Our spotlight on St. Augustine, Florida continues this week with golf and restaurant reviews by our members.  Take a look at last week’s Vacation Exchange Network Blog for posts about sights to see and things to do in St. Augustine and vacation homes available for swap in St. Augustine.

Golf and Restaurant Reviews by The Vacation Exchange Network Members

Our members’ St. Augustine golf course picks:

St. Johns Golf & Country Club is located between St. Augustine and Jacksonville, Florida and offers extraordinary golf.  The 18-hole Clyde Johnston-designed course has the right challenges for novice and avid golfers alike.  A great place to hone your skills, St. Johns is known for its consistent quality of service and conditions, being nationally ranked for customer satisfaction and loyalty by the National Golf Foundation, and host to the PGA TOUR Qualifying School in 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008.

Cimarrone Golf in Jacksonville should not be missed.  Cimarrone’s manicured course conditions and challenging design provides a fun, player-friendly experience for golfers of all abilities.

King & Bear Golf Course in World Golf Village is named for its co-designers, World Golf Hall of Fame members Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.   Wide fairways, top-notch conditioning.  Not to be missed!

These restaurants have gotten rave reviews by our members:

O.C. White’s Restaurant:  If sightseeing downtown, O.C. Whites is a good choice for lunch or dinner.  Offering fresh local seafood, it is located in a historic building.  Music in the patio area in the evening creates a fun atmosphere to spend part of an evening.

Pusser’s Bar and Grill in Ponte Vedra Beach (a short drive north of St. Augustine) is a great spot.  Try the fish and chips.  You won’t be sorry.

Ocean 60 (in Atlantic Beach) is a trendy spot with great food.  You’d think you were  in SOHO in New York City.  Be sure and make a reservation because it’s a very popular spot.  Located in a very cute little area that’s perfect for taking a walk after dinner.

Benito’s:  There were so many good restaurants in the area, but for wonderful Italian food, don’t miss Benito’s.  Located in Vilano Beach (a section of St. Augustine), the food at this very unassuming spot is terrific.  On top of wonderful food, the prices are very reasonable.  Over a two week period, we ate here four times.

Columbia Restaurant:  This Spanish restaurant on St. George Street serves wonderful food with atmosphere.  Indoor patio is stunning.  Don’t miss the Scallops Casimiro.

Aunt Kate’s is a casual spot with great food and reasonable prices.  The fried shrimp is terrific.

Salt Water Cowboy’s is not fancy but has a pleasant atmosphere; good food with a southern flair and good value. For those with a daring streak, try the fried alligator.  Of course, be sure and try the fried chicken.

The Vacation Exchange Network is always looking for restaurant, golf, attraction, and destination reviews.  Please share yours in the comments section below, or if you are a member, please email us with your reviews.

The Vacation Exchange Network

Unmatched in the home exchange industry, The Vacation Exchange Network is the vacation home owner’s first stop in vacation planning.   Swap a stay in your vacation home for a stay anywhere in the United States or around the world, without the necessity of having to find someone who wants to use your home. Please visit The Vacation Exchange Network’s main site for more information about how home swaps work or to become a member and start planning your next home exchange vacation!

This St. Augustine Florida Vacation Home Available for Home Swap with The Vacation Exchange Network

St. Augustine, Florida Has Something to Offer Everyone

Founded in 1565 by Spanish settlers, St. Augustine is the oldest continually occupied European settlement in the United States.  It was born as a military outpost and, at various times, was home to Spanish colonists, Catholic missionaries, escaped slaves, and Minorcan settlers.  The city was a winter resort for wealthy Americans in the late 1800s and played a role in the civil rights struggle with a campaign led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

St. Augustine’s long and rich history is reflected in its unique architecture and city plan.  Visitors can learn more by visiting the Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum where several structures have been restored and re-enactors  bring visitors back to the 1740s.  Simply strolling the city’s narrow, old world streets and being amongst the Spanish-style homes and various other notable sights will also bring history to life.

For visitors looking beyond the city’s history, this unique vacation destination will not disappoint.  For golfers, St. Augustine boasts the World Golf Hall of Fame and championship golf courses to match.  For those looking for a distinctive adventure, you won’t believe The St. Augustine Alligator Farm and its zoological park.  For vacationers longing to relax and perhaps find some seashells, the beaches of St. Augustine and the surrounding towns are among the best in Florida.   And the St. Augustine Lighthouse surely won’t disappoint.

Thursday evenings are a night out for adults and kids alike, as tourists and locals gather at the St. Augustine Plaza for outdoor Concerts in the Plaza.  Concerts are every Thursday from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

For even more information on all St. Augustine has to offer, take a look at a great blog tailor-made for St. Augustine visitors at The St. Augustine Travel Guide.

What better way to visit St. Augustine than with a home exchange?

The Vacation Exchange Network has many beautiful homes available for swap in St. Augustine and the surrounding area.    Visit The Vacation Exchange Network’s blog tomorrow, or visit The Vacation Exchange Network’s main site to explore all of our home exchange opportunities across the United States and around the world.

To learn more about how home swaps work or to join The Vacation Exchange Network, please visit us at www.thevacationexchange.com.

We’d love to hear about your favorite spots in St. Augustine.  Please comment below.

This South Lake Tahoe CA vacation home is available for home exchange with The Vacation Exchange Network. Stunning mountain views, covered porches, and two fireplaces make this the perfect home for your next Lake Tahoe vacation.

In Lake Tahoe, California this week, April (Snow) Showers Bring May Flowers Happy Spring Skiers

Spring skiers in Lake Tahoe, California are enjoying the powdery conditions of mid-April snow.  In North Lake Tahoe, ski areas Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, and Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe are all reporting powder.  Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort is reporting packed powder.  Kirkwood Ski Resort in South Lake Tahoe is also reporting powder — 25 inches in the past 48 hours!

In addition to the April snow and the spring weather, many of these resorts are running specials on their lift tickets.  Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe’s spring skiing daily lift tickets are only $29!  Whether your skiing looks more like Bode Miller’s or my six-year-old’s, spring skiing in Lake Tahoe will certainly offer you gorgeous conditions, unbeatable weather, and unforgettable views.

Lake Tahoe Home Exchange

The Vacation Exchange Network has many North Lake Tahoe home exchanges and South Lake Tahoe home swaps, as well as many other California vacation homes available for home exchange.  To spotlight a few:

North Lake Tahoe California Vacation Home with Wrap-Around Deck

This vacation home in North Lake Tahoe boasts a stone fireplace and a wrap-around deck.  Three bedrooms and a loft sleep 8.  Squaw Valley, Northstar, and Alpine Meadows ski areas are all within minutes.

Lake Tahoe Cabin with Open Floor Plan and Access to Private Marina

This 3-bedroom vacation home on Donner Lake offers boat launch, private marina, and easy access to ski and golf.  Open floor plan and large wrap-around porch will make your vacation home exchange unforgettable.

South Lake Tahoe Vacation Home on Shore of Lake Tahoe Available for Home Swap

This luxury 5,000 square foot four-level vacation home on the shore of Lake Tahoe boasts a private beach and a deck with a stunning view.  Located close to Lake Tahoe ski areas, this 4-bedroom, 5-bath home with a gourmet kitchen will certainly make you feel right at home.

We’d love to hear your feedback!  How are the ski conditions in Tahoe?  Do you have a favorite ski resort or any restaurants or shops to recommend?

Your Next Golf Vacation Could be a Home Exchange

Time for a spring golf tune-up?

The Myrtle Beach area boasts over 100 golf courses, including some of the most challenging and beautiful golf courses in the country.  If your clubs are just aching to get out on the course, consider Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  Award-winning courses abound, including those by world-famous architects Robert Trent Jones, Pete Dye, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, and Tom Fazio.

Average spring temperatures in Myrtle Beach range from the high sixties in March to the low eighties in May, making for perfect golf weather.  Myrtle Beach is part of the Grand Strand, 60 miles of white sand beaches along the Atlantic Ocean.  So, after those 18 (or 27?) holes, you can watch the sunset with soft sand between your toes.

Golf and Restaurant Reviews by The Vacation Exchange Network Members

Our members’ Myrtle Beach golf course picks:

Arrowhead Country Club of Myrtle Beach, by architects Tom Jackson and Ray Floyd, is an outstanding course, upscale and particularly visually appealing.  This 27-hole course has three 9-hole tracts.  Our members picked The Cypress as their favorite.

Glen Durnoch Golf Course, part of The Glens Golf Course, is located in Little River, South Carolina.  This coastal course is located on the Intracoastal Waterway and has several natural elevation changes.  Our members say the course has a fabulous layout and that the last three holes are particularly spectacular.

River Hills Golf and Country Club of Little River, South Carolina, by architect Tom Jackson has a southern feel with rolling hills and natural elevation changes.  Our members were particularly impressed with the excellent condition of the course and made note of the outstanding greens.

These restaurants have gotten rave reviews by our members:

Parson’s Table, located in Little River, South Carolina, is fine dining in a one-of-a-kind setting.  Upscale, with outstanding food and ambiance.  The antique wooden floors and stained glass windows are a perfect accompaniment to a meal prepared by Ed Murray, Jr., recently selected as one the Best Chefs in America.

Umberto’s at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina offers outstanding traditional Italian food at a reasonable price.  Their self-named  house dish Chicken Umberto lives up to its name, and the owner has a sense of humor.  Check out his Dining Tips!

Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is an entertaining dining experience.  Their sizzling meats are delicious, and children six and under dine for free!

Inspired to try these golf course and restaurant picks out yourself? The Vacation Exchange Network has many vacation homes in Myrtle Beach available for your next vacation home exchange.

To spotlight just a few:

Located on Myrtlewood Golf Course, this condo (see photo below) in the Myrtlewood Villas sleeps 6.   This beautifully furnished and centrally-located Myrtle Beach vacation home is close to the beach, shopping, water sports, and restaurants.

This Myrtle Beach, South Carolina vacation home is available for home swap at The Vacation Exchange Network now through the end of May.

Located in Surfside Beach, seven miles south of Myrtle Beach, this sunny 5-bedroom, 3-bath raised beach home is also within minutes of a variety of golf courses.  The home’s gorgeous in-ground pool is perfect for a few laps or just relaxing at the end of the day.

This Surfside Beach, South Carolina beach home is available for swap during April with The Vacation Exchange Network

Located in Myrtle Beach, the home pictured below has both a lake view and an ocean view.  The community is gated, and it has both a swimming pool and an outdoor waterpark.

This waterfront condo is available for home swap in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The Vacation Exchange Network has scores of vacation homes in South Carolina, including many in and around Myrtle Beach.  Take a look at our homes in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, and Garden City Beach.  You’re sure to find one that is right for your next home exchange.  Be sure to let us know about your restaurant and golf course picks!

Ski conditions.  These are in the eye of the beholder.  I learned this on a ride up a chair lift on a recent February ski trip.

It was snowing – a lot – and there was gorgeous powdery snow covering the entire mountain.  The evergreen trees were caked in what looked like confectioner’s sugar.  My family and I couldn’t get over the still, quiet beauty of the mountain.  Every run had several inches of fresh powder.  Any skier would have been in heaven, right?  Well, not my family.  Having skied on the over-skied mountains of the East Coast for our whole lives, this powder was more than we could handle.  Our skis seemed to feel every bump in the snow, twisting and turning our skis in unexpected and not always controllable ways.  We wondered when they’d groom some of those intermediate and easier expert runs so that we could enjoy this blissful day without any broken ankles.

We were on our way up to the top of the mountain to give it another try.  A snowboarder sat with us on the lift.  Upon overhearing us talk about how much powder there was on our last run, he added, “Yeah, it’s perfect today, isn’t it?  I’m sure by tomorrow they’ll have groomed the whole mountain, and you can forget about these great conditions.”  As we’re lamenting the fact that the powder is giving us too bumpy a ride, this guy can’t get enough of it.  All we could do was laugh.  Ski conditions – in the eye of the beholder.

Spring skiing conditions are variable, of course, depending a great deal on temperature and the freeze-melt cycle.  Sometimes spring skiing mimics the well-groomed runs that I seek, sometimes it can be powdery, and most often the snow in spring takes on a great character all its own.  You certainly can’t beat the warm sunshine and skiing in sunglasses and a fleece.  Many mountains also have fun family events and music at the base, and lift tickets are often cheaper.  You can take nice long lunches on the deck of the lodge and ski for several hours after lunch, thanks to those longer spring days.

We have many vacation homes available for home exchange in spring skiing areas during the months of March, April, and May.  I have highlighted few below, but this list is by no means complete.  To browse through the vacation homes listed in our home exchange network, please visit us at www.thevacationexchange.com.

Custom waterfront home in South Lake Tahoe, CA available for home swap

Lake Tahoe, California boasts 7 ski mountains, and we have lots of vacation homes in both North Lake Tahoe and in South Lake Tahoe.

This home in South Lake Tahoe, CA has 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths and sleeps 10.  It has a large boat dock, a hot tub, and a panoramic view of Heavenly Ski Resort.  Skiing is only 3 miles away.  For information about how to become a member of The Vacation Exchange Network and vacation in homes like this by traveling the home swap way, check out our discussion of how to arrange a home exchange.

Ski home in South Lake Tahoe, CA available for home swap March 21st - May 26th

This California ski home, also in South Lake Tahoe, CA has 3 bedrooms, a circular fireplace, redwood decks, and a hot tub.  It is located 11 miles from skiing.  It is available for home swap March 21st – May 26th.

We have a number of homes available for vacation exchange in Colorado, including homes close to Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Vail, Keystone, Steamboat, and Copper Mountain. Here’s just a sampling:

Ski-in/ski-out condo on Steamboat Mountain in Colorado available for home swap March - May

This ski-in/ski-out condo on Steamboat Mountain sleeps 8 and offers maid service.  It is available March through May for home exchange.

Mountain home in Crested Butte, CO available for home exchange in April.

This 3 bedroom, 3 bath home in Crested Butte, CO is on the mountain and boasts gorgeous panoramic views.  5 minutes from skiing, this vacation home is available for home exchange during the month of April.  Check out our many vacation homes in Crested Butte, CO at www.thevacationexchange.com.

Rustic yet elegant log home near Utah ski resorts available for home swap in April & May

This log home in Midway, Utah is secluded among the pines and aspens and yet is close to both Park City and Deer Valley ski resorts.  This stunning home boasts 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths.  It has all amenities, including both a gas fireplace inside and a log fireplace outside on the deck.  Read a great Utah ski blog at www.skiutah.com/winter/blog.

I’ve highlighted a few opportunities for spring skiing here.  Be sure to check out all of our vacation homes available for swap.  To learn more about what makes The Vacation Exchange Network a unique home exchange program or to join our network, please visit  www.thevacationexchange.com.

For great discussions of skiing in Colorado, Utah, and California, check out these blogs:  cosnow.com, www.skiutah.com/winter/blog, and skiing-blog.com.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on spring skiing and hear about your experiences.  Please add your comments below.