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Miami's favorite days out
With Miami's art deco architecture and golden stretches of sand, it's easy to forget that the city is surrounded by some of the United States' most distinctive subtropical landscapes. It's well worth escaping the sultry temptations of South Beach for a day or two to see alligators in the swamps of the Florida Everglades, or paddle and snorkel in Biscayne Bay. Few ecosystems on Earth can rival the Florida Peninsula's diversity, as you'll find out on the reef-lined island chain of the Florida Keys and the mangrove creeks of Oleta River State Park.
Explore lighthouses and shipwrecks in Biscayne Bay
Bordered by the northernmost Florida Keys and the mangrove forests south of Miami, Biscayne Bay is the gateway to the Florida Reef, the world's third largest barrier coral reef. For the best snorkeling this side of Hawaii, join an eco-tour at Biscayne National Park's Dante Fascell Visitor Center, 35 miles south of town, and gaze upon the shipwrecks found on the Maritime Heritage Trail. Scuba diving is also a popular activity, as are boat tours to paddleboard among the mangroves around the ornamental 1930s Boca Chita Key lighthouse.
Just outside the park, and easily reached from Miami via the bridges of the Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne has some of the finest beaches in the metropolitan area. Crandon Park Beach is nestled among more than 800 acres of hardwood hammock forest, mangrove swamps, and nature trails, while the road ends at the 19th century Cape Florida Lighthouse among the beaches and boardwalks of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.
Insider tip: En route to Key Biscayne, you can rent kayaks, paddleboards, kiteboards, and mountain bikes to enjoy Virginia Key's city views.
Spot gators in the swamps of Everglades National Park
Covering 1.5 million acres of wetland, the country's largest subtropical wilderness offers an experience of the swamps that South Florida is famous for. The watery Everglades region is the world's only ecosystem where alligators and crocodiles coexist, and you can spot some of the park's 200,000+ gators on the Anhinga Trail, which winds 0.8 miles through Taylor Slough, one of the area's two main sawgrass marshes.
For a bird's-eye view of this UNESCO-protected landscape of freshwater prairies, mangrove forests, dune complexes, and placid waterways, climb the Shark Valley observation tower. In the same area, a naturalist-guided tram tour is an easy day trip option, or you can cycle a paved 15 mile loop. Alternatively, you could explore the diverse terrain by airboat or kayak, gliding across Florida Bay to Flamingo, the state's southernmost point and the end of the Wilderness Waterway canoe route.
Insider tip: Access the park via the Shark Valley Visitor Center, 40 miles west of Miami, the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, 45 miles southwest of town, or the Flamingo Visitor Center, 80 miles southwest.
Join the Conch Republic at the Florida Keys
Staying at the tip of the Florida Peninsula, this 113 mile string of 45 islands arcs towards Cuba on about the same latitude as The Bahamas and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The archipelago hosts a famously colorful and eccentric community of outsiders, runaways, artists and, during the Hemingway Days festival in July, bearded impersonators of the great writer. Key West, where Hemingway wrote To Have and Have Not, marks the end of the Overseas Highway, 160 miles south of Miami. The southernmost American city's Mallory Square hosts a daily sunset celebration and Duval Street's several dozen cafes and bars run between the island's ocean and gulf shores.
You may feel drawn along the 40-plus bridges to tiny tropical islands on the broad horizon, but you don't have to travel all the way to Hemingway's old house for a day out. Just off the mainland, Key Largo is the largest island, with incredible scuba diving, snorkeling, and glass-bottomed boat tours at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, as well as nature trails in Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park.
Insider tip: Fans of the Netflix series Bloodline—and sportfishing—should continue south to Islamorada, where you can put in beach time and wander through Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park's hardwood hammock forest.
Go paddling and splashing at Miami's northern beaches
With so many appealing spots south of town, it's easy to forget that two of the area's most appealing stretches of sand are north of Miami Beach. Follow the seafront A1A some 10 miles from South Beach to reach Haulover Beach. The 177-acre beach park is backed by the Intracoastal Waterway, with the mangrove-lined channels of Oleta River State Park across the water.
Cross the NE 163rd Street drawbridge to reach Florida's largest urban park, which offers an outdoorsy escape from the city on its 14 miles of hiking and mountain-biking trails. To get the measure of this 1,000-acre river-mouth playground, take to the water for kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding, looking out for hermit crabs, egrets, blue herons, and even manatees or dolphins. There's a wheelchair-friendly sandy beach with restrooms and showers, from where strong swimmers and snorkelers can explore the sheltered saltwater lagoon adjoining Biscayne Bay.
Insider tip: Visit the butterfly garden at parking lot six —ideally when the sun comes out after a light rain—to see zebra longwings, gulf fritillaries, atalas, and clouded and orange sulphurs flit among the indigenous plants.
Stay cool in India's Golden Triangle
When the temperatures rise in North India, visit these beautiful temples and hotels to take in the architecture while escaping the heat.
Embrace the great outdoors: five day trips from London
From wild coastal walks to the beautiful countryside, find the best day trips from London when you are looking to explore outside the city and be outdoors.
The Hidden Trails of Singapore
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Escape the Singapore Heat on Sentosa Island
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Been There, Done That: Singapore Sightseeing
From strolling around the Singapore Botanic Gardens to seeing native wildlife up close at the zoo, Singapore sightseeing offers unique and breath-taking opportunities all throughout the city.
The Best Hotels in Singapore's Marina Bay: A Room With A View
Singapore is known for its many stunning views, especially in Singapore's Marina Bay area. Learn more about our take on the best hotels with the best views in Singapore's Marina Bay.
A Taste of LA
LA is one of the world's most diverse cities, and with it comes some of the best and most diverse cuisine landscapes. If you are in the area, try a taste of LA at these unique dining locations.
Outdoor Adventures In and Around LA
LA offers some of the best outdoor adventures and activities whether you love the beach or love the mountains. Stop by the pristine beaches of Manhattan Beach, or take a hike to the Hollywood Sign.
A Sense of Place: The Best Hotels in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is known for many attractions and highlights from Hollywood to the golden beaches of Santa Monica. We break down what we think are the best hotels to stay at when visiting Los Angeles.
Top 10 Essential Dining Spots in Venice Beach
Venice Beach has transformed from a funky beachside community into LA's new tech hub known as Silicon Beach. In this article we share our top 10 restaurants in Venice Beach in this culinary hub.
Rome's Heartiest Winter Dishes
After a full day of exploring Rome in the winter, we recommend these seven restaurants and their signature hearty dishes to warm you back up. Learn more about the best winter dishes in Rome.
Top Eight Restaurants for Winter Dining in New York City
New York City is a magical place to be during the winter months with some of the best restaurants to dine at and stay warm. Learn more about our top eight restaurants for a winter dinner in NYC.
Dubrovnik's Top Eight Restaurants for Winter Dining
Dubrovnik is one of Croatia's gem cities that offers majestic sight seeing as well as some of the best cuisine. Learn more about the top 8 winter restaurants in Dubrovnik.
When Lima Turns Purple: Insights into the Lima's Colorful Celebration
Every October the city of Lima and its residents start to turn purple as the people prepare for and celebrate the regions largest religious festival for the Lord of the Miracles.
The Finest Hotels in Lima, Peru
When visiting Lima you will want to know the best places to stay in order to enjoy the multifaceted cultural city. In this guide we break down the city's finest hotels and their unique offerings.
Must-have experiences: Nearby Day Trips from Lima, Peru
While Lima offers a vast amount of cultural tourism options, there is much more to explore beyond the capital city such as the old city of Caral and the mysterious Nazca Lines.
The Taste of Lima: Peruvian Food Culture and History
The taste of Lima was born when pre-Columbian food and Spanish conquistadors clashed. With the eventual influence from Chinese and Japanese food cultures, the current day Peruvian food was formed.
Been There, Done That: The Best Things to Do in Lima, Peru
You may have experienced the stunning capital of Peru before, but use this guide to try new takes on old favorites for a new perspective on exploring Lima again.
Into the Wild: Discover the Best National Parks in Croatia
Take a trip to one of Croatia's stunning national parks that offer various opportunities to tour the countryside, explore ancient ruins, swim and play water sports, or climb gorgeous mountainsides.
Island Hopping In Croatia
From historic towns to lush nature havens, Croatia offers a staggering 1,244 islands for you to island hop to and from while you enjoy the Croatian culture, dining, and views.
Hidden and Secluded Beaches in Croatia
Finding the right beach for summer can be difficult with crowds, but Diners Club has your back with six Croatian hidden beaches and coves to satisfy those looking for a peaceful sandy day.
Croatia's cultural calendar
Take some time out of your schedule to explore the many different Croatian cultural events on the calendar that highlight and enliven the different styles of music, cuisine, and historical background.