ENJOY AUTHENTIC St.Augustine - by Lynne R. Christen
WEEKEND WANDERER
IF YOU GO:
Old Town Trolley Tours - www.historictours.com/
Ripley’s Sightseeing Trains - www.redtrains.com
Bistro de Leon - www.bistrodeleon.com  - 904.810.2100

I came to St.Augustine in sunny Florida for an authentic weekend getaway;away from big city clamor and cookie-cutter condos lining overdeveloped and overcrowded beaches.Thanks to the foresight of city leaders, St.Augustine meticulously protects and preserves its 85 historic venues and barrier island ecosystem. I was not disappointed.

STAYING & PLAYING IN ST. AUGUSTINE

Briefly deliberating between an ocean-side stay versus the city, I opted for “sense of place” bed and breakfast accommodations at the Inn on Charlotte, one of St. Augustine’s Historic Inns of Elegance. Built in 1918 and lovingly restored in 2003, the laidback luxury, romantic ambience dwarmhospitality of innkeeper Lynne Fairfield made it tempting to snuggle into the “Henry Flagler Suite” with its sumptuous poster bed, jacuzzi for two and private porch and escape the outsideworld.However, history drew me to St.Augustine and with only a weekend to explore its OldWorld charm, there was no time to waste.A bountiful breakfast at the Inn and sound sightseeing advice sent me on my way each day, and afternoon wine and snacks were welcome late afternoon treats. Narrated open-air trolley tours offer an inexpensive and flexible way to see the city.Tickets for Old Town TrolleyTours and Ripley’s SightseeingTrains feature three consecutive days of hop-on, hop-off privileges at 20 major attractions. I initially stayed put for the entire 90-minute tour circuit to get the lay of the Land.Then, I used my same ticket for two days to travel betweenmust-sees.For instance, hop off for a tour at Flagler College (formerly the opulent Ponce de LeonHotel) and LightnerMuseum(Flagler’sHotel Alcazar). Hop on the next trolley rolling by to continue sightseeing at the Oldest HouseMuseum,OldestWooden Schoolhouse,Oldest Drug Store Museum and Old Jail. Listen to echoes of past with a guided tour by the National Park Service at the remarkable four-pointed Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest remaining European fort in the U.S.Meander through the Colonial Spanish Quarter for a glimpse of 1740s life in St.Augustine.Gawk at 800 oddities at Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum. Stroll lush gardens around the monument marking Ponce de Leon’s landing site and drink from the natural spring at Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. I sipped...and sipped again...even brought home a bottle of the “youth-enhancing” waters. No harm in trying. Across the Bridge of Lions, St.Augustine Lighthouse andMuseum stand guard over miles of unspoiled beaches onAnastasia Island.The view is worth the 219-steps to the top. Ecotourism flourishes on this barrier island.Active types enjoy surfing, parasailing, kite-boarding and kayaking.
And, St.AugustineAlligator Farmis the world’s only home of every species of crocodilian. Back on the mainland, there’s a mecca for duffers. Avid golfers can stay at the Renaissance Resort or Grande
Villas atWorld Golf Village, tee off on championship greens like “The Slammer & Squire” and “The King & Bear” and enjoy the 70 exhibits/artifacts and interactive state-of-theart golf technology at the Golf Hall of Fame.

TASTES OF ST. AUGUSTINE