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This is the oldest Europeantradition building in the Western Hemisphere, originally built in 1133–41 near Segovia, Spain. In 1925, William Randolph Hearst bought the magnificent cloisters, had them dismantled stone by stone, and sent to the US. After many trials and tribulations, the stones were reassembled here in the early 1950s for $1.5 million. Call before visiting on weekends as the monastery will close for events such as weddings.

Little Haiti is not so much dangerous as disconcerting – to see so much poverty just steps away from such wealth. The one attempt at promoting tourism was the Caribbean Marketplace. Though critically acclaimed, it has had mixed success.

Nicknamed the “Baghdad of Dade County,” the fantasy follies of this now-depressed district were the brainchild of Glenn Curtiss in the 1920s. All in pink, with minarets, burnished domes, and keyhole arches, the restored City Hall is the best example left. (But don’t stray far from it.)

Thoroughbreds race here on two tracks between January and April, and the park is also home of the prestigious million-dollar Florida Derby, which takes place in March every year. During the racing season, concerts are held here on weekends, with national and international performers.

The Barrier islands north of Miami Beach are occupied mainly by posh residential areas, and this is the poshest. Known for its flashy hotels and one of the swankiest malls anywhere, Bal Harbour is said to have more millionaires per capita than any other city in the US. Bal Harbour Shops – note the British spelling – is a determinedly snooty place in a tropical setting, whose tone is set by the wealthy grandes dames and the security staff in neo-colonial uniforms and pith helmets. Elsewhere along 96th Street, you’ll find galleries, gourmet shops, and a swarm of plastic surgery studios.

The museum (MOCA) opened its state-of-the-art building to the public in 1996. It’s known for its provocative exhibitions and for seeking a fresh approach in examining the art of our time.

It started out as a pineapple grove, but from the 1920s this zone was being called Decorators’ Row because of the design stores that had moved in. For a while in the ’80s, due to high crime, the area fell on hard times, but things are picking up again, and top-end design, furniture, and fixture shops once again rule. Photographers and artists have been moving here, too, to escape the high rents of South Beach.

Haulover Park contains one of south Florida’s most beautiful beaches – a mile and a half of golden sand drawing people from all walks of life. Nestled between the Intercoastal Waterway and the Atlantic, the beach is ideal for surfing and swimming and on warm weekends it is jam-packed with sun bathers. The park itself has a marina, restaurant, tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course, and a kite shop.

Created around a natural limestone bridge formation, this location used to be part of an important Native American trail. A museum/nature center contains artifacts left by those peoples. Naturalists will be your guides as they point out native birds, animals, insects, and trees.

An oak-shaded haven for runners, golfers, and other outdoor enthusiasts, Greynolds Park is landscaped with native and exotic plants, including mangrove, royal palm, palmetto, pampas grass, sea grape, and gumbo limbo. You’ll also find beach volleyball courts, a children’s playground, and plenty of picnic tables.