Vilano Beach and St. Augustine Tours, Florida

Tucked away in a serene coastal enclave, Vilano Beach boasts a pristine Atlantic coastline and a quaint fishing pier extending into the Tolomato River. The area is peppered with laid-back beach cafes, pizzerias, and a welcoming marina, all keeping company with the iconic Bluebird of Happiness, a tastefully restored relic of yesteryear. Traipsing through the marshlands near the Francis and Mary Usina Bridge, the Vilano Beach Nature Boardwalk unveils stunning mosaic depictions of the local fauna.

St. Augustine transforms into a veritable wonderland during the Nights of Lights festival. The 30th incarnation of this annual spectacle bathes the historical district in the glow of over three million luminaries for a two-month period.

This celebrated illumination festivity spans from Saturday, November 23, 2024, to January 26, 2025, amidst the venerable outskirts of St. Augustine. Amidst the festive period, downtown establishments extend their hours, offering culinary delights with a side of luminous vistas and the opportunity to meander through quaintly adorned boutiques.

Forego the downtown hustle and clamber aboard the White Pelican for an unmatched view of the Intracoastal Waterway. Red Boat Tours curates a diverse array of nautical adventures, from dolphin spotting jaunts and BYOB sunset voyages to enchanting full moon sails.

The festivities kick-off at 4:00 p.m. with Showtime USA enchanting the crowd with an assortment of festive tunes in front of St. Augustine's City Hall, 75 King Street. By 5:30 p.m., the All Star Orchestra brings to life the nostalgic big band and swing melodies in the festive splendor at Plaza de la Constitución Gazebo. The lighting ceremony, igniting at 6:30 p.m. in the Plaza, heralds the Nights of Lights celebration, casting a radiant glow over the city, with the musical enchantment resuming post-ceremony till 7:30 p.m.

This local winter festivity sees St. Augustine's historic downtown businesses and residents alike illuminating their premises in a communal display of festive spirit. Selected by National Geographic in 2011 and 2012 as one of the world's top ten holiday lighting displays, this spectacle continues to captivate increasing numbers of global vacationers each year.

Moreover, gliding beside a school of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins, making their abode in St Augustine, proves an exhilarating yet tranquil experience, even for the seasoned crew partaking in it daily. Observing these majestic creatures maneuvering in perfect harmony, oftentimes in groupings ranging from duos to decuples, occasionally with young ones in tow, is truly mesmerizing. The chance encounter, particularly during their feeding times, might even offer a spectacle of them leaping spectacularly up to 6-8 feet in the air! Although encountering these magnificent marine dwellers is left to chance (96% success rate), the voyage guarantees sights to behold and tales to regale.