Mr. Pod has the idea he wants to go somewhere warm around the middle of February. He's pushing for Miami (he's been, I haven't), but it's so expensive, and I'm not sure I'm feeling it.
Any input about Miami or points south? Thanks in advance.
Replies
43
Beach Fanatic
Mr. Pod has the idea he wants to go somewhere warm around the middle of February. He's pushing for Miami (he's been, I haven't), but it's so expensive, and I'm not sure I'm feeling it.
Any input about Miami or points south? Thanks in advance.
Why not go on to Key West? I have never been to Key West, but I would love to go.
needs to get out more
Ahem. SoWal??
got any pics?
Captiva, but take your "How to speak German" book. You'll need it to communicate with the rest of the tourists 
SoWal Insider
What all do y'all like to do Peapod? Are you wanting relaxing do nothing much trip, shop till you drop trip, solitude, fishing, eating out, drinking, running amuck....what kind of holiday do you want? 
We like the keys...can point to some interesting items in that direction. How many days?
We like the keys...can point to some interesting items in that direction. How many days?
SoWal Expert
Rent a car in Miami and drive down through the Keys. I'm DYING to do this.
Meow
Rent a car in Miami and drive down through the Keys. I'm DYING to do this.
sarafunn and I did this. But, we just hooked it down to Key West. I would have loved stopping and visiting along the way.
SoWal Insider
How many days?
Skip Miami and go on down to the Keys. But it dosen't compare to Sowal tho.
Skip Miami and go on down to the Keys. But it dosen't compare to Sowal tho.
SoWal Insider
How many days?
Skip Miami and go on down to the Keys. But it dosen't compare to Sowal tho.
Exactly my thoughts. But I do like Key West. Driving the Keys is a neat experience, though it does take longer than you would think! My first choice, if you don't want to SoWal, would be Sanibel/Captiva.
Key West is a lot of funn. Both are very casual. Miami has just gotten so over the top. Some people like to people-watch in South Beach, but I would just walk around feeling fat and unhip. (Or would that be hippy yet unhip?? 
)SoWal Expert
Key West is the perfect setup for a short trip- you can walk or bike anywhere- and y'all have to go to the nekkid bar....
Beach Fanatic
Rent a car in Miami and drive down through the Keys. I'm DYING to do this.
We did this, and it was wonderful. We stopped at some funky place in Marathon called Valhalla. I got the worst sunburn of my life but sure had fun doing it.
Then we spent a couple days in Key West. It was fun.
In Feb '04 we went to the Keys again but this time we stayed at Islamorada.
We were in my brother in law's rig and hooked up at about Mile Marker 82.
It was gorgeous.
But I gotta add: I *love* South Beach.
Edited
SoWal Insider
Here's a link to Westin's Sunset Key Cottages in Key West. I saw a "Great Hotels" show by Samantha Brown a few years back. Looks beautiful and serene yet close to everything else. Only a short boat trip away from downtown Key West. (btw - the hotel's boat/taxi is available 24 hrs/day!)
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1781
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1781
Beach Fanatic
Here's a link to Westin's Sunset Key Cottages in Key West. I saw a "Great Hotels" show by Samantha Brown a few years back. Looks beautiful and serene yet close to everything else. Only a short boat trip away from downtown Key West. (btw - the hotel's boat/taxi is available 24 hrs/day!)
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1781
That setup looks wonderful! Speaking of Samantha Brown--does she have the best job in the world or what? That's the kind of job I want.
SoWal Expert
Pier House is nice too- at the crazy end of Duval, but tucked away behind a wall and lots of trees and bushes. Has it's own beach ( and there are just a few little beaches in Key West), and you can walk to everything. The "sunset pier" is next door (the crazy cat guy is there).
percyAuthor
Thanks for all the suggestions! We did discuss Key West, but we're only talking about a long weekend, so that would make a Miami to the Keys drive kind of rushed (that's what I'm really wanting to do, Jenay). Beachbummett, looking for something more on the relaxing/hanging out side. I do like the idea of Sanibel; have never been there but would love to see it. And, John R, you know I worked the Sowal angle!
bean
Thanks for all the suggestions! We did discuss Key West, but we're only talking about a long weekend, so that would make a Miami to the Keys drive kind of rushed (that's what I'm really wanting to do, Jenay). Beachbummett, looking for something more on the relaxing/hanging out side. I do like the idea of Sanibel; have never been there but would love to see it. And, John R, you know I worked the Sowal angle!
Sanibel would be my pick! My fav place other than Sowal. Lots of shells and dolphins. I love the tropical feel. One of the things I miss when I'm in Sowal....the palms near the beach, colorful birds and all the shells. But I don't swim in the gulf there because I can't see what I'm swimming with! The water doesn't compare but the nature and surroundings are beautiful.
Beach Fanatic
Never been to Sanibel, but I loved Captiva. Choices, choices.
Beach Fanatic
Thanks for all the suggestions! We did discuss Key West, but we're only talking about a long weekend, so that would make a Miami to the Keys drive kind of rushed (that's what I'm really wanting to do, Jenay). Beachbummett, looking for something more on the relaxing/hanging out side. I do like the idea of Sanibel; have never been there but would love to see it. And, John R, you know I worked the Sowal angle!
I think Miami is the quickest trip to a foreign country you can take. I didn't hear english once at our hotel. And I loved it. It was fun to people watch. We stayed at the Sheraton Bal Harbour resort. It was very nice and had incredible shopping accross the street. Not the type of places you actually buy stuff. But great window shopping (ie Armani $800 t-shirts). We had an infant with us -- so we didn't do much south beach stuff. But we really had a good time.
However, I'd really recommend the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa in Hollywood Florida. It's between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale (so you can fly into either one). You can find it at www.spg.com It's complete luxury!
got any pics?
Never been to Sanibel, but I loved Captiva. Choices, choices.
You can't go to Captiva without first going to Sanibel
got any pics?
Captiva, but take your "How to speak German" book. You'll need it to communicate with the rest of the tourists
Just had a thought about Captiva / Sanibel. Better check 1st and ask for pics. I heard recently that the Cane damage was still pretty bad.
needs to get out more
You can't go to Captiva without first going to Sanibel
qft.
Sanibel.
http://www.tween-waters.com/
http://www.casaybelresort.com/
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/home.asp dead between sanibel and marco
miami beach
http://www.tidessouthbeach.com/
http://www.fontainebleau.com/
the diplomat is quite nice, owned by the afl-cio for years, not sure if they still own it(went out with a union girl once) but yes, it right between lauderdale and miami and quiet(at least it used to be)
miami - golf
http://www.miamibeach411.com/Hotels/doral.htm
tampa
http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/TPAAP/main.wnt
i spent every weekend of college in the keys. should have bought with what i spent on alcohol.
Edited
SoWal Insider
Just had a thought about Captiva / Sanibel. Better check 1st and ask for pics. I heard recently that the Cane damage was still pretty bad.
I had forgotten about this, thanks for bringing it up. Have not been down in three years ... what I *heard* about Captiva was that the beautiful, tree and scrub lined road was blown bare or almost bare by Charley. I do not know if this is true, but that kind of loss would do more to damage that tranquil place than homes and inns being blown over.
South Seas Plantation in Captiva was heavily damaged but is reopened. I don't think Sanibel took the brunt of it. Charley was a small storm and damage was very concentrated but did affect Captiva.
So if you go, make like RO and ask for pics.
quirty
Rent a car in Miami and drive down through the Keys. I'm DYING to do this.
Great advice. Make it a convertible and wear your sunscreen. You'll like this so much more than just hanging around Miami (though you might enjoy a few days in South Beach before or after visiting the Keys.)
got any pics?
storm and damage was very concentrated but did affect Captiva.
So if you go, make like RO and ask for pics.
Its what I do
SoWal Expert
Its what I do
And you do it well!:clap_1:
got any pics?
And you do it well!:clap_1:
Thats what they tell me
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