Florida - Gulf coast

[barres]

We are off to Florida Dec 2007 to celebrate a 50th birthday and will have young children. We are going to Orlando for 1 week but then want to spend a week on the Gulf coast, can anyone suggest an area near to beaches and local shops/malls and also suggest where to rent a 4 bed villa?

Thanks

[aceduce0]

We have just come back last week. <A>\We did a week in Orlando then went to the Gulf Coast and stayed at Indian Shores in a condeminium looking onto the beach called Sand Dollar Condeminiums. The other alternative is Sarasota which we stayed at last time, we went at Siesta Key. That was beautiful. If you go there go to Casey Key one evening, it is a small inlet and the dolphins swim in at dusk, the kids would love it. Don't know about villas there though. Hope this helps.

[nickmo]

Spooky - have stayed at Indian Rocks Beach, just down from the Shores - brilliant location - close enough to get to St Petes and Tampa for the shopping but on the beach for the holiday. And eat at Crabby Bills - fab food !!

Try www.kingdomstate.com as one source (copy link if not working) or try : http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/USA-Florida-Gulf -of-Mexico-4bed.htm as another option. (links seem to not work at present - just copy and paste . . .)

Have a great stay!

[aceduce0]

We ate at Crabby Bills and Scullys was good too. Also The Pub.

[Pomp]

We used to stay in a place called Clearwater, which is in the same area as the previously mentioned places. The beach was a wide sandy beach, water warm, and the water was shallow ie safe for children. There were loads of small motels, all of which were reasonably priced. Most has a swimming pool. Can't help if you want villa.

Another place which was recommended was Kissimee. But I haven't actually been there.

[dannydingbat]

Indian Shores and Sea Oats for me - eat at Shells and Brewsters (free beer and wine refills)

[spudqueen]

Kissimmee is near Orlando, not really near the coast.

[Bob A Job]

I used to love Clearwater about 10 years ago, we went there in February and it was dire, most of the shops and bars are all boarded up. and most of the hotels were falling to pieces. AVOID!