Hello wise people

I have just located a killer airfare sale that will allow us to spend our October anniversary in Florida. The sale flies us into Tampa, but I really don't think we want to stay there. I'd love some advice on other cities within a 30 minute haul from the airport that have more beach to them.

We'd like access to some nightlife (nothing too wild needed) and some interesting things to see---aquariums, zoo, etc. In my vast (ha!) research, I'm thinking Clearwater and Treasure Beach may be right on the money.

Also, what about lodging? We have an Entertainment Book, but does anyone have any other "on the gulf/beach" ideas? I saw smaller motels and such pricing around $50 a night. Am I likely to find scary rooms when I get there? After the place we stayed for, oh, 5 minutes in Ft Lauderdale (before we immediately checked out and high-tailed it to the Bahia Mar) that we booked online, I'm gunshy!

thanks in advance for all the wisdom you impart,
Kelly

Kelly: If you're young, you'll probably prefer Clearwater Beach ... more action. Treasure Island is very nice too, but quiet. Each is about 30-40 minutes from the Tampa airport ... quite easy to find. At $50 per night, you'd be at small, old motels in TI ... two that are quite nice are Jefferson and Captain's Quarters, which are about $75. I wouldn't go any lower if I were you. These places I checked out two weeks ago, and I'll be at one in September. Each is right on the beach. In Clearwater, I'm just not sure, but if I were you, I'd avoid those huge hotels on the beach, and go for a smaller place near the round-about and Pier 60. With some luck, you may get a response from a Olive Oyl ... this poster offers excellent information about the Tampa area, and may be able to suggest a nice place at Clearwater. May I suggest you have a meal at the Salt Rock Grill in Indian Shores, about 10 minutes south of Clearwater Beach, on Gulf Blvd. You'll need a reservation ... offers the best food in the area. If you end up in TI and want some fun places to eat or imbibe, try Woody's Wayside, Tiki or Nick's ... easy to find (the latter two are on Sunset Beach at the southern end of TI, just before you cross the bridge into St. Pete Beach). Woody's is in SPB ... and if you see a great looking Z3 in their lot, you'll know you're in the right place. I find such local landmarks an invaluable aid in locating important places and people. Great to watch the sun go down while you have a drink and some poppers ... Olive will advise you on that as well, and perhaps a place at Gulf Port, the Don Cesar or other places in the general vicinity. Enjoy FL. Ciao

My vote's for Clearwater Beach. I stayed there a few years ago and really enjoyed the area. As for nightlife, on one of the evenings, plan on heading into Tampa and check out Ybor City - plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from.

I agree that Clearwater Beach is a lot of fun and you should try Ybor City one evening. Check out accommodations at www.beachdirectory.com

We liked St Pete's beach and while we stayed at a friends condo there looked to be really nice hotels there. The Holiday Inn Inn even looked good

Hi Kelly:

I've also recently found great airfare to Tampa from Boston and will be taking my wife there for her birthday in early November to visit Busch Gardens and Sea World.

I've booked my hotel through hotwire.com the last couple vacations and I haven't found anything else that comes close to the great prices we get. In Tampa we are staying at the Hilton Westshore next to the airport for $40/night!! When we went to Orlando last year we stayed in a great hotel for $37/night!!

Hotwire is the kind of site that doesn't disclose the name of the hotel until after you book the room, and you have to pay in full at the time of the booking. However, they let you choose certain areas of a city and then rate the hotels accordingly so you can get a pretty good idea of what you are getting into. I was a little nervous at first, but now I am hooked.

I've looked into what else there is to do in Tampa and they have everything on your list so maybe you should consider staying there! They have great museums, an aquarium, a zoo and great nightlife at Ybor City.

Have fun!

My husband and I just spent a week in April on Indian Rocks Beach (between Clearwater and St. Pete's. We thought we would make it over to Tampa during the week but only did the trip once because it took forever (at least 45 min city driving) to get anywhere with the traffic. I do recommend the Florida Aquarium. You might also try www.beachdirectory.com They list smaller properties which may be cheaper. Look for the Superior Small Lodging logo for places that have agreed to meet certain standards. There does seem to be a lot to do right in Tampa. It depends on whether you have your heart set on a beach vacation or a city vacation. Have fun!