Mark

My wife and I are looking for a beach vacation this summer somewhere in the south (FL, GA, SC), and aren't sure where to go. We've looked into Sanibel Island, Key West, Jekyll Island, etc and none seemed to jump out at us (are we missing something). I guess the question is, where would you go if you were in your twenties, without kids, had some airline tix, and wanted to go to a US beach in the South, in the middle of summer for a relaxing holiday?

Paul Rabe

*IF* relaxation is your main goal, please note that the summer is the OFF season for Florida beaches. We drove into Fort Lauderdale in the late afternoon in June two summers ago and found every lodging 3/4 empty. I swam in both the motel's pool and the ocean almost entirely by myself. You'll probably find more European than American tourists! One disclaimer: the reason summer is the off-season is that it's VERY hot/humid, with thunderstorms just about every afternoon. Summer in Florida is NOT an idyllic paradise, but it is fairly quiet.

gloria

mark -- we just returned from our first trip to florida -- we spent a week on the SW coast on ft myers beach and a couple of nights in key west -- we LOVED sanibel -- we spent 3 days there, biking, kayaking, bird watching, doing the sanibel stoop (shelling on the beach), and even a little shopping -- sanibel even has a brewery pub, with decent beer, which was a nice surprise -- captiva island was also a nice place to shop, if you're into that -- we really aren't -- the everglades is nearby, and so is corkscrew swamp and santuary if you like to view birds and other wildlife, like turtles, alligators, otters etc. -- we had a fabulous time, and we are 2 adults in our 40s....... gloria

Rebecca

if you want to relax there is a lovely little island off the coast of Georgi. Sea Island Resort.I think they have the American plan and the meal are wonderful. There are lost of water sports, gold, tennis and horseback riding.

Rob

I know you said Southeast US, but since you are flying you might consider Bermuda. It's very relaxing and if the two of you rent a scooter you can ride around and find some beautiful secluded beaches. The only problem is, it's a bit pricey. If you want to spend the money, this sounds like what your looking for. If you do go, stay at The Sonesta or Elbow Beach. Also make sure to check out Hohshoe Bay Beach (not secluded but it's real nice).

Carole

I would agree with the earlier post that Sea Island in Georgia is wonderful; it is VERY expensive, though. All of your meals are included there, but you may not want that kind of plan, even though the food is wonderful. The island has a very exclusive, clubby feel. If that is not what you are looking for, I would recommend the King & Prince Resort on St. Simon's Island, which is right across a bridge from Sea Island. It is a very nice hotel (you can have regular rooms or villas) with a quiet beach. There are lots of good restaurants on the island. A day trip to Savannah is a nice excursion. I also really liked Kiawah Island in South Carolina when I was there. Where St. Simon's is a year-round residential community, Kiawah is totally a resort island. The island is very protective of its environment, so development has been carefully planned. The beaches are wonderful. You can rent villas on this island and bicycles seem to be the preferred mode of transportation. Charleston is an easy drive - about 30 minutes - and lots to see there when you get tired of sitting on the beach. Wherever you decide to go I hope you enjoy it!

ekitay

Ive been to Sanibel & captiva; best by far is Seaside in panhandle.
Call their 800 #; check it out in back issues of Architectural Digest.
Tons of great restaurants in area; white suagry sand
beaches; great facilities. You can drive from Tallahasee . . . it is sort of a casual but upscale place in the middle of the panhandle.

Also check out the island state park in triple aaa thats near panama beach --gets a star & is magnificient. PS most Fla state beaches are fabulous.

troy

Without a doubt, the absolute best place you could ever hope to visit in Florida for a relaxing top notch vacation is Little Palm Island 3 miles off of
Little Torch Key (about 28 miles north of Key West).
Mind you it is expensive but the best normally is. There web site is www.littlepalmisland.com

kam

I do love Sanibel and Captiva, but for us it was a destination during Chicago winters with our kids and grandparents. Quite family oriented, but wonderful shelling and bird watching--canoes into the preserved areas etc. My suggestion for you would be to spend some time in Kiaweh, SC, and then perhaps visit Charlston to see some of the old South and learn about its history. It might be cooler there too. Summer weather in FLA is no fun.

Katie

Have you thought about the coast of NC? It really is fantastic and probably very underrated. Wrightsville Beach right outside Wilmington has lots to do during the day and evening. Nags Head and Cape Hatteras are beautiful and secluded. There is lots of history in each place that I've mentioned (if you're in to that) the beaches are wide, the sand is white and the water is a perfect temperature during the summer. The Nags Head/Kitty Hawk area offers handgliding off the sanddunes (so cool), nice golf courses, rentals for jetskis, fishing boats, tours, whatever your fancy really. Nags Head may be more expensive because it is more resort like than the others, but it is fairly reasonable. Just another option to think about...good luck.

Katie

Have you thought about the coast of NC? It really is fantastic and probably very underrated. Wrightsville Beach right outside Wilmington has lots to do during the day and evening. Nags Head and Cape Hatteras are beautiful and secluded. There is lots of history in each place that I've mentioned (if you're in to that) the beaches are wide, the sand is white and the water is a perfect temperature during the summer. The Nags Head/Kitty Hawk area offers handgliding off the sanddunes (so cool), nice golf courses, rentals for jetskis, fishing boats, tours, whatever your fancy really. Nags Head may be more expensive because it is more resort like than the others, but it is fairly reasonable. Just another option to think about...good luck.

Katie

Have you thought about the coast of NC? It really is fantastic and probably very underrated. Wrightsville Beach right outside Wilmington has lots to do during the day and evening. Nags Head and Cape Hatteras are beautiful and secluded. There is lots of history in each place that I've mentioned (if you're in to that) the beaches are wide, the sand is white and the water is a perfect temperature during the summer. The Nags Head/Kitty Hawk area offers handgliding off the sanddunes (so cool), nice golf courses, rentals for jetskis, fishing boats, tours, whatever your fancy really. Nags Head may be more expensive because it is more resort like than the others, but it is fairly reasonable. Just another option to think about...good luck.

Katie

Have you thought about the coast of NC? It really is fantastic and probably very underrated. Wrightsville Beach right outside Wilmington has lots to do during the day and evening. Nags Head and Cape Hatteras are beautiful and secluded. There is lots of history in each place that I've mentioned (if you're in to that) the beaches are wide, the sand is white and the water is a perfect temperature during the summer. The Nags Head/Kitty Hawk area offers handgliding off the sanddunes (so cool), nice golf courses, rentals for jetskis, fishing boats, tours, whatever your fancy really. Nags Head may be more expensive because it is more resort like than the others, but it is fairly reasonable. Just another option to think about...good luck.

Katie

Have you thought about the coast of NC? It really is fantastic and probably very underrated. Wrightsville Beach right outside Wilmington has lots to do during the day and evening. Nags Head and Cape Hatteras are beautiful and secluded. There is lots of history in each place that I've mentioned (if you're in to that) the beaches are wide, the sand is white and the water is a perfect temperature during the summer. The Nags Head/Kitty Hawk area offers handgliding off the sanddunes (so cool), nice golf courses, rentals for jetskis, fishing boats, tours, whatever your fancy really. Nags Head may be more expensive because it is more resort like than the others, but it is fairly reasonable. Just another option to think about...good luck.

katie

sorry about all of the postings....never received a reply on whether or not fodors accepted my message....I hate it when I see multiple postings and now look what I go and do!*!*&$&!@ Have a great day everybody!!!!

Rebecca

For a relaxing vacation look into South Beach in Miami Beach. Hotel rates drop way down for summer, the off season, and there are no crowds. You feel like you're in another country. Lots of good restaurants and al fresco eating, rollerblading along the beach. It's a fun place if your in your twenties. We went there five years ago and loved
it, now we are going back again this summer!

kimberley

Another vote for Florida! In response to Paul's post: I have lived in Florida for 5 years, and people who live here love to go to the beach in the summer time! Of course, since this is life and not vacation, we generally go on week-ends and I would agree that the beaches are quite quiet during the week. But things definitely pick up on the week-end: the beaches have a little more activity and the nightlife definitely doesn't suffer! Also, if you go to the Miami area, then you can take a couple of days and drive down to the keys for a different experience (definitely relaxing!!). If you're down at Memorial Day, July 4th, or Labour Day week-end, you can go to Islamorada for the weekend (it's about an hour drive south of Miami) and experience a terrific mid-twenties party scene, if that appeals to you. A final comment about the weather: yes it does rain every afternoon, but don't picture a week of rain! It's is generally beuatiful and sunny all day, then rains for about an hour right when it's time to go into your hotel room for a shower anyway (late afternoon/early evening), then clears up again for a beautiful night. The rain is actually a blessing because it reduces the temeperature and humidity for a few hours so you can enjoy your evening that much more!