Braz Mia Tours - Miami Tours - Key West

Braz Mia Tours features a wide variety of tours, activities and attractions to make your visit most memorable. Our offers include a Key West Tour, the popular Miami City Tour and Biscayne Bay Cruise as well as the adventurous Everglades Exploration Tour. While in Miami also do not miss the opportunity to go on a one day cruise to the beautiful islands of the Bahamas.

Top Ten Things to Do in Las Vegas by Elaine Sosa Labalme

Over 2 million people a year visit Las Vegas, get information on Las Vegas hotels and Las Vegas shows with Destination360's Las Vegas Travel Guide

I visited Las Vegas for the first time only two months ago. Since then, I can't seem to stay away. And I don't even gamble! Well, I gamble just a bit...the occasional slot machine, maybe, certainly not the real games of chance such as baccarat, craps and poker. What really took me aback about Las Vegas is that it's a lot more than casinomania. No longer populated by blue-rinsed ladies from Peoria and gentlemen with pinkie rings who answer to "Vito," Las Vegas has fashioned itself into an all-around tourist destination.

These days, the town buzzes with high-tech conventioneers (Comdex, the world's largest trade show, visits twice a year), weekending couples and families out for a little fun in the desert sun. So what else can you do in Las Vegas other than play blackjack or poker till dawn? Plenty. The following is my top ten list of things to do, in no particular order. Try it out on your next visit. I think you'll agree that this list is a winner.

Wynn Las Vegas
At Wynn Las Vegas you will vicariously experience luxury at prices that certainly are not cheap, but on weekdays for most of the year are surprisingly affordable for an experience such as this. High points: Rooms: don’t hesitate to stay in the standard room, which is plenty large at 640 sq. ft., and is appointed with luxury amenities, offers full TV and movies (unlike many hotels that skimp in this area since they want you on the casino floor), a large bathroom, and for our money, the world’s most comfortable bed; Staff: the staff has been well trained to answer your every question; Entertainment: Always an innovator, Mr. Wynn booked La Reve. Though it is not a The Cirque du Soleil production, La Reve was created by Franco Dragone (Cirque’s creator) and is receiving rave reviews; Restaurants: at Wynn the restaurant chef is on premises (wit00h one exception) so you will enjoy Wing Lei, Bartolotta, Alex, Red 8, Okada, SW Steakhouse and Daniel Boulud. 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South Las Vegas, NV 89109; Tel: (702) 770-7000; Toll Free: (877) 321-WYNN. (contributed by Monty & Sara Preiser)

Colosseum at Caesars Palace

Taking over the fabulous Colosseum at Caesars Palace is Cher—the nearly immortal actress, singer, and songwriter whose career has spanned over an amazing four-decade period. For fans, Cher Las Vegas will be a treat highlighting the artist’s career over time. For both fans and those new to Cher (although, seriously, who hasn’t heard of Cher?), the Cher Las Vegas show is sure to dazzle with the kind of flare and flamboyance inherent to Las Vegas. A host of dancers and acrobats decked out in elaborate designer costumes turn this concert into an all out extravaganza. Sets move in and out from above, below, and all sides and create the ability for this stage to completely change atmosphere in the blink of an eye. In an era when shows in Sin City are constantly upping the ante, Cher takes up the challenge. Because Cher Las Vegas is one of the most hyped shows in town, Cher tickets nearly always sell out so make sure to buy ahead of time if at all possible. Visit Cher Las Vegas Tickets for more information.

The Pool at the Mirage Hotel

When you walk into the lobby of the Mirage Hotel, located in the heart of the Strip, you immediately step into an atrium which is akin to a tropical rainforest. Trees, waterfalls, exotic birds -- they're all here. Continue through the casino and head out back to the gorgeous pool area, the Mirage's outdoor oasis. Trust me, you've never seen so many palm trees in the middle of the desert. The pool itself is huge, a meandering ribbon of blue that zigs and zags through the lush foliage. The sound of a rushing waterfall at one end of the pool is invigorating. A second waterfall further back is more subdued. During busy periods, the pool area has 1,200 chaises available to guests. Service here is tops, from the cabana boys to the cheerful cocktail waitresses wrapped in sexy little sarongs. Water aerobics classes are offered daily and this is no ordinary water ballet for seniors. Pool managers leads intrepid sun worshipers through a non-stop 45-minute workout that will work off every last trace of that breakfast buffet. The more leisurely inclined can take advantage of a nifty bench that runs along the inner perimeter of the pool to read the latest Danielle Steel in cool (and wet) comfort. Kids of all ages can kill a few hours on the rock 'em, sock 'em water slide. Chances are awfully good that you're going to catch a sunny day in Las Vegas, so with some heavy-duty sunblock and a wide-brimmed hat, you're in great shape to take advantage of the prettiest, most enjoyable pool in town. One thing to keep in mind: this pool is available to guests of the Mirage only. That's not a bad thing, because it's a great place to stay.

The Canyon Ranch SpaClub at the Venetian Hotel

Although this is Las Vegas, the Spa at the Venetian is considerably better than the spas at many luxury resorts which are in the spa business. Discover this oasis of health and rejuvenation far above the noise and excitement of the Las Vegas Strip. The 69,000-square-foot Canyon Ranch SpaClub® is a leading-edge health spa and fitness oasis. Consider it your haven, where you can relax, refresh and regroup between forays into the world's liveliest nonstop city. Work out, have a massage or a rejuvenating body treatment, beautify yourself or just kick back in this serene, smoke-free retreat. Enjoy delicious, fresh spa cuisine at the delightful Canyon Ranch Café. Everything you want and need – including the only hair and nail salon in The Venetian – is right here.

The Liberace Museum

I'm not kidding. This is the best $15.00 you will spend in Las Vegas ($10 for seniors 65+) . I'll have to admit that my recollection of the great pianist was pretty hazy. Well, it all came back to me in a hurry once I walked through the door. Set among three small buildings a short cab ride from the Strip, the Liberace Museum is a Liberace lovefest and a fitting tribute to the pianist and showman. It's all here: the rhinestone-studded, fur-draped costumes; the mind-boggling jewelry, including a small token of affection from Queen Elizabeth II; the pianos and cars, among them a 1934 Mercedes Excalibur covered in Austrian rhinestones; and oodles of photos, press clippings and memorabilia which tell the story of the man who helped put Las Vegas on the map. You'll walk in the door thinking this is high camp, but you'll most assuredly leave an admiring fan. The Liberace Museum, 1775 E. Tropicana, Las Vegas. Open Tues-Sat 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays from Noon to 4 p.m. Closed Mondays.
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Gaming Classes at the Las Vegas Hilton

I notice in Las Vegas they always refer to gambling classes as "gaming classes." Is this to make it all sound...nicer? I'm not sure, but I'm glad these classes are available, because I certainly don't know all the ins and outs of pai gow poker. Even if I only plan on watching, it's still nice to know what's going on. Most of the casinos in town offer gaming classes five days a week, a quick thirty-minute primer on roulette, craps, mini-baccarat, pai gow poker or blackjack, and the classes are usually free.

Dinner at Emeril's

Las Vegas hasn't often been thought of as a gastronome's delight. I'm betting that it soon will be, thanks to the likes of Emeril's. There isn't a lot of home-grown talent on the local dining scene just yet, but that's okay, because Las Vegas can afford to import. Chef Emeril Lagasse opened his first restaurant, Emeril's, in New Orleans' warehouse district and opened a second, NOLA, in that fabled city's French Quarter. He's now brought his very own "new New Orleans" brand of cookery to Las Vegas, and the news couldn't be better. This restaurant is arguably the best table in Las Vegas, a town which now boasts the likes of Spago and the Coyote Cafe. The sleek and elegant dining room gives way to a meal which is a marriage of traditional cajun and Creole cookery joined with today's lighter hand and kickier flavors. The result is food which is immensely pleasing to both the eye and the palate. A few suggestions to whet the appetite: how about starting with a homemade savory lobster cheesecake, an appetizer which is sliced and served with a Creole-spiced tomato-tarragon coulis? Continue with the warm wilted spinach salad, which comes with a warm andouille sausage dressing, sliced red onions and Louisiana Chicory Farms goat cheese. Emeril's is a fish house, so you might want to try the potato-crusted farm raised bass, which is served with a Louisiana lump crabmeat and wild mushroom relish. If you can handle it, order the banana cream pie for dessert. The service, food and atmosphere at Emeril's make for a memorable evening. Emeril's at the MGM Grand Hotel is open for lunch and dinner seven days.

Flip It

No, this isn't tiddly winks. It's tiddly's slick and mischievous evil twin. And aren't evil twins always irresistible? You'll find Flip It in many Las Vegas casinos. It's a big machine, kind of an oversized slot machine. There's a large piece of glass in front, and behind the glass are trays filled with gold-colored dollar coins. The trays are bursting with coins, and the coins appear as if they're ready to spill over at any moment. So here's the drill: you pop your own dollar coin into the machine, it does a somersault in the air and, with any kind of luck, lands at just the right spot on one of these trays so as to knock a few, hopefully a lot, of coins off and into your piggybank. Sound simple enough? Try it for yourself. If you're like most people, you'll be amazed at how stubborn these coins can be. They just don't want to fall! And like the rest of us, you're going to keep on trying because you are sooo close. Flip It is part carnival game, part gaming game -- in other words, you can win or lose a lot of money here. But more than likely, you'll find the action irresistible. Flip It can be found at most of the larger Las Vegas Hotels.

Stratosphere Tower

Why do the words "only in Las Vegas" come to mind when I think of the Stratosphere Tower? I'll tell you why. This is the tallest free-standing observation tower in the U.S.A. The view from the top is spectacular -- you'll see all the hotels on the Strip, the suburban sprawl which is the new Las Vegas and even Mt. Charleston in the distance, a snow-covered peak which is over 11,000 feet high. But that wasn't enough for the Stratosphere folks. They also added a rollercoaster at the top, the world's highest rollercoaster, and if that doesn't prove to be enough of a thrill ride, you can try the Big Shot, a reverse bungee jump which will shoot you 160 feet into the air at 45 m.p.h. and then send you zooming back down. Don't forget to check out Insanity, the Ride, a massive mechanical arm that extends 64 feet over the edge of the Tower and spins you at a force of 3 Gs for a truly mind-bending experience. If you survive all of this, there's also a bar and restaurant at the top where you can order yourself a stiff drink. Lots of Stratosouvenirs for sale at the top, too. Hey, this isn't just a tower, it's an event.

The Strip

It's officially known as Las Vegas Boulevard, but in reality it's a strip of glitz and glam of unrivaled proportions. To say it's over the top might be an understatement. The Strip is the main drag of gambling U.S.A. and home to most of the top hotels and casinos. A stroll down the Strip at night is a blaze of blinking lights and a sea of humanity making its way to that winning slot machine. Nighttime is also the most comfortable time of day to be outdoors in the Las Vegas heat zone, so take your stroll under the stars and bask in the glow. A couple of choice stops are at the Mirage for its signature volcano, which erupts every fifteen minutes in good weather, and at the Treasure Island for the epic pirate battle. The battle takes place every 90 minutes starting at 4 p.m. and although it's a brief showdown, it's a helluva fight. The best of the Strip is on Las Vegas Boulevard between Sahara and Tropicana Avenues.

Okay, I admit it, Las Vegas is too big for a top ten. So here's two more!

Casinos

You didn't think I'd forget, did you? There are a lot of good new reasons to come to Las Vegas, but there's still a pretty good old reason. The opportunity to gamble is at every turn, and what reasonable person could resist? There truly is something for everyone in the casinos of Las Vegas. Slot machines start as low as a nickel, and big hitters can always try their luck at craps or pai gow poker. While it's fun to win (certainly not to lose), it's also fun to watch. The casino crowd these days is a cross-section of America, maybe the world, and everyone seems to be having a good time. My favorite casinos, probably because they're newer, brighter and less intimidating, are at the MGM Grand, Monte Carlo, Treasure Island and the Mirage. Bring your quarters, a sense of humor and get ready to have some fun. Oh, and good luck! Casinos in Las Vegas are open 24 hours a day and too numerous to mention.
Bellagio Hotel

The Bellagio Hotel & Resort, the Italian-flavored resort-casino is at 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South (888-987-6667), is on the infamous Strip. Dining is accelerated to a crescendo at Bellagio's thirteen restaurants, which run the gamut from gourmet dining to easy informal meals. For gourmet dining you can experience haute cuisine at Le Cirque, or at its sister restaurant, Osteria Del Circo. Chef Julian Serrano left his perch at the four-star Masa's restaurant in San Francisco to open Picasso in Bellagio, probably the most beautiful restaurant in Las Vegas. MICHAEL MINA is a clone of one of San Francisco's best restaurants, and is a seafood venue with a distinct blend of California and Mediterranean ingredients. Prime Steakhouse, which is overseen by Manhattan's Jean-George Vongerichten, features the chef's signature dishes such as crab mango salad with cumin crackers; an assembled tomato accented with basil oil; and entrees such as the house prime steaks that come with a variety of sauces from béarnaise to tamarind, or seven different mustards. For Asian meals, seek out either Jasmine, Shintaro or Noodles restaurants. (contributed by GraceAnn Walden)

Universal Orlando

When you purchase a vacation package including hotel and theme park tickets you receive Early Park Admission* to Universal Studios® throughout 2009. The theme park will open thirty minutes early each day so guests can enjoy some of our most popular attractions before the rest of the general public!

You can experience the brand new Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit – Coming Soon – a multi-sensory roller coaster thirty minutes prior to park opening. You can also enjoy the popular Shrek 4-D™ and Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast™ thirty minutes early. It's a great way to get a head start on all the day's excitement at Universal Studios!

Disclaimer: *Offers and benefits subject to change without notice. This exclusive offer is valid 7 days a week for travel 1/01/09 through 12/21/09. Requires theme park admission. Early Park Admission begins thirty minutes prior to Universal Studios Florida regular opening hour. If technical problems arise or the opening of the attraction is delayed another Universal Studios attraction will be open for Early Park Admission. Offer valid 7 days a week for travel through 12/21/09. Only valid at Shrek 4-D, Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast, and Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit for Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations guest who purchased a complete vacation including hotel and theme park admission.

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Disney World

Walt Disney World

It's massive, it's magnificent! The Walt Disney World Resort covers over 47 square miles, hosts thousands of visitors each day and we're about to give you a crash course in finding your way around. There are 4 major theme parks, Magic Kingdom , Epcot, MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom and water parks.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

Just east of the most popular Orlando attractions and theme parks, NASA's launch headquarters is the only place on Earth where you can tour launch areas, meet a veteran astronaut, see giant rockets, train in spaceflight simulators, and even view a launch.Experience more on your Orlando, Florida vacation with a daytrip to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where the sky isn't the limit - it's just the beginning.

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO

You’re the star at Universal Studios, the number one movie and TV based theme park in the world. At this real film and television studio you’ll go behind the scenes, beyond the screen and right into the action of your favorite movies. Islands Of Adventure, experience the cutting edge rides and attractions that bring your favorite stories, myths, cartoons, comic book heroes, and children's tales to life.

SEAWORLD

SeaWorld Orlando is the world's premier marine adventure park with 200 acres of world-class shows...SeaWorld Adventure Park is a great idea for the first full day of your holiday - stadium style shows means there's tons to see without having to line up in the searing heat! Make sure you pick up a show schedule and take 10minutes to plan your day proceeding clockwise around the park - running from one side to the other willget old fast

Bahamas - History

Main article: History of the Bahamas

The seafaring Taino people moved into the uninhabited southern Bahamas from Hispaniola and Cuba around the 7th century AD. These people came to be known as the Lucayans. There were an estimated 30,000+ Lucayans at the time of Columbus' arrival in 1492. Christopher Columbus' first landfall in the New World was on an island named San Salvador (known to the Lucayans as Guanahani), which is generally accepted to be present-day San Salvador Island, (also known as Watling's Island) in the southeastern Bahamas. An alternative theory is that Columbus landed to the southeast on Samana Cay, according to calculations made in 1986 by National Geographic writer and editor Joseph Judge based on Columbus' log; this remains inconclusive. On the island, Columbus made first contact with the Lucayans and exchanged goods with them.

The Spaniards who followed Columbus depopulated the islands, carrying most of the indigenous people off into slavery. The Lucayans throughout the Bahamas were wiped out by exposure to diseases for which they had no immunity.[4] The smallpox that ravaged the Taino Indians after Columbus's arrival wiped out half of the population on what is now the Bahamas.[5] It is generally assumed that the islands were uninhabited until the mid-17th century. However, recent research suggests that there may have been attempts to settle the islands by groups from Spain, France, and Britain, as well as by other Amerindians. In 1648, the Eleutherian Adventurers migrated from Bermuda. These English puritans established the first permanent European settlement on an island which they named Eleuthera — the name derives from the Greek word for freedom. They later settled New Providence, naming it Sayle's Island after one of their leaders. To survive, the settlers resorted to salvaged goods from wrecks.

In 1670 King Charles II granted the islands to the Lords Proprietors of the Carolinas, who rented the islands from the king with rights of trading, tax, appointing governors, and administering the country.[6]

During proprietary rule, the Bahamas became a haven for pirates, including the infamous Blackbeard. To restore orderly government, the Bahamas was made a British crown colony in 1718 under the royal governorship of Woodes Rogers, who, after a difficult struggle, succeeded in suppressing piracy.[7]

During the American Revolutionary War, the islands were a target for American naval forces under the command of Commodore Ezekial Hopkins. The capital of Nassau on the island of New Providence was occupied by US Marines for a fortnight.

In 1782, after the British defeat at Yorktown, a Spanish fleet appeared off the coast of Nassau, which surrendered without fight. But the 1783 Treaty of Versailles — which ended the global conflict between Britain, France and Spain — returned the Bahamas to British sovereignty.

After the American Revolution, some 7,300 loyalists and their slaves moved to the Bahamas from New York, Florida and the Carolinas. These Americans established plantations on several islands and became a political force in the capital. The small population became mostly African from this point on.

The British abolished the slave trade in 1807, which led to the forced settlement on Bahamian islands of thousands of Africans liberated from slave ships by the Royal Navy. Slavery itself was finally abolished in the British Empire on August 1, 1834.

Modern political development began after the Second World War. The first political parties were formed in the 1950s and the British made the islands internally self-governing in 1964, with Roland Symonette of the United Bahamian Party as the first premier.

In 1967, Lynden Pindling of the Progressive Liberal Party became the first black premier of the colony, and in 1968 the title was changed to prime minister. In 1973, the Bahamas became fully independent, but retained membership in the Commonwealth of Nations. Sir Milo Butler was appointed the first black governor-general (the representative of Queen Elizabeth II) shortly after independence.

Based on the twin pillars of tourism and offshore finance, the Bahamian economy has prospered since the 1950s. However, there remain significant challenges in areas such as education, health care, international narcotics trafficking and illegal immigration from Haiti.

The origin of the name "Bahamas" is unclear. It may derive from the Spanish baja mar, meaning "shallow seas";[citation needed] or the Lucayan word for Grand Bahama Island, ba-ha-ma "large upper middle land".[citation needed]

Key West

Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States.

The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 (the Overseas Highway) (east), Sigsbee Park (north, originally known as Dredgers Key), Fleming Key (north), and Sunset Key (west, originally known as Tank Island). Nearby Key Haven(northeast), the part of Stock Island south of U.S. 1 (east), and Wisteria Island, better known as Christmas Tree Island (northwest), are inunincorporated Monroe County. Both Fleming Key and Sigsbee Park are part of Naval Air Station Key West and are inaccessible by civilians.

Key West is the county seat of Monroe County.[3]

Key West is known as the southernmost city in the Continental United States. It is also the southern terminus of U.S. 1, State Road A1A, and the East Coast Greenway.

Key West is 129 miles (207 km) southwest (229.9 degrees) of Miami, Florida,[4] (about 160 driving miles) and 106 miles (170 km) north-northeast (21.2 degrees) of Havana, Cuba.[5] Cuba, at its closest point, is 94 statute (81 nautical) miles south.[6]

Key West is a seaport destination for many passenger cruise ships. The Key West International Airport provides airline service. Hotels andguest houses are available for lodging.

Naval Air Station Key West is an important year round training site for naval aviation due to the superb weather conditions. It is also a reason the city was chosen as the Winter White House of President Harry S. Truman.

The central business district primarily comprises Duval Street, and includes much of the northwest corner of the island along Whitehead, Simonton, Front, Greene, Caroline, and Eaton Streets and Truman Avenue.

The official city motto is "One Human Family."

Little about Florida

People who live in Florida or who come from Florida are called Floridians.

Floridians have been referred to as "Alligators" after the Alligator population of the state. They've been called "Crackers" in a reference to the sound of the Mule-driver's whips over the backs of their mules in the early days of the state. (Note: Early residents of Georgia were called "Crackers" for a very different reason.) "Fly-Up-the-Creeks" is another old nickname given to Floridians. This nickname was based on the name given to a variety of Green Heron that was common along marshy shorelines. In More About Names, 1893, Leopold Wagners states that Floridians were called "Fly-Up-the-Creeks "...doubtless from their retiring disposition on the approach of strangers."