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Thanks a lot, especially for the last 3 posts, they were really helpful and some kind of less depressing...not making me think I am going to have a horrible trip this September :D

@ Mark: Well she said she travelled with her parents most of southern Florida in roughly 4 weeks. Getting crazy about Key West and the Everglades and all the amusement parks in Orlando :) But I see what you mean talking about America and and how traveling the US :D Cheers for your honesty and assurance :)

@ SoloHobo and krazytravel: I really liked the idea of going somewhere else for a short trip with my friend :) Already mailed her and hoping for a positive reply. I don't know to much about New Orleans apart from Hurricane Katrina :/ So can anyone tell me a bit more about it or recommend some other city for 2 German tourists looking for a nice trip to the US? :)
I will definitely keep an eye on the weather although I asume we won't skip plans if Florida is not submerged ;) Just too excited. Fortunately still :)

Besides does anyone know a good accomondation in Miami and Orlando? And should we really drive to Key West, cause I am only 19 :/ According to what I have read by now, people only go there for partying!?

Oh and I definitely will post back as soon as I am home safe and sound :)

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New Orleans is very nice cultural destination that includes great cuisine, a big jazz music scene, lots of good bars, and a lot of french colonial influenced streets of homes and building in the old Quarter. Its the ground zero of Mardi Gras in the US, and also the Jazzfest. The Creole/Cajun culture is unique to the region and the country.

Key West is actually a long chain of islands stretching from south of Miami all the way to just 90 miles north of Cuba, fishing, diving and partying in the theme of Jimmy Buffett and Ernest Hemingway is the genre for the backdrop.

Other interesting things to do if you have a car, is Cape Canaveral Space Center, and on the gulf side, a lot of great beaches like Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Sanibel, and Sarasota.

Overall, Florida is mainly retired folks, a lot of golf courses, lot of boating and fishing, and condo highrises and beach homes up and down each coast, all catering to families escaping the cold and going to beach from Jan to April, and Orlando every month of the year for the amusement parks. Besides a lot of state universities for young people, its really either old folks or families and college spring breakers...

You really should get a guidebook on Florida, so you have all the options in each area.

Check Trip Advisor for each areas attractions and also lodging. Priceline would be a good option for hotels as everything is low season and the are unloading rooms just to keep the place open. It also can very hot still September.

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I have to contest a few of Solohobo's assertions.


Key West is the name of both a town and the island (key) that it rests upon. The "Florida Keys" are the chain of hundreds of islands at the southern tip of Florida. Neither Jimmy Buffet nor Earnest Hemmingway lives there any longer. Hemmingway would roll over in his grave if he saw Key West today.


It may interest you to know that agriculture is Florida's second largest industry. Tourism is the first. Saying that "Overall, Florida is mainly retired folks," is about as accurate as saying that all Texans wear Stetsons, Colts, and cowboy boots. There are many retirees around but they are mostly the ones still young enough and healthy enough to enjoy the "golf courses, ...boating and fishing, and condo highrises and beach homes." The Spring Breakers are only there for a few weeks in the spring and they are pretty well confined these days. I don't know that Florida has any more state university students per capita than other states do.



I agree with those two points other than to say the your "very hot" is my "warm." Despite the false impression spread on this site, that Florida is hotter than hell; many people go to Florida for the climate year 'round. Ohio was much hotter than south Florida this past July.

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NINALANGSTRUMPF,
Learning about Hurricane season
use ACCUWEATHER.COM and clik on "SEVERE" (weather) they have projections for
up and comimg storms.
Also for updates follow via Twitter.
Hotels : see.....MOTEL6.COM /

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Cheers :)

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I really don't understand why so many people have negative views on Florida--I really enjoy Florida and think you could find plenty to do for 3 weeks. I'm in my 20's, have lived here for 2 years and visited well over 10 times before moving and still haven't run out of things to do and see, even though we are constantly on the go. It is a big state with tons to do, especially water related activities. However, like others have said a car is strongly recommended, but if one of you is 22, you shouldn't have a problem with renting a car, it will just cost $10-$15 more per day. I would be happy to offer suggestions if you are still looking for things to do.

Have you thought about going on a Caribbean cruise? Miami and Ft. Lauderdale both have large ports with many ships. Depending on the weather forecast, you could have a great time on a cruise as well. I would avoid if a storm is brewing, but cruises can be booked last minute for an affordable price.

Also, as far as rain in Florida, it does rain a lot in the summer, but it's usually a downpour for an hour or two and then clears up and is sunny the rest of the day. Unless there is a large storm, flooding is not going to bother you.

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#20

Florida is a great place to visit, I also lived there too, in the Panhandle (Red Neck Riveria) and got tired of the atmosphere quickly.

Its a great place for a vacation, but in many ways, like a cruise ship, a bunch of people I prefer to avoid, soI would never take a cruise in the caribe...thats for sure. Maybe when I am 80...

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@SoloHobo, I agree, there are lots of people I would like to avoid as well. I live in Southeast Florida, though, and still love the area despite a lot of the people.

I know a lot of people don't enjoy cruises, but I also know a lot of people who love them. I have numerous friends in their 20's who love cruising, so it's just an idea if the poster is looking to get out of Florida for a few days.

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@jkkvidt: Thanks for your post :) Yeah I am definitely still interested any suggestion you have for me/us :) As far as renting a car, I can say that we found a really good deal on expedia but we still wanna compare prices and service.

Well, and I have to admit I think it is a huge difference if you're coming to Florida for the first time or if you lived there for a couple of years, you know what I mean? ;)