Inns of Elegance - ST. AUGUSTINE MEDIA TRIP 2011
INNS OF ELEGANCE – ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA August 22-24, 2011
“Oldest City – New Flavors”
Monday, August 22, 2011
3:00p Check in at Your Inn – one of the 5 INNS OF ELEGANCE! Check in to your historic bed & breakfast recognized as the BEST of St. Augustine’s historic bed & breakfast inns. Offering outstanding accommodations with picturesque settings, the Inns are located in the heart of St. Augustine’s Historic District, within walking distance to everything! I SHALL BE DELIVERING A ‘WELCOME PACKAGE’ THAT WILL BE WAITING IN YOUR ROOM. Ask your innkeeper to point you toward the Casablanca Inn for our 6:00 Welcome Reception. www.innsofelegance.com
6:00p OFFICIAL Welcome Reception at Tini Martini Bar, Casablanca Inn – On the Bayfront Voted #1 Bar in St. Augustine – it has the glamour of days past and a VIEW of the Bayfront that brings St. Augustine to life. They feature romantic martinis in a chic jazz/cocktail lounge www.casablancainn.com . A surprise guest is Welcoming Everyone to St. Augustine!
7:15 Stroll two blocks to BISTRO DE LEON
7:15 Dinner at Bistro de Leon – Join Chef Jean-Stephane Poinard who has been creating fine cuisine in Lyon, France and now St. Augustine for 20+ years. Tonight Chef Poinard prepares for his November 18 FRENCH CONNECTION Celebration of BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU dinner at James Beard House in NYC. We will be treated to a preview tasting dinner by one of America’s celebrated young Chefs! Relax and let the dinner begin! www.BistrodeLeon.com
9:45 Old Town Trolley Takes Us Home
Let the Old Town Trolley take you back to your inn as we savor late summer breezes along the Bayfront. www.trolleytours.com
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
8:00a Breakfast at Your Inn Enjoy the ambience and carefully prepared breakfast that makes Bed & breakfasting in St. Augustine one of the most romantic ways to visit our City! www.innsofelegance.com
Three Trolley Stops – picking up at inns 9:00 Casablanca (includes Inn on Charlotte) 9:05 Westcott House (includes Bayfront Marin) 9:10 St. Francis Inn (at Oldest House trolley stop)
9:15a Old Town Trolley Tour ~ Visit the Inns of Elegance Our private trolley and tour guide will enchant us with the history, architecture, adventure and romance of America’s Oldest City, then taking us to each of the 5 Inns to meet the Innkeepers and learn their hospitality secrets!
OLD TOWN TROLLEY Stops to visit Inns: 10:00 Casablanca Inn 10:25 Inn on Charlotte 10:50 Bayfront Marin 11:15 Westcott House 12:00 St. Francis Inn 12:30 BRING WRITERS TO Plaza de la Constitucion
12:45p The Savory Faire – A Food Tour with Taste! Your walking tour lunch explores the historical and cultural influences of the tastes of St. Augustine throughout the centuries. From Tapas to Desserts, take a peek at Alice Sutherland’s award-winning escapade. Receive a bottled water and Taste along with us! Group I and II meet in Plaza de la Constitucion to visit: Group 1 La Pentola 1:00pm Cheese Ravioli in Sherry Cream Sauce, Camarones al Ajillo Athena 1:20pm Saganaki (flaming cheese), Gyro Gaufrés & More 1:50pm - Perogies, Pyzy, Stuffed Cabbage Claude's Chocolate 2:15pm – chocolate with famous French chef Claude Franques Group 2 Gaufrés & More 1:00pm - Perogies, Pyzy, Stuffed Cabbage La Pentola 1:30pm Cheese Ravioli in Sherry Cream Sauce, Camarones al Ajillo Athena 1:50pm Saganaki (flaming cheese), Gyro Claude's Chocolate 2:15pm – chocolate with famous French chef Claude Franques www.StAugustineCityWalks.com
2:30p OPEN AFTERNOON: Your VIP Pass entitles you to enjoy a self-guided ‘Open Afternoon’ that might include some of the following: Alligator Farm, St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum, Lightner Museum, Old Florida Museum, Oldest House, Old St. Augustine Village, Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, San Sebastian Winery, Spanish Military Hospital, Spanish Quarter, Castillo de San Marcos www.staugustineattractions.net
5:45p Old Town Trolley picks us ALL up at Marina Trolley Stop ~ heading to Lightner Museum
6:00p Reception at Lightner Museum ~ hosted by George Chryssaidis Cocktails In the famed Lightner Museum (3rd floor exhibit hall). A glimpse of ‘Splendors of The Gilden Age’. www.lightnermuseum.org 6:45p Dinner at Café Alcazar ~ Nestled inside the famed Lightner Museum, this ‘secret’ café has history surrounding it dating to 1888. Originally the Hotel Alcazar, built by Henry Flagler, it was a casino, health spa and entertainment venue for elite guests who frequented the world-famous Ponce de Leon Hotel. The Café sits proudly in the space where the pool was located 120+ years ago. Chef Jesse tempts our appetite! First we begin with a FRIXA Olive Oil Tasting. www.TheCafeAlcazar.com
8:45p Private Hosted Tour of Villa Zorayda-This MAGNIFICENT treasure is one of the purist examples of true Moorish Architecture in America. Proud owners Marcia Mussallem Byles and James Byles escort us through the wondrous beauties of the ‘Gilded Age House Museum’. A 19th century masterpiece, its astounding art and antique collection are second-to-none! www.VillaZorayda.com
10:00p Old Town Trolley returns us to our inns
Wednesday, August 24
8:00a Dine-Around Breakfast at all of the Inns of Elegance (scheduled by Leigh) Visit another of our Inn collection and meet the innkeepers. Bon Appetit!
10:00a – 1:15 Eco Adventures with Zach McKenna – MEET at Downtown Marina Dolphin and Nature Eco Tour ~ or Kayaking through the inland estuaries that surround St. Augustine are a perfect way to start the day with interpretive nature licensed Captains. Scheduling & Reservations by Leigh ~ www.staugustineecotours.com
ALTERNATIVE activities ~ Don’t Forget your VIP Pass from VCB
Lunch @ O.C. WHITES ~ Dine on your own through the day at your leisure as The White Family’s guest. One of the most popular restaurants in the city, it’s overlooking the yacht marina and Matanzas River …dating back to 1790. www.OCWhites.com
3:00p OPEN Afternoon ~ Explore St. Augustine ‘solo’ on Old Town Trolley ~ VIP Passes
6:45 Old Town Trolley meets us at Marina/Bayfront Trolley Stop for Sara’s Crepe Cafe
7:00p Dinner at Sara’s Crepe Café…A Beautiful European Tradition! Welcome to Margarita Abramov’s elegant little café where the delicious family-inspired dishes carry a century of time-honored flavors, presentation and love ~ serving the finest crepes and Belgian waffles. From the moment you enter the romantic courtyard and café, you’re a welcomed guest. Let them treat you like family! www.sarascrepecafe.com
9:00p RHETT’s – The Exquisite Late Piano Bar & Brasserie Nightclub invites us for a Nightcap and Jazz! A stunning sophisticated spot to ‘cap’ off the night. Can we tempt you with martini’s that exude luxe: Crème Brulee, Lemon Drop Blush, Chocolate Cake or a classic Blue Magellan Gin with Iris Flower? www.Rhetts.com
10:30pm Old Town Trolley returns us to our Inns
thursday, August 25
Breakfast at Your Host Inn
Checkout: A Fond Farewell from the Inns of Elegance and Leigh Cort Have a Safe Journey!
HELPFUL WEBSITES:
• www.innsofelegance.com • www.getaway4florida.com • www.bistrodeleon.com • www.trolleytours.com • www.sarascrepecafe.com • www.staugustineecotours.com • www.OCWhites.com • www.ClaudesChocolate.com • www.StAugustineCityWalks.com • www.VillaZorayda.com • www.TheCafeAlcazar.com • www.Rhetts.com • www.staugustineattractions.net • www.LightnerMuseum.org
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