Where to go besides Orlando?

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

I'd go down to Miami Beach or the Florida Keys.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

There is a HGVC in SoBe in a great location. Hotel-wise, I'd recommend the Crowne Plaza nearby at 15th street and Collins Ave. It's on the beach, and walking distance to the main "strip" as well as Lincoln Road Mall. I still like some of the gulf locations, too, particularly Sanibel and Captiva, maybe even Marco Island.

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

A number of years ago I tore an article about a St. John's River Cruise from a travel magazine. When we were last in Orlando, we took a day trip to do the cruise. We were the only two people on the cruise that day, although they normally have much larger crowds. It was very enjoyable and informative. We saw lots of wildlife. Before or after the cruise you can wander around the state park (Blue Springs State Park).

http://www.sjrivercruises.com/

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

Are you into baseball? March is spring training time in Florida.

Nancy

[djyamyam Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close djyamyam]

There is a HGVC in SoBe in a great location. Hotel-wise, I'd recommend the Crowne Plaza nearby at 15th street and Collins Ave. It's on the beach, and walking distance to the main "strip" as well as Lincoln Road Mall. I still like some of the gulf locations, too, particularly Sanibel and Captiva, maybe even Marco Island.

I had a reservation for the HGVC booked for April to tag onto a different work conference but that go cancelled so I cancelled my booking. I just found out about this one in March so I'm looking last minute.

I have seen the HGVC afiliate resorts at the last minute in Sanibel and Marco Island so I may try for those. Any II resort recommendations?

[djyamyam Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close djyamyam]

Are you into baseball? March is spring training time in Florida.

Nancy

I might go to a game but DW would not. I would prefer doing something as opposed to just sitting and watching.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I was just thinking, We drove around Celebration for a day looking at the homes there. It happens to be a nice area that was being built up. You can kill a few hours there.

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

We like visiting Celebration. Usually park downtown and walk around and maybe even walk around the little lake.

Nancy

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

This is definitely somthing we would check out. Where's this? And I would be bringing the clubs if no surfboard.

Why didn't you say that sooner?

We are staying in Englewood and playing in Rotonda. 81 holes and not the high fees of further south. We are paying $27 for 2:00 tee times, and getting 18 in.

There are beaucoup rentals in Rotonda or Englewood Beach or Manasota Key.

There are lot of parks, mostly beach parks at passes, with hiking trails, etc. By March you could be kayaking in the bay with dolphins and manatees, fishing, etc.

Rotonda West, FL - Rotonda Golf & Country Club - 81 Premier Holes On The Cape Haze Peninsula

There are two RCI resorts on the beach, Sea Oats and Englewood Beach and Yacht Club . . . typical older beach motel conversions, but comfy. We are at Sea Oats this week and EBYC next week. We just got it 12/31. Sea Oats for Sat just showed up yesterday. I also get Florida golf emails everyday, for all areas, as low as $18.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

If you are coming south to Miami/Ft. Lauderdale and want to play golf there are some easy exchanges in Weston that are near the Bonaventure golf course and are an easy commute to Ft. Lauderdale.
Also Wyndhams Palm Aire in Pompano is near a golf course too.

I also stayed at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, it's a blue green resort with a nice golf course and zero entry pool and the rooms are very nice and there is lots to do in the area.
They also have beach privileges for guests at a nice beach club that you
can use if the weather is nice.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

SW FL Gulf water temp right now is 57.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I had a reservation for the HGVC booked for April to tag onto a different work conference but that go cancelled so I cancelled my booking. I just found out about this one in March so I'm looking last minute.

I have seen the HGVC afiliate resorts at the last minute in Sanibel and Marco Island so I may try for those. Any II resort recommendations?

The HGVC in SoBe is also in II, listed as The Crescent Resort on South Beach, CRE.

Inland Miami there is the Marriott Villas at Doral. Not too tough a Marriott to get since it isn't on the beach. I haven't been and I think it's a bit older, but people like it for spa, and I think golf - worth checking.

II has quite a few nice Florida resorts - check the listings - plenty of "Gold Laurel" or whatever the new 5* rating is.

[djyamyam Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close djyamyam]

So what about Clearwater area? Looks like it is on the gulf beach. How does that compare to Sanibel?

[Nancy Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Nancy]

I live part-time near Clearwater. The beaches are nice. Clearwater Beach is touristy, but other south toward St. Pete are not so. If looking for a trade, it might depend on what you can get.

Nancy