Historic St. Augustine, Florida

The Nation's Oldest City
Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European and African-American origin in the United States. Forty-two years before the English colonized Jamestown and fifty-five years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, the Spanish established at St. Augustine this nation's first enduring settlement.

This photo of Inn at Camachee Harbor is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Looking for a true waterfront experience? The Inn at Camachee Harbor stands above the rest of St. Augustine waterfront hotels. In most of St. Augustine’s other waterfront hotels your view of the water is actually across the road. Not at the Inn at Camachee Harbor. Nestled in a quiet cove of the Camachee Harbor Marina, this hotel fronts directly on the water. Your balcony and the fresh salt air are the only things that separate you from the delicious waterfront views!

Review of the Inn at Camachee Harbor~
"We have stayed with Inn at Camachee Harbor several times, with and without dogs. Each time was a pleasant experience,Always clean, always peaceful. We stay with a view of the marina, you just never know who will be there in the morning...one morning the pirates were parked outside our balcony. Where can you go and wake up to pirates?"

 Rates range from $99-$159 a night depending on the suite and the day of the week. For more details and booking information go to http://www.camacheeinn.com/.

Along Florida's Historic Coast, history comes alive in red-brick lanes leading to centuries-old churches, in forts where soldiers still walk the grounds, and on horse-drawn carriage rides through time. Head just out of town and back to nature along 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches.

 

 

Climb to the top of the lighthouse tower for a majestic view of the nation's oldest city and the Atlantic Ocean while a historic interpreter tells about the changing coastline and its impact on ships over the city's long history.  View traditional wooden boat building (call for specific times) and learn about the different types of vessels used in the area.

Kids* can play in our walk-in kaleidoscope and learn the science of how the lighthouse works, learn to tie sailor's knots, and be the captain of their ship in our play shipyard.

One of their special tours~

The Dark of the Moon Tour is the only paranormal tour that gets you in the Lighthouse and Keepers' House at night!Don't get stuck looking over the fence! Take the only tour that lets you investigate the most haunted place in the city!

This is the real deal! All ghost no gimmicks! Guides share paranormal history and experiences of people who have visited, lived, or worked at the Lighthouse. Then you are given time to investigate on your own, with only a glow stick lighting your way.

For all the tours, prices, and more information visit http://www.staugustinelighthouse.org.  

 

 

The Pirate Store

Plan on visiting The Pirate Store while on your trip. They also sell tickets for Pirate Tours.
Check out the friendly Pirate Store on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Pirate-Store/349181005098171

162 St. George Street, Saint Augustine, FL. (904) 217-7246 

  

Alligator Farm Zoological Park
 

Zip Line Over Alligators!

Explore The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park at new heights.

 Zip across Alligator Lagoon.
Conquer sky-high obstacles. Surf the treetops eye-to-eye
with tropical birds. climb,clip, zip!

There are also many exhibits and shows!

 

St. Augustine Alligator Farm is located at:
999 Anastasia Blvd
St Augustine, FL 32080
(904) 824-3337http://www.alligatorfarm.us/
 

St. Augustine Tours and Sightseeing

Guides narrate tours of St. Augustine from charming open-air trolleys, trains or horse-drawn carriages. Guides in period costume also lead walking tours. On the water, observe wildlife on a leisurely kayak ecotour or take a high-speed boat tour for more adventurous sightseeing. Or take a nighttime tour of our haunting (and some say haunted) past, walking among the dead in our cemeteries and mansions.
Enjoy visiting historic St. Augustine, Florida!

http://www.floridashistoriccoast.com

This Is My Idea of a Swinging Good Time!

This photo of The Hammocks at Marathon is courtesy of TripAdvisor

This photo of The Hammocks at Marathon is courtesy of TripAdvisor

The Hammocks at Marathon~

For a Hotel with hammock, head to the Florida Keys. Situated near the beach in the heart of Marathon, The Hammocks at Marathon is close to The Turtle Hospital, Pigeon Key Foundation, and Seven Mile Bridge. Also nearby are Sombrero Beach and Crane Point Museum and Nature Center.  For a dining option go to  Barnacle Barneys Tiki Bar - This beachfront restaurant serves lunch and dinner. Guests can order drinks at the bar and enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting).

Have you ever heard of or considered Hammock Camping?


http://www.hennessyhammock.com/

Even if you don't have a Hennessy Hammock to cocoon yourself with you can still take a hammock with you on vacation. Remember not to pack your vacation so full you don't have time to kick back, swing, and relax.

Pick your remote tropical island or cool woodsy retreat and take the luxury of a hammock with you! Even if it's just for 2 or 3 nights out of your vacation itinerary, it will be a unique yet simple luxurious experience. Great for unplugging and relaxing. Take a book. Walk the beach at sunset. Or perhaps an exhilarating hike through a tropical forest leading to a swim under a cooling waterfall.

Cheap Caribbean Hot Deals

 

The picture directly above is found on the Hammock Forums gallery. Check out the link if you are interested in diving into more information about hammock camping. It is a great place to learn and ask questions plus get ideas for locations.

https://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=20389&c=11

 

Rio Secreto and Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Rio Secreto~A Nature Reserve that’ll take your breath away

The discovery of Río Secreto, previously known as Pool Tunich, has brought much excitement to Quintana Roo.  This system of caves, formed over centuries by an underground river, is located only a few miles from Playa del Carmen. It is by far the longest partially flooded cave in the Yucatan Peninsula, but what makes Río Secreto even more special is the fact that it is semi-sunken.  Most caves found in the Yucatan are underwater, and if you want to explore them, you must receive specialized training in cave diving. That requires lots of practice and study, as well as a hefty investment in diver certification and dive gear. Río Secreto has more than 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) of semi-sunken cave mapped out with 15 natural outlets located in different areas. There’s nothing else like it!

 

"Río Secreto is the new ecological inspiration of our region. It has recently been designated as one of Mexico’s most distinct and alluring nature reserves, and this unique destination is quickly becoming the pride of all Mexicans.  

Visitors often feel transformed by their journey deep inside Río Secreto. It’s a rare and exotic opportunity to admire the unequaled beauty of our beloved Mexico and Mother Earth. A journey through Río Secreto is surreal, mystical and memorable. Whether you’re an adventurer, world traveler, or simply a curious soul, we welcome you to experience one of the most intriguing natural attractions in the Riviera Maya. " ~Rio Secreto

Río Secreto is an underground river system located approximately 5 Kilometers (3 miles) southwest of Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo. The caves are easily accessible via Cancun-Tulum Highway 307 Km 283.5.

Most tours of Río Secreto include transportation from Cancun and the Riviera Maya, but you can also find it via public transportation, taxi or car. The entrance to Río Secreto is conveniently right next to the highway. 

Contact info:  http://www.riosecreto.com.  Mex 01-800-681-6713    USA/CA (888)-844-5010

Tour Hours: Daily at 9:00 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | 13:00 p.m. | 14:00 p.m
Price:  Adults: $69.00 USD Children: $34.50 USD (4 to 11 Years Old)
Duration: 3 ½ hours

Playa del Carmen


Puerto Aventuras lies about 20 minutes south of Playa. This planned development has a marina, where you can swim with dolphins or rent a fishing boat. The marina is surrounded by shops and restaurants. Puerto Aventuras also has a 9-hole golf course. There's a free museum, CEDAM (Club de Exploraciones y Deportes Acuáticos de México), which displays items found on shipwrecks along the coast. These waters have sunk many ships over the centuries .

Mayan Ruins The Yucatan peninsula is unique for its many Mayan ruins. They are all over the place. There actually some in the town of Playa del Carmen and in Playacar. One can be found on Quinta Avenida, between Calles 12 and 14, another one inside the gates of the budget hostel/camping ground La Ruina on Calle 2 by the beach and yet another one in Playacar. These small coastal outposts are hints of the grand scale of the prolific and ancient Maya world. Many of the most amazing sites are near Playa, including Chichén Itzá, Cobá and Tulum. Do try and visit at least one of them.

Fun Places to Stay

La Tortuga Hotel & Spa
A boutique style adult-only hotel in Playa del Carmen, with its unique oasis design and built especially for romance and relaxation where exclusivity is felt right down to the smallest details. They have 51 rooms and some of them are even swim up rooms!
10th Avenue between 12th and 14th Street North - Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico 77710
Toll-free number:1-866-550-6878 (Usa and Canada)http://www.hotellatortuga.com/

2 floors Cabana~Home Rental
The property is a green piece of tropical vegetation located in the best spot of Playa del Carmen in the 38th street between the famous 5th avenue and the beach (shangri-la). One of the cool features is a very amazing private outdoor bathroom with hot water, made of wood, plants and river stones, which becomes just magic at night. The roof is palapa and cement walls. Also on property:
- pool.
- professional massages
- "Regina" mexican restaurant serving authentic meals from the region
Prices start from $80 a night. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/299719

 

Where's it at?