I have only been in Miami out of the places you have mentioned. We are currently looking at options though for a November trip, and we have thought about flying to Orlando maybe and hiring a car and seeing more of Florida. I will be interested in replies! If you want any info on Miami let me know. We were there before and after a cruise and we went to various malls etc.

great... thank you...
weve only really done disney.. and want to see more...

Would suggest a few nights on the coast near Tampa; Clearwater, St Pete or, if you want something a little quieter a villa in the New Port Richey/ Hudson area. After that, three or four days in the Naples/ Fort Myers area for Sanibel and the Everglades. To finish base at Key Largo for the Keys which also gives access for a day in Miami Beach.

Not going to Miami ( and haven't been before) but am going to Tampa in August ( 3 nts) then down to Ft Myers beach /Sanibel ( 2 nts) across to Ft lauderdale ( 4 nts)stayed in Ft lauderdale 2 years ago and loved it, very cosmopolitan, lots of spanish/Cuban influences, great beaches and cheaper than Miami.

Finishing off with a week in Orlando villa then back to Tampa to fly home. I've booked it all via expedia with cashback by clicking through the quidco website. look for hotel recomendations on tripadvisor.co.uk.

feel free to ask me anything if you need further information.

thank you,
pmsyorks, may well come back to you and thank you busdriver.......it certainly helps having all infomration possible before hand...

Have a browse through the REVIEWS and let me know if you'd like any hotels added

PMSYORKS, I'm interested in what you have booked. I have been looking more seriously about flying to florida in November (not Orlando probably), and circling the bottom half of the state. No need to seem Miami as we've been there, but have considered flying to Fort Lauderdale, stay a few nights, up the coast to the Kennedy Space Centre, maybe staying somewhere along the way, across to the Gulf Coast, stay a few nights, down the west coast, staying maybe along the way and then back across to Ft Lauderdale to fly home. I'm looking at 11 nights because I'm a bit short of annual leave (ideally would have done 2 weeks but I'm a day off 2 weeks break!).

Pretty sure we don't want to do Miami or Orlando (not interested in theme parks at all). Does anyone have any thoughts on the above - any must see places? Also for example would Clearwater or St Petersburgh be best? We're in our 30s, not into clubbing but would like to have some bars and restaurants nearby wherever we stay. Would quite like to stay at the beach at least part of the time, will be nice to have a view of a nice beach from a hotel etc, but we're not really into lying on the beach (prefer the pool, and maybe a walk on the beach).

Should November be ok for weather? We found it chilly in Miami last year but the locals said it was just a cold front and was a bit unusual.

Lesley,
We bolted on 8 nights to an Orlando holiday back in 2005 and headed south to Key Largo, Key West and back up to Fort Lauderdale. I would seriously recommend Key West. One of my favourite places to visit in Florida, stacks to see and do and a cracking nightlife along Duval Street and the surrounding area. We stayed at the Ocean Key Resort, right next to Mallory Square....stunning.
Key Largo is geared more towards the diving crowd but the excellent John Pennekamp State Park is well worth a day visit. Hire a kayak and go explore or even take a glass bottom boat tour out to the reef. It might not be the Great Barrier, but its pretty impressive.
Fort Lauderdale...ah, the Venice of America. Waterways galore (take water taxis around the area), plenty of shopping available and great restaurants, oh and a pretty stunning beach. We stayed at the Marriott which had its own private section of the beach and waking up to beach views every day was pretty special.

Other suggestions:-
How about a couple of nights in St Augustine? I've never been but have heard good things. Its supposedly like a mini Savannah and if it lives up to that suggestion, it would be well worth a few days. If you are going up the east coast you could even consider South Carolina? Hilton Head is a stunning beach resort and is only an hour away from Savannah which remains my favourite city in the USA.
I would agree with a visit to Kennedy Space Centre. It's a few years now but we were in awe and spent the whole day there.

As for west coast Clearwater is just ok for me. St Pete's is better, but I would aim further south on the west coast for a better beach experience, especially as the sea will be warmer.

November in Florida? Well, I've only been to Orlando and it was 25-28c every day and only one day out of 11 did it rain. I would never go to Florida again during the summer months of June, July, Aug and early September because the weather can be awful. On the trip mentioned at the start of this post we only had 2 or 3 sunny days out of 16 in June 2005, and for the first 8 nights in Orlando it pretty much rained solidly for at least 4 of those. November is a good time to go.

You'll have to let me know if you need any further advice on anything I have mentioned.

We are November regulars to Florida and the weather is generally good with the 25 to 28 degrees. However, there always seems to be a spell of four or five days when the weather misbehaves with temperatures only about 15 and night tempwratures near freezing; this is normally towards the end of the month. St Augustine; went there last year and well worth a couple of days. Mount Dora, north of Orlando is worth an en route stop as is the train journey alongside the lake from there.
Sanford Historic District (near the charter airpoer) is also worth a look; boat trips from here out on the lake. Kennedy is a must, The west coast is mainly about relaxation and the oppportunity to relax is probably greatest in the lesser known resorts.
If you wish to take in the Keys (and don't have unlimited time) it might be worth restricting yourself to the east coast.
You might find it cheaper to fly into Orlando and work your trip from there.

Thanks both for your replies, and yes I would probably like more information. My aunt mentioned St Augustine she said it's really old and quaint. So will think about that. To be honest it now sounds like I have too many options.

Flights - I can't seem to find a direct flight from Glasgow to Orlando in the winter. Even Globespan who usually do it are just going up to October just now, but maybe they will release some flights shortly (or maybe they've switched their destination to Sharm el Sheikh as I notice that has been added this year!). I can't find a cheap flight at all just now, so I can wait a while for Globespan! They do premium economy with 25kg luggage which is sufficient. If it was a 15kg airline I'd definitely need to up that for some xmas shopping!

Ju, I have taken on board that St Pete's would be best. I wonder if we could do St Augustine by passing the Kennedy Space centre and not staying there, just heading past it afterwards...

I need to see where Key West is, I am thinking it's the bit right down the south that is sort of like islands? I have ordered a book so when that comes I will also get some more ideas and a better idea of the places.

I think going right up to South Carolina is probably a no-no for our first time doing this anyway. I don't want to overstretch as I want to enjoy some sun hopefully too.

It's a shame because I'm only a half day off 2 weeks leave so I'm wondering if I can manage to wangle something there. Lol I could even work a half day on the day I get back from Vegas

You are right about Key West, it is the furthest part of the Keys south and much nearer to Cuba. I loved it, and everybody who I know who has been has as well. I liken Duval Street to Bourbon Street in New Orleans, and if you like bars and live music you will love it plus there are stacks of things to do during the day. Some of the sunsets have to be seen to be believed, truly stunning.

St Pete's is nicer than Clearwater, well in my opinion anyway. Further south on the west coast is probably a bit more exclusive and less built up but I doubt you would be disappointed with St Petes. On the east, I wouldn't bother too much with staying on the coast from Fort Lauderdale north. I loved Fort Lauderdale and the beach is pretty stunning, but Cocoa and Daytona are less special although part of the fun of Daytona is taking your car onto the beach and parking up. Definitely take a look at both (maybe combined with Kennedy) but I wouldn't allow for a stay until you get to St Augustine. Only problem with that, it could be a lot of driving for one day so you may have to consider a hotel somewhere along that route, which thinking about it is going to have to be the case if you drive up from Fort Lauderdale anyway. I would drive FL to Cocoa and overnight, then early start next day, Kennedy, Daytona (for a look) and then up to St Augustine. Put that into Google maps and see the distances though.

South Carolina is going to be too ambitious, another time.

Lesley74, FT lauderdale is great, we are staying at the Bahia Mar, got a good promotion on at the mo, giving 1 extra night free with a 3 night stay. Have also booked a water taxi day pass with expedia, cheaper than the water taxi's website price. Feel free to ask me anything you need to know.

Paul.

Hi Paul

Just looked up that hotel on Expedia - they don't seem to have the promotion on my dates, but I'll certainly keep that hotel in mind as it looks really nice for a 3*. When I first saw it, I was thinking I'd prefer 4* but I think it looks more like a 4* anyway!.

We've still not 100% decided on what to do, will have more questions if we decide on it. I can't find cheap flights, or even ones with good times (can only get late arrivals like 11pm, which is a shame for a Florida flight, should be able to get tea-time arrival I would have thought).

Well, following on from the below, we booked our flights to Tampa from Glasgow (£358 each on Expedia), going 8th November flying to Tampa via Newark. On the 19th we head to Newark and stop 2 nights in New York, then back on 21st.

Here's the itinerary so far.

Arrive 8th November. 2 nights booked in St Petersburg - Renaissance Vinoy Resort (downtown), £34 per night on Priceline.

10th November, move to Melbourne which is just south of the Kennedy Space Centre, staying at the Radisson Suite Hotel Oceanfront $95 per night. Staying 2 nights, but thinking of adding one more night as there's a shuttle launch on the 12th. I know it may not happen, but as we're staying there the night before I'm thinking maybe we should take the chance.

12th or 13th, drive down to Fort Lauderdale for 2/3 nights (dependant on whether extra night in Melbourne added). Not booked a hotel here yet, but I've been looking at the Westin that is on the beach. Could get it on Priceline or Hotwire, can't remember which.

15th - drive over to Naples and stay one night. No hotel booked yet.

16th - drive up to St Pete's Beach, booked 3 nights at Tradewinds Island Grand for $69 per night. There's a resort fee of $25 in addition which includes parking.

We also need to hire a car, and not sure how long for. We could collect at Tampa and have the car right through, or maybe collect after St Petersburg downtown and have it only 6 nights for the actual travelling section. Not sure, I'm wondering if it might just be worth paying the extra £60 for the car hire and then we wouldn't need taxi's to/from the airport. Any thoughts?

Fort Lauderdale and Naples as I say are not yet booked, so if anyone has any advice on that at all please say so. I'll probably book through priceline or hotwire, so not really bothered about specific hotels, but if you think I should extend one part and shorten the other, or skip Naples, switch it for Sarasota or anything please tell me!

Lesley,
Sounds good. The one thing that really stands out for me is that if there is any chance of being in Florida for a space shuttle launch then you should do it, add the day on and hope the FL weather is kind to you and you get to see it. I would love to see a launch, especially having visited Kennedy already as it really did blow me away (not literally though) and I would go again in a heartbeat.

Only downside to that is losing the day in Fort Lauderdale. I think you need 3 days and nights there. We had 2 and most of the first day was driving up from Key West and we didn't get to see much at all. In the end we agreed that we would just hit the beach and chill and return another time. We did get down to Las Olas Boulevard though where the Cheesecake Factory is which was our first ever visit. I think we've been about 30 times since in various US cities. If you can get the Marriott, I think you would be happy with that. Westin is probably going to be a good option also.

I'm not an expert on the southern West coast of Florida so will leave that to others. I do like St Petes (certainly a better option than Clearwater IMHO) and I think 3 nights is just right and will be nice and relaxing before you come home.

On the car issue I would probably pick up at the airport and save the taxi hassle. I find having a car in Florida is definitely worth it even in areas where you can walk to places to eat etc. Plus Florida driving is a doddle also.

Late October/November is my fave time to visit Florida so I think you will be in for a treat. Enjoy!

Thanks Ju.

We could hopefully head down to Ft Lauderdale early morning as we would then be leaving Melbourne on the 13th, day after the shuttle launch. I think I will add that extra night since it looks like I can get the same hotel on Hotwire anyway, although it's also appearing to leave us a day short somewhere else. I wonder if Ft Lauderdale/St Petes would be too long a drive for one day and maybe we need a stop in Naples? Any thoughts anyone who knows that coast? I do want to see some sunshine too, relax at the pool, walk on the beach etc, so we don't want to be driving constantly. Also want to do some shopping, and I am thinking Sawgrass Mills will be the place for that.

I'm thinking of this as a taster to possibly do another similar trip, taking in St Augustine etc, or maybe just spending more time in one place. It will let us see where we like! Hopefully we will like some if not all places.

Is las Olas a good spot in Fort Lauderdale? I notice it is an area on Hotwire etc. Any advice on areas there would be good. The hotel I'm looking at is the Westin Beach Resort $119 on Hotwire. There's a Renaissance at Las Olas which was $98 last time I checked Hotwire. These are just guessestimates on the hotels based on their amenities against the list on betterbidding.com.

Las Olas is a long road which runs all the way to the beach. The area I was specifically talking about was the shopping and restaurants part of Las Olas which is a tree and pavement lined part of a few blocks with parking in various lots at the back of the properties. I don't know enough about Fort Lauderdale to comment on hotels on Las Olas itself, we agreed that we wanted a beach hotel and we opted for the Marriott but in theory a hotel could still be on Las Olas and on the beach as it goes all the way up to it. I would be more inclined to think that the Las Olas area on Hotwire would be away from the beach though.
I did find Fort Lauderdale to be an easy place to drive around, but you also have the water taxis as well which would take you from the beach hotels (Marriott, Sheraton and others) down to the part of Las Olas I mention above.

The 2 days we had didn't allow us to fully do Fort Lauderdale justice and we do want to return again but other places are taking priority at the moment. I would therefore be keen to hear your thoughts on your return. My idea was a split 7/7 between Orlando and a beach destination in Florida, with Fort Lauderdale the favourite at the moment. I must admit that the Harry Potter World in Universal's Islands of Adventure is definitely getting me excited for a week in Orlando again when it is opened next year.

Las Olas is nice but not on the beach per se. It's a long road that comes to an end at the beach road.
http://www.lasolasboulevard.com/
It's a good place to stroll, people watch.
There is one hotel on Las Olas, called the Riverside that is an older hotel, but more individual than the chains like Marriott - I haven't stayed there but I see a lot of cruisers recommending it. Check it out on TripAdvisor.
You know what to expect from any Marriott hotel, they are good quality, no surprises.
The Renaissance is a lovely hotel but it's not on Las Olas, it's on 17th st which is a hotel zone ,lots of hotels along a busy road- it is part of Marriott now I believe. If you can get that for $100 that's good, but you will be a couple of miles from the beach road. There is a little HOHO bus called the Sun Trolley that makes a circuit past the hotels on 17th st you can hop on and get down to the beach area in a few minutes- you can also get a water taxi which is nice.
Embassy suites on 17th is also very nice. If you want something in the $100 range, we have stayed at Hyatt Place several times pre cruise, it is fine - we always book via http://www.valutrips.com it is on 17th st too. If you want something on the beach it gets more expensive of course. People rave about this one-http://www.pelicanbeach.com/

FLL to St Pete is about a 4 hr drive, major roads. You could stop in Naples for lunch.... and shopping? if you have plenty of $$
I haven't been to Tampa/St Pete in years so can't give any up to date info.
St Augustine is nice, there's an old castle which is worth a visit. The downtown of course is very old, we spent two days in the area and that was MORE than enough. Beaches are not great.

Emdia

Can I ask why you mention stopping in Naples if we have plenty of $$? I like average (ok well, low ) prices so maybe it's not for me after all. We like a nice hotel, but then tend to think drinks are too expensive in it etc and go outside looking for better deals. Not destitute, but like reasonable value for money. Of did you mean $$ for shopping? Are the shops expensive?

I've not go any further with my planning so far, been a busy week getting back to normal after Vegas.