We want to try something different!!

[glydene]

As the title says, we would like to do something a little different, we have been many times before as the children have been growing up and we are going back again for 3 weeks in July.

We always stay in the Orlando area for 2 of our 3 weeks but previously for 1 of the weeks we have been to Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, St Petersburg, Pass a grill, Anna Marie Island and last time a few days in New York then down to the coast.

We would like to visit some where different and would really like to visit a Six Flags and maybe a few days at a different coastal area and then drive down over a few days or fly down from there.

So has anyone done anything like this or have any suggestions as to what we could do. :confused2 :)

[jessie 33]

Sorry to tag onto your thread but i too would like some info on this. We thought about flying to boston and driving down to orlando stopping at various points along the way and then flying back from orlando or miami.

Any info from anyone would be great.

Tracey

[Chrissie H]

Sorry can't really help with your question, but we are planning to visit Tarpon Springs and would love to know if it's worth going. Thanks.

[glydene]

we are planning to visit Tarpon Springs and would love to know if it's worth going. Thanks.

It's got to be worth a visit for the sponges alone.

Steve

[Diane]

Have you visited the Keys? very different from the rest of Florida and a totally laid-back atmosphere. :smile:

Diane x

[Camellia]

To see more of America and a different part of Florida, how about flying into Atlanta, driving east to Charlestown in SC, then down to Savannah, then carrying on south to enter Florida. St Augustine is a nice place to visit.

You can then travel west through the Florida panhandle - some fabulous beaches.

We did this a few years ago, and continued into Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Visited a couple of plantation homes before ending our trip in New Orleans.

A great trip, but no theme parks I'm afraid.

Camellia

[swv]

How about a short cruise from either Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa or Cape Canaveral.

[Dollar_Bill]

I think there comes a time when we all get Disney'd out to some extent. We talked about going to Las Vegas for a couple of years before we actualy did. I'm so pleased that we did in Aug 06, cos it was great not knowing our way around and finding new things to do and places to visit. Yes we still did Disney in California, however it was different and quite enjoyable.
In May 07 we ventured out to Miami and the Key West for 5 days and I wished it was much longer - it will be next time as Key West was so different to Orlando.
Florida and the other states are so huge that there is loads to see. I would like to return to New England, revisit New York as it is over 30 years since I was last there.
Orlando is a great place, however theres more to see and do than Disney.
Bill

[glydene]

Thank you Camellia and Bill,

I think you have both covered what we would like to do, so its between flying in to Atlanta and drive down to Orlando or fly in to Miami drive to the Keys and then up to Orlando.

At the moment Atlanta is my favorite because we can then go to a Six Flags and then across to the coast and down to Orlando. So Camellia can you give us any more info good/bad points, places to go places to stay etc there are 6 of us, My wife and I plus 6 teenagers.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in addvance Steve

[Camellia]

Hi Steve,

Charleston makes for a nice couple of days. It's America's most historic city. Go to the chamber of commerce and pick up a booklet detailing a complete walking tour.

check out www.historiccharleston.org and www.charlstoncvb.com Enjoy walking around the historic district on the cobblestone streets, or take a ride on a horse drawn carriage. Mel Gibson's film The Patriot was filmed here.

We stayed in a beautiful B&B, just on the outskirts of the old part of town. Would definately recommend this. I guess you'd need 3 rooms, so maybe you'd be able to get a better deal.

Savannah is another historic town, although not as pretty as Charleston (IMHO) try www.savannahvisit.com

WE went on an old town trolley tour during the day, then on the evening we went on walking tour, with a 'Ghost' theme. This was really enjoyable. You can also go on riverboat cruises, dolphin watch trips etc. Although we didnt go to the beaches here, they looked nice in the guidebooks we had. The film 'midnight in the garden of good & evil was filmed here' as was some of Forrest Gump

Again we stayed in a B&B here, however, I seem to remember that there was a main strip with the popular Hotel chains.

(Just read in my Frommers guide that you can go canoeing in the Savannah National Wildlife refuge - that could be good fun)

St Augustine www.visitoldcity.com
Again, various tours around the historic district. We particularly enjoyed our visit to the old fort. We didnt actually stay overnight here I dont think, but again you will find the usual chain hotels.

If you think travelling west through the panhandle towards New Orleans may be of interest let me know.

Hope this has been of interest

Camellia :grin:

[glydene]

Thanks Camllia,

I will have to get planning, I will let you know how I get on.

Steve

[Nicole]

there is a lovely resort at Seaside on the Panhandle.Which will be so different

http://www.seasidefl.com/location.asp

and as someone said they do have lovely beaches in this area.If you stayed up here you may want to fly into Atlanta and then drive down.

[BevS97]

Seaside is where they filmed the Truman Show - i would love to visit there.

[BigCol]

It's got to be worth a visit for the sponges alone.

Steve

MY wife is Greek Cypriot and loved it when we went there this year - although she insists the Greek food in the many taverna's isn't as good as what mumma makes!

[glydene]

Well I have been looking and trying to find places to stay for 6 of us (2 Aduts and 4 Children between 16 and 21 :grin: ) is working out far more expensive than I realised.

We realy like the idea of driving down from Atlanta, we could take a week to do it and still have 2 weeks in Orlando.

Also looking at Seaside it looks fantastic, so will keep looking but any more help/suggestions are much appreciated.

Steve

[Nicole]

yes it is where the Truman show was filmed and the general store is just like that.It really is a lovely relaxing place to spent time there.We have stayed there twice and rented one of the houses and just chilled out.There is a beach nearby which is super and it is a perfect place to have a wedding or honeymoon there as they have honeymoon cottages right on the beach.Would go back there in a flash.It is so fare removed from Orlando if you see what I mean.