West Palm Weekend - TravelCation

Vacation and Traveling are two very different things in my world.  

A vacation is a pure relaxation:  do nothing,  except maybe sip margs by the pool.  The goal is rest, relax, recharge.  On the other hand, a trip is a do everything see everything experience everything sort of journey.  You vacation on a remote island or somewhere standard like the Bahamas.  It doesn't really matter where you all, all that matters is you are away from the normal 9-5 of life.  On the other hand, you travel somewhere like Europe.  Where you are matters and you are in this destination to see all it has to offer, even if it's at the sacrifice of R&R.  When you look at traveling in these two lenses, you can probably guess which of the two I excel at. 

You guessed it - I think I am a pretty swell traveler.

I know I am a terrible vacationer. 

A Visitors Guide to St. Augustine - Sites, Video, and Where To Eat!

A long weekend in historic St. Augustine, Florida was just what I needed to kick off 2018.  Some sunshine, exploring, and Katie Wander-esque sites to see.  Add in some fantastic food and a road trip to see some manatees and you have a wonderful four days away.  Why visit St. Augustine?  The history and the charm of visiting the oldest continuously settled City in the United States, St. Augustine.  Stay for the food, the alligators, the historic lighthouse, and the free boozey tours.  

You probably know my favorite way to give you a taste of a new place is A) through a post like this and B) through a recap video.  Here is my video recapping a fantastic four day in Northern Florida.  

And after that video got you all excited to visit, here is my guide to whats worth seeing, whats worth eating, and the few extras I did not have time to do (but maybe you do!). 

St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park

It's not every day that "trip to alligator farm" makes it to the top of your daily itinerary.  In fact, that has never appeared on my "must see" list until my trip to St. Augustine, Florida.  It seemed educational and something to do (and I love a good zoo/aquarium) but alligators aren't always the cutest or cuddliest of creatures. 

Let's be honest, I had just spent the day before swimming with manatees..... hard to beat, reptiles.   I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised to see how much there was to do and see at the Alligator Farm Zoological Park.  This trip to the alligator farm came in a close second with its own unique aspects and opportunities.

My attitude entering: Eh, alight, and then (in my best mock southern accent) going to see some 'gators - Goin' to Gator Country. 

Of course, this is not a real alligator 

My attitude leaving: Did you see how adorable those little crocodiles were? I just fed one. Well like seven. Did you see Mad Max begging for treats, did you know alligators beg for treats? 36 species of crocodilian? Croc facts for days. And finally, DID YOU SEE THAT PARROT? Can we bring him home?

Conclusion:  When given the chance to visit an alligator farm, always say yes.

Swimming with Manatees - Crystal River, Florida

Northern Florida is full of history from ancient ports to historic forts (see what I did there?).
But, I bet you didn’t know northern Florida was also home to one incredibly unique marine mammal encounter.  I’m not talking a dolphin swim in a closed exhibit type-of-experience at Sea World, but instead a chance to get in the water with one of Florida's most famous critters in their natural environment, the manatee.

Crystal River on the west coast of Florida is famed to be the only place in the U.S. where you can (legally) swim with wild manatees.  It's here in Florida where manatees seek refuge from the cold Gulf of Mexico, spending their winters in the warm 71 degree springs.  This unique opportunity to see manatees up close and personal is possible through a collaboration between U.S. Fish and Wildlife and various tour agencies around the area.  

St. Augustine Distillery, Florida

My trip to St. Augustine was meant to be a mix of (some) relaxing and classic Katie Wanders sightseeing.  If you know me, you know that relaxing is not something I... excel in.  As my sister loves to remind me there are two types of "holidays" - one is if the vacation variety and one is a trip (see and do everything).  She goes on vacations where the main goal is to relax somewhere, anywhere, usually not far from home.  I however always go on trips.  I have a full itinerary planned weeks before which typically involves far more activities than time allows for.  

St. Augustine Distillery in a historic renovated Ice Plant 

During my long weekend in St. Augustine, we did so many great activities from touring forts and wine tastings to swimming with manatees and feeding crocodiles (more on that later in the week).   While there wasn't a ton of time spent lounging around or sleeping in, I do try to balance the active-on-the-go type of activities with the more leisurely variety.  Like tour a distillery, drink some spirits, and have a fantastic lunch sort of leisure.  After a busy weekend and lots of sightseeing, that is exactly what I did. 

Going in, I didn't know a lot about the distillery. I knew they made whisky rum, gin and vodka all virtually next door to the winery.  I had tried the wine and how could I leave Florida without trying the local gin?  

Castillo de San Marcos Fort/National Monument- St. Augustine, Florida

Entrance to the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument/Fort

Keeping in theme with touring St. Augustines historic structures (starting with the lighthouse), I spent Sunday morning strolling through a sunny fort on a beautiful coastline.  Fifteen year old me would hate to be dragged around a decrepit looking building in Florida when there beaches were to be sunned on.  But, thirty year old me is all about the history, guided tours and educational pamphlets. Oh, how times have changed. 

When wandering, I love to dig into the history of where I am staying, attempts to extend my research a bit further than "best place to eat".   During my trip to Puerto Rico, I spent some time at Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a fort designed to guard the entrance to San Juan Bay dating back to the 1500's.  I have even toured the local historic Fort Trumbull right here in my own "backyard".  Wherever I am, these forts perched at the waters edge are often the perfect place for a history lesson and of course, a photo opportunity.  While visiting St. Augustine, we spent some time wandering through Florida's Castillo de San Marcos the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States.

About to cross the drawbridge and enter the fort

Run by the National Parks Service as a National Monument, everything is very organized, educational and well done.  I opted for the self-guided tour with the pamphlet and map provided at the entrance.  The signage was fantastic throughout and the rangers informative and engaging.  I was also able to watch the musket drills and firings (in full garb), as well as the cannon firing.   The view from the gun deck was fantastic (albeit a bit chilly).  Fun place to explore and learn about some of Florida's history and walk within the walls of a famous fort.  

San Sebastian Winery - St. Augustine, Florida

For this quick trip/long weekend away, I was only spending four days in Northern Florida - truth be told an area I knew (very) little about.  A quick google search on "St. Augustine" told me that this place was full of history, had a lighthouse, a historic fort, an alligator farm, oh and plenty of booze. A distillery virtually next door to a winery-  yes please.  We first attempted to visit the distillery but after doing circles around the parking lot to see it was completely full, it was off to the winery we went. When we went back to visit the distillery at 11:45 a different day, there were plenty of parking options -start early because as the cliche saying goes, it's 5 o'clock somewhere...

The winery was also busy but we easily found a parking spot (free lot) and headed for the entrance.  You are immediately greeted by a gift shop and wine store but a quick right takes you to the beginning of the (free) wine tasting and tour.  However, my first impressions were mixed.  The wine tasting was a walking tour to various stations around the winery where you received your tasting from different stations- an idea I loved.  A walking wine tour stopping at different stations. Brilliant!  However, tastings were offered in a plastic thimble - medicine cap style - the same one used for all the tastings never even rinsed.  I am no wine snob but how do I take your wine seriously when it has been poured in a plastic thimble with remnants of three other types of wine?

What bugged me the most was how little the people cared who were pouring the wine.  Not a greeting, not an ounce of information on the wine.  I felt like cattle being herded through the building and it came off as a "get your tasting and go".  I wanted to know what I was drinking and something about the wine.  When I even asked a question I got some short answer back and the attendants just seemed cranky and annoyed.  Finally after trying to ask about the wine I received some good information (to drink the port in two sips which made a huge difference).  

The wine itself was okay.  I enjoyed the Cabernet, Pinot Grigio, and Chardonnay.  The rest of the wines were much much sweeter than I was expecting.  The trip was redeemed by the fact that A) the idea of a walking tasting tour was kind of fun and B) the cellar upstairs staff was much more friendly and I loved the vibe on the roof top patio with live music, food, and of course wine.

My advice?  Go do the tour but have little expectations on that.  Spend your time at the awesome "Cellar Upstairs" where you can grab a bottle of wine and lunch on the roof top with sunshine and jazz. 

Website:  San Sebastian Winery 
Address: 157 King Street, St. Augustine, Florida
Tastings:  Free- Complimentary Winery Tours and Tasting are offered everyday

The  Space:  18,000 square foot wine production facility

Tours: run about every 20-25 minutes, lasting approximately 45 minutes in length and offered seven days a week, (except for major holidays). However, when I was here it was just a free for all walking from station to station throughout the building- no tour information. 

Hours:  Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Wines: CABERNET SAUVIGNON, VINTNERS WHITE, VINTNERS RED, CHARDONNAY, PINOT GRIGIO, ROSA, PORT.  Enjoyed the Cab, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and port.  Rosa and the vintners were too sweet for me.

Opened in 1996, San Sebastian Winery is a family-run corporation that has evolved into an industry leader since the company was originally formed in 1983 by the Cox family. With over 18,000 square feet, 40,000 gallons of wine storage capacity, and an automated bottling line capable of bottling up to 15,000 bottles per day, San Sebastian remains the second largest winery in the state of Florida. Housed at 157 King Street in downtown St. Augustine in a building originally constructed by Henry Flagler in 1923, San Sebastian embodies the historic feel of the nation’s oldest city.

Wine and Jazz bar on the roof - ‘The Cellar Upstairs’ wine and jazz bar is located on the third floor of the winery. You can purchase delicious appetizers to accompany your favorite San Sebastian Wines, as well as imported and domestic draft or bottled beers. Relax and take in the spectacular views from the open-air deck while listening to live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Thursday: 11:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Friday: 11:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Saturday: 11:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Sunday: 11:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

The 75-acre vineyard, known as "Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards", is located in Clermont, Florida.  Additionally they own 450 acres in Florida's panhandle in Prosperity and contract with several growers throughout the Southeast with approximately 200 acres under contract. San Sebastian grows native varieties of the red Noble and bronze Carlos and Welder Muscadines.

It was great to sit in the sun (and next to a heater) enjoying some sunshine and wine in the sunshine state.  While I loved the concept of the walking tour, I was not impressed by the staff or the wine.  The day was redeemed by these moments below, wine and laughter in the sun on their great rooftop deck.  Stay tuned for my trip to the distillery next door.  

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

There is something about a lighthouse.  They way they perch over rocky shorelines or stand on wide expanses of sandy beaches makes me swoon.  Then there is the whole romantic notion of the keepers who worked around the clock to maintain these towers, serving as a beacon of light to sailors out at sea who use the light to safely return home.  You've probably seen an array of lighthouses on this blog from my home base in Stonington Point, to the little light where I went to school, to the beautiful brick lights on Block Island, or maybe even the blocky structure in Iceland.  A historic building on the edge of the coast with a breeze and a backdrop..... I love me a lighthouse. 

KW Visited Lighthouses