My city, Greenville SC has Allegient Air and we are thinking about a quick , cheap trip to Florida. Our choices are Fort Lauderdale, Ft. Myers/Sarasota St. or St. Pete. I know nothing about these areas. I have been to Daytona as a teenager, and honestly, that's not what I'm after.

Can you someone tell me a little about the 2 areas in question? I'm interested in knowing about the cities, neighborhoods, restaurants, things to see, how crowded/touristy each might be, which if any areas would be fun without a car, natural places of interest if we DID get a car, best areas to choose a hotel, convenience to the airport, if the weather in Ft. L would be expected to be a lot warmer than the other two, etc.

See, I'm so clueless I don't even know what questions to ask...but if anyone would like to jump in with info and suggestions, I'd be grateful. We are active, no kids. Thanks!

Perhaps these links will be helpful to you:

http://www.frommers.com/destinations...121010001.html
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/fortmyers/
http://www.frommers.com/destinations...405010001.html
http://www.frommers.com/destinations...rsburgflorida/

HTTY

When would your trip be?

Get a car; Florida is really not great on public transportation.

What time of year are you thinking of going? Also, what are your interests? (i.e. do you want to lounge on the beach, go to museums, go to theme parks, eat at 5 star restaurants, go to dance clubs etc.) I'm a bit biased having been raised in the Tampa/St. Pete area, but all three have a lot to offer depending on what you are looking for.

Boy, litespeed, it has been forever since we have seen you on the boards. Welcome back!

I love the Sarasota area. I stay out at Longboat Resort on Longboat Key. They have a free shuttle to St. Armands where the shopping and dining choices are terrific. But it is an easy walk. On my last trip I rented a bike. Great fun. It will probably still be a little cool for swimming.

Ft. Lauderdale is also fun. The Bahia Mar is a nice hotel with ocean access and very good transportation on the water taxi to the shops, restaurants, etc. I took a cab from the airport and never needed a car there.

Have fun and report back. Allegiant flies out of GSO but I have been reluctant to use them. Let's know how the experience goes.

Yes, forgot to say welcome back, litespeed!

Thanks, guys for the nice welcomes. We thought we'd travel in Jan or Feb. Normal weather in SC doesn't require winter escape, but this year has been hideous.

It now appears that based on Allegiant's limited flight schedules, Ft. L is my only option. I could stay on the beach all day and bake, but my husband would hope for cool neighborhoods to explore, natural sightseeing, and a place to rent a mountain bike would be a fabulous +. And of course restaurants. thanks!

I've lived in Florida since 1980 and count St. Pete as one of my favorite weekend getaways. I often stay at the Pier Hotel - charming, quaint, a bit of a European flavor. From there, it's easy to walk to good restaurants and to the lively Saturday morning street market. Not far from St. Pete is my favorite old-fashioned beach town, Pass-a-grille. You'd definitely need a car to get there. Take quarters for the parking meters and an umbrella and you can relax on this uncrowded beach all day.

I think you'll enjoy Fort Lauderdale. The Riverwalk/Las Olas area has lots of good restaurants - you can take a water taxi there from just about anywhere on the Intracoastal waterway.