Travel Archives - Page 51 of 89

Spa Day at the Don Cesar

November 4, 2020

Spa Day at the Don Cesar

Let’s pause for a second and have everyone take a deep breath! No matter who you are, this week is a pretty tense one and emotions are running high. Obviously, I’m talking about the election. While we won’t know the final results for at least a few days, it’s important to take some moments for self-care. This can be achieved in a long list of ways and it’s important to pick what works best for you. Since my company was gracious enough to give Election Day off, and I had already voted, I opted for a spa day at the Don Cesar Hotel.

This icon is known as the Pink Palace and it is such a sight to see! Built in 1928, it has hosted so many big names including Franklin Roosevelt, Al Capone, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Even with all of its current and modern amenities, you still feel the glamour from the Roaring 20s. The shades of pink and green only add to its tropical opulence. I’m so happy I live close by and get to visit often!

This particular trip was purely dedicated to relaxation at the Spa Oceana. It had been a while since I visited a spa and I loved looking through their services and offerings. Ultimately I decided to keep it simple with a Swedish Massage and Facial. It’s exactly what I needed! I was able to keep my mind off of current events and left my appointment feeling so at peace. Relaxing on the rooftop terrace overlooking the Gulf of Mexico currently didn’t hurt either!

I then spent the rest of the afternoon wandering the resort. I ordered a quick lunch at The Rowe Bar, had a caffeine pick-me-up from Andy’s, and sat in the courtyard. The weather in Florida has been, in a word, perfect! 70 degrees and sunny is the forecast that we wait all summer long for. The Don Cesar has a lot of new projects in the work and it was fun to see their progress. I can’t wait to visit again soon!

No matter where you live, be sure to take care of yourself over the next couple of days. As a nation, we have been through so much in 2020. Listen to what your body is telling you and invest in time moments of self-care. It may be the best decision you make!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Staying at Elizabeth Pointe Lodge

November 2, 2020

Staying at Elizabeth Pointe Lodge

Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, Florida

Dress || Sandals (similar) || Clutch || Bracelet

One final post about my travels to Fernandina Beach. We had the most amazing stay at the Elizabeth Pointe Lodge! I just had to give it some individual attention and let it shine all on its own. If you’re thinking of booking a trip to Amelia Island, here is my top hotel recommendation and why I loved it so much!

Elizabeth Pointe, Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, Florida

The Location

This bed and breakfast is right on the gorgeous Atlantic Ocean beaches. Honestly, need I say more? If I do, imagine waking up every morning with a cup of coffee and an epic sunrise view. I really can’t think of a better way to begin the day. From there, you’re just a quick drive, or longer scenic walk, away from Fernandina Beach’s buzzing historic district. With this hotel, you get the best of both worlds!

The Rooms

The rooms in this historic hotel are exactly what you need for a long weekend away. They are cozy with tons of natural light. Each room also includes a bathrobe that I couldn’t wait to sink into. I would like to note that this hotel also has a socially distanced check-in. The room key, two masks, and all our hotel information were already waiting for us in our room when we got to the hotel. Because traveling in the year 2020 is no easy feat, this was greatly appreciated!

The Food

My favorite thing about our stay was waking up and be treated to a delicious breakfast. During normal times, they would have a buffet breakfast in their dining room. Right now, they do a fantastic job at social distancing by limiting the number allowed in the dining room and allowing you to pick your meal ala carte. My standard order was over-easy eggs, wheat toast, and a fruit cup. Afterward, we take our coffee and sit on the back patio to watch the sunrise. Since David and I were both working remotely, we also appreciated being able to take advantage of the dining room during our 9-5 after breakfast.

The Amenities

The Elizabeth Pointe Lodge really goes above and beyond for southern hospitality. The staff was so friendly and extremely accommodating. They have everything you need for a perfect beach day right on hand, including beach chairs, towels, umbrellas, and bottles of water. The lobby sells local goodies from various small businesses in the area. I always love it when local spots support one another. It gave me such a good sense of how much this community cares.

I know that for so many, the thought of traveling can seem very daunting. Even still, it’s something that David and I don’t take lightly. We want to keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities safe. If you are hoping to get away, I recommend doing your research and finding a destination that’s taking the precautions seriously. Amelia Island definitely was the perfect answer and I cannot wait to get back soon!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Date Night at Fernandina Beach

October 30, 2020

Date Night at Fernandina Beach

Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Florida

Dress (similar) || Heels ($50 off with code SARAHFLINT-BAKATIE) || Earrings (similar) || Clutch

Whenever David and I travel, we like to experience at least one romantic date night. Happy hour, dinner, desserts, and a nightcap… the whole works! That was especially true during our stay on Amelia Island. The historic town was just so charming. That alone was enough to make for a romantic destination. If you live in town or planning your own visit, here was our perfect date night in Fernandina Beach.

Happy Hour at the Principal’s Office

In my personal experience, every great date night starts with a happy hour. In Fernandina Beach, we decided to start our evening at the Principal’s Office. Located in the historic Amelia Schoolhouse Inn, this was a charming little spot to start things off. With a great cocktail list and fully stocked bar, everyone can find something to suit their pallet. I highly recommend ordering the Recess, a delicious concoction of Vodka, Aperol, Basil, Blueberry, and Grapefruit Bitters.

Dinner at Le Clos

The next stop was an extremely memorable meal at Le Clos. Inside a colorful cottage is a sophisticated French restaurant. Opening in 1996, this spot effortlessly brings Provençal dishes to North Florida. We ate so well on this night with a full dining experience. Starting with classic escargots, David and I shared some surf-and-turf with perfectly cooked scallops and bistro steak. It’s the kind of meal that you think about for days to come. Before your own French-inspired date night, be sure to make a reservation.

Dessert To-Go at Fantastic Fudge

After a truly decadent meal, we opted to take a stroll through town before dessert. We kept hearing amazing reviews about the local fidgety, so of course, we had to try for ourselves! Admittedly, I’m not the biggest fudge person, but at 8 o’clock on a Friday, this was the place to be! They offer all kinds of sweet treats, but we grabbed some Maple Walnut Fudge (David’s favorite) and saved it for later.

Night Cap at The Decantery

We ended our evening with one final cocktail at The Decantery. This was a perfect place to end the night. They have a fantastic cocktail list, that changes seasonally. The bartender, Austin, whipped some delicious off-menu drinks. Since my go-to cocktail is a daiquiri, I was given a “Halle Berry”. It was a twist on the classic with strawberry and a touch of jalapeño. Delicious!

Whether you live in town, in Florida, or afar having a special date night can make the simplest of weekends feel so special. If you are looking for a spot for a romantic getaway, I simply cannot recommend this corner of the Sunshine State enough. Cheers!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.