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PACE 10A
THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2008
Amelia Island Plantation
LEARN ABOUT CUMBERLAND ISLAND
Amelia River Cruises and Charters offer trips
around Cumberland Island. Here, you’ll learn about
the colorful history of this Georgia island.
BY SHERRY LEWIS
On a recent trip to Amelia Is
land Plantation, I watched por
poises jumping playfully, star fish
and sand dollars washing ashore,
and had all the amenities of a first
class resort at my fingertips.
A day at the beach is just the
beginning of a trip to the resort.
What about shopping, golfing,
tennis and fine dining. This place
has something for everyone.
Amelia Island is a gem nestled
between the salt marshes of the
Intracoastal Waterway and the
blue Atlantic Ocean. It is also
where you’ll find this wonderful
resort.
At the resort, every room is
ocean front with a private balco
ny. They also have one, two, and
three bedroom condominiums
with all the comforts of home.
Whether you stay for a weekend
or longer, you'll not go away dis
appointed.
Amelia Island Plantation is an
environmental friendly property.
In fact, they are the recipient of the
Florida Green Lodging Certifica
tion by the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection. This
mindset is evident throughout
the resort. I noticed a resort-wide
recycling program and their com
mitment continues inside where
guests are offered environmen
tally friendly products.
ACTIVITIES
The resort offers 72 holes of
championship golf on courses
that are intertwined between the
tidal marshes and Atlantic. If you
are a beginner or want to sharpen
your game, they offer lessons
from a pro. The course, with five
holes directly on the Atlantic, has
won numerous awards, ranking it
one of the best resort courses in
the United States.
Tennis anyone? Guests are
offered the choice of playing on
the clay courts under the shade
of oak trees or the warmth of the
Florida sun. Here too, there are
tennis pros on staff ready to teach
the beginner and offer pointers to
the ace.
If you are in the mood to be
pampered, I suggest that you re
treat from reality with a day at
the spa. Choose from a relaxing
massage, facial, island wrap, a
manicure and pedicure combo,
and many other treatments de
signed to relax and rejuvenate. If
you want a new look, they also
offer beauty salon services.
The Health and Fitness Enter
has Life Fitness Equipment, a
heated lap pool, as well as aero
bic and Pilate classes. You can
also schedule a meeting with a
personal fitness trainer. After a
good work-out, plan to spend
some time in the sauna, steam
rooms, or whirlpools.
DINING
The resort offers fine dining or
you can eat poolside. On my vis
it, I tried several of the restaurants
and each one offered a delicious
variety of tasty treats. One day
we ate poolside and one evening
we tried the Verandah. There,
we started the evening with the
Cumberland Crab Cake appe
tizer with a crayfish sauce, then
we tried the pan seared Chilean
Sea Bass and Grilled Organic
King Salmon. While they offer
an array of seafood dishes, there
is something to please every pal
ate. Other entrees include steak,
chicken, pork chops and lamb
chops. To end this perfect meal,
I suggest the Amelia Island Mud
Pie with chocolate ice cream.
If you are looking for a ro
mantic evening, I suggest dinner
at the elegant Ocean Grill. With
a menu of the finest steaks, fresh
seafood, chops, chefs specials,
and lavish selection of desserts,
you will be amazed at what you
find.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Whether you want to spend a day at the beach, get
pampered or go shopping, there is plenty to do at
Amelia Island Plantation.
JEWELRY&GIFTS
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NO LESS
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HIGH
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STOREWIDE
Dill Shopping Center | Cook St. | Royston, GA | 706.245.5801 |
Monday through Saturday 9am til 5:30pm
— a few days in paradise
Salt: Around the world in one evening
BY SHERRY LEWIS
During our stay on Amelia, we ventured into the
Ritz-Carlton for dinner at Salt. This is the longest
running AAA five Diamond restaurant in Florida.
All of the accolades aside, this was a trip around in
the world in one evening.
The name “Salt” refers to its barrier island loca
tion between the Atlantic Ocean and the intracoast
al salt marshes, as well as the culinary uses. Much
like pairing wine with food, the restaurant pairs dif
ferent salts from around the world with each dish.
While salt is a commonplace seasoning, salt is es
sential to life and to cooking. It changes everything
it touches. It enhances flavor and livens the sense of
taste. That’s the mission of Salt: To reveal extraor
dinary tastes in everyday substances.
They offer simple ingredients from the earth and
sea. They are artfully prepared and properly sea
soned to make this an unforgettable dining experi
ence with the ambience of the ocean right outside.
The restaurant’s success can be attributed to
Richard Gras, Chef de Cuisine.
“My approach to food is very simple,” he said.
“Use the best seasonal ingredients, treat them with
respect, season properly and cook perfectly. Then,
what is on the plate is pure masterpiece. Presenta
tion is simply the finishing touch.”
The menu includes starters such as Hawaiian
Blue prawn cocktail, Hawaiian Ahi tuna, along
with a variety of salads. The main course selections
include filet mignon; bison strip loin, pork chops
and rack of lamb from the wood burning grill. Also
on the menu is some of the freshest seafood avail
able from around the world. Items include Maine
lobster, Scottish salmon and Pacific sea bass. Natu
rally, the desserts are impressive as well. Choices
include Bailey’s Irish Creme souffle, double choc
olate tart and Peach Melba fritters with raspberry
sorbet.
My recommendation is the Chefs Adventure
Menu. Chef Gras surprises guest with some of the
freshest menu items available. Sait offers the sig
nature tasting, which includes four courses, or the
Grand Adventure Tasting, which includes seven
courses. We tried the latter and it’s like opening a
beautifully wrapped gift with every course. Each
one is a surprise until it is unveiled at your table.
Trust me on this one. If you want to splurge for
an unforgettable dining experience of a lifetime,
this is the place.
PLAYING GOLF BEACHSIDE
The resort offers 72 holes of championship golf
on courses that are intertwined between the tidal
marshes and the Atlantic Ocean.
SHOPPING
Whether you want to pick up
something for family and friends
back home or treat yourself,
there are numerous shops within
a short walk. You’ll find Chi
co’s, Shoe Visions, Bark Avenue
Pet Boutique, Resort to Home,
and the Monkey Barrel. I also
noticed Plantation Photography
where you can get a professional
portrait taken while on your is
land getaway.
RIVER CRUISE
One morning we ventured off
the property for a river cruise
where we enjoyed a scenic tour
around Cumberland Island. We
saw the historic Femandina
waterfront where the modem
shrimping industry was bom.
We teamed about the colorful
history of the islands from Fer-
nandina’s Old Town and historic
Fort Clinch. As we rode around
Cumberland, we enjoyed many
tales of many rich and famous
people who own or have owned
property on the Georgia Island.
For more information on a river
cruise, visit www.ameliariver-
cmises.com
I had a wonderful trip to the
island. I encourage you to treat
yourself or someone you love
to a few days in paradise. For
more information on Amelia Is
land Plantation, visit www. aipfl.
com.
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