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22 | WINTER 2018 NORTH FLORIDA FLOCKERS Long before Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale started making spring break headlines, Florida's upper Atlantic coast was the original American Riviera — ushering in the fi rst wave of late 19th-century sunseekers. What happened to that original holiday hub hiding up in Florida's deep north? Actually, it never left — remaining one of the lovelier pockets of storied coastline that any Sunshine State spring breaker could ever overlook. elebrating seven days off at the outset of spring, when the cherry trees are blooming, the turquoise ocean is glimmering and the fresh homemade pasta is cooking is a wonderful thing however you envision it — from a private yacht in the Caribbean or charming beach town in upper Florida to a colorful American capital or rural outpost on the edge of Italy. Here are four personality-tailored, fair-weather vacation ideas to spring your next big break into action. Start the rediscovery tour on historic Amelia Island, a time-warped thumbnail of land just 30 miles from Jacksonville, occupied by the town of Fernandina Beach with its rows of Victorian mansions, converted B&Bs and historic Civil War-era garrison, Fort Clinch State Park. Tucked away on the island's south end is a Ritz-Carlton resort and 18- hole, championship, moss-draped oak golf course if you need it. A quick drive south on coastal State Route A1A leads to Little Talbot Island State Park and some of the purest Florida beach solitude available. For more noise, continue on to the trolley-clanking, cobblestone streets of St. Augustine, aka the "Nation's Oldest City" (founded by the Spanish in 1565) where an easy blend of seaside charm, Spanish Renaissance architecture and "oldest city"-themed kitsch awaits. NORTH FLORIDA FLOCKERS vacation ideas to spring your next big break into action. Start the rediscovery tour on historic Amelia thumbnail of land just 30 miles from Jacksonville, occupied by the town of rows of Victorian mansions, converted B&Bs and historic Civil War-era garrison, Fort Clinch State Park. Tucked away on the island's south end is a Ritz-Carlton resort and 18- hole, championship, moss-draped oak golf