Has anyone ever done this type of trip?

[jock]

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.

Thank you

[LiesaAnna]

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......

[Jill]

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.

[jock]

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.

[andrewmckay5]

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

[CERICROWLEY]

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.

[MarkJan]

I would say go for it but plan your last nights accommodation to be not too far from Orlando.

[luckylady]

Hi Jock
I wouldn't hesitate to explore other areas in Florida take your time don't overdo the driving all in one go.We love the Everglades and the Keys wellworth the journey [msnwink]

[Madabouttigger]

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! [msnwink]

[Fairground]

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[msnwink]).

Have a good time I know we did.

Chris