Florida vacation ideas? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

francis53 · 01-02-2012, 11:01 AM

My husband and I are planning a florida roadtrip here is a few weeks. Neither one of us have been there before so would sure like to get some suggestions on places to visit, stay, etc. Also, any advice on the best time to come for 2 weeks? thanks

normarae63 · 01-02-2012, 11:40 AM

I think it all depends on what you like to do! We have all sorts of regular tourist attractions but there's also a lot of virtually unknowns too.I live just south of Gainesville right off I75. Here's a few nearby things I like to do:
I love the wineries for instance & my favorite one is in Plant City; it's called Keel & Curley & it's pet friendly outside on their teak deck overlooking a little duck pond & the vineyard.

Silver Springs is on the touristy side but it's nice when there's concerts there.

If I'm in the mood for a nice relaxing walk I'll head over to Rainbow Springs in Dunnellon through the paths where there used to be an attraction. Nice to swim in the cool springs in the summer time

Pets need to be leashed & aren't allowed in the spring. (There IS a campground just down the road from RS that is pet friendly though. BTW,there's a lot of springs in Florida)

I'd say your best tool for seeing what you want to do before you get here is exactly what you're doing as well as internet searches.

Have fun planning!

LoriJC · 01-02-2012, 01:35 PM

Destin beautiful white beaches we stay at Surf Side condos vrbo love it.

francis53 · 01-03-2012, 11:28 AM

Thanks for the suggestions! We are in our 50's, so not looking for nightlife or anything like that. We enjoy being outdoors, walking, taking pictures, that sort of thing. We aren't bringing any dogs, with 7 of them, I need a break from them and my 8 pet birds, lol.
Would love to get some more suggestions, thanks!

Lil Sis · 01-03-2012, 06:43 PM

I think the Sarasota area is nice. There are beautiful beaches, camp grounds and tourist attractions such as the ringling art museum. Tampa is about 1 hour north and their is bush gardens.... A few hours from orlando and the Disney attractions.

Sarasota is far enough south to have good weather and is not a rough place...a lot of traffic but safer than Tampa or Miami.... Better beaches too.

Clearwater is nice too.. Just west of Tampa with great beaches. Tarpon springs is an old Greek village just north of Clearwater. These areas have a lot of retired people who live here I the winter.

Of course the keys are nice if you want to go that far. They are more small town feel and lots of fishing and water sports, key west is alway fun.

I hope you enjoy your trip,
,

courtney1121 · 01-03-2012, 07:36 PM

As Shinja was saying, clearwater is really nice. They have really nice beaches and the greek food in tarpon springs is yummy. Tarpon Springs also has cute little touristy stores that are fun to look in. Very pretty area. Depending on the time of year, you can find peacocks around. For some people, you might think psh so what, but I honestly never seen one until I was down in Dunedin, FL visiting my grandma. We found about 4-5 peacocks roaming around in an old cemetery. I got a lot of pictures next to them and a few pictures of some with their feathers out. They are so pretty. It's definitely something to see in person.

AllDogBoots · 01-03-2012, 08:15 PM

I agree with Sarasota. It's absolutely beautiful and tons to do.

How about Orlando? If you have never been to Disney, it is a definite must.

gumbysuz · 01-03-2012, 09:37 PM

My Wisconsin friend has a winter home on Marco Island on the gulf side. We visited in May (just as all the snow birds were headed out of Dodge to escape the heat). The whole family went dolphin watching on wave runners, then shell collecting on shell island. We had an experienced guide who could call the dolphins to him with a whistle signal. Fantastic!

courtney1121 · 01-04-2012, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gumbysuz

My Wisconsin friend has a winter home on Marco Island on the gulf side. We visited in May (just as all the snow birds were headed out of Dodge to escape the heat). The whole family went dolphin watching on wave runners, then shell collecting on shell island. We had an experienced guide who could call the dolphins to him with a whistle signal. Fantastic!

Oh yes Marco Island is beautiful as well. I was just down there with my boyfriend in October. It's a pretty quiet area. Really nice for older people who aren't into that whole nightlife/party scene. A good place to just relax and hangout.

And if you can, check out Naples as well. Lots of shopping and a very pretty area as well.

Micah my love · 01-04-2012, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francis53

Thanks for the suggestions! We are in our 50's, so not looking for nightlife or anything like that. We enjoy being outdoors, walking, taking pictures, that sort of thing. We aren't bringing any dogs, with 7 of them, I need a break from them and my 8 pet birds, lol.
Would love to get some more suggestions, thanks!

Hi was wondering what kind of birds that you have...I love big birds i had them for years

celstu1 · 01-04-2012, 05:49 AM

My dad & his wife, also my fiances best friend and his wife LOVE Sanibel Island, Captiva area. They have a time share there and go for 2 weeks every year. Beaches, restaurants and just the beauty of it. Ive never been, but I want to go and check it out. Its beautiful from the pics Ive seen. My dad is 60 and his wife is 59, so they just want to chill for a couple weeks and have good food, read on the beach, etc... they love to snorkle too.

francis53 · 01-05-2012, 07:03 AM

Thank you all so much for the wonderful suggestions, I've gotten some great ideas, I can't wait to go! I really appreciate your posts, thanks!

to Micah, we have 3 big parrots, a blue and gold macaw, 2 african greys. Also have an indian ringneck, a green cheek conure, a quaker and 2 little parrotlets. I love them all, but they are alot of work, luckily I have a wonderful pet sitter, so I can get away every so often and know they are in good hands!

AllDogBoots · 01-05-2012, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francis53

Thank you all so much for the wonderful suggestions, I've gotten some great ideas, I can't wait to go! I really appreciate your posts, thanks!

Please let us know your what you decide. Have a wonderful time!

Cooper2010 · 01-05-2012, 05:46 PM

Sanibel/Captiva is beautiful but it's a pricey area. Mostly resorts. Shells are abundant there though.

Destin/Ft. Walton Beach has gorgeous sugar white sand, gorgeous emerald colored waters (thus the name Emerald Coast). Alabama has some nice beaches also.

I personally don't care for the beaches on the east coast like Daytona. They allow cars on the beach and the sand is brown and packed.

Micah my love · 01-05-2012, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francis53

Thank you all so much for the wonderful suggestions, I've gotten some great ideas, I can't wait to go! I really appreciate your posts, thanks!

to Micah, we have 3 big parrots, a blue and gold macaw, 2 african greys. Also have an indian ringneck, a green cheek conure, a quaker and 2 little parrotlets. I love them all, but they are alot of work, luckily I have a wonderful pet sitter, so I can get away every so often and know they are in good hands!

I had African grey's & cockatiels..i love the macaws and the parrotlets

01-02-2012, 11:01 AM	#1
francis53 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 714	Florida vacation ideas? My husband and I are planning a florida roadtrip here is a few weeks. Neither one of us have been there before so would sure like to get some suggestions on places to visit, stay, etc. Also, any advice on the best time to come for 2 weeks? thanks

01-02-2012, 11:40 AM	#2
normarae63 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ocala Florida Posts: 4,130 Blog Entries: 1	I think it all depends on what you like to do! We have all sorts of regular tourist attractions but there's also a lot of virtually unknowns too.I live just south of Gainesville right off I75. Here's a few nearby things I like to do: I love the wineries for instance & my favorite one is in Plant City; it's called Keel & Curley & it's pet friendly outside on their teak deck overlooking a little duck pond & the vineyard. Silver Springs is on the touristy side but it's nice when there's concerts there. If I'm in the mood for a nice relaxing walk I'll head over to Rainbow Springs in Dunnellon through the paths where there used to be an attraction. Nice to swim in the cool springs in the summer time Pets need to be leashed & aren't allowed in the spring. (There IS a campground just down the road from RS that is pet friendly though. BTW,there's a lot of springs in Florida) I'd say your best tool for seeing what you want to do before you get here is exactly what you're doing as well as internet searches. Have fun planning! __________________ Sherry Owned by Tuffy & Bella Visit my SHOP: SherrysPetStuff or on Etsy. Fun on Facebook

01-03-2012, 06:43 PM	#5
Lil Sis Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,008	I think the Sarasota area is nice. There are beautiful beaches, camp grounds and tourist attractions such as the ringling art museum. Tampa is about 1 hour north and their is bush gardens.... A few hours from orlando and the Disney attractions. Sarasota is far enough south to have good weather and is not a rough place...a lot of traffic but safer than Tampa or Miami.... Better beaches too. Clearwater is nice too.. Just west of Tampa with great beaches. Tarpon springs is an old Greek village just north of Clearwater. These areas have a lot of retired people who live here I the winter. Of course the keys are nice if you want to go that far. They are more small town feel and lots of fishing and water sports, key west is alway fun. I hope you enjoy your trip, , __________________ Shinja mom to Remy lil Sis to Bailey and Sammy

01-03-2012, 07:36 PM	#6
courtney1121 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2011 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,116	As Shinja was saying, clearwater is really nice. They have really nice beaches and the greek food in tarpon springs is yummy. Tarpon Springs also has cute little touristy stores that are fun to look in. Very pretty area. Depending on the time of year, you can find peacocks around. For some people, you might think psh so what, but I honestly never seen one until I was down in Dunedin, FL visiting my grandma. We found about 4-5 peacocks roaming around in an old cemetery. I got a lot of pictures next to them and a few pictures of some with their feathers out. They are so pretty. It's definitely something to see in person. __________________ Courtney Geno Bambino Mia Bella

01-03-2012, 08:15 PM	#7
AllDogBoots Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Delray Beach, FL Posts: 7,984	I agree with Sarasota. It's absolutely beautiful and tons to do. How about Orlando? If you have never been to Disney, it is a definite must. __________________ I'm Karen - Devoted Mama to the Drama Boyz - Cooper & Max www.alldogboots.com

01-02-2012, 01:35 PM	#3
LoriJC Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Cookeville TN USA Posts: 70	Destin beautiful white beaches we stay at Surf Side condos vrbo love it.

01-03-2012, 11:28 AM	#4
francis53 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 714	Thanks for the suggestions! We are in our 50's, so not looking for nightlife or anything like that. We enjoy being outdoors, walking, taking pictures, that sort of thing. We aren't bringing any dogs, with 7 of them, I need a break from them and my 8 pet birds, lol. Would love to get some more suggestions, thanks!

01-03-2012, 09:37 PM	#8
gumbysuz Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: WA state Posts: 250	My Wisconsin friend has a winter home on Marco Island on the gulf side. We visited in May (just as all the snow birds were headed out of Dodge to escape the heat). The whole family went dolphin watching on wave runners, then shell collecting on shell island. We had an experienced guide who could call the dolphins to him with a whistle signal. Fantastic! __________________ Suzi & Dori Vicki, Meggie, Snookie, Peach

01-04-2012, 05:49 AM	#11
celstu1 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 10,534	My dad & his wife, also my fiances best friend and his wife LOVE Sanibel Island, Captiva area. They have a time share there and go for 2 weeks every year. Beaches, restaurants and just the beauty of it. Ive never been, but I want to go and check it out. Its beautiful from the pics Ive seen. My dad is 60 and his wife is 59, so they just want to chill for a couple weeks and have good food, read on the beach, etc... they love to snorkle too. __________________ “Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” ― Dean Koontz

01-05-2012, 07:03 AM	#12
francis53 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 714	Thank you all so much for the wonderful suggestions, I've gotten some great ideas, I can't wait to go! I really appreciate your posts, thanks! to Micah, we have 3 big parrots, a blue and gold macaw, 2 african greys. Also have an indian ringneck, a green cheek conure, a quaker and 2 little parrotlets. I love them all, but they are alot of work, luckily I have a wonderful pet sitter, so I can get away every so often and know they are in good hands!

01-05-2012, 05:46 PM	#14
Cooper2010 YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 304	Sanibel/Captiva is beautiful but it's a pricey area. Mostly resorts. Shells are abundant there though. Destin/Ft. Walton Beach has gorgeous sugar white sand, gorgeous emerald colored waters (thus the name Emerald Coast). Alabama has some nice beaches also. I personally don't care for the beaches on the east coast like Daytona. They allow cars on the beach and the sand is brown and packed.