MINI2 - MINI Forum - View Single Post

Electrc109 · Dec 31st, 2003, 01:01 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by SoggyRICEcirspies

..... so myself, my good lady wife and two children think we'd like to pay a visit, we want a "special" holiday this year rather than the usual couple of weeks somewhere in Europe. We've been scanning all the brochures for ideas and information about resorts but I figured you folks would know best

We're thinking of Florida and have been looking at the likes of Clearwater, Fort Myer, Naples, Tampa etc etc It doesn't have to be Florida, but it does need to be hot and sunny. What we want is a resort where we can just walk to nice restruants and bars if we feel like it and not be tied to driving everywhere all the time - that way I can have a beer or two in the evening But we also want to have options to drive and see sights when we want to be away from the pool and beach. The kids are only 3 and 5 so too young to really enjoy Disney etc. , they are happy building sandcastles all day. But they do love wildlife so visiting the aligator farms etc would be great.

Ideally we'd like a non-stop flight to say Tampa or Orlando and then go on from there, we hate travelling with two young kids so the quickest route is most appealing.

So can you folks offer any advice as to the best resorts to visit, best hotels - both from value for money and location - to stay, ideas on things to do other than hit the beach and pool ?

Oh, and yes - car rental - i'd love a MINI but 2 adults, 2 children and a fortnights luggage do not equate, so which companies offer the best deals over there

Thanks in advance for your input

Bob

Well, I can give you tons of info about travelling in Florida. My personal favorite is Daytona Beach, my homewtown. It is historically quite the hotspot for partying, and only an hour away from Orlando.

It is best to stay on the east coast IMHO because the beach on the west coast of Florida has no waves. Also, the beaches on the east coast are completely public. In Daytona, you can drive on the beach also.

My suggestions for attractions is to go to Islands of Adventure, and Disney World (the Magic Kingdom and Epcot) which is the best place for kids to have fun. Busch Gardens in Tampa has some fun roller coasters, but the parks in Orlando are top notch.

As for the nature aspect of your trip, there is a spectacular Alligator Farm in St. Augustine (which is only about an hour north of Daytona Beach). The Canaveral National Seashore is beautiful. The Ocala National Forest has several freshwater springs which I highly recommend. My personal favorite is Juniper Springs. There is a 2-4 hour canoe trip down the Juniper River, which I find to be absolutely the best canoe trip in Florida.

Check out www.sunshineminis.org for most of the Florida freaks. =)

If there is anything you would like to ask a veteran traveller, please PM me, I'd love to provide you with some insider knowledge.

Dec 31st, 2003, 01:01 AM	#2
Electrc109 DRIVER Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ormond by the Sea FL Local Time: 05:05 PM Posts: 696 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by SoggyRICEcirspies ..... so myself, my good lady wife and two children think we'd like to pay a visit, we want a "special" holiday this year rather than the usual couple of weeks somewhere in Europe. We've been scanning all the brochures for ideas and information about resorts but I figured you folks would know best We're thinking of Florida and have been looking at the likes of Clearwater, Fort Myer, Naples, Tampa etc etc It doesn't have to be Florida, but it does need to be hot and sunny. What we want is a resort where we can just walk to nice restruants and bars if we feel like it and not be tied to driving everywhere all the time - that way I can have a beer or two in the evening But we also want to have options to drive and see sights when we want to be away from the pool and beach. The kids are only 3 and 5 so too young to really enjoy Disney etc. , they are happy building sandcastles all day. But they do love wildlife so visiting the aligator farms etc would be great. Ideally we'd like a non-stop flight to say Tampa or Orlando and then go on from there, we hate travelling with two young kids so the quickest route is most appealing. So can you folks offer any advice as to the best resorts to visit, best hotels - both from value for money and location - to stay, ideas on things to do other than hit the beach and pool ? Oh, and yes - car rental - i'd love a MINI but 2 adults, 2 children and a fortnights luggage do not equate, so which companies offer the best deals over there Thanks in advance for your input Bob Well, I can give you tons of info about travelling in Florida. My personal favorite is Daytona Beach, my homewtown. It is historically quite the hotspot for partying, and only an hour away from Orlando. It is best to stay on the east coast IMHO because the beach on the west coast of Florida has no waves. Also, the beaches on the east coast are completely public. In Daytona, you can drive on the beach also. My suggestions for attractions is to go to Islands of Adventure, and Disney World (the Magic Kingdom and Epcot) which is the best place for kids to have fun. Busch Gardens in Tampa has some fun roller coasters, but the parks in Orlando are top notch. As for the nature aspect of your trip, there is a spectacular Alligator Farm in St. Augustine (which is only about an hour north of Daytona Beach). The Canaveral National Seashore is beautiful. The Ocala National Forest has several freshwater springs which I highly recommend. My personal favorite is Juniper Springs. There is a 2-4 hour canoe trip down the Juniper River, which I find to be absolutely the best canoe trip in Florida. Check out www.sunshineminis.org for most of the Florida freaks. =) If there is anything you would like to ask a veteran traveller, please PM me, I'd love to provide you with some insider knowledge.