I wondered if I could get some opinions. We are planning a driving tour of Florida the last week of April. We will have 9 days total. Leaving from Charlotte, NC and for sure stops along the way are Savannah, GA and St. Augustine. (we'd only stay in both towns for a few hours)

We did something similiar last year and spent a few days in the above towns along with Orlando, Sanibel and Daytona.

Would love to get back to Sanibel again even if its only for a day or two but would also like to see more.

So, our possible itinerary's are as follows:

1. Down the east coast all the way stopping at Ft. Lauderdale then heading West to Naples then Sanibel then east and back up.
We would stop at Cocoa Beach, Palm Beach along the way.

2. Down the east coast all the way to Key West and then back up - skipping the gulf but stopping at points of interest.

We are both beach lovers. I like the gulf better, my dh likes the Atlantic better. Taking these into considerations which itinerary do you guys think we would like most? We would like it to be warm enough to swim. I recall from last year when we did this at the same time of year I thought it was too cold to swim in Daytona. Thats one of my concerns. I also know Key West is not much of a beach town and that is another concern. Since we've never been below Daytona on the east we're not really sure if its worth it or does it all look like Daytona. Not that there's anything wrong with Daytona but we liked the quietness and natural beauty of Sanibel.

One of the things I'm considering is doing the east then gulf itinerary but taking the Key West Shuttle from Ft. Myers. Has anyone ever taken this? Is it worth the price? (close to 200 for 2 people) We thought this would be a good way to find out if Key West is worth it.

Sorry this is long.
Know this is alot to ask and appreciate any help you guys can give. If we only had more time...
Thanks!

You have a lot of long days of driving ahead of you if you are going to drive all the way down into the Keys and back up again. IMHO you will have quantity not quality to the places you visit. I personally would localize my stops more. Triangulate so to speak. See dit, dit, and dit and next year do another section.

We drove from Myrtle Beach to Key West and up the west coast and along the panhandle and it was a haul. We had more time and drove fewer miles a day and still lost quality and missed a lot of things. A few hours in some places just isn't enough. Now I'm rambling, but you get the gist of it....

topping for more suggestions

I probably shouldn't answer Deborah, because I'm not an expert & haven't been to Daytona to compare (Patrick, who lives in Naples may be the best person for this question). BUT, since you haven't gotten much feedback, I'll ramble a bit.

This sounds like too much drivng to be relaxing. Key West is a 3 hour drive from MIAMI. While Key West is a unique place, if beaches & quiet are your primary objectives, Key West doesn't fit the bill. Some of the closer keys could be. I think you need to tell us what, besides beaches you're looking for. Singer Island, just above Palm Beach has a great beach & would afford the ability to see Palm & West Palm beach. IMO. the beaches in Ft Lauderdale or Miami are no better than Singer Island. There is more nightlife though. So give us some more info. Also, I guess I'd want to know why you're revisiting places you've already been?

This is long again - sorry...

Well, we're not really into nightlife - some I guess is ok. We're revisiting some spots we went to before since they make for easy stopping points along the way. We're so familiar with Savannah & St. Augustine that its quick for us to get off the highway and stop in at our favorite restaraunt/shops in both towns for a quick bite and a chance to stretch our legs.

Would like to include Sanibel because quite honestly I fell in love with the place last year. Would love to live there someday.

I believe I may have figured out a plan that works. I think I've figured out the driving times etc and come up with the best possible itinerary.

We'll leave 4/25 late afternoon & get a head start on the drive. Plan on driving atleast 3 hours that night.
4/26 - stop Savannah, stop St. Augustine(?), stop Daytona for the night.
4/27 - stop Palm Beach, check it out for an hour or so then onto Ft. Lauderdale.
4/28 - rest in Ft. Lauderdale
4/29 - Ft. Lauderdale to Naples
4/30 - Late afternoon head to Sanibel from Naples
5/1 - Boat trip to Key West
5/2 - rest in Sanibel
5/3 - stop in Tampa(?) and/or continue onto Amelia Island or St. Augustine - depending on whether or not we stopped in St. Augustine on the way down.
5/4 - head home

The one thing I can say is a definite is we don't want to plan or make reservations for anything. We take 2 vacations a year, one which we plan (usually to the caribbean) & one which we just kind of go where we want to.

Last year we intended to go further than Sanibel but enjoyed it so much decided to stay. The same thing may occur this year if we find a place that we just can't resist. So, accomadation openness is important. I was thinking we would need to get further South to get to the really warm weather - suitable for swimming.

I know it will be exhausting - it was last year but we're up to it! What do you guys think? Does it sound doable?

Thanks much!

I want to second the recommendation for Singer Island - it is fabulous. I would also add Marco Island since the beach is fabulous..... There are so many wonderful places in Florida - I would suggest that maybe you skip the ones you've been to before - and try some of the other places you haven't been (although, I'm with you on Sannibal - it is awesome....)

these are my very general observations. the east coast of Florida is the classic, old-fashioned, family-piled-in-the-station-wagon, kind of place. St Augustine, Marineland, Alligator Farms, Monkey Farms, art deco, Miami Beach and palm trees - that's the old Florida. The west coast is more condo after condo after condo with an occasional restaurant thrown in. (Yes, the east coast has condos on the beach, but bear with me). The west coast has, no argument, better, whiter, sandier beaches. But it's missing, in my opinion, the ambiance of the east coast.

By the way, as much as I love the Keys, I'd skip 'em given your itinerary.