Any Vacation Reccommendations?

[TaraF]

My Mothers summer has essentially gone to crap since she is in a leg cast and a wheelchair and isn't getting around to well so to cheer her up I figure it would be great to take her somewhere warm for a week in either September or October when she'll be mobile again. I was thinking of Florida or South Carolina.

Anyone here have any ideas of good places to stay in either State? I know what's going on with the oil in the Ocean now but considering the only water we'd ever touch is in a pool that isn't an issue for us.

We are looking at a relatively small budget meaning we can't be spending $2,000 on a room or resort for our stay, and I think a condo might be best because that way we can do our own cooking and not have to eat out or rely on room service the entire stay. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[avoncallingu]

If you go Spirit Airlines.com today they are offering $9 - yes that's right $9 flights to Forth Lauderdale and Tampa during September. Now - you have to pay to join the $9 club or sign up to get their master card then you join for free - luggage check-ins cost some money and if you want a special seat that costs - but generally you can get there and back for 2 for less than $300 (these are flights from Detroit) - if you fly out of an American city, you save at least $250 in taxes each.

[DaveP]

I would imagine with the oil spill crisis that you mentioned that there must be some very good deals to be had at hotels and resorts that are suddenly scrambling for business. Definitely shop around, this is probably the best time to visit if the beach isn't part of your plans.

[Poirot]

My Mothers summer has essentially gone to crap since she is in a leg cast and a wheelchair and isn't getting around to well so to cheer her up I figure it would be great to take her somewhere warm for a week in either September or October when she'll be mobile again. I was thinking of Florida or South Carolina.

Anyone here have any ideas of good places to stay in either State? I know what's going on with the oil in the Ocean now but considering the only water we'd ever touch is in a pool that isn't an issue for us.

We are looking at a relatively small budget meaning we can't be spending $2,000 on a room or resort for our stay, and I think a condo might be best because that way we can do our own cooking and not have to eat out or rely on room service the entire stay. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Myrtle Beach is very nice although very spread
out.

[Littlemoe0]

My inlaws stayed in a condo in Florida during the winter for about 6 weeks, and got it for I think $780 for the 6 weeks. Now, it's not right on the water or anything, but they said it was really nice and clean. They also like to go and stay in Arizona as well.

[bargain_hunter_lola]

I would recommend flying in the US if possible. It's much cheaper if you live near a border city to drive to the US and then fly within it. We flew through Jetblue in February to Orlando and it only cost us $500 (for 2 people and baby was free), the same time flights from Canada was going to cost around $1100. I was told it was because we have more airlines taxes etc.

Hope you find a great vacation spot!

[miztia]

What about driving down, then you would have transportation while you are there? I like the fact that you can sightsee along the way, visit shops ect. Dont forget to visit the openair flea markets. They are fantastic and cheap!!!

[TaraF]

Thank you for all of the great suggestions bargain_hunter_lola, it's INSANE the difference of me flying out of Buffalo vs Toronto, absolutely crazy!

Miztia, we were thinking about driving because we thought we'd just end up renting a car down there anyways to get around so why not just drive. I heard it takes about 24 of driving to get to Florida, anyone know if this is accurate?

We found a BEAUTIFUL Resort in Orlando, and if 4 of us go and drive it will cost us EACH $200, that's it! It's crazy! That's including the resort for 6 nights and gas to get there and back!

[lekate]

Thank you for all of the great suggestions bargain_hunter_lola, it's INSANE the difference of me flying out of Buffalo vs Toronto, absolutely crazy!

Miztia, we were thinking about driving because we thought we'd just end up renting a car down there anyways to get around so why not just drive. I heard it takes about 24 of driving to get to Florida, anyone know if this is accurate?

We found a BEAUTIFUL Resort in Orlando, and if 4 of us go and drive it will cost us EACH $200, that's it! It's crazy! That's including the resort for 6 nights and gas to get there and back!

Driving would probably cut on costs, but you also have to consider how stressful it is to drive that far/long in a car with the same people...makes a person go crazy! Haha I've vowed to never drive down to DC again and that's only 10ish hours!

[Litesandsirens911]

when I was a kid, my parents would drive us down to the USA for our holidays... my parents would share the driving, so 24 hours isn't bad if it is shared...it is however hard to sleep in the car, so I would recommend at least staying overnight once somewhere to rest and refresh about midway.

[Mayble]

Flying out of a U.S. airport can be cheaper than driving. With driving you have the cost of the gas, food along the way, overnight hotel plus the wear on your car. I usually fly out of Buffalo for $139 return. If you are close to a U.S. border and this an option, check out Jet Blue, South West and Air Tran airlines. My favourite is Jet Blue airlines. You can also get a cheap car rental with Priceline. Last August I paid $11 a day for mid size. I have driven to Orlando many times in the past and it usually takes us around 22 hours from Oakville.

[miztia]

It took us 18hrs straight driving going through buffalo, and pennsylvania down that way. The scenery is nice too. Going on the i-75 was the worst OMG that is a boring route!

[Lynn49]

We drove last February and we leisurely took 2 over-nights to get there, but then we're another 3 hours north of Toronto, so that added to our drive a bit. One over-night would be my suggestion out of TO.

Stay at Drury Inns...(we booked them ahead) when you arrive, you're served 3 FREE cocktails and some munchies...lol...that really put the capper on our long days! ;-) And they even have a pet policy, so our Tammy stayed free.

We did I75 and although it's not the most exciting drive, it is scenic and in the fall the colours of the leaves changing would be gorgeous. And I tell ya...Canada's 'pit stops' don't even come close to the rest stops along I75!! Clean, well managed and there's always someone at a booth to help with directions, general information on the area, etc.
And staying on a 4-lane highway certainly gets you there faster than the drive along the coast (with it's ups and downs and curves....).

What a sweet daughter you are, btw!!!!

[TaraF]

We drove last February and we leisurely took 2 over-nights to get there, but then we're another 3 hours north of Toronto, so that added to our drive a bit. One over-night would be my suggestion out of TO.

Stay at Drury Inns...(we booked them ahead) when you arrive, you're served 3 FREE cocktails and some munchies...lol...that really put the capper on our long days! ;-) And they even have a pet policy, so our Tammy stayed free.

We did I75 and although it's not the most exciting drive, it is scenic and in the fall the colours of the leaves changing would be gorgeous. And I tell ya...Canada's 'pit stops' don't even come close to the rest stops along I75!! Clean, well managed and there's always someone at a booth to help with directions, general information on the area, etc.
And staying on a 4-lane highway certainly gets you there faster than the drive along the coast (with it's ups and downs and curves....).

What a sweet daughter you are, btw!!!!

Thanks for the recommendation. The only Drurys Inn I can find (between Fl and SC) is in Greenville, SC, is that the one you are speaking of?

[cabmonk]

Yeah spirit air often has their $9 fares to assorted different destinations. I have flown with them before and like them, but check that bag fee out they just started where you even have to pay for carry on bags.

Might I suggest cartegena Columbia. I stayed there when I was in high school. If you dont mind car bombs going off right in front of your hotel its beautiful.

Actually yeah, A car bomb went off in front of our hotel the day after we left. It killed the bomber, and 2 guests. Btw I still loved it there, even though every floor of our hotel had an armed guard with his finger right on the trigger.