This Italianate Palace was actually built at the beginning of the twentieth century even though it looks much, much older!

A really interesting place to visit with its architecture and elaborate detail – and fascinating to try and work out just how they managed to make it look so genuinely 16th century.

The beautifully landscaped gardens compliment the style and offer a nice respite from the bustling city of Miami around.

3251 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL

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Unmissable if you're a gardener, or just appreciate some decent scenery. Tropical plants abound in 83 acres of botanic gardens, greenhouses etc. It's home to some of the largest collections of palms, vines and other exotic and not-so-exotic trees, flowers and plants in North America.

You can walk yourself round, take the free tram tour, or both.

Until May 31 2006, the grounds are home to a large and colourful collection of Dale Chihuly glass sculptures, which really light up the scenery. (He had a similar scattered exhibition at Kew Gardens before Christmas - I've seen both and the Fairchild collection is twice as impressive).

10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables 33156 (less than 20 minutes in the car, a few miles south of downtown Miami); tel: 305 667 1651; Admission $20 (OAPs $15, kids $10); www.fairchildgarden.org

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