Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle

L et's face it. Slush, sleet and snow aren't your jam, and another long winter is wreaking havoc on your morale. Don't fret—the northeast coast of Florida, aptly named "Florida's Historic Coast" for historic St. Augustine and beachy Ponte Vedra, is coming to the rescue! Ditch the computer screen for sunscreen, the pantry for pam- pering, and an endless commute for endless beaches. Renew your groove, get inspired, and make plans to begin the new year with a healthier mind, body and soul. NATURAL IMMERSION Florida's Historic Coast is rich with reinvigo- rating nature. Meander around gargantuan oak trees emanating with serene, even mythical stillness at Beluthahatchee Park, or feel at peace kayaking in Anastasia State Park, which features 6.5 kilometres of unspoiled white quartz sand beaches and ancient sand dunes. Visit GTM Research Reserve and get your adrenalin pumping on 14 kilometres of lush, wildlife-loaded trails, with opportunities to catch glimpses of tortoises, manatees and even bottlenose dolphins. FEEL YOUR SENSES WORKING HARMONIOUSLY Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and inhale the warm salt air. Listen to the sound of sub- lime crashing waves, feel the ocean water washing over your slightly sand-sunken feet, and the sun's rays hitting your skin. Open your eyes, and gaze into the horizon, feel your cheeks hurt from smiling as you gleefully stroll along the pristine 68-kilometre stretch of Florida's Historic Coastline stretching from Mickler's Landing to St. Augustine Beach, and Vilano to Crescent Beach. CULTURE CRAVING Founded in 1565, historically charming St. Augustine is a treasure trove of culture. One look around, and you'll think, "they don't make them like they used to." Hotel Ponce de Leon, now Flagler College, is a stunningly timeless Spanish Renaissance beauty, while the Castillo de San Marcos, a National Mon- ument and the oldest masonry fort in the U.S., still stands proudly courtesy of locally quarried coquina, unique to the area. On the National Register of Historic Places, the Spanish Renaissance Revival Lightner Museum, formerly the iconic Hotel Alcazar built in 1888, houses antiques and excep- tional Gilded Age pieces. GET YOUR SPA ON Salt Spa St. Augustine is an oasis that offers complete respite with luxurious pampering perks, including relaxing massages using Himalayan salt stones, and a float tank experi- ence that will make you reach optimal Zen. For a "Florida meets the Mediterranean vibe," head to The Spa at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, which offers 100+ yearned-for amenities including therapy grottos, rejuvenating facials, and puri- fying wraps. Meanwhile, inside Casa Monica Resort, the Poseidon Spa has earned an incred- ible reputation for calming restless bodies by solely using the tranquil healing power of water. It's time you rediscovered a replenished you, in Florida's Historic Coast. Travel Planner For more information about Florida's Historic Coast, please visit floridashistoriccoast.com DS FLORIDA'S HISTORIC COAST Ramp up your Health and Wellness on BY JIM BAMBOULIS PHOTOS: JAMES CALDWELL | FLORIDASHISTORICCOAST.COM DREAMSCAPES WINTER/SPRING 2024 46

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