Exclusive report from our special correspondent in Miami Jessica Pierné
Miami Magic City
An iconic city in Florida, Miami has not always been a glamorous and cosmopolitan destination. When adventurers arrived at the end of the 19th century in search of good fortune, Florida was a swampy area populated by alligators and snakes. Some of them already saw it as an El Dorado thanks to its sunny lands and its railway. It was only a century later that this piece of America with its undeniable charm became one of the most touristic destinations in the United States. Today, people come for its white sand beaches, its wild coast and the Everglades National Park which has become the jewel of Florida with its threatened ecosystem and its fauna worthy of a Rudyard Kipling novel!
Miami Beach
This stunning stretch of white sand is the most popular spot in South Beach, but there are many heavenly beaches in southwest Florida like Indian Rocks Beach which has a lovely nature reserve or Capersen Beach.
The Birthplace of the Blues (Miccosukee Indian Village)
When the Seminole Indians took in the Africans, they found that they shared the same animist religion based on the spirits of nature. But since the spirits were tied to the land, the Seminoles offered to guide the Africans by initiating them into spiritual dances and songs. And according to legend, this is how the blues was born in the heart of the Everglades.
The Kingdom of Alligators
The Everglades are home to a unique wilderness area in the United States. Located less than an hour's drive from Miami, this unique subtropical landscape is an immense mangrove swamp made up of swamps, lakes and rivers. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Everglades National Park is an ode to biodiversity where incredible wildlife such as the Mississippi alligator, crocodiles, pumas, lynxes and manatees hide. To observe them without disturbing them, there is nothing better than the airboat that allows you to reach the Miccosukee Indian Reservation.
The Cuban neighborhood of Little Havana
To discover the heart of the Cuban community, you have to stroll along Calle Ocho, one of the main arteries of the historic district of Little Havana. People come here to listen to salsa, visit a cigar factory, taste an artisanal guava ice cream and take a stroll in Domino Park to watch the Cuban players. A change of scenery guaranteed!
Unforgettable adventure in the heart of the Everglades
For a total immersion, we head to South Florida for a walk with our feet in the water with a biologist in the Big Cypress reserve. This hike in the swamps is done without a wetsuit and without mosquito repellent so as not to disturb the ecosystem. Each of us is equipped with a large stick to repel and chase away the perfidious turtles that are crouching in the swamp. It is also used to grope in the water to avoid the holes. After signing a liability waiver, we take our courage in both hands to live this unique experience. The atmosphere is very calm until the moment we come across a snake that moves away very quickly. At the time, I don't know what to think of this somewhat special hike but one thing is sure, I will never forget this wild interlude in the Everglades jungle.
Art in the open air
Wynwood is home to galleries, designers and trendy bars. Artists from around the world come to transform the walls of this former industrial district into a haunt for art lovers.
Jungle Island
Close encounters with animals have long been a Florida specialty. One such attraction is Jungle Island, a theme park that houses exotic species and tropical birds. In 1946, Winston Churchill visited Miami for a few weeks. It was on this occasion that he visited Parrot Island (now Jungle Island) to visit a splendid aviary that would be immortalized in an iconic photo with Pinky the cockatoo on his shoulder.
The Setai, Miami's legendary hotel
With its panoramic ocean views and Art Deco architecture, the Setai Hotel & Residences has retained a striking, rectilinear facade. Located in the legendary South Beach neighborhood on Collins Avenue, it immediately evokes the setting of the film Scarface with Al Pacino, or the famous car chases from the Miami Vice series with Don Johnson in the 80s. Today, this beautiful address continues to attract celebrities and tourists from around the world for its design and its tropical garden overlooking one of Florida's most beautiful beaches.
ROUTE LOG:
GO THERE:
+ Direct round-trip flights Paris – Miami from €431 with Air France www.airfrance.fr
WHERE TO STAY:
+ The Setai Hotel and its panoramic view of Miami and the ocean www.thesetaihotel.com
+ The Pelican Hotel on Ocean Drive with panoramic ocean views www.pelicanhotel.com
