Ripple Effect Ecotours, St. Augustine, FL

A Close Encounter of the Kayak Kind

by Judyth Piazza | March 12, 2010

As summer approaches, I decided to get out and explore some of the wondrous sights Mother Nature has bestowed upon St. Augustine, so I headed off to Marineland Dolphin Conservation Center, where I joined Chris Kelly, lead guide and owner of Ripple Effect Ecotours for a two-hour close encounter of the Kayak kind. 

Paddling along with Chris, I was able to get up close and personal with several different species …

Flagler College, St. Augustine, FL

Surveying the Scholastic Landscape in St. Augustine

by Judyth Piazza | March 11, 2010

Flagler College is located in downtown St. Augustine, next to the Atlantic Ocean, 35 miles south of Jacksonville and 55 miles north of Daytona Beach. The college is named after Henry Morrison Flagler who was an American tycoon as well as a railroad pioneer.  Flagler was also partners with John D. Rockefeller in the Standard Oil Company. 

The College was originally the Hotel Ponce de Leon, which was built by Flagler and …

The Market on Granada, St. Augustine, Florida

Tasty Treats Await in St. Augustine

by Judyth Piazza | February 27, 2010

Mark and Kerrianne Constant opened The Market on Granada after selling The Kenwood Inn, a bed and breakfast which they owned and operated for 20 years.  

“Kerrianne and I saw a need for quick and convenient shopping in the downtown area,” says Mark. 

The Constants wanted to bring classy and convenient shopping to the downtown area in St. Augustine located on Granada Street, right next to Hot Shot Bakery and across …

St. Augustine Crabbing Tour, St. Augustine, Florida

The Friendliest Adventure in St. Augustine

by Judyth Piazza | February 27, 2010

“Everybody that's crabbed ... has got a story to tell.” - Nick Furman

It’s time to put on your oilers and head out on the water to do some crabbing with St. Augustine’s “Friendliest Catch” the St. Augustine Crabbing Tour.  This tour is one of the newest tours in St. Augustine hosted by Mike and Nancy Ranquette who will take you aboard their 25 ft. Sea Hawk which allows guests to not only observe …

Travel Guide to St. Augustine, Florida

Why you should visit St. Augustine, Florida

by Judyth Piazza | February 19, 2010

“In times long ago it is said, that we walk side by side with the dead” — Edgar Allen Poe

St. Augustine, Florida is America’s oldest and most haunted city. Its unique and often-turbulent history has spawned more than four hundred years’ worth of shadowy figures as well as historical lodging and dining destinations. According to local legend, there are numerous ghosts and things that go bump in the night.

To soak in the best the …

Hot Shot Bakery, St. Augustine, FL

The Duchess of Datil Vanquishes the Competition

by Judyth Piazza | February 09, 2010

When visiting St. Augustine and searching out something tasty and sweet, Hot Shot Bakery is the perfect location.  Hot Shot offers a collection of culinary delights fit for a queen, such as hot panini sandwiches, fresh baked cupcakes, cookies, and quiches, as well as tasty ice cream treats and smoothies. A fan favorite is the “Leon,” which is a hot ham and swiss panini with cranberry mustard and a splash of fresh honey.   

Hot Shot …

St. Augustine’s Haunted Pub Tour, St. Augustine, Florida

Do Some Shots with the Spirits in America’s Most Haunted Pubs

by Judyth Piazza | February 07, 2010

“Each night is a novel experience, and what will happen is unpredictable” – Jonas Brihammar 

Do you want to do some shots with the spirits in America’s most haunted city?  If so, check out St. Augustine’s Haunted Pub Tour. For those of you that are interested in the paranormal and looking for something exciting to do, then this is the tour for you. 

Once you’ve booked your tour at

2nd Annual Harvest of Hope Fest, St. Augustine, FL

HOH Bringing Hope to St. Augustine for the 2nd Year

by Judyth Piazza | January 29, 2010

“Be angry about injustice! Use your skills to make the world a better place.” - Duke University, 1983

The Harvest of Hope Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by Phil and Ed Kellerman. These two brothers used their grandmother Dr. Helen Zand’s inheritance to create the foundation to provide aid to migrant farm workers to make the world a better place. “We wanted to help migrant workers with real grass-roots kinds of things,” said …

St. Francis Inn, St. Augustine, FL

A Historical Haunted Hideaway

by Judyth Piazza | January 25, 2010

"In times long ago it is said, that we walk side by side with the dead" -- Edgar Allen Poe 

St. Augustine, Florida, is America`s oldest, and some say its most haunted, city. Its unique and often-turbulent history has spawned more than four hundred years' worth of shadowy figures. According to local legend, there are numerous ghosts and things that go bump in the night.

The St. Francis Inn Bed & Breakfast is the …

St. Augustine Eco Tours, St Augustine, FL

A Most Awesome Eco Adventure

by Judyth Piazza | January 25, 2010

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.   - Ralph Waldo Emerson 

When searching for something beautiful, one needs to look no further than St. Augustine, Florida.  St. Augustine is not just another pretty face; it is made up of a combination of adventure, wildlife and water resulting in a perfect mix of the elements that is sure to inspire the most expert as well …