Spain reopened to vaccinated US travelers on June 7. Amazing, right?! Yes, though getting to Spain from Charlotte isn’t as easy as it used to be.
Pre-pandemic, we Charlotteans enjoyed access to a regularly held direct flight from our Queen City to Madrid’s Barajas airport through American Airlines. With travel restrictions recently lifted it looks as though your best bet to get to Spain from Charlotte right now includes at least one stop, 12-ish hours of airplane/airport time, and over $1,009.
If you really want to go to Spain right now, the option above isn’t horrible. In fact, the price is pretty good though we’re not loving the total travel time and layovers. We’re waiting for those non-stop flights to come back and, in the meantime, we’ll head to the city in the US that’s most like Spain.
Where are we going for our sixth of 15 Summer Weekends? St. Augustine, Florida. Below we’ll share how to get to the oldest city in the US, and we’ll breakdown the scoop on the best places to stay, play, and eat once you’re there.
How to Get There
There are two easy ways to get to St. Augustine, Florida. The first of which is to drive. It’s just a 6-hour and 15-minute drive from Charlotte and you can breakup your drive with a stop in the gorgeous Savannah, Georgia.
Your other option is to fly from Charlotte to Jacksonville International Airport and then transport yourself 50-minutes south to St. Augustine via Uber/Lyft, taxi, shuttle, or rental car. Nonstop flights lasting just 1-hour and 27-minutes are available in the mid-$200s from Charlotte to Jacksonville via American Airlines. With two very easy ways to get St. Augustine, there’s no reason we can’t experience this gem in a weekend!
Where to Stay
St. Augustine has many wonderful accommodation options to choose from, ranging in price, style and location. Checkout our handpicked favorites below, broken down by price. Psst: You can snag a stay at a Select Registry inn in America’s oldest city for less than $150/night!
Under $150/Night
Enjoy St. Francis Inn for a historic B&B with old world charm dating back to 1791. You’ll enjoy on-site bicycles, daily gourmet breakfast, a temperature-controlled swimming pool, an evening social hour, a walled courtyard garden, s’mores by the courtyard’s fire pit, and more.
Under $200/Night
Casa de Solana is celebrating over 250 years and resides in the seventh-oldest house on the oldest street in St. Augustine. If you’re bringing your furry friend along for your trip, this B&B does have one pet-friendly room – the Kirby Smith room.
Under $250/Night
The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens has been named one of the 10 Best New Hotels in America by USA Today. Stay here for an adults-only experience that’s part contemporary hotel and part friendly B&B. You’ll find amenities like European continental breakfasts, bicycles, a heated pool, daily afternoon and late night happy hour, and more.
Casa Monica Resort & Spa is perfect if you have Marriott Bonvoy points to spend. This gem was originally built in 1888 and is nestled in the heart of St. Augustine’s Historic District. Stay here and expect luxe Moroccan style, an outdoor pool, and an on-site full-service spa.
Marker 8 Hotel & Marina is a great option if you fall into either of these two categories: you’re looking to stay directly on the bay in a 26-room boutique hotel, and/or you like less opulent and more coastal interior decor.
Under $300/Night
Bayfront Marin House, like Marker 8, is also located directly on the Matanzas Bay but on the other side of the bridge so it’s closer to St. Augustine’s Historic District. TripAdvisor rates this inn as the #1 Waterfront Inn in St. Augustine and as one of the Top 25 Hotels for Romance in the US. We love the water view rooms, beach cottages, and the fact that this inn welcomes our four-legged friends.
Where to Play
We refer to St. Augustine as the oldest city (circa 1565) because it’s the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the US. With that rich history comes a plethora of amazing things to explore – pristine beaches, cobblestone streets, centuries-old architecture, iconic cultural sites, delicious food, and more. Below, we’ve broken down the best things to do during your stay in St. Augustine.
For those who love to soak up incredible architecture:
– Checkout what CNN has named as one of the “8 Religious Wonders in the US” by visiting Memorial Presbyterian Church (pictured below).
– See the oldest masonry fort in the continental US with a trip to Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
– Marvel at the Gilded-Age architecture of Flagler College – be sure to see their Tiffany glass windows.
– Walk through a private home (now a museum) built in 1883 to resemble the Alhambra found in Grenada, Spain.
For those who want to discover the city’s history:
– Climb the 219 stairs that sit on the oldest navigational site in North America. At the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse you’ll be treated to expansive views and at the bottom you can explore their maritime museum.
– Start your morning with a 90-minute historic walking tour or end your day with a spooky ghost tour (it’s said that St. Augustine is one of the most haunted cities in America).
– Enjoy a hop-on-and-off trolley tour and learn about the city’s 450+ year history.
– Stroll through the Colonial Quarter to take a journey back in time – you’ll learn about blacksmithing, climb the 35-foot watchtower, hear live music, and dine in restaurants that transport you to another century.
For those excited to explore the outdoors:
– Hop aboard the Schooner Freedom and enjoy a sail and/or a sunset cruise.
– See what you can catch on a fishing charter – we like J-Hook Fishing Charters for their raving reviews, deep experience (three generations worth of captains!), and luxury approach (nice cabins to relax in when you’re not fishing).
For those ready to hit the beach:
Pristine beaches reign in St. Augustine and the St. Augustine Beach is an obvious choice. For additional options:
– Head to Anastasia State Park to see lots of wildlife, ancient sand dunes, and tidal marshes.
– Visit Villano Beach to experience where the locals go and see what this is St. Augustine’s best kept secret.
– Enjoy Ponte Vedra Beach for a luxe resort style atmosphere, nature trails, and a chance to find shark’s teeth.
Where to Eat
St. Augustine is chock full of delicious restaurants so the below highlights are by no means exhaustive.
– For a wonderful fine dining experience in the heart of the Historic District, reserve a table at Collage.
– For farm-to-table food served in a unique atmosphere (an actual 1920’s ice factory), head to Ice Plant. Note: They do not take reservations or call-ahead but they do have ample vegetarian options if that’s important to you!
– For great food while you’re enjoying Anastasia State Park, head to O’Steen’s Restaurant for their famous shrimp. Note: This restaurant is cash only!
– For dinner in a restored 1865 Victorian home with a James Beard nominee as chef, head to Preserved.
– For Spanish/Cuban cuisine, try Columbia Restaurant.
As you plan your trip, don’t stress if you can’t squeeze this getaway into this summer. In fact, St. Augustine has some pretty cool festivals during the winter months – perfect for escaping somewhere warmer. Two of our favorite events to plan trips around include: the Spanish Wine Festival that takes place February 25-26, 2022 and the Nights of Lights that lasts November 20, 2021 through January 31, 2022.
We’ll be back next week with more handpicked destinations to fill 15 incredible summer weekends. Want to see your favorite summer destination featured? Email us at hello@adventuredesigned.com and let us know. Until then, follow us @adventuredesigned for more travel tips and inspiration.
Adventure Designed plans unforgettable travel experiences, customized completely for you. Check us out at www.adventuredesigned.com and connect with us to schedule your complimentary consultation by emailing hello@adventuredesigned.com.
