10 Things To Do in Miami That Aren't Sunbathing

I am not going to lie, I love sunbathing. I am a sea creature and always have been. The smell of the seaside, the warmth of the sun kissing your skin and the refreshing touch of the seawater is an experience I’d like to have over and over again.

However, I understand this may not be everybody’s taste. There’s a time and place for everything.

And it wasn’t until I recently visited my bestie Pat in Miami that I wondered: what would I do in the city if I weren’t at the beach?

OUR TOP 10-PICKS

1. South Beach Art Deco Walk

Whilst it may sound a bit of a cliche, the reality is that walking through Ocean Drive is pretty damn cool and a must if you are visiting Miami.

We recommend starting your route at the famous Avalon Hotel and follow the beach footpath that will transport you back to the American 1920s. Along the way you will see Muscle Beach (the Florida version of LA’s Venice Beach), Versace’s Villa Casa Casuarina and Mango’s Tropical Cafe, a hot spot if you like a bit of salsa dancing. How long is your walk will depend on how much time you’ve got. We suggest an hour walk up until Collins Park and round up your trail with a drink and a tee souvenir at Sweet Liberty. Pro-tip: If you go there between 4-8pm you have Happy Hour that you can pair with delicious oysters.

2.

LifeGuard
Towers Walk

An alternative walk to the Soutch Beach Art Deco happens at the beach itself.

The lifeguard towers of Miami Beach are also known for its Art Deco and colourful palettes and are a fun walk on an sunny day. Pro-tip: If you’d like to take pictures with nobody around, we suggest an early morning walk, or else you may have plenty of people around you.

Currently there are 31 lifeguard towers, so once again your walk can be as long as you like. We suggest starting on 10th street and walk your way up to The Confidante or Cecconi’s, where you can grab yourself a rewarding drink and a bite. Alternatively, you can have a pitstop at Broken Shaker at the Freehand, a great spot for afterwork drinks as well.

3. SuperBlue Miami Exhibition

If you are into immersive experiences, then don’t look further, SuperBlue is your no.1 place in Miami.

Superblue hosts a series of interactive experiences from renown artists such as James Turrell (whose art featured in Drake’s Hotline Bling Video) and Es Devlin. I could go on to explain what you’ll encounter, but I think it’s best for you to be suprised by it. And you will.

4.
Perez Art Museum Visit

Art lovers out there, you are in for a treat in Miami. The Perez Museum is only one of the many museums available in this city and all of them have great talent to showcase. We liked the Perez because it showcased a lot of contemporary Latinx, African and Caribbean artists, and also Miami based artists, something that perhaps we are not so used to see elsewhere.

5. NBA Game Experience

Even if you are not a basketball fan, coming to a Miami Heat game will be an experience of a lifetime.

The atmosphere, the excitement, the cheerleaders, the play itself. It is a major show, one not to be missed. Pro-tip: avoid being ripped off with drinks in the stadium (20$ for a can of beer!) and have a few before the game. Also make sure you arrive with enough time to go through security (30-min prior) as we cut it a bit short and almost missed the beginning of the show.

6. Dance and Discover Little Havana Nights

Little Havana is Miami’s vibrant Cuban heart, and despite what many may say, it’s a fabulous area to visit. The neighborhood is centered around Calle Ocho (Southwest 8th Street) and it truly comes to live in the evening time. Pro-tip: visit the area on the weekend and make sure you book a table at Cafe La Trova, you can dine whilst listening to incredible live Cuban Music! Then hit the dance floor at Ball & Chain and top the night off with ice cream at Azucar.

7. Wynwood Walls

You could spend a full day in Wynwood (more on this soon), but if you had to pick one thing to do here it has to be Wynwood Walls.

Wynwood use to be a warehouse district and it wasnt until it was filled by street art and up and coming cafes and shops that it became what it is now. Pro-tip: get the ticket with the tour guide, it’s worth getting that extra information about the artists on display. After the tour, hit La Tropical brewery for good vibes and craft beer.

8. See Miami From A Boat

You haven’t experience the full Miami life until you get on a boat, pump up the tunes and drink your day away touring the caribbean sea on a private boat.

Whilst some may think this is an expensive adventure, if you gather a group of friends, say 8-10pax, you could afford a nice yatch for $100 per person for a half day session.

9. Workout In An Unusual Location with StayFit 305

From a bootcamp session at hip Undone basketball court in Wynwood to a running session at The Moxy South beach, Stay Fit 305 always has a fun and entertaining work out ready for you. Stay tuned with their latest by signing up to their newsletter.

10. Feel Like A Princess at Vizcaya

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

A National Historic Landmarket from the 1920s, the Vizcaya Musum & Gardens is one of those places that you’d never think you’d find in Miami. An Estate Home more appropiate for the English than the Americans, this beautiful villa hosts 32 decorated rooms and 10 acres of incredible gardens. A lot of quinceaneras and weddings take place here, so definitely dress the part if you want to take some lovely pics. This place is stunning.

Enjoy careless readers,

TCB xx

Barcelona From The Sky (Updated 2024)

Rooftop Loving

Favorites in the city

If there is something that any city lover would enjoy during the summertime, it is a good drink in a rooftop bar surrounded with good friends. Lucky you, Barcelona is catching up with this trend and there are plenty of choices to enjoy this cosmopolitan city from above street level. The options will vary depending on your taste, budget and city view, but there is an alternative for everybody.

For Scenic Views of The City

Hotel Colon

has stunning view of the Cathedral of Barcelona and its surroundings in the Gothic Quarter.

Alaire Terrace Bar

The Rooftop of Hotel Condes de Barcelona is an old-time favorite and has excellent views of Gaudi’s masterpiece La Pedrera.

Ayre Rosellon

Gives you the best view of Sagrada Familia you’ll ever get.

Ohla Hotel

Has a phenomenal infinity pool (guests only) overlooking Barcelona’s neighborhood El Born

For After Shopping

Hotel Pulitzer

A throw away from Barcelona’s busies square (Placa Catalunya) and has fabulous DJ sessions for a fun afterwork evening

Casa Fuster

Perfect stopover after walking shopping mile Passeig de Gracia

For a Cooling Forest in the City

Cotton House

A relaxing and trendy spot in an old Cotton Factory. Food is also fabulous but make sure you bring mosquito repellent with you!

To relax in the Heart of Gracia

Hotel La Casa Del Sol

Love Gracia but need a break from its buzz? Head to the top of this hidden hotel and dip in the pool (accessible for all customers!) whilst sipping a cheap and cheerful drink. Definitely a must in the area!

For less iconic (but still awesome) views

La Isabela

At the Hotel 1989 near Las Ramblas, this is a perfect option if you are in this part of town and want to get lovely views of Montjuic.

Hotel Duquesa de Cardona

For the Harbour-view lovers

10 Things To Know About Travelling To Cuba

• Travelling direct to Cuba (from the UK) is only available via a packaged holiday online. If you want to book flights only you’ll need to get on the phone with Virgin (the only airline that flights direct) and sort everything on the phone.

• You will need a visa before entering the country. This usually is provided to you by the airline but please double check as you won’t be allowed in the country otherwise.

• You can only get cuban currency once you are in the country, and it’s better if you get cash in Havana as ATMs get scarce when you travel through the country.

• Internet is extremely limited. You will only have access to it in public parks and international luxury hotels. In order to get access to internet, you’ll have to get “internet cards” which you can buy for USD4 either at these hotels or for USD2 at the bank or postal services. These cards will give you internet access for ~1hr

• Staying at private “casas” (cuban apartments) is a must and part of the experience. Not only you’ll get to see how cubans live but also will get to interact with the local community and live in colonial-style apartments during your stay. If I can only recommend you one thing for this trip is that you stay at Miriam and Sinai’s Casa in Old Havana. This was by far the best decision we made on this trip. The girl’s hospitality was fantastic (Miriam is like a Cuban Mamma!), and throughout the trip they hooked us up with other casas when and where we needed. They also helped us get private salsa dance lessons and booked us in the hottest restaurants in Havana.

• You can travel the country on frenzy public buses (‘viazul’). Whilst a little bit tricky to buy online, it is definitely worth spending the time doing so as the seats get booked up pretty quickly and you wouldn’t want to get stranded while in transit! They are the only cheap and cheerful option unless you book yourself a car, which is advise against on (they are very old cars and they tend to break down unexpectedly), or a private taxi.

• There is a pre-set itinerary that the government seems to want you to follow: Havana-Trinidad-Vinales and if you try to do it the other way around is slightly more complicated to achieve. Nevertheless, we are stubborn and manage to do so on public bus very successfully!

• Salsa lessons in Havana or Trinidad are a nice taste of Cuba. Cubans are extremely friendly (and patient) and they will help you get some of their moves in you if they can. Both Havana and Trinidad are known for their salsa, there are a few clubs were to practice. However, if you are a beginner, I would start by getting private classes as the clubs can be a little intimidating!

• Mojito is the national drink and you’ll find it quicker than water. And cheaper than £1.

• Food all over the country is quite average compared to a westernised palate. But you have to acknowledge that they still live in socialism and food is scarce. Tourists get more food than locals and are making affordability of resources more difficult.

  Be kind! Safe Travels :)

Cuba Linda

GET HOOKED ON A 14-DAY HOLIDAY IN CUBA

Check out TCB’s guideline on how to spend two-weeks in this untouched paradise.

Go back to the 50s in Old Havana

The beauty of Cuba doesn’t rely on what to see but rather on the people and their lifestyle. Relaxed and content, the Cubans are known for their happy take on life. I am sure many of them would like things to run differently, but at least they try to stay positive, and I could not relate more to that.

You can see Havana in very little time, but you won’t FEEL Havana unless you spend 3-5 days in it. The rhythm of the city is something that you need to get used to it, and we loved it.

Walking through the Capitol and immersing ourselves into the streets of Old Havana was extremely fun. We stopped at many key spots along the way, including El Floridita and La Bodeguita del Medio, bars frequently visited by Hemingway in his visits to Cuba, as well as other lesser known spots. Beware, these places (like Tropicana and Buena Vista Social Club) are nice, but are also extremely touristy and therefore you’ll have to cue to stay in a very small bar when there’s plenty others lesser known and as good. Pick your choices wisely!

Of course, there are a few museums you can visit and that are worth visiting: Museo de la Revolucion gives you a great overview of Cuba’s history (though most of it it’s in Spanish so make sure you get a guide) and the Museum of Fine Arts is also worth checking out. Just make sure you check opening times as we missed a few museums because of this!

Food-wise, there are two musts in Old Havana: La Guarida and Michifu. Both in the same street! The first one is in an old colonial house and has kept its appearance to make it look more decadent. The second is much more contemporary and hosts la creme de la creme of the city. A restaurant for every vibe.

Another fun thing to do whilst in the city is renting a 50s car. Surprisingly to most, you’ll see these cars all over Cuba. One would have thought that such gas-heavy cars would be extinguished by now but they are all there! Expensive and probably terrible for the planet but damn we loved riding on it.

Now, if you like dancing and/ or cuban music (probably one of the reasons why you are visiting the country?) then you need to visit Club 1830 by the Malecon. This is a restaurant during the day but at night it becomes THE place to be for cuban salsa lovers. Even if you are a beginner, you’ll have fun people watching.

Immerse yourself in the tobacco fields of Vinales

Viñales is quite a touristy town (most locals live of tourism here) but you can’t leave the country without stopping here.

Viñales serves as a gateway to the Sierra de los Organos mountains and the Viñales Valley. The valley is known for its steep-sided limestone hills, known as mogotes, and the infamous tobacco fields where Cuban cigars are made.

The most fun you’ll have here is by hiking the valley and visiting the tobacco fields. You’ll need a guide to get to these places and you’ll probably have to haggle, but it will be worth it. Just make sure they are up for a good walk!

We had to persuade our guide A LOT but in the end we had an amazing time and we ended up engaging with Cubans living up in the hills. Sipping coffee and talking tales with them was certainly a highlight.

Go fully isolated into Playa Larga and Playa Giron

I must warn you: I don’t think we would rush to go back to Playa Larga. It was extremely secluded, difficult to get to, and the promised beautiful turquoise beaches without the fuss of tourists were not a reality. Not only because the beaches did not look like in the pictures but also because the customer service there (at least in the casa were we stayed) was below average.

However, if you like to get yourself immerse into true Cuban life, this is certainly your spot. There are few tourists in town, all restaurants are extremely local and you get fresh fish from the sea and live music at the main square almost every night. Why would you need more? Sun, Food and relaxing time. No stress to be found here!

Side-note: Los Cayos is where the most beautiful beaches are in Cuba, but unfortunately due to international tourism, Cubans are not allowed in, which is extremely sad and why we recommend visiting other parts of the country (unless this is the only purpose of your holiday).

Cienfuegos, home of Son Cubano

Translated to “100 fires”, Cienfuegos is a lovely city to visit on your way to Trinidad. Many argued you can skip it but we in fact had a great time there.

Cienfuegos is very cultural. Cafes and live music are bursting at every corner and one of the key figures of Son Cubano, Benny More, was born here.

More over, the city’s architecture is worth admiring, rich and colonial with grand promenades.

Hot spots in town include The Yatch Club where you’ll have amazing live music and dance whilst seeing the sunset and Jose Marti Park, where you will find most of the museums and theatres. Worth a visit is the Museo de las Artes Palacio Ferrer (which has a stunning rooftop overlooking the city) and the Teatro Tomas Terry.

Stay at The Heart of Cuban Music and Dance, Trinidad

This city has so much to offer. We absolutely loved it and were gutted to stay only for two nights. If you can, we recommend you to stay for at least 3-5 days.

During the day, Trinidad seems sleepy; but that is only on the surface. Only 15minutes away (by taxi drive) you have great beaches to spend the day on or if you are more into adventures, 15 minutes away you can also access to beautiful waterfalls at Parque El Cubano.

One thing is key: when the sun sets, be sure to be back in city, as Trinidad is at its best when the sun goes down. Music bursts everywhere, especially in the main square where lots of live musicians will fight for your attention. People salsa dancing everywhere and generally a super fun atmosphere. We. Loved. It

And if you don’t want the night to finish, you can head to the super discoteque inside the caves uphill, Disco Ayala. Definitely on the commercial and taky side, but worth the hike as its quite unique.

Lastly, taste Havana with a twist

To finish up your trip, head to the newest part of Havana, where hip Fabrica del Arte hosts the funkiest art and cultural events in town. Next to it there is the restaurant El Cocinero, the place to be for dinner. Make a reservation in advance or prepare for queuing, it is a hot spot!

TCB xx

The East London Series: Dalston

The Hackney Series

Dalston, the neighborhood that tries to never sleep

If you’ve been reading our entries for quite some time, you’ll know that Dalston is a place very close to our heart. We’ve spent nearly three years in this bustling neighbourhood, and it wasn’t until recently that we moved up the street to our now much beloved Stoke Newington.

If you happen to be around the area or are looking to spend a day out East, here are our recommendations for a perfect day in this ends!

Start your day

with good coffee and a pastry at AllPress HQ on Dalston Lane or else head to Dusty Knuckle to indulge in the best bread you’ve tried to date. Dusty Knuckle started as a little truck shop in a back street off Arcola theatre, mostly catering to restaurants and neighbors and now is being sourced pretty much everywhere in London. Rightly so.

If you want to spend some time just walking around and discovering the area, our favorites nearby are HJ Haris Antique & Café Shop and Dalston’s Eastern Curve Garden. The first is a quirky little corner shop that provides phenomenal coffee and hidden gems, all at a very competitive price. The latter is one of the most enchanting garden/ little forests in the middle of the city. On Tuesday nights they host music & entertainment nights while indulging on some pizza and during the weekend they tend to run workshops and serve all-day food.

If you only had a cuppa and now are ready for a proper brunch,

then Brunswick East or L’Atelier should be your choices. I mean, look at these pics!

Now you are fed and ready to continue, you can immerse yourself into Ridley Road Market or go clothing shopping around the numerous thrift shops on Kingsland Road. Towards Haggerston you’ll find Oxfam and St Vincent and towards Stokey you’ll have Pelican & Carrots serving you a more curated selection of luxury goods or Traid and Beyond Retro for superstores on vintage.

Is it time to drink yet?

God, the options are endless for that here. Dalston really is like a playground for adults, and when it comes to nightlife and entertainment it provides the most.

• If you are after wine, then we suggest you try Spanish Deli Furanxo or the more classy Austrian shop Newcomer Wines. Both are fab.

• If you are after cocktails, then the choices are obvious: Untitled for the fashion victims and Three Sheets for the cozy bar lovers. Both serving the best cocktails in town, in our opinion.

• If what you want is a beer and some friendly environment, then The Victoria, Three Compasses or Farr’s School of Dancing are your pubs of choice.

Dinner time

is reserved for Angelina if you are going for a fancy evening out. New kid in town Attawa or Voodoo Ray’s and Del74 are also wonderful cheap and cheerful options.

It’s now nightime

and the drinking shall continue so grab a few cheap drinks at Ridley Road Market Bar whilst listening to some 90’s R&B before heading out. Night out at LGBQT club Superstore is always fun and unexpected though we love mingling with the most fun yet crazy DJ while sipping the cheapest drinks in town at Jazz Bar.

TCB xx