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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

seaside break after orlando, where to go after the madness

16 replies

ihatethecold · 13/09/2009 12:45

really want to go to orlando next year with the kids, but would like to include a seaside break within driving distance of orlando for a few days , maybe 5.
anyone know of anywhere nice. thanks

OP posts:

LIZS · 13/09/2009 12:54

We went to Captiva Island (pre dc) which was idyllic , relaxing but probably a bit too far for a few days with dc( abotu half a day's drive iirc). It is off the coast near Naples. Otherwise how about Cocoa Beach (I think it is ) near the Space Centre.

Drayford · 13/09/2009 15:08

I agree with LIZS - Captiva (& Sanibel) is lovely (bit like the Hamptons only warmer and less windy!) and there's lovely beaches, food, kayaking, cycling etc.

It took us about 2 to 3 hours to drive from Disney which wasn't too bad as we had a good lunch stop with the DC - then 6 and 8. We flew home from Miami though but I can't remember why now - maybe the drive was easier from Captiva/Sanibel to there.

Original poster

ihatethecold · 13/09/2009 15:12

they sound lovely, do you think it would be nice just before xmas, or too chilly to enjoy being near the sea

OP posts:

Kbear · 13/09/2009 15:16

Cocoa Beach - the sand is very sharp, like broken shells and the waves can be "rowdy" as they say in the US! We went there last year and I'm sure there are more idyllic places to go on the Gulf Coast. Great for watch a shuttle launch though!

Original poster

ihatethecold · 13/09/2009 17:47

thanks kbear, maybe go to the west coast, dont fancy sharp sand

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oldraver · 13/09/2009 22:12

If your going in the winter definitely go to the Gulf Coast.

mumoverseas · 14/09/2009 13:25

Tampa/St Petersburg, closer to Orlando,just an hour or so down the I4

cheapskatemum · 14/09/2009 20:30

IMHO Sanibel/Captiva much nicer than Clearwater/St Pete's Beach. It's usually lovely there at Christmas, but can be cool and there's not much to do there if the weather's not up to much. How much before Christmas were you thinking of? Because Christmas is peak season there (very popular with Canadians & Americans from northern states), which makes it a) expensive and b) booked up early!

cheapskatemum · 14/09/2009 20:37

Oh and both Orlando & Miami are easy to drive to from Sanibel/Captiva: I75(N) then I4 to Orlando, I75(S, then E), nicknamed Alligator Alley to Miami. We also love Cocoa Beach/Merritt Island/Cape Canaveral, but I agree, you probably wouldn't be going in the sea there in winter.

BrigitBigKnickers · 14/09/2009 21:54

Naples is lovely (about 3 hour drive) and the Bradenton area (about an hour and a half away) is also lovely especially Anna Maria Island.

Original poster

ihatethecold · 15/09/2009 18:17

ooh theres some lovely ideas here , im already getting confused.
i think we will go before xmas and poss be back before Xmas day or should we wait until easter for warmer weather. a friend told me its warm enough to swim in DEC, were they tellin porkies??

OP posts:

mumoverseas · 16/09/2009 05:46

ref swimming in the sea at christmas. A heated pool would be ok though.

easter is lovely but very busy and the flights will be a lot more expensive.

Are you tied to school holidays? If so easter holidays will be busy as its a very popular time to go and you might find that you won't be able to get the dates you want on flights as they book very quickly and the price goes up nearer the time. Most people I know book 11 months before, as soon as the flights are released by the airlines.

Original poster

ihatethecold · 17/09/2009 06:27

i am going to book 11 months in advance, i wont be going next easter, need to save up first,
was thinking xmas 2010 or easter 2011 and we are tied to the hols although i would think about tagging a week on the end of a half term or something.
do you live in the US mumoverseas? is feb cold?
i know here its prob colder than dec!

OP posts:

mumoverseas · 17/09/2009 17:13

No, I don't live in the USA ihatethecold, actually I live in Saudi Arabia. I do have a house in Florida so go there whenever I can escape from here. I wouldn't say February is cold but obviously its not going to be swimming in the sea weather (as clearly you hate the cold)

Easter is lovely and warm but obviously its busier and the flights will be more. I often used to go a few weeks before or after the state school holidays at easter when it was much quieter and cheaper and the weather was really nice. Have often done Oct/Nov but the weather isn't as good then. Not done christmas yet although we keep talking about it. If you are thinking of tagging on a week the May half term would work too if you are able to as lovely weather then. February would be nice but not as warm.

Looking forward to next year, we've decided to do 5 to 6 weeks in September/October so we can be there for DD2's 4th birthday

carriedababi · 20/09/2009 16:31

naples is nice but the beach quite shingly

Original poster

ihatethecold · 21/09/2009 14:40

well mos i may go in oct half term and tag a week on one side of it, i get the impression that the hurricane season is all but over and i think it will still be warmish. what do you think. can you recommend a villa or company, there are only 4 of us so nothing massive..

OP posts:

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