Pictured above: Yoga at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
The word "wellness" conjures up something a little different for everyone - from strolling the beach or relaxing at a spa, to finding your zen in a yoga session or on a kayak. It's all about the state of being in good health, whatever that means to you. From sunup to sundown and beyond, Amelia Island holds a myriad of ways for you to feel good and "well". Get your best girlfriends together and start planning your getaway now.
DAY ONE
STAY
Check into
THE HAMPTON INN & SUITES HARBOR FRONT, offering a fitness center, complimentary breakfast each day and just steps away from all that historic downtown Fernandina Beach has to offer. Or for those looking for a more luxurious getaway, book the Spa Package at
OMNI AMELIA ISLAND RESORT or a stay at
THE RITZ-CARLTON, AMELIA ISLAND where spa visits, yoga and fitness go hand in hand.
LUNCH ON THE LANAI
Grab a bite at
CAFÉ KARIBO, home of the Turkey Cuban and "World Famous" Veggie Burger. Café Karibo also features seasonal, homemade soups and the always popular Shrimp Salad on croissant, made with fresh local shrimp! Dine on the patio under the oaks or have a seat in the cafe with an eclectic palette of colors and furnishings. This places just makes you happy!
INSIDER TIP: For a healthy and delicious lunch, try the Mediterranean couscous salad made with spring greens, chickpeas, cucumbers, onions and tomatoes and drizzled with Lemon-Cumin Vinaigrette.
SPA-TACULAR
Book an afternoon spa visit with either
THE SPA AT OMNI AMELIA ISLAND RESORT where you can enjoy “clean & green” therapies and treatments including massage, peels & wraps, and signature scrubs in a peaceful environment - or - escape to the rejuvenating solitude of
THE RITZ-CARLTON SPA, AMELIA ISLAND for a variety of massages, facials, Chakra balancing, reflexology, and meditation along with a healing saltwater pool. Or, try them both on different days. You'll leave feeling refreshed and calm.
DELICIOUS SOUTH ISLAND DINING
The
VERANDAH RESTAURANT, located at Racquet Park inside Omni Amelia Island Resort, is considered one of the island's finest restaurants and for good reason. You can dine on house-made pasta and fresh local seafood with a coastal Mediterranean influence. The Verandah offers flavors of the local Atlantic Ocean and neighboring farmers directly to your plate. Also located at Omni Resort is
THE SPROUTING PROJECT (pictured above) - a monthly farm-to-table experience where guests dine on a featured seasonal ingredient grown directly from their on-site organic garden. These mindful meals also includes a tour of the garden, aquaponic greenhouse, barrel room and apiary.
INSIDER TIP: Although held one night of every month, it would be worth your while to see if the Sprouting Project dinner is available while you're here.
DAY TWO
POWER UP!
Start off day two with a delicious juice, smoothie, or bowl from
GO JUICE. Go Juice wants you to live a healthy, active lifestyle that you can feel good about, so get fueled up with the freshest ingredients from mother nature with no extra additives or artificial flavors. The perfect start to your day ... and you've got a busy day ahead! The Ginger Kale Juice is a deliciously zingy morning jumpstart.
Photo credit: Go Juice
KAYAKING FOR THE ZEN
Set up an outdoor adventure with
AMELIA ISLAND KAYAK EXCURSIONS, offering a variety of kayak tours ranging from black water wooded environments, salt marsh estuaries, and intracoastal waterways, to Cumberland Island National Seashore, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, and the Suwannee River. What better way to get up close and personal with nature than in a kayak on the water?
Photo credit: Amelia Island Kayak Excursions
INSIDER TIP: We have quite a few kayaking companies on the island and they're all good. Find your favorite HERE.
GOOD N' FRESH LUNCH
AMELIA FRESH CAFE AND AMELIA ROASTING COFFEE is an organic eatery, juice and coffee bar located inside Nassau Health Foods. Menu items are guaranteed free of pesticides, growth hormones, artificial preservatives, and genetically-modified ingredients. But the best thing is, is it's really good! Coffee is freshly roasted every day.
Photo credit: Amelia Fresh Cafe
YOGA SESH
Beach yoga, private yoga, paddleboard yoga and meditation and reiki are among the custom offerings by Deb Cunningham at
Deb Cunningham Yoga while
CENTRED ON YOGA in historic downtown Fernandina Beach, offers a variety of beginner and intermediate yoga classes. Get energized and centered with
Sunrise Yoga on the lawn of the Williams House Bed & Breakfast. There is literally something for everyone. Find all the yoga studios
here. Namaste.
EAT AT JOE'S
JOE’S 2ND STREET BISTRO is perfect for a relaxing meal with your pals. Located in a restored 1900’s home directly across from the Hampton Inn & Suites, Joe’s has been serving up delicious local seafood and beef since 1998. If seafood and steaks aren’t your thing, they also offer up Joe’s specialty gumbo, a variety of salads, and yummy pasta dishes. Dine al fresco in the courtyard or in the main dining room. Joe’s offers everything you’ll need for a memorable dinner with your best girlfriends.
WINE AND CHEESE
After dinner, walk over to
THE DECANTERY, the island's premier wine, craft beer and cocktail lounge. In addition to an exceptional rare and unique wine selection, The Decantery offers delectable homemade desserts and accoutrements. It's a great way to end the evening.
DAY THREE
BREAKFAST AT THE BISTRO
Kick off day 3 at
GARDEN STREET BISTRO where breakfast is served all day, every day. Not only do they specialize in original menu items, but they also have incredible, freshly baked bread, burgers, crab cakes, wraps and mouthwatering specials. Sit inside or outside in the courtyard beneath sweet wisteria vines. It's lovely here!
Photo credit: Garden Street Bistro
TAKE A HIKE
The
BEACH. A place where you can run, walk, stroll, or lay without a care in the world. Or, a place where life-changing decisions can be made simply by breathing in the sea salty air and listening to the rhythmic sounds of the waves lapping against the shoreline. On this, your last full day, let's take a hike with mother nature. A good beach hike begins at Main Beach and ends at Fort Clinch with lots of sharks teeth to be found. Another great hiking area is
EGAN'S CREEK GREENWAY (pictured above), a protected area of 300+ acres of sensitive lands between Atlantic Ave and Sadler Road. It's peaceful pathways serve as a network of trails that are suitable for hiking and biking while studying wildlife and native vegetation. Either of these places will clear out ALL the cobwebs.
HEALTHY SUSHI
If you want a lot of healthy food groups all rolled into one, Akari Sushi may be calling you. Located in downtown Fernandina Beach, Akari "is known for its modern interpretation of classic dishes and its insistence on only using high quality fresh ingredients". Sushi menus can be overwhelming with so many types of rolls but when it comes to wellness and sushi, just remember simple is better. For heart and brain health, stick to rolls with veggies, tuna, salmon, mackerel, eel, and avocado
INSIDER TIP: Try to avoid the tempura or rolls laden with mayonaise and cream cheese. It's hard, I know but for the sake of health... Anywho, Akari will hook you up!
BIKING INTO HISTORY
FORT CLINCH STATE PARK is a 1,500-acre historic park providing exceptional recreational activities, camping and wildlife viewing. While it is best known for it's civil war-era fort that offers daily tours and monthly reenactments, it's the biking trails that bring many folks in. Experienced trail riders enjoy the somewhat difficult off-road trails with plenty of hills, dips and turns while families opt for a more casual ride on the paved roads throughout the park. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, cyclist or a bit of all three, you will thoroughly enjoy exploring this unique natural and historic place.
BAO'S AND BOWLS
Sadly, it's your last night so let's make it good with an unforgettable meal at
Wicked Bao. Located downtown, and just slightly off the beaten path, Wicked Bao offers small plates, noodle bowls, rice bowls and their signature Baos - steamed bun filled with choices of fried shrimp, adobo pulled pork, braised pork belly, buttermilk fried chicken, crispy tofu, Bugogi beef and topped with dressings. Everything here is delicious. Sit inside or outside on the deck and toast with homemade Saki. Don't leave without taking a selfie next to the #lovewall.
These suggestions are just a sneak peek of all Amelia Island has to offer as you plan your Girls Wellness Getaway. Discover more and plan your perfect trip on
WWW.AMELIAISLAND.COM for a complete list of places to stay, eat and play. We’re looking forward to seeing you back here for years to come.