by Adele Woodyard
Halloween. Thanksgiving. Christmas. In Florida, the next three months end the year with holiday “specials” that can be for a day to a week of fun in the sun. We’ll begin with a couple of additions to the day devoted to ghosts and witches (see the Sept. 26 blog Why Wait For Halloween?)
Friday, October 21 take a lantern lit tour of Cracker Country with costumed storytellers who tell
hear Florida Tall Tales
Florida Tall Tales. The legends and stories from the state’s early days that embrace pioneer, Seminole and African-American culture, start at 6 p.m. $7 adult, $6 seniors and ages 6-12, 5 and under Free. Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa. Reservations required. http://www.crackercountry.org/programs/discoverthepast/florida-tall-tales
A Haunted Scavenger Hunt, Mummy Wrap contest and Ghoulish Tie-Dye are some of the Great Pumpkin of a Deal offerings at the Orlando World Center Marriott Hotel. The special package for Florida residents starts at $164/per night, includes breakfast buffet for two adults and two kids under 12, and runs through Jan. 3, 2012. http://www.marriott.com
Amelia Island is so gung-ho for Thanksgiving and Christmas specials, this blog only has room for three. For many more, click on http://hoythouse.com http://www.omniislandplantation.com http://www.ameliavacations.com and http://www.ameliaisland.com/free .
Addison on Amelia’s Thanksgiving package includes breakfast, daily happy hour, a two-hour river cruise of Cumberland Sound, lunch and a traditional turkey dinner, for $225 plus room rate. The Bed, Breakfast and Christmas Bliss package has a lunch buffet but sends you to Lulu’s at Thompson House for dinner. http://www.addisononamelia.com
Amelia Island Williams House offers a Thanksgiving Getaway starting at $145 + room, and a two-night stay at $418 that includes two tickets to the Holiday Cookie Tour Nov.19. Other extras are a carriage tour of downtown Fernandina Beach and afternoon tea. The Victorian Christmas package adds a Xmas Goodie basket and buffet to their three-night stay that starts at $795. http://www.williamshouse.com
The Fairbanks House Make-Me-Over package would be a great Xmas gift for any woman in your life. What female could resist such goodies as a spa manicure and pedicure, or hair, make-up, new outfit in a complete make-over add-on package beginning at $250? Another non-holiday offering is a Romance package with special winter rates from Nov. 1, 2011-Jan. 31, 2012 Two to seven nights start at $425 for two, room included with gourmet breakfasts, evening social hour and dinners at fine restaurants. http://www.fairbankshouse.com
For golfers, a pre-Christmas present could be a night or two in GreenLinks Golf Villas at Lely Resort, Naples. It’s $199 per person when three golfers share a 2-bedroom villa during their Fall Golf package that runs through Dec. 23. Finish off two rounds of golf with dinner la francais at the Bamboo Cafe, 239-595-7002. 1-888-992-2099. http://www.greenlinksnaples.com
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