Advice on Florida Towns to visit
Jan 30th, 2007, 01:06 AM
#1
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Advice on Florida Towns to visit
Please can anyone help me.
I'm flying to Orlando for a 9 day break in Mid April. I'm looking to hire a car and stay in two or three different places, but just trying to decide where.
I like to be able to leave the car at the hotel on arrival, so looking for somewhere with a smallish town atmosphere where you can walk to bars and restaurants in the evening, preferably somewhere with a focal point rather than a long strip. Not concerned about late nightlife.
I'm not really into shopping or museums, but do like wildlife and walking. Not worried about good beaches, but do like the holiday atmosphere of being by the sea.
The towns I selected from reading many posts are St Augustine, Old Naples and Key West, but these are too far away from each other to combine in a short trip. I was hoping someone could give me some advice about any other good towns to visit in the area.
Many thanks.
I'm flying to Orlando for a 9 day break in Mid April. I'm looking to hire a car and stay in two or three different places, but just trying to decide where.
I like to be able to leave the car at the hotel on arrival, so looking for somewhere with a smallish town atmosphere where you can walk to bars and restaurants in the evening, preferably somewhere with a focal point rather than a long strip. Not concerned about late nightlife.
I'm not really into shopping or museums, but do like wildlife and walking. Not worried about good beaches, but do like the holiday atmosphere of being by the sea.
The towns I selected from reading many posts are St Augustine, Old Naples and Key West, but these are too far away from each other to combine in a short trip. I was hoping someone could give me some advice about any other good towns to visit in the area.
Many thanks.
Jan 30th, 2007, 05:33 AM
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I think you have made an excellent choice in St. Augustine. It seems to meet all your requirements.
Now, what else?
There is also Mt. Dora <http://www.mountdora.com/>, about 45 minutes from Orlando. It is a scenic, small town and located on a lake. They are probably best known for having a lot of antique shops. There are good restaurants and plenty of B&B's. Having said all that, I'm not sure how long you might want to stay there. There is not a lot to do there. You can research this further.
Also, consider Winter Park, conveniently adjacent to Orlando. They have shops, restaurants and a wonderful scenic boat tour <http://www.scenicboattours.com/>.
Now, what else?
There is also Mt. Dora <http://www.mountdora.com/>, about 45 minutes from Orlando. It is a scenic, small town and located on a lake. They are probably best known for having a lot of antique shops. There are good restaurants and plenty of B&B's. Having said all that, I'm not sure how long you might want to stay there. There is not a lot to do there. You can research this further.
Also, consider Winter Park, conveniently adjacent to Orlando. They have shops, restaurants and a wonderful scenic boat tour <http://www.scenicboattours.com/>.
Jan 30th, 2007, 06:40 AM
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St Augstine is interesting and not such a long drive from Orlando.
There was an article on St. Petersburg in yesterday's Washingtion Post. Although it's a good-sized city, the downtown area would have a small city feel and probably B&Bs. The Vinoy is fabulous but likely expensive. I read another article recently but don't remember the publication. The downtown waterfront area has been revitalized and is drawing a lot of young people with cafes, restaurants, coffe shops, etc. It's also a short drive to the Gulf beaches and about two hours from Orlando.
There was an article on St. Petersburg in yesterday's Washingtion Post. Although it's a good-sized city, the downtown area would have a small city feel and probably B&Bs. The Vinoy is fabulous but likely expensive. I read another article recently but don't remember the publication. The downtown waterfront area has been revitalized and is drawing a lot of young people with cafes, restaurants, coffe shops, etc. It's also a short drive to the Gulf beaches and about two hours from Orlando.
