Miami

[orlandobabe]

Had a rather gentle jog down the 27 which took about 5 hours-but was almost traffic free in some parts of it.

Only made it as far as Miami Beach which we thoroughly enjoyed. I loved the Art Deco area and it was great walking along the boardwalk and watching the early morning joggers and roller bladers. I think people are far more image conscious there than in Orlando.

Stayed at the Days Inn right on South Beach at a cost of $100 for the night-pricey-but the view of the ocean from the big picture window in the bedroom was priceless.

Ate at world famous Wolfies-just behind the hotel. Open 24 hours a day-and in hurricane weather they just barricade the doors!!

Miami proper-looked a drive too far-and soooooooo busy with traffic! I couldn't face it all on one trip.

A word of warning-we strayed off the main drag onto the street behind Collins Avenue-it was a bit too quiet and deserted for my liking and quite a few dodgy looking characters to boot!

Coming home we drove the coastal route (A1A-I think) all the way up to Fort Lauderdale and the houses were amazing! Just wouldn't like to be there when a hurricane hits-I mean have you seen how some of them practically have water on two sides!

Plenty of arty-farty (whoops! am I allowed to say that) things to look at in the pedestrianised area in the art deco district.

Would like another trip-but can't really be bothered to travel so far when there's so much to see nearer the villa.

Orlandobabe

[imported_n/a]

We know what you mean about not staying on the main drag, first visit and we wondered off to Downtown Miami and thought it felt and looked a bit strange - we should have guessed really when we saw the police cars frequently driving up and down on the beach that maybe just maybe we weren't in the one of the safest plaes.

People have visited and enjoyed great night life and I think it is far more image conscious than Orlando.

[markemma]

We have been to Miami a few times and stayed on the beech,A place called BAYSIDE is well worth a visit just stay on the beech and drive south untill the last cause way and head towards the port of Miami you see all the cruise ships tied up so you know your going in the right direction,when you reach the down town area it should be sign posted,its a marina/shop/resturant area where they filmed some of MIAMI VICE,do try a Daquri and watch the boats .

[semerton]

We also drove down the A1 to Miami and stayed at some of the beach hotels on the way which was lovly but I had a shock when we got to Miami we had alredy booked our Hotel before we got thier and found they where knocking some of the buildings down I have stayed in a youth hostel better that the hotel I did like the art area though and went to see world cost $25 plus tax it was ok but nothing to Orlando sea world <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

[orlandobabe]

There was a lot of construction work going on when we were there two years ago this month.

Apparently the Miami Beach area was going downhill rapidly- then gradually there was a bit of an upturn as new businesses moved in and it started to become fashionable again. So all the old Art Deco hotels which had been scheduled to come down-were given a stay of execution and were refurbished instead-hence the flurry of work going on!

We didn't have much time to do anything but a stroll along the beach, a look round the arty shops and eat on our flying visit-but there was a Jewish Holocaust Museum on South Beach which looked very interesting-if anyone wants a bit of history on their trip.

Orlandobabe

[fiona]

We travelled from Miami in February for our last trip. The Dollar car hire is located opposite a topless bar!!

Whole area is equally tacky and not anywhere anyone would want to spend any time.

We have yet to do any more in Miami than scoot in and out. We want to go to the Keys one time - and everyone does say Key Largo is a very good place to be, so we shall have to give Miami a try one time.

Fiona

[orlandobabe]

GMTV were running a comp to win a trip there today (they may be doing one a day)

They showed all of the nice bits.

The zoo, sae aquarium and the millionaires row cruise which looked fantastic.

I didn't know Liz Taylor had a house down there.

How the other half live eh?

Orlandobabe

[imported_n/a]

GMTV showed Miami again this morning and apparently a popular way to get around Miami is by water taxi - most impressive but didnt say how pricey it was!

[blott]

We stayed in Miami for 4 nights and took a side trip (by coach) to the Keys. My husband loved the place but everyone else hated it! We stayed at one of the Art Deco hotels on SoBe which was absolutely awful (if anyone wants to know where to avoid, let me know and I'll tell you its name).

We also got a bit 'lost' on one of the days and ended up in a Dunkin' Donuts in a not very salubrious area with vagrants, etc. Beat a hasty retreat from there!

Miami is not a good place to have a car as it's almost impossible to park and the hotels have valet parking which costs a lot (about $25 a night, if I remember correctly). It does have a monorail system and has lots of art galleries, etc. Those cruise ships looked HUGE close up as they always look pretty small on TV, etc!

Took the coast road back which goes past some unbelievable homes in huge estates but I don't think we'll be repeating the trip somehow!



Blott