Write Review
2,071,608 Total Reviews 3,641 New Reviews
8,779 Users Online

Florida

Vizcaya
derkommisar 871 reads
posted


END OF MESSAGE

Related Link: http://vizcaya.org/

SoftlySarah1909 reads

I grew up here, but moved away before I had matured enough to truly appreciate things like theater,  museums and galleries. I had been to the Dali museum as a child, but revisiting it was like seeing it anew! The building is different than the old one, and the museum is amazing. I adore art! I have also pinpointed a few galleries I would like to visit- the Chihuly one comes to mind right away. I love the MOSI, and look forward to going there at least 5 more times to try and get it all in. I have plans to see The Book of Mormon at the Straz center this fall.  

I have been to, studied, and lived in amazing cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Milan, Tokyo and London, and I know they wipe the floor with FL as far as these sorts of pleasures. However, I have been quite impressed with the Bay Area's offerings, and am happily lapping them all up.

What are some of your favorite places/cultural pleasures where you are?

ReplyQuoteReport
jammy771129 reads

nice subject Sarah
....you know I've toured the world as a musician, and where ever I went with few exceptions was only for a day or rarely 2 or 3 days...but I always made it a point to get out and explore Rome, London, zeal am see Austria, Stockholm etc. I think it doesn't matter where you live if you never get out of the house!...lol....I live the staz and also go to Orlando for a lot of concerts...tarpon springs is great...and the Ringling museum in Sarasota is great...of course its always nice  to dance in the sand at skippers smokehouse....

ReplyQuoteReport
London Rayne1240 reads

New Orleans has a lot of culture, believe it or not. So many "first times" were created here, including many brothels that are now apartment buildings, the city of Voodoo, a few haunted hotels like Le Pavillion, etc.  Not a big interest to me, but we do have a great WWII Museum and tons of locally owned art galleries and a ton of plantations to tour. One of my favorite things to do in the fall is to grab a picnic basket, bottle of wine, and spend the day at an old plantation dressed up the way they did back then.  

 I love the city, but have grown tired of "city life" lol. Baton Rouge is another great area for a lot of museums and we took a trip yesterday to the Myrtles in St. Francisville, which is a historic haunted house about 2 hours from New Orleans. The tour sucked, but sleeping over is another story especially in the main house.

ReplyQuoteReport
SoftlySarah1253 reads

Ahhh- NO is soooo rich in culture!! I have a couple of books on brothels there that I will read before actually going there and exploring that side of the city. I have been to Mardi Gras several times years ago, and also to the Jazz Festival. NO is wonderful!

If you ever get to Tampa I would love to show you some culture. Ybor City will be a first stop. :)

ReplyQuoteReport
NicoleSaunders1026 reads

LoL Yeah, Florida really is different in so many ways from everywhere else.  I think that we do have culture, just not in the traditional sense.  Just about everyone had a winter home somewhere in Fl, so we have a lot of home museums... Like the Thomas Edison / Ford estate in Sarasota, and the Barnum estate and museum is there too...havnt been to that one yet, but its more of Barnums Fine Arts collection which Ive heard is pretty impressive.  

 Of course down in the Keys is Hemmingways winter home and museum. Theres Vizcaya estate and gardens here in Miami which belonged to James Deering.  Miami culture...art and music, is something I love...and much if it has Cuban and Hatian influence.  I support the local art and music scene, and there are always gallery events, plus music events, where Ive been able to see some amazing musical artists visiting internationally.  

Come to think of it, last time I was at the beach is last year when a friend was visiting Miami LoL  Crazy cause I used to go to the beach 3 or 4 times a week at least...  But even then, we have Bill Baggs park off Key Bicayne where theres a lighthouse, and um...well, I could go on.  Odds are stuff like this is boring to most people LoL But I love museums and music, those are two things I will drop everything to explore.  

If someone is into nature, theres a whole slew of things for them to check out...Im not much of a nature person, have lived here almost my entire life and have yet to visit the Everglades except while driving 80mph through it hoping I dont hit one of the sunbathing alligators, freaking out over all the vultures and praying my car doesnt decide to break down in the middle of all that.  Im not a nature person. LoL

But yeah, Florida is a bit more than where people come to party or to retire and die.  Not *much* more, but there are some hidden gems here and there.

ReplyQuoteReport
SoftlySarah1108 reads

I have yet to explore Miami, but you've made a great case for it! I adore Latin-infused cuisine and music! That's why Ybor can be so much fun here in Tampa.  I saw Hemingway's house (and cats) as a child. The Vizcaya Estate sounds beautiful- I absolutely adore gardens! I can spend hours in them!

ReplyQuoteReport
NicoleSaunders1312 reads

I havnt had the chance to really check out Ybor though Ive heard a lot about it.  I have been to Columbia there (I think thats in Ybor?) and I liked that...theres also one in Celebration and I went there all the time when I lived there, but the one in Ybor had belly dancers! That was a fun night hehe!

Oh you would indeed love Vizcaya...Ive been there several times and it just never gets old.  I still have to make my way to Hemmingways house, and see all those lil inbred 6 toed kitties LoL

-- Modified on 9/1/2013 3:57:15 PM

-- Modified on 9/1/2013 3:57:35 PM

ReplyQuoteReport
SoftlySarah1026 reads

Well I would love to show you Ybor if you'll show me Vizcaya! :)

Posted By: NicoleSaunders
I havnt had the chance to really check out Ybor though Ive heard a lot about it.  I have been to Columbia there (I think thats in Ybor?) and I liked that...theres also one in Celebration and I went there all the time when I lived there, but the one in Ybor had belly dancers! That was a fun night hehe!  
   
 Oh you would indeed love Vizcaya...Ive been there several times and it just never gets old.  I still have to make my way to Hemmingways house, and see all those lil inbred 6 toed kitties LoL  
   
 -- Modified on 9/1/2013 3:57:15 PM

-- Modified on 9/1/2013 3:57:35 PM

ReplyQuoteReport
NicoleSaunders1231 reads

ReplyQuoteReport
SoftlySarah1009 reads

Planetarium! I'll throw in the Dalí! :

ReplyQuoteReport
NicoleSaunders1065 reads

LoL perfect...

ReplyQuoteReport
SoftlySarah1059 reads

Lol! Would you believe I've never been to Skippers and I drive right by it at least once a week? I'll have to make it a point to stop in now. :)

I'd love to explore Sarasota more, too.  

What kind of music? And what's your favorite city?

ReplyQuoteReport
jammy771209 reads

well I'm a drummer but I also play piano and bass...basically anything I can bang on...lol
I've toured with Kenny loggins, bonnie raitt, chuck man gone, Eric Johnson, the outfield, Suzanne Vega...etc...I grew up playing jazz so I love jazz too.
my favorite city was Zel Am See Austria. not far from Lake Cuomo in northern Italy

my favorite village was Chivita Id Bonaragio  in the Italian hill country...its in the middle of an ancient volcano caldera.

ReplyQuoteReport
SoftlySarah995 reads

Mmmm... That part of Italy sounds beautiful. I have only been to Milan and Venice in the north, but thoroughly enjoyed many beautiful places in the south on the west coast. My fave was probably Sorrento- many fond memories! And Portofino was very charming. And for Austria, Vienna is my sole experience. If we ever meet I will tell you some wild stories. Perhaps you have a few of your own? :) Of course I could be presuming based solely on your proclivity for banging on things... ;)

ReplyQuoteReport
houdini411230 reads

I live in the NYC area now, and for me the appeal of everything here is lessened by the difficulty in simply getting around. To go see a show in Manhattan I know it will involve driving through some pretty bad traffic, paying $50 to park, etc. When the opera is finished at the Met, good luck getting a cab back to your hotel, since you'll be competing with hundreds of others spilling out of Lincoln Center at the same time.  

Sometimes there is so much stuff here it is overwhelming.  

That's why I am looking forward to moving to Florida next month. When Book of Mormon comes to town, I'll be there too.

ReplyQuoteReport
SoftlySarah1056 reads

You do have a point about the difficulty of enjoying the culture of big cities.  Fortunately when I have lived in them I lived very much in the center where it was easy to walk or take the subway/underground. And there is nothing more satisfying than walking around a city after a fantastic meal and a good show! I saw La Traviata in NY in 07 and I don't remember much of a hassle. But again, walking afterwards means I miss the hoardes waiting for taxis. Having said all that, the crowded subways can really annoy me!

The Book of Mormon is only playing from the 12th to the 24th. Here's the link to buy your tickets:
http://www.strazcenter.org/Events/1314_Broadway/Book_of_Mormon.aspx

Now all I need to do is find some good lectures to attend. :)

Posted By: houdini41
I live in the NYC area now, and for me the appeal of everything here is lessened by the difficulty in simply getting around. To go see a show in Manhattan I know it will involve driving through some pretty bad traffic, paying $50 to park, etc. When the opera is finished at the Met, good luck getting a cab back to your hotel, since you'll be competing with hundreds of others spilling out of Lincoln Center at the same time.  
   
 Sometimes there is so much stuff here it is overwhelming.  
   
 That's why I am looking forward to moving to Florida next month. When Book of Mormon comes to town, I'll be there too.

ReplyQuoteReport
derkommisar872 reads

Related Link: http://vizcaya.org/

ReplyQuoteReport
SoftlySarah1001 reads

ReplyQuoteReport
derkommisar961 reads

...Also, while not cultural, there's always Miami's MetroZoo and the Miami Science Museum/Planetarium...

ReplyQuoteReport
SoftlySarah1055 reads

Ooooh! The planetarium sounds fun!

ReplyQuoteReport
NicoleSaunders1500 reads

Its right by Vizcaya lol but yeah, the science museum and planetarium is fantastic.  They rotate out the exhibits all the time, so theres always something new to see there.  Also theres a wildlife area as well... the science museum is where certain birds that are found injured around Miami are sent to be taken care of for release.  Really cool stuff.

ReplyQuoteReport
derkommisar949 reads

...and then there's Coral Castle ( http://coralcastle.com/ ) and Parrot Jungle ( http://www.jungleisland.com/ ).

Related Link: http://coralcastle.com/

ReplyQuoteReport
NicoleSaunders1127 reads

I heart Coral Castle...I swear, the website and all that do it no justice.  Ive had to practically kidnap people to get them to come there with me, but Ive been there at least a dozen times...possibly more.  And most who finally make it admit its pretty cool.  But first impression usually is "this isnt a castle...what is this?" LoL

-- Modified on 9/2/2013 12:33:38 AM

ReplyQuoteReport
SoftlySarah1229 reads

Now we're talking!! A very hot rock star once told me about Coral Castle during a day we spent together having intellectual sex. That was a hot day and I have wanted to see it ever since. I've been to the website many times and look forward to seeing it in person. Add that to our tour list! And I will buy lunch. :D

Posted By: NicoleSaunders
I heart Coral Castle...I swear, the website and all that do it no justice.  Ive had to practically kidnap people to get them to come there with me, but Ive been there at least a dozen times...possibly more.  And most who finally make it admit its pretty cool.  But first impression usually is "this isnt a castle...what is this?" LoL

-- Modified on 9/2/2013 12:33:38 AM

ReplyQuoteReport
SoftlySarah1056 reads

Poor guy. Unrequited love sucks! Lol!

ReplyQuoteReport
NicoleSaunders1074 reads

In the castle, next to the cooking pit is this thing called redemption corner, its a structure with three walls, a bench, and two holes...one high up for her and one down low for the kids.  His plan was, if she or their kids displeased them, they would need to place their head into the hole, and he would sit on the bench and give them a good talking to.  Aye!!!  There are also copies of manuals that he used to sell, with his beliefs on how to domesticate a woman and the womans role to please her man.  LORD! LOLOL  

But he was incredibly brilliant...so many things in there defy comprehension..for instance theres a 6ton door and a 3 ton door both made of coral which is uneven, but he was able to find the center of gravity and balanced so perfectly on a coke bottle cap that you can push them open with a finger.  The 3-ton door got knocked out of place during hurricane Andrew about 20yrs ago, and they have had engineers, scientists, you name it to try and rebalance the door and no one can find the center of gravity to do it...so the 3ton door still doesnt work.  Who knows how he figured it out and was able to do it..esp considering he built the entire castle by himself.

Sorry, I love Coral Castle LOL  Ive been there so much I could dang near give the guided tour :D

ReplyQuoteReport
SoftlySarah1119 reads

Wow- had no idea about his bizarre domestic and family views... Yikes! Lol! We should definitely get together, and I would love to visit the castle with such a seasoned aficionado. :) have you ever read Fingerprints of the Gods by Graham Hancock? He's a very controversial figure, but I am convinced he's on to something...

Posted By: NicoleSaunders
In the castle, next to the cooking pit is this thing called redemption corner, its a structure with three walls, a bench, and two holes...one high up for her and one down low for the kids.  His plan was, if she or their kids displeased them, they would need to place their head into the hole, and he would sit on the bench and give them a good talking to.  Aye!!!  There are also copies of manuals that he used to sell, with his beliefs on how to domesticate a woman and the womans role to please her man.  LORD! LOLOL    
   
 But he was incredibly brilliant...so many things in there defy comprehension..for instance theres a 6ton door and a 3 ton door both made of coral which is uneven, but he was able to find the center of gravity and balanced so perfectly on a coke bottle cap that you can push them open with a finger.  The 3-ton door got knocked out of place during hurricane Andrew about 20yrs ago, and they have had engineers, scientists, you name it to try and rebalance the door and no one can find the center of gravity to do it...so the 3ton door still doesnt work.  Who knows how he figured it out and was able to do it..esp considering he built the entire castle by himself.  
   
 Sorry, I love Coral Castle LOL  Ive been there so much I could dang near give the guided tour :D

ReplyQuoteReport
SoftlySarah1190 reads

Can't wait to see Coral Castle! And the jungle looks wonderful as far as the flora goes! But I have a serious thing against zoos. I think the proper place for animals is in their natural habitat. Sure, they might have a nice life in the jungle place, but they're not *free*. :( So I'll probably give that one a miss. But thanks for posting the link!

ReplyQuoteReport
NicoleSaunders1009 reads

Funny thing about Parrot Jungle...it used to be down south, and my home was right around the corner from it.  There were often escapee parrots, and so they were all aroudn the neighborhood. When my ex and I were looking at houses, I thought they were all so beautiful! But then when we moved in, there were...no exaggeration, about 20+ parrots living in the tree in our yard.

Now, you know how you wake up to the sound of birds chirping and its like awe...sweet birds chirping! Okay, parrots are not like that.  LMFAO they are all SQWAKKKKK!! one starts, they all go off...for everrr...  so many mornings I was begging my ex to go out there and blow up the tree.  LOL

But I think it is a good thing (parrot jungle...er now its Jungle Island but I have a hard time calling it that...not the blowing up of the tree LOL) because SoFla has become so urban, many of the animals dont have a safe place to live around here anymore.  Youd cry if you saw all the exotic animals we have around here that have been run over by cars and such.  And the cant exactly migrate out to the Everglades since well...alligators and vultures! LoL  so yeah, at least for preserving species of birds and reptiles that we have around here, I think its a great thing.

Now the SeaQuarium...you will never find me in there! That place is raunchy....Ive heard bad bad things.

ReplyQuoteReport
derkommisar1051 reads

"Funny thing about Parrot Jungle...it used to be down south, and my home was right around the corner from it.  There were often escapee parrots, and so they were all aroudn the neighborhood."

Now in about that area on Old Cutler Road there are loose peacocks that wander about and every now and again a parrot or two....Occasionally I go to pinecrest park and they had a few lizards traipsing around and a pack of wild books at the library....

ReplyQuoteReport
NicoleSaunders1520 reads

Yup, Im not in that area, but very close by, and when I go for my walks I always pass by a peacock or two lol  And also turkeys...I think they are turkeys?! They are huge birds just strolling around...

And yup, lots of iguanas.  Anyone remember about 5yrs ago when it was soooo cold down here, that it snowed for like 1 minute LoL iguanas were dying f frostbite all over the place and these other types of lizards were just falling out of trees like rain cause their bodies froze up.  

Never a dull moment LoL

ReplyQuoteReport
derkommisar1050 reads

Samantha wrote: "But thanks for posting the link!"

No problem, babe. And just so you know, no animals were harmed during either 1) my typing of the message or 2) my posting of the link (;>}>) !

-- Modified on 9/2/2013 9:04:03 PM

ReplyQuoteReport
SoftlySarah1232 reads

ReplyQuoteReport
sitaradevi1291 reads

So glad I came upon this thread! Having traveled across the USA as well as having seen India, Singapore, parts of Europe and Latin America one of the things that keeps coming up is just how similar big cities are. With international fast food chains including Pizza Hut, KFC and Starbucks as well as big hotel chains I often find big Metropolitan cities very much the same regardless of whether I am in Madrid or Mumbai.

Its not until I leave and go out of the city a few hours drive or train ride that I am able to see the vast expanse of countryside or villages where the true "heart" of a country comes alive and I can see people in their ethnic wear and living according to their own customs and habits which vary country to country.

In an MTV and global media world, the big cities can sometimes start resembling each other around the world so its truly important to me to spend a few days going deep into the more remote parts of a country to really get a feel for the "culture" of the place.

Sitara

Related Link: http://www.sitaradevi.com

ReplyQuoteReport
SoftlySarah1101 reads

You're right that the culture of a place or people is less diluted by globalization the further away from the urban centers you go. Nonetheless, each global city has its own take on music, art, philosophy, literature, etc., which tend to be more prevalently celebrated in urban spaces. Folk art and music would be a purer form of a culture's traditions, and those are particularly rewarding to experience. That is if you can get away from the "made for tourists" brand of those, which are rife in peri-urban areas where cruise ships have tours. Lol

ReplyQuoteReport
London Rayne1156 reads

Agreed. Most of my travels to other countries were at a very young age, so I never got the chance to venture off on my own and find those hidden spots that are locally dominated, and rich with culture. My last trip to Paris was actually for "work" and again, had it not been for one local taking me around, I would not have seen anything other than the view from my hotel, which was stunning btw.  

I am a bit of a loner and just now realizing I need to get out and enjoy life more,  even if no one else can accompany me. If not for the hobby, I would have probably never seen half the places I have been blessed to visit over the last 6 years. I would have been working a full time job, and never been able to afford the break much less the trips. I am grateful for the opportunities this business has given me to see the world and for the people who shared it with me.

ReplyQuoteReport
SoftlySarah1272 reads

Go!! Get out there whenever you can!! I traveled the world almost entirely by myself. I didn't always stay by myself (I always found company when I needed it), but I rarely had a travel partner. I did for a few trips, and they were nice, but most of the time people didn't want to go where I wanted to, when I wanted to, or for how long I wanted to, so I just went on my own. It was a blast!!! If you ever decide to do it, I would be happy to give you info. :)

Travel is by far the best education you can get!

ReplyQuoteReport
London Rayne1197 reads

to even eat a meal alone in a restaurant lol. Actually, I can't recall even 2 times when I have done it, but I once forced myself to. I've never gone to a bar alone to drink, but have sat there at those video crack machines and gambled alone. Now that I have a daughter, it is amazing to know I will always have someone to see the world with, because that's more imporant than some dude lol.  

I plan to go to Italy within the next 3 years, so damn right I will be hitting you up for info.  I want to wait til my daughter is a little older before I take her to another continent, because so many things can happen in this day and age. Flights and hotel I have searched so far run over 12k for two people, and a cruise would be stupid though I have considered it because of savings and the smoking thing. For me to go 9-12 hours without a cigarette aint gonna happen without some xanax to knock my ass out.  

If I could just take a month long vacation, I would do the cruise so I can see other places along the way. I did it to the Bahamas, Jamaica, Keys, and Caymans before, then to Mexico and it was nice, but I did get sea sick the first two days on each trip. I had to start drinking at 10 am to balance out lol.

ReplyQuoteReport
NicoleSaunders857 reads

First, Ive gotta say that what you said here "I am grateful for the opportunities this business has given me to see the world and for the people who shared it with me. "  is soooo true!  I really am grateful for the experiences Ive had, and the places Ive been able to travel to due to this business!!!!

 
But oh man lol  do go out and have fun on your own! I eat out by myself all the time, it doesnt even phase me.  I actually get mildly annoyed when I go to a restaurant, ask for a table, and they wanna tell me I can eat at the bar if I like..Yeah thanks, I want a table for one please! hehehe!  Especially when Im touring though, Im not going to deny myself a nice dining experience just cause Im by myself, I enjoy every moment of it! =D

I will say though, I *love* being able to travel and do things with kiddo.  Shes a teenager now, but since she was a baby, Ive taken her to fine dining, she was 4 when we went to Europe, we do all sorts of things together, and I think that not only did it broaden her perception of the world and open her mind to other cultures, but she knows how to handle herself in different situations so shes really a pleasure to do things with.  

Its funny when we'd go out to eat with others, especially when she was a toddler and theyd assume she'd want the "kiddie" menu, burgers and fries or nuggets...and shes all...Id like the lobster roll with the seaweed salad..ooh I wonder if the calamari is breaded or pan fried?  LoL  But I love it...you will enjoy moments out with your daughter too, its never too early to start...shes my favorite travel / hang out buddy hehe!

ReplyQuoteReport
London Rayne1062 reads

That is one thing we don't deprive of...food lol. She's a picky eater but we have been to every possible restaurant you can think of from New Orleans to NYC, and I can't get enough. Lipo is going to get expensive though lol.  I am just not taking the chance of going overseas with her now...nope. Only takes one wrong place, and one wrong thing and she is gone forever. I would not even put her on a plane in the U.S. without me, since all the new security bs has taken place.

ReplyQuoteReport
NicoleSaunders1306 reads

LoL @ Lipo, I know what you mean though.  Im getting close to 40 and fearing for the future of my metabolism hehehe!

Ohh speaking of food, love that we have Miami Spice / Taste of Miami..and we also have Miami Spa month (which actually lasts for 2 months)

Also here in Miami we have a *lot* of festivals...mango festivals, chocolate festivals, art festivals, flower festivals then of course caribbean carinval every year and we have two major music festivals plus parades at new years, halloween and christmas...there is an edible garden festival coming up in a few weeks..oooh!!!  Theres a crap load to do around here lo

ReplyQuoteReport
London Rayne1247 reads

I can live ON the beach in the panhandle for less than 2k in rent/mortgage, where that would be double in Miami and for half the space. I love the high rise buildings you guys have on the water, but at 5k a month for less than 1200 sq, ft, no way lol. NYC is the worst when it comes to that, but love the culture and the city overall. I usually spend a week a year there at least, and planning to hit them and Chi town this Christmas.

ReplyQuoteReport
Post Reply Back To Forum
Register Now!