0T 15 best winter escapes.

[Phil-G]

Weather.com

coming at #4,, Ft Myers FL. right up there with hawaii.
little hint though, don't stay on the beach. (unless it's your first time and need to get it out of your system. plus the photos with your barefeet in the sand, the german tourists froliking in the 60 deg surf, sitting on the balcony with your barefeet up on the rail with a cold beer and a plate of Hooters hotwings looking at the sunset over the gulf . to send to your snowbound freinds and family,,, priceless. )

But seriously, after that there are very nice places just off the beach to stay for half the price.
if i came down for a vacation i would go to Ft Myers beach once. there is so much more to do in a week. there's the Thomas Edison/Henry Ford homes laboratory and museum downtown. sanibel/captiva beaches, matlache/pine island, everglades city, an hour or less away. kayaking / canoeing on sanibel, on the estero river (by koreshian unity state park), on the peace river and the antique stores of arcadia. sarasotas ringling museum, busch garden, disney, universal, are all less than 2-3 hours away. i could go on and on

[Old Guy]

Beach was nice, and the trip was a birthday present for her when I went. Traffic on the beach is murder though. Took an hour to get across the bridge to the island.
Cost of hotel was OK but airfare was pricey.

[Phil-G]

traffic to and from the beach runs in cycles.
it starts around 9-10am and drops off around 3PM going to the beach.
and then from 3:30-5:30 PM leaving.
during the christmas break and spring break are the worst possible times.
if you are staying on the beach this can work to your advantage.
when you leave in the morning and come back in the afternoon it's smooth sailing.

It's cheaper if fly in to Tampa. Then rent a car and drive down the coast. (or I 75 if your in a hurry.)

[juniper]

Yesterday, taking my 7yr old down black diamond trails after he's only skied 6 times... Awesome fun!!!