5 days stay out of Orlando.....

[Looby Loo]

..... Where would you suggest??

We are doing 12 days in Orlando but then we would like to do 5 days away from the crowds

We've hired a car for our entire stay and I don't mind driving in the US so where would you suggest?

Ideally we are looking for nice beaches, lots of nice/quaint restaurants, bars (but nothing too wild) somewhere we can stroll around shops and I personally love the outdoors/nature. Was thinking Naples but I am being swayed to either Fort Myers or St Augustine....

Would love to hear your suggestions/ experiences!

Thanks

 

[Lisa x]

I would say Clearwater! Beautiful beach, lovely area, nice bars and restaurants too! I have been to Naples for the day and it was stunning, would definitely go back there too!

 

[UKDEB]

For the first time in 20+ trips, we're venturing to the Gulf Coast and Sarasota in November. We did consider Naples, but we're heading out for just 3 days and the relative distance is what swung it in the end. My brother and sister-in-law, who've visited both multiple time, prefer Naples.

Last March we made a day trip to St Petersburg and, I have to say, my expectations were blown out of the water. The impression I'd built up over the years bore no resemblance to the reality, although we didn't visit the beach, just the gorgeous, old-Florida town, the Dale Chihuly Collection and the new Salvidor Dali Museum. I'd return in a heartbeat.

Friends love Captiva and Sanibel and, from what I've seen, I'd say they're definitely worth considering.

On the Atlantic Coast, we've visited Vero Beach and West Palm Beach and I'd have no hesitation in returning to either. St Augustine was on our itinerary in 2005 and, although we had a change of heart at the very last minute, it's still very much on my bucket list.

 

[chmurf]

without hesitation : tampa bay area, like clearwater.
or a bit south to siesta key and sarasota area

 

[merlin307]

We loved St Augustine on the Atlantic side.

Fort Myers was really nice too but preferred Naples, Marco Island and Fort Desoto.

Beautiful beaches and not tooo touristy.

 

[wayneg]

Our favourite places are St Augustine & Clearwater but a day at each is enough for us.
Once stayed 7 nights in Clearwater and we were bored silly, we enjoy going down for a day trip, overnight would be max I ever stayed.
5 days it would have to be a cruise or a a mini roadtrip with 4 or 5 places on the itinery.
The only place I can think that might tempt me is Key West but its a long way down.