The Atlantic: Reviving the Ocean View in Fort Lauderdale

Some five years after first opening its doors to the world, The Atlantic Hotel in Fort Lauderdale remains a leader at the elite end of the accommodation spectrum along the oceanfront stretch of south Florida it pioneered as an upscale lifestyle getaway and residence. The Atlantic (credit: Luxury Collection) This 123-suite hotel and condo, aptly named for the many breathtaking ocean vistas that can be had at almost every point–whether from your hotel balcony, from your table at the gourmet...

November 30th, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More

Catching the Water Taxi on S. Florida’s Intracoastal Highway

Everyone notices south Florida’s long and winding Intracoastal Waterway as soon as they pass along north Miami Beach and following AIA northward. There are certainly places to stop and enjoy the views and activity in spots like Bal Harbour, but one way to get out on the waterway itself for an enjoyable ride that gets you around different points of interest is with the Water Taxi that runs up and down a considerable stretch of the Intracoastal in the Fort Lauderdale area. Water Taxi (credit:...

November 28th, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More

Culinary Take-Off: Miami Air Travel with Good Taste

Is there an alternative to national standard fast food chain and boring local fast food outlets at airports? At Miami area airports, you still have to plan your time carefully if you’re going to make a flight and also try to get to the interesting food places you have your eye on. But with more slowly arriving on the scene, that may become easier too. (courtesy - Chef Allen's) One arrival soon to be welcomed in the better foods league is the planned presence of a new venture at Ft....

November 27th, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More

Limited Editions Experiences Comes to Miami’s Design District

The holiday season is ideal time for new shopping options, and certain areas of Miami are likewise ideal space for it. Limited Edition Experiences, a program bringing the world’s most innovative fashion houses together to create inventive retail experiences, will launch in the burgeoning Design District on November 30th for a limited time. The program will feature some of the world’s most sought-after designers, including Fendi; Proenza Schouler; Duncan Quinn; Jessica Trosman;...

November 25th, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More

Art Basel Miami Beach, a Global December Star

Every city has its landmark event that makes a certain month of the year stand out as just a little more noteworthy from the rest of the calendar. Possibly even an event that makes it shine on a global plane, connecting it with the wider world attuned to what it’s showing and telling. This is what Art Basel does for Miami Beach every December. In fact, Art Basel Miami Beach has been the defining large-scale event at year’s end for this city for almost nine years now, since...

November 24th, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More

“Miami, The Magic City” – Word, Image, Realities

The stories of some cities simply beg to be told as much in images as well as words when their history encompasses so much vivid change and reinvention of urban landscape and populations. That is exactly what Arva Moor Parks’ latest edition of her book Miami, The Magic City does so well, crafting a narrative synergy that draws the reader back from the text description into the graphic image, or conversely from the images that point you onward to read the fuller, in depth story...

November 22nd, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More

The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa: Convention or Vacation

While most of Miami Beach is given over to mid-sized to large properties designed for vacationers, just a little further north along the waterfront in suburban Hollywood, the supersized Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, has the capacity and facilities to be both an extensive convention and large-scale meeting or event venue, a world-class resort and a somewhat more peaceful location that is also well positioned in proximity to airports, city centers and beaches. (credit: courtesy - Westin Diplomat...

November 20th, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More

Making the Miami – New Zealand Wine Connection

Is Miami a growing hub for the import and appreciation of beverages from around the world? In fact, the city has indeed become a key point on the national and global map for international wine consumption. As a crossroads between north and south, it’s not so surprising there is an expanding market here for varieties of wine from other parts of the Americas and Europe. (credit: Jane Watkins) Over the past seven years, Miami has also been home to the country’s leading wine trade...

November 19th, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More

Win a Trip to Italy at 2009 Simply Italian in Miami

What? A free trip back to the old country? Why not! My bags are packed in anticipation, and my cousin Carmine will be green with envy if I ever won. But seriously…..connoisseurs of Italian fine regional cuisine will definitely want to make the trip into Miami and dine at some of the participating restaurants for the 2009 Simply Italian festival that runs from November 20 to 29. (credit: courtesy - IEEM) The event is an extended celebration of Italian food, wine and culture which will...

November 18th, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More

Over a Miami Moon at Luna Corner Pizza

Modern Italian aesthetics, state-of-the-art kiosk, with a traditional Italian stone oven, fast casual but gourmet Italian pizza as the order of the day and even the order to go if you stop by Luna Corner Pizza in north Miami, a convenitent stop or refreshment point for urbanites on the go along Biscayne or visiting the Design District or MiMo neighborhoods. (credit - courtesy Luna Corner Pizza) Luna Corner Pizza opened on November 16, 2009 and brings authentic Italian pizza creation into the...

November 17th, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More

Coral Gables’ Trolleys: A Green Success in Dollars and Energy

Making public transportation infrastructure work while an economy is still good is usually a smart move. And Coral Gables’s local trolley system is surely also a green and efficient way as well to move people in an often busy and popular downtown neighborhood. The modern trolley service in this svelte greater Miami community was only initiated as recently as 2003, but when you come here it feels like it must be a feature of the town that was here forever, it fits and works so well. (credit:...

November 15th, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More

The Sagamore: Living with Art on Miami Beach

Some cities are more obviously theme-land than others in their collection of hotels with inventive identities. Miami may be less obvious and more stylish about it than Las Vegas, but it exists here nonetheless. On the other hand, when the identity is authentic about the property and its place in the city, then the experience of staying there can really become inviting and memorable in the best sense of all these words. The Sagamore does all this without being self-conscious or over-the-top, so...

November 14th, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More

Festivals of Speed Takes Off in Miami

Taking advantage of Miami’s bay and oceanfront locations and conditions, the Festivals of Speed will kick off with a number of events and lavish displays over two days from November 14 – 15. The name tells most of the story: this two-day exhibition of speed and high-powered toys on land and water is a showcase for some of the leading international brand names of the luxe life. (credit: courtesy - Festivals of Speed) First on the agenda of events is a Yacht Hop Reception at the...

November 12th, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More

Revive and Recharge at the Spa Icon Brickell

Unravelled at the end of a long day or a long flight? In need of physical and mental recharging while you are in downtown Miami and don’t have time to cross the Bay to the beach for relaxation or gyms? Look no further than the world-class facilities at the expansive Spa at Icon Brickell. They have a range of classes on hand that will bring you back to your best and maybe even something better. Their current line-up of fitness reveals a collection of cutting edge approaches that reflect...

November 11th, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More

Bar Rosso: Aventura Dines and Wines Alitaliana

Aventura always seems a blurr of non-stop motion at Miami’s fringe until you discover the places on quieter side streets that are actually relaxing, even enjoyable for something like their cuisine and atmosphere. One such intimate dining spot that adds to that restful element of the neighborhood is Bar Rosso Restaurant Vinoteca, located just south of the Aventura Mall. Consider it a neighborhood hideaway that can also transport you to Italian shores with its culinary fresh zest...

November 10th, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More

10th Street Auditorium: a Miami Beachside Landmark Returns

One notable feature of many Miami area beaches are some of the structures built there over nearly half a century for anything from life guard facilities to public venues. Many of these in turn reflect a face of the city’s architectural past and style. One such that has made its reappearance to function for some new purposes in its interior but with its original exterior gloriously reborn is the historic 10th Street Auditorium and Beach Patrol Headquarters. (credit: H. Peat) This past...

November 9th, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More

Design Miami – Commerce and Culture Meet Up

Keeping up with the expanding presence of global names in design in the Miami area and especially around the Design District, the annual Design Miami goes into its fifth year this coming month with a broad curatorial program, dynamic exhibitors showcasing new work and a monumental temporary structure for the program presentation. That ambitious program includes a richly curated series of exhibitions and events, galleries keen to delight collectors with unseen work and a dramatic new design for...

November 7th, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More

Miami Gears Up for the Snow Sport World

Don’t be too mesmerized by all those guys you see boarding the waves in along some stretches of the coast off Miami. At this time of year, there are also plenty of people around town all ready to gear up for winter sport travel to the leading snow destinations in the country and abroad. Judging by the presence of some high-end retailers who can provide the latest of anything for the slopes before you depart Miami International, that passion for the snow remains just as strong...

November 6th, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More

MiMo’s New Mojo – Miami’s Upper East Side Reborn

How often do you get to see one small section of a big city revive its architectural roots along with its own community of area shops, dining and entertainment — bringing back along the way not only local residents but people who pick up on its reborn buzz? That’s what the handful of city blocks dubbed MiMo (meaning Miami Modern thanks to its preserved architecture and buildings dating back to the Fifties and Sixties). MiMo Pendant (credit: H. Peat) The general term “Miami...

November 5th, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More

A Complimentary Wine Tasting in Coral Gables

What finer way to enjoy the end of an autumn day in south Florida than with a glass of wine? Also, no more pleasant urban ambience to do it in than the understated elegance of Coral Gables. One way to get into the spirit (so to speak) of that combination is to take advantage of the Complimentary Wine Tasting on this coming Friday, November 6 from 6 to 9pm at Treehouse Liquors in the downtown Coral Gables area, one block south of Havana Harry’s. (credit: courtesy - Robert A. Burr) Meet...

November 3rd, 2009 | Rest of the World | Read More