Travel After Divorce

The time is 1pm and I am alone in my office. l While looking out the window, I am appreciative of the beautiful view of the Hudson River. Finally it’s pay day, and the endless possibilities to what I can do is on my mind.

The usual “go out to the bar” option is what would normally be all I am thinking about, but today is different. After a brief scan of my bank numbers I instantly have ideas on where to travel. my usual “go to” location is Las Vegas, but having been there about 5 times this year, I’m not exactly too enthusiastic about gong back there. I need a location to relax. I want to take in the sun, and be around good looking people with a fun night life, then it hits me….Miami.

THE SEARCH

The quickest and best way to book any airfare is simple. Instead of spending my day going between travel sites, as of late I just instantly us “Google Flights”. It’s been some time since I’ve travelled to Florida from New York, and the second I hit the return button on my Apple keyboard, a smile came across my face. I had no idea that for the price of about 2 tanks of gas, I can get a round trip ticket to Miami at just about any time of the day I wanted. This vacation Idea is becoming a winner.

The next big concern would be where I would be staying. To be honest, this is one of the more trickiest things to get through when visiting Miami, only because of the vast array of options available. There are about what looks to be a thousand “Air BnB” options, and after some thought I did not want to stay in any place called “Teds Livingroom Hotel”. The price variations in all the hotels have to do with location and luxury. For a name brand hotel that is on the actual beach you can spend up to $600 a night which would make no sense to me.

After another decision I utilized a non-known hotel brand that is situated on the water for only about $100 a night. I figured that being on the beach and having access to a pool is enough, even if the hotel itself is less than modern. Once the decision was made by girlfriend and I knew at the very least we would be spending time in the sun on the beach, total score!

THE EASY AIRPORT PROCESS

Now I can only speak for the individuals reading this who fly out of New York, but getting to John F. Kennedy International Airport from Long Island might be the easiest and most cost effective way to travel. From the early morning train to Jamaica Station (around $10 one way), there is a transfer to the Air Train which is an uncharge of an additional $7 per person. For less than twenty dollars and a 30 minute commute, arrival to the terminal seems completely effortless. May I also include the fact that the trains are all alcohol friendly? So far I caught a buzz and our flight is on time. It was time to hit up the first class lounge!

THE FLIGHT AND ARRIVAL TO MIAMI

Luckily our flight was prompt and uneventful leaving a mere 2 (ish) hours from gate to Miami International Airport. Once we grabbed our bags from the carousel, the rideshare was basically waiting for us when we ordered it. It took us a total of 20 minutes to drive to our hotel, and that is where we were then pleasantly surprised at the place we picked. Just like every other building in Miami (50s art deco style), it was an older building, but clearly modernized and beautiful.

THE LEXINGTON HOTEL

The Lexington Hotel had probably one of the friendliest staffs I have ever encountered while traveling. The front desk had no issue taking our bags after we changed into our swimwear and awaited our afternoon check in. Within minutes my girlfriend and I were poolside at a 10 foot deep rectangle, complete with Tiki-Bar awaiting our first drink order. After a few cocktails and a long swim it was time to look at the beach arrangements.

On the beach attached to the hotel was a setup for beach chair and umbrella rentals that were FREE for hotel guests!!! Taking out my kindle I set myself up in the shade and then it was only a few short steps to the beautiful bright blue Atlantic Ocean. The feeling of coming from New York (our ocean seems to never warm up), and stepping into the 80+ degree waters of Miami was the most amazing feeling imaginable. There is basically zero waves and current leading us to bring in cocktails and float around in the early afternoon. This hotel couldn’t have been more perfect for the price.

AWESOME ROOM, AWESOME BEDS

I can only talk for the Lexington Hotel, but for less than $120 the corner room with monster king sized bed could not have been better. The only complaint would be the only one working elevator, but once we waited for it, the payoff of such a good hotel room was worth it! A few moments of (ahem), activity and it was time to see all that Miami had to offer.

RESTAURANTS, SITE SEEING AND ATTRACTIONS

The greatest part of Miami is the more than 8 miles of boardwalk that stretch from end to end on the beach. From the central location where we were staying, to South Beach, all you have to do is walk or rent a bike to see countless properties as well as day/night clubs scattered all around. Each restaurant has menus affixed outside and pretty much every one of them has indoor and outdoor dining.

Taking a bike ride will reveal the endless amount of awesome 1950s art deco style hotels, restaurants, art exhibits and overall relaxing culture all around you. Just stopping by a Starbucks on our bikes, we were amazed on just how great it was to sit and look at the chill people walking by. Biking down the main drag led us to find liquor stores, a CVS pharmacy for mixers, and even beach shops to buy T-Shirts for the kids.

Around 14th street area is a big mall closed off to vehicle traffic and full of interactive art exhibits. Bouncing from restaurant to stores is completely fun and we even decided to get another matching tattoo in one of the cleanest shops I’ve ever seen! This is to remind you that where we were on Miami Beach is totally separate from mainland Miami which is a place where we will be discovering on our next trip.

WHY WE WILL RETURN

On the way home from this trip it was decided for the low amount of money it costs, mixed with the relaxation and fun available that we will book our next trip right then and there. After traveling around the country and the world, it’s agreed that Miami offers just what young professionals are looking for in relaxation and culture. We are really excited to return (in the next 20 days :), and this time will have a ton more to explore on both the beach side and the mainland side.

If you are looking for a location to go for the night, a few nights or a week, then Miami is just the ticket for you. Especially with my girlfriend at my side, there is no end to the amount of fun to be had at this easy to get to destination!