Ausmerica famil moves on to Miami
Miami is the latest city in a series of famil destinations for ten Australian travel agents on the Ausmerica mega-famil supported by Qantas and Brand USA.
The famil kicked off with a boat cruise along Millionaire’s Row – an island populated by the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Gloria Estefan and the inventor of Viagra. Dinner on the first evening was at Hard Rock Caf√© – the only Hard Rock in the world without a guitar on the roof ever since a hurricane tore it off. The portion sizes were as large as one would expect in the US, in particular the seven-layer carrot cake that was the size of half an average cake.
It rained on and off over the two days and everyone the famil group met apologised personally for the weather. The group of ten stayed at the Grand Beach Hotel which is a modern hotel with views to South Beach that fits Miami glamour to a tee – all white paint and palm trees.
Next up was a four-hour city tour that took in the art deco district, Coral Gables and Little Havana. Each city within Miami has a distinct personality that was apparent on the tour. Little Havana is a community that is a product of Cuba’s political immigrants in 1959. The agents got to see the locals playing open-air dominoes and chess as well as a Cuban bar that showcased Frank Sinatra’s furniture.
Lunch was at the J.W.Marriott in downtown Miami which caters very well for business clients, and even has financial news TV built into bathroom and elevator mirrors. Dinner was at Essex House Hotel, a property that retains its 1930’s heritage. This was followed by drinks at The Clevelander bar on Ocean Drive.
The agents now head to Los Angeles for the culmination of the mega-famil to meet 50 agents who have visited Texas, Arizona, New York and Massachusetts, Florida and New Orleans.
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