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Thursday, January 9, 2014

St. Augustine Vacation: The Sights

Though my birthday is January, 2nd, Jason and I opted to take a birthday trip one week before the big 3-0. Mainly because at my company, we get very busy for the month of January, and aren't able to take any time off. But it was also nice to get out of town during the holidays, where it can be just us. We had such a great time!

Initially, I had thought there would just be an old fort to look at, and that I would become bored. I was so wrong! So wrong in fact, that I have decided to split our trip up into two posts: the touristy sights, and the food. I had NO idea that St. Augustine was such a foodie town, ya'll. And so, I decided all the delicious eats deserved a post of their own.


Segui Room at Casa de Solana

Jason and I stayed at an adorable B&B on Aviles St {the oldest street in St. Augustine}, after my sister recommended them. Casa de Solana was so charming! We booked their three night special, and so we also received a 3 day train pass, and admission to a few historical attractions. I also booked an in room massage, that was heavenly, and much needed. I think everyone should get massages on vacation--it sets the whole tone of the trip; RELAXING!

Christmas Heaven



Our first day, after checking in, Jason and I just sort of perused what we could. We found The Floridian for dinner, and that was my favorite restaurant our entire trip! After dinner, we found the Colonial Quarter where Christmas music played, and you could sip spiked cider, or sangria, and roast marshmallows under the lights. It was probably the sangria on an empty stomach, but I could have died and gone to heaven, right then. I was so cheesy, and ridiculously happy.



On Day 2, I had my glorious massage. After, I found out it was rainy, and...cold. So after throwing my hair under one of Jason's caps, we grabbed lunch at Harry's Seafood, and then boarded our train/trolley. We decided to take the entire tour once boarding, to see where this train stopped. The whole tour from start to finish was an hour and a half. In hindsight, we would have done this day one, since the massage and long tour kind of killed our whole day to so anything, really. 


The Biebs made of candy. Exciting, no?
After riding the whole tour, we decided to visit Ripley's Believe it or Not. I had never been. To me, it was like an indoor museum of carnival junk. That may sound mean, but nothing about it really impressed us. But how would we have known, unless we went once, right?

Everything seems to close around 5 o'clock, so Jason and I grabbed an ah-mazing dinner at MOJO BBQ...and then had an impromptu bar crawl, until the wee hours of midnight, the latest anything seems to be open. That was probably for the best, actually. Also, it was nice to just walk everywhere and see it all, at night.






Day 3 was spent meeting up with my sister in-law, her husband, and our niece. The day was long. Before meeting up, we were able to tour the Oldest House {in the United States}. Then we rode our trolley to San Sebastian Winery. Can I be honest {of course I can, it's my blog!}? I wouldn't recommend this winery "tour". So first off, it is at the end of the  trolley tour, so after forty-ish minutes you finally arrive. Upon entering, you are shown a video of how the wine is made, and then you rush to take "shots" of wine to sample. Then conveniently, you are dumped out into their gift shop. I'm still a sucker and bought a bottle, but if your time is limited in St. Augustine, I'd honestly skip this.





After the winery, we hopped back onto the trolley and hit up da club the Castillo de San Marcos, a fort, constructed in the 1600's. I thought I would find this boring, but it was beautiful, and full of history!

After the fort, a quick dinner with the in-laws was had at Scarlett O' Haras, followed by...if you guessed Jason and I wandering the mean streets of St. Augustine together, you would be correct! I kid about that last part--we never even saw one cop on this trip. The calmest city, ever.


Sunday morning, check out day, we had one last tasty breakfast at Casa de Solana, before checking out, begrudgingly.



After check out, we opted for two more historical tourist spots, since we hadn't done too much. First was the Old Jail. It was okay. Jason loved the history, but I was honestly distracted by the people watching. I'd like to go back when it wasn't so busy, and do it again.




After the jail, we walked next door-ish to the Fountain of Youth. Again, full of history, and just stunning as far as views go!

We didn't even make a dent in what we could have seen. But it was nice to get away, decompress from life, and connect with my husband, while enjoying the holidays for a hot minute, just the two of us; fortunately, it is just a three hour car ride away.

Have you been to St. Augustine?



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25 comments:

  1. We loved San Sebastian when we went in 2007 for our Honeymoon. We drove there and didn't take a long trolley ride though. I wonder if they have changed their tour or if they were just rushed on the day you were there. Ours was long, detailed and didn't involve a video. Plus, we got a ton of free wine. San Sebastian Red is our traditional "anniversary" wine now. FYI- you can buy the red at Target and Publix here if you like it.

    It is a beautiful city and so much fun! I have been dying to go back. Hopefully we will make a trip sometime this year.

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  2. Sounds like you sampled everything! I had a pretty great sandwich at The Floridian. I got engaged at Collage. I hope to go back soon!! Your pictures are amazing, and I love the Biebs' lipstick shade.

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    1. Sadly, that wasn't the only candy "portrait" we encountered, lol. I love that you were engaged there!

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  3. Sounds like you had a great trip! I have never been to St. Augustine but I hear it is amazing and form your post it looks it too! Now I need to put it on our must visit list !

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  4. I've been wanting to go, but I am the only one in my family who wants to, so it never happens. It looks like you got pretty sights that time of year due to holiday lights, but crummier weather. Makes me wonder when the best time to go is...

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  5. i have never been but seeing these pictures, i want to go!! so pretty !

    kathy
    Vodka and Soda

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  6. I love St. Aug i have alot of family that live there and i love going any chance i get.

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  7. Beautiful! I love when I see wild peacocks! It makes me appreciate nature so much more :)

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    1. It really was beautiful, Mindy. There were tons of peacocks, too!

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  8. Your pictures look great! I like a trip like this - just going out and seeing what's there, getting some history, and of course the food. Looking forward to the food post, not gonna lie!

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  9. I was just in St Augustine on November and loved it!

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  10. Sounds like a great trip. I have always wanted to go to St Augustine but we have never been.

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  11. St. Augustine is fantastic! The Floridian and Mojo BBQ are sooo delicious. It's awesome that you got to go during the Nights of Lights, because that makes everything so much more beautiful!

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  12. I want to go to St. Augustine.

    I love all of your photos, except for Bieber of course.

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  13. This looks incredible!!! How funny about the Biebs photo! Looks like you had a great time :) Happy belated birthday :)

    http://neatly-packaged.blogspot.com/

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  14. Fabulous pics! Happy Birthday!

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  15. So funny! I went to St. Augustine in August for my birthday too! I loved it although I found it a tad touristy. It looks so pretty with all the lights! We only stayed 2 nights and we had to miss out on some stuff like the jail and fountain of youth. I'm glad to know the winery was "eh" since we skipped that. Loved the fort! We spent a full day at the beach too since we wanted to relax...you'll have to go there next time, it's beautiful! Glad you had an awesome birthday trip!

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  16. This looks amazing! Lucky for you and Happy belated birthday

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  17. I've actually never been to St. Augustine! Mike and I both have always wanted to go. Maybe this is the perfect place for our 1 year anniversary. Somewhere close, calming.

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  18. looks like a blast! glad you were able to go on a nice vacay!

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  19. St. Augustine is one of my favorite places in the world! I love where y'all stayed!

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