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 http://www.recommend.com

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

Recommend April 2013