Let's get away to St Augustine
I recently took a trip from the west coast to the east coast to visit the oldest city in America. Now if you guessed Savannah, sadly you're wrong, but if your guess was New Orlean's so was mine, yet we're both wrong. The oldest city in America is right here in my home state of Florida and you need to hear all about it. You'll find some of the best food to try, coolest places to see, and locally crafted drinks to taste, for free !
The first stop on our drive in was St. John's County Ocean pier, or if your GPS is giving you a hard time just enter St.Augustine beach. It is a BEAUTIFUL, white sand, low tied, beach town with water that stays wavy. I'd tell you all about how this is a great place for families, because it is, but it's also a perfect fit for two people in love looking to get away too!
Once we settled into a quaint little suite within our Airbnb home, CLICK HERE TO BOOK, we refreshed ourselves for the night ahead and hit the pavement towards our next destination. If you visit a city as old as St Augustine, expect there to be Ghost tours and that's where we found ourselves next. That was lead by Ghost tours of St Augustine and it was a historical walk through the many layers that makes up the cities culture. Far from scary, don't know why I expected jump scare so let me just dead that dream for ya right now.
However, do expect to wear some comfy shoes because you'll do a lap around the Colonial Quarter all while photographing both the city and their orbie residents. I heard some pretty interest stories that date back to long ago and some more recent ones withtin the last 5 years. Worth the visit and be sure to tip your story tellers they'll be here all night.
Day two; Have a taste of St. Augustine. . .
The early bird can have the worm because I'll be snoozing in until brunch time. Which took us to our first food spot on the list and that is the Moon and Sun Cafe. What a cute concept it is to turn a beautiful home into a full blown visit to grandmas. Adorned with local artistry, southern charm service and the best homely cooking in town. Breakfast for two accompanied with matching OJ's and full belly rub of food rounded out to $25. That's a total money saver compared to other breakfast spots that you'll find, so save yourself the time and money and head straight to Moon and Sun Cafe.
The Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest and largest masonry fort in the continental United States, and man is it a stunner. It was absolutely breathtaking to see it in person, informative to read about its rich history and to top it all off, deafening to watch a live reenactment of a cannon shot. I highly recommend looking up the times to their show to make the most out of your visit. CLICK HERE.
During a summer visit, take extra precaution towards staying hydrated, protecting yourself from the rays, and keeping all your belongings on your person.
Side bags, clutches or the latest trend for summer/spring 2019 a belt bag.
Drinking tours
We had our eyes set on one tour but once I announced that I was heading there, one of my besties suggested another tour and we ended up having double the fun.
It was sweltering walk from the Castillo to San Sebastian Winery. If you ask my boyfriend he hated every minute of the walk but in my opinion you get a good look at the town, great opportunities for pictures and pro tip you can weave in and out of stores to take advantage of some local and free A/C.
has daily tours and on weekends it is self guided; personally my preferred way of touring. Upon walking in your are greeted by a friendly staff member who will hand you a pamphlet of all the wines you'll taste while on the tour, along with a shot sized glass for your drinking pleasures. I did not see a jar for tips but keep loose bills handy because along the tour you'll run into a few wines that you'll have to pay to try, however, these wines will be a full pour vs a sample size.
this one was my personal favorite, they run tours every half hour, in a group style setting. The Guide will tell you all the history of their building, the role they have in their community and demonstrate all of their locally crafted drinks. I have been recently obsessed with the mixology of drink making and hosting at my house. Yet, St.Augustine Distillery took it one step further and bottled the mix of some of their most popular drinks so that you could take it home to re-create and impress all of your friends. Again, not a place that I saw that accepted gratuity but the highest form of it lays in taking some of their spirits home and bragging all about them. You're welcome !
Xox, Victoriahhlynn
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