It’s been years since my last visit to Florida, and even longer since l’ve been back to Miami. Trading New York City’s uncomfortable humidity for Florida’s initially seemed questionable, but New York’s weather has been proverbially “going through it” this August and Miami was surprisingly refreshing in comparison. I stepped out of the gate at Ft. Lauderdale Airport looking forward to a week of kicking back and relaxing and excited for to try new food.

Miami’s tropical climate lends itself to many recreational activities but instead of spending all of my time at the beach, this time I thought to check out what can only be described as a tropical garden oasis, Homestead’s Fruit & Spice Park. A 37-acre botanical garden with over 500 varieties of both fruits and spices, the park was a beautiful journey of flavors and smells and felt like a side of Miami I never knew before. It was also the first place I finally spotted the lizards I remembered from childhood vacations to South Florida. It seems they’ve practically disappeared from South Beach, or maybe it was just where I was staying? It was a long drive away, maybe an hour. (Long enough for me to Google ‘what happened to the lizards in Miami?’ on my way over.)

A week of sunshine, swimming and strategic restaurant decisions – l’d call this little trip a great success.

8 Dias En Miami