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straitman

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I've got two weeks vacation time in Florida in late February. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to efficiently use the time?

Something off the regular tourist routine would be wonderful and I'm happy to consider side trips.
 
If you want to try cruising, there are plenty of cheap cruises of of Tampa, Miami, Fort Lauderdale & Port Canaveral (Orlando). These are short, around 4-6 days. I can easily suggest some agencies here that book these cruises.

I've never been to Florida, so not too sure what else there is to do, besides the touristy things such as Disneyworld & Universal Studios.:oops:
 
straitman said:
I've got two weeks vacation time in Florida in late February. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to efficiently use the time?

Something off the regular tourist routine would be wonderful and I'm happy to consider side trips.

I guess it really depends on what sort of things you like to do on holiday. Florida is very very developed. Boats, golf, retirement villages, golf, theme parks, golf, resorts, golf.

I've been to Florida 3 times. On my last trip to Miami i was a bit disappointed. It's become a bit sterile. South beach has lost its character, the old Jewish community has all but gone as have many of the other "interesting" characters that made it special. Still worth a few days. Avoid the famous Palm beach, snobby and boring. The coast up north around St Augustine is more interesting as is the Georgia coast. The Keys are okay.

Once you have gone that far, I would use Florida as a stop-off and head to Barbados.
 
JohnK said:
Now that is a holiday!

Thanks all.

I was actually looking for something different as I've been to Florida quite a few times before.

The cruise idea is one that I'll certainly investigate though.

JohnK, Sorry. If you recall I'm not a golfer.
 
straitman said:
Thanks Altair great idea. I've heard and felt a shuttle launch from Orlando but have not watched one from the Cape. :D ;) :cool:
That'd make a differerence from watching a 'copter take off. ;)
 
serfty said:
That'd make a differerence from watching a 'copter take off. ;)
According to a RAAF fast jet pilot, helicopters don't take off - they are so ugly the earth repels them :mrgreen: .
 
NM said:
According to a RAAF fast jet pilot, helicopters don't take off - they are so ugly the earth repels them :mrgreen: .

Careful :!:

The Australian Chief of Defence is a Helicopter man and he may send his boys after you. :D :D
 
NM said:
Ahh, now that explains it ... ;)
Careful there
serfty said:
That'd make a differerence from watching a 'copter take off. ;)
Careful there Nelly Mobbs; Bill tends to watch 'copters take off from the coughpit.
 
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When ever I visit the US we hire a car and drive.If you do this you dont have to limit yourself to Florida.Have you tried the west coast of Florida.It depends on what your interests are but for example Tampa has a very good Salvador Dali museum that is well worth while visiting.
Also depends on whether your partner is also going.There are several very good outlet centres on the west coast of florida and they are great value for australians.I think mrsdrron has been to about every outlet centre in the US. Go onto the net and look up the florida tourist organisation and get them to send you their travel guide-all the US states apart from alaska let you do this and they dont take long to arrive.The beauty of the US is that their are travel gems in even the smallest of towns and it really depends on what your interests are.
 
I enjoyed the Kennedy Space Centre, but this is probably not everyones cup of tea. Or the Everglades if you are an outdoors / nature person. Never done a cruise but this would be probably the cheapest place in the world to grab one, assuming you don't mind being stuck with a couple of thousand American tourists that is!

I have never explored the south or west coast areas much (heard Tampa area is nice + claimed most electrical storms on earth if you enjoy them like I do!), but the north & the panhandle in particular are not so exciting if you are looking for touristy stuff, some nice beaches if you want to sit back and do nothing much though. Be careful during school holidays, some parts get flooded with crazy kids. Visited Daytona Beach once, looked around for 2 or 3 hours and hated it so much we drove off & got a hotel elswhere. Overcrowded, overpriced, overdeveloped and mostly dirty + lots of idiots about; QLD Gold Coast is far better.
 
straitman said:
Thanks Altair great idea. I've heard and felt a shuttle launch from Orlando but have not watched one from the Cape.
You are welcome.
I am in the same boat as you. Last time I was there I tried to see the launch but due to weather it was delayed twice. I did the tour of the Space Centre which was great, my parents never sprang for the tour when we were kids.:( When they did launch I was in Orlando and heard the rumble then saw the column of smoke:cool: but I do not think it would be the same. My Dad has a home movie of an Apollo launch but no sound:( .
If you do manage to see one can you report back what it was like?;)
Oh west coast and everglades are also interesting as well but north I thought was boring and east coast downwards too overdeveloped.
 
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