Miami news, Miami local news

Miami attracts tourists from all over the world with different eating habits. Therefore, tourists come with all sorts of different needs and requirements. There are Miami Beach vacation rentals that are specifically adapted to accommodate them.

Being a hard core vegetarian or eating kosher is not complicated for tourists anymore.

Rent a vacation rental in Miami Beach and eat at home when you are craving you favorite foods. Holiday rental properties always come fully equipped with cooking resources.

It is easy to find ingredients and foods such as Kosher foods, Hallal foods or vegetarian foods in Miami grocery stores, being that Miami is such a cosmopolitan city. Miami vacationers with special diet needs have found their match through the exploding popularity of vacation rentals.

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Maintain your eating habits in your home-away-from-home. Visitors can take advantage of the great Miami restaurants, Kosher Miami Beach Restaurants or Vegetarian Miami Beach restaurants. Hereunder, find a list of restaurants. Alternatively, you could also visit our section dedicated especially to restaurants.

The Epic Hotel just opened in Downtown Miami on Monday, December 15th. The high-rise consists of 411 hotel rooms and 360 condo units. It is positioned as a cool South Beach style boutique property. Find vacation rentals in Miami in Epic or similar properties.

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Miami is taking steps to become a bike-friendly city.

City leaders recently approved a plan that strives to achieve that by 2012. Get ready to get those dusty bikes out of your garage or rent a bike in Miami and start practicing.

You may not forget how to ride a bike but you definitely get rusty.

Commission Chairman Joe Sanchez wants bike routes to be included in all street plans for here-on-out. A bike coordinator will join the transportation department.

Meanwhile, the city is working with Miami Parking Authority to create 24 bike parking areas.

The bike-friendly Miami action plan is made up of four points:

• Construct a set of bike paths

• Improve bike safety through education and outreach plans

• Develop a bike master plan

• Implement a practice of assessing and advancing bicycle proposals

Don’t miss the opportunity of enjoying a bike-friendly city, ask your Miami hotel front-desk where you can locate bike rentals in Miami. You can also ask to your Miami Beach vacation rental agency. In fact, some Miami Beach vacation rentals agencies provide bikes as a complementary service.

Kashrus are the rules that observant Jews follow regarding eating. They buy their food from kosher grocery stores and eat at kosher restaurants (there are plenty Miami kosher restaurants due to its big Jewish community.) Therefore, proximity to kosher retail stores and restaurants is a must for strict observant Jews.

Kosher restaurants and grocery stores can be found all over Miami but are mostly concentrated in North Miami and the Mid-Miami Beach area. Observant Jewish vacationers prefer areas of Miami where their will have easy access to synagogues, kosher grocery stores and kosher restaurants. There are a plethora of Miami vacation rentals around this areas.

For years, solitary commuters have been finding creative ways to fool the system and use the South Florida HOV lanes on I-95 without any real companion passengers. Commuters have used ploys such as blow-up sex dolls, life-size celebrity cardboard cut-outs, faceless store mannequins, wigs on passenger-seat head restraints, dolls in baby seats, kick boxing dummies, Safe-T-Man and even balloons with a face drawn on them. In reality, only 12 percent of highway commuters carpooled. Sales for these travel “companions” will likely drop due to the seven-mile carpool lane being replaced with new variable-priced toll lanes on northbound South Florida I-95. Next year, the same will be done to the South-bound lane and by 2011, the pay-to-go lanes are expected to run through to Broward County. Lone travelers can now save some money with a $4.99 investment in a South Florida SunPass Mini sticker versus a $24.95 blow-up doll.

Boaters will find what they are looking for in Miami, Florida. In Miami and Miami Beach, tourists can charter boats and yachts of all sizes and for all budgets. Usually, prices vary depending upon the kind of boat, yet Miami boats for rent tend to be more affordable that boats in Europe and other popular boating destinations.

In our tropical paradise, it is possible to rent a boat for the day, with or without a captain.  Besides, people can charter a luxury yacht for a few days to travel around South Florida coast line and the Caribbean with a captain and small crew. In addition, whether you are planning a holiday celebration, corporate event, or even a wedding, renting a Miami party boat is always a great idea. Party boats in Miami are equipped with all your guests my need, from kitchen and indoors dining, to dance floor and DJ’s.

The chartering a boat in Miami can be easy or more challenging depending on the way it is done. There a few companies offering yacht charter services online which frequently are accessible and have easy processes; nonetheless, there are a few things you need to know in order to get the best deal:

• Select a professional and experienced boat charter in Miami that have established relationships with boat owners.
• Respected Miami Florida boat charters select quality boats and negotiate good prices.
• A broker will help you to solve any obstacles that may occur during your period of rental.
• Doing business with an established Miami Florida yacht charter is an added protection and guarantee.

Chartering a boat in Miami with a particular owner is also an option; however it has certain disadvantages when it is compare with professional South Florida Yacht Charters, some of these disadvantages are:

• Miami boat rentals’ prices are usually cheaper.
• Boats might not be as a good condition as professional charters in Miami, Florida.
• In case of trouble, there is no one responsible for it, only you!

During the year there are many boating events in South Florida such as Miami International Boat Show, South Florida Boat Show and Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. These events are ideal opportunities for all those interested into know more about the new trends of the industry or perhaps buying a boat.

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Florida’s Turnpike

The Florida Turnpike, originally known as the Sunshine State Parkway, is a toll road that runs approximately 312 miles (497 km) down the Florida peninsula through 11 counties, from US 1 in Florida City to Interstate 75 at Wildwood. It parallels I-95 through West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, often literally right next to it, separated by a wall. The Turnpikes mainline goes from Miami to I-75 north of Orlando.

The Turnpike is a primary evacuation route. Tolls on the turnpike cost an average of 7.5 cents per mile for two-axle vehicles but the state may suspend tolls on the Turnpike (as well as other roads in the system) during an emergency evacuation.

I-95 Express Florida

New I-95 Express lanes and Bus Rapid Transit service are being introduced in the hopes to reduce traffic on I-95 from I-395 in Downtown Miami to Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes will be separated from regular traffic lanes and drivers can choose to use them when they feel their time is more valuable than a toll price. Toll prices will fluctuate so keep an eye on overhead signage.

The goal is to keep traffic moving at a speed of approximately 50 miles per hour, while offering transit riders a seamless connection between Miami-Dade and Broward Counties on 95 Express buses. Even drivers not using 95 Express are expected to see improved traffic conditions in the general purpose lanes. Vehicles can use 95 Express by paying a toll with SunPass. The amount will be clearly posted on overhead signs. Adjusting to these new express lanes can be confusing and stressful, so I have added some tips below in order to help you get familiarized.

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Special restrictions and exceptions:

Vehicles that can use the express lanes without paying a toll:

• Emergency vehicles
• Registered vanpools
• Registered carpools of 3 or more passengers
• Registered hybrid vehicles
• Several different types of buses
• Motorcycles

Restricted vehicles:

• Trucks will not be allowed to use the express lanes

Express lane tips:

• Once you enter the new Express Lanes
  • You cannot exit until the end
  • You cannot cut through the lane markers to break out before Golden Glades.
• If you find yourself in the Express Lanes by accident, continue onto the Golden Glades Interchange.
• Drivers weaving in and out of the Express Lanes could cause accidents and will be subject to fines and incur points on their licenses.
• Be alert and pay attention to all advisories, signage, pavement markings and posted speed limits.
• Tolling on the Express Lanes will begin soon.
• If you are involved in an accident or experience a car breakdown in the Express Lanes, pull to the left shoulder if you are able and dial *FHP (*347) on your cellphone. Wait in your vehicle with the doors locked. Do not stand behind your car or next to the lane of moving traffic.

For more information about the purpose of the new 95 Express program and how it works call 1-877-95X-FDOT or 1-877-959 -3368.

Miami Travel Resources:

Vacation Rentals in South Beach

Miami Boat Charters

Luxury Car Rentals of Miami

Calendar of Miami Events 2008

July / August / September / October / November / December

During a time of sky-rocketing food and oil prices and global warming, pressure is leaving households on a budget. However, despite the trend in the economy, international tourism actually grew year-on-year by about 5% by April of 2008 according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization. UNWTO is releasing a prediction in their bi-annual World Tourism Barometer next week that the withstanding growth will continue to increase through 2008. A weakened economy and built-up desire left over since the 9/11 security increase seems to have converted into a travel boom

All tourist destinations have profited from the tourism increase in 2008, although it happened faster for North America due to the weaker dollar. On the other hand, everything evolved more slowly in Europe because of a stronger euro. The top three travel destinations benefited rank in the following order:

1. Middle East
2. Asia
3. Latin America

Egypt, Morocco, China, South Korea, Cambodia, Nepal, El Salvador, Peru, Sweden, Latvia, Montenegro and Israel all underwent double digit growth rates.

Although they can not perform any miracles for Global Warming, UNTWO believes that tourism can help the economies current financial state as it balances payments and promotes the work of farmers, fishers, handcrafters and those in the hospitality industry.

Miami’s Recommended Travel Resources:

Miami Beach Vacation Rentals

Miami Tourist Guide

Calendar of Miami Events 2008

July / August / September / October / November / December

Everglades City is a tiny fishing village on the northwest border of Everglades National Park, the third largest national park in the lower forty eight, after Death Valley and Yellowstone, as well as the largest remaining subtropical wilderness in the continental United States.

In Everglades City, you can stay at the Ivey House Bead & Breakfast, the first places in Collier County designed by the state as green lodging, for its reductions in waste and power and water use.

There are several dining options in Everglades City, mainly fish restaurants, you will find there the Oyster House, Everglades Seafood Depot, and Camilla Street Grill. Even though Everglades City is quite small, you can be sure there are many things to do there. The ideal way to take a tour of Everglades National Park from Everglades City is by boat. It is highly recommended to take a tour that will be mainly centered on the water. This way your whole experience is going to be more environmental-friendly. Do not get me wrong, I am not talking about air boats! Apart from airboat operators, you can also find other less invasive water operator tours providing kayak excursions, among other kinds of watercraft excursions.

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Most of the tours provide a visit to Everglades National Park. At the Park, the four visitor’s centers and ranger stations ar open 365 day a year. However, their hours can vary by season, opening between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Everglades National Park boat tours depart daily numerous times from 9:00 a.m. thru 4:30 p.m. from the park’s Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City. The Ten Thousand Island Tour lasts 90 minutes and costs $26.50; half a price for children. While the Man-grove Wilderness Tour, which lasts and hour and 45 minutes, costs $35, and half of that for kids under 12 years old.

Among the top eco-friendly tour operators in Everglades City, Everglades Rentals & Eco Adventures provides day and overnight guided tours, as well as equipment rental and shut5tle services from October through April.

Florida Everglades Eco Adventure Tours’ Contact Information:

Everglades National Park www.nps.gov/ever
Ivey House 239-695-3299 www.iveyhouse.com
Everglades National Park Boat Tours 239-695-2591
Gulf Coast Visitor’s Center 239-695-3311
Everglades Rentals & Eco Adventures 239-695-3299 www.evergladesadventures.com

Calendar of Miami Events 2008

June / July / August / September / October

Chic, distinction, warmth, and intimacy are the main words when defining boutique hotels in Miami, Florida, which seem to attract a niche of customers looking for a special and differentiated property able to fulfill their individual needs.

Ever since the beginning of the 21st century, the hotel industry has become increasingly packed with big monopolies of hotel chains. These hotels chains, mostly based in North America, thrived in selling uniformity across the U.S. These days, visitors of the city of Miami look forward to more than simply comfort and convenience; therefore, when they are planning trips to Miami, they seek hotels that are noticeably different in look and feel from branded hotels. Boutique hotels in Miami and South Beach seem to be the ideal solution for those travelers looking for intimacy and differentiation.

Boutique hotels are believed to have been invented in the early 1980s, and normally target travelers who are in their early 20s to mid-50s, with mid- to upper-income averages. In Miami Florida, the most emblematic boutique hotels are located in the South Beach Art Deco District. They usually consist of old art deco style buildings which have been completely renovated to fit on the boutique hotel definition. Some of the well-known South Beach boutique hotels are: Colony, Blue Moon, Delano, Catalina, Townhouse, Victor, Sanctuary, Shore Club, Astor, and Whitelaw. Many of these Miami hotels were revitalized by their owners, repositioning them as hip boutique hotels by mixing historic details with chic elegance.

Most boutique hotels in Miami are small buildings that do not exceed 150 rooms. Many rich and famous think that what differentiates Miami boutique hotels from standardized Miami hotels is the connection that hotel guests experience with the hotel staff and the service offered.

Stay in a Miami boutique hotel to experience something different!

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This Week Events in Miami /  Upcoming Concerts in Miami

Upcoming Big Miami Events, Miami Florida Festival

Erotic Art Exhibition in Miami, Miami Events

Miami Summer Shorts Festival

Calendar of Miami Events 2008

June / July / August / September / October