Bed & Breakfast Association Announces Trio of Tours

From flowers to pumpkins to "secret" cookie recipes, the Amelia Island Bed and Breakfast Association recently announced three new open-house walking tours for 2008. On Saturday, May 10, the seven-member organization will offer a House and Garden Tour, providing guests with a picturesque view of some of Amelia Island's most remarkable landscapes, and the opportunity to experience the common areas of each of the distinct inns. In the fall, the inns will open again, on Saturday, Oct. 11, for a Fall Decorating Tour, and again on Saturday, Nov. 22, for a Holiday Cookie Tour.

Addison on Amelia, the Amelia Island Williams House, the Ash Street Inn, Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, Fairbanks House, Florida House Inn and the Hoyt House will participate in the tours.

Tickets for the tours are $20 each or $45 for the series, and will be available beginning in April at any of the seven inns, downtown Welcome Center and the Chamber of Commerce Gateway Office. For more information, visit www.ameliaislandinns.com.

Take Note of the Chamber Music Festival

On May 30, the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival will kick off its seventh season. With 14 days of performances from world-class artists, the nationally renowned Festival showcases classical music for residents and visitors on the island and surrounding area. The 2008 Festival will be under the artistic direction of Christopher Rex, Principal Cello in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Cello Chair of the McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer University. Festival performances take place at various venues across Amelia Island and include Guarneri String Quartet, Atlanta Woodwind Quintet, and pianist Jon Kimura Parker. For ticket details and a full schedule of performances, call (904) 261-1779 or visit www.aicmf.com.

Kingfish Tournament of Champions

One of the largest events on the Southern Kingfish Association tournament trail, the 26th Annual Nassau Sport Fishing Association's Kingfish Tournament of Champions takes place June 19-21 at the Fernandina Harbor. The three-day event is part of the Northeast Florida Division that attracts the world's best kingfish anglers. With anglers competing for cash prizes totaling over $75,000 - including $25,000 awarded for the largest fish plus prizes for lady angler and youth angler - the competition can get intense! Tournament festivities include a fish fry, awards ceremony with performance by The Finesse Band and more. Participants can enter the Tournament for just $350 through May 31. For more details or to obtain an entry form, call (904) 607-4224 or visit www.fishnsfa.com.

Top Green Golf Resort

Golf Digest has named Amelia Island Plantation one of its top 10 Green Golf resorts in 2008, the only golf course in Florida to receive the designation. In addition to this environmental selection - the first one in its history - the magazine also awarded the Amelia Island Plantation's courses its Silver Medal designation for the 13th Year in a row. To learn more about this designation, visit www.ameliaisland.org/pressreleases/GolfMagazineGreenGolf.pdf.

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Weddings on Amelia Island

There are few places on earth better suited to cater to lovebirds than Amelia Island. A place born of affection, Amelia Island's pristine Atlantic shoreline, Victorian-era architecture, soft sea breezes, and breathtaking scenery have long combined to create a beautiful backdrop for the romantically inclined. Not surprising then that Amelia is a favorite hostess for countless couples in search of the perfect destination wedding.

Summertime offers an especially spectacular setting for a beach wedding on the quartz sands of Amelia Island. Depending on the needs and wants of the bride and groom, the island has a venue for nuptials of every size and budget. Interested in a large and luxurious affair to tie the knot? Look no further than The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach or Amelia Island Plantation. For smaller, more intimate beach weddings, couples can experience a blissful day at Amelia Hotel at the Beach.

For weddings away from the sand, Amelia Island offers a diverse selection of wedding and reception options - the oak-shaded courtyard at the Florida House Inn, the wedding gazebo at the Hoyt House, or the gardens of the Williams House. Other popular options include Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, Ash Street Inn, Addison on Amelia, Best Western Inn at Amelia Island, and Hampton Inn & Suites.

The Amelia Island Tourist Development Council can help couples find the ideal location for their amazing island wedding. For more information, call 1-800-226-3542 or visit www.ameliaisland.org to view breathtaking images of the island.

New Oceanfront Accommodations on Amelia Island

Now open, the Seaside Amelia Inn is the island's newest accommodator. With 47 rooms, each uniquely decorated with plush sofas and a distinct ambiance, the Seaside Amelia Inn makes the most of its oceanfront location with a pool and rooftop sun area. The roof top area can also be used for parties of up to 30 guests. To learn more, call the Seaside Amelia Inn at 904-206-5300 or visit www.seasideameliainn.com. For a complete list of Accommodations on Amelia Island, visit www.ameliaisland.org.

Area Temperature Averages

	May	June	July
High	87	90	90
Lo	72	75	75

Upcoming Events

May 2-4	Shrimp Festival

May 16-18	Wild Amelia Nature Festival

May 30 - June 15	Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival

June 19-21	Nassau Sport Fishing Associations's Kingfish Tournament of Champions

Make sure to check out the list of upcoming events on Amelia Island.

Dining Spotlight: Surf's Up!

Whether you're in the mood for a light meal or a full course dining experience, take your appetite and high expectations to The Surf Restaurant & Bar. Such as a variety of menu items served in a casual beach atmosphere, The Surf specializes in delicious seafood and steaks. Specials keep things interesting, such as $6.95 Lobster Sundays and Wednesday Wing-It. The Surf menu includes Shrimp Bisque Ravioli, Black & Bleu Signature Steaks, Chili Cheeseburger, Créme Brulee Cheese Cake and many other local favorites. The friendly ambiance and kids menu, featuring chicken nuggets, mini corn dogs and grilled cheese, make the restaurant a hit for families as well. Guests can dine indoors or outside on the ocean view deck, offering nightly entertainment during season. The Surf is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. until late. To learn more about The Surf, visit www.thesurfonline.com or call 904-261-5711. And remember, Life Is Good at the Surf!