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Best Travel Deals in Miami

Seal of Miami, Florida, United States

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Miami, Florida is one of the most popular travel destinations in the country. Although the city has its share of weather problems during winter, tourists flock to Miami for sunny days on the beach and cool nights at the club. While Miami is a tourist attraction for many, you don’t have to pay the tourist price when you travel. Instead of staying in Miami like most, consider traveling to nearby regions by cruise ship.

Major Cruise Specials

There are an array of cruise deals available to Miami travelers. While most cruise liners offer 50% off your entire purchase if you leave from Miami, some companies offer additional incentives such as free food or gift shop privileges. Even if you buy a package that only offers a large discount, the amount of money saved on the trip can always be used for special dining and gift purchases. The central idea behind traveling by cruise ship is to receive a discount.

Traveler Beware

Although discounts are enticing, any deal that seems unbelievable probably is. You should be skeptical of online travel agents asking for high upfront fees and websites that offer cruises under $100. While every deal under this amount is not fraudulent, it is difficult to book any round trip vacation under $300. When searching for discounts, it is best to use company websites. Princess Cruises is an established business that offers an array of cruise specials departing from Miami. Although the goal is to receive the best discount on cruises from Miami, you don’t want to be scammed while searching.

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Real Estate In Miama ? Recovery Or False Dawn?

ALMERIA, SPAIN - APRIL 04: An abandoned real ...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

There are two factors that are contributing to the growing optimism about the real estate market in Miami. One, affluent buyers are prepared to spend a lot of money to purchase property in the city. This is a trend that has it changed in the recent past and is contributing a lot to the optimism. The fact that people are ready to buy property is always considered a sign of economic recovery.

However, it must be noted that those purchasing the property are not really interested in residing in the same. It is not a proper real estate transaction. Rather, it is an investment where rich people are anticipating rise in demand for homes and are trying to buy early. There is a possibility that this may result in yet another bubble.

Another factor that has contributed to the optimism is that foreclosures and prosecutions have slowed down. The administration is working at its top speed to cut a deal with lenders to prevent people from losing their homes due to non repayment of the loan. If the attempts fail, foreclosures will start afresh. However, there is genuine hope that the deal will be struck and this will prevent the foreclosures from beginning again.

In such a scenario, supply of property available for purchase has dried up. This is contributing to the increase in prices as demand continues to remain high. This recovery may not last for long but is a welcome sight as compared to the horror stories that people encountered when the real estate bubble burst.

 

 

 

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Get a ‘Go Miami’ Card and see Attractions for Half Price

 

Want to see Miami, Florida on the cheap? The city offers tourists something called a “Miami Go Card” that saves up to 55% off the cost of admission to 35 of Miami’s area attractions. Click Here to get your Miami Go card. Here’s some of the popular things to do and see. 

 

The Monkey Jungle is a place where the monkeys run free and the people are caged. In south Miami, Dade County, people cautiously mosey through a series of wire pathways to view the monkeys up close, while protected. There’s a bunch of primate species in there, living and playing throughout the day in a way that people would never see if the animals were in cages themselves. 

 

Then there’s Parrot Jungle Island. This attraction is educational as well as fun, since visitors get to see and learn about tropical Macaws and other birds in a faux-habitat that’s a copy of their natural habitats.

The Miami Museum of Science is a literal plethora of fun things to do and learn. Open to kids and parents of all ages, there’s a learning adventure to be had. This museum is also the home of the Bird of Prey Research Center and the Weintraub Observatory – two more attractions to see in one place. 

 

The Florida Everglades are a mix of swamps and sub-tropical jungles that make this the most unusual park in the US. The southern-most tip of Florida is where the Everglades can be found, and the 1.5 million acres is home to 14 rare and endangered species of animals. 

 

Get your Miami Go Card and then go! See everything!

 

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Miami/South Beach Nightlife

If you love nightclubs and being social, then Southern Florida might be the perfect vacation destination for you. Miami, specifically South beach, is known for its active nightlife, and if you’re looking for some place fun, you’ll have  a wide variety of places to choose from. Regardless of what you’re looking to experience, rest assured that there’s a club for everyone in South Beach.

Some people in South Beach head out to the clubs just for a night of fun with friends. If that’s what you’re looking to do, then spend a night at Mango’s Tropical Café on Ocean Drive. The central part of this club is where waiters and waitresses dance on the bar which is surrounded by a band. Mango’s has separate rooms for use, too, each of which boasts a different theme.

If you’re looking for a great experience during the day and at night, then why not check out Nikki Beach/Club O-1? During the day, Nikki Beach offers the typical beach experience, but at night Club O-1 opens it’s doors and becomes one of the hottest places to be seen after dark. There is a dress code at night, though, and it’s strictly enforced. If you’re heading here for the night, make sure you’re in line with the code. Apparel such as flip flops, sneakers, shorts, and t-shirts are just a few of the things that aren’t allowed.

South Beach is full of different experiences, and if “different” is just what you’re in search of, b.e.d. South Beach will give you just that. The restaurant offers patrons an actual bed from which they can order a wide array of food and drink, and on Sundays, there is “Breakfast in b.e.d.”

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Staying the The Delano Hotel in South Beach

Choosing a place to stay on vacation can be a difficult decision sometimes. If you’re heading to Miami/South Beach for your vacation, that decision can be even more difficult. Many people choose to stay in the lap of luxury, which can include a stay at The Delano Hotel on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. Rooms at this popular hotel run anywhere from $300 to $6,000 a night. Why is there such a wide range in price? Because there are numerous rooms to choose from.

The Delano Hotel opened in the mid-19902 and was completely designed by architect Phillip Starck and has gone through a couple different renovations since it’s opening. The renovations were undertaken by Banjo, a popular design and architecture firm.

The room choices at The Delano include:

  • Regular Guest Rooms: These rooms are anything but “regular,” even though they’re considered a bit small when measured to other rooms in the hotel. The normal hotel amenities—cable TV, refrigerator, etc—are available, as well as screens to block out the sun on those early mornings.
  • Bungalows: Being the biggest and most-requested rooms in the complex, these rooms include an oversized tub and “rainfall showers,” as well as an entire dining room table. Located just a few feet from the pool, a Bungalow is sure to be a lasting experience.
  • Penthouse/Luxury Apartments: Running at a steep $6,000 a night, these are located on the uppermost floors of the building. These rooms include extra large bedrooms and bathrooms (which are made from marble), as well as a full dining room, a large marble tub, a private balcony, and a fully stocked wet bar. One of the most popular uses for these rooms is private parties and/or other functions.

With all of the different options that are available at The Delano Hotel, there’s something for just about everyone. If money isn’t an issue, then perhaps a week long stay at the most popular hotel in the South Beach area is just what you need. Rooms tend to fill up quickly during certain times of the year, so be sure to book early!

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Pet Friendly Miami

Many people have a special attachment to their pets. They take their cats out for walks, carry their dogs in purses and backpacks, and spend money to make sure those pets have everything from the most comfortable bed to the most nutritional food to the perfect accessories, like collars and cold weather apparel. Pets are pampered and that’s no secret, and since they are considered to be a member of the family, many people take their pets along when they go on vacation.

Vacationing with a pet, especially for an extended period of time, can be a hassle sometimes. There are many hotels who won’t accept pets and finding ones that do can be an even bigger hassle. In some cases, you could end up staying farther away from certain locations than you had anticipated.

If you’re planning a vacation in Miami and would like to take your pet with you, you’re in luck. Miami has a number of highly rated oceanside hotels that will gladly accept pets in the rooms. While most people take cats and dogs on vacation, there are other pets who go along, too. If you’re planning to take an animal other than a cat or dog along on your vacation, be aware of the fact that most hotels define pets as cats and/or dogs. It should also be known that some hotels charge a fee to keep animals in the rooms.

Miami is a very pet friendly city, so don’t be afraid to take your cat or dog on vacation, too. The best advice, though, is to check with the hotel you’ll be staying at well in advance. Some information you find online may have changed, so it’s always best to call and double-check before making any definite plans.

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South Florida Attractions

If you’re planning a vacation to the south end of Florida, including Miami, doing some planning before you head there might be a good idea. Miami and the surrounding areas offer a vast multitude of activities, whether you’re vacationing alone or taking your family with you. It’s nearly impossible to see everything in only a few days, so planning is suggested so you can make sure you get to see everything you want. With so many places and activities available, it can be difficult to decide just where to visit. Take a look at the list below for a few suggestions on where to head when in Southern Florida.

  • If you’re a fan of architecture, why not make a stop at Vizcaya on Biscayne Bay? Built in 1916, the Renaissance-style Italian home used to be inhabited by James Deering, a well-known industrialist. Now a National Historic Landmark, you can tour each of the 34 rooms inside the mansion.
  • For the art connoisseur in the family, stop in at Miami Art Museum located right downtown in the heart of the city. The museum showcases many pieces contemporary pieces of art by such artists as Marcel Duchamp and Fernand Leger. There are admission discounts available as well.
  • Little Havana is one of  Miami’s most popular neighborhoods when it comes to tourism. When wandering through the streets, you can hear traditional salsa music purchase authentic Cuban items, including cigars, sample Cuban cuisine, and visit art galleries and other shops.
  • For an alternative to the regular zoos, check out Monkey Jungle. This park showcases over 400 hundred different primates in the only semi-natural rainforest environment in the United States. You can view the primates through glass tunnels that run through the entire park.

These are just a few options when it comes to activities to participate in while on vacation in Southern Florida. A simple Internet search will turn up many more. Visit as much as possible—Florida has some wonderful attractions!

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Vacationing in Luxury: South Beach

From stunning ocean views, celebrity watching, and gorgeous hotel accommodations, South Beach is sure to please the traveler seeking style. Let’s take a quick look at the view of a luxury hotel South Beach is most known for.

The modern design of the W South Beach is another designer masterpiece in the Starwood hotel family. Each of its 334 rooms offers an ocean view. Located in the heart of the sizzling nightlife of Miami, the W is a splendor of modern design. The hotel is reflection of the hip, sexy and eclectic mix of people and places that make up Miami. The W houses six bars that serve their signature cocktail menu all night long. A full service spa, fitness and business center is available. Enjoy rooftop tennis and basketball all while Fluffy awaits patiently in the room. The W South Beach is a pet-friendly hotel.

To experience the epitome of luxury, plan a stay at The Villa by Barton G. This high-fashioned boutique hotel is housed in the former Versace mansion. Ornately designed architecture stands in opulence alongside water fountains and mosaic floor designs. This gated hotel consists of ten suites, making it an exclusive destination. Each room contains an expansive Italian marble bathroom, separate living rooms, sitting areas, and more. Sitting in The Dinning Room is like being transformed into a palatial wonder of style. Afternoon tea is served in the Mosaic Garden daily. Amenities include personal British-trained butlers and Kindle e-readers with complimentary electronic newspaper delivery.

The Setai caters to visitors who desire a sense of calm with their luxury hotel. South Beach is filled with points of excitement to stimulate your senses. This hotel provides you with an oasis to recharge. Asian Art Deco gives this location an unmistakable modern appeal. Amenities include wireless high-speed internet, Lavazza espresso machines, Bose surround sound systems and more. Personal in-room spa treatments via the full-service spa are available as well as fitness facilities and 24 hour room service.

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The vibrant city of Miami

Compared to other parts of America, Florida has a considerably warm climate throughout the year because of the sub-tropical and tropical mix of climatic conditions. Interestingly, Forbes Magazine in a 2008 survey had ranked the city of Miami as “America’s cleanest city”. Now that is quite an achievement for a city that has been a tourist’s heaven since a very long time. Also, Miami was ranked as United States’ richest city in 2009 among 73 countries surveyed and also the fifth richest among them with respect to purchasing power.

The port of Miami, located on Dodge Island is famous among tourist destinations. Sometime in the 1990s, a great hurricane had struck the port of Miami that split the Miami Beach’s southern end and created what is now known as Fisher Island. Soon after, the incision was scoured along with a fresh channel to set up the Bicentennial Park in the lower part or business center of Miami. The Main Channel was thus created because of this new access and it led to great improvement in the shipping access to this brand new port. It was from these original scouring spoils that new islands were involuntary created and these later became Lummus, Dodge and Sam’s Island as also many other small islands. With the passage of years, the port grew steadily in strength and that led to improvement in shipping access as well as growth and prosperity among the South Florida community. There was the added necessity for supplementary lands in order to expand its operation. This led to the construction operations towards setting up of the new port of Dodge Island. This was done by joining other smaller islands near to it and expansion of the island. As the years passed on, several other institutions like the administration building, railroad bridge, transit sheds and new seawalls.

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The Cruise Capital of the World – Miami

The magnificent city of Florida is located in the south-eastern region of the State of Florida of the United States of America. Florida happens to have the largest coastline among the 48 States of America barring the States of Hawaii and Alaska. Miami is also the most densely populated State in America.

The Miami port is known widely as the “Cruise Capital” as well as the “Cargo Gateway of America”. Since long, it has been able to retain the reputation of being the top cruise/passenger port among all. It accommodates some of the biggest cruise ships and also has under its operation some of the best names in the Cruise Liner industry. The port of Miami and the Deep Dredge Project are slated to be completed to function by 2014. In fact there are four main projects in the port of Miami: the Miami port, the Deep Dredge project, port of Miami tunnel and the bridge or rail line restoration that constitutes the link between the mainland and the port of Miami. The Miami port tunnel is approximately a $1 billion project that plans to be the connecting link of the port to all main highways. This ambitious project is expected to roll out by 2014. The Miami port Deep Dredge project will permit the entry of Super Post Panamax Mega-ships into the United States post completion of the expansion of the Panama Canal. Looking at future prospects, the Norfolk, Baltimore and New York ports have been deepened up to the required 50 feet. There are also the necessary funds coming in nicely in a bid to complete the motivated project within the slated time. Experts predict that this project could catapult the cargo business of Miami to an all time high in the subsequent years besides creating a plethora of job opportunities. This should be able to attend to the rising unemployment problem facing the State of Miami.

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