cityscapes

Ocala, Florida

Heaven on Earth| Equestrian Communties and Nature Trails

As seen in the 2016 Winter Issue By Kim Henry

With an average year-round temperature of 70 degrees, Ocala, FL, boasts a more than average year-round world of beauty and adventure. Ocala supports a rich equestrian life for breeders, seasoned riders, and visiting newbies alike. Tucked into north central Florida, this town is home to just under 60,000 people, has a thriving downtown with a diverse range of restaurants, and the surrounding region provides many ways to soak up all of that endless Southern sunshine.

Equestrian Dreaming

Whether it’s the love of competition, enjoying a leisurely ride through the stunning nature trails, or the long legacy of champions being born, bred, and broken in the region, Ocala is an equestrian dream come true.

The area has more horses in residence than any other county in the United States and was officially named ‘the horse capital of the world’ in 2007. Amid its rolling hills of limestone-rich grass is one of the largest concentrations of horses in the world with 45 different breeds, including the American Quarter Horse, Paso Fino, Arabian, and Warmbloods. The 600 thoroughbred farms have produced 45 national champions, six Kentucky Derby winners, 20 Breeders’ Cup champions and six Horses of the Year to date, and their accomplishments continue to bloom. In addition, there are hundreds of ranches that offer a wide range of riding options to guests of all ages and fitness levels.

“Horses in the Sun” (HITS) Show 2016

Ocala hosts one of the largest dressage/jumper horse shows in the country featuring over 100 different breeds. With a huge line-up of events throughout January and February 2016, HITS culminates in March with the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix. In the upcoming festival, there will be two new USEF-rated shows, making this event at Post Time Farm an ideal winter destination for anyone with a love of horses.

Ocala National Forest, Silver Spring National Park and Outdoor Adventures!

When you’ve finished admiring the wonderful equestrian life, there’s a wealth of other outdoor activities to be discovered. Located north of Orlando, Ocala National Forest is the southern-most forest in the United States and has more than 600 pristine lakes, rivers, and springs, allowing visitors to swim, snorkel, and dive in crystal clear waters all year round. Many of the scenic lakes were formed when limestone bedrock dissolved, causing the surface layer to slump and fill with water, creating an ideal setting for kayaking and canoeing. Each stream has its own unique characteristics such as Juniper Creek, which starts out scarcely wider than the canoe itself and ends up more than a hundred feet wide.

Accommodations within the forest range from different camping options to idyllic cabins. The campgrounds are divided into three classes based on the type of facilities offered and fees charged: developed campgrounds, primitive campsites, and dispersed tent camping.

The picturesque cabins, accommodating up to 10 people, are available at Lake Dorr or Sweetwater Spring, although it’s best to plan ahead as these two special locations tend to be in high demand.

Known as the gateway to the National Forest, Silver Spring Park has one of the largest artesian springs ever discovered. Dating back to the 1500s, Indian settlers resided around Silver Springs, and a dugout canoe can still be seen resting on the bed of the Silver River.

Visitors can enjoy a glass bottom boat ride, take a kayak, or canoe trip around the immensely beautiful springs and soak up the vast collection of natural habitats and wildlife.

Zip Lining

For those who would like to soar over the water, as well as being on it, there are zip lining adventures galore. If flying over treetops, lime-rock canyon ridges, divine waterways, and oak- and pine-filled forests is something you can imagine enjoying, then there are professional guides who will help you make this a reality.

Getting Artsy

Taking a break from the great outdoors, Ocala also offers some inspiring indoor entertainment. The Appleton Museum of Art is an award-winning contemporary establishment, originally built to display and preserve Mr. Appleton’s extensive art collection. The 30,000 square feet of gallery space opened in 1987 and is now devoted to the permanent collections of approximately 18,000 objects include European, American, Asian, African, Contemporary, and pre-Columbian art and artifacts, alongside a number of temporary exhibits. The Appleton is one of the South’s premier art museums and a leading cultural institution in Marion County.

Diverse Culinary Delights

For a town of its size, Ocala has an eclectic choice of restaurants, from Asia to Italian, grills to vegetarian options, there’s something to satisfy every appetite.

Here’s just a little taste of what’s on the menu:

Latinos y Mas: This Latin fusion restaurant specializes in contemporary Spanish and Latin cuisine with a Mediterranean flair. You can expect to find anything from authentic Paella to freshly-made tacos in this relaxing, tasteful environment.

Amrit Palace: Transporting you directly to the heart of authentic Indian cuisine, this venue is a little slice of Asia in the heart of Ocala. Its exotic range of dishes include meat, vegetarian, and vegan options, making it an ideal choice for a family with diverse diets.

Ayuttaya Thai Cuisine: Offering the best in homemade Thai food, this establishment is well-known for its delicious menu and generous use of numerous herbs and spices. Lemongrass, chiles, galangal, basil, lime, and Kaffir fuse to create an array of delicious, fresh dishes.

Riccardo’s Restaurant: This family-owned venue provides traditional Italian meals and pizza that even New Yorkers describe as “outstanding.” Offering an impressive selection of homemade pies and generous size pizza-by-the-slice, Riccardo’s also has a traditional all-American breakfast menu and a special lunch menu consisting of a variety of homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches.

The Ivy House Restaurant: Southern hospitality doesn’t get much better than the homey atmosphere of The Ivy House. Named by Florida Trend as one of the “Top 500 Best Places to Eat in the State” for several years running, their specials include Southern fried lobster, delicious hand-cut steaks, and their unique baked krispy chicken.

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Bald Head Island Limited Real Estate Sales

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The Lakes at Harmony

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This gated community, with a golf clubhouse, exclusive Members Retreat and a resort-style pool with a spacious deck and Sunset Gazebo, sits on 11,000 acres. With two lakes and 12.5 miles of walking and bicycling trails, Harmony boasts a serenity matched only by its outstanding proximity to everything you could ever want. Read More...

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Red Ledges Utah

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Oldfield

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Set along the banks of the magnificent Okatie River, under a canopy of Live oaks, you will discover Oldfield Plantation in Bluffton, SC. Offering an incomparable natural landscape coupled by luxury amenities, Oldfield is the idyllic heart of Lowcountry through and through. Read More...

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The Cliffs at Glassy

Landrum, South Carolina

The Cliffs at Glassy is a premier, 3,500-acre golf and wellness community. Established in 1991, Glassy was the first of The Cliffs' seven communities and the first gated, master-planned mountain community in the state of South Carolina. Perched atop Glassy Mountain, the community boasts elevations as high as 3,200 feet offering panoramic views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. The Cliffs at Glassy is nestled among over 12,000 acres of protected wilderness, ensuring these captivating views and natural splendor remain untouched for generations to come. Read More...

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Haig Point Club

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Sea Horse Ranch

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Hot Springs Village - Arkansas Retirement Communities

Hot Springs Village, Arkansas

Experience the natural beauty of Arkansas in Hot Springs Village, spread across 26,000 acres of the Ouachita Mountains with breathtaking vistas, sparkling lakes and lush forest. Read More...

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Sublime Samana Hotel & Residences

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Sublime Samana Hotel & Residences is a beautiful development located in the northeast coast of the Dominican Republic and on the amazing Coson bay, which has been nominated one of the top 10 beaches of the world, according to Luxury Living Magazine, known for its spectacular beaches and tropical vegetation. Read More...

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Rarity Bay

Vonore, Tennessee

Rarity Bay on Tellico Lake is an award-winning gated lakefront community that combines waterfront living with mountain views and amenities that include a country club, championship golf course, tennis and pickleball facilities, swimming pool, community docks, horseback riding, hiking trails, and more. Come be a part of it and make the majestic Smoky Mountains and serene, clear waters of Tellico Lake the backdrop for your vacation home, second residence or forever home. Read More...

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Scotch Hall Preserve - Pristine North Carolina Coastal Golf Community

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This remarkable lifestyle community sits majestically on North Carolina's Albemarle Sound. Surrounded by water, ancient Cypress and live Oaks, there is no other place as unspoiled. Featuring an Arnold Palmer Signature golf course, marina, swim pavilion, Scotch Hall Preserve offers waterfront, golf and woodland homesites. Read More...

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Jasper Highlands - Tennessee Gated Communities

Kimball, Tennessee

Welcome to Jasper Highlands, a unique residential mountain community, nestled along the bluffs of Jasper Mountain in Tennessee. This remarkable piece of residential real estate is positioned above the clouds with majestic views of Lake Nickajack and the Tennessee River Valley, with property taxes starting at $162.10 a year!. Read More...

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Stunning Scenery and Endless Sunshine

As seen in the winter 2016 Ideal-LIVING magazine by N. Gross

Floating above Phoenix in a hot air balloon, you’ll experience the spectacular beauty of the colorful Sonoran Desert, and the rugged mountains that define the city’s horizon. Known as The Valley of the Sun, the scenic desert landscape features giant saguaro cacti, red rocks, and hillsides carpeted with blooming wildflowers in the spring.

Sunny Days, Warm Winters

Along with its stunning scenery, Phoenix is known for its warm, sunny days, and cool nights, which make it the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy gorgeous golf courses and beautiful mountain trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

Boating, fishing, swimming, and water skiing are available in the cool, refreshing lakes within a 40-mile drive from Phoenix.

Outdoor adventure is celebrated in Phoenix’s legendary parks. At over 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park and Preserve is one of the country’s largest municipal parks and boasts more than 51 miles of trails.

Outdoor Fun at Papago Park

Located only 10 minutes from downtown Phoenix, Papago Park features unique, massive sandstone buttes and an extensive trail network for hiking. The smooth, easy treks make it a great place for a family hike or bike ride. Hike to the Hole-In-The-Rock for views of downtown Phoenix, or catch catfish and trout at the Fishing Lagoon.

Papago Park is also home to two world-class attractions: the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden. The Phoenix Zoo is home to more than 1,400 animals, including 30 species that are endangered or threatened. The Zoo’s exciting exhibits include Monkey Village, Stingray Bay and Giraffe Encounter. And don’t miss the camel rides!

The Desert Botanical Garden offers 140 acres of the world’s finest collection of arid plants from deserts around the world. Five unique trails illustrate the themes of conservation, desert living, desert wildflowers and plants, and people of the Sonoran Desert.

 World-Class Golf in the Desert

The dazzling beauty of the desert, coupled with its warm year-round climate, makes Phoenix a prime destination for golfers. The Phoenix area is home to more than 200 magnificent golf courses.

The Boulders Golf Club offers two 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Jay Morrish. These demanding courses feature breathtaking panoramas of rugged desert beauty.

Troon North Golf Club has two courses designed by Tom Weiskopf. These courses slope through natural ravines by Pinnacle Peak in north Scottsdale and offer a picturesque desert landscape.

Ranked one of the top desert courses in the country, Desert Highlands was designed by Jack Nicklaus. At this remarkable course, Pinnacle Peak looms just overhead and the lights of the Valley spread across the horizon.

At TPC Scottsdale you can try your hand at the professional Stadium Course designed by Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf for the legendary Phoenix Open.

Unique Museums and Arts District

The Phoenix area abounds with fascinating museums and cultural attractions, including the Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights. Known as the “Wedding Cake House,” you can tour this historic landmark built in 1930, as well as the surrounding Cactus Gardens.

Frank Lloyd Wright admirers won’t want to miss Wright’s Taliesin West, a National Historic Landmark. Built in 1937, Wright’s architectural wonder is built out of stone and sand in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains.

The acclaimed Heard Museum is one of the best places to experience the myriad cultures and art of American Indians of the Southwest. The museum’s exhibition galleries and outdoor courtyards feature outstanding traditional and contemporary American Indian art.

The Phoenix Art Museum has hosted more than 400 national and
international exhibitions. The museum’s collection includes 17,000 objects of American, Asian, European, Western American, and contemporary art.

Phoenix also has a thriving downtown arts district, the Roosevelt Row Arts District (RoRo). Stroll through this unique area and enjoy impressive murals, award-winning galleries, and incredible restaurants and boutiques.

Heritage Square and Science Park is a vital piece of the cultural landscape in downtown Phoenix. Heritage Square’s restored historic buildings are a beautiful reminder of the city’s vibrant Victorian past. The Square’s Rosson House Museum is a fully restored 1895 Queen Anne Victorian house that offers visitors a glimpse into the lives of early Phoenix families.

The world-class Arizona Science Center intrigues visitors with its four levels of exciting hands-on exhibits, state-of-the-art planetarium, and a five-story-high IMAX® theater.

The Challenger Space Center features hundreds of artifacts and exhibits from America’s past NASA launches and space missions. Aboard the center’s simulated International Space Station, you can play the roles of mission control specialists and astronauts.

Vibrant Performing Arts Scene

The performing arts also thrive in Phoenix. The Herberger Theater Center is home to two resident companies: Arizona Theatre Company and Center Dance Ensemble. The historic 1929 Orpheum Theatre offers off-Broadway hits and shows by nationally-known performers.

In the elegant Symphony Hall, you’ll enjoy The Phoenix Symphony, which performs more than 200 concerts each year. Also performing at Symphony Hall, the Arizona Opera produces fully-staged operas, and concerts, and the innovative Ballet Arizona creates and performs outstanding classical and contemporary ballet.

Green Phoenix Boasts Metro Light Rail

One of the city’s best features is the convenience of using The Valley Metro Light Rail. Take the Metro to places such as the Heard Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Science Center, Chase Field (home of the Arizona Diamondbacks), Talking Stick Resort Arena (home of the Phoenix Suns), and Arizona State University.

Valley Metro provides environmentally-responsible public transportation, which is consistent with the goals of SustainPHX. This comprehensive city program strives to educate and empower residents to create a healthy community that protects and preserves the environment.

Phoenix truly is an ideal destination, with its warm year-round climate, striking desert landscape surrounded by mountains and plentiful golf, entertainment, and culture. Explore this sunny, Southwestern metropolis and discover its beauty and diversity.

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Las Palmas Grand - Active 55+ Resort

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David Weekley Homes - Victory at Verrado

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Sunrise Village - Active 55+ Resort

Mesa, Arizona

Step into this active 55 plus community in East Mesa and be amazed at how affordable a resort lifestyle can be! You will discover friendly people, luxury amenities and newly remodeled homes from the $30s. Our gated community offers a year-round calendar of social events planned by our Activity Director. Read More...

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Montesa at Gold Canyon - Arizona Gated Community

Gold Canyon, Arizona

Much more than a place to live, Montesa offers a premier style of living, with resort amenities, a stunning natural landscape and Premier Homes. Explore more about this Gated Community near Phoenix. Read More...

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Las Palmas - Active 55+ Resort

Mesa, Arizona

Affordable Active 55+ Resort Living. It's easy to see why so many of our residents feel like they're on vacation all year long. Las Palmas is a world-class resort with year-round activities, luxury amenities and a friendly group of active 55+ adults who enjoy life to the fullest, just like you. Visit our impressive selection of custom-built homes beginning in the $50's. Whether you're looking for the best value in retirement or simply the best place to take life easier, you'll enjoy the lifestyle at Arizona's premiere 55+ resort. Las Palmas is among the award-winning family of Thesman Communities proudly offering affordable resort living since 1980. Gated with 24 hour security. Visit us today, open daily for tours 8-5 Read More...

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K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Wickenburg Ranch

Wickenburg, Arizona

K. Hovnanian Homes will join Wickenburg Ranch in early 2019. This gorgeous new collection of homes features five unique single-family designs ranging from 1,492 to 1,802 square feet. Each home is designed with large, open living spaces ideal for entertaining and everyday casual living. Homes feature 2 spacious bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Wickenburg Ranch offers an incredible lifestyle to its residents - including a 40,000-square-foot Golf and Social Club! Homeowners here enjoy a huge calendar of events, golf, a spa, dog park, hiking, restaurants, fitness, sports courts and so much more! Read More...

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Palmas Del Sol East - Active 55+ Resort

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Palmas Del Sol - Active 55+ Resort

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K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Victory at Verrado

Buckeye, Arizona

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Jacksonville, Florida: Where Big and Beautiful Intersect

As seen in the Winter 2016 Ideal-Living magazine By Jamie Penn

By now, we all know that the state of Florida has some serious perks. Many of us would name warm winters, white sandy beaches, and pristine golf courses as top attractions, and we’d be right. Retirees and vacationers flock to the panhandle for all those reasons. Florida may not be the first place one would think to find an abundance of culture buffs, naturalists, or outdoor enthusiasts. This would be where the stereotype unravels.

Jacksonville, FL, tucked away in the northeast, is the beacon for a slightly different version of the sunshine state. Jacksonville is Florida’s welcome sign just across the border from Georgia, and has long been a bustling, thriving city bursting with culture and art, and dappled with and surrounded by parks and preserves along waterways, rivers, and lakes. All this, gracefully flanked by Florida’s trademark white sandy beaches and adjacent towns that boast premier golf courses, is offered with average winter and spring temperatures warm enough to offer a reprieve from the cold (with the lowest average high temperature at around 55 degrees), but cool enough for crowd control.

Jacksonville Facts and Tips

While Jacksonville reigns as the most populous city in northern Florida with as many as 850,000 residents, it also gets the gold medal for having established the largest number of parks and land preserves in the state. Whether you step outside the city center into some of these natural and historical havens or slip deeper in to explore charming neighborhoods like Five Points and San Marco, it’s easy to discover the root of the Southern pulse that keeps the big city vibe in check and sets the stage for the hospitality and culture for which we all head south.

Jacksonville is the headquarters for several Fortune 500 companies and does the skyscraper thing really well. It’s also considered one of the most culturally and art-conscious cities in the state, with far fewer tourist attractions than other Floridian cities. While it sprawls out a bit (over 885 square miles and three rivers) covering the largest area of any city in the U.S., it runs conveniently into 22 miles of decadent beaches on the east coast, including those along ever-popular Amelia Island and Ponte Vedra.

Zipping across the Main Street Bridge and into downtown’s metropolis at night is a sight not to miss. Colors wash and sparkle along the St. Johns River from bridge and city lights setting the stage for a city that comes alive at night with people buzzing in and around some of the top restaurants on the east coast, making their way through art galleries, First Wednesday’s art walk, through the Spark district or one of many other downtown districts. Whether by Skyway (Jacksonville’s public transport system), or water taxi, one can easily jet to and from Jacksonville’s north and south bank and from one happening spot to another.

Jacksonville and its beaches, from Ponte Vedra in the south to Fernandina Beach in the north, are the best-kept Florida secrets in winter and spring. When everyone heads to 80-degree days in southern Florida, Jacksonville and surrounding areas are a haven for those who don’t have a need to get their head wet in Janurary, but would rather enjoy far less crowded greens and beaches and a city bursting with culture in those months built for taking a sweater along.

Getting Festy

When spring has sprung, the city and surrounding towns come alive with one festival after the other. Jacksonville Beach kicks things off in March with the Great Atlantic Seafood & Music Festival. Zydeco, jazz, and blues prove to pair nicely with the coast’s finest seafood. Then, it’s the Springing in the Blues Festival that keeps the spring festivities moving in April with a laid-back, family-friendly celebration of a musical genre that spans generations.

The Jacksonville World of Nations injects the city with an annual dose of food, dance, music, and traditions from more than 30 countries each April. The fun makes all the noise at the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival in Fernandina Beach in May, with mock pirate invasions, shrimp boat races, contests, and craft and food vendors. Jacksonville Jazz Festival caps off the spring season with performances by world-renowned jazz artists every Memorial Day weekend.

Golf

Whether it be golfing at the PGA’s pick of tournament-worthy courses on bustling Ponte Vedra in the south or at one of five courses on luxury-surrounded, well-preserved Amelia Island State Park in the north, Jacksonville is a golfer’s paradise.

Outdoor Activities

The list of other outdoor activities is endless. Horseback riding on the beach at Amelia Island and exploring nearby parks and preserves are favorite Jacksonville-area pastimes. Kayaking, paddle-boarding, and surfing are other typical Atlantic coast favorites. Hiking through one of the many parks and preserves can take visitors on a journey of the unique flora and fauna of the northern coast.

Professional Sports

As for sports fans, when you’re in Jacksonville, you’ve arrived. The Jacksonville Jaguars make a lot of noise with area football fans, and the women’s football team, the Jacksonville Dixie Blues, keep things interesting with a progressive spin on the game. Baseball, hockey, and basketball fans will have plenty to cheer and yell about as well at area games featuring local teams.

The Art Scene

The artist in all of us will be delighted with a tour of Jacksonville’s fine and funky art collections. The Art Institute of Jacksonville keeps the art scene lively and MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) and the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens have exquisite collections from artists around the globe. For a taste of the local art scene, head over to CoRK Arts District to experience an artist’s cooperative at its finest.

However you choose to explore—through a book on a hammock near the beach, cruising in the Atlantic, meandering along a path through a preserve, a path on the green, or in and out of historical sites, galleries, and art museums—know that in this northern Floridian mecca, exploration is endless.

Area Eateries

Depending on where one wanders in the North City, there are restaurants that can satisfy and delight every palate.

Moxi Kitchen + Cocktails is fairly new to the city and has won awards that give it its place at the top of the list. Chef Tom Gray (two-time James Beard nominee) is rooted in the South, but through extensive travel has been inspired to integrate flavors from coast to coast and in between into his American-inspired cuisine. The exquisite cocktails are a major bonus.

Matthew’s, in beautiful San Marco, has been an award winner for over a decade. Chef Matthew Medure aims to please and surprise with menu options shifting daily. Keep an eye out for shows at San Marco’s historic Theatre Jacksonville or pop over to one of seven local breweries in the area before or after dinner.

Beach restaurants abound as well. North Beach Fish Camp in Neptune Beach has a way with seafood that most visitors write home about. 29 South is a Fernandina Beach favorite with seafood and fresh local food at the center. Azurea is situated in One Ocean Resort and Spa in dazzling Atlantic Beach, offering mouth-watering sea-inspired cuisine proven to please the most discerning palate. Salt matches the Ritz-Carlton experience, where it’s located, on Amelia Island, and it meets and exceeds the bar that’s set. The chef’s nightly Adventure Tasting Menu has a knack for spicing up the dining experience.

Del Webb eTown

Jacksonville, Florida

Active Adult Community in Jacksonville FL is Del Webb eTown. Explore this Builder and 55+ community in sunny beautiful Florida! Brand new master-planned community open Summer 2019! Read More...

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Amelia National Golf & Country Club - Florida Gated Golf Communities

Fernandina Beach, Florida

Tom Fazio golf and country club affords golfing, tennis, resort-style swimming pool, snack-bar, lounge and fine dining, gym, walking trails and 24-hour manned and gated guardhouse. Three miles from Amelia Island, close to beaches, historic-district and marina. Read More...

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