I loved here. AMO aqui. I enjoyed very Spanish and Cuban culture…read more There were a lot of restaraunts and suvenier shops. I felt history. I loved the chickens. They were so adrable that I could not eat them!

More like 4.5 stars. I like Little Havana. I really don't come here very often. In fact, I have…read morebeen more on the west side of 8th Street compared to Little Havana. I find the Little Havana area to be charming. There are some nice restaurants in this area. I got to eat at Ciao Havana and was happy eating there. There is Old's Sandwich near there. That looked really good. I would like.to.eat there at some point. I like this area because of the history. I walked by a barber shop and saw how busy it was and how the barbershop seemed to be taking pride in their work. That is so nice to see. I look forward to coming back to this area. It is a nice break from Broward where I live.

Another great excursion during your staycation or if you're visiting something other than the…read morebeach! This "village" was built in 1926-1927, and was designed by architects John and Coulton Skinner. They are supposed to resemble a 15th century French village. It's difficult to see much beyond the white stuccoed walls as you walk around the block. However, the profusion of flowers is amazing with wisteria and bougainvillea. The connected houses were not always privately owned. In 1935, the Village was sold to nearby University of Miami and served as homes to five fraternities. Next, during World War II like most of the iconic Art Deco hotels in South Beach, they were used to house soldiers here for training.

George Merrick is the founder of the City of Coral Gables. His family came to Miami from PA two…read moreyears after Henry Flagler brought the railroad to Florida. It was the dawn of the development of Florida. George Merrick attended Rollins College in Winter Park and in 1922 he meticulously planned Coral Gables. The houses were so well made that they survived hurricanes before there were building codes and his architecture was so charming that Coral gables is called the city beautiful. He also created the University of Miami. At first he wanted his buildings to be strictly Spanish and later Mediterranean style. Eventually he expanded his vision to include seven unique villages inspired by different international influences. The villages were built during the land boom years in the 1920's. It was a joint venture between Merrick, The American Building Company and former Ohio Governor Myers Cooper. The original plan was for more 1,000 residences in a series of villages based on architecture from around the world. The plan was never fully realized when the housing boom crashed from two hurricanes followed by the Great Depression. In the end only seven villages were built including this French Normandy Village. By 1928 George Merrick was forced out of the city he founded and ended up in the Keys. He returned to the city two years before he died to serve as postmaster. You can learn more about George Merrick by taking a tour of his family home in Coral Gables. The French Normandy village is based on a 15th century French Village. It is one of three of Merrick's villages that showcases different periods of French architecture. Architects John and Coulton Skinner built the eleven townhouses that make up this village between 1926 and 1927. The townhouses are characterized by hollow tile, poured concrete, and white stucco are crisscrossed with half timbering and topped by flat, shingled, gabled roofs. The grounds have traditional kitchen gardens, enclosed courtyards, and open-air porches. The village is bounded by LeJeune Road, Viscaya Court, Viscaya Avenue, and Alesio Avenue. In 1935 all of the French Normandy townhouses were purchased by the University of Miami to use as men's dormitories. During World War II, they were used as barracks for soldiers. Today they are all privately owned. The homes in the villages are some of the most sought after residences in the Gables. They rarely go up for sale and are always in high demand. Today there are 80 homes left. Expect to pay close to a million for a French Normandy residence. Once you see these beautiful homes you can easily understand why they are so coveted.

George Merrick is the founder of the City of Coral Gables. His family came to Miami from PA two…read moreyears after Henry Flagler brought the railroad to Florida. It was the dawn of the development of Florida. George Merrick attended Rollins College in Winter Park and in 1922 he meticulously planned Coral Gables. The houses were so well made that they survived hurricanes before there were building codes and his architecture was so charming that Coral gables is called the city beautiful. He also created the University of Miami. At first he wanted his buildings to be strictly Spanish and later Mediterranean style. Eventually he expanded his vision to include seven unique villages inspired by different international influences. The villages were built during the land boom years in the 1920's. It was a joint venture between Merrick, The American Building Company and former Ohio Governor Myers Cooper. The original plan was for more 1,000 residences in a series of villages based on architecture from around the world. The plan was never fully realized when the housing boom crashed from two hurricanes followed by the Great Depression. In the end only seven villages were built including this Italian Village. By 1928 George Merrick was forced out of the city he founded and ended up in the Keys. He returned to the city two years before he died to serve as postmaster. You can learn more about George Merrick by taking a tour of his family home in Coral Gables. Built between 1925 and 1926, the French Country Village was inspired by 18th-century rural French provincial farmhouse estates and chateauxs. There are two different style of architecture. Architect Frank Forster designed country homes and farm buildings and architects Edgar Albright and Philip L. Goodwin designed a rustic chateaux style of home. They were all built in the country style and they have have spacious yards and gardens. Design elements include steeply-pitched roofs, turrets, carved wood and wrought-iron balconies, red brick, and tall ceilings. You can find them on the 500 block of Hardee Road. When you see this neighborhood you feel like you stepped into Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Belle sings there must be more than this provincial life but I would be quite happy here. Since there are only 12 homes the demand for them is extremely high. When they do hit the market the price is over 2 million if you could even be lucky enough to get one.

See my other reviews there are a few "villages" in Coral Gables to depict different styles from…read morearound the world, this area is French country. See below for some information. French Country Village On the 500 block of Hardee Road are homes inspired by 18th century rural French architecture. This thematic district has two evident styles. Architect Frank Forster designed the farm styled homes, while architects Edgar Albright, and Phillip L. Goodwin designed the homes that are more rustic in style. I came for a drive around during covid - and definitely saw "French architectural styles" from the car, check out my pictures and you decide!

Gables by the Sea is a beautiful community that is located next to the ocean side in Coral Gables…read more The houses that reside here can only be dreamt of. Although expensive if you enter these houses you would understand why they are so pricey! I have family that lives here and as far as we can see it is a secure neighborhood that can only be described as luxurious. Before you enter a security guard writes down your license plate number. They occasionally ask where you are going but do not appear to be too strict. I do not know how the residents feel about that.

George Merrick is the founder of the City of Coral Gables. His family came to Miami from PA two…read moreyears after Henry Flagler brought the railroad to Florida. It was the dawn of the development of Florida. George Merrick attended Rollins College in Winter Park and in 1922 he meticulously planned Coral Gables. The houses were so well made that they survived hurricanes before there were building codes and his architecture was so charming that Coral Gables is called the city beautiful. He also created the University of Miami. At first he wanted his buildings to be strictly Spanish and later Mediterranean style. Eventually he expanded his vision to include seven unique villages inspired by different international influences. The villages were built during the land boom years in the 1920's. It was a joint venture between Merrick, The American Building Company and former Ohio Governor Myers Cooper. The original plan was for more 1,000 residences in a series of villages based on architecture from around the world. The plan was never fully realized when the housing boom crashed from two hurricanes followed by the Great Depression. In the end only seven villages were built including this French City Village. By 1928 George Merrick was forced out of the city he founded and ended up in the Keys. He returned to the city two years before he died to serve as postmaster. You can learn more about George Merrick by taking a tour of his family home in Coral Gables. Built in 1925, the French City Village is inspired by 18th-century French town homes. The village is bounded by Maggiore Street, San Vicente Street, Caligula Avenue, and Barbarossa Avenue. The homes are characterized by stately entrance halls, enclosed courtyards, walled kitchen gardens, open-air porches, French doors, and ornate moldings. Two architects designed the homes in this village. Philip L. Goodwin, the Beaux Arts architect designed the homes on the south side of Hardee Road. They are more rustic but still have a formal and classical design. Architect Mott B. Schmidt known for his work with American Georgian Classicism, designed the homes on the north side of Hardee Road. He took his inspiration from the Renaissance architecture of Italy. Fourteen years after Goodwin designed the houses in Coral Gables, he worked with modernist Edward Durell Stone to design the original, Museum of Modern Art in New York. If you are interested in one of these homes expect to pay north of two million. The largest home, on the largest lot in the French City Village at 1030 Hardee Road was listed for four million. Absolutely gorgeous architecture. C'est magnifique!

The French City Village is across the street(s) from the French Country Village. These houses were…read moreinspired by a formal and classical style of 18th century French city architecture. So interesting to stroll around the block and compare the two styles. The French Country Village draws on two distinct 18th century French building styles: rural farmsteads designed by architect Frank Forster and rustic chateaux designed by Edgar Albright and Phillip L Goodwin. Architectural elements of the twelve properties include French mansard roofs, rounded towers, wrought iron balconies and red brick. If you can peak into the gardens. Such an interesting part of community's history

Ahol Sniffs Glue is a local street artist that has blown up the scene! I had the chance to visit…read morehis pop up shop in downtown Miami. It is selling collectibles and other one of a kind, exclusive items you can only get there! They are limited editions so hurry up if you want to get some dope stuff before it runs out for eva!! From his FB page: The South Florida native is best known for his soaring urban murals depicting expansive fields of drowsy eyes, reflecting his unique vision of life, labor and unrequited love of the mean streets of Miami. On top of being a dope artist, Ahol is a hell of a guy! Humble, nice and is all about spreading the love to his fans and the Miami community at large! He has work at local MDCPS schools, works with homeless shelters, is very compassionate with kids and an overall nice dude! This is why I support him! : ) Anyone can have art displayed in a gallery. It not everyone has the love, dedication and desire to help their community!

While driving through Wynwood, this colorful, large scale mural of a baroque alligator caught my…read moreeye. It is located at the front gates to Mana Wynwood a culture, arts. and events center. Artist Miguel Ángel Sánchez also known ad SATURNO was invited to paint the Tea Gator mural by Superchief Gallery based out of Los Angeles, New York, and Miami. The gallery was tasked with finding artists to paint the walls of Wynwood for the prestigious art festival in 2019 . SATURNO was already part of a gallery exhibit when they asked him to paint one of the walls. SATURNO is a Spanish artist who was born near Barcelona. He started off as a graffiti artist in the mid 1990's in Europe and has since gone on to create art featuring illustrated monsters and characters with exaggerated proportions. I love the details in the mural. The regal alligator is dressed in the finest and dripping in Jewels. There is a teapot on his back billowing colorful steam. SATURNO chose to use an alligator as the subject because of their connection to Florida. The rough skin contrasts with the porcelain of the teapot and the delicate feathers and flowers. The teapot represents the mind. always boiling with new ideas while the gold armor represents the subconscious which holds our most precious family, goals and experiences under protection just below the surface. It is hard to photograph the entire mural because the building bends. You have to see Tea Gator in person to fully appreciate the majesty of the artwork.

Beautiful place to dock your boat and have lunch in the park…read more No Name Harbor is a natural harbor on Key Biscayne, Florida. It is located within the boundaries of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. In the 19th century, the site served as a food-rich rookery for herons, egrets, and other species of wildlife. Originally, the site was privately owned prior to the creation of the state park. Several development plans indicated the land was slated for the construction of condominiums and residential homes. The surrounding land was cleared for development in the 1950s, and charts identified the body of water as "No Name Harbor". The plans failed, and the harbor's name was retained.

Beautiful park and water. HOWEVER...we are moored here on our friend's sailboat and the music from…read moreother boats is so loud that we cannot talk over it. Not just an hour...all day and late into the night. No one observes the rules here. People swim even though very large boats are in and out of the harbor and it is posted that there is no swimming. What started out as a great time turned sour quickly.