Greater Miami enjoys a subtropical climate that ensures plenty of sunshine all year round. Sun protection is advised, even when temperatures are moderated by cool ocean breezes. Rainfall occurs mainly during summer and early autumn. Summer humidity levels are usually between 85-90 percent, making Miami one of the most humid cities in the US.

Miami is particularly well known for its Cuban restaurants and the city's cuisine is predominantly floribean(a combination of Latin, American and Caribbean). Eateries include everything from steakhouses and cafés to Italian, Oriental and Middle Eastern restaurants.

Emeril's is a sophisticated venue specialising in fine Creole food; its elegant décor and luxurious design is also remarkable. Palme d'Or was voted the best restaurant in South Florida and offers glamorous dining at the prestigious Biltmore Hotel. Shoji Sushi is distinguished by its fusion of Japanese and North American cooking, and its authentic Japanese sushi box technique. Miami's premier seafood restaurant, Joe's Stone Crabs, has flourished since its 1913 beginnings as a sidewalk vendor and is celebrated for its stone crab claws.

Señor Frogs has an appealingly trendy atmosphere and affordable menu; the place to go for cheesy food, potent margaritas and a great mariachi band. A popular spot with the locals, Versailles is where Miami's Cuban power brokers meet over café con leche; the diverse menu offers humble, authentic and extremely tasty Cuban dishes. So, with an appetite and wallet to match, take on Miami's impressive and varied gastronomy!

The mainstay of the Miami public transport system is the Metrobus; however, the network is large, and it takes some time to get used to. The fare is standard to any destination. If you need to change buses, ask for a transfer when buying your ticket, which costs extra. There is also an elevated train service called the Metrorail, which connects North and South Miami with stations at one mile intervals, and an elevated monorail, the Metromover, which offers great views of downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay and connects with buses and trains. Most visitors, however, take taxis or hire a car. This can be more convenient, as the city is sprawled out over a large area. To rent a car, the driver must be over 21, have a valid credit card and, if from abroad, hold a passport and English language driving license. Local drivers can be aggressive.

Sunny Miami is a great holiday destination for families with kids. This exciting city offers a vast number of attractions and activities for children, many of which parents will enjoy too! From museums to parks and beaches, there is no shortage of places to take kids while on holiday in Miami.

Miami favourites for kids include the outer-space exhibits at the Miami Science Museum, as well as the entertaining killer whale performances at Seaquarium. Children also love seeing Jungle Island's exotic parrots, crocodiles and penguins. And that's just the beginning...

Summer tends to be a bit too warm and stormy for kids on holiday in Miami; most families prefer to go there in winter when the temperatures are a bit more comfortable, and off-season rates for accommodation and attractions are available.

English is the most common language but Spanish is often spoken in south-western states.

The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into 100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars to avoid hassles. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.

Miami's nightlife is hot! The South Beach streets pump with clubs and bars, and there's plenty of partying and live music in the Design District area. Downtown Miami hosts a few trendy venues and Coconut Grove is also a popular party zone. With everything from cocktails and comedy shows to lounges and nightclubs, one night in Miami would never be long enough.

Visitors to Miami might like to start their evening at one of the many cocktail bars, or perhaps the Dan Marino sports bar and restaurant. Visit Greater Miami for flamenco or cabaret shows, or even a drag show! There are also various comedy performances out there, including stand-up, sketch and improvisational comedies.

Miami dance clubs and lounges tend to offer a sultry Latin beat, while nightclub music ranges from Afro-Cuban or rumba rap to indie rock and electro-pop. These clubs are prevalent in downtown Miami and Little Havana, as well as west of the Bay area. Mansions and SET in Miami beach are two of the trendiest clubs.

While Miami may not have too many iconic souvenirs for tourists to work into their budgets, it sure does have a lot to offer the discerning shopper!

A pedestrian promenade lined with palm trees and colourful art deco buildings& doesn't sound like a shopping mall does it? But that's Miami's Lincoln Road Mall, also home to big name labels like G.A.P and Banana Republic. For another 'open mall' experience, The Falls not only has all the usual shops but also a fantastic seating area near the waterfall.

For elite shopping, few places measure up to Bal Harbour Shops, with stores include Tiffany & Co, Prada and Saks Fifth Avenue. Miracle Mile is one of Miami's top shopping locations, hosting over 170 upscale shops and 40 gourmet restaurants within walking distance of each other.

On the waterfront, Bayside Marketplace offers a variety of shops, restaurant and entertainment just moments from downtown Miami. Espanola Way is a quirky, amiable street in Miami Beach filled with stalls selling local arts and crafts on weekends. U.S. 1 Discount Mall is an air-conditioned flea market in Cutler Bay with over 200 vendors ready to satisfy all consumer desires, from belly piercing to tailoring.

Sales Tax of 7% is built into purchase prices; as sales taxes are set at state level, there is no way to obtain a refund from the federal government for non-US visitors. With something for everyone, and then some, Miami is a great city to blow a big wad of holiday cash in.

This lively city has more to it than Miami Vice or Horatio's crime scenes in CSI. With stunning white sand beaches, trendy shopping malls and a variety of both cultural and historic sites, Miami offers a wealth of things to see and do; save money and avoid queues with the Go Miami Card, available throughout the city.

Antique lovers should visit the Vizcaya Villa, built in the Italian Renaissance style in 1916. The Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux is the oldest building in the Western Hemisphere; definitely a 'must see' for history buffs. A romantic, cultural attraction is Coral Castle, which was apparently hand-carved by a man experiencing unrequited love. Famous for its marine life, Miami's Seaquarium is the place to spend time indulging aquatic curiosity. Also worth exploring, Jungle Island has an exciting array of wildlife, from parrots and macaws to crocodiles and penguins.

At the Miami Science Museum, visitors could run into a few aliens! And collections of rare natural history specimens& Don't be put off by the exterior of Miami-Dade Cultural Centre; it houses a plethora of interesting artistic and historic exhibits, and the Miami Art Museum. Another collection of art and design, depicting popular culture from 1885 to 1945, is on display at the Wolfsonian Museum.

This is all made possible by sunny skies and ample public transport, but avoid hurricane season (June to November) and the crowds of spring break in March. While in vibrant Miami, with so many great sightseeing and cultural attractions, there won't actually be time to catch those TV shows!