| Saint
Augustine has a colorful history, though this is not the place to recite
it in detail. Important to enjoying much of this unique city is knowing a little
about its founding. In the 16th Century, Spain and France were both trying
to grab whatever riches they could find from the 'New World'. The king of
Spain sent his top admiral, Don Pedro Menendez, to establish a settlement
on the coast of Florida from which he was to hunt down and eliminate any
and all pirates threatening the Spanish gold-carrying treasure fleets.
Because it was founded on St. Augustine's Holy Day 1565, this settlement
was named St. Augustine.
From then on, St.
Augustine was the target of plunderers, like the pirate John Davis, and
the plunderer hunters, like Sir Francis Drake, who seemed to find delight
in burning the town and killing the inhabitants. But grit won out and St.
Augustine survived. Today, St. Augustine is one of the most popular
tourist towns in Florida. Now you've just got to come on down and see why!
|
So what is there to do and see in St Augustine? Being a coastal town, there
is the usual boating, swimming, sunbathing and salt water fishing. The beach
is great and there is some 23 miles of it. The fishing is also great
—
and you can choose between deepwater or fishing from the pier. There are
many local guides ready to show you where and how to maximize your fun.
Then there is golf.
The world-famous World Golf Village (and the Hall of Fame) is here. Play
the Slammer & Squire course (designed by Bobby Weed) than test your
skill on the King and the Bear course (designed by Arnold Palmer and Jack
Nicklaus). For a list of public courses, see
Golf
in St Augustine.
You'll want to do a
little exploring. Ride the horse-drawn tram and see it sitting down or get
out your walking shoes and get up close. (St. Augustine is very small;
everything is just a short walk away. While you're exploring, check out
the shops. Every tourist town has its shops but you'll find the ones here
are a little different.
|
