Florida trip advice

[Vigiles]

With the wonderful snow filled weather here in northern va, a friend of mine mentioned (jokingly at first I think) about packing up and going to Florida for a few days for some warm(er) weather, cigars, and possibly some golf. (priority, for me, in that order.)

The only problem is, I've only been to florida once (orlando 13 years ago, which means I was 10) and I have no idea where we should go.


Tampa? Ft. Lauderdale? Miami? Just camp out and wait for the next EPIC herf?


Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We are only looking at going for 4-5 days, possibly at the end of February.

Thank you!

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Vigiles

With the wonderful snow filled weather here in northern va, a friend of mine mentioned (jokingly at first I think) about packing up and going to Florida for a few days for some warm(er) weather, cigars, and possibly some golf. (priority, for me, in that order.)

The only problem is, I've only been to florida once (orlando 13 years ago, which means I was 10) and I have no idea where we should go.


Tampa? Ft. Lauderdale? Miami? Just camp out and wait for the next EPIC herf?


Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We are only looking at going for 4-5 days, possibly at the end of February.

Thank you!

I dig the West Coast....Sanibel Island, Ft. Myers, Clearwater...but there are a lot of great Inmates on the East Coast to herf with.

[n3uka]

Feb 20 is the Great Smoke in West Palm Beach http://www.thegreatsmoke.com/

or looks like there might be a south east florida herf that day as well http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=27541

Not too far from Miami either.

But what do I know, I am looking out the window at snow here in MD

[issues]

Well if you're looking for beaches the west coast is the way to go. If you're looking for cigars that would be Miami or Tampa. Hard to come to Florida and not make it to Ybor City (Tampa) if you're looking for some great cigar heritage. Besides, from Tampa you have some nice beaches close by as well with Clearwater, Fort De Soto and Indian Rocks along with some great golf courses (or so I've heard, not a golfer myself).

If you like theme parks we also have Busch Gardens. But if you're really looking for theme park fun, Orlando is your best bet.

[Neuromancer]

Originally Posted by issues

Well if you're looking for beaches the west coast is the way to go. If you're looking for cigars that would be Miami or Tampa. Hard to come to Florida and not make it to Ybor City (Tampa) if you're looking for some great cigar heritage. Besides, from Tampa you have some nice beaches close by as well with Clearwater, Fort De Soto and Indian Rocks along with some great golf courses (or so I've heard, not a golfer myself).

If you like theme parks we also have Busch Gardens. But if you're really looking for theme park fun, Orlando is your best bet.

Hey...we got great beaches on the east coast too...there's always Ft. Lauderdale Beach, and South Beach in Miami...and the lower end of South Beach is topless...you won't see that on the west coast...

[issues]

Originally Posted by Neuromancer

Hey...we got great beaches on the east coast too...there's always Ft. Lauderdale Beach, and South Beach in Miami...and the lower end of South Beach is topless...you won't see that on the west coast...

Good point!

Also if you are looking for waves, you won't find them on the west coast.

[rizzle]

Originally Posted by Neuromancer

Hey...we got great beaches on the east coast too...there's always Ft. Lauderdale Beach, and South Beach in Miami...and the lower end of South Beach is topless...you won't see that on the west coast...

Maybe not...legally.

I'd say Orlando, and meet up with the crew there. And you can go to Corona Cigars there, too. Though I know there are other good shops in FL to go to, since my wife's family is in the Orlando area, I have a soft spot for Corona. I think we DO need to get out and explore more of FL next time we're there, though.

Abe at Smoke Inn (where The Great Smoke is) is a good guy and a longtime poster over on Cigar Family.

And of course there is Ybor over in Tampa.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by Wanger

I'd say Orlando, and meet up with the crew there. And you can go to Corona Cigars there, too. Though I know there are other good shops in FL to go to, since my wife's family is in the Orlando area, I have a soft spot for Corona. I think we DO need to get out and explore more of FL next time we're there, though.

Abe at Smoke Inn (where The Great Smoke is) is a good guy and a longtime poster over on Cigar Family.

And of course there is Ybor over in Tampa.

Corona???

OK, nice shop to hang out BUT if cigars is what you seek, how can that compare to Pepin's factory, or Ernesto's (LGC), or Padron, or Padilla, or Perdomo? All of them in Miami. All of them great hosts.

Originally Posted by Blueface

Corona???

OK, nice shop to hang out BUT if cigars is what you seek, how can that compare to Pepin's factory, or Ernesto's (LGC), or Padron, or Padilla, or Perdomo? All of them in Miami. All of them great hosts.

Like said, we DO need to branch out from Orlando and visit other shops. For me, of those, I'd hit the Padron and Pepin factories. Pete (Replicant) was wondering if we'd be able to entice you to come up for the herf when we were down there for Christmas.

And remember, I'm coming from MN, where we have nothing even close to what's down there.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by Wanger

Like said, we DO need to branch out from Orlando and visit other shops. For me, of those, I'd hit the Padron and Pepin factories. Pete (Replicant) was wondering if we'd be able to entice you to come up for the herf when we were down there for Christmas.

And remember, I'm coming from MN, where we have nothing even close to what's down there.

I will definitely try to make it.
Is it a definite trip for you guys?
Depends on dates. If tight around Christmas, will be tough to get my wife or even me for that matter, to part from grandson.
Let me know with time.

Originally Posted by Blueface

I will definitely try to make it.
Is it a definite trip for you guys?
Depends on dates. If tight around Christmas, will be tough to get my wife or even me for that matter, to part from grandson.
Let me know with time.

It was this past Christmas. I don't know the next time we'll be down there, but will let you know as soon as something is planned. I like escaping MN in the winter, but it is a bit of a haul to get there (we drove this past year) and flights for all 5 of us gets expensive.

[ucubed]

Originally Posted by Blueface

Corona???

OK, nice shop to hang out BUT if cigars is what you seek, how can that compare to Pepin's factory, or Ernesto's (LGC), or Padron, or Padilla, or Perdomo? All of them in Miami. All of them great hosts.

No Tatuaje or Illusione in those factories...and Pepin cigars aren't the same without TT supplying him anymore =/

[G G]

I like the west coast better too.

[Smokin Gator]

If you drive you and are on I-75 and go through Ocala I am just a few miles from there. You are welcome to stop by for dinner and a smoke!!

[G G]

If he stops by your place Brent he wont want to leave.

[Smokin Gator]

Originally Posted by ggainey

If he stops by your place Brent he wont want to leave.

Only because you would be here too!!!

[Neuromancer]

Originally Posted by Vigiles

With the wonderful snow filled weather here in northern va, a friend of mine mentioned (jokingly at first I think) about packing up and going to Florida for a few days for some warm(er) weather, cigars, and possibly some golf. (priority, for me, in that order.)

The only problem is, I've only been to florida once (orlando 13 years ago, which means I was 10) and I have no idea where we should go.


Tampa? Ft. Lauderdale? Miami? Just camp out and wait for the next EPIC herf?


Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We are only looking at going for 4-5 days, possibly at the end of February.

Thank you!

Southeast Florida Herf at Blueface's (Carlos) joint Sat., Feb 20th...theres a thread about it...

[ucubed]

As for Golfing, Central Florida has a lot of nice golf courses...The Bay Hill Tournament is played at Bay Hills about 5 minutes from Corona Cigar on Sand Lake. Orlando is especially nice for a family with all the theme parks, however it's 1.25 hours beaches to the east (Cocoa Beach), and 1.5 hours to the west coast (Tampa,Clearwater, St. Pete). Plus Corona cigars which should be at least a 1 time visit, to see the largest humidor, plus the largest distributer of cigars.

The further you go south, the less waves you have and if you go to the west side you won't have much. Miami's water is flat, as well as St. Pete...Cocoa Beach and north of it is where the surf is. Tampa does have the Hard Rock Casino which is about an hour and 15 minutes from Orlando. Miami's clubbing scene and gorgeous women is hard to pass up though...I mean we were at a Miami club near South Beach until 5 AM where we then proceded to Five Guys Burgers (which you MUST HAVE) right after =D... Hope this helps your decision

[Vigiles]

Well after much consideration and debate, we have decided on Tampa. Hotel has been booked, cigars are being packed as we speak!


We are leaving Feb 22nd and should hit tampa the 23rd. Returning straight to VA the 27th.


So what cigar shops/locations should i visit? What all exactly is in Ybor city these days?