It may only be July, but we only have three rooms left for our Christmas Holiday Packages www.fairbankshouse.com/christmaspack.html : rooms 1, 6 and our Schoolhouse Cottage. Seems that folks are planning ahead and know a good thing when they see it. Since we just recently announced our Thanksgiving Holiday Packages, we've still got some good availability including our larger rooms that can accommodate four or five guests. Here's a link: www.fairbankshouse.com/thanksgiving.html .

July has been an exceptionally busy one for "girls getaways" but we've still got some good availability for August. How about another getaway before the kids go back to school? In Florida, school starts at the beginning of August, so there's less competition for rooms for mother-daughter getaways for our friends up north, or for those that have a flexible schedule. Some local spas are running specials too...

Alot of our guests of late have been enjoying a wonderful new tour offering by Ecomotion Tours. We highly recommend it. Here's a link: www.ecomotiontours.com . It's a wonderful nature/ history tour - all conducted on Segways! We've tried it ourselves, and can assure you that it's quite easy to get the hang of it. It's a great add-on to your Amelia Island experience.

Still planning your summer vacation? Our Island Summer Romance Packages should fill the bill nicely. The sale starts Sunday. For details, see: www.fairbankshouse.com/romance.html .

Our thanks to travel writer Debbie Cloyed for the wonderful article that she just posted on Johnnyjet.com . We had a blast hosting her as she did her research on Amelia Island in May. She's made a fabulous transition from Amazing Race TV star to accomplished writer/ photographer. Actually, she's been a photographer and world traveler for a number of years; she's just putting it all together now. Here's a link to her article: http://www.johnnyjet.com/folder/archive/DebbieCAmeilaIsland2006.html . Thanks, again Debbie. You really captured the whole reason to come to the island.

We have just announced our Thanksgiving packages for 2006. You can find details and pricing at www.fairbankshouse.com/thanksgiving.html .

It's one of the best holiday weekends of the year here in Fernandina Beach. The whole island is freshly decked out in holiday decorations, including our charming Victorian village. There are tree-lighting ceremonies and light displays, as well as great shopping, and wonderful pajama party thrown by the Center Street Merchants on Friday morning. Shop in your pajamas for a discount.

After our wonderful Thanksgiving morning breakfast at the Fairbanks House, we'll take a two-hour narrated boat tour with Amelia River Cruises where you'll hear the history and lore of both Amelia Island and Cumberland Island. We'll travel up the coasts of both. With some luck, we'll even see some of the wild horses of Cumberland.

Come back to the inn, watch some football or a movie or take a nap. After hors d'oeuvres, we'll have Thanksgiving dinner at the fabulous Beech Street Grill; a block and a half from the inn.

This package is perfect for couples or families with adult siblings who want to enjoy the holiday instead of the work. Is your family to far away to get to, or are you empty-nesters, or would you just like to start your own Thanksgiving tradition? Come join us; we make our own family. And nobody has to sleep in the bunk bed or sit at the kids' table.

After some serious technical difficulties, the Fairbanks House Fun blog is back online. We're so sorry for the delay in postings, but we've got some fun stuff to talk about now - so please keep checking back!