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Old 11-19-2010, 06:24 PM   #21
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I am near Disney World though. Would that make travelling to Tampa closer than Cape Canaveral ?
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Old 11-19-2010, 06:30 PM   #22
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It is roughly 80 miles from Mickeyland to Tampa/St Pete, 50 miles to Cape C....
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Old 11-19-2010, 10:11 PM   #23
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Fort Desoto park has a world-class beach (in Pinellas County). Others include Passe-a-Grille and St Pete Beach.

Ybor City for downtown history and boutiques and restaurants (the Columbia for paella). Tarpon Springs has sponge divers and tours. Busch Gardens for the usual amusement. Rainy day: Museum of Science and Industry aimed partially at kids. Hillsborough State Park offers a decent change of seeing gators from a safe distance. Downtown Tampa has Channelside for adult entertainment and a nice Aquarium.

Have fun.
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Old 11-23-2010, 08:59 AM   #24
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Fort Desoto park has a world-class beach (in Pinellas County). Others include Passe-a-Grille and St Pete Beach.

Ybor City for downtown history and boutiques and restaurants (the Columbia for paella). Tarpon Springs has sponge divers and tours. Busch Gardens for the usual amusement. Rainy day: Museum of Science and Industry aimed partially at kids. Hillsborough State Park offers a decent change of seeing gators from a safe distance. Downtown Tampa has Channelside for adult entertainment and a nice Aquarium.

Have fun.
Thank you !

Do you know if there's any "historic" site or down town area where people can walk and look at the architecture in Tampa/St Pete/Clearwater ?

What's that Ybor city ? In Tampa or St Pete or Clearwater ?

It's basically for a 1 day trip as we will head back to the Disney area in the evening or at night.
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Old 11-23-2010, 09:03 AM   #25
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Just checked Ybor city, I think I have been to that place when I attended the wedding about 4 years ago.

Any other place you may recommend ?

Thanks
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Old 11-23-2010, 09:15 AM   #26
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From the Pass-A-Grille Beach's website, I saw Shell Key preserve. I think my kids will like it.

Just wonder it's a good place for collecting shells ? I know Venice beach has lots of shark teeth but it's too far from Disney.

And also Treasure Island ? The name definitely attracts my kids' attention !
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Old 11-30-2010, 10:57 AM   #27
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During your stay in Seista Key point your GPS towards Yoders in Sarasota. It is an Amish produce store and restaurant that we visited after it was profiled on Man vs Food. Not fancy but good food and reasonably prices. For breakfast try the apple fritter french toast.

Welcome to Yoder's Amish Restaurant of Sarasota, Florida!
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Old 12-01-2010, 07:47 PM   #28
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During your stay in Seista Key point your GPS towards Yoders in Sarasota. It is an Amish produce store and restaurant that we visited after it was profiled on Man vs Food. Not fancy but good food and reasonably prices. For breakfast try the apple fritter french toast.

Welcome to Yoder's Amish Restaurant of Sarasota, Florida!
...but quite a long drive from Siesta Beach and really not worth it.
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Old 12-02-2010, 04:21 PM   #29
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From the Pass-A-Grille Beach's website, I saw Shell Key preserve. I think my kids will like it.
John's Pass north of St Petes (Madeira) is nice. Casino Boat tour, seadoos, snorkeling, shops and restaurants.

So is downtown Orlando. Just remember that you are skirting some of the busiest tourist areas in the US in the winter. Looking for some peace after Orlando?
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Old 12-02-2010, 04:40 PM   #30
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Thank you all !

I don't know if I will have peace or not as I will have to entertain my family ...

I probably won't do any water sport as the water will be cool from my experience Xmas 2009.

Where is downtown Orlando ? I didn't seem to notice it in the last 3 visits except Downtown Disney ...
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Old 12-03-2010, 10:33 AM   #31
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Water sports are a great way to entertain a family. For Canadians, the gulf water temp is fine.

For Orlando, head up Orange to Washington. It is a shame that so many visitors miss it.
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Old 12-03-2010, 10:38 AM   #32
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I will check the water temperature when I get there.

Any particular section on Washington ? Any particular trade name that I can google ?

Thanks
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Old 12-03-2010, 10:42 AM   #33
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I can't wait to head down to Florida Xmas 2010.

The long term plan is to stay in central or South Fl for longer time. I just checked out top up travel insurance from Kinetix and got instant quotes from different insurance companies. I did the top up quotes which will kick in at 12:00am from our existing travel insurance, I noticed it is affordable until the age progresses then the rates go up ...
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Old 12-04-2010, 09:20 AM   #34
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Yes pre-existing conditions will eventually kick-in. Water pills usually means branch to exit on the application. They only insure low risks.

Orlando has some old Spanish influences that are worth seeing at least once. It has an old established population that is totally invisible to many tourists.
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Old 12-04-2010, 09:42 AM   #35
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Hi Keith,

So where's that old Spanish influences in Orlando ? I suppose Disney, Universal ... attract all the attention of tourists ...

I used to talk to an old gentleman in Southern Ontario, he said he had been going to Florida for over 20 years but now stopped going since last year as the insurance is too expensive ($3000 for 1 month), he's 83 I believe.
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Old 12-05-2010, 07:36 AM   #36
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I used to talk to an old gentleman in Southern Ontario, he said he had been going to Florida for over 20 years but now stopped going since last year as the insurance is too expensive ($3000 for 1 month), he's 83 I believe.
Thats one of many reason why, after going to Florida for three years and seeing it from top to bottom, we decided to buy in Mexico. The cost of emergency medical care is affordable and many older Canadians are still snowbirds.

There are people from Toronto, Montreal and the eastern US who come here regularly. Many drive down in spite of the fear hyping by the media. So far so good.

There is a catch with medical evacuation insurance. You have to remain under care until you have a confirmed entry to a hospital back home and that can sometimes take time. Queue jumping is not allowed.
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Old 12-05-2010, 06:05 PM   #37
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I haven't checked out top up quotes for Mexico but will check it sometime to see what the rate is.

There's no doubt Mexico has guarantee nicer weather than Florida. I wonder what activities are available in Mexico as I only did research for snowbirding in Florida.

We at the moment prefer Florida as our kids and other family members like Disney, Universal ... all those theme parks and cruises to the Carribean, central America and the Bahamas. That's why we bought Florida, plus it is within "driving distance" from Toronto. I can't imagine myself driving all the way from Toronto to Mexico, it is probably too far for us.

Perhaps we will visit Mexico from Florida ...
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Old 12-05-2010, 06:10 PM   #38
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I can't imagine myself driving all the way from Toronto to Mexico, it is probably too far for us.
In case you're curious, Mexico has even fewer street lights than the US...
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Old 12-06-2010, 06:35 AM   #39
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In case you're curious, Mexico has even fewer street lights than the US...
So I suppose you meant it is not a good idea to drive or go out at night or at least be alert ?

As a foreigner or tourist, I wouldn't wander to dark area regardless some people (don't have a stats on this) might think it's ... ok, fun, adventurous ...

I don't even wander to "trouble areas" in Toronto, let alone in Mexico as a tourist/foreigner.
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Old 12-06-2010, 07:47 AM   #40
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I haven't checked out top up quotes for Mexico but will check it sometime to see what the rate is...
It will be the same because all top-up quotes include the US. I was talking about self-insurance. A stay in a Mexican hospital is easier to finance than a stay in a US hospital.

And yes most drivers do not travel at night so the trip takes quite a bit longer. We head for the Sea of Cortez and then stay at nice places from San Carlos on down the coast. Plus we know that all the US propaganda is just that.
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