June Happenings in St. Augustine

• Free Concert in the Plaza - Every Thursday Night 7:00 PM
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy this afternoon Memorial Day concert with a performance by the St. Augustine Jazz Society. No alcoholic beverages are permitted in the Plaza. Call for more information.
Music & Arts
Place: Plaza de la Constitucion,gazebo, btwn. King St. & Cathedral

• • Friday - June 4 - FREE First Friday Artwalk

What a night to be with your friends.  Free trolley up and down King Street where over 20 art galleries are inviting you in - most offering wine and snacks and all showing great art.  Most of the galleries are world class - what a great night and all at no cost to you.  

• Saturday June 5 - Historical Re-enactment of Drake's Raid
  Sir Frances Drake and his raiders return in an authentic re-creation of 1586 Sack of St. Augustine. The raid begins at 7:00 pm, however you can visit their encampment at Fountain of Youth Park to view their lifestyle, crafts, arms and armor from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. 

• Make your reservation early for the newest and largest St. Augustine Hostel - Private rooms available.

Upcoming music events, including 7/2 - REO Speedwagon,7/17 - Ringo Starr. 
Check the bottom of the page for a link to tickets and Amphitheatre information.

• Low Rates and a Comfortable Place to Stay so you can have an economical get away!  Don't you think you could use a fun weekend?

Gamble Rogers Folk Festival This Weekend

The Gamble Rogers Folk Festival was a huge hit last year with people coming from near and far for a wonderful weekend of music, food and fun. Make your reservations early.

• April 30, 2010 - Sunday, May 02, 2010

  Gamble Rogers Folk Festival 2010 - Downtown St. Augustine!

  Ralph Stanley & CMB, Loudon Wainright III, Greg Brown, Janis Ian, David Wilcox and over 70 more. Walk to all the Festival activities from Casa Yallaha.

• We fill up early for this event. Make your reservation early for the newest and largest St. Augustine Hostel Private rooms available.
  

Casa Yallaha Hostel is one of the best places to stay in St. Augustine.

There's a lot going on This Weekend -

• Friday, April 30 - African Drum and Dance Lessons

On Fridays come and for West African Drum and Dance Lessons - Call Christian for information at 904 - 540-8770

• Canon Firing at the Castillo de San Marcos - Plus 2nd Seminole War Re-Enactment (the fort in downtown St. Augustine)

Come experience a little piece of history as the cannons are fired every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout the year. Saturday and Sunday Indian re-enactors will present interpretations, displays and weapons demonstrations.

• Kayaking and Dolphins

  
  

  Marineland and the University of Florida's Whitney Lab along with Ripple Effect Ecotours will offer ecological kayak tours circumnavigating Jordon Island. Enjoy the panoramas of the Pellicer Creek, the Princess Place Preserve and Faver-Dykes State Park. A paddling clinic is offered at the beginning of each tour and no experience is needed. The cost is $50 per person, (ages six and older), which includes the tour, photos and admission into Marineland Dolphin Conservation Center. Call for reservations and more information.
  

Make your reservation online for the newest and largest St. Augustine Hostel

• April 30, May 1 & 2 - 8:30 PM - Dark of the Moon Tour - HAUNTED LIGHTHOUSE

Enter the lighthouse keeper's house and tower at night to hear paranormal tales

Call the St. Augustine Lighthouse for details - 904-829-0745

This Weekend - Jazz at the San Sebastian Wine

The San Sebastian Winery is just a few blocks from Casa Yallaha where you can take a tour with wine tasting or spend an evening enjoying live jazz, food and fun.

Make your reservation online for the newest and largest St. Augustine Hostel

Florida Birding & Fotofest this Weekend Plus More Fun Festivals

FLORIDA BIRDING & FOTOFEST Discover the region’s phenomenal bird life and the abundant natural habitats that sustain them with bird walks and boat and kayak trips to undisturbed areas. This event Featuring more than 110 exciting birding and outdoor photography events, the festival is guaranteed to excite nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Come Stay with Friends at Casa Yallaha - one of the most Affordable Places to Stay in St. Augustine. A TASTE OF ST. AUGUSTINE Savor the unique tastes of St. Augustine during this flavorful event that showcases more than 30 area restaurants' signature dishes. All the fun takes place at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, which will be transformed into a culinary marketplace offering the participating restaurants "signature tastes" as well as cookbooks, cooking equipment and other specialty food items. Throughout the afternoon and evening, restaurants are judged for the 'best of,' 'upscale dining', 'ethnic tastes', 'family dining', 'desserts', and 'The People's Choice Award'. Admission to the Taste of St. Augustine is $5 and taste tickets are $1 each with restaurants charging between 1 and 5 tickets per taste. Come Stay with Friends at Casa Yallaha - one of the most Affordable Places to Stay in St. Augustine ST. AUGUSTINE GARRISON AT FORT MOSE Experience living history demonstrations conducted by authentic colonial Spanish re-enactors from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fort Mose State Park located at 15 Fort Mose Trail in St. Augustine. Admission is $4 per vehicle or $2 for pedestrians or bicyclists. For more information, call 904.823.2232 Come Stay with Friends at Casa Yallaha - one of the most Affordable Places to Stay in St. Augustine HOME TOURS FOR THE ARTS The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) will host tours of four beautiful homes to raise funds for the Center's arts education programs. The tours, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., feature an ASID designer at each home who will answer questions about architectural features. Tour tickets are $30 each and may be purchased at the Cultural Center, located at 50 Executive Way, 904.280.0614. Come Stay with Friends at Casa Yallaha - one of the most Affordable Places to Stay in St. Augustine MUSIC AND HORSES AT THE MUSEUM The Florida Agricultural Museum will present a free "Open Jam" from 3- 6 p.m. featuring "Nothin' But Bluegrass and Gospel" music - all musicians are invited to participate. From 6-8 p.m., Cheryl Watson and the Watertown Band will perform (tickets are $5). Plus, beginning at 9:30 a.m., the Museum will feature a six-mile equestrian obstacle challenge and fundraiser. Riders will travel along trails to Princess Place and back. An awards ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. Entry fee is $25 for riders 18 and under; $35 for older. For information on the ride, call 386.437.3472. For details on the music event, call 386.446.7630. The Museum is located at 7900 Old Kings Road in Palm Coast. Come Stay with Friends at Casa Yallaha - one of the most Affordable Places to Stay in St. Augustine UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHT Uptown Saturday Night takes place 5 - 9 p.m. in the Uptown San Marco Shopping District, St. Augustine. Galleries, antique stores and unique shops between Ripley's Museum and the Mission of Nombre de Dios remain open during this special time. Meet the artists, book signings, live music, refreshments and other events contribute to the party-like atmosphere. The Mission of Nombre de Dios provides FREE PARKING for Uptown Saturday Night. The event is sponsored by the San Marco Avenue Merchants Association. Please call 904.824.3152 for more information. Come Stay with Friends at Casa Yallaha - one of the most Affordable Places to Stay in St. Augustine

Saturday and Sunday: April 24-25

SECOND SEMINOLE WAR Rangers, Native Americans and living-history volunteers will offer a glimpse at Florida's early territorial period. Presentations into the daily life of citizens; culture and life ways of the Seminole Indians; 19th century medicine; and the experience of the common U.S. Army soldier, will run from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine. Historic Weapons Demonstrations of early 19th century cannon and musket firings will also be given throughout the day. Call 904.829.6506, ext 233, Note: In recognition of National Park Service Week, admission to the Castillo de San Marcos will be free of charge throughout the weekend. Come Stay with Friends at Casa Yallaha - one of the most Affordable Places to Stay in St. Augustine

Sunday: April 25

ALICE IN CHAINS AT ST. AUGUSTINE AMPHITHEATRE Come hear the heavy metal and acoustic tunes from this Seattle-based rock band. The concert takes place at 7 p.m. at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre located at 1340 A1A in St. Augustine at 7 p.m. Tickets are $29.50 to $49.50. For more information call 904.471.1965 Come Stay with Friends at Casa Yallaha - one of the most Affordable Places to Stay in St. Augustine RUBBER DUCK RACE The Relay for Life of St. Augustine presents its 5th Annual Rubber Duck Race from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the St. Johns County Pier and Pavilion, 350 A1A Beach Boulevard, St. Augustine Beach. 904.307.6930

Reasons to Come to St. Augustine, FL

See What's Happening in St. Augustine this week: Boatbuilding Demonstration 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Event dates: From April 13th 2010 to April 15th 2010
Event Type: Exhibit

LAMP Boatworks – Traditional wooden boatbuilding at the Lighthouse, 9am to 12pm. Visitors are welcome to watch, ask questions, or lend a hand themselves under the direction of our volunteer boatbuilders.

Casa Yallaha Hostel is one of the best places to stay in St. Augustine.

Dark of the Moon - Haunted Lighthouse Tour this weekend

Event dates: From April 17th 2010 to April 18th 2010
Event Type: Special

Dark of the Moon paranormal after-hours tour.
8:30 - 10:30 p.m. $25 per person. $20 members and children 7-12.
Call 904-829-0745 to make a reservation.

Casa Yallaha Hostel is one of the most affordable places to stay in St. Augustine.

Canon Firing at the Castillo de San Marcos (the fort in downtown St. Augustine)

Come experience a little piece of history as the cannons are fired every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout the year.

St. Augustine Cruisers

The public is invited to this free event where you can see classics and street-rods on display. Music, door prizes and a 50/50 will also be part of this activity which is held on the 3rd Saturday of the month and is hosted by the St. Augustine Cruisers Car Club in the parking lot of the Ponce de Leon Mall.

Casa Yallaha Hostel is one of the most affordable places to stay in St. Augustine

First Friday Art Walk This Weekend in St. Augustine, FL

First Friday Art Walk

This Friday, April 2, and on the first Friday of every month, enjoy the latest art exhibits, music, entertainment and refreshments free at over 20 participating galleries. The walk begins at the Rembrandtz Gallery and St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains and Old Town Trolleys offer a complimentary shuttle service to most of the galleries.

Come Stay with Friends in a warm and inviting old Victorian home.

Make your reservation online for the newest, largest and most affordable accommodation - the St. Augustine Hostel Casa Yallaha.

We have dorm beds from $20 and private rooms from $35.

This Weekend - Jazz at the San Sebastian Wine

The San Sebastian Winery is just a few blocks from Casa Yallaha where you can take a tour with wine tasting or spend an evening enjoying live jazz, food and fun.

Come Stay with Friends in a warm and inviting old Victorian home.

Make your reservation online for the newest, largest and most affordable accommodation - the St. Augustine Hostel Casa Yallaha.

We have dorm beds from $20 and private rooms from $35.

St. Augustine's Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland

12:00p to 10:00p daily

at St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL

New additions to this year’s festival include the Blizzard Bounce House & the Elf Express Train as well as a New Theatre original production of “A Time for Everything”, thousands of additional lights, more decorations, more holiday scenes painted by local artists, and the most holiday cheer in Florida! read more

Come stay with friends at the St. Augustine Hostel, Casa Yallaha

• Ice Skating
• Ice Slide
• Visits from Santa (through 12/24)
• The Elf Village
• Lighted Nature Trails
• Theatre (Friday and Saturday nights)
• Blizzard Bounce
• Elf Express train rides
• SNOW!!
• Sleigh Rides

Come stay with friends at the St. Augustine Hostel, Casa Yallaha

Win a Trip from The Travel Channel

If you have ever wondered what it would be like to be a travel journalist, you'll want to enter to win The Travel Channels all-inclusive trip for 2 to their headquarters in Washington, DC.

Get Information from The Travel Channel on their Travel Bug Sweepstakes.

Traveling in Florida? Come to America's oldest city, St. Augustine. Come Stay With Friends and stay at the St. Augustine Hostel Casa Yallaha.

America's oldest city Celebrates its 444th Birthday

Starting September 3rd through September 5th, St. Augustine, Florida, our Nation's Oldest City, will celebrate its 444th Birthday.

There will be a Free concert in the town square on the 3rd followed by Free Cake for everyone in attendance.

Plus, there will be re-enactments, cooking contests and a variety of activities to celebrate the event.

It will be a wonderful place to be for very little cost.

Planning to attend, stay with friends at The St. Augustine Hostel, Casa Yallaha.

How to Make Traveling with Kids Easier

You can make traveling with kids enjoyable if you include some of these time tested techniques that keep kids from getting bored.

• Make sure to bring games, small fun toys and books


• Pack food and snacks


• Stop often at rest areas and parks where kids can run and play


• Visit fun places along the way
  

Here's something that worked for us.

When my son was young we bought him a variety of games and toys specifically made smaller for travel. We had him pack these into a special travel bucket he was only allowed to play with on trips. We added new items to the bucket each year. After a few years he had quite a collection.

He loved his special bucket and really looked forward to discovering new things to play with as well as rediscovering old favorites from previous years. He would be entertained for hours.

When stopping for the night, try staying at a Hostel. Hostels are terrific as a place to stay when traveling with kids. They usually have private rooms with shared living areas where kids can play games and watch movies. Hostels give them much more to do and much more room to move around.

In St. Augustine, FL you can stay at the kid friendly hostel, The St. Augustine Hostel Casa Yallaha

Wall Street Journal Article on Top Travel Deals

The Wall Street Journal has information on some great travel deals you can only get today!

Hurray, Business and Pleasure Travelers check out the article and see if it is something you can take advantage of.

http://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2009/07/14/eye-popping-travel-sales-free-international-tickets-18-rooms-at-a-luxury-hotel/

When you are finished reading the article, check out the deals available in St. Augustine, Florida at the St. Augustine Hostel, Casa Yallaha.

Ways to Save When Traveling in Europe

There are lots of deals on flights and hotels in Europe this summer but, if you really want to save money while traveling, consider staying at a hostel.

Several thousand hostels provide beds and rooms throughout Europe — in cities, towns, and the countryside for $20 to $40+ per night.

Hostels come in all shapes and sizes, and some are sightseeing destinations in themselves. There are castles in Bacharach, Germany, moored ships in Stockholm, alpine chalets in Gimmelwald, Switzerland, huge modern buildings in Frankfurt, lakefront villas in Lugano, Italy, former prisons in Ljubljana, Slovenia, medieval manor houses in Wilderhope Manor, England, former choirboys’ dorms in St. Paul’s, London, country estates in Loch Lomond, Scotland, and former royal residences in Holland Park, London, just to name a few.

Hosteling is different from staying in a lonely hotel. It is very much like going to visit and stay with friends. You give up privacy for a chance to meet travelers from all over the world. Some make friends for life, gain travel buddies and love hosteling so much they chose hostels over hotels. If you're not one who enjoys meeting and sharing with others, hosteling may not be for you.

Vancouver to Whistler a Fabulous Inexpensive Trip

Reality shows have caught America's and no doubt the world's eye. Seeing people in strange situations is interesting to a lot of us.

I find the Bachelor and Bachelorette shows particularly interesting because they put a group of same sex people in a house all battling to win the affections and grand prize - the one opposite sex person. My love of sociology finds this mix very entertaining.

If you are like me and you watched the Bachelorette this week you saw them take a train ride from Vancouver to Whistler in Canada's Britsh Columbia. The scenery was stunning and it looked like a trip I would love to take.

I saw how the train hugs the oceanfront, winds through mountain canyons and climbs the steep grades of the British Columbia Coast Mountains for an endless array of breathtaking views.

So I did some research and found the trip is relatively inexpensive. For $199 you can take a day trip from Vancouver to Whistler and back. The train leaves Vancouver before 8 am and you are in Whistler before noon. Spend some time in Whistler then back on the train and back to Vancouver, or you can spend more time in Whistler and stay at a hotel for a few days before heading back to Vancouver.

Whistler has a wide variety of summer activities, from a sightseeing gondola ride to a mountaintop restaurant to an alpine hike with 360 degree views; from a bear viewing tour to a glacier walk; from a day in a mountain bike park to an afternoon of mini golf, there is an activity with just the right amount of adventure to suit just about anyone.

This sounds like a great trip. I am not affiliated with any travel agencies, so if you are interested, just google "Vancouver to Whistler" for information and tickets.

If like me you find yourself on the other side of this continent, why not stop in at the St. Augustine Hostel, Casa Yallaha, and enjoy our nations oldest city.

A Great Place to Go on the Cheap

Imagine miles of uncrowded beach, lots of historic sites, fantastic restaurants and interesting museums and art galleries. That's just some of what you will find in St. Augustine, FL.

St. Augustine is Americas oldest continuous settlement and a hidden gem for vacationers. The City has done a remarkable job preserving its history while remaining a great Florida vacation spot.

Stroll down cobblestone streets and browse the quaint shops. Take a trolley tour or horse drawn buggy ride through the historic district where you will see exquisite Spanish architecture and beautifully preserved buildings from days gone by.

Chain restaurants are not allowed in the Historic district so the restaurants are all unique and top quality as they compete with each other to our benefit.

St. Augustine has been named one of the most walkable cities in America. If you want to have that home-town feel again, just come to the Plaza on Thursday nights with your lounge chair for free music and fun.

Don't miss spending time in St. Augustine this summer. It is a gem vacation spot you can enjoy on the Cheap.

travel

What's Better, Reviews by Guests or Travel Writers?
There are two different types of hotel reviews: user reviews and professional reviews from travel journalists. When choosing a place to stay look at both. Sometimes hotels will cater to journalists and their opinion may be skewed, unless they stay anonymously.

Hostels, The Best Places to Stay When Traveling on a Budget

Europeans have known for years the joys of staying at Hostels for a fun and inexpensive way to stretch their travel dollars. After decades of popularity in Europe, hostelling has become the newest travel craze in America.

For those who do not know what a hostel is; by definition, a Hostel is a supervised, inexpensive lodging place for travelers. You can buy a private room or a bed in a dormitory. Living areas are shared. There is usually a live-in owner or house manager to help when you need it. It is a wonderful alternative to more expensive hotels and motels.

Hostelling started in Germany to give city kids a chance to see the countryside. Soon hostels spread across Europe gaining in popularity with young people as a safe way to have a bed, shower plus security as they backpacked through Europe. Staying at a hostel was a great way to meet other young people from around the world. Making new friends was easy, since travelers stayed in dormitory rooms in bunk beds, sharing the kitchen, living areas and bathrooms.

Hostels began to spring up in the United States as Americans who enjoyed their European hostel experience brought the idea home.

Today's hostels are no longer just for the young. Most hostels give travelers a choice of private rooms with or without a private bath, or a bunk bed in a dormitory sharing a bath. Dormitory rooms can be female only, male only or mixed. As a result, families with children, singles, couples and retirees have all discovered hostels as a great way to stretch their travel budget. Some hostels specialize in providing travel services just for seniors. "Elder Hostels" have become very popular with seniors on a fixed income who want to travel, learn and socialize.

In today's tough economy, our travel budgets have decreased along with our bank accounts and retirement accounts. Hostels give travelers a chance to get away for a few days or take that family vacation without 'breaking the bank". While prices vary from place to place and season to season, dormitory beds typically cost from $15 to $22.00 per night, and private rooms range from $30.00 to $60.00 and up per night, depending on the room and number of people in the group. Reservations are recommended, but most hostels welcome walk-in traffic.

When you think about what you do on vacation, are you normally looking for an interesting city, attraction or beach to enjoy? Do you plan to fill your days exploring, shopping, eating and having fun? At night are you tired and just need a safe, clean, quiet and comfortable place to sleep? Then hostelling is for you.

American hostels must be licensed in their state and provide security locks in all the rooms. Hostels are usually located in residential areas within walking distance to the area attractions. When you stay at a hostel, other guests, neighbors and employees are happy to fill you in on the best places to see and great places to eat. Best of all, local businesses will typically supply the hostel with plenty of discount coupons for restaurants, bike rentals, museums and local attractions.