New things to explore.

[CruellaDeVilla]

Like many people who have visited Florda many times over the last few years we are always looking for new places to go and new things to do including restuarants etc. Thought I would start a thread where we could all put on our secret finds which are away from the norm of Theme parks and Wal-Mart.

One of our favourite things to do is escape to Naples for a few days to get away from the buzz of Orlando. There are great resturants and beaches all along the Gulf Coast but Naples is our favourite.

So what's yours?

[hamptonlakes]

I have to say the drive to Hommossassa (Sorry About The Spelling), Crystal River Area the drive was straight forward and peaceful. We went back Feb this year and it was a great 2 days in small town and the swim with the manetees just top off our visit.

[Diane]

I agree re Homosassa, we visited the State Park and had a lovely day out, very quiet and peaceful away from the crowds. A great family day out. Also stopped at Tarpon Springs on the way back ( a Greek sponge-fishing community) this was also interesting.

Diane

:D

[CruellaDeVilla]

Just searching through some old posts and surprised that nobody has other things to share. Are you all just park nuts then :+). I am still keen to find new things to do and soak up all the information I find on the dibb and add it to my list on the computer of things for the next trip.

[Splashman77]

:tounge: Agree with you regarding Naples lovely relaxing place also St Agustine very pleasant quaint and very historical have you paid a visit to the Winery on the 27 north towards Cleremont "something" Hills anyway its worth a tour around think its the highest point in Florida all of about 120ft above sea level yes you get free samples!!

[dismum]

We have visited Mount Dora and Old Clermont on this trip both quaint old style towns worth a trip .Mount Dora is more commercialised and has the trian and a trolley with lots of shops whereas Clermont is more residential but has some shops and a lake front and some lovely old homes to see.

[Enright78]

Our favourites are Winter Park and St Augustine

[Big_Mark]

I too loved the Crystal River area, we were on a coach trip but from what we saw it was really nice, the manatee swim was the highlight of the day.

Next year we were thinking of trying Jacksonville to see a game of Football.

[tonio]

Hi everyone,
It just proves theres more to florida than just theme parks, I hate it when people always say I couldnt go to orlando because all it is, is theme parks, and yes they are the people who have never been, you try and tell people there is alot to see, but they dont believe you. I love exploring other parts of florida.

toni

[Hops]

Some good ideas here:
http://goflorida.about.com/cs/gettingtoflorida/l/bl_daytrips.htm

[highlander447]

we're hoping to try the rodeo at kisimee:smile:

[loopydiamond]

Celebration was somewhere that Id never been before my trip this year and I loved it, spent two pleasant afternoon's there, sitting by the lake watching the gaters, drinking tea in the tea rooms and shopping in the many 'different' shops that they have....

[juli]

I too love Celebration and all along the Gulf Coast :grin:

[min]

try the boat tour in Winter Park...A 1 Hour boat tour which makes you wish you were rich...Fabulous houses....a few local tales...a great inexpensive tour...I think its about $8 per person...winter park also has lovely boutiques and coffee shops...but dress up a bit cos its a bit posh...

Also check out Clearwater...there is a craft fair type thing on the pier as the sun goes down...jewellery, artwork, hair braids etc...All lovely with NO pressure to buy...the Sea Screamer tour is also a great way to kill an hour or so...and they guarantee you see dolphins...they surf off the bow wave of the boat....BRILL!!!!! I think its costs about $15 per adult...but check their website for sure...its well worth it!!!

[Diane]

This year for the first time we visited the Keys...what can I say....absolutely breathtaking! :)

Diane x

[highlander447]

we've booked the city tour & gospel brunch for next year:smile:

[Suzie&Stuart]

[QUOTE=min]try the boat tour in Winter Park...A 1 Hour boat tour which makes you wish you were rich...Fabulous houses....a few local tales...a great inexpensive tour...I think its about $8 per person...winter park also has lovely boutiques and coffee shops...but dress up a bit cos its a bit posh...

QUOTE]

Nice one min, glad you posted this.We too are looking for other things away from the parks and your post reminded me that I'd read somewhere else about Winter Park and the fantastic houses.I think a trip there next April is extremely likely.
Is this the same place where some of the house owners have their own runway out in the "Back yard", so they can land their private jets right up to their houses???

Other places we have gone are Mt Dora, St Pete's beach, Indian Rocks beach,Cocoa beach, Baseball at Tropicana Field Tampa, Various short oval stockcar tracks, Daytona Beach and Speedway, Boggy Creek Airboats,KSC, State Fair at Brevard County

Stuart

[TinkTatoo]

We love Naples as well but our new favourite place is Vero Beach - it's a relaxing break away from Orlando (and closer than Naples so not as much driving ;) )

[TinkTatoo]

We love Naples as well but our new favourite place is Vero Beach - it's a relaxing break away from Orlando (and closer than Naples so not as much driving ;) )

[TinkTatoo]

Eek - seem to have posted twice - we don't like it that much ;)

[Misspie]

We are hoping to go back next year to do just Florida and maybe visti the parks on our way throuhg. But I have to agree there are so many other things to do in Florida, I woul dliove to visit the Keys and Destin! Though not enough time in Xmas - Next yr us and the Rough tour guide I already bought. think it will be a flydrive holiday and book hotels/b+b's as we go etc..

[coombsyl]

This year for the first time we visited the Keys...what can I say....absolutely breathtaking! :)

Diane x

Agree totally - especially Key West and what about the seven mile bridge!

[Merryweather]

We "discovered" Celebration last year, thanks to the Dibb, and loved it. We plan to return next year and sit and watch the world go by for a while. Louise (DD) also wants to go to Winter Park, so I'm glad I read this; now we just need to fit it into the itinerary!

[Alvin]

Its worth making the effort to get out of Orlando and see a bit more of Florida.
The drive down to the Keys was brilliant. We stopped overnight in Key Largo and the Sunset was amazing
http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/9996/florida2005keywest0443qa.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

We took a sunset boat ride out to the reef.
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/8730/florida2005keywest0994ql.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The ocean liners are an amazing sight, though this one had broken down and was stuck on the dock at Mallory square blocking everyones sunset View!!
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/2636/florida2005keywest1536nx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Of course there is the compulsory tourist photo!
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/6772/florida2005keywest0200nq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[CruellaDeVilla]

:tounge: Agree with you regarding Naples lovely relaxing place also St Agustine very pleasant quaint and very historical have you paid a visit to the Winery on the 27 north towards Cleremont "something" Hills anyway its worth a tour around think its the highest point in Florida all of about 120ft above sea level yes you get free samples!!

Just catching up with this thread as been out at the villa and then laid up ill since I got back! Need to add the Winery to the list, especially if they have some nice samples or us:spin:

[CruellaDeVilla]

we're hoping to try the rodeo at kisimee:smile:

We keep meaning to fit this in too. Just watched the CMA awards last week and got me in the mood...yeeha:omg:

[CruellaDeVilla]

This year for the first time we visited the Keys...what can I say....absolutely breathtaking! :)

Diane x

Agre totally Di, we loved it so much after our first visit about 4 years ago that we wnet down for a week in July via Naples, beautiful and such fun too.

[CruellaDeVilla]

try the boat tour in Winter Park...A 1 Hour boat tour which makes you wish you were rich...Fabulous houses....a few local tales...a great inexpensive tour...I think its about $8 per person...winter park also has lovely boutiques and coffee shops...but dress up a bit cos its a bit posh...

Also check out Clearwater...there is a craft fair type thing on the pier as the sun goes down...jewellery, artwork, hair braids etc...All lovely with NO pressure to buy...the Sea Screamer tour is also a great way to kill an hour or so...and they guarantee you see dolphins...they surf off the bow wave of the boat....BRILL!!!!! I think its costs about $15 per adult...but check their website for sure...its well worth it!!!

Definately on the list thanks Min.

[Catherine]

Its worth making the effort to get out of Orlando and see a bit more of Florida.
The drive down to the Keys was brilliant. We stopped overnight in Key Largo and the Sunset was amazing
http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/9996/florida2005keywest0443qa.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

We took a sunset boat ride out to the reef.
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/8730/florida2005keywest0994ql.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The ocean liners are an amazing sight, though this one had broken down and was stuck on the dock at Mallory square blocking everyones sunset View!!
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/2636/florida2005keywest1536nx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Of course there is the compulsory tourist photo!
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/6772/florida2005keywest0200nq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Looks amazing, might try this next time, superb piccies

[CruellaDeVilla]

Catherine having had our second holiday in the Keys as recently as July this year. It is well worth the visit, especially Key West which has a much more Caribbean feel about it, so much so they tried to break away from mainland USA a few years ago and it is known as the Conch Republic (pronounced Conk and very tasty it is too)!

[AUGUSTLADY]

:wave: We always go to St Augustine each year and usually stay overnight it has some great B & B's, and Mount Dora stayed overnight there once in a fantastic Victorian style home,Ocala is worth a visit to, although have yet to see John Travolta (this is where the rich people have homes with their own landing strip attached to them) I live in hope !!!. Then we come back to Kissimmee to our villa and back to earth !! :d: :d:

[ChrissyG]

Stayed up at the Best Western Hotel in Crystal River whilst we were away so we could do the 6.15 a.m. Manatee Swim with Birds Underwater. It was an absolutely wonderful experience. These creatures are so very, very, gentle and huge! Well worth the trip.

Also, we went indoor Skydiving with Sky Venture at the top end of International Drive - it was absolutely brilliant - we all wanted to have a second go but sadly time wasn't on our side!

Couldn't get to the rodeo's - they didn't run in December - nor did we get to Clearwater as the weather was pretty cold whilst we were out there.

Christine

[holidayrep]

I went to the Rodeo last night and it was brilliant ! Its a real must and there were loads of Brits there so dont be nervous :)

I felt I had walked into another world !

[highlander447]

Good to know about the Rodeo, thanks:thumbs-up

[truesdpr]

We've done St. Augustine for a couple of days and various places down the coast to the Keys & Fort Lauderdale. Have also found these 2 which we hope to do at Easter. www.floridaeco-safaris.com and www.jungleadventures.com
Am just looking at Sarasota again as I'd like to go back there.

Pam.