MIAMI BEACH, THE GREATEST CITY ON EARTH*

At the crossroads of North and South America, Miami Beach is just about the coolest place on the planet. It's an international adult playground featuring beautiful historic hotels, miles of white-sand beaches and some of the best people watching in America.

The long and wide beach, stretches up the Atlantic for as far as the eye can see and is perfect for early morning runs. The beach is also about the best spot to view supermodels soaking up the sunshine. An estimated 10,000 models arrive in Miami Beach every year. They come seeking nothing more than a tan and a Revlon contract.

Miami Beach is also ground zero for ultrachic Art Deco Architecture. There are about 800 Art Deco-inspired buildings surrounding the Convention Center. Even at the beach, less than 4 blocks away from the FIME Expo, the lifeguard stands are art deco masterpieces.

Stars and jet-setters cruise the seafront, Art Deco district and nightclubs. At Miami Beach you just might look over your shoulder at a nightclub and see Jennifer Lopez or bump into Enrique Iglesias. You might be dining and at the table next to you are James Caan and George Hamilton. Shopping or sunbathing could become a chance encounter with Naomi Campbell, Britney Spears, and Matt Damon or Tara Reid. These encounters were reported in USA TODAY.

Miami is an atmosphere of supercharged chaos with thumping discos, boozy outdoor beach clubs and sidewalk cafes. Nobody parties like Miami.

Before we describe the Miami Beach's wild side there are two little known Miami Beach gems just a few blocks from the FIME expo.

Picturesque Lincoln Road pedestrian mall was known in the 1950's as "The Fifth Avenue of the South." Now everyone from common folk to celebrities to politicians make this outdoor mall a "must see" on their Miami Beach agenda.

Espanola Way is quite possibly the best-kept secret of Miami Beach full of hidden architectural delights. Many visitors tend to stumble upon this narrow street bursting with bohemian charm on their way to a nightclub destination. Many more tend to linger just a bit longer in this unique quaint setting, enjoying a cafe latte or browsing through the various art galleries.

No description about Miami Beach is complete without describing the Nightlife.

You don't have to venture past Ocean Boulevard where the world famous Beach, outdoor dining and raucous nightclubs are divided by the "strip" where Bentleys, Ferraris and "pimped-out rides" cruise the area. Many come to enjoy this scene and the cuisine returning night after night during their visit.

The party is never over in Miami Beach. It seems like everyone is dancing the night away to the flashing strobe lights and mind-blowing loud club music or swaying cheek to cheek in the more sedate setting of a jazz club. Below are some of the more popular locations:

Casa Salsa

524 Ocean Drive

Best reason to go: singing-sensation-superstar Ricky Martin is one of the owners and nobody except your abuela makes better arroz con gandules.

Skybar

1901 Collins Ave

Best reason to go: The place to spot shockingly hot supermodels.

6 Degrees

685 Washington Ave.

Best reason to go: Fresh food, fine dining and hip lounging.

Tantra

1445 Pennsylvania Ave.

Best reason to go: Exotic Middle Eastern decor, a live grass floor, waterwall, sensual music and acclaimed aphrodisiac cuisine.

Lario's on the Beach

820 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach

Best reason to go: Singer Gloria Estefan is one of the owners and the substantial portions of delicious Cuban food.

B.E.D.

929 Washington Ave.

Best reason to go: There are no tables at this nightclub/restaurant patrons dine in bed and you can wear silk pajamas here to get past the fashion police bouncers at the door.

Mansion

1235 Washington Ave.

Best reason to go: Different floors of dance music from hip-hop to rock and the ultra-chic Level 6.

The Living Room

671 Washington Ave.

Best reason to go: Mingle and dance your way through the maze of beautiful people while the pulsating risque world of the dance floor beckons. Request a decadent sofa in two very posh VIP lounges.

In order to stay in shape during FIME these gyms are just a few blocks from the Convention Center. Crunch 1259 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139 Phone: 305-674-8222. Idol's Gym 715 N. Lincoln Lane, Miami Beach, FL 33139 Phone: 305-532-0089. Ironworks Gym 1676 Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139 Phone: 305-531-4743

With its hot multicultural rhythms and Art Deco ways, fabulous restaurants, beautiful historic hotels, white-sand beaches, sunbathing supermodels and the place where spring break was invented, it's an experience that you'll want to keep coming back for again and again. Sign up for the FIME show today and find out for yourself why Miami Beach is known as America's "Riviera".

*According to Maxim Magazine.