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Taste of Florida?



 
 
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  #1  
Old October 28th, 2009, 11:21 PM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
GV
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Posts: 22
Default Taste of Florida?

Is it possible to get a good look at Florida in two weeks? I'd like to take
my wife there in January or February and just see what there is to see. She
has an aunt who lives just north of Orlando so we'd probably spend a day or
so there but other than that I'd like to have suggestions on where to go and
what to see.

We're an older couple without kids so things like Disney World doesn't sound
appealing but neither does a night-club scene. We've been to Hawaii and we
love beaches and nature but don't want to spend the whole time lounging on a
beach. I've been to Florida a couple of times but it was many, many years
ago so I don't remember much. Busch Gardens,Tampa stands out in my mind but
if I remember correctly the only ride there at that time was a tram/monorail
over an area that they called an African veldt. That would maybe be
appealing but I guess that's all turned into a big amusement park now so
it's probably not the same. Thrill rides don't thrill us!

I'm thinking that Florida's really too big to see much in just two weeks.
If so, maybe just from Orlando area down towards the Keys might be our
target area.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. TIA!




  #2  
Old October 29th, 2009, 12:34 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Nile
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Posts: 58
Default Taste of Florida?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Depends on your interests, of course. For two weeks, Orlando and
Miami-Keys would be great. You've been to Tampa, but Fort
Myers-Sanibel-Naples area would be another good choice.

You know the sites in Orlando. NASA is at Cape Canaveral. Palm Beach
is good for a stop (to see the shops), as is the beach at Fort
Lauderdale. Check live theaters, museums, and sports for Fort
Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Miami in January-February (college or pro
basketball, Dania jai alai, Gulfstream Park thoroughbred racing, Pompano
Park harness racing, Hialeah quarter horses next year, greyhounds),
Miami Beach walkway, Calle Ocho (Cuban section), Coconut Grove,
aquarium, planetarium, Vizcaya ... again, depends on your interests.

The Everglades are off the road on the way to the keys. The key highway
is a treat, on weekdays at least (less traffic). Hike throuogh the Key
Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key and see the key deer up close. You can find
plenty on Key West in the archives of this newsgroup.

  #3  
Old October 29th, 2009, 03:12 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
GV
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Posts: 22
Default Taste of Florida?

Hey, thanks for the quick reply! You've already given me a couple of good
ideas. I know that I wasn't very informative in the original post but to
set the record straight--I was in Tampa (Busch Gardens) over 30 years ago
and the wife has never been to Florida at all, so it would be mostly new to
us. I wonder if it's doable to fly in to Orlando, rent a car, drive over to
the gulf coast, drive south along the gulf coast, over to the east coast,
down to the keys, back up to Daytona and back to Orlando and still have time
to see things. If we do that, what are the options for seeing "Florida"?
We're not too far from Chicago and St. Louis so, while we don't have jai
alai, we've got a lot of the other stuff around here. We love racing and
casinos but we've got them here, too. What we don't have is Everglades,
beaches, and forts and cities dating from the 17th century.

The Key highway and the Key deer refuge sounds great. But, so does Key
West, for a short visit. Does that sound contradictory? Anyhow, thanks for
the reply! I'm filing it all to help plan the trip!



"Nile" wrote in message
...
Any suggestions would be appreciated.


Depends on your interests, of course. For two weeks, Orlando and
Miami-Keys would be great. You've been to Tampa, but Fort
Myers-Sanibel-Naples area would be another good choice.

You know the sites in Orlando. NASA is at Cape Canaveral. Palm Beach
is good for a stop (to see the shops), as is the beach at Fort
Lauderdale. Check live theaters, museums, and sports for Fort
Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Miami in January-February (college or pro
basketball, Dania jai alai, Gulfstream Park thoroughbred racing, Pompano
Park harness racing, Hialeah quarter horses next year, greyhounds),
Miami Beach walkway, Calle Ocho (Cuban section), Coconut Grove,
aquarium, planetarium, Vizcaya ... again, depends on your interests.

The Everglades are off the road on the way to the keys. The key highway
is a treat, on weekdays at least (less traffic). Hike throuogh the Key
Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key and see the key deer up close. You can find
plenty on Key West in the archives of this newsgroup.


  #4  
Old October 29th, 2009, 02:09 PM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
GV
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Posts: 22
Default Taste of Florida?

Thanks, Shawn for the replies! The main reason I've included Orlando is the
idea that we'll visit my wife's aunt who lives a bit north of there. I just
figured that flights in and out of there are about as cheap as anywhere and
rental cars seem pretty cheap there, too. I guess that I could look into
flying into Orlando and out of Miami/Fort Lauderdale. That'd save a little
drive time but then I'd probably have a drop-off charge on the rental car.
But, that'd also cut out the drive on one of the coasts, too, so I don't
know if I want to do that. (BTW, we live in central Illinois so we know all
about flat land and long, boring drives!)

Gary


"Shawn Hirn" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"GV" wrote:

Hey, thanks for the quick reply! You've already given me a couple of
good
ideas. I know that I wasn't very informative in the original post but to
set the record straight--I was in Tampa (Busch Gardens) over 30 years ago
and the wife has never been to Florida at all, so it would be mostly new
to
us. I wonder if it's doable to fly in to Orlando, rent a car, drive over
to
the gulf coast, drive south along the gulf coast, over to the east coast,
down to the keys, back up to Daytona and back to Orlando and still have
time
to see things. If we do that, what are the options for seeing "Florida"?
We're not too far from Chicago and St. Louis so, while we don't have jai
alai, we've got a lot of the other stuff around here. We love racing and
casinos but we've got them here, too. What we don't have is Everglades,
beaches, and forts and cities dating from the 17th century.

The Key highway and the Key deer refuge sounds great. But, so does Key
West, for a short visit. Does that sound contradictory? Anyhow, thanks
for
the reply! I'm filing it all to help plan the trip!


That's a lot of driving, but you could certainly do it. Florida is a
very boring state in which to drive. Just flat land, no real natural
landmarks to see unless you go along the coast, which is very slow. My
suggestion is to pick three areas to visit. If you are not interested in
theme parks such as Disney World, skip Orlando as its mostly touristy
things. I would pick a places such as Vero Beach for a quiet stay on the
Atlantic City, Naples on the Gulf side, then maybe Key West to get that
flavor. You can certainly take a tour of the Everglades too. Do a google
search for "Everglades tours" and I am sure you will find lots of
options.


  #5  
Old October 29th, 2009, 10:26 PM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
PTravel[_1_]
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Posts: 219
Default Taste of Florida?


"Nile" wrote in message
...
Any suggestions would be appreciated.


Depends on your interests, of course. For two weeks, Orlando and
Miami-Keys would be great. You've been to Tampa, but Fort
Myers-Sanibel-Naples area would be another good choice.



This is an older couple with no kids. There is absolutely nothing in
Orlando for them.

Miami offers interesting restaurants, particularly in the Cuban areas.
Tampa has the old the section, which is also interesting. A trip to the
Everglades is definitely warranted. I do agree with you that Cape Canaveral
is an interesting stop.



You know the sites in Orlando. NASA is at Cape Canaveral. Palm Beach
is good for a stop (to see the shops), as is the beach at Fort
Lauderdale. Check live theaters, museums, and sports for Fort
Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Miami in January-February (college or pro
basketball, Dania jai alai, Gulfstream Park thoroughbred racing, Pompano
Park harness racing, Hialeah quarter horses next year, greyhounds),
Miami Beach walkway, Calle Ocho (Cuban section), Coconut Grove,
aquarium, planetarium, Vizcaya ... again, depends on your interests.

The Everglades are off the road on the way to the keys. The key highway
is a treat, on weekdays at least (less traffic). Hike throuogh the Key
Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key and see the key deer up close. You can find
plenty on Key West in the archives of this newsgroup.


  #6  
Old October 30th, 2009, 01:08 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
JamesStep
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Posts: 99
Default Taste of Florida?

We're an older couple without kids so things like
Disney World doesn't sound appealing


Just wanted to mention that there are portions of Disney World that
can be very enjoyable for adults, and one whole area of Disney World
-- EPCOT -- is really designed mainly for adults. In fact there are
guide books specifically for adults visiting DW without kids.

in January or February...
don't want to spend the whole time
lounging on a beach.


It's a little cool for beach lounging anyway. Miami Beach, for
example, has an average high of only 75 F in January.

James
  #7  
Old October 30th, 2009, 01:10 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Ad absurdum per aspera[_2_]
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Posts: 26
Default Taste of Florida?

I think definitions of "the real Florida" are fractal, and don't
claim to be an expert on them. Not a bad place to start is
http://www.visitflorida.com/ -- it'll orient you to the different
types of experience that are available, and where to find them (the
"Insiders" column at the right hand side is particularly useful for
categorization).

The place has some of almost anything you might want (well, okay, it's
a bit short on mountains and snow) if you know where to look...

My gut feeling is that two weeks should be plenty of time to
nontrivially visit one or two prime examples of all the things one
couple is likely to be interested in.

Enjoy your trip,
--Joe
  #8  
Old October 30th, 2009, 02:42 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
GV
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Posts: 22
Default Taste of Florida?

James, Joe, et al! Thanks again for the replies! I think that everything
you all talked about will be very helpful in planning this trip. I'm
retired so time is a bit flexible so I may be able to stretch the two weeks
by a day or two. But, I'm not rich so I have to watch expenses, too. I
guess that's the way it is in life--when you've got the money you don't have
the time and when you've got the time you don't have the money! B-)
Anyhow, thanks again for the ideas!

Gary

  #9  
Old October 30th, 2009, 04:10 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Nile
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Posts: 58
Default Taste of Florida?

GV wrote:

fly in to Orlando, rent a car, drive over to the gulf coast, drive

south along the gulf coast, over to the east coast, down to the keys,
back up to Daytona and back to Orlando

You'd spend the whole time driving and be tired when you got back if you
try and visit Central, Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast. For a relaxing
two weeks, I'd stick to 1) Orlando where you're flying into, plus 2) one
side or the other. I'll second the Vero Beach suggestion for a quiet
Atlantic side spot, although you could reach many more sites from a
(relatively) quiet Miami area neighborhood like Fort Lauderdale Beach,
Hollywood Beach, or Coconut Grove. On the Gulf side check out Sarasota
(St. Armands Circle and the city proper) and Fort Myers or Naples. You
could travel one side this year, then save the other coast for next
year. You'll want to go back next winter.


We love racing and casinos but we've got them here, too. *


You don't have Hialeah Park! Although, it is re-opening after several
years so it may not be up to its old beauty and grandeur quite yet.


beaches, and forts and cities dating from the 17th century.


St. Augustine is a little out of the way of the other places discussed,
but you just described it.


The Key highway and the Key deer refuge sounds great. But, so does

Key West, for a short visit. Does that sound contradictory?

Not at all. Key West is at the end of the same road.



PTravel wrote:

This is an older couple with no kids. There is absolutely nothing in

Orlando for them.

Sea World, studio tours, Epcot, maybe Magic Kingdom, baseball spring
training in very late Feb., orange groves in nearby rural areas (oranges
will not quite be ripe in Feb.) ... it depends on your interests.




  #10  
Old October 30th, 2009, 04:30 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
pltrgyst[_2_]
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Posts: 298
Default Taste of Florida?


I'd definitely skip Orlando.

The keys are great.

But on the west coast, I'd definitely hit Naples, Sarasota, Tampa, and a most
interesting stop in Tarpon Springs, a Greek sponging community, just north of
Tampa.

On the east coast, we enjoy Miami Beach, the drive from the space center up to
Jacksonville Beach, and especially St. Augustine.

-- Larry
 




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