Miami Blues…!!

What comes to your mind when you think about Miami…?

Exotic white sand beaches, tall palm trees, bikinis & speedos, beach parties, Margaritas & Mojito’s, water sports, goons & guns, rash driving …?? Well, the sun, the sensuality, and the surf all define Miami. It is physically beautiful and a perfect place for your dream beachy vacation. It will drive you crazy with its endless things to explore.

I visited Miami on Memorial day weekend this summer’ 2015 along with my husband Peeyush and had an amazing time.

We checked in at hotel Intercontinental, set in the heart of the Downtown Miami’s thriving business spot and financial district. I experienced the unparalleled luxury and breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay from the 31st floor.

The room was beautifully decorated with the most contemporary amenities and a perfect view worth pay for.

The best way to explore Miami is through sightseeing Hop On- Hop Off Bus Tours. It gives you the option of touring the city freestyle, by getting on and off buses as per your convenience. They offer various combos of the Hop on a bus and either Biscayne Bay water tour or an Everglades tour. We took the combo of bus and boat tours as I was not interested in watching Alligators at Everglades Farm.

The bus tour will cover two routes- the Beach Route, which includes the Art Deco district and famous Lincoln Road Mall as well as parts of Downtown Miami, or the City Route, which includes Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and Calle Ocho in Little Havana to name a few stops.

Little Havana is the Cuban district of Miami which is not known for its wealth of tourist attractions but more for its distinctive cultural flavor. There are restaurants, ice-cream parlors and of course a place in Miami famous for its Cuban Cuisines, and Latin music drifting through the air. You must try Cuban sandwich and yeah, don’t forget to buy world famous Cuban Cigars as souvenirs from here.

Few of the attractions which you will witness during the bus tour are Coral Gables Biltmore Hotel which is a luxury hotel and has been designated as National Historic landmark in the United States.

Another most spectacular attraction is the Versace Mansion. This is a property previously owned by Italian fashion impresario Gianni Versace at Miami’s Ocean drive. Nowadays it operates as a boutique hotel  known as The Villa, Casa Casuarina.

In Downtown Miami, you will see American Airlines Arena which is a sports and entertainment arena and the home of the Miami Heat NBA team.

After completing the city bus tour, we went for Biscayne Bay water tour by Island Queen cruise ship. I will recommend you to go for water tour as you will get the glimpse of celebrities holidays homes of rich-i-rich & famous.

Some famous celebrities holidays homes include Elizabeth Taylor, Enrique Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez, Madona, Rickey Martin & much more.

You will also get a glimpse of Fisher Island.  No road or causeway connects to this island. It is accessible only by private boat, ferry or charted plane. (As of the 2010 census, Fisher Island had the highest per capita income of any place in the United States. Source- Wikipedia). Fisher Island has the holiday homes of famous celebrities like Anna Kournikova, Shakira, Shaquille O’Neal, Sylvester Stallone, Gianni Versace, Andre Agassi & Steffi Graf to name a few.

You will also witness the Downtown’s Miami Skylines.

After completing the boat tour, you can explore Miami’s renowned Bayside Marketplace which is a large outdoor style mall with more than 150 specialty and tourist shops, numerous cafes and restaurants.

Bayside Marketplace also has daily live entertainment. This is the happening place to enjoy the Miami life.

Bayside Marketplace is located along Miami’s waterfront, looking out over docks and boats. Many people come here simply to soak up the atmosphere.

You can also check out Bayfront Park on the east side of Biscayne Boulevard. An attractive feature is the electronically controlled Pepper Fountain. Other highlights include an amphitheater used for musical performances of all kinds, a tower for laser illuminations, and three important monuments: the Torch of Friendship, symbolizing Miami’s relationships with the countries of Central and South America, the World War II Memorial and the Challenger Memorial.

After exciting shopping and dining experience with live entertainment, you need time to hit the Miami beach and enjoy the Sunbath. Miami beach is an expensive tourist district, actually a separate municipality from Miami. It is located on an island, connected to the mainland by a series of bridges. The area is known for its popular beaches and the Art Deco District, with pastel buildings from the 1930s sporting classic neon signs. This gives you the feel of old Florida in way back time.

This area features numerous beachfront restaurants, shops, hotels, and plenty of sunbathing opportunities. The most popular street in the area is Ocean Drive, a section of road located along the oceanfront and home to some beautiful Art Deco buildings and offers an eclectic mix of world-class boutiques, galleries, and stores. It’s also a culinary hot spot for everything from gourmet to casual beachside cuisine. At night, it comes alive with crowds ready to go out and have a world-class evening out and the best beach parties of the town.

Then comes the world’s famous Miami’s South beach. It is located at the southern end of Miami Beach where the Art Deco buildings line the waterfront road. This is the most famous and spectacular section of Miami Beach. South Beach has been called the American Riviera. The clear blue water and the white sand beaches are a must-see for any Miami visitor. 

No trip to Miami is complete without a visit to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens which is located very close to downtown Miami. This is one of Miami’s greatest treasures. This estate was the former winter home of an early 20th-century industrialist, James Deering. Built in 1916, the mansion features 34 rooms arranged around a central courtyard. This 28-acre estate and Italian Renaissance-style villa is filled with European furniture and decorative arts from the 15th to 19th century. A visit is an amazing way to spend half a day. When you need a break from the beach, shopping, or the clubs, take a couple of hours to stroll Vizcaya’s grounds.

Miami is every beach lover’s dream destination. It has everything to offer for your perfect vacation. What are you waiting for..? Book your flights  and get ready to have the best time of your life.

Do share your experiences if you have been there in comments below or let me know if you have queries, I would be happy to answer.

‘Happy Travelling’!

Ana