening socials and free parking. 279 St. George St., St. Augustine www.stfrancisinn.com 800-824-6062 Reader Response 8 www.Getaway4Florida.com 35 http://www.casablancainn.com http://www.casablancainn.com http://www.stfrancisinn.com http://www.stfrancisinn.com http://www.gtmnerr.org http://www.Getaway4Florida.com
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