Search Holidays
Miami
The exciting city of Miami is a beacon in the Sunshine State of Florida, with sun, sand and flamboyance all mixed into its lively atmosphere. The region thrives on a vivacious energy day and night and is a playground of entertainment for all ages and all types of people. The city started out as a small tourist town at the turn of the century and was somehow 'discovered' by the trendsetters in the 1920s. Miami boomed and became a centre for the Art Deco movement, then thrived as a military base in World War II, and has subsequently become the gateway to Latin America with its own sleek metropolitan community and endless entertainment facilities and experiences to offer its countless visitors.
Miami's large Cuban community is home to 'Little Havana' and with a variety of beaches and attractions from chic Coconut Grove to the miles of sun kissed sands at Miami Beach, Miami holidays are a fun filled and entertainment packed experience. Each area of the city has its own distinct flavour and style, thanks to the confluence of cultures in this diverse urban area. Public transportation, however, is not very efficient and with neighbourhoods and attractions somewhat spread out, walking the city is not feasible. The best way to explore therefore is by car or taxi.
The southeastern Florida city of Miami is a popular American holiday destination and is also a gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean. North of the city miles of beautiful sandy beaches are hemmed in by southeast Florida's major tourist resorts along the Gold Coast, like Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach and Palm Beach.
Miami Seaquarium
One of Florida's exceptional attractions is located in the lively region of Miami. The Seaquarium is world-renowned for its marine life shows and attractions, including performing killer whales and television aquatic star and dolphin, Flipper. Another favourite star is the sea lion Salty and his colleagues, who amuse and amaze with their antics. The Seaquarium closed due to the effects of Hurricane Wilma, but will reopen in February 2006.
Spanish Monastery
Dating back to 1133, the Spanish Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux is one of the oldest buildings in the Western Hemisphere and is a hugely popular attraction, located in North Miami Beach. The monastery stood originally in Segovia in Spain, but in the early 1950s the medieval building was bought by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, disassembled, shipped to Miami and rebuilt on its present site.
Coral Castle
The legendary Coral Castle has a magical tale connected to it, the story tells of a Latvian immigrant who spent twenty-five years single-handedly carving a castle out of rock between the Florida Keys and Miami, on the South Dixie Highway. The amazing monument to the man's determination has been called America's Stonehenge and has been featured in numerous magazine and newspaper articles. Visitors are awed by the castle, which also contains affidavits from neighbours testifying to the fact that the builder had no assistance with his mammoth task.
