The wife and I are in our usual planning stage for our next year (2009) vacation, since its time for me to pick my weeks at work.

We are considering a Florida trip since she has never been there and was hoping for some local knowledge. we are looking at Daytona (for me) Everglades (for her to shoot wildlife and bird pics) and Key West for some sailing and snorkling. I know there is alot in between and seaching on the computer just gives you all the big time tourist things like theme parks and such...that aint our speed.

We're more into great beaches, quaint little villages and towns with local culture and fabulous scenery...the road less travelled I guess you could say. I'm sure there must be huge chunks of Florida that mainstream tourism doesnt come close to. Fruit groves comes to mind and the St Petersburg/Clearwater area looks cool as well as St Augustine. Dont get me wrong, we arent the hiking and camping types either, just slightly off the beaten path...that's where the best top down driving is to be had anyway (Yes I will be taking the Cruiser on this one...no way I'm going to Key West and not drive the convertible)

So please chime in with any suggestions you may have.
Thanks in advance guys

Key West love that place.

Spend some time in St. Augustine. I spent about two hours there for lunch and want to go back.

Herc is on the right track.
St. Augustine to Key west is like 7-9 hours apart.
I haven't bee to the Everglades, but would love too.
Site seeing in St. Augustine is sweet, plus the fort is there.
Key West is just fun in the sun and beach!
Daytona, well you have the NASCAR track and all.
Clearwater area has some nice beaches.
I'd say hit up St. Augustine, then take 95 South to Key West, and then end your trip Everglades/Clearwater area!

If you're looking to relax and get to nice beaches, try Anna Maria Island, it's kinda quaint. Its about 1-2 hours from Tampa.

Daytona is a very nice spot for vacation. The family and I always went to Daytona because its a great beach! Clearwater and St Pete are very nice places to get away too(besides you will be 30 minutes from me lol) When do you guys plan on going? I recommend taking the trip between March and May. No Love bugs and thats the best time for perfect weather(IMO).

Im going to florida in 2 weeks for a couple days and then i will be going back sometime between march and may as well(i will be bringing the GP for another road trip).

X2, key west is incredible.

Take a cruise if you can tho.
Trust me on that, best vacation money can buy.

I got a spare room.
Or if that doesn't work,
I got connections to a small 2/2 house in walking distance from the beach! No one uses it, there for when folks, like yourself, come to vacation.

What's the scoop with this?
Not sure when they have launches, but you might be able to knock off one of those items off your bucket list while your down, shuttle launch!

You've gotta stop by the Daytona museum and check out the winning car of the 500.

Daytona museum and "experience" is defintely on my list as well as the Kennedy Space Center. Timing should be the last week of April so where do you check on the launching schedule?

St Augustine looks very nice and I'm defintely looking forward tot he overseas hi-way down to Key West. Been hearing pro and con about about airboat rides at the Everglades, so not sure on that yet. Clearwater looks very promising as well.
Thanks for all the info guys,just keep chiming in with anything you have on your mind. I'll try and have more details as the time draws near.

Clearwater is pretty nice, nothing too special there.

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/events.aspx#2009/2/0/

Feb 12th, then not again till May.