Cottage Suite - St. Augustine, FL

Lila recently spent "a lovely evening" in the nation's oldest city with the women who own and operate a place they say no one ever comes to visit. (Source: LC Magazine).

Cottage Suite is located in St. Augustine, FL on the east coast of the state and the city is without a doubt the most interesting one in Florida, at least architecturally and historically, Lila says.

It was founded by the Spanish in 1565, 42 years before the English settled in Jamestown, VA.

"As soon as you enter the historic district, you know you're in a place that is different from anything else you've seen in Florida," said Lila of Asheville, NC. "Cottage Suite is right in the heart of this area at 36 Spanish Street."

It's surrounded by old homes and "the sorts of touristy restaurants and shops that usually spring up in places like this," Lila states. "Rhonda (the co-owner) is a master gardener and it shows."

Lila writes that the small enclosure was filled with interesting plants and unique garden art.

"It felt rather like one of those hidden courtyards that you can find in New Orleans," Lila wrote. "Even though I didn't plan to spend the night, I was given a tour of the uniquely decorated home and the adjoining guest quarters."

Lila reports that the highlight was a Christmas tree "the likes of which I've never seen before and surely never will again."

"Rhonda and Vicki, the other owner, are very clever designers, as evidenced by the furnishings in the home and this tree was the crowning glory," she said. "It was covered with shoes that their friends had decorated at a party where Rhonda and Vickie supplied all the materials."

Lila called the masterpiece enchanting and "so indicative of the kind of embellishments that made their home the most delightful experience I'd had in a long time."

For more information, call 904-824-5036 or email 36SpanishSt@aol.com.

In unrelated travel news, on her trip south this year, Louise Harmony of Baltimore, MD stopped in Melrose, FL, a half hour east of Gainesville and was warmly welcomed by the community "in this little bit of paradise."

"I stopped into The Cafe and caught a Wednesday morning concert with a few local folks," she said. "While I was there I learned about their Work Cooperative."

Twenty women formed this group, stated Harmony.

"Once a month they all go to one of the women's houses and work there," she explained. "The hostess decides what all she needs done around the house and she buys all the supplies and feeds the crew; the women bring their own tools."

Projects include tasks like planting small trees or shrubs, fixing a fence, power washing a house, turning a garden, pruning and deadheading, cleaning gutters, painting, stripping wallpaper, insulating an attic, cleaning; etc.

To learn more about their community email ShewolfWWW@aol.com.