Need suggestions for Romantic Honeymoon close enough to drive to!

[candihagler]

Hi!
I am getting married in the middle of September...it will be a very sweet and initimate ceremony with family and close friends! It will be on the beach and the reception will be in a GREAT house that is on the beach in BMB. With this being said, it will also be very romantic. My fiance' and I will not be able to go on a long or extravagent honeymoon, but are planning to go somewhere for the rest of the week after the wedding.

Can anyone suggest any neat, romantic and fun places to visit in Florida (or any where) that is a day's drive away (ie. Jacksonville, etc.). We love music, art and just good fun and food. We also LOVE the beach (hence the reason we live in Santa Rosa Beach!!) and would even love to just get away and visit another beach and/or nice resort where we can really act like tourists/vacationers/honeymooners and relax for the week!!! (I am also expecting, so I can't go to say Disney World or anywhere too crazy!) We are between the ages of 27-30, so we would like for the place to offer entertainment & scenery for our age group!

Any thoughts, advice, suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!:idontno:

Thank you so much...

[Curtis]

St. Augustine is always nice and only about 5 hrs. away.

[candihagler]

Nice!! I will check it out! Thank you so much...:D

[sunspotbaby]

How about Port St. Joe/Appilachicola area...?

[candihagler]

Josh (my fiance) actually just visited that area with his company (Southern Resorts) and they have got some GREAT properties over there...he has even recently mentioned going there for a week if we can't decide on somewhere else that we would like to go. He said that it is very peaceful and beautiful there and the property that we can stay at is amazing! We are definitely considering this as an option! Thank you.

[Smiling JOe]

Cape San Blas, near the point.

[Britkiwi]

Fairhope, AL. I have never been, but have wanted to go to the Marriott resort there as a "stay-cation" It seems really nice, low prices and I hear Fairhope is a very cute/quaint town.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ptlal-grand-hotel-marriott-resort-golf-club-and-spa/

Fairhope has been noticed by regional magazines and named one of the
Top Three Southern Towns by Southern Living Readers Choice Awards
Top 10 Romantic Escapes (http://www.coastalliving.com/coastal/travel/bestofthecoast/curtain/curtain_subscriber/article/0,23312,1570947-2,00.html)



I think its only a 2 hours drive from here.

[candihagler]

I actually used to live in Gulf Shores, AL...then moved to Destin and now live in SRB. I LOVE FAIRHOPE! But with living SO close to there before moving, we used to go all the time. It has great places to eat and awesome shops, art and music! It is a great time for a weekend getaway! Thank you though...

[cheesehead]

Blueridge, Ga. About 6 1/2 hrs from here. Mountains, antiquing, cooler weather. There are chairs for the groom to be. I know, I've found them. Any more info needed, just ask.:cool:

[candihagler]

Neat, I have never heard of it!! I am checking it out in just a sec...Sounds like a great place to me and he actually wanted to go to the mountains without going to TN, so he may get really excited when I tell him about this place! Yes, I will be looking for the chairs myself!! Too funny...thank you for your help!

[tistheseason]

I second St. Augustine!

[cheesehead]

Xall me on my cell at 625-0425 for more info. I have a plave in Blairsville, just another 18 miles. I know of some people that are getting a cabin on a lake for $300.00 for the week. It's very nice up there and the weather should be great for the time you're going.

[kurt]

New Orleans - you said food and art. Not enough can be said about this amazing city, and it is very romantic. And fun! But a lot of the fun is not for new brides in maternity clothing. You could visit Fairhope on the way.

Apalachicola - very quiet and tiny, for seafood and nature lovers. And isn't loving nature really all you need on a honeymoon (depending on your due date of course)? Lots of places around to explore, but you'd never have to leave the Gibson Inn and the fine Avenue Sea Restaurant, except you'd have to try some of the other great restaurants in town. Tamara's Cafe across the street and Cafe Con Leche on the opposite corner owned by the same family are worth the trip. They have a chocolate shop / confectionary attached to the cafe which will blow your mind. Unfortunately the main attraction, the raw oyster, is off limits to expectant moms.

Amelia Island/Fernandina - This area might be your best bet because of all the diversity. We like staying downtown Fernandina Beach by the river and enjoying the incredible restaurants (Espana, Bonito, Les Clos), lots of shopping also. So many great places to eat and shop in a compact, walkable, old downtown. There are several awesome B&Bs and small Inns. Nearby Amelia Island resort out on the beach offers luxury if you prefer. That way you can have the best of both worlds. You can take a day trip to Cumberland Island. Google it and you'll be sold, but not a good place if you go into labor. And then you could always visit or stay in Jacksonville or St. Augustine. They would be better choices to stay in if you prefer to be in the middle of the action. The Columbia Restaurant in St. Aug is the highlight of any trip there.

[Mark Partington]

I would look at the "devil's den.com" near ocala springs;or closer cruise the dead lakes for a mystical neterworld experience...(this is coming from another crazy artist so really....just consider the source(I should put that on most...any...posts)
There are always roadside attractions,antique shops,galleries & misc entertainmant.
The budget thing is smart...I didnt get a ring 15 years ago;I got tickets to British Tortaola(much quieter than our virgin islands.There was a travel joint in the strip mall I was Working in Durham putting the "star Trek" Millwork & paint effects in a laser tag arena there.
Just bought em
Some of the most romantic & fun "dinners" we've had were in the pakinglot of Publix....good food,what we wanted & fun....(like the backwards little folk we be)
I'm sure you'll find somethin ta do......& it'll be legal & all.
We dont plan things anymore so the best stuff has a chance to find ya......you could pick(east-west?)
best wishes on your adventure together.
ps
at least look at ocala's devils den (spring/cave)...I wanna live there.(in the cave)
mark.....lovely punkin headed crayola boy

[Mark Partington]

forgot about eufala with all the al & georgia suggestions....theyre all good....dothem all in a loop....".SRB folk have fun broke".....the new signs running down 30-a(just an idea)

[jensieblue]

The Grand at Fairhope is a fabulouse place to stay. The accomodations are wonderful. The amenities are very very nice. Many gather on the law at sunset to drink wine and enjoy a gorgeous view of the sunset. The resort is fabulous and Fairhope is like a little artists colony on the shore of the bay. If would be an easy drive from Santa Rosa and if you don't do it for honey moon definitely do it at some time. I think they still offer personal sunset vruises with champayne ( or perrier). The staff are all resort skilled and waiting to serve. It has a fabulous spa for pampering and if hubby is a golfer he can do the world class golf course while you get massage. What ever you decide, enjoy and have a wonderful honeymoon.

[InletBchOwnr]

I vote New Orleans
best food in America
Best entertainment, free, wandering the Quarter streets any day or night
You can go budget or extravagant
Romantic lil patios, sights from hotel windows, parks, the River
Great music any place that has it
A days drive from Jaxsnvlle
Check it out
Artists in Jackson Sq
Free music around the Cabildo
Beignets and cafe au lait at Morning Call or Cafe du Monde on the Sq by the River
ah the sweet magnolias frangipani oleanders coffeee smells
early morning street washers in the Qtr
the smell of OK never mind the smells

[30A Skunkape]

Of course New Orleans, but how about paying a visit to Ocean Springs, MS?

[Minnie]

I agree with St. Augustine, wonderful places to shop, dine and plenty to see.

I love the Casa Monica hotel in the historic district, very romantic.

http://garrettandmegan.com/images/casamonica.jpg

[MissCritter]

I've never been, but my parents went to Helen, GA once and described it as quaint and fun. It's like an alpine village, with lots of shopping, etc. and chalets to stay in. I think it's about 7 hours from here. I'm sure another sowaller can chime in with more info.

[cheesehead]

Helen, Ga is very toursty. Been there. Fairhop is nice. have freinds that live there. Any info needed call me, 625-0425

[cheesehead]

Hey, getting overwhelmed yet> Maybe you should plan a few hornymoons!!!!!:rolling:

[MissCritter]

I hear Forrest Gump author Winston Groom has been known to frequent the bar at the Grand in Fairhope. ;-) It is a beautiful property, recently renovated.

[candihagler]

forgot about eufala with all the al & georgia suggestions....theyre all good....dothem all in a loop....".SRB folk have fun broke".....the new signs running down 30-a(just an idea)

I am actually from Eufaula, so don't want to go there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks though!

[candihagler]

These suggestions are all great! Thanks so much everyone. I think that we are seriously considering St. Augustine or maybe St. Simon's Island.
We used to live in Gulf Shores...so we have been to Fairhope. We have also been to New Orleans 2 times in the past year.
Also have been to Helen, GA during the winter time. I am from Eufaula (as someone suggested this) too! We are looking for somewhere in Florida (like St. Augustine) or somewhere in GA to go to! We would love to stay at a resort (if you have any suggestions)! Keep 'em coming please, this has been SOOOO helpful!

Cheers!

[sunspotbaby]

My family goes to Hilton Head. I'll see if they have any recommendations. Be careful about the "resort" thing. They often are not what you think. Sometimes the best places are the mom & pop's hotels, B & B's, and off the beaten path hideaways where you meet and get to know nice local people.

[aggieb]

I'm with SJ on the cape and the point suggestion.

Charleston, SC is great, but how far would that be for you?

Savannah is nice as well. River Street is always fun.

[sowalgayboi]

I've never been, but my parents went to Helen, GA once and described it as quaint and fun. It's like an alpine village, with lots of shopping, etc. and chalets to stay in. I think it's about 7 hours from here. I'm sure another sowaller can chime in with more info.

:whack:

There's a reason that old people think it's quaint and fun. I've been to Hell and back and it's no picnic. Unless you've got a fetish for lederhosen, coo coo clocks, and bratwurst it's not a honeymoon. ;-)

[JamBone]

hey candi

you should check out cedar key - not too far - like a mini key west or provincetown - very unique and way off the beaten path

the amelia island ritz carlton is amazing!!

highlands-cashiers nc - 8 hour drive

[sowalgayboi]

I forgot about Wakulla Springs. They have a lodge that you can rent rooms in. Old school, but very beautiful.

[TreeFrog]

How about the mountains in NC?

Asheville, Boone, Blowing Rock. I'm fond of all three towns, although Blowing Rock has to win out on the "scenic and quaint" index.

[InletBchDweller]

How about the mountains in NC?

Asheville, Boone, Blowing Rock. I'm fond of all three towns, although Blowing Rock has to win out on the "scenic and quaint" index.:wub: All this talk makes me wanna go on a trip. Maybe we could re-new our vows and take a honeymoon...:D

[Allifunn]

I'm with SJ on the cape and the point suggestion.

Charleston, SC is great, but how far would that be for you?

Savannah is nice as well. River Street is always fun.
Charleston is amazing, so is Savannah, but I imagine it is too far. Savannah is about 7 hours from here and Charleston is about 9 :shock:
Beaufort SC is a wonderful place...but there again it is about 8 hours.
Fernandina, I hear, is a wonderful vacation spot...but about 6 hours.

Where ever you end up...you'll have to tell us how it is. Congrats on you wedding :wub:

[MissCritter]

:whack:

There's a reason that old people think it's quaint and fun. I've been to Hell and back and it's no picnic. Unless you've got a fetish for lederhosen, coo coo clocks, and bratwurst it's not a honeymoon. ;-)

Excuse me, but someone bearing a remarkable resemblance to you was desirous of lederhosen fairly recently, I believe. ;-)

[Fishfood]

Definitely Savannah or New Orleans. Both have an art and music scene and some great restaurants. Both are cities have a lot of character.

[ShallowsNole]

:whack:

There's a reason that old people think it's quaint and fun. I've been to Hell and back and it's no picnic. Unless you've got a fetish for lederhosen, coo coo clocks, and bratwurst it's not a honeymoon. ;-)

Hey. Fuzz and I honeymooned in Helen. :nono1: Back then it was only moderately touristy.

But I'm not sure I'd enjoy it if I were expecting. I'd vote for St Simons instead...:D

[Miss Kitty]

FTLOG, don't drive to Dallas! :blink:

Happy wedding...let us know what you decide!

[Johnrudy]

How about Jekyll Island in GA.? Used to be swanky.

Savannah would be worth the drive I think. Very quaint, sweet, quiet. Lots of B&B's.

St. Augustine is beautiful too.

Hilton Head is just a bit too touristy to me and too far of a drive.

[cheesehead]

Ok, with ALL this info, what are you going to do??:cool:

[aggieb]

since we've brought up the ga. coast. i want to go here.

http://www.littlestsimonsisland.com/

a friend of mine spent a weekend here and said there's not a place like it. (that she's ever been).

[sunspotbaby]

St Simons looks awesome! Wherever you decide to go, I think it would be funn if you don't let us know...then when you get back, give us some little clues from your trip and we can guess where you went. :clap:

[weluvgrayton]

My vote would be Cape San Blas or the Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island area, you will not be disappointed with either of these beautiful places.

[Minnie]

St Simons looks awesome! Wherever you decide to go, I think it would be funn if you don't let us know...then when you get back, give us some little clues from your trip and we can guess where you went. :clap:

St. Simons is awesome, it would be high on my list.

[candihagler]

Still haven't decided! Leaning towards St. Augustine! I will let you all know...THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP!

[aggieb]

did you guys go anywhere?:idontno: