Guide to Miami

'Flamboyant Miami, sandwiched between fast-living America and the Latino rhythms of the Caribbean, has mingled the best of both cultures to offer an unbeatable melting pot of beaches, restaurants, shops and local people.'

Stroll along the boardwalk in South Beach early in the evening, and you'll be treated to a fabulous parade of Miami culture – rollerblades speed by and tanned bodies dressed trendily from head to toe parade by. This is the spirit of Miami. With half the population here being Hispanic, delicious Latin American food, music and charm infuse the cafes, beaches and nightlife, adding a sensuous lilt to the city. The weather is always balmy and the streets hum with life. Perhaps the most famous picture of Miami is of the Art Deco district, where painstakingly restored buildings are painted in ice-cream colours and line the famous Ocean Drive. You can take a walking tour from the Welcome Centre to view the finest of these Art Deco buildings – just don't forget your camera. Glamorous South Beach runs alongside fine white sands where scantily clad sunbathers don perfect tans. This is a favourite spot for fashion shoots, and one of the places to be seen. Top restaurants, Cuban cafes and chic boutiques abound, and people watching is a hobby in itself. For shopping, head to the open-air Lincoln Road Mall in South Beach, where a pedestrian strip is lined with flashy jewellery and clothes shops, as well as pavement cafes. Bal Harbour is another shopping hot spot with elegant, up-market boutiques. For tranquil city views, bike trails and great beaches, try Key Biscayne to the south of South Beach. And for a memorable swimming experience, you can't beat the Venetian Pool in Coral Gables, where an old quarry was transformed in the 1920s into a swimming paradise complete with waterfalls, palm tree islands and coral rock caves. There's no end to the surprises Miami tucks up her sleeve!

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