Miami

Oh.

My.

Gosh.

I didn't think I'd find another American city that would give me the excited feeling that New York or Las Vegas did but I was wrong!

This is the place where the beautiful yanks come to catch some rays. Of course there is also the overly collagen injected and these vanity victims parade around with those who are clearly on the no carb, no wheat, no sugar, no dairy, nothing bigger than a pea diet. 

Considering it's in the same state as St Pete and the other easterly cities in Florida it is worlds apart! The residents and tourists here shimmy around wearing a full face of make up (including the guys) and look like they've just stepped off of the Roberto Cavalli cat walk. The restaurants along South Beach are dripping with contemporary decor with an art nouveau twist.

They've been restoring a lot of the 1920s architecture  recently after realising that pulling down the history of the town probably wasn't the wisest choice. They are doing it with class and it all compliments the area.

Driving in Miami though is not for the faint hearted. Most roads as you approach have a minimum of four lanes and the signage around isn't positioned in the most ideal places so do beware and do make sure you're not with anyone with a nervous disposition. The sights are awesome and there's no denying that there is a giant bucket load of cash in this city and they do not try to be modest about it.

I took the bridge (which this time was quite a pretty one) towards south beach and as you approach all you can see is the most opulent boats money can buy docked outside houses you could easily get lost in. 

Did you know a rapper named "Pitbull" is from Miami, there's a fact of the day for you.

One place I couldn't miss to see was Gianni Versace's house, even though I guess that is a tiny bit morbid! I didn't realise the house was literally bang on the main stripe of south beach, I had visions of it being tucked away on some nice secluded side street but nope; this guy obviously didn't mind people nosing in his front windows! It is beautiful and it's quite obvious that he stamped his unmistakable mark on it. 

After years of refusing to let people view the inside, saying that it wasn't respectful, they have succumbed to the dollar signs and are now allowing people to tour it. Now I'd love to say I've seen the ivory throne where Gianni parked his bum but I'm afraid to say that the thieving gits are charging $65 per person to go in!!! 

Anyway, after nearly falling over at the wispy model type telling me she wanted to rob me to view a few rooms we trundled off down towards the 11th Street Diner which is an institution on South Beach. See picture attached to realise why!

Miami isn't the place for a budget holiday, you won't find many hotels under £100 a night and there won't be many restaurants where you can go for less than £20 a head. But if you want to go somewhere to show off your latest Jimmy Choo's then this really is the place for you.

I will definitely be returning to Miami and sampling the nightlife sometime in the near future!!!

Word to the wise, if you expect to get out of Miami by car having never driven here before do not expect to do it promptly. Having driven in London for many years I thought I was pretty well equipped for such a challenge, wrong! I managed to get out of the main city well enough but as soon as I joined a 10 lane interstate the panic set in!! I came off and went back on 3 times before finally getting to the right lane. Next time I am getting a sat nav, my nerves can't take it!!!!

The reason for the exit was the hotel prices seeing as I'd spent the budget for a small country in Key West we headed up to Fort Lauderdale for a slightly (and I mean slightly) cheaper option.

Unfortunately due to it being the down season a hell of a lot of hotels in the area were closed for refits, 90 minutes later we eventually found a place to lay our heads for the evening. 

Seeing as Fort Lauderdale is a mere 30 minutes from Miami it's very different. Same beautiful views but if I hadn't known any different we could have been on a Spanish coastline. Guitar lead music blaring from restaurants and flamenco dancing in the streets. The only thing you probably wouldn't find on the streets of Spain would be a miniature poodle dressed in a pink hoody being walked down the street accompanied by an oversized man fashioning a Hawaiian shirt and plaid shorts.

Excellent food here though, which made a nice change! And if you do like you're American holidays with a touch of Mediterranean flavour this would make a perfect destination.