Need help with Florida vacation

[Chicagoland Chef du Jour]

SarasotaCook wrote:
stop at St Augustine which is really beautiful; It is such a historic town, the Old Fort; it is a beautiful area.

Then to Sarasota (my Home). We have Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium; Great fun, wonderful Aquarium. And, I can get you FREE tickets. Also the world renown, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. It is truly stunning. We also have the John and Mable Ringling Museum. Famous by the John and Ringling Barnum and Baily Circus; also, the museum holds the larges collection of Peter Paul Reubens paintings.
Again, many wonderful places to eat. Nothing like eating right on the beach. And Siesta Beach was named #1 for is soft white sand 4 years in a row. Also, St Armands Circle is known for 'Classy' Upscale shopping; but they also have fun friendly restaurants and shops. The Columbia Restaurant is a great place right on St Armands. Spanish couisine and famous since the early 1900. They are known for their 1905 salad and their cuban sandwiches.

St. Augustine : GREAT Place! The fort has a great live reenactment.

I LOVE Sarasota! We toured the Ringling Home.
Also took a Segway tour of the city.
Siesta Beach is divine!
St. Armands Circle is great place for Boutique upscale shopping.
Great restaurants there too!

Personally, I prefer the gulf side vs. the Atlantic. It will be warmer on the gulf.

[SarasotaCook]

Yes Chicago, I agree; it is more expensive; but I love it. The gulf is 80+ up to 86 in the summer, beautiful beaches; but the Atlantic does offer a nice view as well. I vacationed here most years since age 4; a few off sites to Acapulco, the East coast near Deerfield Beach (grandparents); Bahamas, and the Virgin Island. But almost came back to Sarasota

[Why Me?]

Chicagoland Chef du Jour wrote:

SarasotaCook wrote:
stop at St Augustine which is really beautiful; It is such a historic town, the Old Fort; it is a beautiful area.

Then to Sarasota (my Home). We have Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium; Great fun, wonderful Aquarium. And, I can get you FREE tickets. Also the world renown, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. It is truly stunning. We also have the John and Mable Ringling Museum. Famous by the John and Ringling Barnum and Baily Circus; also, the museum holds the larges collection of Peter Paul Reubens paintings.
Again, many wonderful places to eat. Nothing like eating right on the beach. And Siesta Beach was named #1 for is soft white sand 4 years in a row. Also, St Armands Circle is known for 'Classy' Upscale shopping; but they also have fun friendly restaurants and shops. The Columbia Restaurant is a great place right on St Armands. Spanish couisine and famous since the early 1900. They are known for their 1905 salad and their cuban sandwiches.

St. Augustine : GREAT Place! The fort has a great live reenactment.

I LOVE Sarasota! We toured the Ringling Home.
Also took a Segway tour of the city.
Siesta Beach is divine!
St. Armands Circle is great place for Boutique upscale shopping.
Great restaurants there too!

Personally, I prefer the gulf side vs. the Atlantic. It will be warmer on the gulf.

I prefer the gulf side too. Plus you want to stay south of Tampa for warmer temps.

[SarasotaCook]

Clearwater, Tampa, St Pete are equally as nice; but MORE city oriented and busy. Once you get south, you get more history and a bit more low key areas. And yes, the further south ... the warmer, even when we get cold fronts

This week is typical winter. Low 50's to mid. Some high 40's, but days in the 70's, low to mid. That is average winter.

[chefnini]

Sanibel and Captive are wonderful locations to visit and the shells are terrific

[aarinmartin]

We are decided to spend our summer vacation in florida,so need your help to do confirm that the places that we have to decided is correct or wrong for spending our summer vacation....Please suggest me....
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Click in this link for more information:- airboat tour

[seashell]

If you are coming to Florida this time of year keep in mind SUMMER IN FLORIDA IS VERY HOT AND VERY HUMID! Be prepared! Bring plenty of sunscreen and wear a hat! Drink LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER. I have lived in south Florida since 1958, so I speak with some experience. Thank God for air conditioning!