| Author |  Topic  |
jock
 United Kingdom
38 Posts
Joined: 09 Mar 2004
Status: offline |  Posted - 08 Mar 2008 : 09:23:15  
| Hello,
Im going over to Orlando in May 2009 for a very special occassion, but Ive been to Orlando a few times before so rather than stay there for 2 weeks, me and my girlfriend were looking to spend:
5 nights in Orlando, then the remaining 9 or 10 days driving to the Gulf coast, The Everglades, The Florida Keys then back to Orlando for the flight home. Does this sound ok? We've never drove any further than Tampa on previous trips, so any tips or advice is more than welcome.
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LiesaAnna
 United Kingdom
11770 Posts
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 08 Mar 2008 : 10:27:43
| something we wouldve liked to have done, wasnt brave enough to try it, but this year we will be staying over at the gulf coast for a change, would have liked to have driven down to miami but not brave enough again, we have driven up to daytona,
but apart from daytona and tampa thats it, i would love to go to the eveglades...... |
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Jill
United Kingdom
1929 Posts
Joined: 23 Feb 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 08 Mar 2008 : 14:00:36
| | We have done similar types of jaunts and think it is great to see more of some of the wonderful places Florida has to offer. We drove west and down the gulf coast and into the Everglades. It was in the Everglades that we stumbled upon Ted Smallwood's store which is now a museum. We have then followed this through to Miami and then driven down to the Keys. It also depends on whether you like 'living out of a suitcase' as we only stopped a few nights in each place. We did spend a lot of time driving so an alternative might be to find a villa on the gulf coast and use that as a comfortable base to take some trips out to various places. Next time you could fly into Miami and then drive to the Keys for a few nights. |
http://www.villasflorida.com/Villas/612.aspx | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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jock
United Kingdom
38 Posts
Joined: 09 Mar 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 08 Mar 2008 : 14:39:45
| | Thanks for the positive replies. We have kinda took the attitude that its going to be a 'road trip' after Orlando so we are prepared to live out of our suitcases just stopping over night here and there. | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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andrewmckay5
 Canada
2245 Posts
Joined: 11 Feb 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 08 Mar 2008 : 15:32:06
| Just remember Florida is a big state. Sometimes it doesn't appear that way when you see it tagged onto the rest of the USA but you will have several hours at a time in the car. Road trips can be great fun but you might not want to spend 4 days or so just driving. Another plan "could" be Orlando, then a base on the Gulf for a few days. Get rid of the car and get the shuttle boat from the Gulf to Key West. Don't really need a car in key West so just then hire one when you leave to go up the Keys to Miami and the Everglades.???? Just a thought,
andrew |
http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida-vacation-rental-1338.aspx
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CERICROWLEY
 United Kingdom
3785 Posts
Joined: 14 May 2004
Status: online | Posted - 08 Mar 2008 : 16:04:12
| We did something similar to thing a couple of years ago, It was great to see different style of Florida, but was also hard work living out of suitcases. especially with two teenagers and driving.
First we stayed one night over on the space coast as we had a latish flight into Orlando, got an early start for the long day down to the Keys, we went all the way down to Key West, had a great 4 day trip and did not use the car once. then over across the everglades and did a whizz bang day trip across the everglades on the air boats. then we went straight across to the gulf coast had to do a one night stop in Venice beach before another 4 day relax on the gulf, and then back to Orlando for the the final 4 days in the Disney parks.
Would I do it again. Well I would not do the whole thing again, but I would certainly split up the trip again and have half the time either Orlando, Gulf or Keys.
We actually did thing again last Christmas and New Year, We did Disney for Christmas and the Keys for New Year, a bit more relaxed than the first time. |
http://www.onlinefloridavillas.com/florida-vacation-rental-1253.aspx
http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida-vacation-rental-1784.aspx
CERI | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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MarkJan
 United Kingdom
2512 Posts
Joined: 21 Oct 2004
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luckylady
 United Kingdom
4273 Posts
Joined: 17 Apr 2004
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Madabouttigger
 United Kingdom
1063 Posts
Joined: 02 Jun 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 09 Mar 2008 : 09:23:42
| Next year we plan to do a few nights in Orlando then drive over to the Gulf coast for the rest of the holiday. Look forward to your trip report to see if i can pick up any tips!  | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Fairground
United Kingdom
46 Posts
Joined: 05 May 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 09 Mar 2008 : 12:28:02
| Hi Jock
A few years ago we did a similar trip we stayed in Orlando as our main base and then spent a few days in Naples on the Gulf coast it was great.
This September our Plan is to Fly into Miami Spend four nights there, Then down to Key West for Three nights, and Finaly seven nights of rest and relaxation in a villa in kissimee.
A bit of driving, but I find it easy compared to UK (which reminds me I must see Roger sbout car hire).
Have a good time I know we did.
Chris | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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ShirleyD
 United Kingdom
5312 Posts
Joined: 21 Mar 2005
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stabard
 3043 Posts
Joined: 31 Mar 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 09 Mar 2008 : 16:15:13
| Way back in time when we gor married we did a flydrive for our honeymoon. we flew into Miami and then spent the next two weeks drving around Florida and just stopping where we felt like it. We had a fab time.
We have since done a few trips where we start in one place and finish in another, renting homes in both locations. Would really recommend it |
Jan and Lee
http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida-vacation-rental-1399.aspx |
Edited by - stabard on 10 Mar 2008 12:26:49 | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Susan J
 United Kingdom
1081 Posts
Joined: 13 May 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 10 Mar 2008 : 09:18:19
| | If this is a special occasion, as you say, I wouldn't go for the living out of the suitcase in various locations bit. I admit we have done some road trips - one from Texas via New Orleans to Orlando -BUT a hotel is a hotel, and you spend half your day planning the next one. I would suggest a week [or however many days] in Orlando, and the rest in a villa on the Gulf coast- there is a lot to see, and you will have a luxurious base to do it from -everglades or anywhere is in reach -and one thing that makes you very confident and the trip very easy - a Sat Nav. |
Susan J
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jock
United Kingdom
38 Posts
Joined: 09 Mar 2004
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CERICROWLEY
United Kingdom
3785 Posts
Joined: 14 May 2004
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steph_goodrum
 United Kingdom
6872 Posts
Joined: 12 Feb 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 10 Mar 2008 : 11:11:37
| | Personally Jock I would suggest doing the trip in reverse. Do the travelling first and then settle for a few days before you come back. That way, although you will probably be tired from the parks you haven't got the drive back to do as well. Otherwise when you come back you might not feel like you've had a holiday. |
Babblin Boo
http://www.orlandovillas.com/villas/92.aspx
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jock
United Kingdom
38 Posts
Joined: 09 Mar 2004
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steph_goodrum
United Kingdom
6872 Posts
Joined: 12 Feb 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 10 Mar 2008 : 12:44:52
| | When you look for flights Jock, it probably won't cost you any more to fly into Miami and out of Orlando (if you are going with a scheduled airline. If it is a charter flight them you won't have that option, but even if it is a little more then you'll save that on gas for the trip rather than do the drive twice. |
Babblin Boo
http://www.orlandovillas.com/villas/92.aspx
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jock
United Kingdom
38 Posts
Joined: 09 Mar 2004
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andrewmckay5
Canada
2245 Posts
Joined: 11 Feb 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 10 Mar 2008 : 13:51:52
| There are a number of owners from the Rotonda area on the forum; check out the Gulf section for ideas.
90 minutes south of Tampa. Sarasota, Fort Myers and Naples within east reach.A swamp Buggy Tour at Babacock Wilderness for a taste of the natural Florida(photos below.)Shuttle catamaran boat from Fort Myers to Key west only 3 and 1/2 hours. Great beaches, bars, restaurant, golf, fishing,boat tours etc.
andrew
quote:
Originally posted by jock
Thanks for the constructive feedback, can anyone suggest a good area of the Gulf Coast to stay? Ive never been there before.
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http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida-vacation-rental-1338.aspx
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steph_goodrum
United Kingdom
6872 Posts
Joined: 12 Feb 2002
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Has anyone ever done this type of trip?
