South Beach, Miami

South Beach is world famous as a party playground for the rich and famous. South Beach (aka SoBe) is on Miami beach, a barrier island connected to Miami proper by the MacArthur causeway bridge.

The busiest part of the beach is from Lummus park (5th street, the southern end) through to Collins park (at 21st street). The beach is wide and made up of whitish sand, which can be a little coarse and hard on the feet in places. The beach faces the Atlantic ocean, so strong rip currents can make swimming dangerous - be sure to swim under the watchful eye of a lifeguard perched up on one of the eye-catching Art Deco lifeguard towers.

Off the beach, take a leisurely stroll along Ocean Drive, which is lined with colorful historic Art Deco buildings, every photographer's dream. Stylish hotels now occupy the iconic buildings - most have cool bars and trendy cafés, which front the sidewalk. Behind Ocean Drive you'll find chic boutiques, minimalist art-galleries, upmarket restaurants, some buzzing clubs.