The NYT ran a promotional email for Florida’s Amelia Island at the end of September — it was all about holiday travel there, with the 21st season of the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival going Big Band with Wynton Marsalis, 7th annual Dickens on Centre festival, and their restaurant week in January. Trying to figure out with the boys at different schools now how and what we will be able to schedule, but spending time at the beach sounds wonderful.
We stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island a couple of years ago for Shug’s birthday. The room was a beachier version of the usual RC, still restrained:
They just underwent a renovation of the rooms, and while still very understated, they look terrific.
We enjoyed the pool also, but he best part of all was the glorious beach. It’s a big deal for the boys when we stay on the Atlantic Ocean because most of the time, they’re accustomed to the Gulf. The tides are so much more pronounced and I think that must have something to do with why the shells are so much more prolific. There was a mat down to help with tracking sand even on the beach to the chairs, and the attendants were fabulous.
I let the staff know ahead of time (not that it matters, but this stay was on points) that Shug would be having his birthday, and they were so kind:
He was gifted with this necklace which he loved:
There’s also a Lilly Pulitzer shop here.
Like all the RCs, there’s a calendar of activities every day (and wow, look at their beach tree). Also, a few days ago, they had their Right Whale Festival “to celebrate the annual return of endangered North Atlantic right whales to the warm coastal water off northeast Florida and Georgia, where they give birth to and nurse their young. With less than 400 whales remaining, this family-fun event raises awareness of the threats to right whales and how we can help in their recovery.”
…and we got to see a wedding!
Interested to hear if your family often gets away for the winter break, and what you’re thinking for this year. We’re in the midst of gathering food for all the Thanksgiving pies we’re making — we’re up to 48 to do as of this morning — so dreaming of late December somewhere beachy sounds especially fun. Right now, I’m (blissfully) stuck on visions of Amelia Island.