If you want to experience Latin vibrations but prefer the United States over Latin America, visit Miami, Florida, the city with more Latin than American soul.
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Sunny Miami has always been the synonym for beaches, fancy restaurants, cool bars and excellent shopping. But, it is also a home of more than 80 parks and gardens and numerous museums to enjoy on one of those rare Miami days when it is too wet to be outside. While strolling around the city don't miss a visit to Ambrosino Gallery, one of Miami's oldest and most outstanding contemporary art galleries situated across the Museum of Contemporary Art.
For anybody who likes outdoor events more, there are Bayfront Park and Bicentennial Park located in Downtown Miami that host many large events, from Christmas celebrations and music festivals to rock concerts.
If you are a businessman you will be familiar soon with Downtown Miami, the financial district of the city of Miami and its Brickell Avenue, Brickell Village neighbourhood and the area around SW 6th Street rich with more than 100 restaurants. Stroll down Flagler for fashion, Bayside Marketplace, an outdoor shopping mall, for fashion and fun or visit Miami Jewelry District, one of the three jewellery districts in the US and buy some nice piece for you or someone you love.
Treat your eyes with more beauty but this time let it be architectural and visit the unique suburb of Miami Coral Gables situated southwest of Downtown Miami.
Architectural elegance of Miami is somehow taken for granted and when mentioning Miami many would say: "Miami is sun and shopping" overlooking its beautiful art deco buildings. Built in 1920s Coral Gables is Miami's artistic icon. This elegant suburb built in Mediterranean Revival style with Moorish influence and elements like stucco, columns, open air loggias and elegant courtyards, make Coral Gables different from anything you may expect to see in US.
Venetian Pool, its landmark built from a coral rock quarry, was a gathering spot of high society in past, while Miracle Mile, a pedestrian boulevard with numerous designer boutiques, al fresco dining restaurants and theatres today gathers some new faces. One more icon stands at that place - the Biltmore Hotel. The hotel hosts championship golf course and the largest pool in the continental US.
Spend the day exploring Little Havana. Enjoy window shopping, its coffee bars and restaurants, feel the bit of Latin music and be a part of Cuban spirit. Cross Rickenbacker Causeway and visit Key Biscayne that hosts some of Florida's best sandy beaches.
Meet Coconut Grove, the oldest Miami's neighbourhood situated on the edge of Biscayne Bay and see its tropical garden The Kampong, a part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden.
A few hours walking around enjoying the best fragrances of tropical fruits and flowering trees or take 60 minutes Grand Air Tour to see greater Miami from the sky or a boat tour for the closer look at the city.
However, when someone says: "Let's go to Miami!" she usually means: "Let's go to Miami Beach!". So, let's go to Miami Beach, the city situated on the barrier island between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean connected with Miami city by causeways, to shop until you drop. First visit Art Deco Historic District, a Mecca of creativity that hosts more than 800 candy-coloured art deco buildings and has the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world. No matter do you love the art or not, you'll like the district for sure.
For upscale shopping Bal Harbour village situated some 15km from Miami Beach is a must. There is a great chance that you'll spend the day wandering around. So let it be. When you come back to the city your next shopping target is the famous South Beach neighbourhood with legendary Ocean Drive boulevard and always vivid and exciting Lincoln Road. Still in the mood for walking and shopping? No? Well, it's about time. Have a safe flight home. ■
