Bienvenido a Miami!
Miami is a hip city, especially South Beach, where most of the tourists go. It’s the only place in continental US that has year-round sunshine and warm/hot temperatures. A T-shirt and shorts is all you really need. Then again, if you want to fit into the South Beach crowd, you will need a buff body to go along with that, as well as a Cadillac Escalade SUV, a mansion on the waterfront and a hot babe in your arms! Glitz and glamour is dejour.
If you don’t fall into the category of hot babe or buff dude, you can simply let your eyes go on a visual pasture. Observe all the eye candy that continuously strolls itself up and down Ocean Drive. Miami is a people-watching place for a lot of people come here to be seen and to become famous … or infamous as is likely to happen.
I’ve been going to Miami for many years, and although my party days are over, my impression of Miami will always be as a party city. I’ve had countless nights spent at bars dancing away, and stumbling onto the sunshine bathed streets at 9 am. And passers-by weren’t even surprised to see me half-naked stumbling around. It’s kind of expected.
And even if debauchery is not for you, you will find a lot of other interesting things to do in this city of glam and perpetual sunshine. Just don’t forget to rent-a-car if you plan to explore outside of South Beach.
HOW TO GET THERE
Miami is easily accessible by nearly all international air carriers.
DON'T WANT TO GET BORED? THEN TRY THIS ...
> Drive through Coral Gables neighbourhood: … preferably in a convertible! Driving through this neighbourhood will make you jealous! Mansion after mansion, wide streets, perfectly manicured lawns, Miami sunshine … this is old money on display. We stumbled across several open-houses this time around, and consequently went in. Was great to see these mansions from the inside.
> Versace Mansion (now called Casa Casuarina): I don’t have a solution on how you’re going to get into this private member-only club, but if you somehow do get onto the guest list like we did, you won’t regret it. First of all, make sure you’re wearing your best designer clothes. Sorry Gianni, I had lots of Italian designer garbs on me that night, but nothing from Versace unfortunately! Once inside this decadent world on South Beach, you will get a glimpse into Versace’s environment during the many years that he lived there. It’s decadent. It’s opulent. And yes, it’s tacky. But still it’s grandiose! And the people you will see there are equally as important to the actual setting. A throng of girls wearing as little as possible, big hair, tons of make-up and the highest stiletto’s you’ll ever see. I must admit there were a lot of beauties there, and a fare share that should have not worn the clothes they were in ☺ The only thing that disappointed me that night were the men. Really nothing special to look at! I guess the focus was entirely on the women. To finish, I wonder if Gianni would be happy to see his ‘little’ beachfront hacienda become so commercial!
P.S. on my flight back from Miami to Slovenia I flew via Frankfurt, where they lost my luggage. When I got my luggage back I realized that someone (most likely in Frankfurt!!!!) had stolen the outfit that I was wearing at the Versace mansion. I wonder till today if it was because I didn’t have any Versace on me that night. Gianni, did you have something to do with this??
> South Beach: walking through and experiencing this art-deco neighbourhood is all you have to do. Enjoy the hipness of it!
> Biltmore Hotel: This is an old and grand dame located in Coral Gables. Viewing this hotel gives you a glimpse of old Americana, transporting you back to the grand American style of yesteryear: take a walk through the magnificent golf course, view the lobby, have brunch at the restaurant or go for a swim in the grand pool.
> Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: The tropical gardens are big and lush, and are a nice reprise from the hustle and bustle of South Beach. Come for a stroll through the perfectly manicured lawns, and if you’re lucky, you may come across an exhibition. I’ve been there twice and both times saw two very interesting, and very different, exhibitions. The first time it was a Dale Chihuly show, with glass artwork located all around the gardens, while this time around there was a Roy Lichtenstein exhibition, with cartoonish art pieces strewn around the lawns.
> Villa Vizcaya: The first time I was there was for a party, where everyone had to be dressed in white … the infamous Miami White Party. Little did I know then that Villa Vizcaya was a … museum! Built in a splendid European style (they call it Xanadu-esque), this museum and national historic landmark is open every day of the year except Christmas.
> Drive to Key West: if you’re coming to Miami for a longer period of time, take a min 3-day road trip to Key West. Rent a convertible and drive down the keys all the way to Key West, listening to salsa and watching the sunset on the horizon. It’s like being in a movie!
HUNGRY?
> Brunch at Green Street Outdoor Lounge and Restaurant in Coconut Grove: This is a great outdoor restaurant where you can have relaxing brunches, as well as come for dinner and an evening drink. In the evenings they have big lounge chairs located on the sidewalk, with lots of candles and funky music. Great atmosphere!
> Zuma: hip and happening Japanese restaurant on Biscayne Boulevard. Fantastic food!
> Biltmore hotel: For a very formal (read expensive) brunch, this is the place. You won’t be disappointed though. The food is endless, the setting is an inside patio of this grand hotel, and the price is to match. When making the reservation, ask to be seated on the outdoor patio.
HOTELS
Since I always stay with friends in Miami, I can’t really recommend any hotel. But if I do hear about an interesting one, I will let you know ... or even better, click on the Agoda link above!
Bojan Tercon
Dear author of the Miami travel experience,
it sounds like you had quite the time when you visited this hot, glitzy, wannabe-international and fascinating city. Come again soon and we'll explore other interesting parts of it.
A friend
Posted by: Eva Tabachnikoff | March 14, 2008 at 02:20