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I'm looking for a nice vacation spot in Florida, sometime around February. It'd be me, my wife and two kids 12 and under. We've been to Orlando a several times over the past few years, but I thought it might be good to try somewhere different. The last few vacations, we did the Disney/Universal/SeaWorld thing so it'd be nice to be able to just kick back and relax for a week, maybe in a rental unit instead of a hotel room.

Somewhere on (or close to) a beach, a little laid back, with weather warm enough for shorts and t-shirts, and not too expensive.

Any suggestions, pholks? If you have specific suggestions for hotels, etc. I'd love to hear 'em!

You may want to try Key West.

Has a lot of the things you are looking for. A great hotel, moderate to expensive is the Casa Marina, but all price points exist down there.

You are still in the states...but it does not feel like it.

A fun trip is also Ft. Lauderdale. Moderate priced hotels like the Riverside in Las Olas to the beachfront Marriott (moderate/expensive). Many things to do, the beach is super.

fort lauderdale is the way to go, the beach area is great and there are a lot of things to do, i lived there for 3 years and had a great time, keep in mind in february it is warm but really not warm enough to get in the water with little keets

iufinfan wrote:keep in mind in february it is warm but really not warm enough to get in the water with little keets

How far south would you have to go to get water warm enough to get into? Not necessarily for extended swims, but even just to splash around in?

Great suggestions, keep 'em coming!

Are you flying to florida? If so I would check into deals in the Bahamas or other islands. It will be prime time, but if you find a smaller all-inclusive it can save you in the long run.

If you are driving then somewhere in the Keys would fit the bill for you.

For nice weekly vacation rentals try http://cyberrentals.com/homepage.html

Anna Maria Island.
Take the trolley around.
Very relaxing.
Smuggler's Cove is a time share place that rents out and they have great activities, like cook outs and shell hunting.

check out the west coast.. from Naples to Marco Island is a terrific spot. The beaches are beautiful

FT. LAUDERDALE - STAY AT THE SHERATON YANKEE CLIPPER- IT'S RIGHT ON THE BEACH, ALSO 2 POOLS. SAY HI TO GIL AND THE BOYS AT THE BEACHSIDE BAR. ALSO THEY HAVE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN.I STAY THERE MOST EVERY YEAR I'M IN LAUDERDALE

I'll be in KW in February. You can hang out with us!

tequilatom wrote:FT. LAUDERDALE - STAY AT THE SHERATON YANKEE CLIPPER- IT'S RIGHT ON THE BEACH, ALSO 2 POOLS. SAY HI TO GIL AND THE BOYS AT THE BEACHSIDE BAR. ALSO THEY HAVE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN.I STAY THERE MOST EVERY YEAR I'M IN LAUDERDALE

Did I mention inexpensive? LOL
The Clipper sounds (and looks) great, but at over $200 a night, I think it's out of my price range.

Maybe I can spring for a drink at the beachside bar though.

SuperTrooper wrote:Are you flying to florida?

For nice weekly vacation rentals try http://cyberrentals.com/homepage.html

Flying (from Canada), most likely. The 24 hour drive doesn't appeal to my kids for some reason!

Thanks for the tip about the vacation rental site. Have you used it in the past? Any recommended properties from it?

hey,
i noticed you are looking for a nice inexpensive florida vaca, i have timeshares in florida. when you decide where you wanna go let me know i have time available i can get you a nice deal, the only thing i would have to do is book the reservation in your name. i have places in bradenton, daytona, fort myers, gulfstream, holmes beach, marathon, orlando, ormond beach, panama city beach, sanibel island, st augustine, and surfside. i seem to have out done my self and am trying to make some kind of money off all of this. the cost would vary by location but these are all resorts, and are very nice. well let me know if you are interested, my personal e-mail is mandegi@msn.com
fins up!!

Demerara wrote:

SuperTrooper wrote:Are you flying to florida?

For nice weekly vacation rentals try http://cyberrentals.com/homepage.html

Flying (from Canada), most likely. The 24 hour drive doesn't appeal to my kids for some reason!

Thanks for the tip about the vacation rental site. Have you used it in the past? Any recommended properties from it?

Isn't that what tranquilizers are for?

Lounge on Key Biscayne in MIAMI,great beaches hotels,etc...........lots for the kids....SEAQUARIUM,ZOO,PARROTJUNGLE,MONKEY JUNGLE,AIRBOAT RIDE IN THE EVERGLADES...........Jillions of good watering holes......drive down to the keys.....there is alot along the way to Key West.....that is nice

And when your there, stop on by and take an air tour of Stiltsville and Biscayne Bay!

Demerara wrote:

tequilatom wrote:FT. LAUDERDALE - STAY AT THE SHERATON YANKEE CLIPPER- IT'S RIGHT ON THE BEACH, ALSO 2 POOLS. SAY HI TO GIL AND THE BOYS AT THE BEACHSIDE BAR. ALSO THEY HAVE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN.I STAY THERE MOST EVERY YEAR I'M IN LAUDERDALE

Did I mention inexpensive? LOL
The Clipper sounds (and looks) great, but at over $200 a night, I think it's out of my price range.

Maybe I can spring for a drink at the beachside bar though.

then try the bestwestern oceanside inn. it's right next door to the clipper.i stay ther often. when i don't want to play clipper rates.use the clipper facilities. i'm going there in dec. for 3 night 200..00 total.if you book through a travel agent . the deal is through american airlines vacations.

Siesta Beach in Sarasota

I'd go to Cedar Key (North of Tampa)-It's the direct polar opposite of Orlando. A lot of peace and quiet. Not much of a beach, but great fishing and boating, a small funky downtown, probably a lot like Key West was 30 years ago before KW became Aspen. I like Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key (Florabama Bar) a lot too. Pensacola's a wreck after the last hurricane. It'll probably be cheap though...

Canadian universities and a few American Colleges start the Spring Break season the last two weeks of Feb, so if your looking for that type of atmosphere I'd suggest the Normal Spring Break Beaches or KW, if not pick one of the more quiter cities.

Spring break still though doesnt hit full force till May starts.