I've had plenty of Cuban sandwiches in my lifetime, made by everyone from local San Francisco cafés to national chains like Quiznos. But until last week, I'd never had an authentic Cubano sandwich as it's served at a typical lonchería in Miami. What makes a real Cuban sandwich? Why, it's not just the slow-cooked pork, but also the bread. An authentic version of a storied sandwich is made from Read more

If you're going to Miami, let's face it: you're booking bikini time. So reserve a stay at The Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach and dip your pedicured toes into the most glamorous pool on the Atlantic coast. Built in 1940 by famed architect L. Murray Dixon, The Raleigh is a world-renowned Art Deco hotel that defines style and glamour. The poolside "Oasis," as it's called, is dressed with chic, black Read more

A post on ShelterPop reminded me about the hip and charming Alys Beach homes on the Florida Panhandle, which I wrote about last year. The enchanting collection of resort homes includes vacation rentals as well as permanent residences (for the lucky ones), and I immediately got to perusing the rental listings for a getaway. It's unlikely that I'll actually make it there, but a girl can dream, Read more

In his Florida hometown, equestrian Darren Chiacchia went from celebrated Olympic medalist to charged alleged-criminal. How did he get here? When preparing for the Beijing Olympics in 2008, Darren fell off his horse and went to the hospital with serious injuries. There, he found out that not only did he have a severe brain injury, but also that he is HIV positive. Darren went on with his life as Read more

This Spring, strawberry eaters can rejoice: the price of the beloved berry has dropped to an unusual low. The same Florida freeze that caused Tropicana to raise orange juice prices is having the reverse effect for strawberries. The cold weather delayed the annual harvest, and now Florida's berries are set to hit the market at the same time as California's crop — meaning there's a surplus of Read more