Meet your TourTime guide at 8:30 AM then at 9:00 AM board the deluxe motorcoach. We will then head for Amelia Island taking A1A known as the birding trail with a stop at the Kingsley Plantation and American Beach. We call it island hopping by motorcoach. From Ft. George island, Little Talbot and Big Talbot Island to Amelia Island. Have your cameras ready.
Here is some history of Amelia Island:
In 1562 French explorer Jean Ribault named it the Isle of May,. In 1736 Gov. James Oglethorpe sailed south beyond the shores of Cumberland island. Here he found this most beautiful island. With the smell of blossoming orange trees and the blue white harbor he thought this had to be Georgia. He named the Island Amelia. All names before this where canceled. Even the Spanish called it Amelia.
Amelia Sophia Eleanora was born June 10, 1710, the 3rd daughter of King George II. Like the Legacy of her Island name sake, Princes Amelia’s own life story is one of extremes.
Princess Amelia was in love with her cosine Crown Prince of Prussia (a state in Germany) The future Frederick the great. This was a love that was not meant to be. You’ll hear more about her on the tour.
From 1807 to 1878, Amelia Island was known as the "Spanish Hussy"? Five blocks in Old Town, named Ladies' Promenade, housed 50 saloons and bordellos ( no longer standing).
So it is easy to say that “Amelia Island was founded by the French, named by the English, and tamed by the Americas”.
Homes on this Island date back as far as 1800. We will get to drive by some of the most unusual homes and businesses. The Palace Saloon was the last tavern in the country to close during Prohibition. It took more than two years to deplete its supply of spirits. In contrast, it was the first hard liquor bar in Florida to sell Coca-Cola.
Also Fairbanks Folly : Mayor Fairbank had this house built for his wife in 1885. It is an Italian style house. painted green and yellow with rosy red trim. The inside had the same colors. Mrs. Fairbanks would not move in! Come hear about these and more stories of this colorful island. Lunch is on your own with free time for shopping.
