holiday without a car
 

Coming from the U.K. do not want to drive for final part of holiday, 10 days in either Tampa, St Petersburg or Fort Lauderdale in nice hotel with a pool. Which of the above would people recommend for walking to shops, restaurants etc? - or are they much the same and does it depend on the area you choose?
I'd very much appreciate your help.

It very much depends on the area you choose - and what time of year you will be here.

Many places you really need a car.

And Tampa is not at all like Ft L.

Who/how many/ages/budget - will help give recos.

Ten days is a long time with no car in any of those places. If I had to do it, I would pick Miami Beach. Lots to see and walk to.

Thanks for your replies - we are going next May, just my husband and myself, aged late 50s. First part of holiday is driving round Lake Erie area visiting Cleveland & Detroit so we fancied a relaxing week or so after that just swimming, shopping, eating. I thought we could take taxis to any particular place of interest we wanted to visit - I'll have a look at Miami Beach. I'm a bit put off hiring a car for the second part of our holiday because of the parking charges most hotels seem to charge.
I would welcome your views.
Many thanks

First, I have to say I have never heard of anyone vacationing in Cleveland & Detroit unless they had family there. I don't know the area at all, but I really wonder about that.

As to Florida, not having a car b/c of hotel parking charges strikes me as being penny-wise and pound foolish, imo. Most hotels in Fla. don't charge for parking and car rentals in Fla. are relatively inexpensive vs. the rest of the country (although I know for Europeans, insurance is a killer). You might want to check car rental prices on whizzcarrental.com, a UK consolidator that I think includes all insurance in their quotes.

I agree that South Beach(Miami) is one of the few places in Fla. where you can really manage without a car if you have to. Lauderdale-by-the-sea is another possibility. But do you realize you will be very limited for restaurants for that long a time w/o a car? Going to one of the Fla. Keys I guess is another idea. Key West is manageable without a car.

If I was spending 10 days in Florida, I would try to rent a condo instead of staying at a hotel. Condos in Florida in May will be wide open because all the northerners will have gone home. Check www.vrbo.com for the various places. I'm sure they will all come with a parking spot, so your rental car won't be as expensive. And usually a condo for that long is much cheaper than a hotel and you get a living room and a kitchen as well. The condos and homes will have pools as well.

I had to smile at your comment Mclaurie about wondering why anyone would want to holiday in Detroit and Cleveland - I've been reaserching and there are quite a few things I'd like to see. I appreciate your help about the next stage of our hol. I had never considered a condo - even the word sounds so American, it's very appealing, thanks.

I think you'll be happier in a condo. Live like an American!

I happen to live in the Detroit area and my sister-in-law lives in Cleveland, so if you have any questions about it, let me know. May is a nice time to visit.