Amelia Island, Florida

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. (November 4, 2009) – Located in the northeastern corner of Florida, Amelia Island is improving its visitor experience with several new activities, awards and renovations.  Chosen as a top North American Island by readers of Conde Nast Traveler, Amelia Island invites visitors to “Come Make Memories” this fall on her pristine, white sand beaches.  From a Top 10 bed and breakfast to a Historic Pub Crawl, Amelia offers a collection of accommodations and activities found nowhere else. 

Amelia River Cruises Announces Special Jekyll Island Trip
Amelia Island River Cruises will offer a new “Christmas on the River” trip to Jekyll Island. Departing on Friday, December 18 at 10:30 a.m., the three-day, all-inclusive package includes a roundtrip sail to Jekyll Island, fully narrated by owner and captain Kevin McCarthy.  The trip also includes a two-night stay at Jekyll Club, movie and popcorn Friday evening, Saturday breakfast buffet, Sunday brunch, a private sunset dinner on Saturday, entry into the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, and a trolley tour of the downtown historic area.  Tickets are $900 for couples and $600 for single passengers (prices include taxes, gratuities, baggage/bell service, but alcoholic beverages are an additional charge).  A non-refundable deposit of $180 is due no later than November 18 for couples and $120 for singles by the same date.  For more details about “Christmas on the River,” please call (904) 491-7617 or send email to lorbell1@aol.com.
 

Museum of History Opens Jail Cell Exhibition, Launches Pub Crawl
On October 1, the Amelia Island Museum of History opened a new, permanent Jail Cell Exhibition.  The exhibit displays the early days of the museum building itself, which housed the county jail in 1935.  An actual cell has been re-created for visitors, including story panels and artifacts depicting life in the historic Nassau County Jail.  Also new at the museum is the Historic Pub Crawl, which takes visitors into four historic buildings every Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m. One ticket allows guests one drink at each establishment and a collection of colorful tales about the places visited.  Tickets are $25 per person (must be 21 or older) and reservations are required.  For more information, contact Thea at (904) 261-7378 ext. 105 or Thea@ameliamuseum.org.

Ritz-Carlton Offers Beauty Boot Camp
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island has announced a Beauty Boot Camp in November. Enjoy a workout that works without breaking a sweat (or breaking the bank) this holiday season, courtesy of top beauty and lifestyle experts from Skin Authority.  During the Beauty Workout Holiday Boot Camp, coaches will lead attendees through four training circuits incorporating effective health, nutrition and beauty tools, as well as cost-conscious daily home beauty routines. The Beauty Workout Holiday Boot Camp will take place at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Amelia Island on Friday, November 13, with sessions at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.  The event is $45 per person, and also includes a one-year subscription to Spa magazine, a $25 Skin Authority gift certificate redeemable at the event, a take-home Beauty Workout package and access to a personal skin care coach. For more information, call The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Amelia Island at (904) 277-1087.

Addison On Amelia Chosen as Top 10
The Addison on Amelia was selected as one of the Top 10 Overall Bed and Breakfast Inns in the country in the annual Best of BedandBreakfast.com Awards.  The 14-room boutique inn was selected based on nearly 50,000 independent reviews.  For more information on the award-winning inn, visit www.AddisonOnAmelia.com.
 

Fernandina Farmer’s Market Ranks Second in Nation
The Fernandina Farmers Market recently placed second in the nationwide “Love Your Farmers Market” contest sponsored by LocalHarvest and Care2.  The Fernandina Farmers Market placed second out of more than 4,000 markets across the nation, and was the only Florida market to place in the Top 25.  Next time you are visiting Amelia Island, make sure to sample the organic products, specialty foods, gourmet baked goods, and more at the Fernandina Farmers Market, held every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  The Market is located downtown at 7th and Centre Street.  For more information, call (904) 491-4872 or visit www.fernandinafarmersmarket.com.

Renovations at the Hampton Inn & Suites
In December, the Hampton Inn & Suites, located in downtown historic Fernandina Beach, will begin renovations to the hotel interior and exterior. The updates will include new corridor carpet and wall vinyl, as well as lobby drapes, ceiling paint and furniture.  Additionally, the guestrooms will be updated with new drapes, carpeting, chairs and ottomans, plasma flat screen televisions, suite sleeper sofas and mirror frames in guest bathrooms.  The Hampton Inn & Suites will also be adding new carpeting, wall coverings, tables and table linens in their meeting rooms, as well as granite countertops and a large flat screen Hi-Definition Flat Screen in the Café.  To learn more about the property, visit www.hamptoninnandsuitesameliaisland.com.

Restaurant Renovates Patio for Outdoor Seating
Specializing in traditional flavors from Spain and Portugal, España Restaurant & Tapas has renovated their patio seating area.  Located in the historic district of downtown Fernandina Beach, España now offers a two-tiered brick patio, integrating several picturesque garden paths with the new addition.  The upper area sits up to 10 patrons, while the lower tier seats four.  The restaurant also purchased new chairs and tables for outside dining.  For additional information, visit www.espanadowntown.com.

-Amelia Island Convention & Visitor’s Bureau-

About Amelia Island
Northeast Florida’s coastal treasure, Amelia Island is a barrier island rich in colorful history and breath-taking natural beauty.  Its long, beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife, and pristine waters have made the island a favorite destination for outdoor adventure.  Upscale resorts with world-class spas, championship golf and exclusive dining blend effortlessly with a captivating collection of bed and breakfast inns and historic district.  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.

Media Contact:  Katharina Lane
Hayworth Creative Public Relations
(386) 677-7000, (386) 677-7393 fax
katharina@hayworthcreative.com