Travel Experience in Historic St. Augustine

No visit to Florida would be complete without spending some time in America’s oldest city, St. Augustine. It’s four-hours by car from the Tampa Bay area, but it’s well worth the drive. St. Augustine is a great place to discover Florida’s history, and a stay at the city’s oldest inn offers a truly historic opportunity to enjoy the city. The St. Francis Inn was originally built around 1791, long after the establishment of “San Augustin” in 1565 as the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the continental United States.

Located in the heart of St. Augustine’s historic district, this remarkable Bed and Breakfast is a labor of love for Joe Finnegan and his wife, Dr. Margaret Finnegan, who is director of the first graduate program for the Education of the Deaf at St. Augustine’s Flagler College. The Finnegans came to St. Augustine in 1985 for Margaret to begin her college teaching career and to open their dream breakfast location. Now they offer great accommodations and breakfasts in 17 rooms at the St. Francis Inn as well as at their nearby Casa de Suenos (House of Dreams), their other outstanding bed and breakfast location in St. Augustine.

With so many fascinating things to experience in St. Augustine, Joe Finnegan suggests that you plan to stay awhile. He says that the average stay is three nights to be able to experience this historic city. You can enjoy living history museums like the Castillo de San Marcos, swashbuckling adventures and specialized tours in the air, one the sea, and in the heart of the city’s historic district. For those who wish to explore on their own, the Trolley offers a chance to get on and off throughout the day and to see what you would enjoy most. And visitors to the St. Francis Inn have a variety of additional side trips and programs available.

When Hurricane Matthew hit the Atlantic Coast of Florida in October, 2016, it severely damaged the historic St. Francis Inn. During the renovations the Finnegan’s kept guest happy in the Casa de Suenos and their beach cottages on Anastasia Island.  Now the Inn has undergone an extensive repair. Next to the main inn, the popular Cottage, which served as a cookhouse during the early years, has undergone significant restoration, and the pool needed extensive refinishing, too.  Additionally the Inn’s award-winning gardens and vegetation are now ready for Spring plantings. The newly updated Inn is now ready for visitors to enjoy its unique accommodations as well as the remarkable city that it calls home.

Guests enjoy breakfast in the Inn’s dining room, in their guest room, on a balcony, or in the courtyard. Each day of your stay at St. Francis Inn, you will be able to enjoy a delicious breakfast as well as a complimentary evening social hour with drinks available for purchase. On weekdays from 7:30 to 9:30, enjoy a Buffet Breakfast, including two hot homemade entrees, varying from day to day, fruit salad or fruit soup, freshly baked breads, coffee and assorted teas, fresh juices, homemade granola, cereals, and a full serving of Inn hospitality. On weekends the breakfast becomes a brunch, available until 10:30 a.m., with complimentary champagne mimosas and make-your-own Bloody Mary’s.

With only 17 rooms available at the St. Francis Inn for you to enjoy this precious piece of history, reservations are a must. Joe and Margaret Finnegan invite you to arrange for your visit to the St. Francis Inn online at www.St.FrancisInn.com or by calling 800-824-6062.  Brought to you by Destination Tampa Bay