Miami-Dade County Expeditions
A Path through Old "Cocoanut" Grove
Art in the Gables
Coral Gables - The City Beautiful
Coral Gables – Walking My Neighborhood
Cuban Heritage Tour
Five Centuries in the Making
Ghosts and Gravestones
Great Discoveries on the Bay - A Kayak Journey
Habana Nights
Half Moon State Underwater Archaeological Preserve Snorkeling Tour
Healing Wildlife at the Pelican Harbor Seabird Station
Hidden Gardens of South Florida
Historic South Beach Scavenger Hunt
Incredible Women of Miami
Key Biscayne -A Journey by Cycle
Miami Magic City-Bus & Walking Tour
Nature Photography Expedition
Paddling the Oleta-Miami’s Last Free Flowing River
Pioneers in the Subtropics
Scenes from the Big Screen: Miami Sites from the Movies
Showdown in Miami: A Teambuilding Race of Historical Dimensions
The Story of South Beach on Bicycle
Tropical Deco in a Fabled Playground
Wandering through Wynwood – An Artistic Revival
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A Path through Old "Cocoanut" Grove
Pure experience is a most exciting way to learn. Stroll with us through the quaint, colorful, bohemian settlement of Coconut Grove for a peek behind the angled roads, charming shops and graceful canopies of storm-tempered trees that characterize the area today. Step into the past where an erroneously labeled post office turns a dense hardwood hammock into the semi-tropical paradisiacal town of "Cocoanut" Grove. See the historic site of the first hotel in the area - The Peacock Inn. Hear the inspiring story of Ralph Munroe while touring his unusual home, “The Barnacle,”which just so happens to be the oldest house in Miami-Dade County still in its original location.
Recount the tales of hardship and success as experienced by former slaves and Bahamian immigrants who founded the area now known as the “Black Grove.”As you envision the punishing battles with mosquitoes, swamp lands, and hurricanes, it will not be hard to empathize with the pioneer women who created the “House Keepers Club” in order to make a place of their own in this once foreboding wilderness. This walking tour celebrates, in grand style, one of Florida’s most beloved and eclectic communities.
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Art in the Gables
In the 1920’s, one ambitious man looked at the uncontrolled sprawl of the emerging city of Miami and saw the potential to build a perfectly designed city. He imagined lush green plazas, winding, tree-lined boulevards, esplanades and huge fountains. His dream city would be filled with buildings and homes that would invoke the grandeur of Rome, the subtle beauty of the Côte d’Azur and the richness of ascendant Spain. The artists that created this city colored their dreams with a palette of terra cotta, ocher and sienna to deflect and neutralize the brilliance of the Florida sun. That dream has become the City of Coral Gables. Today, Coral Gables is teeming with history and culture and is protected against the intrusions of over-modernization.
Our gallery tour selects the most promising and exciting exhibits from a rotating rostrum of the Coral Gables Gallery Association’s calendar year. These galleries feature works from both local and international artists. At our first gallery stop, we will enjoy mimosas while contemplating and admiring the art on display. The host of each gallery will be on hand to introduce the featured works and answer questions. The second gallery will change the pace, alter the tempo and move us to new discoveries.
Our final stop will round out the tour with yet another look at the evolving art scene of Florida’s “City Beautiful,” Coral Gables. Exploring with us promises to enlighten and relax your guests in a way that will stay with them for the entirety of the day.
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Coral Gables - The City Beautiful
Join us for an amazing tour through one of America’s most beautiful historic cities: Coral Gables, George Merrick's vision realized. Learn the history of his dream as we tour the tree-lined avenues and stunning Mediterranean-influenced architecture that would eventually become his legacy.
Explore the historic halls of one of South Florida’s most architecturally important landmarks: the Biltmore Hotel. Learn about the building’s many colorful stories and how she was resurrected into the legendary beauty she is today. Allow us to filter through the truths, untruths, ghosts and glamour that capture the essence of South Florida style and history in this truly amazing landmark.
Sit back and let our guides bring to life Merrick’s vision while they uncover the city’s hidden wonders. What you’ll discover along our less-traveled path will enrich and engage you and leave you with something most visitors and even locals never experience … a true sense of place.
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Coral Gables – Walking My Neighborhood
Curious about the enchanting neighborhood surrounding the beautiful Biltmore Hotel? You are invited to join us on an old-fashioned walk through the historic streets of Coral Gables.
Strolling past distinctive homes, churches, plazas and parks, you will get a sense of the joy of living in the “City Beautiful. ”You will peer into the windows of the oldest house in Coral Gables and learn why it is built around a shack. You will see the honeymoon cottage of the city's founder and find out why it was built with no kitchen. And, thanks to your guide, you'll learn about some of the little-known, yet fascinating, aspects of life in the Gables only a local would know.
Your promenade through the shady streets of the Gables will include numerous photo opportunities and a refreshment break at a spot known to the locals as “Burger Bob's.” Ending your walk back at The Biltmore, the richness of the experience will have made our neighborhood your neighborhood, too.
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Cuban Heritage Tour
It was not long ago that Miami was a rather large but quiet Southern city. The Castro revolution in Cuba in 1959 changed Miami forever. Wave after wave of Cuban refugees has transformed Miami into the Capital of the Americas: a fast-paced, internationally-connected, commercial and entertainment hub with a racy Latin image. From the food to the accents on the street to the fashion scene and artist’s studio, Miami pulses to the beat of an original blended culture.
Come with us on a journey through the story of Miami’s Cuban community. Experience the passion and vision that these motivated exiles brought to their new home. We visit a well loved marketplace, great Cuban food spots, moving monuments, lively street scenes and a place of spiritual reflection and longing. Take in the smells, sights, sounds and colors of a street that launched the dramatic transformation of Miami over five decades ago and prepare yourself for a day of discovery and fun.
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Five Centuries in the Making
Just as removing the modern façade from many structures in downtown Miami will reveal the original architecture from earlier decades hidden beneath, our walking tour of downtown Miami uncovers a riveting past that is often masked by the more modern aspects of this flourishing city. Stroll with us along the pedestrian-friendly sidewalks of this bustling, thriving, many-times-restored urban area.
Step back in time and hear the story of the region’s first inhabitants – the Tequesta Indians – as we begin our walk at the famed and mysterious Miami Circle that overlooks the current Port of Miami on the Miami River. See landmark structures such as the Alfred I DuPont and the Seybold Building. Hear the true and intriguing stories that accompany these sites, such as how over 60 prisoners escaped from the top floors of the Miami Courthouse and how Maurice Gusman saved the majestic Olympia Theater from being demolished. Follow the personal tales of the many different types of people who have moved to Miami chasing fortune or running from hardship.
Although now physically surrounded by a humming commercial center, these stories help us envision how downtown Miami once looked. Occasional Mediterranean-revival and art deco buildings jostling for space with brand-new, high rise luxury condominiums help create the mental picture of an ever-changing Miami. Our adventure through five centuries of Miami’s past draws to an end as we approach the Freedom Tower, Miami’s own Statue of Liberty. History may not be the first thing that comes to mind when exploring the busy streets of one of the most modern cities in the US, but this walking tour leaves guests with a new and surprising perspective of the Magic City.
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Ghosts and Gravestones
This evening tour, conducted in the light of an antique oil lantern starts by exploring the mystery of one of North America's most important and controversial archaeological sites: the Miami Circle. The prehistoric circle, 38 feet in diameter and located amidst downtown Miami’s gleaming high-rises, was cut into the limestone bedrock by the ancient Tequesta Indian Tribe who inhabited this area more than 2,000 years ago. Your guide will help piece together the amazing mystery that is the Miami Circle.
Next, we move on to the ornate and mournful Miami City Cemetery, a restored landmark that is a solemn reminder of Miami’s dramatic history in the radically transforming area around the Performing Arts Center. We are visiting the gravesites of long-deceased pioneers and settlers. Their true stories will unravel what made Miami great. If the grounds could talk, voices would relate tales of dark Santeria and voodoo rituals among the memorials of Miami’s oldest families. Learn how they lived and died when Miami was just a sleepy little village. This is a place not to be missed!
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Great Discoveries on the Bay - A Kayak Journey
Push off from the shoreline into a world of exquisite beauty. Our kayak journey takes us along the coastline of what the first adventurers called the “Chequescha Bay.” The richness born of the confluence of fresh and salt waters in what is today called Biscayne Bay drew many peoples to this place - from the Tequesta Indians, Spanish explorers, privateers and pirates to modern day pioneers. Reflect on how ancient peoples used the area’s resources for their livelihood and how perspectives of the settlers have changed over time. Hear the story of how a magnificent Italian villa came to life on the bay and view it in a way few others can.
As you paddle past mangroves teeming with life as well as historic and modern mansions, you will see what dramatic changes the shoreline has experienced. You will encounter breathtaking views of the open bay and learn of the close connection between the waters lapping at your kayak’s hull and the struggle for Cuban freedom. Learn why the preservation of these shallow waters is so important to wildlife and humans.
You will explore the ecology and history of this unique bay the same way most humans have witnessed it over thousands of years. As the locals say, “We all came by water.”
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Habana Nights
Join us on a journey that evokes the spirit of Havana in all her remembered glory. If you close your eyes for a moment in modern Miami’s “Little Havana,” you are almost transported back in time to the Tropicana and the Flamingo, back to the Riviera and the Floridita. The sensuous, rum-rich rhythms of the Mambo spilling out into the balmy tropical night are real … and tonight you are experiencing them. Tonight, the lively streetscape of Calle Ocho, Little Havana’s main thoroughfare, is yours to explore. Take in the smells, sights, sounds and colors of a street that launched the dramatic transformation of Miami over five decades ago and prepare yourself for an evening of discovery, dining and live nightclub entertainment.
Now is a great time to pick up a few pointers on the various forms of Latin dancing. One of our expert dancers instructs the willing on how to make the right moves when the music takes over.
We then venture on to spend some time at Casa Juancho, which is a delight for all senses. Enjoy a leisurely dinner in the nostalgic atmosphere of strolling musicians and singing patrons.
Next, watch as skillful hands present you with the art of cigar rolling, a worldwide recognized symbol of all things Cuban. Take in the rich aroma of freshly processed tobacco and maybe even buy some cigars for the road.
Finally, we enter the realm of live music and rich Cuba-nostalgic detail at a local’s night club that recalls the atmosphere and attitudes of yesteryear’s Havana with infectious rhythms. The night awaits you…let’s get going.
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Half Moon State Underwater Archaeological Preserve Snorkeling Tour
Skip across the shallow waters of Biscayne Bay in search of sunken history as we snorkel on the site of Miami’s first and only underwater archaeological preserve.
Built in 1906 in Kiel, Germany, the 366-ton, schooner-rigged steel yacht Germania participated in the prestigious Kaiser Cup races and Cowes regattas before being captured as a prize of war by the British in 1914. Auctioned in 1917, she was renamed Exen and brought to the United States by her new Norwegian owner. Purchased by a former Assistant Secretary of the Navy and renamed Half Moon in 1922, the yacht nearly sank in a severe storm off of Cape Hatteras. Sold again shortly thereafter, she served as a floating saloon/casino in Miami during Prohibition. She sank in the Miami River in the 1926 hurricane but was raised to become a fishing barge anchored in the Gulf Stream. During a storm in 1930, she sank for the last time on a shoal in 10 feet of water off of Key Biscayne.
Join us for a day of great shallow-water snorkeling as we bring the history of the Half Moon to life. Snorkel above this wreck amid the splendors of Biscayne Bay before returning to the mainland.
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Healing Wildlife at the Pelican Harbor Seabird Station
The amazing array of wild birds in Florida has been the source of great interest and beauty since the explorations of famed bird-chronicler James Audubon. Birds were an integral part of Indian lore and ceremonial display for centuries preceding Audubon’s wanderings. Today, Florida’s wild birds have to compete with population growth and human-related changes to the environment in order to maintain their ancient habitat. Unfortunately, this process involves the injury and death of many birds caused by human error or carelessness.
Since 1980, the Pelican Harbor Seabird Station has worked tirelessly to rescue, heal and perform emergency surgery on injured Florida seabirds. When possible, they are released back into the wild. In this heartwarming tour, we visit the dedicated staff of the Seabird Station and hear how they perform miracles on a daily basis. See the operating table and x-rays of birds in trouble. Hear about the procedures set up to handle incoming injured birds. You also have the opportunity to ask questions of the station’s management. To cap off a great visit, we gather for the daily 4:00 PM feeding, when a feathered melee erupts as dozens of birds compete for their daily fish dinner. Their antics and excitement will leave you with a smile on your face. This tour is an animal lover’s treat.
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Hidden Gardens of South Florida
Join us on a tour of two of South Florida’s most secluded botanical treasures located in Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. These hidden gardens have been largely inaccessible to the broad public over the past 80 years.
Offering Miami’s most dramatic vista of Biscayne Bay, The Kampong contains a fascinating array of flowering trees and tropical fruit cultivars. Noted plant explorer David Fairchild searched the world for plants of economic and aesthetic value that could be cultivated in the United States. He borrowed the Malaysian word Kampong (meaning village) for his home in a garden. Over the past decades, countless scientists and world leaders such as Winston Churchill, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford have paid visits to the Kampong. It is now a part of the National Botanical Garden and the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Montgomery Botanical Center is the living legacy of Robert and Nell Montgomery, widely known as the founders of Fairchild Tropical Garden. Housed on their 120-acre Florida estate in Coral Gables, it includes the largest and finest collection of palms and cycads in the world. Under the Center’s careful stewardship are hundreds of species, many of which are threatened or endangered. To protect and perpetuate the genetic diversity of its collections, the Center actively builds its populations of cycads and palms by mounting several collecting expeditions throughout remote destinations all over the world each year.
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Historic South Beach Scavenger Hunt
Put your teamwork and collective creativity to the test while exploring historic sites, gathering “rare artifacts,” and discovering the best that the Art Deco District has to offer with our Historic South Beach Scavenger Hunt. This hunt is just the thing to bring your group together in a fun and thrilling way. Our Emcee outlines the rules and distributes all the materials needed.
Teams must work together to find specific places and objects within the designated search area. Teams will also be challenged with riddles, asked to perform physical feats, and more! Points are awarded for each object found and extra credit points are awarded for creativity in some of the challenges. The team to return to the designated finish area on time with the most points will win. This event will leave your guests laughing and reminiscing for years to come.
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Incredible Women of Miami
Delight in the narrative of a little-known but curiously intriguing fact: Miami is the only major American city founded by women. Hear about these inspired visionaries and their stories of adventure, hardship and triumph in the Florida wilderness that is now Coconut Grove, Miami, Miami Beach and Coral Gables. Retrace the steps of the "Mothers of Miami" Julia Tuttle and Mary Brickell. These inspired women battled a challenging and sometimes lonely existence at the breathtaking confluence of the Miami River and Biscayne Bay. They decided to single-handedly change the history of the whole region by insistently luring the lifeline of Henry Flagler’s railroad to South Florida.
Experience the hidden and charming places where determined women endeavored to bring culture and education to America’s last frontier.
Explore the life of aviation-pioneer Amelia Earhart and learn of the foresight of environmentalist and Everglades advocate Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Find out how now-gleaming South Beach was saved from being ripped down by the voice and dramatic actions of preservationist Barbara Capitman.
Miami is a place that historically represents the power, vision and drive of women more than anywhere else on the planet. This fact makes this tour a popular, not-to-be-missed and original platform through which to explore the wonders of the “Magic City.”
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Key Biscayne -A Journey by Cycle
This 10-mile bicycle jaunt takes us across the charming island of Key Biscayne, a place so hospitable that it was sought out by the Tequesta Indians who first inhabited South Florida. Hear the story of how the growing number of wrecks brought to this place a remote lighthouse outpost that to this day remains Miami-Dade County’s oldest structure. Reflect on the experiences of early coconut palm plantation settlers who braved hostile Seminoles and hurricanes.
As you pedal through the lush flora you see how the devastating force of Hurricane Andrew created a unique opportunity for the restoration of the original ecosystem. Interspersed with the island’s abundant tropical vegetation, you experience breathtaking views of the watery off-shore community of Stiltsville and white sand beaches facing the open ocean.
After passing through the village of Key Biscayne, we explore the unusual oddity of an antiquated and abandoned zoo that echoes of visitations past. Watch out for the new tenants: a large variety of waterfowl and iguanas in every imaginable size and color combination. Enjoy the pleasures of a slower pace almost as if you were transported back in time to a less hectic era.
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Miami Magic City-Bus & Walking Tour
Delving into the unknown can sometimes be as invigorating as a dip in the surf. And to that end, we offer you a way of seeing Miami that most people rarely experience. What you will learn along our less-traveled path will enrich and engage you. The unique vantage point of our guides will bring you a refreshing perspective on the “Magic City’s” colorful heritage.
Explore Miami's most famous and historic neighborhoods as we bring to life the history and wonder of this eclectic city. Hear about Miami's early pioneers and their stories of adventure and hardship in the Florida wilderness that is now Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Little Havana, Miami, and South Beach. The juxtaposition of native flora and the Miami skyline provides spectacular views on your way through paradise. This tour gives you a taste of the diversity that makes life in Miami a truly international experience and paints a picture of early settlement life on the banks of the Miami River.
Benefit from something most visitors and even locals never experience: a true sense of place.
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Nature Photography Expedition
If you have ever wanted to join the art of nature photography with the adventure of eco-travel, this trip promises to be a perfect balance of both worlds and a true adventure to remember. Discover Florida’s inspiring landscapes and search for wood storks, otters, herons, ibis and alligators to capture as your next photographic subjects. Travel into the wetlands for an exceptional photography expedition into Florida’s unique natural beauty. Personally guided by our nature photographer Rick Cruz, guests travel through a distinct marshland. Rick Cruz was born in Havana, Cuba but came to the United States at the age of one with his family to live and grow up in South Florida. Rick’s love for Florida’s wilderness developed while traveling between Miami and Sarasota as far back as he can remember. He now hikes and explores through those same areas with camera gear in hand.
For Rick, his camera has become his third eye. Not only does he possess the keen sense and natural instinct as a photographer, but also a driving passion to capture the “right shot.” Rick prefers black and white as his medium of choice to best reflect nature’s true dimensions of light and shadows. Florida’s ever-changing landscape challenges Rick to adapt different techniques to bring to life through his photographs. He has become an internationally renowned photographer and his work is exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the United States and Europe and has been published in numerous books.
This photo workshop will focus on artistic composition, not on technical aspects; participants must have a prior working knowledge of their own camera.
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Paddling the Oleta-Miami’s Last Free Flowing River
Turn back the pages of time to get a feel for life in an earlier Florida. Discover native plants and marine species on a river that has seen the likes of Tequesta Indians, pioneer settlers and bootleggers. Starting at the edge of the historic Everglades and meandering all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, the Oleta River offers a fascinating array of stories and vistas.
Our route explores the State Park along the river and its successful ecological restoration, the Intracoastal Waterway marking the border between high-rise development and pristine mangrove forests surrounding the river and finally the meandering river itself that offers a glimpse into wild Florida.
Hear the stories of how the early Native Americans made this region their home and why it was a popular hiding spot during the Prohibition era. While keeping our eyes peeled for local wildlife like herons, spoonbills, ospreys and the occasional manatee and dolphin, you will find out how this ecosystem was saved from development and remains a symbol of the free-flowing and untamed Florida waterways that are so hard to find today.
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Pioneers in the Subtropics
In the southernmost reaches of the Florida peninsula, just before the coral rock islands of the Florida Keys make their break for open multi-hued seas, you will find a unique locale. At once tropical and rural, it is the growing region of Homestead, Redland and Florida City. The people who settled this region were pioneers in the subtropics. Today we will tell their stories through a series of fascinating visits.
Our first visit takes us to the Coral Castle, an unusual collection of massive coral rock sculptures including mammoth tables, gates and astronomical figures. Edward Leedskalnin was a tiny Latvian émigré whose spurned love drove him to create this “castle.” He quarried, sculpted and transported his limestone figures without assistance, even though they weighed many tons. Because he always worked at night, his methods were never discovered. Leedskalnin boasted that he had discovered the secret of the pyramids.
As we head to our next stop, we are traveling through historic Homestead and Redland area architecture, making sure not to miss the unique pioneer agricultural-inspired style. This style includes cracker cottages, old packinghouses, railroad buildings, churches and school houses. And the area still retains the rural flavor that has made it home to generations of farming families.
Next, we are off to R.F. Orchids, a third generation orchid-growing family whose highly respected operation is one of the best in the South. Here you find thousands of exotic orchids growing in a hammock-like setting accented with gazebos, ponds, tiki huts and lush landscaping. The orchids are everywhere, but the entrance boasts many of the finest specimens. The nursery consistently wins awards for outstanding work in orchid breeding and growing. When you browse through the greenhouses, it’s easy to see why.
We then experience the novelty of a local winery and brewery. Explore the sensual palette-teasing flavors of South Florida’s pioneering vineyard, Schnebly Redland’s Winery & Brewery. Forget what you think you know about craft beers and fruit wine as you permit your taste buds to collide with familiar but slightly exotic offerings. With such beer specialties named Big Rod Coconut Ale or Gator Tail Brown Ale and wines such as Category 3 Hurricane, Lychee Dolce, Mango Dolce, Carambola, Sparkling Passion, and Denisse’s Boo Boo, this is an exciting foray into one of Southern Florida’s growing phenomena, the popular expansion of beer and wine offerings outside the traditional realm.
Our next stop lies at the edge of the Everglades is a remote, old-fashioned, roadside fruit stand, entertainment venue and watering hole – “Robert is Here.” This storied place is a popular Everglades family destination. Locals order at the counter, pick up their hand-made milkshakes and shop amidst the hustle and bustle and the huge variety of local fruit and vegetables on location.
Finally, South Florida has a tour that rivals those of the wine region of Northern California and the quaint villages of New England. Be sure you don’t miss it!
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Scenes from the Big Screen: Miami Sites from the Movies
Images of Miami have lit up the big screen since before color and sound. Miami’s subtropical beauty doubled for India as early as “The Jungle Trail” in (1919). Since then, from sophomoric pranksters, “Porky’s” (1981) to sinister gangsters, “Scarface” (1983); from breaking the mold “The Birdcage” (1996) to evil in gold, “Goldfinger” (1964), Miami has lent its image to the some of Hollywood’s most beloved movies.
On this exciting romp through the storied city, you will see a clip of the scene from the movie and then you will see the actual site. Our expert film-loving guides will revel with you in the exploration of the magic city’s most beautiful and unusual celluloid settings. Then, the next time you catch a classic on TV or DVD, you can tell them you were there. -
Showdown in Miami: A Teambuilding Race of Historical Dimensions
Miami is a city that revels in a short but colorful history. Its modern-day intrigue and international celebrity status are frequently paired with tales of the bizarre and outrageous. Its extreme beauty and sub-tropic splendor can be jolted by the antics of an ever-changing cast of local and transient underworld characters. It is part American and part Latin with a healthy mix of Caribbean and European flavors. It is dynamic, vibrant and flashy; and then, by turn, sophisticated, urbane and increasingly cultured.
The “Showdown in Miami” race is designed to orient the visitor to Miami with its astounding beauty while challenging each team to a rigorous jaunt through the Magic City’s distinctive neighborhoods and historic treasures. The riddles are clever, the twists and turns unpredictable and the locations authentic. Experience with us the characteristic places that make Miami one of the most unique and exciting cities on earth. -
The Story of South Beach on Bicycle
South Beach is one of those rare locales where every turn reveals a new visual treasure. The narrative of this glamorous resort in the sun is artfully retold as your cycling host navigates the streets and pathways of the island. Great stories abound as a century of history is woven into now-famous streets, buildings and parks. At one point we will be following a trail along the beach, at another, hearing a concise and illuminating timeline of Art Deco architecture. Through gardens and residential neighborhoods, past museums and pausing to check out a historic hotel lobby, we make South Beach “experts” out of first-time visitors and long-term residents alike. An unforgettable experience, this tour is must-see for those who enjoy a leisurely and healthy biking pace. -
Tropical Deco in a Fabled Playground
Experience an Art Deco tour that captures the glitz and glamour of the roaring twenties and thirties in our nation’s only Art Deco Historic District. This is your chance to immerse yourself in the thrill of a city that defiantly danced until dawn through Prohibition, the depression, major hurricanes and two World Wars. Here the playboy and flapper lifestyle was the only way to live, and as the warm breezes tempted you to free yourself of the confines of more formal clothes, the incoming tide would hint of the clandestine import that you’d be sipping at a swinging speakeasy late into the night.
Recall the larger-than-life personalities and world-famous events that reshaped society, architecture, and even the island itself. Walk the halls of the first hotel ever built on Miami Beach and delight in the imaginative and playful Art Deco lifeguard stands lining the beach like pastel-colored toy soldiers. Chart the evolution of architectural styles while unique and evocative Art Deco landmarks serve as our signposts to an era that looked forward to the future and celebrated progress, innovation, adventure and freedom.
As your guide uncovers the eye-popping history of this unique destination, you will understand why millionaires, movie stars, thousands of soldier sand countless others have fallen under the magical spell of Miami Beach. -
Wandering through Wynwood – An Artistic Revival
The Wynwood Art District is continuing to evolve into one of world’s most innovative neighborhoods drawing international attention to Miami. But not so long ago, this now-bustling district was a downtrodden collection of industrial warehouses. Art became the catalyst for an astonishing transformation that still continues today. When artists started to expand their works from inside their low-rent studios to the outside walls it lead to large-scale, attention-grabbing and sometimes provocative images straddling the line between fine art and graffiti. This now ever-present, evolved ‘Graffiti Art’ is Wynwood’s signature to the planet.
On our tour we explore both exterior and interior spaces as we stroll along streets alive with stunning visual mosaics in every style and hue, all the while uncovering Wynwood’s dynamic story.
We then move on to get an insider’s view of one of the larger galleries where a host introduces you to the work and answers your questions. Our final stop explores one of the most recent developments -the emergence of a new generation of urban businesses -marking Wynwood’s transition to a neighborhood that is more than just a center for art appreciation: We venture behind the scenes to learn the intricacies of hand-crafted local rum and round out the tour with a tasting of this award-winning spirit.