Mid-week Mini-trips

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Someday soon, you’ll be thinking about getting away and immersing yourself in some wonderful experiences.

We’ve got some suggestions for easing into a rejuvenation vacation. And the best part is, it’s close to home.

What better time to check off those “must-do” experiences on your bucket list--like learning to surf or fly-fish, or adventures like swimming with dolphins and zip-lining over crocs. Maybe you’ve been wanting to just get away with your BFFs for a long-needed spa treatment. Whatever you’re into, there are a variety of unique, authentic experiences you can pack into a four or five-night trip to St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beaches.

Here are a few mid-week itineraries to consider:

Inns & Outdoors

Like your history with a bit of fun? Stay at a historic inn in the nation’s oldest city, such as St. Francis Inn or The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens to take advantage of the St. Augustine Historic Inns’ “Summer Sundays” packages offered June through September. Spend a morning kayaking along the historic waterfront with St. Augustine Eco Tours and enjoy a picnic at Anastasia State Park. In the evening, take a sunset cruise on Schooner Freedom followed by dinner at O.C. White’s Seafood & Spirits. Click here for more info.

Mi Casa es Su Casa

St. Augustine has a long history of Hispanic culture. Why not celebrate this wonderful culture where it all began in the nation’s oldest city? Stay at Casa de Suenos Bed & Breakfast Inn or Casa Monica Resort & Spa, enjoy an impressive charcuterie and boutique wines at Casa de Vino 57. Explore the intimate Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche or the wonders at the Spanish Military Hospital Museum. Feast on Paella “a la Valenciana” as you sip on sangria at Columbia Restaurant.

Surf & Turf

Love the beach? Enjoy an ocean side stay at Beacher’s Lodge on Crescent Beach. Experience a dolphin encounter at Marineland Dolphin Adventure Florida then try a bit of paddle boarding with Kayak St. Augustine and possibly encounter dolphins in the wild. If you've always wanted to learn to surf, here's your chance. Take a morning lesson with a skilled instructor from PIT Surf Shop then take a walk along the historic streets of St. Augustine, shopping on Aviles Street, the oldest street in the United States. Spend your evening on a sunset cruise with Florida Water Tours, followed by a delicious meal of the freshest seafood and casual cuisine in the relaxed setting of Kingfish Grill at Camachee Cove Harbor. Click here for more info.

Girlfriend Getaway

Call your BFFs and plan to stay at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club or the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa to enjoy a private golf or tennis lesson with a pro. Or, get pampered at one of the salt caves in Salt Spa St. Augustine. There's always time for some shopping at the St. Augustine Premium Outlets. Enjoy Historic St. Augustine with The Tasting Tours' Corks and Forks pairing tour.

Slow Down Sunday

Mini-vacations should be relaxing. And a stay at Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort is the perfect place to do that. Start with yoga by the pool in the morning followed by a dolphin/wildlife history tour with St. Augustine Boat Tours. You’ll want to slow down a little when you visit the sloths at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. For the evening, enjoy the rooftop patio at the San Sebastian Winery and a relaxing dinner al fresco at Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille. Click here for more info.

Retro-Metro

You’ll love the beach vibe when you stay at Holiday Inn Express & Suites on Vilano Beach. It’s a great place to take a stroll along the beach looking for fossilized shark teeth in the coquina sands. In town, take a tour at the Lightner Museum. For an adventure, there’s nothing like a Dolphin and Wildlife tour with Red Boat Tours. Top it off with a sunset dinner at Cap’s on the Water. Click here for more info.

Hemingway Getaway

Craving some adventure on the water? Grab your best buds and your luckiest poles and head out for some good old Florida fishing. Florida’s Historic Coast is the capital of kingfish, as you’ll soon discover with Fishardy Charters. Prefer some inshore fishing? Drum Man Charters has you covered. Of course, with 42 miles of beach, you might just want to head out to the nearest shoreline or pier and cast a line. If all that fishing has you hankering for some cold brews and pub fare, head over to Meehan’s Irish Pub & Seafood House, sit on the balcony overlooking the Matanzas Bay, and start making plans for tomorrow’s big catch. For now, a walk along the bayfront to a welcoming room at The Bayfront Inn sounds about perfect. Click here for more info.

Adventure Seeker

There’s so much to do here you’ll need a good night’s rest. So stay at one of St. Augustine’s luxurious Historic Inns. Then, saddle up for some outdoor adventures. Zipline over crocs at St. Augustine Alligator Farm’s Crocodile Crossing, go parasailing with St. Augustine Parasail, cast a line with Drum Man Charters, climb to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse, or take a surf lesson with a pro from the PIT Surf Shop. Click here for more info.

Re-Boot Camp

Let’s get back to nature. And while we’re at it, nurture our health and well-being. Start small, with a morning warm-up of yoga on the beach. All you need is a mat and a plot of sand and we’ve got 42 miles of that. Of course, if you’re camping at Anastasia State Park, you won’t have to go far at all. Now, kick it up a notch with a gentle bike ride along the beach. You can refuel with an outdoor picnic at the Village Garden Food Truck Park. And now you’re ready for some serious hiking. You’ll find lots of hiking trails of all lengths and terrains to choose from. At the end of the day, you might need a little love, so a private, scenic sunset cruise on St. Augustine Boat Tours with meals and beverages from Luvin’ O’Van delivered right to the boat is just the re-boot your small group or family needs right about now.

Explore more travel itineraries here.