Party in the city where the heat is on
All night, on the beach till the break of dawn
“Welcome to Miami”
Everyone will know these lines from Will Smith’s summer hit “Miami”! And they inspire you to want to explore the electrifying party nights, endless sandy beaches, crystal-clear water, and luxury, luxury, luxury.
Let’s start on the so-called “Island of the elite”: On Fisher Island’s 0.9 km² live the super rich and the celebrities. Only superlatives apply here, because the luxurious and well-protected islet is famous for the highest per-capita income in the US. Nice for the inhabitants, unfortunate for tourists and the curious: It is not accessible to the public anymore. Nevertheless, there is still a possibility to reside there. The magic words are Fisher Island Club. And be assured, it’s a worthwhile destination. As the resort is located on Florida’s most exclusive private island, no other spot in Miami can offer this world-class luxury and 5-star service. Boat or helicopter are the only means of transport to reach it; many visitors come in their own luxury yachts. It goes without saying that Fisher Island has a yacht harbour.
You are able to relax in the cottages, villas, and lavishly appointed suites of this exclusive club for about 1,500 euros per night. Spending some of your time at the resort’s golf course or tennis courts or in the exquisitely equipped gym will further contribute to your sense of wellbeing. After the physical exercise, unwind in the spa with great views of the azure blue Atlantic Ocean. But let’s cross over to South Beach – the hotspot most people associate with the word Miami.
AMERICAN RIVIERA AND ART DÉCO PLAYGROUND
Several miles long, the sandy beach in combination with the neighbouring Ocean Drive and its world-famous art deco skyline attract sun worshippers, sporting aces, and gourmets to South Beach. The colourful houses at the Ocean drive seem assembled for a photo series, powerful waves lure windsurfers, and the lifeguard towers add a glowing pastel touch to the beach panorama.
Those who seek the proximity of celebrities should stick to the Ocean Drive. Between 16th and 20th street the stars empty the luxury boutiques of their stock. In this area the motto clearly is: Seeing and being seen. If you have appealing looks and the right height, chances are that you will be spotted by a model agency. Many of them are based at Ocean Drive and regularly send out scouts on the street and to the beach to look for potential models. So the rule is: Refrain from fast-food to keep that belly flat and present yourself in the smallest bikini of your collection. There is more to be seen than beautiful people at Ocean Drive, however. Breathtaking art deco buildings from the 20’s and 40’s of the last century are to be found in abundance and still thrill every visitor. Miami Beach has the largest art deco district in the world. More than 1200 heritage-protected edifices can be found here, around 1000 of which are classified as art deco. However, there is another fact which makes a trip to Miami appealing: It is easily combined with a stay in the Bahamas.
Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego, baby why don’t we go
Admittedly, the Beach Boys are not only singing about the Bahamas in “Kokomo” but it’s still the ideal tune to get into the holiday mood. We’ll do the rest by detailing the charms of this Caribbean destination… Actually there are more than 700 Bahamas islands, although only 30 of them are populated. Geographically speaking, the island nation belongs to Central America, or more specifically, to a group of islands called the West Indies. The name ‘Bahamas’ derives from the Spanish words “baja mar” (‘flat sea’) and is a relic from the days of the Spanish conquistadores.
BIG CITY, TROPICAL UTOPIA AND LITTLE PIGGIES
Nassau – the capital of the Bahamas is situated on the Island New Providence and is known for its vibrant nightlife, and countless restaurants, clubs, and bars. If you prefer it a bit calmer, explore the city during the day in a horse-drawn carriage, and travel into bygone colonial times, still represented by the Gregorian architecture. This style of British architecture is characterised by its use of classical Greek and Roman elements.
On Paradise Island you get what the name promises, this place is the Bahamas’ luxurious poster child. It is only a short journey away from Nassau, and connected to New Providence by two bridges. The luxurious Atlantis Paradise Island Resort is famous for a reason, and if you fancy gambling you will be very happy indeed at the resort. Try your luck at the slot machines, or play blackjack or poker with the posh crowd at the in-house casino. Under the golden ceilings of the resort your culinary appetites will be taken care of, too: Atlantis offers fantastic restaurants and bars, which are great places to end your day.
The resort’s outside area is not to be neglected either. However, for the Aquaventure steady nerves are necessary. Particularly thrilling is the water slide made of glass, which starts from a Mayan temple, and goes right through a shark tank. Would you prefer a holiday without too many strangers on your souvenir photos? We recommend you visit the famous “Pig Beach”. You will forever remember your time in the crystal-clear water. Droll piglets will swim next to you and provide, together with the awe-inspiring backdrop, the perfect holiday picture.