Iconic Miami
Hot, clean, friendly and definitely iconic. Getting around is so easy with the free trolley buses (with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi). Download the app so you can see where the stops are and when the next trolley is coming. Tip - using only electric golf karts and Uber - you can get about easily and cheaply (pre-load the Uber app with your foreign exchange card. Revolute or the post office or similar card to avoid exchange rates with each transactions.
The Art Deco buildings are restored from my last visit and still stylish giving the welcoming relaxed feel. The food is still twice as much as you need in each portion - Brunch being almost the only meal you need a day!
We stayed at the Eden Roc, the oceanfront rooms have a great view of the three pools and the beach and ocean. Watch the morning runners on the boardwalk as the sun rises. I found the lobby always seems to have live music in the evenings , loud and trying to give the hotel a trendy feel for visitors to the Nobu restaurant - not so great when checking in from a long flight and the 1.5 hours of queue at American immigration!
We pre-booked the high speed power tour of the Miami’s waterway - this was superb. My husband loves power boats and the kids loved the fun of the guides and tour of the rice and famous iconic houses of the islands. Speeding past the cruise ships as they leave Miami and racing along South Beach - this a a trip I would really recommend. It's easy to get to with Uber, $12 for the 4 of us from one side of Miami to the quay. This is Biscayne Bay side so very close to the cruise ship port and hotels like the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay - which are very close for cruise access.
Shopping on Lincoln Road is great. Come with space in your suitcase as you will find everything you need here for the warm sunshine - great shopping in amongst palm trees, pedestrian only outside amongst Art Deco style buildings.
A visit to the Everglades with pick up from your hotel is a nice half day tour. Though the pick up and drop off takes most of the time on the quick tours - I would recommend visiting the Everglades National Park further south west for a true experience.
A must is Wynwood- this is an cool area with the wall murals, street art everywhere, I cool restaurant and bars. Visit later in the afternoon/early evening when it is cooler. You can trolley or Uber here.
Again allow time for airport security - a good 3 hours for departure. American Airline this year have introduced luggage purchase at the airport (for Miami at least). Miami airport has an outside check in service - this is payable in tips only - worth while as often busy inside the terminal.
Off to Antigua.....Miami is a perfect destination to cruise from and to twin with any Caribbean island or central/South America.