Miami Area
The first South Floridians were the Tequesta Indians, who discovered the area more than 10,000 years ago and had it all to themselves until the Spanish claimed it in the 16th Century. In 1821, the Spanish flag was lowered and the Stars and Stripes raised over Florida. Enterprising wreckers from the Bahamas came to South Florida and the Keys in the early 19th Century, to hunt for the remains of an international array of ill-fated ships that crashed onto the treacherous Great Florida reef.

The city is known for its beautifully restored turn-of-the-century downtown buildings. Its town Hall Arts Center and the Littleton Historical Museum, the 14 acre site of two living history farms that are fashioned after Colorado's early-day settlers.

At about the same time, the Seminoles arrived, along with a group of runaway slaves. They fought to stay in Florida, and the area became a war zone from 1836 until 1857, with most non-Indian residents being soldiers stationed at Fort Dallas on the Miami River. Some of these soldiers and a few other adventurous frontier settlers gave Miami yet another new, foreign-born population. At war's end, many of the Indians remained in the Everglades. The area's greatest change came thanks to a visionary Cleveland widow named Julia Tuttle, who purchased 640 acres on the north bank of the Miami River in 1891, moving her family into the abandoned Fort Dallas buildings. Within four years, Tuttle -- the "mother of Miami" -- convinced Standard Oil co-founder Henry Flagler to extend his railroad to Miami, build a luxury hotel, and lay out a new town. The railroad arrived in 1896. The City of Miami was incorporated on July 28 that same year.

South Beach.... The American Riviera, Hollywood of the East, Sobe, or the Art Deco District whatever you call it, Miami's South Beach is hot year-round. The embodiment of excess, South Beach is an international playground offering non-stop nightlife, sandy shores, unique architecture and plenty of eye candy. Tourists and natives alike flock to Ocean Boulevard for much of the same reason the producers of "The Birdcage"chose this location to film their movie about a gay couple (Robin Williams and Nathan Lane) living in South Beach. Wild street parties, neon-lit buildings and raucous nightclubs are much of the norm and luxury cars cruise up and down the strip where many come to enjoy the scene more often than the cuisine.

When imagining the South Beach scene, think "Baywatch"with an architectural twist . . . even the lifeguard stands are art deco masterpieces. The long, man-made beach stretches up the Atlantic for miles and is perfect for early morning runs. The beach is also about the best spot to view the city lights at night. Tourists, however, are drawn to South Beach for the culture. The city is a melting pot of nationalities. The Latin-American population has profoundly affected the area, and the diversity of the community is apparent in the various ethnic neighborhoods, food and music.

What a tough task this was, testing the best martinis, hanging with beautiful people, staying at boutique hotels and lazing on the sand, but all had to be done to bring you the best of "The Best."So slip on your shades, pack your party pants and get ready for some fun in the sun.