Itinerary Part 3

Sawgrass - 1 night
Day 15 - Saturday 3rd September
Breakfast @ Ginny & Jane E’s
Drive to Tampa Airport
Drop off kids
Drive to Micanopy
Lunch @ Old Florida Cafe
Drive to Sawgrass

Today is going home day for everyone bar Jim and I.
We’ll pack up the villa and have one last breakfast at Ginny and Jane’s before driving up to Tampa Airport. Everyone including the Leans are on the same return flight which connects in Charlotte before going on to Heathrow.
After what I’m sure will be a tearful goodbye , Jim and I start the drive up North to start our ‘honeymoon’
To break the journey up we’ll stop at a little town called Micanopy that I read about in Anji’s trip report from a few years back.





We’ll get a late lunch at Old Florida Cafe before driving the last leg of the journey to our first stop of the week, the Hilton Garden Inn Sawgrass.
We’ll more than likely have some pool time then crash early.



Hilton Head Island - 5 nights
Day 16 - Sunday 4th September
Jim @ golf
Drive to Savannah
Explore town
Drive to Hilton Head Island
Dinner @ San Miguel’s

Not the most romantic start of our honeymoon but Jim will be playing golf this morning at the famous Sawgrass course



The original plan had us going down to The Florida Keys but after our Southern States road trip family holiday was cancelled in 2020 and then in 2021 due to you know what, we decided to change as we had already paid a hefty deposit for an apartment on Hilton Head Island. So we’ve recreated one of the weeks from that holiday to do this year.
I’ll either drive the golf buggy or go and visit my friend who has recently moved to St Augustine from Columbia in Maryland.

Once golf is done we’ll drive up to Hilton Head Island but will stop in Savannah for a wander and something to eat.



This is where the famous scene of Tom Hanks sitting on the bench in Forrest Gump is filmed so will be finding that for sure!
The whole of Savannah looks gorgeous so I can’t wait.





Once we’ve had a good look around the town we’ll head to our apartment in Palmetto Dunes on Hilton Head Island.









We’ll go and explore our surroundings and if hungry grab a bite to eat or go for a few cocktails. I’m planning on hiring bikes for us for the week to make getting to and from the beach and marina easier.



Day 17 - Monday 5th September
Breakfast @ Hilton Head Diner
Beach
Dinner @ Top Dawg Tavern

Today will be a do absolutely nothing day, maybe the beach, maybe the pool, maybe a bit of both





Day 18 - Tuesday 6th September
Jim @ Golf - Harbour Town
Shopping @ Tanger Outlets
Lunch @ Harbourside
Beach
Dinner @ Hickory Tavern

Jim will be playing golf at Harbour Town which is apparently a must on Hilton Head



I however wouldn’t have been shopping for a while so I’ll head off island to hit the shops in peace



I’ll meet Jim after and we can have lunch around Harbourside which is another area of the island.



Maybe some more beach time this afternoon before dinner out



Day 19 - Wednesday 7th September
Drive to Kiawah Island Golf Club
Jim @ Golf
Drive to Charleston
Shopping down King Street
Museum @ Market Hall
Carriage Tour
Lunch @ Another Broken Egg Cafe
Drive back to HHI
Dinner @ The Dunes House

Another golf day for Jim but I actually suggested this one as I’m desperate to visit Charleston. If we had more time I would have booked us a night here but a whistle stop tour of the town will be enough until we return.



I’ll drop Jim off at Kiawah Island Golf Club which is a good 2 hours North of Hilton Head so it’ll be an early start for us, I’ll then drive into Charleston and go exploring. I’ve done a bit of research and will definitely be going on a carriage tour, exploring King Street and looking in a few museums.
Another Broken Egg Cafe has been recommended so if I get hungry I’ll stop there for food.









Once done I’ll go and pick Jim up and we’ll head back to the island and have dinner at The Dunes House



Day 20 - Thursday 8th September
Coligny Beach
Lunch @ The Sandbar
Dinner @ Big Jim’s BBQ

After yesterdays long day we’ll be taking it easy today where the furthest we’ll go is the beach. Maybe drive to Coligny Beach which is about 10 minutes away from Palmetto Dunes and looks like a nice community.





Dinner will be at Big Jim’s BBQ, has to be done doesn’t it!



St Augustine - 1 night
Day 21 - Friday 9th September
Breakfast @ Stacks Pancakes
Drive to St Augustine
Explore town



Today we leave the island so once we’ve packed up we’ll start our drive South to St Augustine, hopefully we’ll arrive in plenty of time to explore the town. St Augustine is actually the oldest town in the USA dating back to 1565.



We may meet my friend and her husband for dinner or grab a bite on our own.
We are staying at the very lovely looking Renaissance St Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel.



Day 22 - Saturday 10th September
St Augustine Outlets
Drive to Orlando
Flight home
MCO-LGW
17.20-06.40

Last day
Our flight from Orlando is at 17.20 so once we check out of the hotel we’ll do some last minute shopping at St Augustine Outlets before heading to MCO to drop the car off and start the miserable journey home.



We are flying WT+ so I’m hoping that helps!



And that there will end what should hopefully be an unforgettable and amazing holiday!

I’ve just had my start date through from BA so I’ll have exactly 2 weeks back at work before starting the intense 6 week training on the 26th September . Wish me luck!

FOOD!
This is one of the most important parts of any holiday for me! I love scouring through menus online and pretty much know what I'm going to be eating in any restaurant before even landing in the country

I do have a slight problem though, in that we will have 10 days in Florida before I have to squeeze myself into a wedding dress so I may have to restrain myself somewhat

Offsite
We won’t have too many days to choose from whilst in Orlando but we will definitely be returning to some old favourites

Longhorn Steakhouse
It’s got to be Flo’s Filet with a loaded baked potato and broccoli, I’m not sure I’ve ever tried anything else! Oh and not forgetting their lush honey wheat bread





Millers Alehouse
I usually go for the nachos or Zinger Mountain Melt. Not like the first time I’d been to the USA in 2015 and ordered both….



Bahama Breeze
When I visited BB in April I noticed they had taken their buttermilk chicken and mash off of their menu but I did have a very delicious grilled chicken version with a cilantro creme drizzle.



Texas Roadhouse
Got to be the pulled pork platter!



Panda Express
I have been dreaming of the Orange Chicken from Panda Express for years!



Perkins
They do the BEST hash browns in here. Enough said!



Cracker Barrel
Mommas pancake breakfast is a must if not for anything else than the mini bottles of syrup.



On-site
On-site food wise I’m only booking one ADR for Ohana’s in the hope they bring back the Stitch character breakfast!
If not I’ll likely cancel it as it’s ridiculously overpriced compared to somewhere like Perkins or Cracker Barrel etc. I do love having a wander around the Polynesian Resort though…
HOWEVER I have a long list of snacks and Quick Service food I want to try. Baring in mind we’re only visiting each park once, I’m not sure how likely it’s going to be that I manage them all but I’m going to have fun trying!

Animal Kingdom

•Buffalo Chicken Chips - Trilo Bites


•Honey Chicken/Pork Egg Rolls/Mini Mango Pie - Yak & Yeti Cafe




Epcot

•Caramel - Karamell Küche


•Croissant Doughnut - Refreshment Port


•Giant Donut - Joffrey’s


•American Dream - Fife and Drum


Magic Kingdom

•Dole Whip - Aloha Isle


•Cheeseburger Egg Rolls - Adventureland Eggroll Wagon


•Warm Cinnamon Roll - Gaston’s Tavern


•Cheshire Cat Tail - Cheshire Cafe


•Buffalo Chicken Tater Tots - Friars Nook


•Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake - Liberty Tree Tavern


•Peter Pan Float - Storybook Treats


•Plaza Sundae - Main St Ice Cream Parlour


•Sweet & Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich - Sleepy Hollow


Hollywood Studios

•Ronto Wrap - Ronto Roasters


•Num Num Cookie - Neighbourhood Bakery


•Ice cream Cookie Sandwich - Hollywood Scoops


Disney Springs

•S’mores Crepe - AristoCrepes


•Pizza - Blaze


Boardwalk

•Ooey Gooey Buttercake Ice Cream - Ample Hills Creamery

Omg those food photos are so mouthwatering! Definitely be careful to get into your wedding dress!

I'm just the same with menus! DH is quite fussy so I always have to see if there's something for him - burgers and steaks are fine! I also decide what to have 🙂

Love the look of some of those snacks! Very jealous if you can eat all that and still fit in your wedding dress

I’ve just had a roast dinner but now I want one of those desserts 🤷🤦
I reckon Toffee cake & cookie sandwich would be my two favourites
I’d have to buy a bigger Wedding dress if it was me 😳🤣🤣

Your third week sounds so good Alicia ☺️
I’m sure you will miss everyone but it is your honeymoon after all , although Paul and I spent ours in Florida with my mum & dad
All the places look lovely, don’t forget to bring a box of chocolates in Savannah so you can recreate on that bench
For me the ultimate is the solo shopping trip , no pleasing anyone but yourself, perfect 😍
Your training will be a breeze and then you will be getting paid to do those transatlantic trips
Xx