Vero Beach - Miami

[Boo Boo Too]

Hi

Does anyone know the time taken to drive between Vero Beach and Miami?

We will be staying in WDW for 5 days in August, but I don't want to drive all the way from WDW to Miami the same day as my transatlantic flight home (to the UK). Was thinking about 2 nights in Miami (Ritz Carlton, Key Biscayne), but wondered if Vero Beach MIGHT be an alternative.

So what sort of drive time can I expect between Vero Beach and MIA and what is there to do at Vero Beach (apart from lounge by the Pool and on the beach)?

Thanks,
Boo

[ducklite]

You would want to plan on about three hours. MIA is in the north west side of MIA, so there's not as much traffic as there would be if it was South. But 95 can get brutal between West Palm and Boca during rush hour or bad weather.

I think your idea of doing Vero is a great one. I prefer it to any place in Miami. (If you don't want to drive that far, you might rather consider the Doral, which is maybe 5 minutes from MIA and a very nice resort.)

As to what to do, there's bike rental's, mini-golf (putt-putt), swimming, lawn games and sports. Nightly they alternate movies and popped corn in COmmunity Hall with a campfire and sing-along. You can also play on the beach and in the ocean, although that area can have some strong riptides, so be cautious even if you are a strong swimmer.

They rent metal detectors, and I think even Boogie Boards for the beach/ocean.

Locally you can visit a variety of inexpensive attractions, Mel Fishers museum, outlet shopping, the Manatee Preserve, other stuff. They have daily scheduled activities for kids. Some have a fee, many are free. After a Disney vacation, Vero is a perfect place to ease back into the world.

Let me know if there's anything else you want to know.

Anne

[rosebery]

Vero to Miami, you want to budget at least three hours, four if you hit particularly heavy traffic. (I used to live in Vero, oddly enough, so I've done the drive often.) It's a really boring drive, too, and Miami is -- well, a busy big city.

Even though we used to call it "Zero Beach" when we were bored teenagers, Vero is a great place to just hang out and relax. The beaches are nice and sunny, there's plenty of opportunity for recreational sports, and it's distinctly low-key after a hectic Disney "vacation".

And if you're a baseball fan, I recommend taking in a (minor league) VB Dodgers game for some old-fashioned baseball fun, watching a team play on grass from the small stands where the umpire might actually hear you if you yell.

Cheerrs,
Tara

[Boo Boo Too]

Okay, I think that I will be boring and stay in Miami for the last two nights instead then.

Vero Beach does look nice, but I don't want a 3 or 4 hour drive to the airport before our Transatlantic flight home (which is enough travelling, in one day, by itself).

The holiday will be rather hectic as it is: fly into Miami, drive to Fort Lauderdale, 1 night in Ft Lauderdale, 7 night cruise on Grand Princess, drive to Orlando and 5 nights at Disney before trekking back to Miami (for two final - wind down by the pool - nights) before flying home. Don't want to arrive back more worn out than when we go :-)

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions - most helpful :-)

Boo

[wdw4us2]

Do you have to fly out of Miami Int'l? They have Trans-Atlantic flights out of Palm Beach Int'l which is about 1 1/2 hours from Vero. There is also an international airport in Melbourne which is about 30 minutes north of Vero. Just a thought.

[Boo Boo Too]

Yup has to be Miami - does the only direct flights to London that I know of. Besides, Continental do a VERY nice BusinessFirst fare on a Virgin codeshare from London Gatwick to Miami - irresistable (and I have already booked it).

Boo

[PMart]

There is lots to do here in Miami, You'll have a great time especially if you stay on Key Biscayne.

[Patio]

I would stay in Miami. The Key Biscayne area is absolutely beautiful.