Archive for
November, 2007
November 27th, 2007 by susan j
Spanish village, Miami Beach
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Whether you’re planning a family reunion, a beach getaway with a few girl friends, or a romantic weekend escape, trip planning can get complicated. What should you pack? Where should you go to escape the crowds? How will you find restaurants that serve gluten-free treats in an unfamiliar city?
We want to relieve the stress of trip planning and help you enjoy your vacation, so we’re introducing a new feature on this blog called “Ask a Travel Expert.” If you have a travel-related question, then feel free to leave a comment and we’ll try to answer it in a future blog post. Happy Travels!
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Miami?
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November 19th, 2007 by susan j
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According to MSNBC, more than will be flying this week for Thanksgiving. If you’re among them, then you’ll want to read Peter Greenberg’s . The Today Show contributor tells readers not to gift warp anything in their luggage (unless they want to be pulled out of the security line and questioned) and to ship bags ahead of time if at all possible. Since Thanksgiving is such a high-traffic time for the airways, President Bush recently approved a and added additional measures to avoid delays. Happy Thanksgiving!
Planning a trip to
Miami?
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Go Miami Card.
November 15th, 2007 by amy c
Delano Hotel photo courtesy of hotels.com
Whether you are looking for sizzling Miami nightlife, Hollywood beach-front elegance, or you need a quiet, relaxing atmosphere to complement your business trip, Miami has a hotel for every traveler. Here are our picks for a Miami getaway:
For a Romantic escape… For the ultimate Miami experience of chic elegance visit the , which attracts celebrities with its state of the art decor and architecture that seamlessly blends the indoors with the fresh, tropical surroundings. A seemingly endless lounge pool with lounge chairs right in the water or plush beds poolside offers the height of comfort and relaxation. The hotel also offers sophisticated nightlife in the heart of Miami’s South Beach. It may be tempting to never leave the hotel but try to tour the rest of South Beach. And you’ll need to dress the part to fit the tropical elegance of the hotel–get your pool and beach attire at .
If you are traveling with a pet… For a more affordable, yet elegantly comfortable stay right on the beach, enjoy the pet friendly. L0cated in Art Deco District, the hotel integrates the whimsical decor that is characteristic of the neighborhood. As if the beach-front location wasn’t enough, check out the
For the party animal… Also located in the Art Deco district and within walking distance of the beach, the offers a fun, affordable stay in America’s playground. Expect a college party atmosphere and a friendly staff constantly serving drinks. Check out the restaurant and bar, too.
If you are traveling on business… is a comfortable, quiet hotel, perfect for the business traveler. Located right on the bay, you can catch a few rays of sun and fresh tropical air without being in the heart of the South Beach Party. Still, its central location near downtown Miami allows for easy sightseeing such as the or
If you are on a budget…. is actually a hostel, but its quaint architecture and decor, great location on the beach and in the historical Art Deco District still allows for a relaxing vacation feel. Nestled along Espanola way, the area offers an unpretentious local vibe–worlds away from the stereotypical Miami Beach vacation. Nearby attractions include the , give you an insight into the unique animal life in the area.
Planning a trip to
Miami?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Miami Card.
November 12th, 2007 by keith f
Photos courtesy of the Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL)
If you’ve ever been to Miami Beach, especially South Beach, you might have been curious to know how the architecture got its distinctively stylized look. Here’s a little overview of Art Deco architecture.
Miami Beach’s building boom came during the second phase of Art Deco known as Streamline Moderne. It began at the stock market crash and ended at the onset of WWII. The architecture represents a less decorative reflection of the post-Depression era. It began in 1910 when Carl Fischer and John Collins began to transform the mangrove swamp into a tourist destination. The name Art Deco itself comes from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs Industriels et Modernes held in Paris in 1925, which promoted art deco architecture in Europe. It’s bold colors and zig zag architecture dates back to the Egyptian tombs when objects of this style were placed in pharoahs’ tombs to enlighten the sleeping kings.
Miami Beach architects used local imagery to create what we now call Tropical Deco. These buildings feature relief ornamentation featuring whimsical flora, fauna and ocean-liner motifs to reinforce the image of Miami Beach as a seaside resort. The feel really adds to the aura of Miami Beach- it’s a contrast because though it’s a progressive and uninhibited city, the architecture brings you back to a different time and era. The best way to see and learn about Art Deco is to visit the Art Deco Welcome Center at the intersection of 10th St and Ocean Drive. They offer guided 90 minute walking tours from local historians 5 days per week. The Miami Design Preservation League is also offering a special Art Deco lecture tomorrow evening at 7 pm.
Planning a trip to
Miami?
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Go Miami Card.
November 8th, 2007 by amy c
Miami Nightclub
photo uploaded by nickolette22
As a dancer, my ideal Saturday night (or any other day of the week for that matter) would be spent on the dance floor of a hot club. And what better place to get a dancing fix than in the city best known for its hot and spicy nightlife, matched only by the hot Latin sounds and Cuban inspired fare! If you plan on coming to Miami for a taste of nightlife and unique Latin flavor, be sure to check out these Salsa hot-spots.
Cafe Mystique: The #1 salsa club for more than 15 years, this is the type of club that attracts the city’s best dancers but allows for a comfortable setting to make even salsa novices lose their inhibitions and dance until dawn. You can even take salsa lessons earlier in the evening before the club opens its doors to the habitual crowd.
Hoy Como Ayer: Named best live Latin music in Miami, Hoy Como Ayer offers authentic Latin flavor in its sound, tapas or light appetizers, and local crowd. This is the perfect place to experience authentic Miami heat without the tourism.
Templo Lounge: South Beach’s hip music venue offers a luxurious club, vibrant dance scene, exciting and flavorful cocktails, and a wide variety of music featuring local and international talent. Templo Lounge encompasses the quintessential theatrical flair that seasons South Beach.
Salsa Mia at Yuca Lounge: Learn to salsa dance or perfect your skills while enjoying drinks and appetizers in a lounge that is reminiscent of Havana salsa clubs. Starting at 11pm the Yuca Lounge transforms into a clu, mixing hot Latin beats, offering the perfect opportunity to show off what you have learned. There is a great dance ambiance in that everyone there comes to dance and have a fun time.
The central locations of these clubs will make for a seamless transition from your day-time sightseeing at places such as, the Miami Duck Tour and Bass Museum of Art, to your sizzling nightlife.
Planning a trip to
Miami?
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Go Miami Card.
November 6th, 2007 by jamie a
Jungle Island
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Offering the best in hands-on interactive experiences, these kid-friendly exhibits are tons of fun for adults and children alike.
The Miami Science Museum features interactive exhibits for all ages, including explorations of dinosaur fossils, human DNA, and Newtonian physics. There’s also a planetarium, a wildlife center, and an aerial vision of Latin America through the eyes of a condor.
Climb a two-story sand castle, walk through a six-foot piggy bank, or try your skills as a television star all at the . Aside from their amazing year-round exhibits, there’s also an awesome !
At , experience the tropical wilderness by visiting flamingo lake, the serpentarium, the parrot bowl, and the everglades habitat. For even more fun, check out their .
Among the top ten zoos in the U.S., is a great place to visit with the whole family. You can see the largest Asian aviary in the states, as well as a wildlife encounter zone and behind-the-scenes zookeeper tours for both kids and adults.
overlooks the Biscayne Bay and offers amazing sea life shows daily. Meet Lolita the Killer Whale, Flipper the dolphin, and Salty the Sea Lion and learn all about these amazing creatures from the sea.
Planning a trip to
Miami?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Miami Card.
November 2nd, 2007 by susan j
Vizcaya in Miami, Florida
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Miami is famous for beautiful beaches and bustling nightlife, but it also has several museums and other sights that offer insight into Miami’s colorful and multicultural heritage and culture. Here are some of our suggestions for cultural highlights of Miami:
- Vizcaya Museum and Gardens evokes the grandeur and beauty of an Italian villa. Ten acres of gardens overlook beautiful Biscayne Bay, and the main house is open for tours 364 days a year.
- Bonnet House Museum & Gardens reflects the unique creative vision of Frederic Clay Bartlett. Mr. Barlett’s studio, complete with paints, palette, and an unfinished work on his easel, offer a glimpse into the artist’s world.
- Miami Art Museum showcases Miami-based artists in the context of international art from the20th and 21st centuries. Its collection reflects the diversity of Miami’s people and places.
- Bass Museum of Art is housed in the historic Art Deco district inside Miami’s first public building with art exhibition space. The art collection inside spans more than five centuries and four continents.
- Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami covers 5,000 years of art from South America to Asia, Africa, and beyond. Their current exhibit now through September 15 explores the relationship between the natural and manmade world.
Next, we’ll feature some of Miami’s best hands-on family museums.
Planning a trip to
Miami?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Miami Card.
