Key Biscayne & Coral Gables
One late, lazy afternoon we spent at the beach in Key Biscayne. That's where our friends Raphael and Simone got married and they wanted to show us the spot, which turned out to be pretty heavenly!
Would you look at that! Horatio speeding on the highway. ;) From Key Biscayne it's not a long drive to go to Coral Gables, one of the most gorgeous but also the most expensive neighbourhoods in Miami. Golf carts are the vehicle of choice there!
During another visit to Coral Gables, we got to see the famous Biltmore Hotel, which was built in 1926. It served as a hospital during World War II, and according to some people, it's haunted. The hotel has been later used as a setting in many of the TV shows and movies based in Miami. The church is opposite to the hotel.
Ocean Drive on Miami Beach
Like I mentioned on the previous Miami post, Miami Beach is known for its art deco buildings, which can be seen already at the steps of our hotel on Washington Avenue. The famous strip, Ocean Drive, was just two blocks down from the hotel.
In front of some of the art deco hotels are also antique vehicles, like this Barbie's dream car.
And funny yet clever ads at bus stops.
It's no walk on Ocean Drive if you don't pop by the beach quickly.
Miami Beach is a place where also the police officers chill out!
Key Largo & Islamorada
One day we spent with a friend and a fellow Vorarlberger Konny. She showed us some parts of the first islands or keys, Key Largo and Islamorada. Those islands form a part of the Florida Keys that are a coral archipelago in southeast United States. And what little pieces of paradise!! However, to reach the prettiest part one must drive a long way, and unfortunately we didn't have enough time to go to the Southern most point of Florida, Key West.
First we had to ask some advice from the tourist bureau in Key Largo.
Little Havana
Little Havana is concentrated mostly around Calle Ocho, or the 8th Street. Following the Cuban Revolution, many Cubans fled to South Florida. Over the decades, most of them have immigrated to Florida in the hopes of a better future and earnings. Some of them come legally, most of them land the shore by swimming across the bay...
With them they also brought the knowhow of making cigars and celebrating Latin style! Actually, due to the vast Latin population in Florida, Spanish is as commonly spoken language as English.
And if the tiny Cigar Factory is good enough for Arnold, it's good enough for us.
Enthusiastic players playing in the famous Domino Park.
The Venetian Pool
The Venetian Pool is a historic U.S. public swimming pool built in 1924 and located not too far from the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.
Boat Ride by the Celebrity Islands
Star Island is one of the man-made islands in Miami. Another interesting factor is that also this is star studded as celebrities like Madonna, P. Diddy, Will Smith, Lenny Kravitz, and Sylvester Stallone have or have had a house on the island.
As Wikipedia explains: "Though it is a public neighborhood, Star Island has a guard house at its entrance, giving it the illusion of being an exclusive, private area. However, anyone can enter after stopping at the gate. There is simply one oval of inland public road on the island and no public access to the water."
Other nearby islands Palm and Hibiscus currently house or accommodated famous people like Jennifer Lopez, Al Capone, Enrique Iglesias, and Shakira. Now you can imagine what the property values on these exclusive islands might be...
One of the busiest ports in USA, the harbour of Miami.
Turquoise waters...
A picture of us entering the tourist boat.
And if you got the urge to go to Miami, which, I think you should, we can highly recommend our hotel, Villa Italia. Cute, clean and close!
Something random that we saw during the stay. In America you really do have everything - also a drive thru ATM! How handy is that?
On our last night in Miami, we went for a delicious dinner at the restaurant called Rusty Pelican, from where you have an amazing view of the city's skyline. The vacation was fabulous, and one day I definitely want to return to Miami!
