The highlights of a wonderful 18 days!
Had reservations at the Tahitian Hotel in Treasure Island but upon arrival we lost our deposit and left for greener pastures as it was not maintained, had a musty smell and too far away from the beach although it was ocean front. We were lucky to find a great gulf front efficency at the Island Inn in Treasure Island where we left out sliding doors open every night and slept to the sound of the surf.
We had a lot of wonderful seafood meals on our balcony from seafood purchased at Mid Peninsula in St Petersburg. Don and Joan have a great market/restautant.
Some of our favorite restaurants when we weren't cooking were:
Sea Critters
Backfin Blue cafe in Gulport (the best!!)
Frenchy's Rockaway on the beach in Clearwater
Billy's in Tierra Verde for fresh stone crabs
Cabby's On the beach in Treasure Island for grouper sandwiches.
We enjoyed visiting the Dali Museum but felt that Busch Gardens, although nice and we enjoyed it for a day, was overpriced. It is over $50.00 pp. Pretty pricy for a family and I think I counted only four rides.
Stayed at the Best Western Suites in Key Largo. These were originally built as one bedroom condo's so you have a lot of space. They are older and need some maintenience but clean and very roomy. living room, full kitchen, screened balcony, bedroom upstairs and two baths.
We spent a day at the Everglades enjoying Anhinga Trail and driving Tamiami trail (rt 41) and viewing all the alligators along the road. We walked Pennekamp State Park and appreciated the beauty there. Also, on the way to Key West, we picniced at Bahia Honda State Park and walked the part of the orginal Flagler's bridge that still stands.
Arriving at Key West we entered a little hide-a-way called Key West Harbor Inn. They have a beautiful garden area with pool where they serve free breakfast each morning and cocktails every afternoon. We loved staying there as it is around the corner from the harbor and a couple blocks from Mallory Square. Out of the harbor, we sailed on the Appledore for an afternoon with 22 knot winds and it was great!!

Sorry for all the spelling errors. As you can see, I didn't proof read before hitting enter.

great report.

We did a lot of same last may.

We also stayed at BW in key largo. Ok but not a big fan of key largo. Stay there because it was close to Everglades (great time) and Pennekamp where we snorkled. Other then that won't go back to key largo.

Loved key west though and next time will spend time in Islamoroda (sp?).

Where is the Island Inn on TI? The Tahitian is a bit of a dive -- but I'll bet you paid much more for the Island Inn.

Treasure Island has a huge beach. They are going to be taking some of the sand from TI and hauling it down to Sunset Beach to try to even things out a bit.

The Island Inn is about a mile south of the Tahitian. It is very close to Sunset Beach. We walked it each day and loved it. The width of the beach at the Tahitian is so wide you are probably a 1000 ft to the water. You can not even hear the surf from that distance. Not so at the Island Inn. It was great. The differance in price was only 8.00 per night plus tax. A really good deal!

We also were in Key Largo for the Everglades and Pennakamp State Park. Agree that we will not go back but loved Key West and would go back!

Oh, I know now where it is. I have a house on Sunset Beach, a block south of the Ka'Tiki. But it's always rented so I'm constantly looking for places out there. I'll have to give Island Inn a try.

Glad you had a good time and recovered from the Tahitian.

Tandoori Girl
I think you will be very pleased with the Island Inn gulf front rooms. Cabby's is just a five minute walk from there. We walked Sunset Beach every day and would then stop at Cabby's for liquid refreshment and sometimes a grouper sandwich. Love the fact that they provide beach chairs if you want to sit by the water!
Want to thank everyone for all your help in planning our trip! I received valuable information!

cd, next time you go to Busch Gardens be sure to get the map. In addition to rides, Busch Gardens is a major entertainment venue with shows all day long, and one of the South's best zoos. These are the rides:

The Scorpion and Python-the park's original two roller coasters.

Kumba-the original Big one. It travels at over 60mph, has 7 upside down flips, and over 2 minutes long.

Montu-Busch Gardens second big coaster. It is the Southeast's largest inverted roller coaster.

Gwazi-Busch Garden's newest roller coaster. It is one year old and is the park's first wooden roller coaster.

Akabar's Adventure-a simulation ride featuring Martin Short

Tanganyika Tidal Wave-a slow trip through an African village, up a ramp really high, with an extremely sharp drop.

Congo River Rapids-a river rapid ride in a big inner tube with 7 other people.

Stanley Falls-Busch Garden's log ride.

Land of the Dragons-the kiddie area has some small rides for kids and some large tree house type play areas.

There is also another area with many smaller, but fun, rides for younger kids, including bumper cars.

Other attractions include the Sky Ride, Train Ride, King Tut's Tomb, and other small attractions located throughout the park.

Tandoori Girl
Thanks for all the BG info. I'm sure other's reading this appreciate your knowledge. We did enjoy all the shows and the animals. We have been to Cedar Point in Ohio every summer for around 10 yrs and I think We compared BG to CP and CP is so much better in our opinion.

Tandoori Girl
Wow, certainly did not mean that I did not appreciate your knowledge! Because we certainly have! In re-reading my post I thought it might sound that way!

Oh, no, CD. I didn't interpret your post at all. I'm attempting to clarify that there are more than 4 rides at Busch Gardens! Gosh, how'd you miss them all? Maybe you were there during that cold snap and just wanted to get the heck outta there.

Tandoori Girl
I was only counting coasters as rides. It was cool that day so anything to do with water was not a consideration and we have no small children so the kiddie rides were out and I don't count the sky ride or train as rides, just means of transportation. Soooooo there lies our communication gap. Thanks again!

cd, it was great meeting you too! Fodorites are the coolest people. I must say I'm a little embarassed, though, at encouraging you to stay at the Tahitian. I definitely learned though: next time I will emphasize that I've never been inside when I comment on hotels in my locale...but I AM glad you guys found the Island Inn. I always hesitate to mention it, because you do need a car since it is slightly off the beaten path. Welcome home!

Hi Joan!
It was so great meeting you and your husband! We loved shopping for our fresh seafood in your market/restaurant and I fell in love with Don's smoked spread! Sure wish I had more right now!

Thank you, cd, for an excellent report. I plan to use some of the information for my trip to the Keys in April. Great job!!!

Parahil
I'm so jealous! I would love to be going back for a few days! If you feel like a bowl of soup for lunch one day, the White Chili at, I believe it's spelled, Alonzo's right on the marina is out of sight! Made with clams. Yummmm