Explore More UK Summer 2020

TRAVEL
Miami
Self-proclaimed cruise capital of the world,
travellers flock to Miami to soak up the sunshine,
art deco architecture and Latin American
influenced culture
Since the 1950s, when
wealthy Cubans escaped
Fidel Castro’s revolution,
Miami has been a beacon
for Hispanic people,
earning its nickname the ‘Capital
of Latin America’. A tour of Little
Havana is a must and will help
you find the highlights, such as the
Cubaocho Museum & Performing
Arts Center – a gallery and bar
dedicated to the history of Cuba.
Next up head to the Wynwood
neighbourhood to see the incredible
street art on the famous Wynwood
Walls. In the evening visit the
Bayside Marketplace for views of
the city’s iconic skyline and port.
At Miami Beach, cycle along
the renowned Ocean Drive taking
in art deco hotels and apartments,
or join a walking tour of the art
deco district around South Beach.
Relax on the beautiful white sands
or amble along the Miami Beach
Boardwalk to appreciate the ocean
view away from the buzz of traffic.
Historic, Spanish-inspired Espanola
Way, a pedestrianised street
thronging with the Miami vibe, is a
lively place to visit in the evening.
Don’t miss
•Built in 1916, Vizcaya Museum
and Gardens is a mansion built
in the Italian Renaissance style.
Wander in the formal gardens and
fountains, and enjoy the original
artwork and furnishings inside.
•Stroll out to the tip of South
Pointe Park Pier for fabulous views
of Downtown Miami’s skyline and
the gleaming South Beach. Go in
the late afternoon and linger for the
sunset before heading to Collins
Avenue for drinks and to experience
that famous Miami nightlife.
•Miami has the third tallest
skyline in the US, so why not jump
on board the free Metromover
monorail for a tour through
the impressive skyscrapers of
Downtown. South of here is the
pretty and popular Bayfront Park.
•The Art Basel fair hosts a huge
range of modern and contemporary
art across the city every September,
but works from the likes of Andy
Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat,
Cindy Sherman, Jeff Koons and
Damien Hirst at the impressive
Rubell Family Collection can be
enjoyed year round.
•Lincoln Road is a must-visit
for travellers into shopping and
culture. Architect Morris Lapidus
redesigned the street in the 1960s
giving it a unique style. Now a
pedestrian hub, it bustles with
people enjoying the sculptures,
fountains, theatres and art galleries.
Clockwise, from
above: Miami’s
South Beach has
over 800 art deco
buildings; one of
the city’s iconic
lifeguard huts
Fast Facts
•Miami was an obscure swampland
before visionary Julia Tuttle
inherited land in the southern
Florida backwater and took up
residence here in 1891. Through
her contacts she was responsible for
the arrival of the railroad.
•Miami gets its name from the
Mayaimi tribe who lived here in the
16th and 17th centuries.
•Miami has the second largest
number of Spanish speakers in
the US, and 70% of inhabitants
are of Hispanic origin.
•Locals enjoy cafecito (Cuban
coffee) served from walk-up
ventanitas windows. Try one
yourself for a strong, sweet hit.
•Man-made Neptune Memorial
Reef, near Biscayne Bay, is an
artistic replica of the Lost City of
Atlantis. You can even go diving.
•Look out for one of the many
annual street festivals and parades.
PHOTOS: © ISTOCK
Insider Tips
INNOVATIVE ART
Head north to the often
overlooked Museum of
Art and Design housed in
the Freedom Tower, a 1925
masterpiece built in the
Mediterranean revival
style and arguably a work
of art itself.
EASY AS PIE
No trip to Florida is
complete without trying
some Key Lime Pie. For a
slice of the best, head to
Joe’s Stone Crab which,
trading in the city since
1913, is now something of
a Miami institution.
SHIP AHOY
From Miami Beach to South
Miami, there are plenty
of local area marinas to
visit. Each one has its own
identity, and many offer
waterside restaurants,
perfect for watching the
world go by.
TIME TRAVEL
Miami’s splendid Ancient
Spanish Monastery recalls
the city’s past as a Spanish
territory. It was built in
Spain in the 12th century,
disassembled and brought
to Miami by newspaper mogul
William Randolph Hearst.
30 VIKINGCRUISES.CO.UK | SUMMER 2020
SUMMER 2020 | VIKINGCRUISES.CO.UK 31