Florida options?

[Chris Stott]

Wife and I are off to Florida next July with the family. The flights are in and out of Orlando, we’ll be there 17 nights, and we have already booked Villa near the parks for the 1st 12 days.

Looking for some recommendations on somewhere for just the 2 of us to head off to for 4-5 days at the end of the holiday. Ideally, would be romantic, quiet, relaxing, nice restaurants, scenic… somewhere to chill out after 2 weeks of theme parks and golf... we're in our 40's, no kids.

Looking more for an area than a specific hotel.

We’ll have a car and don’t mind driving for half a day.

Thx
Chris

[miln0039]

Longboat Key.

St Pete's Beach.

Both great and not too far away. Once you've done the Gulf Coast you'll appreciate Florida for more than the theme parks (the last times I've been I now spend the first 3 or 4 nights in Orlando then head the the Gulf). Beautiful beaches, scenery and just a different pace of life down that way.

[mike13]

Sarasota,Ana Maria island,been to both,recommend both

[Chris Stott]

Thanks chaps... just the sort of advice I was looking for.

[Black can man]

mike13 said:

Sarasota,Ana Maria island,been to both,recommend both

perfect wind down & a visit to busch gardens is great

[Matt Harper]

Sanibel (specifically North Captiva).

St Pete and Sarasota are OK, but have some well dodgy neighborhoods and the median age on Ana Maria Island is about a thousand. Way too many crocodilian snowbirds to be classed as 'romantic'.

[danzltiu]

A little bit further down the gulf coast. Naples or better still Marco island. Both very nice, restaurants and relaxation AAAHHHH.

[Simon Brooks]

How about a 4 day cruise out of port canaveral around the Bahamas with royal Caribbean

PORTS OF CALL:
Port Canaveral, Florida; CocoCay, Bahamas; Nassau, Bahamas; Port Canaveral, Florida

[tedmus]

Clearwater was nice last time we were there. Did a boat trip out into the gulf from there in the day then went out for dinner at Salt Rock Grill in the evening which was excellent. We booked an overnight stay at a motel there.

[tim0409]

My vote is for Naples - have been there around 6 times and it's very civilised and has some nice restaurants - Chops City Grill does the best steaks I have ever tasted although it's not cheap!

[RammyMP]

tim0409 said:

My vote is for Naples - have been there around 6 times and it's very civilised and has some nice restaurants - Chops City Grill does the best steaks I have ever tasted although it's not cheap!

Another vote for Naples, not been for a few years, but in my opinion the best place in Florida!

[HOGEPH]

Another one for Naples, if you like fine wine and dining. $$$$

[LHRFlightman]

Matt Harper said:

Sanibel (specifically North Captiva).

St Pete and Sarasota are OK, but have some well dodgy neighborhoods and the median age on Ana Maria Island is about a thousand. Way too many crocodilian snowbirds to be classed as 'romantic'.

It's Anna Maria Island. If you know so much about it, I'd have thought you'd know the name.

To the OP, AMI is an amazing place, a hidden treasure.

[Chris Stott]

Thanks for all the advice guys... looking at the various location web sites and accomodation options on Trip Advisor

[Matt Harper]

LHRFlightman said:

It's Anna Maria Island. If you know so much about it, I'd have thought you'd know the name.
Y
To the OP, AMI is an amazing place, a hidden treasure.

Profuse apologies for fat finger syndrome. I have a relative who lives on the island and I visit reasonably frequently - also, in a previous life, I estimate that I have installed around 50 stairlifts in stilt properties there. That's a pretty good indicator.