View from my Canoe at Weeki Wachee Springs

The friend whom we were visiting in Tampa had been given a recommendation from a colleague, something that we apparently couldn’t miss. ‘An enchanted spring’, the website said after a little more research, where you can see live mermaids, take a trip on a river boat cruise, experience some of Florida’s most unbelievable wildlife or embark on an adventure paddling down the crystal clear waters of Weeki Wachee river. Florida is known for its convergence of natural springs, in fact it is said to have the largest array of freshwater springs on the planet; 700 in total.

On a gorgeous Saturday morning we drove 56 miles North of Tampa to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. We arrived to find that the ‘aquarium’ style water park and mermaid attraction was closed due to maintenance (it is normally open all year round), but the option to rent kayaks and paddle along the 5+ mile river trail was still available. Being three 30 something year old adults, this suited us perfectly, but for families with young children the aquarium is not to be missed.

With the cooler secure it was off to Explore the Weeki Wachee Springs

Since 1947 the park has hypnotized visitors, with it’s dazzling and mysterious entrance into a turquoise, crystal clear world of beautiful, mesmerizing mermaids, manatees, turtles and teeming underwater wildlife. Sitting inside a 400-seat submerged mermaid aquarium you feel as though you are inside the flowing spring itself.

After a safety tutorial, life jacket fitting and renting of our kayaks, off we went to the start of the 5-mile river trail. When I say that my breath was taken away by what I was to experience next is an understatement. The beauty that unfolded over the next 3 ½ hours is something that will never be erased from my memory. Think the oceans of the Seychelles, Bora Bora Island, the Bahamas? BUT FRESHWATER. A labyrinth of electric blue and turquoise water, so clear that you cannot help but gasp in delight. I almost get teary just thinking back to this day.

What blows my mind is the discovery of new secrets in nature. With technology at our fingertips and therefore this ability to research what is out there on a screen, from anywhere, we feel like we sort of know this planet, even if we haven’t personally been somewhere. The thing is we DON’T, and we never will. Even if you were lucky and strong enough to travel everyday until you were 110 years old, you wouldn’t see it all, and isn’t that a magnificent thought?

Canoeing down Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs

This is one of those experiences that will leave you with a newfound respect for Mother Nature. Freshwater clarity and wildlife so alive, ELECTRIC and dense your breath gets stolen from you. The sheer surprise that something like this exists and you didn’t even know or expect it. We took our time paddling with the current along this maze of beauty and in total spent 3 ½ hours on the water. This included many stops along the white sandy beaches, jumping from treetops or swinging from ropes into the deep gullies. Above us birds of prey circled and below us the crisp, translucent waters displayed a beyond impressive array of huge shoals of freshwater fish, turtles and even a visit from one of the resident manatees.

The Colours of the Water at Weeki Wachee Springs are Awesome

We snorkeled and swam and laughed and I almost cried because I fell in love with this place and I knew it would be a while before I would be back. The thing is, it is so mind-blowingly beautiful that we will be back and I am convinced that anyone who visits Weeki Wachee State Park will too fall in love with its beauty and splendor and wonder how you had never visited before.

Snorkelling along the Weeki Wachee Springs

To this day I still tell people about our time at Weeki Wachee and when I describe it, I always say that this was one of the most incredible days of my life. And there is so much more to see and do inside this 538-acre park. Renting your own canoes or kayaks as we did, visiting the sandy beaches and swimming area’s with 4 water slides for thrill seekers and excited kids, a relaxing river boat cruise to take in Florida’s magnificent flora and fauna or sit down to their educational animal show and get up close and personal with some of Florida’s wildlife like alligators, snakes and exotic birds.

Delicious dining options are available if a break from the water is needed.

• Mermaid Galley:

Indoor and outdoor seating located in the back of the park overlooking the woods. Sandwiches, burgers, wraps, salads, ice cream, snacks and drinks.

• Captain’s Quarters:

Ice cream, snacks and drinks overlooking the bay.

• Pirates Grubb:

Sit outside by the beach and enjoy snacks, burgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers and more.

• Snack Shack:

Snacks, ice creams and cold drinks near the swimming area.

• Tiki Bar:

A refreshing frozen drink, beer, wine and grilled food items.

Grabbing a Snack at Weeki Wachee Springs

Get to Weeki Wachee its mind-boggling.

Jenna Bowen-Lyle

Jenna Bowen-Lyle

Exploring Weeki Wachee Springs

Florida, USA

The post Exploring Weeki Wachee Springs, Florida  first appeared on Awesome Travel Holidays.

Founded in 1670, this port city is well known for its cobblestone streets, horse drawn carriages, rich history and delectable culinary scene. Steeples dot the skyline and secret gardens seem to appear around every corner. Charleston is a very popular tourist destination and has received a number of accolades for its hospitality, electric atmosphere, history and welcoming people.

Charleston’s allure does not wholly lie in its stunning architecture and lush history, but rather in the way that the city is constantly reinventing itself. If you haven’t visited the city in the last 8 years many chunks of it would be unrecognizable. It buzzes with cutting edge eateries, vibrant cocktail venues, market places, art galleries, bakeries, distilleries and coffee shops, not just in the downtown area but in residential and beachfront areas too.

King Street

King Street, the main road in town regularly cuts off traffic and the entire area becomes a ‘high street’ or walking mall, where people meander with their dogs, sip wine from street side cafes, listen to mountain grass bands making magic, and shop to their hearts content. All year round the town hosts many festivals from Spoleto (Charleston’s international arts and performance festival) kicking off summer to the SEWE wildlife festival in spring.

King Street

There are so many facets to this place; making the short time we had there seem like no time at all. From waterways, beaches, historic plantations, bird sanctuaries, golf and downtown hub spots to grand churches and the most phenomenal Southern Cooking with a twist, Charleston’s locals even find it impossible to exhaust their options.

Eat – Drink – Enjoy

We spent two nights in Charleston. Our party of eight slimmed down to a manageable four, which came as a relief; when it comes to choosing your restaurants and entertainment, the options are abundant. Here is a sneak peak of the choices we made & experiences we had; we let local recommendations guide us too, with 0 regret.

Halls Chophouse

There. Are. No. Words. However, I shall try; phenomenal.

Their website best describes this awesome steakhouse: “Halls Chophouse is a family steakhouse restaurant located in the Upper King District of Charleston, South Carolina. We value hospitality, superior American Cuisine and a dining experience that guests revere.”

Halls Chophouse

A gorgeous piano is played elegantly as you enter this stunning triple volume space, lowly lit, inviting. It is packed. Our reservation takes us up a grand winding staircase to a smaller dining area and we are seated and welcomed by the manager and two genuinely fantastic waitresses who fuss over us for the rest of the evening, but to the perfect degree.

45 day dry aged beef. Their wine. Their service. Their sides. Their music. Simply delectable for all the senses. We each agreed that the steaks we had that night were the best we have ever had and that says a lot coming from two born and bred Texans, a carnivorous Englishman and born and raised, meat loving South African.

They use the finest, freshest USDA prime steaks and meat for the best burgers in Charleston. Unfortunately after my ‘she crab’ soup, gorgeous steak, creamed corn, truffle oil hand cut fries, garlic crab and fried green tomatoes, there was no room for a burger. Yes, we will be back. Vegan and vegetarian dishes are made on request and hold as much of a reputation as the rest of the menu.

Not only was every mouthful a delight, but there was something about this evenings meal … the service, the waiters and waitresses who served us, the ambiance and of course the mouth watering wine selection that impressed me beyond, as I mentioned above, words.

Slightly North of Broad or S.N.O.B

If you read my previous article on Savannah, Georgia, you will remember me mentioning that my in-laws (who visited John and I from England) took a trip to Charleston over a long weekend. S.N.O.B was their gastronomic highlight and top recommendation; this is very easy to understand why. I recommend visiting for brunch, however, S.N.O.B will delight your senses whether you visit for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

S.N.O.B – Slightly North of Broad

Their on-line presence is captured by this very relevant and accurate description: “Here the dining room is a natural extension of the kitchen, a place where culinary skill, a clever, considered wine program, warm service, and conversations meld together. Our local farmers, fisherman and producers are as integral to the food we make as they are to our place in this community”.

S.N.O.B is an eclectic Lowcountry bistro and a place where fresh, local produce and attention to detail aims at pleasing all of your senses. Known for the ‘best shrimp and grits in the South’; we couldn’t argue this. Fried oyster benedict, crab chowder soup, intricate, gorgeous salads and delightful champagne mimosas are a few of the highlights that make up this unique and inspiring menu. Do yourself a favour and finish off your meal with their Crème Brûlée; moreish and delightful.

Wild Olive

Whilst we enjoyed our steaks and red wine at Halls Chophouse, the waitresses let us in on a little local secret; Wild Olive. Their favorite restaurant (In the whole of Charleston) offers fresh, home-made pasta, rustic settings and fantastic wines.

Wild Olive

Wild Olive opened its doors in the heart of Charleston’s farming community in 2009. Whilst aiming to source as many of their ingredients locally as possible, the kitchen staff transforms the bounty of the low country into artisanal variations of regional Italian classics.

“House-made pasta and house-cured salami are focal points for Chef Larson and his team”.

I wholeheartedly recommend the warm marinated olives, Clammer Dave little neck clams, spicy lemon-caper zupetta and grilled ciabatta starters. For mains ANY of their pastas are superb. Simple yet fresh, elegant and utterly delicious.

Charleston’s Museum Mile

Along Meeting Street you will find a one-mile stretch hosting 6 museums, 5 nationally renowned historic houses, 4 scenic parks, a revolutionary War Powder Magazine (oldest public building in South Carolina that reflects the cities early and sometimes volatile history), and an array of historic houses of worship and public building, such as the Market and City Hall.

Steeple skyline

• Aiken-Rhett House museum
• The Charleston Museum
• The Children’s Museum of Lowcountry
• Joseph Manigault House
• Washington Light Infantry
• Confederate Museum
• The Powder Magazine
• The Gibbes Museum of Art
• Old Slave Mart Museum
• South Carolina Historical Society

                                            … and many more

Water Taxi’s

Dolphin viewing, site-seeing cruises and ferry services run from 4 different locations in Charleston Center: Waterfront Park, Maritime Centre, Patriots Point and Charleston Harbor Resort. I highly recommend a ferry over to Fort Sumter; you will get to see the exact spot where the first shots of the civil war were fired and learn about Fort Sumter’s role.

Take a trip around the harbor and learn about the events that lead up to the civil war. Dolphin sightings are very common and always add a lovely surprise to any boat ride.

Accommodation

We found another stunning and affordable B&B only 5 minutes from the main central shopping area of King Street. There are a huge variety of hotels, B&B’s, Inns and guest houses available all year round. Being (responsible) wine and beer lovers, we caught Uber taxis to and from our accommodation with absolute ease.

French Quarter Inn Charleton

Charleston is electric. It’s alive. It is hip, happening, bustling and oddly … eccentric. We love to eat, drink and explore and it really offers so much to delight an eager traveller from any walk of life. From all the conversations we had with local people there seemed to be a distinct pattern, and it says so much about the place; people visit Charleston and they never leave. This was true for 3 of our waiters, 2 of our Uber drivers and a few new friends we made whilst singing karaoke on or last night in town. It casts a spell on you and please be sure to have the she crab soup on your arrival.

Bustling Sidewalk Cafes – King Street

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Savannah, Georgia

Heading southwest from home (Fayetteville), Savannah Georgia is 242 miles away. At 8 am we grab a coffee from our local Starbucks, hit the I95 South and cruise beneath a stunning blue sky. Most of the Americans that we have met so far say that the autumn, or as they call it ‘fall’ is their favorite season. I undoubtedly understand why now.

Savannah road trip

The mornings and evenings are a lot cooler than the sweltering summer months, but the days are still adequately warm, the skies are a deep blue and mostly clear and sunny. The trees are turning that golden brown and the air is sharp, refreshing… It’s honestly magnificent. It is perfect. The Carolinas or otherwise knows as ‘the land of the pines’, will always have a piece of my heart. Tall, thick pine forests surround the highway and up above huge birds of prey circle the skies. It’s a breathtaking place for a road trip. Savannah is the oldest city in the state of Georgia. It is named after the Savannah River, and is one of the only States in America that wasn’t destroyed during the Civil War (due to a peaceful surrender on December 21 1864). Each year it attracts millions of tourists to it’s historic buildings, cobblestone streets, delicious restaurants and vibrant bars. Historic and hip, Savannahs neighbourhoods are full of character and there is so much to see and do. From museums and edgy art galleries, famous film locations, bustling boutiques and guided ghost tours. I am fairly-well travelled but there is something about this place that has me in a spin. In the early 19th Century Savannah planted out hundreds of thousands of trees along its streets and squares to provide shade from the summer heat and beauty all year round, earning the title of “The Forest City”. Today these huge, arching ‘live’ oaks, draped in Spanish moss, are one of the cities most charming and unique sites.

The entire town lies underneath a canopy of lush green mystery. Our first Uber driver, a local woman, confirms that this spell Savannah seems to cast on its visitors is common; most tourists she drives for react in the same way. It is awe-inspiring. Consistently named one of the ‘worlds friendliest’ cities this coastal town has a global reputation of hospitality and grace. It is historic and hip, full of character.

Savannah

Eat – Drink – Enjoy

We only spent one night in Savannah (We are definitely going back, you need AT LEAST two) but here is a little list of my top recommendations for dining, wining and general entertainment;

Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room

As Mrs. Wilkes’ best describe their restaurant: “A line gathers each morning at 107 West Jones Street. At 11 o’clock, the doors of 107 open and the lunch crowd finds seats at one of the large tables-for-ten shared by strangers. Tabletops are crowded with platters of friend chicken and cornbread dressing, sweet potato soufflé, black-eyes peas, okra gumbo, corn muffins and biscuits. The menu changes daily so regulars can have something different every day. Stop by and enjoy the pleasure of a meal shared with neighbours and strangers.” Not only mouthwateringly delicious, but this ‘Southern Home Cooking’ is also a unique experience. Whilst you dine don’t be surprised to find an entire tour bus of people arriving and queuing outside. Southern food is, as it stands, the most comforting food I have experienced in my life so far and Mrs. Wilkes’ has been practicing since 1943; enough said.

Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room

Savannah Historic District

For the ‘history nerd’ Savannah is a must. Everything is in walking distance and the tales of the towns past are rich and enchanting. The plan of the historic portions of Savannah are based on the concept of a ‘ward’ where each ward has a central square. These distinctive grid-like plans are surrounded by fine examples of buildings in the Georgian, Greek revival and Gothic styles.

Savannah

River Street

Savannah’s beautiful riverfront will take you back to its cobblestoned past. Here you will find more delicious restaurants, quirky art galleries displaying local art and diverse stores where you can shop for aromatic cigars in one and fresh chocolate in the next.  The seafood (practically anywhere) is phenomenal. Oysters and shrimp on every menu, coupled with craft beer or sweet iced tea. There is no doubt, thanks to the traffic on Savannah River, that you will see at least one ship passing through from any part of the world. Savannah is known for its sea roving villains of the past, who cruised the coast and swarmed the streets of this town. With its trade and pirate filled past, River Street still stirs with this energy.  

Savannah

Museums

There are so many historical narratives that continue their legacy in Savannahs unique array of museums. From local art and design, famous historic figures to many magnificent mansions preserved and restored to their original style.

City Market

Ever since the 1700’s this four-block area has maintained its reputation as Savannah’s commercial hub. With rehabilitated warehouses and shop fronts you feel you are at a market place where farmers would have sold their yields and horses trotted along the narrow streets. Easy, laid back with a bustling nightlife and thriving energy.

Savannah Smiles Dueling Pianos Saloon

There certainly is a first time for everything. With tummy’s full of delicious Southern-style food and locally brewed beer we found ourselves at Savannah Smiles Dueling Pianos saloon. The concept of this boisterous bar was a first time experience for me and absolutely incredible. Members of the audience, who are sat down to pub style grub (Or like our party of 8; dancing at the bar) select random songs for two professionals on grand pianos to play; audience interaction and general humor are a must.

Savannah Smiles Dueling Pianos Saloon

Accommodation

There are many options depending on budget, but for a party of 8 of us we found an entire house in a beautiful and safe neighborhood. With my heart a little fuller, smile a little wider and mind a little broader we left Savannah and made our way to Charleston, South Carolina. As mentioned above, John and I seriously wanted longer to explore, two nights is the minimum we would both recommend to anyone visiting. However, regardless of the time that you have available Savannah Georgia is a unique, jaw dropping experience and worth even one day of eating and idly walking the beautiful shady streets carved beneath the moss draped oak trees. It will never leave you.

Savannah

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Biltmore

Labour day weekend in North Carolina turned into a seriously awesome treasure hunt for us. On Monday the 4th, after a weekend spent in the town of Ashville, we truly experienced stepping back in time to the Gilded age during a visit to Biltmore Estate. (The Gilded Age in United States history is the late 19th century. The term for this period came into use in the 1920s and 1930s and originated from the writer Mark Twain where he satirized an era of serious social problems masked by a thin gold gilding).

Three of the most significant figures in this era combined their talents to create one of the most magnificent homes in the United States. Biltmore House; a product of the combined genius of Architect Richard Morris Hunt, landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted (The man who designed New York’s central park), and their client, George Washington Vanderbilt.

The Vanderbilt family is an American family that was prominent during the Gilded Age. Their success began with the shipping and railroad empires of Cornelius Vanderbilt, and the family expanded into various other areas of industry and philanthropy.

On Christmas Eve in 1895, Mr Vanderbilt opened the doors of Biltmore to his family, after six years of construction. Biltmore was built to serve as a family home for George, his wife Edith, and their only daughter Cornelia. On completion in 1895, Biltmore House was famous for being Americas largest private home, a French Renaissance chateau, which contains 225 rooms and is made up of 2.4 million cubic feet of space.

 The Winter Garden

The Winter Garden

On entering the first floor of this incredible home, your eyes are magnetically drawn to the splendor of ‘The winter Garden’. It is the vibrant heart from which the rooms of the main floor radiate. It creates an “all weather” interior yard. Especially during the winter months where the plush, subtropical plants provide a green, peaceful refuge from the cold and often snowy land beyond Biltmore House’s walls.

The tour of Biltmore is set up in a way that keeps you utterly absorbed from start to end. It is the perfect length, and even though we were visiting over one of Americas busiest holidays we did not find ourselves waiting in queues or impatiently fighting our way through oceans people to get a good view of the space. The tour flows and does not bombard you with too much information that I find can often lead to boredom. You are given the perfect amount of knowledge, whether you choose to use the guidebooks provided or take an audio tour.

 Banquet Hall

Banquet Hall

This impressive room has a seven-story high ceiling and Flemish tapestries from the mid-1500s was the scene of dinner parties and celebrations.

 Salon

Salon

This room was built by Architect Richard Morris Hunt with the sole purpose of serving as a Salon. To this day it is still not known as to why this room was never completed in George Vanderbilt’s lifetime. Since the 1970s however, his descendants have furnished the room as a sitting room, using selections from the original collection.

 Library 

Library

My favourite room! I absolutely adore libraries and stepping into this space is a serious wow moment. This room is testament to George Vanderbilt’s utter passion for books. It contains nearly half of his 22,000-volume collection. It ranges in subject from American and English fiction, to religion and world history, philosophy, art, and architecture. The magnificent chess sets and games tables that decorate the space were once owned by Napoleon Bonaparte. It’s hard not to imagine yourself curled up in a ball in front of a roaring fire reading one of his ancient, leather bound wonders.

Library

Kitchen

One of the most important staff positions in the house was held by Biltmore’s Chef, who oversaw all the prep work and cooking for the Vanderbilt family and their guests. He led a team of more than a dozen kitchen workers who were responsible for preparing meals ranging from staff dinners to picnics and banquets for the guests. In this image, the copper pots hanging from above the kitchen worktable are actual originals.

Kitchen

The Gardens 

The Biltmore Estate and grandeur of Georges vision was in fact the birthplace of American Forestry. Working with the landscape architect and designer of New York’s Central Park, Frederick Olsted, close to 3 million plants were installed on the 8000 acres of surrounding land. Frederick Law Olmsted, was the first American to implement scientific forestry and the management and conservation of forest lands, on a large scale.

Gardens

Workers moved thousands of yards of soil and planted millions of trees to create the approach road and formal gardens adjacent to the house. George Vanderbilt wanted to create as much suspense as possible when designing the layout of the house and approach road gardens. The approach road is now a winding labyrinth of electric green forest and tropical splendor building anticipation to the maximum before you enter the huge iron gates of the Mansion. Biltmore’s forest management plan improved the health of the forest while producing sustainable wood resources.

Beyond the great park of trees and meadows, farmsteads, a winery, forest plantations, a lake, a lagoon, and a network of roads and bridges combined to form a landscape that appeared natural yet was the product of a careful plan and almost unimaginable hard work. In total, 2,870,678 trees had been planted permanently throughout the estate.

Today Biltmore still runs as a family business, with the fourth and fifth generations of Mr. Vanderbilt’s descendants running the day-to-day operations. Along with more than 2000 employees, they continue Biltmore’s mission to preserve this national gem.

The Americans are the friendliest people I have ever come across and their patriotic spirits are infectious. These people are proud of their magnificent country and are never shy to share their passion and knowledge. Since my husband and I have been based in North Carolina we have been told to visit Biltmore Estate by dozens of locals; it really is an awe-inspiring experience. Every single person who has told us to visit has recommended a second visit over the festive Christmas season. Giant Christmas trees, mulled wine and Candlelit nighttime tours are a few of the treasures that await.

An annual pass costs around $150 (Day pass $55) and allows you to visit the estate all year round. With the opportunity to visit a working farm, wine tasting at the winery (Yes please!), courtyard market, bake shop, cafés, Italian garden, shrub garden, spring garden, walled garden, rose garden, azalea garden, bass pond and boat house, tavern and village hotel we are already planning our return. Visit this awesome National pearl, you will leave with an imagination running wild; that warm and satisfying feeling of stepping back in time and bringing a little bit of history back with you.

 Where is Biltmore Estate 

Biltmore Estate a large private estate and tourist attraction in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, North Carolina.

Asheville is known for its vibrant arts scene, historic architecture, the ‘great outdoors’ and a vibrant food scene. The breathtaking beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains attracts many savvy travellers to this outdoor treasure. Flights are available from many US cities including Chicago and New York.

Get out and explore some of America’s most cherished national forests, like Pisgah and Nantahala. Discover some of the many beautiful waterfalls scattered throughout the region. A fantastic region for wildlife, whether you are bird-watching or looking out for bears or herds of elk. This region is great for cycling, hiking and walking, or, if time eludes you, a sensational road-trip. Whatever your reason – get the western region of North Carolina on your radar – it’s Awesome.

Awesome@Travel

Zapisz

Zapisz

The post Visit to Biltmore first appeared on Awesome Travel Holidays.