Nice vacation home on gulf coast?

[erinch]

I know we're supposed to technically just be Orlando, but I haven't found any other discussion board which talks about florida.

We would like to rent a 3 bedroom vacation home with a pool for 2 weeks on the gulf coast before heading to Disney this summer. I've never been to that "stretch" of Florida, and would really like to find a place which is in an area which is more "nature-y" than developed, and not overloaded by condos. Would like reasonable time to beach, but doesn't need to be waterfront. Kids are 9 and 17, so I'm not entertaining toddlers.

I haven't got a clue where to begin; I've been reading vrbo.com all afternoon and am now REALLY confused. Dunedin or Port Ritchey look less commercialized, but I can't tell from the descriptions.

Anyone got any good adivce for a gulf coast newbie?

thanks,
Erin Cox-Holmes

[Immelman]

google 'siesta key' . :)

check out the areas around sarasota. NPR and dunnedin are too far north. the whole clearwater area is way too built-up until you get to fort desoto. the farther south, the more laid-back. naples, and ft. myers are also great areas.

[Mitzi]

Sorry double submitted.. :banana: :banana: :banana:

[Mitzi]

: :banana: :banana: banana:
We have rented a condo in Indian Shores for a week in July. It's a 3 bedroom condo and I rented this condo last summer.. It's about 1 hour and 15-20 minutes to Disney.. We plan on staying at Disney for a couple of days then head over to the condo but we are planning on going back to Disney later in the week. This condo is beach front 5th floor very very nice and there is a pool for the complex.. It's awesome to have your tea on the balcony in the morning and a nitecap to watch the sunset.. :goodvibes :goodvibes :goodvibes.. There are some really nice condos on the gulf.. Indian Shores is south of Clearwater and we didn't feel that it was to busy in July.. We even went parasailing and plan on going again this July...Hope you find something that you will enjoy..I found this condo by surfing the web last year.. I really lucked out..
:banana: :banana: :banana:
I noticed that you are from Punx, I'm from Clarion..

[erinch]

thanks for the suggestions...

How is hurricane damage around Naples, Ft. Myers and Indian Shores?

[jeffreyml]

Try www.vrbo.com for condos and rental homes. We've used them numerous times for our Gulf Coast vacations and there are plenty to choose from.

[erinch]

I've been reading the vrbo ads till I'm hyperventilating with confusion--but still am lost as to area.

While we're there I think we'd like to go to Busch gardens, but otherwise looking to relax--in an area as scenic and undeveloped as possible.

Am I right in thinking one either wants south--ft myers area or well north of clearwater?

[Immelman]

fort myers is great, but too far south. you don't need to go any farther south than the sarasota area. an hour south of tampa. here's a good link to tampa/st. pete area beaches.

http://www.floridasbeach.com/

I dive and deep-sea fish the gulf, and the sarasota area beaches are my favorite.

http://www.siesta4rent.com/

[annabelle]

Check out Anna Maria Island near Sarasota (south of Clearwater).

This is an island truly preserved old Florida style. There are no high rises, no big sprawling resorts, no neon signs and tacky t-shirt shops. Just 7 miles of laid back, tropical bliss. Plenty of beach cottages and villas for rent and wonderful restaurants all over the island.

We're staying here after Disney: http://www.annamariaislandbeachresort.com/menu.htm