Miami South Beach - An International Beach Americans Can Visit Without a Passport

I just love South Beach in Miami. Some people think of it as the international playground for the rich, famous and beautiful people but not me; I live in Florida so I know the 'real' South Beach and trust me you find all kinds there. I have a friend I met while in college recently come back for a visit. He's French and is used to international type beaches, shops, cafes and clubs and often brags that there isn't anything like them anywhere else in the world so while he was here I set out to change his mind.

The first place I took him was, of course, to Lummus Beach. It couldn't have been more perfect if I had planned it, which I hadn't. They where doing a photo shoot for some fashion magazine right there on the beach, my friend was impressed. As we walked along we saw people playing volleyball, building sand castles and wading.

After we finished our walk on the beach we went to a hotel in the Art Deco area, these hotels are dotted all along Ocean Ave. in South Beach and are really great to just walk on the other side of the street and look at. Some of the most recognized ones are the Colony and the Clevelander. South Beach has the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world.

After we went back and got clean up from our day at the beach we headed back to Ocean Ave. for a early dinner at one of the many sidewalk cafes there. If you get there early or in the off season you can get some great deals for dinner and even happy hour drinks. The food in South Beach is world class, many of the chefs' train abroad and then bring their culinary skills home to us. As you'd imagine there's a strong Cuban influence as seen is dishes such as paella and all their wonderful pork and chicken dishes - yum. My friend was impressed with his dinner and I was pleased, after all he's been to some of the best restaurants in France no less; this guy knows a good meal when he gets one and he did.

After we ate I took him to a place called Mango's Tropical Cafe. This place is WILD. When you walk in the first thing you'll notice is that the whole place is painted with bright florescent paint, then you'll see this huge bar jutting out from the middle with dancers on it. Did a mention the dancers, and wait staff for that matter, are very scantily clad? I wasn't able to drag my friend out of there so we could go clubbing until around midnight but that's ok most of the clubs in South Beach don't close until 4 a.m.

They have a whole section of town, mainly Washington Ave., that has several upscale clubs. One of the most well known is the Mansion, they have special guest DJ's on occasion as well as musical guests. B.E.D. (Beverage, Entertainment and Dining) and Cameo are a couple more, B.E.D. New York was even featured on an episode of Sex and the City; all these clubs are located on Washington Ave. My friend and I dragged our butts in at about 2 a.m., which was relatively early by SoBe standards, because we still had one more day together and I had to take him shopping.

So as I was driving my friend to the airport we were discussing all we had seen and done and he agreed, finally, that South Beach was pretty international after all. I tried to tell him that but I'm glad he chose to come and see for himself, we really did have a blast.

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Visit Ireland Without A Passport

Right from the beginning, I should make it clear that this is not an endorsement to skip international boundaries without the relevant paperwork; rather, it is an endeavour to bring to your attention a much overlooked corner of The UK – Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland is a jewel of a place; it has a rugged beauty, friendly people and a unique charm, going there is almost like stepping back 30 years into the past and remembering how England used to be – in more genteel times. Being part of the UK, no passport is needed and a short flight will see you safely landing at Belfast City Airport – a clean, modern and easy to traverse terminus.

A car can easily be hired from the rental desk in the exit lobby and collecting your vehicle is accomplished by walking 25 yards down the road from the airport building. As you leave Belfast you will go past the historic twin cranes of Harland and Wolfe, the shipbuilders that built the SS Titanic, and a tad further on, the majestic sight of Divis Mountain will be your farewell from the Belfast area.

Driving on now, through the heart of the province, we cross wild open moors interspersed by little else but the occasional distant croft, until we reach the town of Coleraine. Coleraine is a major university town straddling either side of the river Bann. Here we can halt for a well deserved meal and an impromptu tour of the town’s shops.

Onward though, along the coast road to Whiterocks Beach. Here the multiple hues of the azure sea offset the white sands that stretch out for miles. The coast is lined with limestone cliffs that over the centuries have been weathered into a magical labyrinth of arches, caves and headlands.

Old shipwrecks litter the waters around Whiterocks, testament to the maritime dangers that belie the areas’ natural beauty.

And now, an appointment with adventure at Carrick-a Rede island. To reach Carrick-a-Rede you must follow a cliff top path for about 20 minutes. From the path you can look down onto isolated coves and pristine beaches, accessible only to the seals that swim thereabouts or to the seabirds that the cliffs are home to.

At the end of the path is your goal, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, a very shaky 30m high rope and plank affair, which spans the 20m to Carrick Island. As you walk across the bridge, the entire structure undulates and a combination of this and the great height has caused many an intrepid tourist to turn back in fright. For those, however, that complete this exhilarating trial, a certificate of achievement is available at the exit.

I could take you onward, to ruined castles long abandoned and to traditional pubs with roaring fires, where locals improvise musical scores late into the night. The wonders of this magnificent land are without end. You have been regaled with only a minute taste of what is in store for visitors here, why not see for yourself, click here [http://www.superbreak.com/browse/location-NIR.htm] to take the first step of an unforgettable adventure – and unlike most journeys, should you forget your passport – no matter.

Phoenix University

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