Horse Stamp Inn | A Holiday Retreat

The Holidays can be stressful. Rushing to and fro trying to finish everything on your to do list, wrapping up the first half of the school year, and trying to do your normal work on top of it all. I find it difficult sometimes to relax and take in the magic of the season. That's why we were thrilled to escape the hustle for a little bit this year and getaway to one of our favorite retreats, the Horse Stamp Inn. 

We always enjoy a little wine at Happy Hour after checking in

Time. The Ultimate Luxury.

When you visit the Horse Stamp Inn, it's all about you. Relax, unwind and find a quiet space for you and your loved ones. Reflect on your priorities, quiet your mind, and discover serenity in this peaceful escape where time seems to slow down, if only for a moment.

Sienna and Belle Fleur regard each other

Letting our kids run free. 

Find peace when you getaway to the Horse Stamp Inn

Be Yourself. Everyone Else is Already Taken.

In a world of marketing, air brushing, and perfect online families (guilty), we all need a place we can go to and be our authentic selves. No digital filters, no need to compare or compete. This is a place you can just be.

The perfect event space!

Our kids love exploring the barn

Find yourself at Horse Stamp Inn

Find Magic in the Moment 

We all have good days and bad days. I've come to terms with the fact that it's not about the sum of our days being without flaw, we have to take the good with the bad. For me, the magic is found in the snapshots, the moments between where love and kindness abound. It's important to stop and remember to embrace these moments. Don't let them slip away. Horse Stamp Inn is a place that allows you the space to do just that. Pause, and reflect.

The Holidays feel magical at the Horse Stamp Inn

Southern French Toast and Sweet Georgia Peaches from Horse Stamp Inn

Every season is special at the Horse Stamp Inn, but for us, Christmas season is the perfect time to stop and take time for what's most important. Remember who you are, set goals, give yourself a break, and let your soul embrace the impossible.

Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

xo- Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com 

Want to be featured on Amy West Travel? Contact us today at info@amywesttravel.com .
Copyright © Amy West Travel. All rights reserved. Photography by Journey Productions Media.

3 Epic Gingerbread Creations on the First Coast

1. Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

Visit the world's largest Gingerbread Pirate Ship at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. This 17 foot ship rests in the lobby of the resort throughout the holiday season and greets guests with a crew of ten colorful pirates.

Eight Ritz-Carlton pastry chefs invested around 350 hours to create over 600 pieces of baked gingerbread. Additional help comes through the resort's Community Footprints Program which enlists the aid of aspiring culinary students from local high schools. Students rub colored sugar powder and paint coffee extracts on the fresh gingerbread to create a natural wood grain look. Additional work is completed by the resort's pastry team as they create cargo boxes, treasure chests, and cannon balls. Additionally an overnight chef spends an entire week per crew member piecing together individual pieces of color fondant.

What an epic creation. One worth going out of your way to see!

2.  One Ocean Resort and Spa

One Ocean Resort and Spa happens to be just down the road from our neighborhood. Since it's so close we love including it in our holiday traditions. Kicking off the holiday season each year One Ocean Resort and Spa unveils it's larger than life Gingerbread Creation with live carolers, fresh gingerbread cookies for the crowd, and lots of fanfare! This year the charming scene picturing Santa's Elves resting up on Christmas Eve featured enough sweets to last all year!

Here are the stats: 

160 lbs of jelly beans

150 lbs of sugar

Several hundred lbs of flower

6 pastry chefs and an engineer 

400 lbs of brown sugar

200 lbs of butter

20 lbs of molasses

2,000 eggs

3. Amelia Island Plantation Omni Resort and Spa

Joining the tradition on the First Coast is Amelia Island Plantation Omni Resort and Spa. This year Chef Daven and his culinary team created a giant gingerbread Live Oak inspired by the beautiful oaks that surround the area. Channeling a little bit of inspiration from Keebler a full size elf house sits inside the imaginative creation. Want to know what goes into a majestic tree that's loaded with sweetness? I'm so glad you asked!

Here's the scoop!

100 pounds of oreo “dirt”

400 pounds of flour

800 pounds of sugar

900 eggs

4,000 pieces of bark (gingerbread)

8,000 leaves (cookies)

1,800 hours of Christmas spirit

Make your days a little brighter this Christmas season and seek out these epic creations. It's the perfect family tradition and a great way to slow day and enjoy the holiday with the whole family. Then you can head home and create your own!

Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com 

Want to be featured on Amy West Travel? Contact us today at info@amywesttravel.com .
Copyright © Amy West Travel. All rights reserved. Photography by Journey Productions Media.

A Day on the First Coast | 3 Things to do in Amelia Island and Fernandina

One of the things I love about living on the First Coast is the plethora of adventures that await us right outside our back door. From the river to the beaches there are ample things to do, places to shop, and great food to taste. Should we decide to escape the boundaries of the city there is St. Augustine just South, and Amelia Island and Fernandina just North. Tourists flock to St. Augustine every year, but Fernandina and Amelia remain a bit less congested.

Like St. Augustine, Amelia Island and Fernandina are full of history and charm, and of course that classic Southern hospitality you would expect of the region. My family recently spent the weekend there on a little mini babymoon staycation. You've heard about our stay, now learn more about what we did, and where we ate. 

What to do: 

Ft. Clinch

Admission: $6 parking $2 per person entry into Ft
Over 1,400 acre state park
Civil War Era Fort
Historic Reenactments 

Right on the water

Great for exploring with the kids

Affordable

Miles of Hiking and camping 

Amelia River Cruises

Admission: Average $22-28 for adults, $16 for children
Sunset Adult BYOB Cruises

Family Cruises

Tour the river and intercostal around Amelia Island and Cumberland Island

Pass Ft. Clinch

Pass Dolphins and wild horses

Learn more about the history of the First Coast and the families who influenced it

Where to Eat:

On the Menu:
Mayport Shrimp and Rice

Gilbert's Underground Kitchen

Average Entree: $13
Celebrity (From Top Chef Season 7) Chef Kenny Gilbert's newest creation

Soulful food with a creative edge

Line out the door goodness

Tasty brunch (make reservations)

Finger licking good BBQ
Home cooked food that doesn't feel heavy 

A restaurant that is also a think tank for top chefs visiting the area

Tons of regional inspiration and down-home goodness delivered with an elevated finesse and terrific sense of place

On the Menu:
Fried Green Tomato Sliders with Pimento Cheese
Housemade Potato Salad and Pickled Radishes

On the Menu:
Sweet Potato Turnover 

Have you experienced the charms of Fernandina and Amelia Island? What are your favorite spots to frequent? I'd love to hear about your travels in the comments section.

Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

xo- Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com

Watch me discuss my favorite Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach destinations on News 4 Jax Morning Show.

Part 1

Part 2

 

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Copyright © Amy West Travel. All rights reserved. Photography by Journey Productions Media.

Outstanding Lighting Displays on the First Coast | Amy West on The Chat

There is nothing quite like slowing down during the busy Holiday season and taking a moment with the family to enjoy the celebrated tradition of Christmas lights. Jacksonville is a huge city and sometimes it's easy to stick close to home and tour what's nearby. There are so many great displays all over the city, however, and these are some you should really go out of your way to see. So do like our family does and cozy up in your favorite warm pajamas, grab some blankets and hot cocoa and make a night out of it at these festive locations.

Discussing Holiday Light Festivities with the Ladies of The Chat

In Town

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens "Zoo Lights" 

The World Class Jacksonville Zoo puts on a show worth stopping for during Zoo Lights with thousands of LED lights that transform the  Zoo and Gardens into a winter wonderland. You'll see moving sculptures, lighted trees and animal designs, and forests of brightly lit trees. Zoo Lights opens at 6:30 pm December 12-14, 18 - Jan 3rd (closed Christmas Day). It's $8.00 admission for members and $10.00 for non-members. Purchase online for extra savings and for extras like warm weather skating, the train, and carousel. 

Tip- The Zoo recommends taking the train to the back of the park and walking your way to the front. Make sure to stop for S'mores on the lawn!

Jax Illuminations 

Drive through almost a mile of Christmas Lights synchronized to your favorite holiday music you can tune into right on your radio. Jax Illuminations has over 500,000 lights and takes around 8 weeks just to build! The team at Jax Illuminations works hard year around to create this one of a kind magical experience. Kids will love hearing Frozen's "Let it Go" while watching the massive lighting display dance to the beat. 

Jax Illuminations is located at the Morocco Shrine Center 3800 St Johns Bluff Rd S,  Jacksonville, FL 32224. M-TH $20.00 per car and $25.00 on the weekend. 

Tip- Jax Illuminations provides hot cocoa and candy canes to all who enter.

Blackhawk Bluff Neighborhood 

Several years ago this neighborhood adopted a unique method of decorating with lights by stringing them up vertically in the giant trees surrounding each home. The effect is something like a magical rainforest or jungle. Add to that shining stars that seem to float through the air along with Santa's sleigh slipping it's way from house to house and you get an experience like no other. In all the places I've traveled I've yet to happen on a display that scales a neighborhood this large. It's worth a visit but be patient, it's a popular place to be during the holidays. 

Beaches

Ocean Walk Neighborhood

Visit the ornate display at 402 Snapping Turtle Drive E., Atlantic Beach in the Ocean Walk neighborhood. Two houses unite to create one stunning display complete with  well choreographed and lengthy musical numbers the lights are synced to. The owners consider this a community out reach, a way to give back and enjoy chatting up visitors and passing out holiday candy to guests both young and old. In a conversation with the owner I learned it can take up to six hours to sync one minute of music to the lights. Now that's dedication!

Tip- The owners respectfully ask that you park at the top of the cul-de-sac and walk down out of consideration of their neighbors. 

Deck the Chairs

Jacksonville Beaches annual Deck the Chairs display is a perfect way to celebrate the holidays at the beach. Take a walk around the pavilion and explore the dozens of Life Guard Chairs decked out to the nines. Each chair is sponsored by a local business and illustrates the diversity of the beaches community. All proceeds from sponsored chairs, ornaments, and raffles benefit the historic American Redcross Volunteer Life Saving Corps. 

Penman/Seagate Homes

At the corner of Penman and Seagate are several houses in a row who go all out in their Christmas displays with hundreds of lights, animatronics, blow up displays and holiday music. You'll enjoy the gator themes, and looking out for Santa who pops up here and there along the way. 

St Augustine 

St. Augustine Night of Lights 

You simply cannot talk Christmas Lights in the area without mentioning St. Augustines Famous Night of Lights. Voted one of the 10 best displays in the world, St. Augustine celebrates in style. Thousands of white lights decorate the city highlighting ancient architecture and the beautiful Southern Live Oaks. Take a trolley around the city or go by foot and enjoy all the city has to offer on a romantic holiday night out. 

Have any "Best Kept Secret" lighting displays near you?  What about favorite family traditions? Tell me about them in the comments below!

Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

xo- Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com

Watch my segment on The Chat here

Want to be featured on Amy West Travel? Contact us today at info@likelovewantneed.com.
Copyright © Amy West Travel. All rights reserved. Photography by Journey Productions Media.