AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. (July 19, 2010) – Visitors to Northeast Florida’s Amelia Island will find a rising tide of summer specials and new ways to enjoy the popular island escape, including discounts for Harris Teeter VIC cardholders and passengers casting off with Amelia River Cruises. Many island businesses have also announced new additions, new programs for families and several new awards.
Sun, Surf and Sand Site
The Amelia Island Convention & Visitors’ Bureau (CVB) has launched a new web site celebrating the island’s legendary beaches – www.ameliabeaches.com. With live web cams, a surf report feed, upcoming events and more, it is the perfect site for visitors to keep their virtual toes in the sand when they have to head home.
Harris Teeter VIC Cardholders Receive Discounts on Amelia Island
The Amelia Island CVB has extended its partnership with grocery chain Harris Teeter to offer exclusive savings for VIC (Very Important Customer) cardholders. Available now through December 31, Harris Teeter’s VIC cardholders will receive discounts at 20 Amelia Island businesses, including accommodations, activities and shopping. Visit www.htameliaisland.com for more details.
Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off
The Amelia Island CVB announced the inaugural Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off, scheduled for Aug. 27-28, 2010. Visitors and residents can enjoy free entertainment and barbeque samplings from some of the top competitors in the country. Held at Main Beach on Amelia Island on Friday, Aug. 27 and Saturday, Aug. 28, the Cook-off will feature more than 30 professional teams and 10 backyard (amateur) teams. In addition to several regional bands, Jaxson Deville of the Jacksonville Jaguars, along with several Jaguar cheerleaders, will be in attendance. The Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off is a Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned event, and is a Florida State Championship event. The event is designed as a fundraiser with the Gator Bowl Association. For more information about the Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off, including registration details and entertainment schedule, visit www.gstailgatecookoff.com.
Cruising for Discounted Corporate Charters, Special Deals
Amelia River Cruises is offering corporate discounts for charters of an hour or more on the Cumberland Sound Ferry through the end of 2010. Corporate groups will receive 15% off the regular hourly charter rates. Plus, with 24 hour notice, they can arrange local catering at an additional, reasonable cost. Guests who purchase a sunset ticket on Amelia River Cruises through the end of 2010 will receive a voucher with three coupons to redeem at local food establishments. Visit www.ameliarivercruises.com for more information or contact Lori Hoerl, at (904) 491-7617 or lorbell1@aol.com.
Hampton Inn Adds Meeting Space
The Hampton Inn at Fernandina Beach recently added a new meeting room that accommodates up to 40 guests. They have also updated the exterior of the property with new paint and landscaping. Visit www.ameliaislandhamptoninn.com for additional information.
Fairbanks
House Helps Clean the World
The Fairbanks House recently announced a partnership with the Clean the World recycling program. Leftover room soaps will now be provided to the organization, which sterilizes and distributes the recycled soap products, along with appropriate educational materials, to impoverished countries worldwide, and to domestic homeless shelters. Currently, the Fairbanks House is one of only two Bed and Breakfast Inns in Florida participating. Visit www.fairbankshouse.comor www.cleantheworld.org for more information.
Verandah Releases New Menu
The Verandah restaurant at Amelia Island Plantation has released a new menu focusing on fresh and refreshing, clean flavors for the hot Florida summer. While classic favorites such as the Verandah Red House Grouper remain, the new menu options focus on light ingredients using more vegetables and fruit and less butter or cream, providing a diversified menu for guests to enjoy. Chef Melissa McKnight also implemented the use of more vegetable stocks as base ingredients for many toppings and sauces to accommodate a wider variety of diets, such as vegan or vegetarian. The new menu adds two fish dishes for the season – Grilled Alaskan Halibut with a cucumber, watermelon salsa and spiced pomegranate gastric, and Tempura Battered Striped Bass drizzled with a Florida citrus and mustard vinaigrette. For more information, visit www.aipfl.com.
Weekly Petanque Lessons and Competitions
Café Karibo has started hosting weekly Petanque lessons and “competition” every Wednesday night. Beginning at 6 p.m., the restaurant offers the opportunity to learn or play the exciting outdoor game in which players roll hollow metal balls toward a small wooden target ball. The first, second and third place winners also receive Café Karibo gift certificates. For more information about Café Karibo, visit www.cafekaribo.com.
In the Swing at Amelia Island Plantation
Amelia Island Plantation is offering several special golf programs this summer. Programs include a discounted rate for Twilight Golf daily after 2 p.m. on Oak Marsh and Ocean Links, and a Family Tee Program, which invites golfers to play together from the family tees on the front nine at Oak Marsh until September 5 for only $35 per adult. Amelia Island Plantation also offers free golf for juniors and Junior Golf Camps throughout the summer for kids ages six to 18. The four-day camps cost $220 per week or $60 per day. Please find out more at www.aipfl.com.
Kayak Amelia Offers Exploration for Kids
Kayak Amelia is offering Kids Kayak Nature exploration throughout the month of July. The trip is geared toward families, with no long distance paddling. A naturalist will also lead families on an activity on a sandbar during the break. The trip focuses on learning through experience as well as water safety. Trips are scheduled for July 20, 23, 24 and 29. Visit www.kayakamelia.com for more information.
Kudos! Kudos!
Several Amelia Island properties have recently received great recognition:
· Conde Nast Traveler named The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island number two in Best Florida Golf Resorts.
· Amelia Island Plantation has been one of only 74 golf properties awarded the Meetings & Conventions 2010 Gold Tee Award.
· Amelia Island Plantation has been ranked among the world’s best hotels on this year’s Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list by Expedia® travelers.
· Fodor’s Travel named Amelia Island Plantation as a 2010 Fodor’s Choice selection.
-Amelia Island Convention & Visitors’ Bureau-
About Amelia Island
Northeast Florida’s coastal treasure, Amelia Island is a barrier island rich in colorful history and breath-taking natural beauty. Consistently ranked in the top 10 North American Islands by the readers on Conde Nast Traveler, Amelia Island offers long, beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife, and pristine waters. Upscale resorts with world-class spas, championship golf and exclusive dining blend effortlessly with a captivating collection of bed and breakfast inns and historic districts. The island is home to Fernandina Beach, once a vibrant Victorian seaport village, and now a charming downtown district of eclectic shops, attractions and eateries. Forget the everyday getaway; Come make memories on Amelia Island. For visitor information and online planning, visit www.ameliaisland.com.
