St. Augustine: Florida's finest jewel

[Blackford Oakes]

If you don't mind the five hour drive from Miami, St Augustine will reward you with Spanish charm and the Flagler touch. One of it's claims to fame is that it's this country's oldest european inhabited city. It was on the feast of St. Augustine in 1565 that the Spanish began their settlements.

It's most popular landmark of course is it's fort. Even though it changed hands about eight times, it never lost any of her 66 battles.

[Blackford Oakes]

The layout of the old city still maintains it's original plan. Today these old structures, many redone through endowments, house shops and restaurants. Even the oldest wooden schoolhouse adorns many of it's thouroughfares.



Couquina, which was used to built the fort is also abundant in the city.

[Blackford Oakes]

The Flagler Touch



South of the ancient part of the city, we witness the hand prints of Flagler stand the test of time. St. Augustine was his first venture into Florida created a vacation paradise for the well to do of his times.

The old Ponce De Leon, once the most luxurious hotel in the Americas, has been converted to a fine liberal arts college.



Casa Monica. The towns' best place to stay also built by Flagler.



This was the second occasion we overnighted in St. Augustine. Previously we stayed at the Historical Hilton on the waterfront. On this trip we wised up and lodged at the Hampton in on the beach on a few miles away. Beach is the last thing one might think of in this town. It shouldn't be overlooked for an overnight option. It's a great beach and at a better price.

My best tip is to avoid traps likes Ripley's and the Ghost Tours. All you'll need is a trolley ticket that makes various stops for you to explore before it picks you up and takes you to the next place of interest. It's only $18 and you can use it for two days.

[Doug]

A great introduction to St. Augustine, UTS! I wish I had gotten to know it better during my time in Central Florida. My only experience was driving through on the US1 late one night in 2005, trying to find a motel! (They were all full because of relief workers there to clean up after the 2004 hurricanes.) I wish all the architecture in Central Florida was this stunning!

[Jess]

What a great post and collection of photos. I loved reading about it and now I am very interested in going. It looked like Spain with the Sangria jugs.

[GandJ]

Very nice!. St. Augustine is certainly one of Florida's most beautiful towns / cities.

Glenn

[Lizy]

Great pics! This place looks very European actually. Is that from some Spanish influence?

[Carlos Miller]

St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the United States, founded by the Spanish in 1565.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine,_Florida

[Maria de los Angeles]

Thanks UTS for such a great thread! I love St. Augustine too ... in fact I'm going there next month for a culinary press trip. Can't wait!

[Blackford Oakes]

Thanks UTS for such a great thread! I love St. Augustine too ... in fact I'm going there next month for a culinary press trip. Can't wait!

Sounds cool Maria. I make it a point to hit Columbia on every trip. Even though I got one nearby in Celebration, the St. Augustine local is special. I'm sure that will be part of your itinerary. 95 Cordova is also a worthy stop. I still haven't made it to the winery. Let us know how it went..

[fredgarvin]

Awesome pics and posts UTS! Tks!

[Blackford Oakes]

Have a great day Maria in the ancient city. Good thing the weather is fine in these parts. Let us know how it went today.

Got to have the sangria the old school way at The Gallo Tavern.

[Michelle]

Thank you for all the pics; UTS! St. Augustine is a city we have yet to visit and seeing the pics make me want to go even more!

[Blackford Oakes]

It's a must Michelle and the suprise is it's nice beach just miniutes away.

I caught Maria's tweet. She's on her way there and I know she'll have a good time.

[Maria de los Angeles]

UTS ... your thread is so aptly titled. This place truly is a jewel. My schedule is busy on this press trip but I'll write more when I return!

So thanks to the power of Twitter and UTS's recommendation, I tried a white wine sangria last night at Taberna del Gallo on St. George street. The sangria was very lite and refreshing but even better -- the atmosphere was so unique and very "local" actually. The spot was founded in 1734 and looks like an old tavern with spartan furnishings. The place is lit only by candles inside hanging lanters. It actually took me about five minutes to realize "OMG there is no electricity and no artificial light." It was so warm and cozy and they were playing music that was evocative of that era. There is nothing "modern" here except for the beer tap, so having a drink here really transports you back in time.

The two bartenders that served me last night also work for that museum next door where they do living history performances, so they were in costume. It feels like you are walking into a movie set, except that it's all very real and not Disney-like at all. There were mostly locals there last night, so it was very laid back. I felt very comfortable there.

A few performers from some pirate showed up after work in their "work" clothes, so that was another treat. They weren't performing or anything, just hanging out like the average joe but in their costumes ... (I suppose that's great free advertising for the show!) One fella, a magician, even volunteered to do some tricks for some guests.

Michelle, you guys MUST come here at some point! It's so beautiful! I'm staying at the St. George Inn, charming little b & b type accomodation by the fort (aka El Castillo), right in the middle of the Spanish quarter. The owner is a former Miamian.

There is a great food culture here too. The food tour I took yesterday, called Savory Faire, was top-quality phenomenal. I highly recommend!

Anyway, I gotta go ... touring Flagler College today then heading out to Ponte Vedra.

[Blackford Oakes]

You lucky devil. I tried to sneak into Flager College to catch a glimpse of the much acclaimed Tiffany window of the former Ponce De Leon Hotel. I was chased away by security as I was at the threshold of the woman's dorm. I guess that's a good thing that they're on their toes

Glad you struck gold at the taberna.It's a hang out for the guys that let loose the canons at the fort. It wouldn't suprise me of those pirates you met were students at Flagler.

Another hidden gem a couple doors down is a museum of Greek Othrodox Catholcism. High quality stuff that almost makes me want to be a parishioner at St. Jude in Brickell.

I can see Gus and Michelle at a cozy B&B. The place is loaded with many good ones, all around the Spanish Quarter. The best way to do it is the triple play. Charleston - Savannah - St. Augustine.

Glad you're having a great time and look forward to hearing more about your foray - especially about the cuisine. Have a couple of rooms booked at the Hampton Inn at the beach on 29 November. I'll be entertaining family from out of country. Looking for a foodie reco..

Love Ya !

P.S. Ponte Vedra is nice especially if you golf. Also in that area, Amelia Island is a favorite, as wel,as is Cumberland Island across the river and state line

[miamidesigner]

I was born in there. Not in the fort, but in a hospital. But they tore down the hospital. Is that a sign?

[Maria de los Angeles]

I was born in there. Not in the fort, but in a hospital. But they tore down the hospital. Is that a sign?

It means you're so great, they broke the mold.

[Maria de los Angeles]

UTS - on my list of future activities is Amelia Island and yes, the Savannah connection seems logical. It's so close! What a great itinerary that would be.

Speaking of Ponte Vedra and golf, I got to tour the TPB Sawgrass club house where the famous "17 hole" played by Tiger Woods is located. It was a great experience and this same tour is available to the public! I'm not even into golf, but our volunteer guide was so friendly, he taught me the basics and now I know I would enjoy the game so much more.

I'll be posting more about my trip soon but wanted to fill you all in on a great foodie program going on this month called Flavors of Florida's Historic Coast.

Just like Miami Spice, over a dozen restaurants are offering prix fixe menus so it's totally worth it. Right now is a really good time to travel to St. Augustine. The weather is glorious and all the summer tourists are out.

I'm really crazy busy this week with the Blogalicious conference and other social media campaigns, but I can't wait to relive my delicious trip in articles I'll write next week. Stay tuned!

[Maria de los Angeles]

Oh ... one more thing! UTS, there is a tour of the college that lets you in to the dining hall. I highly recommend it. Ours was guided by a very knowledgeable communications student who had a great schpiel and tour guide presence.

The Dining Hall is also off limits (unless you're on the tour), well, because it's the dining hall and so they probably don't want people interrupting lunch and dinner for the students.

Take the tour next time you go ... it's worth it!