Francesca_Nanula

Hi all,
My family and I are planning a vacation to Florida by car, starting from Miami to Panhandle: We're going to leave from Italy in late June, driving from the south of Florida up to Panhandle and then going back by the east coast down to Miami,
I've studied places and itineraries, read about parks, dolphins and corocdiles (my daughter is 6, I'm sure she will love these), looked at beautiful pics of beaches and everything, but I need more infos about this plan.
Any of you travellers will be able to help me?
Some questions for you: what about the weather and the temperature; the sea is it really emerald? is there somewhere the 2010 black petroleum' traces? Someone told me about really unbearable mosquitos... is all true?
Thanks a lot in advance for any suggestions you will give me!!!

NeoPatrick

Temperatures will be hot and humid in June for the most part. It may rain, but rain will likely be fairly short downpours, followed by sun and nice sunsets.

Forget about the petroleum deal. You won't see ANY signs of that issue!

The Atlantic and the Gulf are both frankly rather "murky" in color -- not clear emerald green like you might see in the Caribbean.

In most places the mosquitos are pretty much under control. I've lived in Naples for 40 years and I can't remember the last time I actually got a mosquito bite (well, yes I do remember getting some in Quebec last summer, but not in Florida!) Wandering the boardwalk in the Everglades (I'm assuming you're driving across the scenic US 41 from Miami to Naples and NOT the dull Alligator Alley -- I-75?) you may get some -- having some spray is a good idea.

By the way, be aware that Crocodiles are rare in Florida -- mostly you'll see Alligators.

Francesca_Nanula

Thanks for all the information, NeoPatrick.
Sorry for the mistake, I meant alligators!
I'm not going to go to Everglades (already been) I'll take note about your indication of Scenic US 41. If you have other advice about places to go, I'll appreciate much!!! Thanks and CIAO

MJT

The waters in the Florida Keys are the most beautiful, like the Caribbean. If you've not been to the Keys, I highly recommend it!

leeam

I definately would not call the water murky. The Panhandle, Destin, Ft. Walton, etc. have BEAUTIFUL emerald green water, it is gorgeous. The sand is like flour, one of the most beautiful areas I have seen. That is a long drive from Miami. Do not know how long you are planning to take for that drive, but it is approximately 10-12 hours depending on traffic, route etc. Will be very hot and humid but should be nice breezes by the Coast. Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated with fruit etc. You should not see any oil and definately have bug spray. I do not think they will be an issue, but have it handy. Have a safe and wonderful trip!

Littleman

Consider the Beaches of S Walton just E of Destin, FL on Route 30 A. Rosemary Beach is a great area. There are more low rise homes and less high rise condo's than you will find in Destin. And the beach is the same. Gorgeous.

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals...rosemary-beach

stumpworks73

You don't say how long you have for your tour. Deciding how many stops will depend on how much time you have. My general advise is less time in the car and more time on the beach. Just taking a quick pass at Mapquest with the following loop, I get 1,500 miles without adding the 200 miles to Key West and back. Many of the miles along the coastal roads are not fast driving.

I also recommend the Florida Keys, but should hear your time available first. You could either start of finish in the Keys.

Stops I would consider on the Gulf coast are Marco Island, Sanibel, Captiva. In the Panhandle: Apalachicola, Rosemary or Seaside; then I would head back at Fort Walton Beach. On the East coast, I would start at St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, then South Beach Miami.

volcanogirl

Bookmarking.

BlueSwimmer

St Augustine Beach has gorgeous navy blue water, white breakers, and golden sand, while on the other end of the state at the tip of the panhandle, Pensacola Beach has aqua/green clear water, sugar soft white sand, and gentle waves. Both St Augustine and Pensacola also have gorgeous historic architecture in their downtown areas and historic interest (forts etc), along with the condos and beach houses. We saw no signs of the oil spill on our trip to Pensacola last August.

If you make it all the way to Pensacola, check out the Paradise Bar and Grill, on a bay front beach with tables in the sand, live music, and amazing fried shrimp and fish dishes, along with the famous bushwhacker frozen drink (yum).

Francesca_Nanula

Wow! Such a lot of advices! Really thanks to everyone, truely!!
As I said I think I'll skip the Keys because I've been there twice, even it's a wonderful place; my husbund adore to drive and driving along all the keys has been such a exiting experience! I think we'll have 3 weeks vacation, (end June-July) and I've already put down a sort of program: here it is: MIAMI BEACH 3 days (1 is for the jetlag) FORT MYERS 4 days CLEARWATER 2 days
HOMOSASSA SPRING 1 INVERNESS 2 days(or CEDAR KEY) WAKULLA SPRINGS 1 APALACHICOLA 1 FORT WALTON (or any nice place around) 4 days TALLAHSEE 1night JACKSONVILLE 1 night DAYTONA 1 night MIAMI 1 night (?airport)
so what do you think about? I've found a km calculator in order to foresee all the stops, of course we can change whenever we like, or if you suggest to skip some places. The hardest trip I think will be: from WAKULLA SPRINGS to APALACHICOLA about km 307 and from Dayton to Miami more than 400 km....
I hope you will be full of things to tell me about...thanks again

stumpworks73

Saint Augustine is much more interesting stop than Jacksonville. St. Augustine has an historic fort. The village center has character and good restaurants. Crescent Beach is a great spot.

No disrespect to Jacksonville, but Jacksonville is not a resort city. More commercial industrial and little of interest for a visitor.

cd

Apalachicola is a quaint little town full of "old stuff" shops ( really not sure there are many antiques) and great oysters (Hole in the Wall and Boss Oyster and Papa Joe's, being three really good restaurant's) but it has no beach. If you want someplace on the beach in that area you would need to stay on St George Island, Indian Pass or Cape San Blas. There's a nice B&B in Indian Pass on the beach and right down the road from Indian Pass Raw Bar, the most unique restaurant I've ever been to, it's in an old gas station and offers wonderful oysters .

cd

Ps, meant to add the name of the b&b is Turtle Beach Inn in Indian Pass.

Francesca_Nanula

Thanks CD and Stumpworks73. I surely take notes of your marks: I also caught that SaintAugustine should be better for us to stop.
I'll write down all your suggestions CD!
very glade to have your advice.