Walking down Ocean Drive on 13th Street on South Beach you enter the Art Deco region of Miami with classic examples such as the Tides Hotel. The area started to spring up in the 1920's visited by the rich and the famous, later to be frequented in the 1950's by the Mafia.

The Art Deco movement can be linked to the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs Industriels et Modernes held in Paris in 1925. So how did Art Deco arrive in Miami? Its introduction to Miami coincide with John Collins and Carl Fisher (1910) undertaking to transform the island now known as Miami Beach from a mangrove swamp into a tourist destination.

Today Miami has moved beyond it Cocaine Wars to represent luxury and premium lifestyles. Visit the Versace Mansion on Ocean Drive, travel up to Bell Harbour Mall or try and spot Operah on Fisher Island. Lincoln Road now represents the new modern heart of Miami.

Sustainable sustainability....

The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is operated by the Centre for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture (CUESA). Since starting as a one-off event in 1992 it has grown in popularity leading to the market opening all year-round in 1993. The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is at the forefront of organic food activities, attracting 10,000 - 15,000 shoppers on Saturdays, highlighting the growing global trend of consumers wanting to reconnect with local food sources and those searching for a strong emphasis on authenticity, relating to both taste and experience.

Chili peppers owe their name to Christopher Columbus, one of the first Europeans to encounter them in the Caribbean, he called them "peppers" because of their similarity in taste with peppers of the piper family. Chili peppers originate from the Americas and are the fruit of the plants from the Capsicum species. They appear in many forms and can be used as a vegetable (bell pepper) or as a spice (cayenne pepper).

Many cultures will be thankful for the chilie. In particular Szechuan cuisineis a style of Chinese cuisine originating in Sichuan Province of southwestern China which is famed for bold flavors, pungency and spiciness resulting from liberal use of garlic and chili peppers, as well as the unique flavour of the Sichuan peppercorn.

Chilies have traversed the globe back and forth. There is nowhere better to experience (other than China) the flavour of Szechuan Chinese cuisine in the oldest Chinese community in the USA, explore around Portsmouth Square (Clay and Washington Street) the myriad of small cafes and restaurants. The simplicity of the establishments often belies the quality and authenticity of the dishes. Being brave and setting foot into these eating places will provide unforgettable experiences.