Whilst it was once synonymous with retirees and ‘snow birds’ escaping New York winters, Miami is now a glittering city that attracts millions of tourists each year. Not to mention its fair share of international fashion designers, models and movie stars. Its sultry tropical climate, ‘Miami Vice’ lifestyle and Latin American culture (half the city’s population is Hispanic) combine to give it a unique brand of cosmopolitan glamour, whilst its endless beaches and clubbing opportunities mean there’s plenty to do right round-the-clock. A clutch of first-class hotels are also on offer nowadays, some of them Art Deco classics like the The Tides Hotel South Beach, others sophisticated urban sanctuaries such as the Mandarin Oriental.

Sightseeing No one ever really comes to Miami to sightsee - but if model-watching from your corner table at the Nexxt Café constitutes sightseeing then everyone indulges! No, Miami is more about hitting the beaches and the shops, although there are certain places you should definitely try to explore before you leave - most notably Little Havana, Coconut Grove and the Art Deco historic area of South Beach. You could also schedule in a visit to the Everglades National Park and if you don’t mind a longer drive, Key West can be reached in a few hours.

Shopping There’s something for everyone in Miami. If all you have time for is a homogenized mega-mall, Aventura Mall is probably best, but if you want somewhere a tad more upscale, you’ll find designer names like Dior, Gucci and Prada at the exclusive Bal Harbor Shops. Bayside Marketplace and CocoWalk are also worth a few hours away from the sun loungers, with the trendy boutiques on Lincoln Road and Collins Avenue sure to mean a good work-out for the credit cards.

Nightlife It doesn’t get much hotter than South Beach! Start with cocktails at the ultra-trendy Delano’s Rose Bar and then after a serious dinner on Ocean Drive (not cheap, but worth it for the people-watching opportunities) hit one of the high-octane clubs. Crobar and Mansion are current favourites with the beautiful people, but you’re probably best double-checking where to aim for when you arrive - fashionable clubs tend to have a limited shelf life! British Airways operate daily flights - flying time 9 hours 40 minutes. Flights with Virgin Atlantic also available.