MIAMI, USA

Our tour today will show us the highlights of Miami and Miami Beach, we will visit the magnificent European Estate; Vizcaya Museum and Garden and also journey to the Everglades National Park for a thrilling airboat ride!

Our tour today will show us the highlights of Miami and Miami Beach, we will visit the magnificent European Estate; Vizcaya Museum and Garden and also journey to the Everglades National Park for a thrilling airboat ride!Departing from the quayside, we will begin our scenic drive of Miami, which will include the some of the most important sites of the city. We will see the skyscrapers of the financial district, the stunning architecture and fascinating history of the coral gables, the glitz and glamour of South Beach and the Art Deco district, and the trendy bohemian village of Coconut Grove. Following our scenic drive, we shall stop to enjoy a typical Cuban lunch, which will be served at Versailles, located in the heart of the Latin Community of Little Havana.After lunch, we will experience the thrill of an airboat ride in the Everglades. Throughout our journey, our experienced guide will introduce us to the unique eco-system of the park as we pass sawgrass prairies, mangrove and cypress swamps, pinelands and hardwood hammocks. Known for it’s rich bird life, particularly large wading birds – be sure, to be on the lookout for the roseate spoonbill, wood stork, great blue heron and a variety of egrets. It is also the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles exist side by side.Returning to the city, our next visit will be to one of Miami’s most celebrated landmarks, the Vizcaya Museum and Garden. Located in a beautiful setting overlooking Biscayne Bay, Vizcaya was the former winter retreat of industrialist James Deering, heir to International Harvester Company. Today it is a magnificent Museum and designated a National Historic Landmark. In addition to the impressive mansion, we are sure to enjoy a stroll about the expansive gardens, which combine elements of Renaissance Italian, and French Designs. Vizcaya was built between 1914 and 1916 by 1,000 labourers and the finest European artists and craftsmen.Please note that the order of sites visited may differ to that described. Following our trip on the airboat at the Everglades National Park we will have approximately 30 minutes of free time, walking during this time will be at your own discretion. The type of terrain you can expect to encounter at the everglades is paved paths and wooden boardwalk-style paths over water. There will be a step to negotiate in order to board the airboat. At the Vizcaya Museum we will have an approximate 45-minute guided tour – please be advised that there is a slight hill between the ticket booth and the door to the Museum. There will also be a walk of approximately 10 yards to reach the entrance of the Versailles Cuban restaurant. You might like to bring earplugs with you, as the noise from the airboat can be very loud. We also recommend that if you wear a hat during the airboat ride, it should be securely fastened.

DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2007 CARIBBEAN SEASON