We are delighted to take you to the other side of the world, more specifically to Miami, located in tropical Florida in the southern United States.
When you think of Miami, you may mainly picture Art Deco buildings, the iconic “Muscle Beach” where young men show off their bare torsos, and trendy, fancy restaurants and nightlife spots. Right?
Think again! I too was surprised when I first set foot in this city. Because, as it turns out, Miami is actually a slightly atypical destination with a strong Latino influence. Expect a sizzling mix of Art Deco architecture, sun-drenched beaches and an irresistible Latino soul that leaves your eyes with far too little time to take it all in. Cuban, South American and Caribbean influences blend seamlessly with American flair. Salsa music spills out of open doors in the Little Havana neighborhood, pastel-colored façades define the streetscape of South Beach, and the graffiti-filled Wynwood district reveals Miami’s slightly rebellious character, while automated food delivery carts move through the city and milkshakes and fries are advertised on every street corner alongside taco shops and Cuban coffee bars. I was truly amazed by the diversity of this city!
Anyone who puts Miami on their agenda will, of course, also plan a visit to the Everglades. Honestly? I expected more from my visit to this natural area. The standard airboat tours on offer last about 45 minutes. The experience itself is fun, but not much more than that. You race through the nature reserve, made up of flooded grasslands, and if you’re lucky, you might spot an alligator, a few birds, or an exceptional turtle sunbathing on a rock, followed by a staged alligator show.
Until I learned that several Native American tribes live in the Everglades, each with their own sovereign territory, meaning they are not subject to the same laws as the rest of the American population. This is one of the reasons why you will only find casinos on their territory, while they are prohibited elsewhere in the United States (except in Las Vegas). That story rekindled my interest in the Everglades. At the last minute, I visited the Miccosukee tribe. While they also offer an airboat tour and a gator show, they tell you much more about their history, their culture, their way of life, and how they relate to the government. And although they do not show you the exact places where they live during your visit, they truly still reside in the swamps of the Everglades. The alligator show they present originates from a sanctuary for alligators that can no longer live in the wild due to incidents involving humans. A completely different experience from the other places where such shows are offered.
Not your usual Miami story, but one that has been checked and approved by FAME.
Flying to Miami soon? We’d be happy to inspire you!
