Out and About in Miami

OUT AND ABOUT IN MIAMI
Thank you for your continued support of Miami! The February edition of the monthly Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau Media Relation's e-newsletter is filled with story leads you can develop, including exciting new developments in the destination. Enjoy!

FEBRUARY PROMISES TO BE AN EXTRAORDINARY MONTH TO BE IN MIAMI!
Offering some of the best weather and the destinations hottest events scheduled for this month, February is the perfect time to visit Miami and its beaches! Bake in the warmth and experience some of the best hotels, gourmet dining and exceptional shopping.

MIAMI TO PLAY HOST TO TRAVEL + LEISURE 'S FIFTH ANNUAL DESIGN AWARDS: In its first venture out of New York City, Miami has been chosen to host this high profile awards ceremony. Hotelier André Balazs (owner of by the Raleigh and the Standard in Miami) has been named T+L's 2009 Design Champion and he will be accepting his award at the event. The Travel + Leisure 2009 Design Awards recognize standout design in 15 categories; including hotels, restaurants, fashion, and luggage and results will be featured on www.travelandleisure.com and in T+L's March issue, on newsstands February 20. Winners will be honored at an event at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach on February 18. Travel + Leisure and its website www.travelandleisure.com propel readers to travel now, travel smarter, and travel often.

THE SPA AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL, MIAMI RECEIVES COVETED FIVE STARS FROM MOBIL TRAVEL GUIDE:
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami has been awarded the prestigious Mobil Travel Guide Five-Star Award. The holistic spa is the only spa in Florida and one of eight spas in the United States to earn the industry's most distinguished spa award. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami is a three-level sanctuary located at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental, Miami hotel. www.mandarinoriental.com 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

THE PORT OF MIAMI IS THE PROUD HOME OF NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE'S NEW NORWEGIAN EPIC: The Port of Miami is pleased to announce that Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) new F3 ship, the Norwegian Epic - NCL's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruise ship - will sail year-round to the Caribbean from the Port of Miami beginning summer 2010. The 4,200 passenger Norwegian Epic, following a series of inaugural events in Europe and the United States, will homeport in Miami and will sail year-round to the Caribbean offering alternating seven-day Western and Eastern Caribbean voyages through April 2011. The Port of Miami is proud to be home to the world's most distinguished cruise lines, handling more than 4.1 million cruise passengers annually. www.miamidade.gov/portofmiami/www.ncl.com.

ACCLAIMED AUTHORS AND STORYTELLERS, MUSIC AND ART FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION AT MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC LIBRARIES: Tourists and residents of all ages are invited to participate in the Black History Month celebration at Miami-Dade Public Libraries. Hear renowned storytellers and authors, explore the history of jazz, create your own masterpiece in an African arts and crafts workshop or see an exhibition. All programs are free and open to the public. www.mdpls.org 

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN SULTRY OCEAN BREEZES AND ENTER A SENSUAL HAVEN AT MIAMI'S NEWEST FULL MOON PARTY UNDER THE STARS AT THE DILIDO BEACH CLUB AT THE RITZ-CARLTON SOUTH BEACH: Held every full moon in 2009 at the only oceanfront lounge on South Beach and home of Top Chef "Cheftestant" Jeff McInnis. Lounge on plush couches, sip specially-priced cocktails, dine on a mouthwatering Mediterranean menu Chef Jeff created on Top Chef and be captivated more than just the ocean waves. Exotic entertainment includes belly dancers, fortune tellers and a DJ spinning world lounge music. A gorgeous, sensual and relaxing way to spend a Saturday evening under the Miami sky...

BILTMORE HOTEL UNVEILS THE BILTMORE CULINARY ACADEMY: The Biltmore Culinary Academy is a natural evolution of the Biltmore's outstanding commitment to fine gastronomy. Europe has long offered educational dialogues between chefs and patrons and now with the debut of Biltmore's Culinary Academy this unique experience is available in Coral Gables, Florida. Serving beginners through advanced cooks, the Biltmore Culinary Academy offers a series of scheduled cooking classes that feature its' signature hands-on instructional classes where students are actively involved in every aspect of food preparation. An elite 3-day Master Chef Series exposes the student to cuisine specific techniques in Italian and French preparations and concludes with a course on techniques in dessert and pastry preparation. Children will take part in the Culinary Academy as well with Cooking Summer Camps and Cooking Birthday Parties created just for them and their guests. www.BiltmoreHotel.com 

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