Hi - I'm thinking about a vacation to Florida, but not sure what coast or part of the state to go to. I like laying on the beach, shopping and seeing historical sights. Disney, Epcot, etc., does NOT interest me. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance!

When are you planning on going?

During the winter, I think the best places are the Southwest coast and the keys.

However, St. Augustine, on the Northeast coast, is "America's oldest permanently settled European city" accoridng to the official U.S. Florida tourism site: www.flausa.com.

Here is a link to a gateway site which has many links:

http://www.usastar.com/i95/snowbird.htm

I think you'd enjoy South Florida, especially Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood Beach or Miami Beach. Beautiful beaches, lots of great restaurants and shopping.

Florida's best beaches are on the Gulf Coast. I think you want Long Boat Key off Sarasota -- best shopping at St. Armand's Circle (good restaurants, too), Ringling complex is very historic and interesting. Take side trip down to Gasparilla for OLD wealthy Florida.

I love the west coast beaches too - the Bradenton area is nice as well as further south from there. We went by a lot of "historic" cheezy sort of tourist traps along the way which now seem kind of quaint.