Greater Miami -- Gateway to the Caribbean and the Americas -- pulsates with vibrant, multicultural appeal for Art Deco happenings, gallery openings, sizzling nightlife, and sports action from Miami Dolphins football and Miami Heat basketball to Florida Marlins baseball.

By night, the once-geriatric South Beach and Lincoln Road Mall areas now rock with youthful vibrancy, as do other areas chock full of restaurants, bars, galleries and theaters attracting the smart set from around the world.

Major winter events range from the Miami International Film Festival, Coconut Grove Arts Festival and Miami International Boat Show to Ocean Drive’s Volley Palooza, Grand Prix of Miami, Greater Miami Mardi Gras, South Beach Wine & Food Festival, the Winter Music Conference and Carnaval Miami -- and that’s only for openers. Summer also sizzles with festivals and fun in the streets often to a salsa beat.

The climate here is subtropical, with plentiful sunshine year-round. The sun's rays are surprisingly strong regardless of the season, so be sure to bring sunscreen and sunglasses. Virtually every building is air-conditioned, so you may sometimes wish to have a light jacket for comfort.