Miami, South Beach, , Americas Riviera of the east coast – attracts millions every year. The two of us spent some quality time there last weekend, seeking to combine business with some (just a tad bit) pleasure.
As we entered Miami Dade County, we were reminded of hanging chads and the fiasco, which made US the laughing stock for a good eight years. Infamy …notoriety call it what you may! At least there are lots of 9 year old Chads walking around now…. There were signs all over of the upcoming Super Bowl XLIV, the city was all decked up in anticipation.
We found ourselves in South Beach - palms swaying over the artistic angles of a world of deco delight, tropical Bohemia at its finest. Hang out of photographers, supermodels, artists, entrepreneurs, hipsters, movie stars, tycoons, queens - South Beach is about 23 blocks between Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. We were in the Art Deco district. This is the heart of Miami, pretty much everything is within walking distance. This district offers some unique architecture. It was considered ultramodern and chic back in 1920s and 1930s with neoclassical styles and application of exotic motifs such as flora, fauna, and fountains based on geometric patterns. It is gone totally retro now. These structures were in danger of being demolished in the 70s, but designers then began highlighting long-lost architectural details with soft sherbet shades of peach, turquoise etc. If this evokes some interest visit the Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Dr. (tel. 305/531-3484), which is run by the Miami Design Preservation League.
South Beach is a tad pricey, *not* value-for-money (to some extent), but everything good has a price to pay, right? Ocean Drive extends from 1st street to 15th and I would highly recommend staying in one of the hotels there. There are very many located outside of Ocean Drive on Collins Avenue – within the Art Deco district, but you may not get the true South Beach experience, that you get at Ocean Drive. Hmm…I wonder what the true South Beach experience is? You gotta find out for yourself. There are many splendid hotels to choose from and with the tripadvisor reviews, you cannot go wrong with picking the right one (hint – lots of reading, gory details, about bed bugs and cockroaches and much more).
I would recommend the Delano, where celebrities hangout, pool is legendary as they say and as busy during weekend brunch as one of its weekly VIP-packed parties. We ended up picking a quaint art-deco styled hotel Cardozo Hotel owned by Gloria Estefan, Cardozo Hotel South Beach - Articles 1300 Ocean Drive | Miami Beach, FL 33139 | 305.695.2822. www.cardozohotel.com/index.cfm/id/95.html... overlooking the ocean - met our needs well. The Cardozo hotel was used in many movies and seemed a tad familar to us: Hole in the Head with Frank Sinatra; Something About Mary with Cameron Diaz and Matt Dillon; Pronto with Peter Faulk; and Any Given Sunday with Al Paccino. It was also used in The Birdcage movie with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. The deal on their website was compelling, they threw in dinner vouchers, club VIP passes, valet parking and their staff was friendly and very helpful. All our reading had indicated biased treatment towards Cubans, but it was not at all visible to us. Everyone was friendly and just a huge blend of ethnicity that lends South Beach that tremendous aura.
Map is here
January is supposedly off-peak which presents South Beach in different shades. Temperatures can dip into the 30s occasionally, but we lucked out. The day-time high was in the 70s and 80s with night time dipping into the 60s, which made it quite pleasant for us. Summers are hot and only good to do some heavy baking. But January found us amidst a couple showers, but generally glorious weather. In fact, even the showers had a great Bombay feel to it.
The beach? Clear water and sprawling golden sand for miles! Even on a Thursday, the beach was relatively crowded and by Saturday the beaches were really packed like sardines – that too on a January weekend. Splendid! There are parties every day of the week at South Beach and the morning starts at around Noon or so. We would sleep in - the little pleasures of life- and start the day with breakfast at the Front Porch. Very nice selection of breakfast, brunch and lunch to choose from, while people watching…very relaxing I must say, a wonderful start for a morning! Get used to the 17% gratuity that is automagically attached to every meal in Miami. The other breakfast place recommended is David’s Cafe off Lincoln Mall at 1654 Meridian Avenue if you would like to start your morning like a local. Lot of the cuisine is Cuban and meat based, so vegetarians may not find too many choices.
At any time of the day, take a stroll along Ocean Drive for the best view of sidewalk cafes, bars, colorful hotels, and even more colorful people. Another great place for a walk is Lincoln Road, which is lined with boutiques, large chain stores, cafes, and funky art and antiques stores. We had dinner there the last evening of our stay. It may not have the ambiance of Ocean drive, but is still hustling and bustling over the weekend. On a tiny street in South Beach, there's a piece of Spain that makes you feel as if you are in Madonna's La Isla Bonita video. The historic Mediterranean-revival-style Spanish Village -- or Plaza De España -- complete with fountain, stretches from Washington Avenue to Drexel Avenue and features charming boutiques, cafes, and a weekend market.
After breakfast, we really enjoyed long walks along the beach. Long stretch of open sand, warm waters makes it very enjoyable indeed. Take along something to sip as you walk along the shores. When you get bored with the walk on the beach, come on out and just walk on Ocean drive, inhaling the sights and sounds, window shopping or whatever else you fancy. Do not forget to check out Versace’s castle – very impressive home of Swargvasee Versace right in the heart of South Beach.
There are other clubs like Clevelander within a stone’s throw on the strip – pick one and have a good time. The hotels are generally good with providing recommendations – based on their read of what your taste is. Also, be prepared to accept VIP passes to various clubs as you stroll along South Beach – if you look like you are out to have a fun night, you will be way laid and offered VIP passes – probably happens only during the off peak, but we were all too happy picking up the VIP ribbons There are plenty of choices for dinner. Larios – owned by the Estefan family is quite good. We also had dinner at the Mango’s Tropical Café and it was good too. January, being off-peak, we felt good getting aggressively invited by the dressed-to-kill restaurant hostess’ along Ocean drive, but we could typically assess how good or bad the food was based on how crowded the restaurant was. If you decide to experience the real Cuban scene, you will have to head west to Miami to explore Little Havana and check out a local salsa club.
There is more to this obviously...All in all, we had a great weekend. Splendid place – and definitely worth a visit. A great way to splurge and kick-back enjoy the weekend – get away from it all.
Check this article out for additional details http://www.southbeach-usa.com/news/travel/2008/01/14/10-things-miami-1/
KEYWEST
We spent a day driving upto Florida Keys. It is highly recommended to stay overnight at Florida Keys to get the total experience. Ours was a day trip, and we missed getting to Everglades National Park and we were in a rush. Make sure you exit onto Homestead to check out the Coral Castle - 28655 South Dixie Highway, Homestead, FL 33033. One man’s work for a lost love – a Taj Mahal of sorts, hand carved into natural coral @ www.coralcastle.com. Also, get off at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and ride on the glass bottom the 65-foot Spirit of Pennekamp.
While many visitors seek the quaint vistas of Margaritaville in Key West- Jimmy Buffet’s favorite city has great restaurants, bars, sandy beaches and quiet mangroves. It is a bit more quiet and family oriented. We got an impression that it is more geared for Floridans getting out for the weekend. Visiting the Keys is all about the drive. Recommended stop at the southern edge of the state is the Knauss Berry Farm (Turnpike at SW 248th Street) - discover the hot-from-the-oven sticky cinnamon buns, freshly blended strawberry. Certainly buy some home made jam and local honey too! The Mutineer Restaurant parking lot at 11 SE 1st Ave in Homestead is recommended too. www.mutineer.biz/kid-frame.html
One the drive there, you can exit to Card Sound Road (SR905) – can’t miss it on the GPS. This has some very good scenes and animal life – drive at your own sweet pace. At the end of the drive, you will hit a toll booth next to Alabama Jacks. If you are hungry venture in there. www.alabamajacks.com
Keep an eye on the mile markers. Bob’s Bunz (MM81.5) serves breakfast at sunrise and a variety of sugary sweets. Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen (MM 99.4) is another recommended spot. For lunch, Buzzard’s Roost Inn on Garden Cove Drive (MM106.5) offers fresh seafood. www.buzzroost.com
Probably not worth driving all the way down south for a day trip.
Check this article out for additional details http://www.southbeach-usa.com/news/travel/2008/01/14/10-things-miami-1/
1 comment:
simply superb..
satish
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