Florida Travel Forum

hi there we are planning a trip starting next february 2010 - we intend to cover nashville, hendersonville, hiltons west virginia, atlanta, west coast of florida down to zephyr hills over to titus ville, down to the keys then over to cuba via another island

our only deadline to to be in cuba at the end of april

we are trying to work out whether to use greyhound, car hire or car buy???? we are on the tightiest of budgets and just wondered if anyone could give us some good advice please

with thanks in advance

Is there any particular order you want to go in, or any specific reason you've chosen these particular cities? Where are you originally from? That trip is kind of all over the place.

By "hiltons west virginia" do you mean a Hilton hotel in West Virginia? I'm pretty familiar with West "By God" Virginia, and I don't really know what you're talking about.

Can you share a few more details?

car hire ,rent a car best way to travel in the US

Although buses are cheap, you may find it difficult to reach some of your destinations. In addition, many of the city bus stations are either not in the city center or not in the best areas.

Buying a car is not a good option - alot of formalities on top of (generally) expensive insurance. Selling it may aslo be difficult.

I agree that renting a car is the best option - but you will have an additional one-way drop off fee. I would start to check car rental prices as soon as possible and lock in any good deal. You won't have to leave a credit card to book and can then cancel at anytime if you find a better deal. Enjoy!

hi there and thanks for the prompt reply - you are right - the trip does seem to be a bit all over the place - partly why we are trying to get advice/feedback:

here our 'chaotic thinking behind the plan' - i want to see nashville, hendersonville and hiltons (town/place) in west virginia because they are johnny cash related places - we threw in memphis for the elvis interest - we know someone in atlanta so we thought that heading down into florida via atlanta seemed to make sense???

We want to go the zephyr hills for skydiving, florida keys for scubadiving and we have to be in cuba for my sister birthday party at the end of april

We are currently living in england - about to move to europe - but envisage that our flight to usa will be from a uk airport

do you think we are trying to do too much? doing it in the 'wrong order' etc - any comments are gratefully appreciated

with thanks as ever

Do you mean Virginia? I still can't find anything that has to with "Hiltons" in West Virginia, but I did find a reference to Johnny Cash going back to Carter's fold, Hiltons, Virginia. Don't feel bad, there are a lot of people in the States who forget that Virginia and West Virginia are actually two separate states!

You're going to have to rent a car for at least that part of the trip. There might be tour buses to take you to Carter's Fold...

Have you plotted all your stops on a map? I'm also a little concerned about you getting in to Cuba. I know you guys aren't restricted like we are in the States, but if you do rent a car I think you'll have to turn it in while you're in the keys and arrange for other transportation from there.

If the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Va., is very important to you, I would start there... but I think you might be able to get your Johnny Cash fix if you start in Nashville, and you'll spend less money. I'm having a hard time getting Google maps to behave so I can find Hiltons.

Alrighty, I finally found it... you'll probably want to fly into Charleston, WV, or Richmond, VA, unless Roanoke, VA has an airport, if you want to go to Hiltons.

Have you been to carterfamilyfold.org yet? Maybe it will help you with your trip planning.

One more tip then I'm going to lunch!

Zephyrhills is one word, for when you start getting your plans settled. It's not too far from I-75, which you'll be able to get on in Atlanta. So that part of your trip should be relatively easy!