Where to stay in Florida?
 

My husband and I want to spend a week in Florida in December, but we've never been there and don't have a clue as to which city, coast, etc. is best. We don't want to do the Orlando/Disney World thing with lots of kids, but we don't want to be bored either. For the best airfare prices we'd have to fly into St. Petes, Ft Lauderdale, Orlando or Sarasota. Could you please help? Thanks!

We have been all over Florida and prefer the gulf coast area around Clearwater. We just came back from 10 days at Madiera Beach. We usually fly into Tampa as we found St.Petes to be too much of a hassle with customs etc. This is within walking distance of grocery stores drugstore etc. There is also a touristy area called Johns Pass just down the road with a good rib place there. Bush Gardens is about an hour or so away and isn't quite as busy as Disney. Also the Wagon Wheel flea market is a must see and is about an hour away. We rented a car very reasonable from a place just across the street from the condo we used and they picked us up from the airport and brought us to the grocery store on the way inand also brought us back to Tampa. This is the first time we havn't rented from one of the'big name' rental companys and it worked out well cost wise and convenience wise. The weather was hot, in the low 90's the whole time we were there and we had the beach to ourselves. The condo we rented was the Madiera Vista (for the 2nd time) and we would go back there in a minute. The units are privately owned and there is a on site manager. We have stayed in quite a few and we like this one the best for cleanliness, people etc. It is directly on the beach and they provide BBQs etc. This area is also close to the Sunshine Skyway, Tarpon Springs, which a nice short drives and interesting. If I can be of anymore help please Email. Marilyn <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

I agree. I live in South florida and although it is beautiful, if I were you (and I WILL be a tourist this December), I'd stay on the west to Central area of Florida - tampa, st. pete, clearwater...If you decide you want to come to S. Fla./South Beach/Key West, etc; please email me. Will be happy to assist in any way.

Louise, Very much agree with above comments. Have vacationed and explored both sides of Floida, the gulf coast is very peaceful and relaxing compared to the very crowded atlantic side. Have returned to the Clearwater area several times and will return again soon. <BR> <BR>This may sound nit-picking but when you say good airfares into St.Pete... that is the smaller of the two airorts in that area, you may do better with Tampa International Airport. It is very large with many flights scheduled. It is sometimes refered to as Tampa/St.Pete however if you ask for airfars just to St.Pete your answers may be limited to the few airlines that service it..

Speaking as a Florida native, I'd take the flight into Ft. Lauderdale. The weather in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale/Palm Beach area is more reliably warm and dry in December than on the west coast, which is subject to "cold snaps" that leave daytime temperatures in the 40s and 50s. Two adults would be hard-pressed to be bored in South Florida, between the beaches, gardens, Keys, restaurants, night clubs, etc. <BR>