Passports from the Heart

The King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort in St Simons Island, Georgia

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FTC Disclosure *I was offered a complimentary visit to the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort as part of a Press Trip however all opinions are my own. No other compensation was received.*

In May I had the opportunity to visit the historic King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort in St Simons Island, Georgia. What a beauty this place is with a story to tell.  The King and Prince dates back to the early 1900s and wasn’t always a resort. In it’s beginning days it was intended as a private club which was later destroyed by arson. After numerous renovations, the King and Prince opened it’s doors to the public in 1941 but soon closed to be occupied by the Navy during World War II.

Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the King and Prince has gone through many changes over the last 80 years. One thing that’s for sure, there’s a reason this resort is a favorite among so many. With beautiful accommodations, oceanfront dining, and a host of amenities everything you need for a perfect vacation is right at your fingertips.

The resort has an array of accommodations including the Oceanfront Building, Oleander Building, Historic building, Beach Villas, and Resort Residences (with up to five bedrooms!).

In addition to a stunning outdoor pool, tennis courts, a fitness facility, and the Royal Treatment Cottage the King and Prince also has a stunning award winning golf course that overlooks lakes, lagoons, and tidal marshlands.

Chef James Flack will not disappoint you at the resort restaurant ECHO. Our dining experience was superior from presentation to quality. During one of our 5 course dinners we enjoyed this small plate of Smoked Sea Scallops, Lemon Curd, and GA Caviar which was paired with Drew Barrymore’s Carmel Road Winery Pinot Grigio.

This grilled Georgia Peach with Foie Creme Fraiche, Pickled Blueberries, Summer Greens, and Maple Pecan Dressing was one of my favorites!

The King and Prince has won a plethora of awards. It has received the Certificate of Excellence Award from TripAdvisor for 7 years straight and in the past year won awards from Hotels.com, Family Vacation Critic, Elegant Island, and Open Table. One unique award was given to ECHO’s awesome bartender Chad. While checking out ECHO, make sure to order ‘The Chad’ a twist on a White Russian named after it’s creator, of course. This cocktail using coffee infused dixie vodka won the Inaugural Coastal Stir Cocktail Challenge at The St Simons Island Food + Spirits Festival. Find the recipe HERE. 

                                                         Photo provided by the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort 

I’ve traveled the world and seen the sun rise and set in some of the most remarkable places. The sunrises and sunsets in St Simons Island are truly unforgettable. I can assure you that it’s worth waking up early for this bit of Heaven.

How does the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort ‘Give Back’? 

  • Two Tesla charging stations for guest use
  • Recycling of cardboard and paper in all staff areas.
  • Recycling of batteries
  • Recycling of ink cartridges
  • Eco-friendly disposal of fluorescent light bulbs
  • Cloth hand towels provided in public restrooms to reduce paper waste
  • Donation of discarded linens to local charities
  • Donation of outdated historical print materials to local schools
  • Usage of eco-friendly cleaning products for the vast majority of our general cleaning needs
  • Implementation of towel and linen re-use program in our guest rooms
  • Implementation of microfiber cleaning system
  • In-room recycling equipped with bio-degradable, eco-friendly bags.
  • Membership in the Clean the World Program
  • Utilization of low-flow shower heads and toilets
  • Recycling options for both plastic and aluminum in-room and throughout the hotel.

 

Interested in booking a romantic getaway or family holiday?

Check out -> http://www.kingandprince.com/booking.aspx

 

Twenty Seven Waterfalls of Rio Damajagua

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During my recent visit to Puerto Plata I had the chance to join a few of my fellow travel bloggers on a trip to the 27 Waterfalls of Rio Damajagua.

I have to admit I was quite nervous when I first started researching the falls. This was a tour that includes hiking, sliding, and cliff jumping that requires a helmet and vest. That sounds terrifying. But, I’m always up for a challenge and this was one opportunity I could not pass up.

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I put together a few of my favorite GoPro clips (which was attached right above my chest) as this tells the story far beyond my words.  My favorite thing about these clips are the pure happiness on everyone’s faces. I am pretty sure we all had the times of our lives.

 This was by far one of my greatest adventures. My heart was racing the entire time but my smile never left my face.  I experienced this moment with my son and great people from across the U.S. Shoutout to those who braved the falls with me. You are all amazing!

Howard Blount of Backroad Planet

Amanda Taylor of Survival Guide for the Working  Mom

Carl and Christina of Duke Stewart Writes

Jesica Helgren of The Mommy Bunch

and of course to my son.

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I’d like to add that this was a hidden gem up until 1994 when the first tourists visited the falls. This quickly built a business for the men of Puerto Plata. In 2005, an agreement was signed to insure a portion of every entrance fee would be provided directly to the surrounding community. An adventure that gives back!!

 

 

Stepping Out into the Unknown

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Born in Georgia and raised in Alabama, I’ve been a Southern Belle from the start. While I have always loved “yes m’am”, “please”, and “thank you”, I long desired to leave my small town and see the world. I grew up in a town where everyone called you by name. The summers, while extremely hot, were full of memories of the annual Peach Parade, Peach Pageant, and Peach Auction. We were known for peaches. We even had a water tower shaped like a peach, which we affectionately referred to as “the big butt”. I can look back now and appreciate those memories but I must admit during that time I wanted to be anywhere but there.

I longed to travel the world and experience new cultures. I always had the feeling that I belonged somewhere else, like I was missing a puzzle piece.  At the age of 19, I finally had the courage to move away. My first stop of many was Chattanooga, TN. Why? I’m not quite sure other than it was larger than the town I was from yet not the biggest culture shock. Maybe I was working up to the ‘big move’. I know it was difficult for my family to watch me leave. While I am sure they believed in me, they told me they knew I’d be back. Everyone always seemed to return to our little town. I now think this was their way of comforting themselves. There was no turning back for me.

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Since that first move, I have lived in Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. I guess when you look at it I’m still quite a southern girl. I spent five months on the road for a client working as a tour manager traveling all over the mid west and west in 2008. We covered about 20 states total. During this road trip, I saw the pure beauty our country holds. Places that I would never think to visit such as South Dakota, Idaho, Iowa, among others quickly became some of my favorite places to date.

 

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While living in the Carolinas, I met my husband. I always told my mother while growing up that I would marry Prince William. I was fascinated by the Royals. It is funny how life works because I did in fact marry an Englishman and he’s most certainly my Prince. He is well traveled and has experienced cultures from all over. His stories give me a greater desire to see the world from my own eyes.

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I had the opportunity to go to England twice within the last year. This was incredible as my travel has been limited for quite some time. Parenthood doesn’t always allow a “fly by the seat of your pants” mentality. I was able to experience places such as London but also small villages like Bishops Lydeard and Mevagissey. These are the places I’m drawn to, small and unknown locations to the majority. This has only sparked my desire to travel even more. During the holidays, we took our children to the U.K. for seventeen days. Sharing new parts of the world with my children will be memories forever etched into the fabric of my mind.

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Now that our children are a little bit older, I can follow my passions of travel and philanthropy. Next month I’ll be returning to Atlanta and in November I’ll make my third trip to London in a year and a half. I will also take my first trip to Punta Cana in December and then next summer I will visit Sweden. I am bursting with excitement of the memories that I will make on a personal level and the memories I will make with my family.

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It’s been many years since I’ve lived in small town Alabama. With each new trip and each new experience I am thankful I stepped out into the unknown so many years ago. However, every time I walk past a basket of peaches I take a moment to think of old memories and appreciate old southern charm.

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