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It may have been the Miami Sound Machine blaring at the end of my husband's epic birthday party, but Miami has been on my mind a lot lately.
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As I listened (and danced!) to Gloria Estefan belt out Conga at North Brooklyn Farms, I couldn't help but think of some of my favorite Miami spots, one in particular: Villa Vizcaya Gardens.
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Imagine a tropical, Venetian-inspired (smaller scale) Versailles in Miami and you've got Villa Vizcaya. Once owned by businessman James Deering, the estate of Villa Viscaya certainly has a lot of history and is quite enjoyable to walk around, but the shining star of this property is of course it's incredible gardens.
Landscape Architect Diego Suarez designed the gardens as an homage to different regions of the world showcased through plant life.
Needless to say, the horticultural range is sick.
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My favorites include arid cactus and agave, a series of Venetian and Roman inspired topiaries, and the orchid greenhouse - a favorite of the proprietor.
The cool thing about V.V. is that it's off the beaten track. It takes an effort to get to from Miami Beach, but it's definitely worth it. (Another fun fact: Ace Ventura was filmed there!)
When I close my eyes and imagine the walking through the gardens of Villa Vizcaya while the remnants of Gloria play over and over in my head, I feel like I have the perfect Miami moment. #itsplantporn
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