Sugar Factory

Fashionista Michal Harel’s travel diary about her first time experience in Miami. Dealing with the city vibes she compares Miami to her own home town of Tel Aviv. Michal reviews her adventures in Miami and fashionable spots that she recommends to other travelers who visit. Visiting Miami for the first time was an extraordinary experience. As a fashion blogger who lives in Israel and is passionate about travel and lifestyle, I find it interesting to discover new destinations, since traveling makes people grow in a way that it turns them mature. So how does it happen? Well I chose my flight spontaneously to Miami, picked up my bags and entered the other side of the world. Landing at the airport, I felt very curious to find out about the culture of this amazing city. When traveling to a new city, visitors struggle to find the right place to stay. It all depends on the budget and what type of experience each traveler wants. As for me, I wanted to be located in central Miami so that I would be able to walk everywhere within a distance. Finding a suitable place to stay is an important step as it has a significant impact on the overall quality of the trip.  There are two options to consider: 1. Airbnb – where visitors can stay with the locals which allow them to nourish deep into the culture. 2. Hotel – a more expensive option that provides personal services and facilities based on visitors needs. Epic Hotel Balcony View Lobby Roof Top Bay View   As a fashion blogger who travels a lot, it is important for me to choose a place that has the most of Miami’s views for capturing photos. I stayed at the Epic Hotel which is located in Downtown Miami. After receiving a warm welcome from their staff, I turned on my Ford Mustang and went on the road to absorb the city vibes. Watching the sea view on Ocean drive reminds me of my home town in Tel Aviv. That’s when I noticed that my culture was similar to Miami in a way that both cities have hot climate  which affects the way people dress and act. Just as Tel Aviv, I can say Miami is ‘the city that never sleeps’. “Miami feels like home, although I’m far away from Tel Aviv. I was amazed to discover the cities’ similarity.” Miami is all about fun and you can never get bored in this city. The streets are crowded with different cultures of people who value each other. Miamian’s shows a great sense of community. There are tons of roof bars, cafes and restaurants to visit such as Sugar Factory, Mango Tropical Cafe, the famous pizzeria Mister 01, and Full Bloom. These places are visited by many locals; therefore it’s great to experience Miami through their eyes. Sugar Factory Full Bloom Mango Tropical Cafe Mister 01 Fashion Walking the South beach area, I noticed that people were mostly wearing swim suits or dressed in a casual and laid back style. They believe – their priority is to feel comfortable with what they wear. Due to the favorable weather in Miami, people are able to lead a healthy lifestyle filled with fitness clubs and bike lanes – comparable to Rotchild Boulevard in Tel Aviv, which plays a big role in people’s appearance. That also reflects on Miami’s culture, where it is all about freedom of expression by accepting different cultures no matter what’s their race or gender – typical to Tel Aviv. Miami is one of the friendliest city’s that encourages mingling, connecting with other people, unlike other cities in the US such as New York or LA. Betsy Hotel South Beach Ocean Drive Art When traveling, I noticed that each city I have visited has their own form of art. One area in Miami called Wynwood is famous for its graffiti walls. The Wynwood Arts District is home to over 70 Art Galleries, Retail Stores, Antique Shops, Eclectic Bars, and one of the largest open-air street-art installations in the world that is worth the visit. Graffiti –also an art form of expression has been popular over many years as a way to leave imprints on a wall or simply to communicate with others by signing a wall with their names. Graffiti art is very popular among local artists. In Tel Aviv, The Wynwood District reminds me of the Neve Tzedek neighborhood in my home town as they’re both filled with graffiti walls. Llia Torlin Neve Tzedek Experience If anyone is visiting Miami for a short period of time, which does not allow them to experience all of the neighborhoods – then a Helicopter flight would be a good choice as visitors can observe and view the city from the air. Seeing Miami from the sky will give each an unforgettable experience, especially for those who want to overcome their fear and challenge themselves. What to expect: The feeling of courage, a stunning and breathtaking view, the mix of the sky and sea color tones from Miami’s beach strip, and an entire city that looks like mosaic. Throughout my trip to Miami I have realized its similarity to my city – Tel Aviv, and I can definitely say I had the greatest time of my life for the first time as a traveler fashionista. Whether it’s enjoying the amazing sunset by relaxing at the beach, getting a tan and shopping on the Lincoln Road, taking a private cruise to Star Island, riding a jet ski (and overcoming my biggest fears while doing that), or going out to fashionable clubs and restaurants such as Zumma and E11EVEN, Miami is a unique experience! I will miss this amazing city and surely be back again soon. As I always say when a vacation comes to an end… Till the next time! See you soon Miami 🙂 https://www.instagram.com/MICHALH1986/ https://www.facebook.com/MHfashionista/ https://twitter.com/michalh23 http://mhfashionista.com/