Discover Amelia Island - Florida's Best Kept Secret for a Fabulous Vacation Paradise
By Mark Harris

Amelia Island, Florida is one of America’s few remaining unspoiled island paradises. If you haven’t discovered Amelia Island yet, you’re in for a wonderful surprise. Just a thirty-minute drive north of the Jacksonville airport, Amelia Island is situated in the southernmost part of the Atlantic coast barrier islands that stretch from North Carolina down to Florida. Amelia Island offers miles of pristine sandy beaches, world-class golfing and tennis, magnificent and luxurious resorts, charming bed and breakfast spots, and a rich and fascinating history that make this a truly unique and thoroughly enjoyable vacation destination.

A Fascinating History
Amelia Island brings a rich and cherished history to life in a present day charming seaport village setting. This is the only area in North America to experience sovereign rule under eight different flags, bringing together a variety of cultural influences that make Amelia Island so unique. The National Trust for Historic Preservation recognizes Amelia Island as one of the top distinctive vacation destinations.

Amelia Island is for Nature Lovers
For nature lovers, the island is abundant with stunning flora and fauna that embraces nature’s tranquility in every way. Experience the beautiful wetland marshes, the maritime forest, the cool shade under the canopy of the centuries-old live oaks, and the serenity of the wide stretches of beach and coastline. From May through October each year, you can observe the loggerhead and green turtles that nest on the shores of Amelia Island. Amelia Island State Park protects over 200 acres of unspoiled wilderness to enjoy and explore. This is one of the few areas along the Atlantic coast that permits horseback riding on the beach.

World Class Resorts
There are several world-class Amelia Island resorts where you can experience the ultimate in luxury and royal treatment.

The Amelia Island Plantation is an acclaimed AAA-Four Diamond, 1350 acre property located on Amelia Island. It was meticulously built in 1971 with the philosophy that every entity on the Amelia Island Plantation should preserve the beautiful sanctuary for native wildlife and tropical flora. This remains the mission today and is the primary reason that this Amelia Island resort retains its natural pristine beauty and tranquility.

Amelia Island Plantation offers three championship golf courses, a magnificent tennis facility with 23 tennis courts, the luxurious four star Amelia Inn & Beach Club featuring all ocean view rooms, fine dining, a world-class spa to pamper and indulge your senses, and a variety of fine shops and boutiques.

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is a magnificent resort renowned for their superb five-diamond service. Poised on a bluff of sand dunes overlooking the ocean, the panoramic views, feeling of tranquility, and seaside elegance will delight you in every way. The Ritz has a special way of making you feel like royalty from the moment you arrive.

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island offers championship golf, a beautiful outdoor pool, massage and fitness center, and nine ocean-side tennis courts including five lit for night play. Accommodations at this fabulous resort include private ocean-view balconies, 24-hour in-room dining, marble baths and provide the ultimate in comfort and luxury. And the award winning cuisine and fine dining will delight and please the epicurean in every way.

If you're looking for a way to enjoy a romantic getaway and still bring the kids along, the Ritz-Carlton Amelia island has a wonderful supervised program for kids, ages 5 through 12 and a kids night out program on the weekends.

Fun and Activities
When you visit Amelia Island, there are so many activities to satisfy everyone. Outdoor activities include great fishing, hiking, biking, sailing, river cruises, golfing, tennis, nature watching and nature tours. Of course, nothing beats simply spending a day relaxing on one of the beautiful pristine beaches.

Spend a day wandering through the 55 square block Fernandina Beach historic district. The Victorian style architecture will transport you back in time. Enjoy a narrated horse drawn carriage ride through the historic district as a perfect way to experience the charm of this Victorian seaport village.

Amelia Island is home to a variety of annual events. In February, visit the Restoration Foundation Annual Antique Show. In March, you won’t want to miss the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance – Antique Car Show, held every year at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island. For tennis enthusiasts, the Bausch & Lomb Women’s Tennis Tour event is a favorite every year at the Amelia Island Plantation. In May, the annual “Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival” is going on its 43rd year. This festival celebrates Fernandina Beach as the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry. Also in May, music lovers can enjoy the annual Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival. June brings the Nassau Sportfishing Kingfish Tournament of Champions, held at the downtown marina in Fernandina Beach. October brings the Amelia Island Jazz Festival, featuring world-class jazz artists, produced and directed by Les DeMerle in recent years.

Mark Harris – for more information and details about Amelia Island, Florida visit: Amelia Island Florida