Travel advice for Miami, Cuba and France

CRUISE CAPITAL: Miami is known as the Magic City and is in Florida’s southeast. It has the busiest passenger and ship movements in the world and offers many attractions on and off the water due to its tropical weather.
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OUR daughter and son-in-law are moving to Miami and we are going to visit in November. None of us have any experience of the US and hope you can give us some travel tips and must-see places in Miami.

Doc: I hope they are used to hot and steamy weather as Miami’s climate is tropical monsoon, which means hot and humid summers with short and warm winters. Miami’s hurricane season is June 1 to November 30, so perhaps look at going towards the end of November. It’s because of this warm weather that boating, sailing and fishing are popular and there are many marinas, bays and the Atlantic Ocean to enjoy. Biscayne Bay is popular for snorkelling and scuba diving due to its many coral reefs. Miami has over 80 parks and the largest is Bayfront Park which has monuments and the open-air Bayside Market.

A few blocks to the north is Bicentennial Park where the Miami Science and Art Museums are relocating.

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Be sure to check out Coral Castle, built by an eccentric recluse, no one really knows how he single-handedly managed to lift and manoeuvre blocks of coral weighing up to 30 tonnes each – it is said he died knowing the secret of how the pyramids were built. Take a canoe ride out to Chicken Key from the Charles Deering Estate. On this mangrove island you will see sea turtles and different bird species. The Deering Estate has many historic buildings and nature trails and will cost $10 for admission, it’s free though if you have a Miami Go Card.

You can buy an adult Go Card for about $64 for one day and $200 for seven days, this then gives you free entry to all 35 Miami attractions. Available from Smart Destinations it will help you skip lines and save about 55 per cent on entry costs.

Miami is now also known as the cruise capital of the world, being the busiest in passenger and ship movements. So, perhaps consider a short cruise during your visit. Cruise About have three-night Bahamas cruises starting at about $460 a person twin share. Don’t forget to get your ESTA – Electronic System for Travel Authorization in order before you go. Be aware, this is the only official ESTA website and the only one to use, the others are third party and not affiliated with the US Government.

MY FIANCE and I are looking at Cuba for our honeymoon after a few weeks travelling the US. We are looking at an all inclusive package in possibly Varadera (or similar) to relax for a week, but we also wish to see the real Cuba. What are our options? Also, are there any issues with regards to entering Cuba via America because of their frosty relationship?

Doc: There are issues – you are unable to enter Cuba direct from the US but, you can fly from Los Angeles to either Mexico City or Cancun with Cubana Airlines or via the Bahamas. Jason from Caribbean Destinations, a Melbourne-based company, has suggested their Cuba Western Highlights Tour.

It begins in Old Havana where you visit the Museum of the Revolution and a cigar factory to see how Cuba’s Havana cigars are still being made by hand, before heading to the UNESCO heritage town of Trinidad. Included on tour is Cuba’s main tobacco region, a huge orchid garden with more than 20,000 plants, sampling local coffee and dining at a farmer’s house. This tour is priced from $1874 a person, twin share, and can include airport transfers. Once in Varadero, stay at the Paradisus Varadero on the beach, for around $300 a night with all meals, snacks, drinks and alcoholic drinks included.

The hotel can arrange motorbike and car hire. Cuba Excursions provides day trips with pick up from your hotel. Try the Crucero del Sol Catamaran and Dolphin tour, it’s about $110, departs daily and includes a swim with dolphins, snorkelling and seafood lunch.

WE ARE three couples travelling to France next year. We are considering staying in apartments or holiday houses at Avignon and Paris. Is there a reputable website you could recommend?

Doc:
France Voyage is a trustworthy website that has an extensive list of resources on France. Using this site, you can customise your own itinerary by using your arrival and departure points, your interests, length of stay and other variables, then print this to take with you or download to your mobile phone. Or, if you would rather follow suggested routes, there are themed itineraries that you can follow according to your personal taste. When looking for your apartment or holiday house in the rental section, you enter the information on how many people, the services you require and your budget range. Based on this criteria, you will receive an outline of what accommodation is available, including distances from the nearest city, prices, site information, photos and the contact details of the manager of the property. France Voyage also provide detailed advice on events in the area, restaurant suggestions, places of interest and maps, all available for you to download.