Kel

We want to make a vacation out of travelling from PA to Tampa in May. Can anyone suggest a nice, tropical, area within about 4 horus driving distance of Tampa? We may make the 5-6 venture to Key Largo, but would kick myself for going all the way to the keys and not going down to Key West.

Any thoughts??

cjf

Your post doesn't make much sense. Are you getting married? Or going to a wedding and then planning to extend the trip? How many days do you have for this trip? No need to travel 4 hours from Tampa to find something "tropical" but it depends on what you like - something laid back like Sanibel, or more vibrant like Clearwater? And if you're going to the keys - definitely go to Key West.

Kel

Yes, we are flying to Tampa and would like to rent a car and stay in florida - somehwere around Tampa, like 4 hours away, for a week.

We are not getting married in Tampa, we are invited to a wedding.

Make sense? I am looking for suggestions of nice beaches/areas around Tampa. I've been to Key West and Loved it but don't want to drive that far. Thanks

xxx

I seem to understand your question is what is comparable to key west since you loved key west once before? However you do not want to drive that far. If that is correct, than I think Longport Key and Siesta Keys would be nice. Top notch beaches.

Jen

Longboat Key is a great recommendation.

I also vote for Sand Key which is just south of Clearwater. Not quite four hours away but if you drive around that damn roundabout enough...

Sand Key is kind of quiet -if it is too quiet, then St. Pete Beach or Clearwater Beach are other recs.

Duane

Ft Myers Beach or Sanibel/Captiva Island. They are different though. Ft Myers Beach for fun in the sun and Sanibel/Captiva for more laid back experience.
Duane

Christina

Marco Island & Naples are both within a 3 hour drive from Tampa. Both are very nice and away from the typical tourist stuff around the Tampa Bay area.