Florida from the U.K. for 5 nights/6 days?

[Pumpkinspicewhatever]

Just that really. Is it mad? Dh is keen to go to the beach in Florida (from U.K.) for some winter sun for 5 nights (will work out to about 5.5 days with flights) next month. I’m up for a bit of sun in February but slightly concerned about the jet lag and whether would be ok or jsut not worth it. We can only spare 5 nights for various reasons. I know people who have done NY for a long weekend and managed..: anyone ever done America for 5 nights?

Yes, you’ll spend most of it jet lagged, but if you won’t have small children to deal with it’s probably fine. Just be mindful that many parts of Florida aren’t all that warm this time of year - warmer than here, yes, but maybe not warm and tropical. Where are you thinking of going?

I did california for 6 nights and it was fine. Barely noticed the jet lag while there and then when I returned maybe only took me two nights to get back on track.

Dh keen on the Florida Keys area. We would fly into Miami

I think it’s about 26/27 degrees there which is fine for us!

We don't find jet lag an issue that way. It just means waking a bit earlier and going to bed a bit sooner. Coming back to England is the killer.

I've been in April and the weather was a bit iffy. To be honest, if you just want some winter sun, go to the Canaries. Lots of lovely places, will be very warm and sunny, cheaper and you'll get longer to relax without any jetlag.

We've been plenty of times at Easter and never had bad weather, it's usually around 23-30 degrees.

The drive from Miami to the mid-keys is about 2 hours - 4 hours to Key West. Will you feel like doing that after a long flight, it will take an extra hour after landing to collect a car etc. If not, you'll only have 4 nights in the hotel you're travelling to.

Yes as a PP said, the jet lag is worse coming back.

Personally, I wouldn't go for just a short period of time.

We've just flown back on Saturday, I'm currently in bed supposedly catching up on sleep as I could not get to sleep last night until 4am. This jet lag has been a killer.

The weather was nice though. 21-30° some rainy days but mostly sunny.

I grew up in Miami, the weather should be lovely, I'd do it. For such a short stay though, I'd probably just stay in Miami itself, tonnes to do, gorgeous beaches. As others say, on the way there, you'll likely just wake up early, but on the way back it can be worse (although you can choose to stay roughly on UK time during your stay if you don't mind going to bed early!!).

I'd definitely do it!

The Keys are gorgeous too, but for such a short break, I don't think I'd bother with the extra drive down (although even the drive is spectacular, so what do I know?).

I’ve done it twice. It was fine.

Force yourself to stay awake the day before you go so you adjust to the time zone more easily. You still will probably be asleep for 10pm though if you’re like us.

I wouldn't go all the way to the Keys - that's a long journey. I'd probably fly into Tampa and go to somewhere along the west coast - lovely beaches there. Anna Maria Island is one of my favourite places.

Try to make sure you don't fly via NY if it's February. If there's a snowstorm then the flights will be buggered and you'll lose valuable holiday days.

Also bear in mind US school holidays in Feb - most of the northeast decamps to Florida that week. Ours are Feb 15-23.

I've only once had bad weather in Feb. We often go to Palm Beach that time of year to defrost.