We starting to plan next winter's vacation and thought we'd head to southern Florida. We're 2 50-something's and our only criteria is that we have to stay in one place all week because we'll be in a timeshare. We want some entertainment (but not necessarily night life)and don't want to be board. If you could stay anywhere in Florida for a week to get out of the northern cold where would you stay and what plans would you have?

Depends on when in winter and how warm you want weather to be. If it is Ja/Feb and you want beach weather, you need to be at West Palm Beach or south or, on Gulf coast, Ft. Myers or south.

Timing will be Feb/March. Hopefully staying away from spring breakers.

If I take your question literally (you said if you could stay ANYWHERE in Florida) then I would suggest heading for the Keys. Wouldn't make a whole lot of difference where you stay, but Key West is always popular.

Spring Break for college kids is generally very end of Feb thru mid-March. For younger public school kids, anything from President's Day week to 3rd week in April.

Don't think too many spring breakers go to timeshares, and in general, the more expensive a place, the less likely you will be over-run by packs of college kids.

Remember that the Keys have essentially no beaches. It really does depend on what your pleasures are. E.g., if tennis or golf is impt. Keys aren't best spot either. If fishing is high on agenda, Keys would be great. Best beaches (softest sand, etc) are in Panhandle and Sarasota. Terrific restaurants in Naples area and Sarasota. Etc. Etc. What are your druthers?

The beaches in Marathon Fl in the keys are spectacular. Here is a link to a really wonderful resort, Tranquility Bay:
http://www.tranquilitybay.com/
check out the beach pics & good luck.

Sarasota might work for you. Lovely beaches, plenty to do.

http://www.sarasotafl.org/

The west coast of Florida has the beautiful long white sandy beaches. The east coast lacks in that respect. So I would choose Sarasota or the Tampa bay area! Naples can be very expensive. If you choose a time share on St Pete beach you will able to walk to many restaurants and shopping places. Longboat Key and Siesta key in Sarasota would also offer alot to do! do. Siesta Key is great!

Another vote from 50 somethings-(us too) for the Sarasota area. I have 5 friends on the West Gulf Coast with either time shares or full time residences now. They are from Cape Coral, Ft. Meyers, Venice, Englewood and all the way up to Dunedin near Clearwater and Tampa. We've come to the conclusion for what we like to do and for the general atmosphere- many of these locations will do- but that we like the Sarasota area to vacation the best.

just an fyi...

I know of several spring breaks in FL that last through mid/late April.

Minnie- head for South Beach... the beach is beautiful there, there is shopping, culture, dozens of restaurants and if you can get a timeshare close to Ocean Blvd, grab it, you won't be bored for a minute... just the people watching alone is good for hours....