Smart Travel Insider

I love Chicago – just not in February. Credit: Braulio Colon

I have nothing against Chicago. In fact, I love the place. It's hard to hate on the city that gave the world deep-dish pizza, Air Jordan sneakers and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

But let's be real: Chicago in February isn't exactly a barrel of Garrett's popcorn. You're much better off in Florida. I've even found you some deals between Chi-Town and these popular Florida destinations:

• Orlando: Waterparks, the Orlando Magic, world-class restaurants, outlet shopping. Oh, and something about a mouse... On CheapTickets.com, I found tickets from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Orlando International Airport (MCO) on Delta starting at $333 round-trip. For suggestions on where to stay, check out VISIT FLORIDA's Orlando hotels page.

• Fort Lauderdale: Shopping on swanky Las Olas Boulevard, gondola canal rides... Kayak.com is showing one-way prices as low as $128 between all Chicago airports (CHI) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL). Once you touch down, consider resting your head at Ocean Sky Hotel and Resort, where you'll save 20 percent thanks to Getaroom.com.

• Miami: Beaches, nightlife, beatiful people, authentic Cuban coffee, a surprising number of family-friendly activities... American Airlines has round-trip fares from $260 between O'Hare (ORD) and Miami International Airport (MIA). And Getaroom.com is offering 30 percent off your stay at the National Hotel in Miami Beach, so you can take a champagne vacation on a beer budget.

• Fort Myers: Under-the-radar beaches, fishing, Thomas Edison's estate... Spirit Airlines has fares as low as $80.79 each way when you travel round-trip Monday through Thursday from O'Hare (ORD) to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) betwen Feb. 14 and March 21, 2012.

• Tampa: One of the most family-friendly zoos in the country, new art and children's museums, pro sports teams... TripAdvisor shows roundtrip flights between Tampa International Airport (TPA) and O'Hare (ORD) starting at $244 on United Airlines. While you're in town, catch a baseball game and save 20 percent on your hotel stay with InterContinental Tampa's spring training package.

Want more Florida vacation deals? Check out "Follow the Sun," my series of blog posts written just for you poor saps up North. It starts on my home page.