| If you've ever seen those cool Miami airboats in | | | | and come back to him. She did not, though years |
| the movies or on CSI Miami, don't miss your | | | | after Leedskalnin's death, the castle remains. |
| opportunity to get on one at the Everglades | | | | It's quite a sight, ingeniously built so that the nine |
| National Park. An Everglades Safari guide will tour | | | | ton gateway can be pushed open with the |
| you around this alligator infested area and scare | | | | slightest push from a finger. The grounds include a |
| the pants off you. You'll also get a nature and | | | | working sundial, coral garden, fountains and the |
| wildlife show for the entry price and you can | | | | castle. One has to wonder, what would he have |
| choose different airboat tours, paying extra for | | | | built her, had she said yes? |
| longer, more explorative tours. Bring your camera, | | | | One thing you mustn't forget is that one- third of |
| you'll get some seriously crazy photos of alligators | | | | Greater Miami is Cuban. When they first migrated |
| up close in the wild, and be sure to do your best | | | | north, they formed a little haven for their culture |
| David Caruso pose (hands on hips, head tilted to | | | | in Miami, now a great day trip if you want to |
| the side). | | | | experience a different side to this beach city. |
| More movie scenes can be found at the Vizcaya | | | | Little Havana will charm your socks off with its |
| Museum and Gardens. This grand estate was | | | | little cafes and cigar shops, botanicas (religious |
| used in the Bad Boys II movie (cinematic classic | | | | paraphernalia stores) and the park dedicated to |
| that it was), as the private mansion of the main | | | | over 55's, Maximo Gomez Park. You're free to |
| villain. | | | | wander this park to watch all the oldies play |
| This sprawling manor was built on ten acres of | | | | dominoes, but don't stop for long, this place really |
| gardens on Biscayne Bay in 1916 by James | | | | is for the over 55's, and the young ones are not |
| Deering, who used it as a winter house. The | | | | really allowed to play the games. You can find |
| design of the house and surrounding gardens is | | | | most of Little Havana by walking down Calle Ocho |
| breathtaking, all pieces and artworks are original | | | | (SW 8th Street). If you like Cuban food, Versailles |
| and date back to when the house was used by | | | | on Calle Ocho serves great Cuban cuisine for |
| Deering. | | | | really great prices. |
| There is an admission fee to see the grounds, but | | | | There's plenty more to do if you have energy. |
| I doubt you'll get better photographs than this in | | | | Take one of Miami's famous Duck Tours, that let |
| Miami. The gardens are ornate and delicate, a | | | | you drive around the town sightseeing, and then |
| must if you love heritage listed sites and historic | | | | glide into the water for a view from the other |
| landmarks. If even has its own private barge, | | | | side of the city. |
| hand crafted from stone, of course. | | | | Wander around for an afternoon at the Bayside |
| If you like historic sites, there are plenty in Miami, | | | | Marketplace in the Port of Miami, picking up little |
| quirky ones too. Try Coral Castle, the workings of | | | | tid-bits in popular retails shops, eating from great |
| one man's unrequited love, an estate built entirely | | | | restaurants and drinking in cute, tropical bars. |
| out of coral. Sounds strange? It is, this place is | | | | There is entertainment a lot of the time, so your |
| huge and the coral used would have been | | | | shopping/ drinking will generally get a salsa- style |
| impossible to move, as each piece weighs many | | | | soundtrack. |
| tonnes. | | | | Check out a fantastic photo opportunity at Cape |
| Created by Edward Leedskalnin, he was jilted the | | | | Florida Lighthouse, held within Bill Baggs State Park. |
| day before the wedding to his sweetheart. He | | | | You can get a tour of the lighthouse, and don't |
| then built the castle with his own bare hands in | | | | forget your swimmers; the lighthouse is just |
| hope that his beloved would see his love for her | | | | steps away from a gorgeous beach. |